Monday, April 30, 2007

That's Why They Call It Work

Our firm once wrote an employee handbook for a large company that wanted to describe its workplace as "fun."


We stopped them right there and noted that their workplace wasn't always a bunch of laughs. There were many occasions when people had to meet tight deadlines, deal with very difficult customers, and fulfill responsibilities that were far from enjoyable. If they insisted on describing their workplace as "fun," all they would do is create a credibility gap.


Fortunately, they dropped the funny business.


Workplaces can be marvelous but, in the end, they are where this thing called "work" takes place. [At least we hope so. when asked how many people work at his company, one executive replied, "About half."] If people love the work, then all the better, but even those who enjoy their jobs usually dislike some aspects of their responsibilities.


I regard this "Work is Fun" concept as an echo of the "Learning is Fun" moonshine that has been peddled at schools for years. Learning is not always fun. Mastering certain subjects is darned tough and chanting that it is fun only demoralizes the students who look around and see a swamp with alligators instead of a table with balloons and cake. It also destroys the credibility of the teachers who promote it.


Should learning and work be approached with enthusiasm? No problem. But both of those important subjects need to be viewed clearly and that means fun is not always on the day's agenda. Dorothy Parker quipped that she hated writing but loved having written. The fun and joy are more often found in the work that is done than in the work to be done.

2 comments:

Rowan Manahan said...

It's a very fine line to tread. Work should be fun, but it should never be a joke ...

Anonymous said...

Well, there are quite a few workplaces that are fun, but that is mostly despite the companies' wishes, and due only to the workers' own initiative. Just have a look at this blog and you'll see a few good examples.