Don't Do That!

We've Always Done It This Way

Episode Summary

We are talking about the established customs, norms, rituals, and habits that are unique to a particular organization or company. These traditions often reflect the culture and values of the workplace and can significantly influence employee morale, cohesion, and overall job satisfaction.

Episode Notes

Welcome to another episode of Don’t Do That! with your hosts Karen and Anee! Today, we’re diving into workplace traditions—those established customs, norms, rituals, and habits that define an organization’s culture. When done well, they can boost morale, strengthen team cohesion, and enhance job satisfaction. But when done poorly, they can leave employees feeling excluded, pressured, or uncomfortable.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The role of workplace traditions in shaping company culture
• How dominant cultural norms and power dynamics influence workplace rituals
• The risks of exclusionary traditions and how to create inclusive experiences
• Real-world cases, including a French employee’s legal battle over workplace social events
• The hidden power of workplace rituals and how they impact psychological safety and retention
• Practical advice on assessing and evolving your workplace traditions to ensure they work for everyone

Some key takeaways are:

• Don’t assume all workplace rituals work for everyone – conduct an audit to understand employee experiences.
• Be intentional about refreshing traditions – cultures and teams evolve, so should traditions.
• Use traditions as a lever for engagement – when done well, they can drive a sense of belonging and performance.

Resources:

• Vice Article: French Employee Fired for Not Participating in Social Events Wins Case
• Harvard Business Review: The Hidden Power of Workplace Rituals by Erica Keswin
  • Discusses the three Ps of supportive company rituals and their impact on retention and psychological safety.
• Research on psychological safety and its connection to workplace culture and engagement.

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