The Impact of Poor Office Policies on Employee Expenses and Productivity

As a professional in the corporate world, I have experienced firsthand the profound impact that seemingly minor office rules can have on employee expenses and overall productivity. Two specific instances from my career highlight the struggles and frustrations that arise when companies implement policies without considering the practicality of their impact.

From Personal Expenses to Increased Costs

My first experience was with a large Japanese financial institution where I worked for about five years. My role required frequent travel, primarily driven out of London City Airport. These trips often lasted only a day, making it inefficient to use public transport. Instead, I would drive to the airport, park, and make the journey, only to drive home in the evening. The overall expense for these trips was approximately ￡92.

The real issue arose when the company decided that employees should no longer use their personal vehicles for travel. Instead, I was required to take taxis, which significantly increased the cost. The round trip now cost around ￡200—a dramatic increase from the original ￡92. While this policy was meant to benefit the company, it was at the expense of my personal budget. Interestingly, this change added a new perk: I could enjoy a couple of beers on the return journey!

Telecommunications Policy Shift

My second experience was at a telecommunications company based in the UK, where I worked as a Senior Technical Trainer for eight years. The company was filled with talented individuals, and I was fortunate enough to be part of this successful team. During these years, I regularly traveled and was provided with a company credit card and a discounted cell phone plan with ATT, which cost me approximately ￡55 per month.

Unfortunately, the company was eventually purchased by a large US tech giant based in Washington. The new company, however, had a policy prohibiting business cell phones unless you were in sales. This policy was outdated and restrictive, as the training team was still required to travel for work. We were forced to use our personal cell phones, which carried higher individual rates of about ￡75 per month.

The difference of ￡20 per month may seem small, but compounded over several months or years, it quickly adds up. This policy change also led to a significant burden on employees, including myself, as we had to pay for the cell phone bills ourselves and then wait for reimbursement. Furthermore, the policy change did little to benefit our productivity or the company, as the training team was still required to travel for work.

Lessons Learned and Industrywide Impact

Both of these instances highlight the importance of implementing thoughtful and practical office policies. Policies that are imposed without proper consideration can lead to increased personal expenses for employees, reduced job satisfaction, and potential decreases in productivity. In the case of the taxi policy, while the intent was to ensure employee safety and reduce company costs, the practical reality was that it led to significant personal expense increases for employees.

Moreover, the change in the telecommunications policies demonstrated how outdated policies can hinder productivity and financial efficiency. By imposing a blanket no-business-cell-phone policy, the company inadvertently increased the burden on its employees, potentially leading to reduced job satisfaction and increased personal financial strain.

These examples offer valuable lessons for companies across industries. It is crucial to consider the practical implications of company policies before implementing them. Companies should strive to strike a balance between cost management and maintaining employee satisfaction and productivity. By doing so, they can foster a more positive and efficient work environment, ultimately benefiting both the employees and the organization as a whole.