The Breakfast Plan Goes Awry

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The Breakfast Plan Goes Awry

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Andy Warren

Posted Monday, June 28, 2010 8:22 PM

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Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Breakfast Plan Goes Awry

Andy
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Post #944353

Raju Lalvani

Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2010 12:45 AM

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It happens with us too, what is a gesture of goodwill becomes a right, more so when the older people who were around when the gesture was initiated leave and there in no one to explain the background.

Post #944410

alex.sqldba

Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2010 2:00 AM

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And surely an $8/person/week is a taxable benefit ;)

Alex

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Andy Warren

Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2010 4:39 AM

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Raju, that's a great comment! You're absolutely right.

Andy
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Post #944530

Andy Warren

Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2010 4:40 AM

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Alex, I don't know if I want to answer that publicly! I don't think we were taxed on it, it all went on some credit account at the cafeteria (can't say I disagree with that, after taxes maybe couldn't have afforded the extra snack!).

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Post #944531

James Stover

Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2010 4:51 AM

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Being an aging cynic, these two idioms come to mind:

1) No good deed goes unpunished
2) You can't please all of the people, all of the time

So, in summary: Eat the donuts, or don't. The choice is yours. But it's all you get.

James Stover, McDBA

Post #944533

stan-817395

Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2010 5:27 AM

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This is what happens when creative ideas are sent to non creative people. The idea comes back without any more input from you and looking nothing like the original.

I've had similar experiences. I've even been called in to defend my idea!

There should be a declaration put at the bottom of any idea we submit.

"Implement my idea exactly as stated. If you change anything without my consent I want no part of it and most certainly do not give me credit."

stan

The more you know, the more you know you don't know.

Post #944540

Andy Warren

Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2010 5:30 AM

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Totally agree, eat the donuts or not, it's up to you!

Follow up thoughts on the blog at http://www.sqlandy.com/archive/the-breakfast-plan-goes-awry/

Andy
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Post #944541

Ian Massi

Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2010 6:16 AM

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That wouldn't be the first time I've heard of a recommendation from the technical side get implemented completely the wrong way by management! At least they meant well. I do hear similar stories from my friend where she works. A manager brings in treats every Wednesday from his own pocket as a gesture of goodwill. If he misses a week, the workers get upset. They sometimes get taken out to dinner as well, but then will complain about the food.

If memory serves, I think the trick to conditioning humans is to make the rewards random. Slot machines are addictive because the payout is random, even though you lose over time but the chance of the payout is always there so people will do the mind-numbing task of playing it. If the managers had simply randomized which days everyone could go down to the cafe to spend $8, then the feeling of entitlement wouldn't be there and they'd more goodwill. However, getting a group of managers to determine a randomized schedule for something would be like herding cats.

Post #944570

SQL Babe

Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2010 7:35 AM

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We have a small shop, so we decided to do lunch once a week for "team building", it now has turned into the most negative experience, everyone just griping about their jobs. I try every week now to find some excuse to get out of it. And you are right, they think they are entitled to it...WHY! You already get paid to do your job. And to sit there and bash the boss and the job, I wonder if he knows that this is what his generosity is really buying him.

Moving to work remotely in 3 weeks, and I CAN'T WAIT to get away from these people here!

SQL Babe

Post #944643

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