Thursday, January 24, 2008

“You need to cc Keith…”

Is what the female executive-looking type said to her male counterpart this morning while rounding the bend of the Chicago River.

Ironically, “my” Keith is in the midst of a communication breakdown snafu at the large corporation where he is employed. Being I have worked at the same environmental law boutique for over 18 years - I don’t have a clue as to how Corporate America operates.

Keith’s company has a gaggle of people in from out of town this week. Keith worked with a local hotel setting up rooms for the incoming masses and, in staying with Company policy, booked either two women to a room or two guys to a room. The whole sharing of a hotel room thing wasn’t stated in black and white to them - but should have been known - Corporate Company Policy and all. So, upon arriving at the hotel, a few of them weren’t too happy. Most, if not all, were guys that were very, very grumpy. I guess they complained LOUDLY to the hotel staff and then the hotel management complained LOUDLY to Keith the next day.

Personally, I find it strange to make employees share their hotel rooms when traveling. Especially, because of the nature of the beasts at times, guys sharing with guys – guys that, more than likely, they don’t even know - which could lead to all sorts of situations ( i.e. John Candy – Steve Martin – PT&A).

Those of you in the know about Corporate America – is this common, acceptable or wrong?

ding-dong

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's complete Horse Sh*t!! My first company pulled that stunt all the time. Well, if you travel a lot, it p*sses you off. I don't have a problem with companies being frugal, but when you make grown people, share rooms....it's a sign of a mgmt team that SUCKS.
Here's why...
They're cheap with EVERYTHING (not only hotel rooms). And guess what? All of the big producers will leave that company and go to a better company (who treats them well). And the tighwad mgmt team will be left with a bunch of losers working for them. Then their stock goes down, and the company withers away to nothing. I've been there. Their being SO effin cheap, wrecked the firm and it no longer exists!...serves them right

tight

Hedy said...

The Dilf is right - I worked for a company that made us share...it's the ultimate in cheap. It's bad enough that you're on the road away from your family for work, but then to force to strangers to room together, it's just bad bad bad. I would think from an HR perspective, it opens up the company to all kinds of liability as well. . . but that's a story for another day. Loving your blog, buddy.

Anonymous said...

The dangers of autoerotic asphyxiation........

kengell said...

your Keith? I thought I was your Keith? Hmmm! Maybe that was all in my head? wishful thinking? Hard to tell w/ all the voices in there throwing parties these days... thank god for wine bottles and little pills or I'd never get any sleep...

:-)