Saturday Odd Bits Roundup: Hard to Believe
by Miki Saxon
Thursday I wrote Too Busy to Manage, on the idiocy of eliminating not only bonuses, but also positive feedback, and I have more excellent incentive information for you today.
First is a forward-looking article from Wharton about how and why—shocking thought—incentives should focus on the long-term. Wow, I didn’t even know anybody in the US could spell long-term.
Another wild idea from WSJ Online suggests that “the best way to keep them from leaving is to prepare them to do just that.” Check them out, you may be surprised.
Speaking of the long term, check out this overview of how Southwest Air Line has kept its industry lead. If you’re a long-term reader you won’t be surprised that the key has been insane customer focus and a fun culture.
More surprising news courtesy of Steve Roesler. “Men may be more willing than women to sacrifice achievement goals for a romantic relationship. This according to a new study by Catherine Mosher of Duke Medical Center and Sharon Danoff-Burg from the University of Albany.” Actually, ‘surprising’ is a gross understatement.
My last pick was chosen to add some levity to your day. Would you write an advice columnist if your openly part-time hooker co-worker was turning tricks on company time and then brought her other job to the office. “What really got me upset was when my co-worker was having sex with a client in our public restroom.” Read the whole story and tell me if you think it’s for real.
Image credit: MykReeve on flickr
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:05 pm
If that last article is true it worries me that some of the responders to the article seem to think it is perfectly acceptable to do this illegal activity either at or after work because we “don’t know her circumstances” – give me a break!
(Ok when did I get officially ‘old and out of touch’ with the morals of today’s society?)
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Hi Julie, I wonder how big the ‘if’ is:)
What she does after work is her own business, but she should have enough sense to keep her mouth shut. After all, people do a lot of illegal stuff in their off time these days, even if they claim ‘recreational use’ and “I drive very carefully” when boozing it up after work.
That said, I think both women are suffering from cases of terminal stupidity, one for her actions and the other for not knowing what to do about them. Sex with a client is still a business no-no and charging for it is an over-the-top no-no.
But it does make you wonder where the boss is or if s/he is a client.
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Yes – like I said I’m not sure when I got “old”! Except for accidentally taking a pen or 2 home from work in my pocket, checking my bank account during a break and maybe making the occasional personal copy on the copy machine I’m pretty paranoid about illegal activity at work or away from work. My ‘boozing’ might involve 2 drinks and then I make sure I wait to drive home.
I live a boring life, lol! (but I like it!)
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Oops, you are a better man than I:) I doubt that you were a lot different 20 years ago, but I think the looser attitudes cross all generations. What’s acceptable is a matter of culture and prevailing attitudes. Slavery has been accepted in many societies at one time or another; murder has always been wrong, but the definition of murder has changed frequently based on the mores of the time. Unfortunately, the Boomer slogan “let it all hang out” has taken on a whole new meaning.
As to boring, since when was there a cosmic yardstick on which to measure one’s life? Your boring is someone else’s dream!