5 office rules employees secretly hate

Many of us lead a hectic daily life and our workday is often filled with stress and several problems. This is rather natural, considering that we spend most of our time at work.

These problems mostly stem from differences in character, divergent views and the expectations of both workers and employers. Establishing a harmonious work environment is essential for work efficiency. You can achieve this by applying specific rules, but they can easily turn out to be a double-edged sword.

It is true that the rules must be followed, but they must not be too strict. You don't want to lose valuable staff because of some ill-considered rule, do you? With this article, Jobbri will help you find out what office rules employees secretly hate, and how you can change that.

1. Hot-desking

Have you ever worked on the principle of Hot-desking? This is a type of organizational workspace system in which desks are used by different people at different times. In other words, you work at a different desk every day. Usually, the purpose of this principle is to maximise the efficiency of an office space. Hot-desking is a frequently encountered practice nowadays. With the beginning of the Covid pandemic, many companies have decided to move their work to co-working spaces where this rule can be applied. Employees come on a rotating basis, so their workplace is different every day.

We will immediately tell you why employees hate this rule - imagine how unpleasant it is to do a monthly or an annual cleaning of your desk. Well, now you will have to do it every day. That’s hot-desking for you. There is nothing more annoying than having to pack all your belongings at the end of the day. Here's an even worse scenario - after work you decide to go to the gym or to a meeting with friends, and you have to carry your laptop, document folders, notebooks, and other office supplies with you.

Although it’s designed in a way to make better use of office space, hot-desking is a nightmare for the everyday office worker. Instead, you can arrange for the desk to be moved every six months or every year. That way your employees will feel more comfortable, and their work will probably be of better quality.

2. No side-hustle rule

Many employers consider this rule to be extremely important, while for others it is completely unnecessary. It all depends on your personal views and whether you are willing to let your employees work multiple jobs.

The desire to prevent some staff from following their passion or improving their financial situation would only limit you, unless it reduces the quality of work they do for you. In any case, it is better to discuss this matter with your employees before choosing to impose such a restriction.

3. No-reference rule

Do you give good recommendations for employees who no longer work for you? If you do, congratulations! Unfortunately, there are many bosses who are constantly paranoid and don't want to give a recommendation for their former employees under any circumstances.

The story goes that many years ago an employer gave a negative recommendation to their former subordinate and was later convicted because of it. This is the reason many companies use the No-reference rule, which further creates tension amongst the work team. Refusing to provide a positive reference to an employee who deserves it can have a terrible effect on the company itself. So, think twice before you take that route. Especially when you can help someone who really deserves it.

4. No office romance rule

Romantic relationships in the workplace are something that most employers do not tolerate. The reasons may vary - you don't want your employees to be distracted, to waste their time talking to their partners and to bring their personal problems into the workplace. To be honest, most employees do not mind office relationships, as long as they are not directly affected by them. Did you know that a quarter (26.7%) of Britons have had at least one business romance? Policies designed to prevent love affairs in the office will not stop people from doing what they want.

All you are expected to do is encourage employees to be honest, to adhere to professional ethics and to do their job well. It may turn out that the couples in your team work in great synchrony and perform their duties well because they know how to distribute them amongst themselves. So be sure to think twice before enforcing the “no romance” rule.

5. Dress code rule

The strict dress code is considered normal in many offices in the UK, but there are still employees who do not agree with it. In that case you should aim for balance - choose a dress code that will not completely restrict the rights and freedom of your employees but will also make them look like part of a company with goals and a vision for the future.

Conclusion 

Why do employees hate most office rules that are established by employers? When spending most of their week at work, no one wants to feel like they are constantly being watched and criticized for their actions. This only adds to the daily stress that people are subjected to. Always treat your employees as if they are professionals. Do not violate their rights and try to create a working atmosphere that will be the same for everyone. If you treat your employees with respect and honesty, you can expect the same from them.

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