And Workplace Harmony Will Doubtless Ensue
You see, the tiresomeness of it all is for your own good. And besides, escape is forbidden.
Update, via the comments:
Readers may, I suspect, have reservations. But do bear in mind that ostracising people and engaging in petty workplace spite – calling them Nazis, for instance – is so much easier when you know who they voted for. And do take a moment to consider the oppressed in this equation, by which, of course, I mean the needy and neurotic, those whose status and self-worth hinge on mouthing – and being seen and heard to mouth – the most fashionable political opinions. Now, imagine these poor souls being denied the opportunity to bore others with them, at eye-watering length, during office hours.
That the owners of Basecamp, a web software company, should find themselves having to officially ask employees not to use the workplace, work networks, and working hours for “political advocacy” – and explaining that angry exchanges about politics, i.e., leftist identity politics, “can’t happen where the work happens anymore” – i.e., stop behaving like spoiled teenagers who are still on campus - is quite a thing. One has to marvel at how they’re essentially having to explain to their woke and quarrelsome employees the concept of a workplace, as a thing that’s not in fact interchangeable with a protest march or a student union bar.
Update 2: The drama escalates.
It’s not a coincidence these grand stands against divisive “politics” at work issue down from white male tech executives.
Writes Taylor Hatmaker at TechCrunch. In a not-at-all-loaded and totally non-divisive way.
Why, it’s almost as if fixating on people’s sex and skin colour – and assigning some kind of collective moral defectiveness to the pale and male – were a habit that other, saner people may not find entirely enhancing of their working environment. Just a thought.
Following a controversial ban on political discussions earlier this week, Basecamp employees are heading for the exits. The company employs around 60 people, and roughly a third of the company appears to have accepted buyouts to leave, many citing new company policies.
And presumably taking with them their intersectional prayer mats. Again, if you’ve been hiring people who appear to regard themselves as activists more than employees, and who prioritise their political opinionating – on work time, using work networks, and resulting in a distracting and fractious environment for everyone else, an environment described as “unhealthy” – than perhaps you should reflect on how wise that was.
Update 3: In the comments, CJ Nerd steers us to this:
Tech journalist Casey Newton said about one-third of the company’s roughly 60 employees took buyouts shortly after, with one fuming: “Basically the company has said, ‘well, your opinions don’t really matter — unless it’s directly related to business…’ A lot of people are gonna have a tough time living with that.”
Yes, the kind of vain, unworldly creatures who imagine that their employers and colleagues want, indeed need, to hear their views on “whiteness” and “microaggressions,” and who equate a list of funny customer names with a march towards “genocide.” The kind of overindulged, overgrown children for whom reciprocation would be anathema, a basis for indignation, and who complain that being asked to focus on the job they’re actually paid to do constitutes not being “allowed to exist.” In other words, the ideal end product of an expensive progressive education. And who, having seemingly learned nothing, will presumably go on to disrupt and demoralise some other fool’s business with their pretensions and farcical high-maintenance.
Update 4:
Two employees told me that they had found themselves crying and screaming at the screen.
After all, it just isn’t wokeness without weeping and howling.
Via Garbage Human, via Rafi.
Consider this an open thread. Share ye links and bicker.
Lefties project.
Also, ostracising people and engaging in petty workplace spite is so much easier when you know who they voted for.
Also, for no reason whatsoever, today’s words are mid-life crisis.
The previous buttocks thread nonetheless seems appropriate when discussing Mr Garrett (since pronouns were not insisted upon in “his” twitter feed).
Heh.
Alas, when I clicked through, I found humanoid life form Garrett’s desired pronouns.
he/him.
So, some plus points for that.
But no, we mustn’t laugh. I mean, suppose you were needy and neurotic, someone whose self-worth hinged on mouthing – and being seen and heard to mouth – the most fashionable political opinions, and being denied the opportunity to bore others with them, at eye-watering length, during office hours…
Also, for no reason whatsoever, today’s words are mid-life crisis.
Today’s other word is ‘aposematism’.
Heh.
I mean, suppose you were needy and neurotic, someone whose self-worth hinged on mouthing – and being seen and heard to mouth – the most fashionable political opinions, and being denied the opportunity to bore others with them, at eye-watering length, during office hours…
Or suppose you worked in Human Resources over the last several decades, but did this in a much more incremental, boil-the-frog fashion until we got where we are today. Of course anyone who objected over those previous decades, well THEY would be the ones bringing politics into the workplace. The HR angels were just “helping” diverse groups of people to get along. And how could one object to that?
The thing about this Basecamp no-politics-at-work policy is that the founders aren’t exactly conservatives, but apparently they’re still not up to snuff. The clear moral of the story is to not hire activists in the first place.
The clear moral of the story is to not hire activists in the first place.
So without an HR department, how do you hire anyone? How do you maintain compliance with the plethora of employment regulations?
Herr Garrett’s choice of flags were entertaining.
Pirate, LGwhatever, Canadian, US, and then TwitterCheck
At this point, our host should drink some type of caffeinated beverage to stay awake over the next bit of text. Those of you who aren’t software weasels should consider imbibing the same (assuming you wish to stay awake to read it) or something alcoholic (assuming you’d rather not stay awake to read it).
But he’s supposed to be an expert in human interfaces.
Ah. Ajax := “Asynchronous JavaScript and XML” His day was about 16 years ago. The Wikipedia web page for Ajax mentions him.
Not sure how JavaScript (it would have been difficult to find something worse than Perl, had JavaScript not been created) and XML point to human-centered design.
I dimly recall that it was once considered impolite, and rather vulgar, to talk politics at work. It was often regarded as, among other things, an imposition. (See The Blurting, linked above.)
Related, JP gives a block of instruction.
Unrelated, “…design in the Web 2.0 era.” I am still trying to figure out how Web 2.0 is different from Web 1.0, other than it is a crap shoot what sites work on what browsers, and there are more ads and trackers.
The beauty of dial up is that Twitter would never have worked.
That does present a conundrum. Still, perhaps they should have chosen one of the other 700+ applicants as their data analyst.
There is an obvious danger in throwing down an ultimatum like “you can work with Nazis or you can work with me!”
Web 2.0 is different from Web 1.0,”
Same as all sequels – “The Search for More Money”
Still, perhaps they should have chosen one of the other 700+ applicants as their data analyst.
Yeah. That’s my point. Did you review the other 700? The HR field is full of this crap. It was bad enough 20+ years ago when I used to go recruiting with them. The one thing I learned is how deeply evil they are. And that was back then.
Though TBF, there’s more than one Jane Yang. From same link comments:
The thing about this Basecamp no-politics-at-work policy is that the founders aren’t exactly conservatives, but apparently they’re still not up to snuff. The clear moral of the story is to not hire activists in the first place.
And so, an excruciatingly right-on company that did hire people who regard themselves as activists first and employees second – and did so merrily, it seems – soon found the workplace atmosphere degraded, combative and “unhealthy,” as one of the bosses put it. As if no-one could have foreseen this. A workplace in which employees were either targeted for dissenting, however mildly, from The Fashionable Piety Of The Day, or were cowed into silence and then accused of “complicity” in whatever purported sin was being railed against on any given afternoon.
Instead of, you know, working.
That the bosses should find themselves having to officially ask employees not to use the workplace, work networks, and working hours for “political advocacy” – and explaining that angry exchanges about dementedly woke politics “can’t happen where the work happens anymore” – i.e., stop behaving like spoiled students who are still on campus – is quite a thing.
It suggests that a number of important errors, not least in hiring, had already been made.
So without an HR department, how do you hire anyone? How do you maintain compliance with the plethora of employment regulations?
It’s always a temptation to offload as much of the hiring work onto the HR department, as it takes so much time to sift through applications, conduct phone interviews, etc.
A similar phenomenon contributed to the decline of universities: Traditionally most administrative work was performed by professors on a rotating basis. But professors naturally resented anything that took them away from scholarship and teaching, and so they succumbed to the temptation to let full time administrators do it for them. Hence an ever-growing administrative apparat.
We haven’t had a poetry slam for a while, so I bring you “Colonized Erection” – sorry that is the band name, the “poem” is “White Hollywood”.
This stunning and bold tour de farce was noted here.
It suggests that a number of important errors, not least in hiring, had already been made.
“Individual responsibility” scares many, thus the tendency to go full “community”
I do enjoy bringing up imagery of witless herds, trampling in a mad panic to avoid predators when I’m told that “community” or “village” trumps “individual”
I laugh, and laugh…
i.e., stop behaving like spoiled students who are still on campus
That.
A similar phenomenon contributed to the decline of universities
I witnessed the debates over this in the 70’s, although the process was already well underway.
There were also debates over student loan programs, with some arguing that it was a bad idea to saddle students with large debts and that universities should stick to traditional scholarship programs in which qualified students received grants not loans.
That.
Well, you have to marvel at how they’re essentially having to explain to their woke and quarrelsome employees the concept of a workplace, as a thing that’s not in fact interchangeable with a protest march or a student union bar.
As so often, the vanity and arrogance is remarkable.
It’s a toss-up as to whether the Left delights more in its misery or in inflicting misery on others.
Off topic, on an earlier thread Darlene asked whether under 30s would know how to set a table. Well apropos of that question there’s a documentary coming out this month called Set! about competitive table setting. Apparently it’s a thing and dates back to the 1940s.
Here’s a little taste: https://vimeo.com/521998193.
Jesse James Garrett. That’s quite a conflicted handle. On the one hand he’s Jesse James legendary outlaw on the other he’s Pat Garrett legendary lawman who killed outlaw Billy the Kid. Surely he’s fated to face a bad end at his own hand.
Here’s a little taste
Heh.
In the interest of “open thread”….
As you may or may not know I am the person who lost the musical chairs game to become president of our HOA. Our HOA has a small, community pool and thus the board has the responsibilities that go along with it. The restrictions are posted at the pool. Restrictions that the board takes grief for but are mostly driven by legal requirements and insurance concerns. A few years ago a resident simply asked if their child could be given swimming lessons by an outside instructor at our pool and we had to say no because of our rules. Well today we get a request from someone who lives in our community asking if we can make an exception for their 8 year old son to have a pool party there. You see, the husband is an attorney and would draw up a disclaimer, etc. etc. etc. And it “would mean a lot to my son and I hope we can find a way to make this work”. What F***** crap. First of all, that this lawyer thinks that we are going to take HIS word that HIS document is good without running it past OUR lawyers, at OUR expense. Not to mention how that might conceivably impact our liability insurance.
The nerve of these people. Exceptions for them because they have the special “knowledge”. This is a prime example of how these people, lawyers, bit by bit undermine our society. Making so many rules such that normal people cannot do simple things normal people would be allowed to do without question/concern 30-40 years ago because back then we had common sense. Now every damn thing has to be a rule and thus essentially a law, even though no one voted on it. But then for THEM, they want to write up exceptions. Because it “would mean a lot to my son”? Because he’s so special? The lack of self-awareness in that profession is astounding. Pond scum, the lot of them.
Pond scum
I recommend that you thank them for informing you of their professional affiliation, and advise them of a little-known housing agreement stipulation that no lawyers are allowed in the homeowners association and politely ask when they plan to vacate?
Restrictions that the board takes grief for but are mostly driven by legal requirements and insurance concerns.
Probably best to just hire a backhoe and fill it in.
As you may or may not know I am the person who lost the musical chairs game to become president of our HOA.
Serving on an HOA is a thankless job: many residents do not appreciate the work involved, much less the stress. And at the same time, very few residents will agree to serve on the board.
Well today we get a request from someone who lives in our community asking if we can make an exception for their 8 year old son to have a pool party there.
I would think that any such exception would be legally suspect (same rules must apply to all residents) and that a lawyer should know this.
I recommend that you thank them for informing you of their professional affiliation, and advise them of a little-known housing agreement stipulation that no lawyers are allowed in the homeowners association and politely ask when they plan to vacate?
Oh, it may be even better. I have a question out to our ARB person asking if these weren’t the same people (address seems right) that refused to correct their installed fence, which was put up (I believe purposely) with the “ugly” side facing the street and thus the community. Our restrictions were not 100% clear on that little detail (which we have now corrected) and thus we’re stuck. There is a hedge on the outside of this fence but there’s no requirement for a new home owner, or even this one, to keep it and maintain it.
Probably best to just hire a backhoe and fill it in.
Heh…While this is likely in jest, and I have jokingly said same, it would take an act of God to get such a thing approved.
and that a lawyer should know this.
Yes, see my comment just now as to this might have been a homeowner who was pushing the boundaries a while back.
BTW, I’m shocked, shocked, I tell you that no one asked the 2020’s definition of “NAZI”…
*it’s “someone who might not totally suck up to me 24/7″*
“refused to correct their installed fence, which was put up (I believe purposely) with the ‘ugly’ side facing the street and thus the community. Our restrictions were not 100% clear on that little detail”
So, slimeball lawyers trying to get away with whatever they think they can and to hell with their neighbors. Figures.
Very old joke:
Attorney Hunting Season and Bag Limits
1. Any person with a valid state hunting license may harvest attorneys.
2. Taking of attorneys with traps or deadfalls is permitted. The use of currency as bait is prohibited.
3. Killing of attorneys with a vehicle is prohibited. If accidentally struck, remove dead attorney to roadside and proceed to nearest car wash.
4. It is unlawful to chase, herd, or harvest attorneys from a snow machine, helicopter, or aircraft.
5. It shall be unlawful to shout “whiplash,” “ambulance,” or “free Perrier” for the purpose of trapping attorneys.
6. It shall be unlawful to hunt attorneys within 100 yards of BMW dealerships.
7. It shall be unlawful to use cocaine, young boys, $100 bills, prostitutes, or vehicle accidents to attract attorneys.
. . .
it would mean a lot to my son
Normally some emotional appeal is expected here to justify bending the rules – it would mean a lot to my son before he starts his chemo, for example.
But of course the whim of their spoiled brat is in their minds the emotional appeal.
and I hope we can find a way to make this work
If we all put aside our personal interests, we can get that orphanage built!
So, slimeball lawyers trying to get away with whatever they think they can and to hell with their neighbors.
A friend of mine was selling her house. A lawyer and his wife made an offer. He didn’t use a real estate agent and he acted as his own lawyer. My friend’s real agent wisely suggested a large cash deposit ($100K). Well the offer was accepted by my friend (against the recommendation of many around her). Two weeks before closing Mr. Lawyer wanted to back out of the deal and he wanted his deposit back. Well, Mr. Smartiepants lawyer took it to court and once again represented himself. The judge berated him for his lack of understanding of real estate law. My friend kept the deposit and the judge awarded a couple hundred thousand dollars in damages. It’s sweet when lawyers screw themselves.
The HR field is full of this crap.
The change came when they went from “Personnel” to “HR”. As the former, they were little more than a service department that processed applications, set up interviews, made sure the hiring packets were current, and people signed for the employee manual.
As “HR” they glommed onto the idea of being Gatekeeper of who got in the front door (and having the power to say yay/nay to any hiring) and Last Word Enforcer of all policy.
In government employment, they are even worse. The last few years before my retirement, the thorn in my side was an HR person named Victor – I usually heard from him a couple times a day unless it was to answer my questions.
The change came when they went from “Personnel” to “HR”.
Which, I am convinced, came about as no one could spell “personnel”
competitive table setting. Apparently it’s a thing and dates back to the 1940s.
Home entertaining was big in 40s-early 60s. I didn’t know that there were actual competitions but I always enjoyed going to the “home” section of some of the old department stores and looking at how their designers set up numerous table settings.
I worry, though, that the trail borders on mocking the people involved in the competition.
BTW… I recently discovered this group.
In the spirit of Open Thread, I just want to state how happy I am that this post finally bumped that woman with the vapid “I’m getting ready to pee without using the loo” look on her face off my screen.
On the topic of the OP – how far down we’ve come as a culture and a society that the idea that the workplace is for, well, work has become hugely controversial and the subject of much overwrought handwringing.
I guess nobody noticed that since resources are things to be exploited that the name “Human Resources” was a big hint on that department’s mission.
I didn’t know that there were actual competitions…
The documentary was filmed in California at the Orange County Fair. Something you might be able to attend in person?
https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2021/04/28/its-not-just-knives-and-forks-and-emily-post-rules-welcome-to-the-world-of-competitive-table-setting.html?rf
The documentary was filmed in California at the Orange County Fair. Something you might be able to attend in person?
Yes, I’ve attended in the past and somehow missed that area. If they open this year, I will have to seek this out.