The Unusual Rules Instituted at Work Due to Employee Actions

Have you ever wondered how a single act by an employee can lead to sweeping changes at your workplace? Here are a few interesting stories of rules and policies that were instituted due to the actions of employees, either at the company level or within their teams.

A Case of Unlawful Theft

At Walgreens, a large drugstore chain, I had the privilege of working as an assistant manager. During my first day, I was introduced to the company’s policies. One particular rule was that all employees, from the newest hires to seasoned managers, were strictly prohibited from stealing from the company. This policy was enforced to the letter, as the company had a real-life scenario where an incident of theft occurred. The assistant manager, working the overnight shift at one of the 24-hour stores, would leave the loading dock door open, allowing his friends to load up with free merchandise. Despite being explicitly prohibited from stealing, he believed that he had not violated any company policy as no one had specifically informed him that he could not steal. This led to an unexpected lawsuit, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive policy communication.

Addressing Forklift Safety Concerns

A unique situation occurred at a warehouse where forklift accidents were a concern. To prevent certain employees from operating forklifts at high speeds dangerously, the company decided to implement speed limiters on all forklift hoists. However, when one of its employees, my brother, felt that the speed limiters were making his job unnecessarily difficult, he voiced his concerns. His feedback led to a review of the policy, highlighting the need for a balance between safety and operational efficiency.

Breaking Tradition: Clothes and Perks

During my time as a part-time grocery clerk at Pantry Pride, a subsidiary of the Food Fair chain, I faced a unique challenge. Due to gendered work attire, all male non-management employees were required to wear a white shirt and a company-issued plaid clip-on bow tie. While my job as a grocery clerk offered flexibility, I found the bow tie exceptionally uncomfortable. On a particularly hot day, my district manager noticed me without the clip on the tie and he removed it. His kindness led me to wear regular ties from then on. Word spread among my colleagues, and we collectively decided to forgo the white shirts and plaid bow ties, transforming a company policy into a more comfortable working environment for all.

These stories highlight the impact that individual actions can have on workplace policies and the importance of clear communication and flexibility in company rules. Perfectly praiseworthy activities can create changes that benefit the entire team and the organization.