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?



6 comments:

Anonymous said...

If you don't like it, then you can geeeettt out!

Gary Kainz said...

Very well thought out and constructive. Thank you for your great contribution.

Anonymous said...

Keep your thoughts coming!

Regarding facebook & employers: I think it's important that friendship and employer:employee lines be carefully drawn. I love having friends on facebook! I think, however, that it would be awkward and (probably) inapprorpiate to "friend" an employee. Once someone steps into the role of friend, their role of boss is compromised. It's OK to be friendly. It's not OK to be friends (with employees).

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! It's so awesome to see how you've grown!!

Ben said...

I've thought about this too. . . I agree with you about censorship and employer/employee relationships. . . my thoughts have always been that I don't view facebook or any other online "community" as to serious. . . I guess I may keep things closer to the chest than most people, but I have always been guarded online. . . I think. . . anyway, like the blog. . . I have two, check 'em out. . . http://unwrittentales.blogspot.com/
http://bjmarcotte.blogspot.com/

GregKainz said...

unfortunately, when your workplace is identified on line, a whole bunch of issues come up and the employers try to avoid any and all negative issues linked to their name. It's a goofy place, this world-wide web ...

Anonymous said...

Dude, FOR REALS. I thought it was crap. She shouldn't care / should know that the job HAS to suck for Trent. He works his ass off there for like, what? $10 an hour, while she's getting paid AT LEAST $65,000 a year. Pshaw.

-Jeri