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Ehhh. I work at a company that has a similar policy. What ends up happening is: 1) Everyone becomes conflict-averse for fear of looking like an asshole, so ba

Ehhh. I work at a company that has a similar policy. What ends up happening is: 1) Everyone becomes conflict-averse for fear of looking like an asshole, so bad ideas often go unchecked 2) People find other ways to be assholes when they want to be, they're just passive-aggressive about it instead 3) It becomes a conversation-terminating cliche. Want to stifle someone disagreeing with you? Accuse them of phrasing something in a way that might be considered remotely hostile. I'm not saying it's a bad policy, but I don't think it necessarily solves much. It trades one set of problems for another. What you really want is a "no assholes whose behavior interferes with business," which doesn't really roll of the tongue quite as nicely I suppose.

_quick_q 10y ago
Amen. I interviewed with a company that touted a "No Jerks Policy". Both the HR recruiter and the CEO bragged to me about how they have and will fire "jerks" on the spot. I ran far away from that job after the interview.
alexandercrohde 10y ago
I agree. I think the lesson I've learned is that selfish people will just use your "values" as political weapons for self-advancement, no matter what the value is, even if it's "selflessness." This shouldn't be surprising; the idea that a person would fundamentally reshape their whole personality and outlook on life because some dude in an office ("boss") put it on a piece of paper on the wall (made it a "value") seems far-fetched. That said, it sounds like "politics" falls into their "asshole" category, so perhaps they will find a way. So long as the politicians don't learn to hide their politics...
Alex3917 10y ago
> Everyone becomes conflict-averse for fear of looking like an asshole, so bad ideas often go unchecked While assholes are probably necessary for a functional society, in the context of business the No Asshole Rule refers to things like sexually harassing your coworkers. Calling out bad ideas wouldn't qualify.
- toast0 10y ago
  Why do you need a "no assholes" rule for sexual harassment to be unacceptable? Sexual harassment is unacceptable, regardless of policy. (does this criticism make me an asshole? What if I added an ad hominim)

_quick_q 10y ago

Amen. I interviewed with a company that touted a "No Jerks Policy". Both the HR recruiter and the CEO bragged to me about how they have and will fire "jerks" on the spot. I ran far away from that job after the interview.

alexandercrohde 10y ago

I agree. I think the lesson I've learned is that selfish people will just use your "values" as political weapons for self-advancement, no matter what the value is, even if it's "selflessness." This shouldn't be surprising; the idea that a person would fundamentally reshape their whole personality and outlook on life because some dude in an office ("boss") put it on a piece of paper on the wall (made it a "value") seems far-fetched. That said, it sounds like "politics" falls into their "asshole" category, so perhaps they will find a way. So long as the politicians don't learn to hide their politics...

Alex3917 10y ago

> Everyone becomes conflict-averse for fear of looking like an asshole, so bad ideas often go unchecked While assholes are probably necessary for a functional society, in the context of business the No Asshole Rule refers to things like sexually harassing your coworkers. Calling out bad ideas wouldn't qualify.

toast0 10y ago
Why do you need a "no assholes" rule for sexual harassment to be unacceptable? Sexual harassment is unacceptable, regardless of policy. (does this criticism make me an asshole? What if I added an ad hominim)