Since you're in a people management role, could you have security cameras set up in your office / conference rooms to eliminate any doubt about what is happening in them?
As for your behavior: Yes, you're doing all the right things by avoiding risque conversations and limiting your physical contact with your employees. Although I'm unclear why you would have ever thought that kisses were in-bounds at work, unless your country's culture has everyone routinely doing that to each other. As in, if you're straight, and wouldn't do that to some big muscular dude at the bar, you probably shouldn't be doing it to your subordinates.
-- "Think of how stupid the average person is. Then realize half of 'em are stupider than that." - George Carlin
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Friday February 28, @05:15AM
(4 children)
by Anonymous Coward
on Friday February 28, @05:15AM (#1394675)
different person here: when I did my exchange year in Belgium, all students kissed hello (including straight bearded boys with straight bearded boys) --- each cheek. while it didn't happen with the teachers, I'd say that's a fairly professional environment.
It is the same in many places in France, but the GP did say "unless your country's culture has everyone routinely doing that to each other" so he has acknowledged that it can occur quite innocently.
-- I am not interested in knowing who people are or where they live. My interest starts and stops at our servers.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday February 28, @06:18AM
(2 children)
by Anonymous Coward
on Friday February 28, @06:18AM (#1394684)
OP here.
Culturally, a single kiss on the cheek between a female worker and another worker (male or female) is pretty common but is rarely used when first meeting someone. It's not ubiquitous though, so I avoid it.
Another poster noted that my safeguards are just standard professional behaviour. Yes, though people are humans too and will often have colleagues that they feel more comfortable around. Ideally the workplace should be enjoyable, so I see no problem with sharing the odd bit of news or a joke. I am just more careful than others when it comes to where the line is.
Part of being a leader, both in the workplace and other contexts, is knowing when not to say or do something you really would like to because you know it could be misconstrued or otherwise cause significant problems.
-- "Think of how stupid the average person is. Then realize half of 'em are stupider than that." - George Carlin
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday March 07, @06:01PM
by Anonymous Coward
on Friday March 07, @06:01PM (#1395617)
> Part of being a leader, both in the workplace and other contexts,
Ah, the no-true-Scottsman fallacy. If they're not doing what you feel they should be doing, they're not a leader.
Part of the problem: things change. When you're older and your brain is less plastique and you're "set in your ways" -- it becomes a real problem when things suddenly change. (Suddenly: 20 years.)
(Score: 2) by Thexalon on Friday February 28, @01:39AM (5 children)
Since you're in a people management role, could you have security cameras set up in your office / conference rooms to eliminate any doubt about what is happening in them?
As for your behavior: Yes, you're doing all the right things by avoiding risque conversations and limiting your physical contact with your employees. Although I'm unclear why you would have ever thought that kisses were in-bounds at work, unless your country's culture has everyone routinely doing that to each other. As in, if you're straight, and wouldn't do that to some big muscular dude at the bar, you probably shouldn't be doing it to your subordinates.
"Think of how stupid the average person is. Then realize half of 'em are stupider than that." - George Carlin
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Friday February 28, @05:15AM (4 children)
different person here: when I did my exchange year in Belgium, all students kissed hello (including straight bearded boys with straight bearded boys) --- each cheek. while it didn't happen with the teachers, I'd say that's a fairly professional environment.
(Score: 2) by janrinok on Friday February 28, @06:08AM (3 children)
It is the same in many places in France, but the GP did say "unless your country's culture has everyone routinely doing that to each other" so he has acknowledged that it can occur quite innocently.
I am not interested in knowing who people are or where they live. My interest starts and stops at our servers.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday February 28, @06:18AM (2 children)
OP here.
Culturally, a single kiss on the cheek between a female worker and another worker (male or female) is pretty common but is rarely used when first meeting someone. It's not ubiquitous though, so I avoid it.
Another poster noted that my safeguards are just standard professional behaviour. Yes, though people are humans too and will often have colleagues that they feel more comfortable around. Ideally the workplace should be enjoyable, so I see no problem with sharing the odd bit of news or a joke. I am just more careful than others when it comes to where the line is.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Thexalon on Friday February 28, @03:08PM (1 child)
I was very intentionally trying to differentiate between countries where cheek kisses are normal greetings, and kisses that correctly get people into real trouble [bbc.com].
Part of being a leader, both in the workplace and other contexts, is knowing when not to say or do something you really would like to because you know it could be misconstrued or otherwise cause significant problems.
"Think of how stupid the average person is. Then realize half of 'em are stupider than that." - George Carlin
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday March 07, @06:01PM
> Part of being a leader, both in the workplace and other contexts,
Ah, the no-true-Scottsman fallacy. If they're not doing what you feel they should be doing, they're not a leader.
Part of the problem: things change. When you're older and your brain is less plastique and you're "set in your ways" -- it becomes a real problem when things suddenly change. (Suddenly: 20 years.)