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Archive for October, 2009
Do You Put on a Mask for Work?
Oct 29
[Photo credit: al_6]
In honor of Halloweeen Week on KnowHR, we decided to see how many of you show up at work in costume. But we’re not talking about Halloween costumes—we’re talking about masking your personality in the workplace every day.
We polled Philadelphia employees and learned that forty percent of you adopt a more professional front at work. Sixty percent said you don’t change your personality. And one person even said he wears a surgical mask to prevent H1N1.
Here’s what some of you had to say about this question.
No, I act the same at work and at home.
“I don’t want to hide who I am. It makes my relationships with my coworkers easier because nothing is hidden.”
-Amara, systems analyst
“I think it shows that you’re genuine and being true to yourself.”
-Sam, assistant store manager
“You gotta be yourself, no matter what situation you’re in—it’s gotta be pretty tough to change your personality.”
-Bill, construction manager
Yes, I put on a different mask at work.
“I bite my tongue at work because if I told people what I truly felt, I’d be fired.”
-Chris, accountant
“I just pretend to work better, to be more concentrated so my boss won’t be angry at me and to make him happier.”
-Elena, bookkeeper
“I try to be myself, but you can’t entirely because it’s a work atmosphere, not a playtime.”
-Kathy, clothing sales processer
In our opinion, it’s a little spooky to wear a mask at work other than on Halloween (I know I’m dressing up!) but what do you think? And do you think your coworkers tend to put up more of a front at work than they admit? Let us know what you think so we’ll be able to figure out who will REALLY show up to work in costume tomorrow.
Is HR Dead? Or Undead?
Oct 29I’ll be on Steve Boese’s radio show tonight along with Mike VanDervort, and China Gorman, COO of SHRM. The topic: Is HR Dead?
Thursday, October 29 – 8PM ET Does HR really need to disappear? Is the whole idea of a central department to help manage all of an organization’s talent really a relic? If HR is really dead, what happens to all the HR folks today? If HR is not dead, but is just on life support, how can it be revived? If you were able to start all over again, and re-design the HR function from scratch, what would it look like? Joining Shauna Moerke and I are special guests Frank Roche from KnowHR, Michael VanDervort from Human Race Horses, and China Gorman from SHRM.
You can call in on (646) 378-1086. You can also follow the Twitter hashtag #hrhappyhour. And in the background, the ghouls will be running a Google Wave. Join us if you have a moment. And leave me a comment. Let me know what you think. Is HR dead? Or undead?
Dawn of the Dead Trailer (1978): THEY MUST BE DESTROYED ON SIGHT!
HR Halloween Horrorscopes
Oct 28
[Photo credit: Brother O'Mara]
Aries
UNICEF once conducted a national campaign for children to raise funds for the charity while trick-or-treating. This is a lesson where you must learn to stop being so greedy. Take one piece of candy, only when offered, and stop hoarding it in your desk drawers. Didn’t you know the cleaning staff goes through there at night anyway?
Taurus
Your coworkers think you’re sophisticated (little do they know). Don’t bother dressing up as a zombie for Halloween this year. The stench of your body odor has been so strong this past year, you already smell like one.
Gemini
Something you’ve been anticipating is about to happen. Yep, you’re in big trouble. You’ll be attacked by ghosts, ghouls, demons, witches, goblins, vampires, werewolves, zombies, skeletons, black cats, spiders, bats, and crows this Halloween. I thought you already knew all your colleagues despised you!
Cancer
That sexy bunny costume is perfect for the office if you’re trying to get the boss to notice you (since your work isn’t worth two beans). He might even have a creepy dungeon very much like at Hefner’s mansion.
Leo
Trick-or-Treat! You’ve spent all year going from desk to desk asking favors. Leave your coworkers alone for once. It’s also seen in the future that your Performance Review is going to be a complete failure – just warning you.
Virgo
Nobody likes you. It’s true. Don’t even bother coming to work this Halloween. Nobody will like your costume or your attempt to win them over with the witch finger cookies you baked.
Libra
Ok, so it’s Halloween, and you’re already The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Paint your face orange for the day – those creepy eyes already make you look like a Jack-o’-lantern, but consider a diet to start November. You’re only going to get bigger with the holiday’s coming up. Diet pills (or starving yourself) might work too.
Scorpio
Your great business mind will make you a great drug dealer, but not for Halloween – I meant in real life. But for now, when attending that office Halloween party this year, make sure you leave the drugs at home and bring yourself, all wrapped up in toilet paper… like a mummy.
Sagittarius
Some people like you, but it’s only their false image of you, which is perfect for this Halloween! You can be any sort of monster, zombie, or ghoul and no one will think twice. Remember, it rubs the lotion on its skin.
Capricorn
Your zodiac sign is a goat. Now you have your costume.
Aquarius
October 31 means lots of treats and candy, but steer clear. Those teeth of yours need nothing more than candy to rot them even more. Remember, there’s been health care cuts – and it’s going to cost a lot to fix that grill of yours.
Pisces
Go ahead – play that nasty prank on your coworkers! It may get you fired, but do it anyway! They’ll never believe that someone as peaceful and calm as you could fill the water cooler with blood, spiders, and real vampire fangs!
Flight of Fright: What Communication Lesson We Can Learn from Those Pilots Who Overshot the Airport by 150 Miles
Oct 27Wanna hear something really scary? Those Northwest pilots who overflew the Minneapolis airport by 150 miles were distracted because they were using their laptops. Know why? Because their employee communication was written by zombies.
From news reports, the pilot and co-pilot were talking about their questionable employee communication, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:
The pilots said they were at cruise altitude when they began discussing the new monthly crew flight scheduling system in place because of the merger between Delta and Northwest. Cole was providing instruction to Cheney, the captain, the report said.
You know what the problem was? The pilot didn’t understand how the schedule worked. Seriously, the dude can fly an airplane, probably has landed one on an aircraft carrier, but he couldn’t understand his employee communication. *That* is scary to me.
The Haunting of the H1N1 National Emergency Declaration
Oct 26
[Photo credit: ValerieTheBerge]
It’s Halloween week on KnowHR, so let’s start off with something scary: President Obama just signed a National Emergency Declaration on H1N1.
Declaring Section 1335 basically allows health care systems to act faster on disaster plans, if necessary. This was also declared during the North Dakota flooding in 2009, Hurricanes Ike and Gustav in 2008 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Now you can add Swine Flu 2009 to the mix.
Let’s hope this decision prevents H1N1 from causing any serious mischief this year.
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