How to Lose a Good Person in 10 Ways
Corporate Modus Operandi
Yesterday, I received the following response from HR to my request about bringing filtered water in my own glass bottle to drink during my shift.
The employee accommodation request for Dara Palmer has been denied by HR.
HR Comment:
I have attached the company policy on beverages below. A Company Mug or courtesy cup are the only containers that are permitted for use in the store.
So, basically drink what we provide out of our plastic cup. Or…stay thirsty, my friend.
Imagine feeling entitled to denying an employee the ability to drink water they feel is safe and clean.
For the last month, I’ve been waiting for my break to drink the filtered water I leave in my car. Unfortunately, because it’s been so cold, many times it’s frozen solid by then and I can’t properly hydrate.
The “Company Mug” is plastic, resin identification code 7. Yes! That’s the one that has BPA. And the supposedly triple filtered water is dispensed through their soda fountain.
For the employees I’ve talked with, it seems they consider the unlimited sugary carbonated beverages from the soda fountain, a perk. And they’ve admitted they don’t drink water!!!
I avoid plastic and don’t drink water I haven’t filtered myself. Nor do I drink soda or drinks containing sugar or artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners.
You can do research on the contamination and superbugs found in over 40% of soda fountains and the micro plastics found in bottled water. Then, invest in a good water filtration system and some glass bottles.
I’ve never been an employee. I’ve always been self-employed or an independent contractor. Nor, have I ever worked for a corporation. This last month has been an eye-opening experience to say the least.
How to Lose a Good Person in 10 Ways
Schedule them 8 days in a row their first week. I now refer to that week as my Corporate Initiation Ritual.
Don’t give them a reasonable, set schedule they can plan a life around. Change their work days and days off every week for the most destabilizing effects. Create a schedule that is unsustainable and will lead to burn out.
Ask them to do things they’re honest about not being comfortable doing. Then, stand around and talk to other people while watching them struggle.
Don’t tell them they’ll be required to operate heavy machinery before hiring them. Then, make it mandatory in service of the corporation being able to place blame for property/product damages on employees.
Let the “higher ups” who have never done any of the actual work make new mandatory policies for the people who do the work every day.
Start every shift with a list of all the things other employees are doing wrong in what feels like receiving twenty lashes on behalf of the girl who likes to wear black lipstick to work.
NEVER acknowledge good work, express appreciate or recognize employees for a job well done.
Ask them to share personal things, like hobbies and strengths, two weeks into a new job. Tell them this invasion of privacy is mandatory.
Ask them to share their career goals with the company and rate their performance two weeks into the new job.
Threaten them with job loss if they do ONE thing wrong, even if it’s being a few minutes late due to something outside of their control like car trouble.
BONUS: Don’t fire employees with a history of repeated sexual harassment complaints.
Day five of my new job, a male employee asked me if I was sexually attracted to him and went on to share his fantasies about having a relationship with me. Apparently, no one likes this guy. In fact, one woman said she hated him. And according to a co-worker, he has a history of sexual harassment. I reported his inappropriate comments to HR. He’s still employed and tries to find and talk to me as often as possible.
Obviously, the company shall remain nameless. If you leave a comment, please do not mention any names.
Like Nietzsche said, “He who has a why can bear almost any how.” I know my why and I’m committed to achieving my goal of owning a fully paid tiny house that I can live in rent and mortgage free for life. So, until I find another full-time job I can do from home, this is my life for the next year or so.
As for the corporate job. The work itself is fine. The commute is easy and I enjoy listening to my audiobooks and podcasts in the car. But corporations lose good people by treating them like soul-less drones with their policies and mandates, schedules and threats.
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Pearls of Wisdom is a personal blog of the wisdom writings of Dara Eden that fall outside the realms of feng shui, The 8 Elements and her other personal energy work. Established in 2014, the blog is an expression of her highest values: Sovereignty, Truth, Wisdom & Inner Peace. It’s devoted to increasing awareness, expanding consciousness, bringing knowledge, sharing innerstandings and offering wisdom to the sovereign souls inhabiting the Earth.
Dara Eden is a writer and wisdom keepHER. The name, Dara, means “pearl of wisdom”. Pearls are formed when a microscopic irritant, like a grain of sand, embeds itself within the soft tissue of a shelled mollusk. To protect itself, the oyster or clam covers the invading gritty particle with concentric layers of iridescent crystalline calcium to form treasures, pearls of great beauty and worth. Gifts of the sea, pearls are the oldest known gem and the only gem that does not need to be cut, shaped or polished. Pearls are associated with elegance and luxury and are a symbol of mystery and purity. Pearls represent priceless knowledge, the rare wisdom that begins as a tiny, random, common irritant.
