We’ve all had to follow those weird rules at work and school that just make us go, “Really now?” Some workplaces and schools have policies that are more head-scratching than helpful. Here are 18 strange and sometimes downright silly rules that some people have had to follow.
The Great Calendar Color Clash
One office demanded that their workers use a color-coded calendar so specific that they practically need a degree in art just to schedule their day. Each type of task had its color: meetings or deadlines. The trouble is, not everyone can tell red from green; it was just a waste of time.
Dressing up to Stay In
Another company required all remote workers to wear business attire from the waist up during video calls, even if they were just working at home, which seems pretty ridiculous. While the goal of keeping things professional is admirable, in all honesty, who’s really swapping pajama pants for slacks when the camera only sees your top half?
No Green Thumbs Allowed
In one office, they banned plants on workers’ desks. Why? Because they made the office look “unclean,” never mind that research shows that plants boost people’s mood and productivity. As you might expect, everyone’s desks looked sad and sterile instead of somewhere you’d actually want to work.
The Timed Lunch Break Fiasco
This rule really does take the cake. One office said that people’s lunch breaks had to match the exact minute you started your job. If your first day started at 9:47 AM, that was your destined lunchtime forever, which doesn’t make much sense. It also meant that catching up with coworkers was practically impossible unless you shared an anniversary.
Popcorn Ban
One boss hated the smell of popcorn so much that he banned it entirely from the office because, heaven forbid, that kernel smell might become a no-snack zone. Many employees looked forward to their little popcorn break but were simply out of luck. Worst of all, it’s not like the ban made people any more productive.
No Birthday Wishes via Email
At one workplace, you couldn’t send a simple happy birthday email because the boss wanted to reduce non-work-related emails. But really, it just made the office feel a bit colder. A quick birthday wish is an easy way to brighten someone’s day and strengthen team bonds, which seems like a win in any book.
Forced Fun Isn’t Fun
“Mandatory fun hour” sounds contradictory, but in one office, it was real. Every Friday, the managers forced everyone to do “fun” things like karaoke to build team spirit, although the introverts and shy workers saw it another way. Instead of feeling united, they felt anxious and couldn’t wait to start working.
Keep It Bare
Some bosses insist on a clean desk policy that bans personal items like photos or little keepsakes because it’s meant to keep things looking tidy. Unfortunately, it removes the personal touches that make a workspace feel like yours. A little personalization never hurt anyone, and taking them away isn’t exactly a recipe for a happy workforce.
The Silent Treatment at Lunch
One place had a rule that workers couldn’t talk in the lunchroom to keep things more peaceful, even though lunchtime is when everyone wants to decompress. Such a rule essentially turned break rooms into libraries without books. Bonding with coworkers is an important part of working, and denying this is plain wrong in many ways.
Bathroom Breaks on Record
Need to go to the bathroom? Better sign out and declare it, as some places track every trip. While it’s meant to ensure that nobody takes too long, it makes work feel more like kindergarten than a professional environment. Making employees feel like they’re under constant surveillance is never a good thing.
Say No to Cubicle Conversations
In some offices, talking over the cubicle walls isn’t allowed, and you’d have to email or formally meet instead. This rule made quick conversations way more of a hassle than enjoyable. What many workers could resolve with a thirty-second conversation had to be done through a scheduled meeting or a chain of emails, which completely ruined productivity.
Company Cup Only
Some offices only allow company-approved cups, meaning you can’t sip your morning joe from your favorite mug. Even though it created a sense of unity in the staffroom, most workers saw it as a simple pleasure that was unfairly banned. That sentimental value and sense of homeliness can make all the difference at work.
Ties on Tuesdays
Another company decided that everyone needs to wear a tie once a week, which seems utterly pointless. Research shows that your clothing choice doesn’t improve your morale or productivity. If anything, it makes things more inconvenient, especially for those who prefer wearing casual clothes to feel more comfortable.
Keep Your Phone Out of Sight
Other phones have been banned from being on the desk, meaning you have to hide them away in drawers or lockers. The aim was to keep distractions at a minimum, although the reality meant it was a real pain when workers were waiting for a call that actually mattered. Employees end up feeling frustrated and less trusted rather than more focused.
Smile, It’s on the Schedule
Customer service staff at one company were literally told when to smile during their shifts to make every interaction with customers seem friendlier. But really, it just comes off as forced. You can’t schedule your smile, and customers can usually tell when a smile isn’t sincere, meaning the whole thing backfired.
Over-The-Top Email Rules
In some offices, there are intense email etiquette guides everyone must follow. One such place banned informal language and told workers that they had to use a specific font, which was meant to make things more professional. As you might expect, it really just complicated everyone’s emails, as this level of micromanagement stifled communication.
Internet Lockdown
If you’re surfing the internet at work, be careful because some workplaces have an approved list of sites you can visit. In theory, it keeps people focused, but in reality, it blocks their access to useful info, making tasks harder than needed. Employees spend more time finding alternative ways to access the information they need.
Weekly Password Updates
Of course, security is important, but changing your password every week just isn’t worth it. Some places demand that their employees do this, even though it is a little less frequent, and it could still keep things safe without the constant resets. It’s difficult to keep track of your password this week, and such a rule wastes more people’s time than anything.
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