Actually,  top give some background on the museum, it is a small art museum
with no past violence in its history.  There is nothing stated in the
rulebook about such incidents. They (management) just think that a museum
should remain free from all political issues. I concur that Sept. 11  is an
extraordinary time, and in light of the communities full patriotic support,
the museum could show some commissary with the grief this nation and the
world share. The feeling is that the staff is more afraid of the wrath of
the director, who has fired people for less before. Fortunately, I do not
work with her all that much, if at all, and share no such fear. Maybe that
is why I am very bothered.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Feltus, Pamela" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2001 3:49 PM
Subject: Re: patriotic?


> 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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