When I lived in England, landlords would not allow you to display flags or
signs outside the building. I was told the reason was that they could not
restrict certain things (i.e. Irish flags, which might invite violence
toward the property) so it was easier to allow nothing and not appear to be
discriminating.

We don't know the history of this museum- perhaps they have had problems in
the past with religion, nationalism or politics or something and the
management found it easier to outlaw all instead of having to appear to
discriminate? If the desks are in public spaces perhaps they want to get
them free of personal adornments which would not look professional- and if
you allow one person to have a flag, plastic Asterixes are sure to follow
(just kidding Harry!). September 11 is an extremely special case and one
would have hoped the museum management could have relaxed the rules,
especially since I would think anything to help employees recover is good,
but we don't know the whole story. Perhaps there is some greater reason to
explain this rule. Maybe management consulted a therapist who recommended
this? Are they worried that if they allow a loosening of the rules now, it
might be difficult to enforce the prior rules? My recommendation would be to
talk to management. If they know the staffs concerns and staff is aware of
management's, a compromise should be able to be reached.

I love my plastic grass in a can and Elvis business card holder, but if I
ever thought my desk toys would contribute to problems in the workplace,
then they have to be gone. But not without a fight.








> -----Original Message-----
> From: Harry Needham [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Monday, September 24, 2001 2:29 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: patriotic?
>
>
> I'm with Ross. I would find it impossible, as a professional,
> to work in
> such a setting. I used to have a little plastic Asterix on my
> desk, in his
> position with hands and arms spread and shoulders shrugged.
> Whenever someone
> came in and asked me something to which there was no ready
> answer, I simply
> pointed at the figure and made the same gesture. Mong doo!
> Wot if I hadn't
> been allowed to put my little Asterix on my desk?
>
> How much sillier to try to hobble someone's patriotism.
>
> Harry Needham Consulting Services Inc.
> Consulting, training & research solutions
> for heritage institutions - and others!
> 74 Abbeyhill Drive
> Kanata ON K2L 1H1 Canada
> (voice) +1.613.831-1068
> (fax) +1.613.831-9412
> [log in to unmask]
>
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