'Bring your whole self to work - what do you think?

[Lottapianos]

This is the latest trendy slogan in my workplace. I think it's about how no one should feel ashamed to share what they have going on in their lives, or to ask for help, or to share that they are struggling. Not a bad idea in principle I guess...

HOWEVER.... My colleagues are not my friends. Well a few are but you know what I mean. They're not my therapists either. I'm a private person - I chat to colleagues and I'm fairly sociable but I certainly don't let it all hang out emotionally. I have stuff going on in my life that I wouldn't dream of sharing widely at work. In the same way, I honestly don't want to hear the in

And yes, team building exercises are a nonsense too.

Also team social events, especially when not in work time. You're being asked to give up your own time, often have a long journey home afterwards, get to bed late but still be expected to be on form the next day. Bog off with it all. Make it a lunch and I'll come. Evening events are a pain in the proverbial and I am always the first to leave because I need my sleep.

She was black, wearing African dress - yep, fine, obviously... And standing on the table dancing?

Example of bringing your whole self to work conflicts with health & safety.

Team building exercises just reinforce why you should not bring your whole self to work. It just reinforces how much you really dislike the other people on a personal level and the less everyone knows about each other the longer the pretence can continue.

I had an interview recently for a teaching post. One of the interview questions was "how would I work with the teaching assistant in the classroom?"

I talked about 2-way communication so we could each learn and pass on info about the kids, sharing lesson plans so the TA knew what was happening and which children I wanted to work with, Etc etc.

The correct answer was to take the TA out for a coffee, ask them about their kids, pets, parents etc, give sympathy if they are having difficulties etc.

I didn't get the job. Was gutted. Never entered my head to answer in the way they wanted because surely those things come about naturally when you've worked with the person a while (or not). I went at the angle that this is work and it's all for the children in the class, not my personal life.

The last thing I would have wanted after spending all day in one room with somebody was then to have to go with them for a coffee where they grilled me about my personal life. If they expected you to have such a lack of boundaries, it sounds like it was a narrow escape from being held responsible for a very needy person's happiness.

Did anybody give that answer? Seems so forced. You said you valued communication.
The interviewers don't always get it right.

That's not what work is for imo. You risk everyone stopping work and just navel gazing - it's bound to affect productivity. I don't want to tell a bunch of strangers about any problems I might have. And I certainly don't want to listen to other people's problems!!!

I’ve worked with people who have defiantly brought their whole self - attention seeking, work slacking, drama queens.

just being your professional self to work. Get HR to grow up and do it’s nob to ensure staff are protected from bullies and make sure the law is followed.