Sunday, April 19, 2009

Welcome To Nazi Germany

There's a sign on the door leading to the editing room at school that says there are cameras watching the room. These cameras are there to ensure that things don't get broken or stolen, and if they do, the responsible party can be held accountable. A good idea on the school's part, I think. Until you think about the privacy issues involved with this. Some smartass wrote on the sign, "Welcome to Nazi Germany". An interesting, if not hyperbolical statement.


This got me thinking about some recent issues at Panera, where I work. Nearly everyone is friends with each other on Facebook, including the boss. She has told people she doesn't like it when people "bitch" about work on Facebook. The latest issue involved a coworker saying he was going to work to "slave for a few". The boss's response was "you can quit". This brings up, in my mind, issues of both non-work things affecting work, and censorship. She wants to control what is being said by her employees about work in a setting outside of the work place. I find this to be extremely controlling and (in this latest case) immature. If a person cannot say what they feel about work in a non-work setting for fear of being reprimanded or (in the worst case scenario) fired, there is something very wrong with that situation.


That's all I've really got about this. I wrote it up quick, but after my anger and frustration had subsided. What do you think?