Ask HN: Work Culture Canary?

#1

Post by dusted » Wed, Sep 07, 2022, 8:39 AM UTC

On our fridge, 7 years ago, I put a poster: Anarchy soda! Fizzy drinks, for the people, by the people, take one, leave some.

I didn't set this up with any other intent that having some soda available to myself, but I've come to think of it as my canary.. The fridge pretty much never runs dry, to the astonishment of many a visitor. It indicates to me, that the culture is sound, that people are conscientious and respecting of one another. If it stops working, it flags to me that we either have a bad apple, or that it's time to start looking.

It's also awesome to always have access to fizzy drinks :)

Anything similar where you work? A thing that intentionally or not, indicates to you that you're surrounded by reasonable people?

Re: Ask HN: Work Culture Canary?

#2

Post by blueflow » Wed, Sep 07, 2022, 9:11 AM UTC

How jokes are reacted to. Jokes can be unfunny or tasteless, but when someone argues big concepts that a joke must not be made, its a big red flag.

Re: Ask HN: Work Culture Canary?

#3

Post by quickthrower2 » Wed, Sep 07, 2022, 9:11 AM UTC

My happiness in a job is inversely proportional to the diligence with which they track time and estimations.

Re: Ask HN: Work Culture Canary?

#4

Post by oxff » Wed, Sep 07, 2022, 9:12 AM UTC

How they treat office work (first or second class)

Re: Ask HN: Work Culture Canary?

#5

Post by taffronaut » Wed, Sep 07, 2022, 9:13 AM UTC

Every time I take a can of soda from the fridge, I replace it with two. I exhort my colleagues to do the same. However we have yet to reach my goal of 2^64 cans which makes me suspect there are some bad apples.

Re: Ask HN: Work Culture Canary?

#6

Post by tornadofart » Wed, Sep 07, 2022, 9:14 AM UTC

blueflow wrote: post #2

How jokes are reacted to. Jokes can be unfunny or tasteless, but when someone argues big concepts that a joke must not be made, its a big red flag.

All within reason, I assume? Or would you be OK with jokes about skin color and such? I'm not humoring you, I'm genuinely interested in your answer.

Re: Ask HN: Work Culture Canary?

#7

Post by jonatron » Wed, Sep 07, 2022, 9:18 AM UTC

In a small growing company, when someone starts leaving the toilets in a mess, there is a bad hire. Knowing you work with at least one uncivilized person changes the feel of the company.

Re: Ask HN: Work Culture Canary?

#8

Post by Mashimo » Wed, Sep 07, 2022, 9:21 AM UTC

tornadofart wrote: post #6

blueflow wrote: post #2

How jokes are reacted to. Jokes can be unfunny or tasteless, but when someone argues big concepts that a joke must not be made, its a big red flag.

All within reason, I assume? Or would you be OK with jokes about skin color and such? I'm not humoring you, I'm genuinely interested in your answer.

"I don't need sunscreen, I'm so pale I just reflect the sun light"

Easy joke based on my skin color :P

Re: Ask HN: Work Culture Canary?

#9

Post by luaybs » Wed, Sep 07, 2022, 9:22 AM UTC

jonatron wrote: post #7

In a small growing company, when someone starts leaving the toilets in a mess, there is a bad hire. Knowing you work with at least one uncivilized person changes the feel of the company.

Had the same issue when I hired a software developer intern to train. I didn't wait one extra minute to tell them about the issue after I saw the bathroom, and discussed with them why this was not acceptable at all. They kinda changed their habit, but I eventually let them go due to incompetency reasons.

Edit: Typo

Re: Ask HN: Work Culture Canary?

#10

Post by thematrixturtle » Wed, Sep 07, 2022, 9:23 AM UTC

A classic on this topic: https://steveblank.com/2009/12/21/the-elves-leave-middle-ear...