Amid all of the talk and training regarding harassment prevention and lawsuit avoidance, it would be good to re-introduce an old concept to the workplace: Courtesy.
It is a rare case of harassment that would not be vaporized if the parties practiced genuine courtesy. Aiming for legal compliance is like throwing darts and only seeking to hit within the outer ring of the dartboard. If you aim for the bullseye (i.e., courteous and ethical behavior), you'll probably be well within the legal standards.
Consider the appeal of a workplace in which courtesy is a major value. The graciousness of the co-workers may well add to productivity and efficiency, but it stands on its own as an admirable characteristic; desirable not because it is a wise thing to do but because it is the right thing to do.
2 comments:
Michael -
Interesting that I should read this about courtey - especially in the workplace.
My daughter underwent a phone interview for an entry level position at an advertising agency. I suggested - and she promply followed up with - a thank you note. It was simply put and well done.
The HR person that she wrote to called her and asked her with some suspicion and indignation what might daughter was asking her to do. My daughter just said it was a thank you note for taking the time to interview her. The HR person still insisted on asking her what she wanted, what was behind it. Eventually the short conversation ended but it completed rattled my daughter.
Have we reached that point where a simple thank you note is deemed suspicious?
The only advice I could give her was to stay to her own true values, that she do what’s right, and ethical and in the most professional way possible. And not to let anyone make you think otherwise.
Shame - with so many channels of communication available, we've become so poor at it...
- Jeff
Jeff,
I recently read an article that was criticizing the use of thank you notes by job applicants. Completely ridiculous. I always advise applicants to send thank you notes. It is a decent thing to do and it may well separate you from the pack. I'd worry about that HR person. Courtesy should not be subjected to interrogation. I like your advice. Some days I think we are dealing with barbarians.
Michael
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