What do you get when you cross an Intranet with political correctness and an outraged employee community?

a. Delight
b. Disgust
c. Disappointment
d. All of the above (the answer)

So, what am I talking about?  Read on.

Monday Evening

HR posted a news story on the homepage of our Intranet. The headline read, “$5,000 employee referral bonus for diverse candidate referrals”. The news story announced a new job hire incentive program. The article read, “Refer a minority candidate (specifically, people of color) to help us fill current management postings or any other management position that may post in 2007.” The normal incentive for a management referral is $500.00.

Tuesday Morning

Employees began to post their concerns about the program on our CEO Discussion board called Talk with Rob. The first posting was quite tame and Rob quickly responded, defending the program with an easy vanilla answer. As the day went on, the postings began to get more interesting. A few employees defended the program, but most postings were from employees who were upset about the content of the article and the rules of the program. By late afternoon, the powers posted a statement saying that due to employee feedback, they would review the program and keep the employees up-to-date on the status.

Tuesday Night

After work, I walked to my car with a spring in my step as I high-five’d a few surprised fellow-employees and called ahead to my husband to exclaim that I had just finished an interesting workday.  I was delighted by the fact that employees had voiced their concern and management was listening.   Our humble intranet had proved itself as a valuable two-way communication tool.  The discussion forum and engaged user community was proof that our user base was ready for more community-based intranet tools.  This would pave the way for newer and more exciting social software.

Wednesday Morning

I arrived at work and noticed that there was some new Talk with Rob postings about the article. I had naively expected to see no more postings on the subject. Management had pulled the program for now. Everything that needed to be said was said (on both sides of the argument). Right?
Wrong. The postings continued. They also began to be more intense. It felt like I was witnessing a Junior High cafeteria food fight.  Some were slinging mashed potatoes.  Others were throwing last week’s mac and cheese.  The rest of us were watching in amazement.  And everyone was wondering when the principal would step in and demand an end to it.  Nonetheless, someone was going to have to cleanup the mess.

That which was delightful yesterday was disgusting today.  Today’s postings were more about pettiness than usefulness.

Wednesday Afternoon

Finally late afternoon, our number 2 boss (recall that I have 3 bosses) stopped by to inquire what it would take to prevent further postings.  He explained that Rob was currently traveling and was not available to answer the assorted inquiries (a convenient ending to the mess).  The plan was that Catbert would post a final answer to the assorted crazed postings.  The planned follow up was to replace the electronic communication forum with a few face-to-face forums.  I guess a few silly brownbags will fix everything. 

Wednesday Night

So here I sit telling my story of delight, disgust and disappointment.  What can we learn from this story?  Plenty.  Before we analyze this further, let’s conclude with this simple fact:  If enough rope is provided, one will eventually get hung.

 

More Information

–Here are a few interesting postings from Tuesday–

From anonymous
Hi Rob, I have a question about the referral bonus posted today, specifically for people to refer their friends of color. I am personally of color, however it is a light color. White to be specific. As the other question was asked, what shade of color is okay to refer for the $5000 bonus? Thanks

From anonymous
I also find this program offensive. An equally qualified candidate is worth 10 times less if they are not “of color”?

From Pat

The only good thing to come of this is to witness the tremendous response from employees. I am proud to be one of the people ashamed and embarassed by the recent hiring bonus offered if you refer someone “of color.” I am so sorry to see a narrow-minded handling of such an important, sensitive issue. We should be commended for recognizing the imbalance in our management and for wanting to do something about it. On the other hand, we should apologize for the way the article was written, and the fact that no one thought through to the inevitable repercussions it would bring. We are not “casting a wider net” or “expanding our pool of qualified candidates.” In fact, we are doing just the opposite. We are limiting our search to “people of color.” I will be watching closely to see how this progresses, because in my mind our company has acted irresponsibly and unforgiveably, even if the intent was honorable. 

–A few postings from Wednesday–

From anonymous
I have been upset and Offended by the VENOMOUS tone of multiple emails on the diversity issue. Even after Rob responded - postings continued. Anonymous postings, openly criticizing executives/hr/diversity counsel members - calling for their heads (no worse - their jobs)! What company is this??? . . .

From anonymous
After reading the last post about how VENEMOUS we all are, I felt compelled to post. Dear VENOMOUS: It’s a fact that if people can’t post anonymously, they won’t post at all, especially about such a charged issue as this. Nobody wants the personal and professional reprocussions involved with being called a racist, and there are plenty of professional offense-takers out there that would be happy to level the charge against others, true or not. Would you prefer that everybody just bury their heads in the sand?  . . .

From not anonymous
Holy Cow!! Stop the madness!! Management has provided this forum to address concerns, not to be tarred and feathered! Management has gotten the message. They are doing something about it. Let’s get back to work!

From anonymous
I feel that we have the right to express ourselves so “stop the madness” shouldnt even come into play. To offer 5,000 dollars to recruit someone of color and not the same for a “white person” is very racist and should be taken very seriously. This should of never been posted. The “madness” would never of started if something like this wasnt posted. Wow, I am floored

You accused everybody else of hiding under a “cloak of anonymity”, but I noticed you didn’t put your name to your statement. Can you say hipocracy?