EPISODE 7:  Corporate Museum

Ep 7: Corporate Museum 1/29/25

Welcome back to Unstifled, the podcast where we say the things HR would prefer you didn't hear.

Today, we're diving into a topic that's driving modern workers insane, outdated workplace policies, and the leaders who refuse to evolve.

You know the type.

The ones who still think the fax machine is cutting edge, believe remote work is a temporary phase, and insist that facetime is more important than actual productivity.

Well, guess what?

Your best employees aren't playing along anymore.

They're leaving.

And if you're still running your company like it's 1995, I hope you enjoy recruiting from the bottom of the talent pool.

Let's get into it.

Let's start with the most ridiculous policies, still haunting workplaces like a corporate ghost story.

One, butts in seats policy.

This is the delusional belief that as long as people are physically present in the office, they must be productive.

Meanwhile, employees are in meetings that could have been an email, pretending to work so their boss doesn't think they're slacking off.

If you're forcing your employees to show up just because, well, congratulations, you're not leading a team.

You're running a daycare for adults.

Two, the dress code that serves no purpose.

Why are people still being forced to wear suits and ties in jobs that require zero customer interaction?

I once went to an office that banned sneakers, even though the entire team worked from behind a computer all day, you can't even see their shoes.

You think a tie makes someone better at spreadsheets?

Tell me you're out of touch without telling me you're out of touch.

Three, the no working from home because we want to control you.

Some leaders still believe that remote work means people are sitting at home watching Netflix or Prime all day long.

Yeah, newsflash, if your employees can do their jobs from home, but you're making them drive an hour just to check emails in a cubicle, you're not running a company.

You're running a cult.

The companies that refuse to adapt, they're seeing their best talent leave for jobs that actually respect work-life balance.

Let's talk about the real issue, outdated leadership.

There are bosses out there who still believe that I suffered when I was coming up, so you should too.

This is how we've always done it.

If I can't see you working, you must not be working.

It's like they hit pause in the early 2000s and never updated their leadership style.

And here's the wild part.

They think the problem is the employees.

Listen, the reason you can't keep talent isn't because no one wants to work anymore.

It's because no one wants to work for you.

And that's the difference.

The best leaders evolve.

They recognize that productivity isn't about hours.

It's about output.

Flexibility is a competitive advantage.

Forcing old school rules on modern employees is a great way to lose them.

Alright, so if you're listening to this as a leader, and feeling personally attacked, good.

That means it applies to you.

But don't worry, I'm going to throw you a lifeline.

Here's how you keep your employees from piecing out for a better job.

One, ditch the outdated policies.

If the policy doesn't directly improve productivity, culture, or employee well-being, it's time to let it go.

If your reason for keeping it starts with, well, back in my day, it's time to let it go.

Two, trust your employees like adults.

Stop micromanaging and focus on results, not process.

If someone can get their job done in six hours, don't force them to sit at their desk for eight just for the optics.

Three, adapt, or you're going to lose your best people.

The best talent has options.

If you refuse to modernize, they're going to take their skills elsewhere.

The worst talent, they are going to stay because no one else will hire them.

So ask yourself, do you want to be the company that attracts top performers or the company that only hires people who have no other choice?

Because in 2025, that's the difference between growth and corporate extinction.

Here's the bottom line, the workplace has changed, employees have changed.

The only people who haven't, the leaders who think they can still run their business like it's 1995.

And if that's you, just know that your competitors love you for it.

Because while you're busy forcing people to show up just to fill a chair, they're poaching your best employees.

So do yourself a favor.

Ditch the useless rules, stop confusing presence with productivity, and start treating your employees like the talented adults they are.

Or don't.

Just don't be shocked when your entire workforce disappears to a company that actually gets it.

That's it for today's episode of Unstifld.

If you've worked at a company that's horrifically outdated and has horrifically outdated policies, DM me your story.

And if you're a leader who's ready to join the modern era, congrats, you're already ahead of half your competition.

Catch you next time.

As always, stay Unstifled.