In a message dated 10/22/98 11:15:25 PM, [log in to unmask] writes:

<<At risk of taking an unpopular view, I think that most employers would
like to trust their staff and DO most of the time.  Unfortunately, it's
the 1-2% of staff who abuse the system and take advantage of situations
that cause employers to have to address these problems in formal
policies.>>

Instead of punishing all of your employees for the actions of a few, why not
just develop a system to address the problems with the few that abuse the
system.

If you had a success that was clearly due to the success of one individual
would you stand up and say, everyone did such a good job, give everyone
applause and by the way I'm going to give everyone a raise.

We must treat everyone as an individual or else we start looking like the
Brave New World of management.   Celebrate the team but support your champions
or else they will leave to find a place that appreciates them.  If we don't
we'll wind up with a team of mediocre employees.

Think about how you would feel as a front line employee and then develop
policies that treat you as you deserve.  All employees are like managers just
a bit less experienced or in some cases a bit less connected or just with
other types of skills.

I suggest that you start reading Fast Company Magazine.  This is one of the
most innovative magazines devoted to excellence in organizational development
and business strategies to motivate teams of employees.  It will start to
spark your imagination of how to motivate your team to be respectful of
bringing viruses into your computer system.

Good luck,

Stephen Brand
The New Enterprise Factory, Inc.