Scary Workplace: Phantom Policies and Rules

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I don’t mean to frighten anyone. But there may be phantoms lurking about your halls. Don't look now but there may be ghost, goblins, phantom policies and secret rules creeping about in your organization [que evil laugh] Bwahahaha!

Phantom policies or rules are undocumented and not widely known expectations that serve only to attack the unsuspecting employee.

Picture this scene.

You are humming along performing and doing what you think is expected and…[que scary music] suddenly out of nowhere the phantom rules jump out when you least expect it [que screaming in terror]! Your heart beats wildly in your chest as you realize you are suddenly in trouble. The phantom rule chases you through the dark stormy night as you stumble running through the woods alone [Ahhh!!] Pretty scary huh?

Here's the thing, that might not be far from reality of what is happening in your workplace today.

If the following sounds familiar you may have a phantom policy or rule problem lurking about your hallways.

Relatively new employees seem confused or frustrated about what is expected of them.

There seems to be different expectations for different people or departments.

There is a lack of trust throughout the organizational culture.

There is a lack of transparency.

There is a lack of consistency.

Change doesn’t stick.

Are you a leader who often wonders why people don't follow whatever standard you thought you established? It doesn't take a mad scientist to figure out people simply cannot read your mind let alone remember every whim you may have muttered at one time.

So who are you going to call?

Don’t delay. Don’t give excuses.

Get those expectations documented and widely communicate them. Be sure the new or seemingly unknown rules are cascaded to all levels.

Don’t forget to share critical expectations with your brand new employees. It doesn’t hurt to refresh your existing employees on them too before its too late and the turnover or disengagement ghoul over takes them!

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Tresha Moreland

Tresha Moreland is a 30-year organizational effectiveness and strategic workforce planning expert. She partners with business leaders to develop workplace strategies that achieve best-in-class results. She has held key organizational leadership roles in multiple industries such as manufacturing, distribution, retail, hospitality, and healthcare. Tresha is the founder and principal consultant of HR C-Suite, LLC (www.hrcsuite.com). HR C-Suite is a results-based HR strategy resource dedicated to connecting HR with business results. She has received a master’s degree in human resource management (MS) and a master’s degree in business administration (MBA). She has also earned a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Six Sigma Black Belt Professional (SSBBP) Certification. She is also recognized as a Fellow with the American College Healthcare Executives with a FACHE designation.