Ask HN: What kind of companies are willing to deal with "eccentric" workers?

#1

Post by similion » Thu, Apr 18, 2013, 9:54 AM UTC

How many places are willing to deal with an "eccentric" employee who makes very odd (but inexpensive) demands that usually go against the cultural norms of the company but is otherwise a very productive worker?

Are there any big companies out there that are willing to accommodate the special exceptions of a harmless but eccentric employee?

Let's just say this employee will probably break every trivial HR (and Security and Building Management) rule for a traditional company and will definitely do things that makes any "rock star" company go nuts.

Re: Ask HN: What kind of companies are willing to deal with "eccentric" workers?

#2

Post by miorel » Thu, Apr 18, 2013, 10:10 AM UTC

Is this a hypothetical question? What kind of demands/exceptions are we talking about here?

Re: Ask HN: What kind of companies are willing to deal with "eccentric" workers?

#3

Post by similion » Thu, Apr 18, 2013, 10:49 AM UTC

miorel wrote: post #2

Is this a hypothetical question? What kind of demands/exceptions are we talking about here?

Smart, Well Dressed, Presentable, Straight Arrow, Tin Foil Hat Movement.

Think Richard Stallman but with more tinfoil, better dressed, and little problem working with proprietary systems. Refuses to use any tracking devices (think RFID).

Re: Ask HN: What kind of companies are willing to deal with "eccentric" workers?

#4

Post by stray » Thu, Apr 18, 2013, 11:33 AM UTC

similion wrote: post #3

miorel wrote: post #2

Is this a hypothetical question? What kind of demands/exceptions are we talking about here?

Smart, Well Dressed, Presentable, Straight Arrow, Tin Foil Hat Movement. Think Richard Stallman but with more tinfoil, better dressed, and little problem working with proprietary systems. Refuses to use any tracking devices (think RFID).

By "Tin Foil Hat Movement" I assume you mean to be funny, while stopping any possibility of a meaningful conversation regarding some topics he's interested in.

If he's so smart, perhaps he's smart enough to understand things you don't. For all I know, he's batshit insane -- but then again, people smarter than we are often seem weird.

Just sayin'

Re: Ask HN: What kind of companies are willing to deal with "eccentric" workers?

#5

Post by similion » Thu, Apr 18, 2013, 9:30 PM UTC

stray wrote: post #4

similion wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Smart, Well Dressed, Presentable, Straight Arrow, Tin Foil Hat Movement. Think Richard Stallman but with more tinfoil, better dressed, and little problem working with proprietary systems. Refuses to use any tracking devices (think RFID).

By "Tin Foil Hat Movement" I assume you mean to be funny, while stopping any possibility of a meaningful conversation regarding some topics he's interested in. If he's so smart, perhaps he's smart enough to understand things you don't. For all I know, he's batshit insane -- but then again, people smarter than we are often seem weird. Just sayin'

Technical people and people who need to get things done love working with the guy. Everyone else, not that big a fan.