Re: Work Environment

[Chris Goolsby <goolsby -at- DG-RTP -dot- DG -dot- COM>]

> From: sanders_j -at- TBOSCH -dot- DNET -dot- GE -dot- COM
> Subject:      Work Environment

> Hi All,

> Since the dress code things came up, it got me to thinking, not surprisingly,
> of how the work environment effects and channels performance and general
> employee happiness. Although we discussed this somewhat the last time on
> the Merry-Go-Opinion, I don't remember beating it quite to death.

> (I'm sorry. It's Friday and I'm stuck in Sarcasm.)

> Really. I would like to hear some anecdotes, opinions and theories about
> how the workPLACE bears on the work.


Well, I personally believe that employees are happier, more loyal,
and more productive in nice environments.  My first job in the field
was in a place we called "technical writer heaven."  It was a small
R&D company that was a subsidiary of a much larger company.  There
were about 40 employees.  We each had our own office.  We could dress
any way we pleased.  We had full flex time.  The company catered lunch
every day and breakfast two times a week.  They kept a full kitchen
stocked all the time with snacks, cereal, bread, cold cuts, and just
about any sort of food we wanted.  The office park we were at had a
really nice lake where we could walk.  It was great -- boy, did I
get spoiled.  However, we felt like the company valued us as employees,
and we worked very hard.  Unfortunately, the larger company laid us
all off in some political power play after I had been there a couple of
years.  A real bummer.  Some of the employees, including me, were offered
the opportunity to transfer to another facility.  Virtually nobody
did went.

On the other hand, I have worked in a real button down environment where
there was a severe dress code, we all worked in cubes, and everybody
knew that the company was more concerned with our appearance and how
many hours of unpaid overtime they could squeeze out of us than anything
else.  Very paternalistic and controlling place.  Very few writers were
really happy working there, and most left as soon as they found a better
opportunity, including me.

The place I work now is pretty cool.  We have our own offices, can dress
casually, and so forth.  But I do miss the free food. . . .

Chris
goolsby -at- dg-rtp -dot- dg -dot- com