HRBabe’s Weblog

I have always considered drinking during work hours as unethical. But my job has turned pretty stressful these days and sometimes I feel like I need about 2 shots of *something* before heading back to work. I’d never do it, but I have several coworkers of the mind that think, “It’s ok to have one.”

A supervisor in my area said today, “I need a pretend drink because your boss doesn’t think I should have anything.” My boss said, “Just don’t pretend ‘drunk’ and you’ll be ok!”

It made me laugh, but I wonder what everyone else’s thoughts are? In school I learned you followed the lead of the big wig at the table. If he (or she) got a drink, it was OK for you to. But, these days I would disagree. I’m not sure I’d trust myself to get just one at lunch… especially given the amount of crap I have to put up with!

I am taking my Capstone course for my Master of Business Administration. The Capstone entails creating a business plan authored by our group members.  Our group only has about 5 weeks to do this project and signs are not looking all that great for a strong finish.  So far, our efforts have been filled with miscommunication after miscommunication.

Now, my team and I are required to meet on a weekly basis via WebEx.  And if you don’t know, WebEx is a web conferencing software that allows you to connect and do presentations over the web.  It’s a great technology and makes our “virtual” group feel more cohesive.  Honestly, when you virtual team, there’s nothing like putting a voice to a name or face. 

But let me say that, my experience contained what I deem, unacceptable and unprofessional behaviors.  Based on this and past experiences I’ve had with conference calls on the phone and on the web, here are list of things that I think are unacceptable anytime you are on a call: 

1. Do not overtake or interrupt the host of the call. Let him or her speak, and then you may speak.

2. As the host of the call, please keep to the specified time. WebEx, as well as other web presentation software, allow you to input the duration of the call. If you go over the allotted time, the meeting abruptly ends.

3. Also, for the host, be organized and have, at a minimum, a framework of what you are going to speak to. Otherwise, participants can and will ramble on items that are off-topic.

4. THE MUTE BUTTON IS YOUR FRIEND. It is unprofessional and disrespectful to:

• Yawn into the mic or speaker. Yes, it may be early or late, but not everyone got 2 hours of sleep last night.
• Slurp in someone’s ear. Everyone on the call does not need to hear you drinking your soda, water, or beer. (Yep, my experience includes someone drinking a beer and he announced it was his 3rd one!)
• Along those lines, do not crunch in my ear. Eat before or after the call!
• Have excessive and annoying background noise. This includes putting your guitar away and focusing on the material at hand; not standing next to your squawking cockatiel when going over the week’s agenda; and please, please, please, be a team player and SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONE!! A consistently ringing or beeping cell phone is unbelievably distracting.
• Carry on a side conversation with someone physically next to you while a presenter is speaking. We get it. You’re not paying attention. But, shut up! I’m trying to listen!

5. Do NOT under any circumstances; address anyone in the group as “young lady,” “young man,” “old man,” “old fart,” or any other age-related phrase. It comes across as sexist and derogatory.

Please be mindful and respectful of others on the call.  Quite frankly, I think most of these guidelines are simple common sense.  This isn’t a long list and therefore, should not be hard to integrate into your next web or phone conference call.

Thoughts?