I have a theory that God runs reality pretty much like a corporation, and when you die you have to talk with Human Resources prior to shuffling off this plane of existence:
HR: Thanks for coming in, Mr. Howard. Now, the first thing I’d like to ask you is--HEY. What are you doing with that iPod?
ME: Being dead doesn’t mean that I can’t enjoy quality tunes.
HR: I’m sorry, that’s company property. The rules specifically say--"You can’t take it with you.”
ME: That is completely lame.
HR: And the stapler.
ME: Whatever.
HR: Now, let’s talk about how your career went with us. Do you feel your goals were sufficiently established?
ME: Like hell. I had no idea what I was supposed to do. Management needs to be much more clear about His objectives.
HR: Well, our culture prizes autonomy and self-starters.
ME: Yeah, like that Hitler guy.
HR: Come on. If I only had a nickel every time some newly dead person defended his actions by invoking Hitler. Now, how did you feel about your co-workers?
ME: Liked a lot of them--loved the one who did that one thing, damn, you need to teach more of your employees to do that--was annoyed by a bunch of them, and what was up with that guy who kept adding me on Facebook? If I were you, I’d use a more stringent screening process in your recruiting.
HR: Oh, natural selection isn’t a finely tuned enough process for Your Majesty?
ME: Honestly, it needs some work. I mean, a billion years of evolution and we get Paul Blart: Mall Cop. And we still have a tailbone for no apparent reason.
HR: What would you recommend to build a better workplace?
ME: More shared objectives, better communication, better salary, and fewer meetings. Also, flying cars.
HR: So, would you work here again?
ME: Well, I’m dead and I’m not coming back, so I’m gonna be honest with you. This place is deeply dysfunctional, it’s poorly run, and although there’s a lot of good intentions and good ideas, I think the culture needs a ground-up reworking.
HR: Actually, you could come back. You’re eligible for re-hire through our newly established reincarnation program.
ME: ....
HR: Long waiting list, though.
ME: ....what I meant to say was, I’d come back in a heartbeat. So to speak. Love the executive management style--very “hands off,” very “create your own meaning whilst you spin in the existential void.” Which I personally find very empowering. Great, thanks, please spell my name correctly--it’s “Greg” with one “G.” HR at my actual company never got that right.
Posted by Greg at 12:14 PM on 06/13/09