HR’s lighter side: Naked Fridays
July 9, 2009 by Jim GiulianoPosted in: Behavior, Latest News & Views, policies
When bosses at a design and marketing firm OneBestWay saw business drop, they decided it was time to drop trou.
That’s right. They OK’d a company policy that employees at the British firm could work naked on Fridays. They were convinced to do so by a consultant specializing in business psychology.
Psychologist David Taylor explained to The Sun newspaper that he recommended working in the buff so that employees would lose their inhibitions and talk more openly and honestly with one other.
“Inviting an organization to go naked is the most extreme technique I’ve used,” he conceded. “It may seem weird but it works. It’s the ultimate expression of trust in yourself and each other.”
Goofy idea, right? Well …
Since the inception of Naked Fridays, business at the company has improved. And in fact, they’ve had to hire two new employees to handle the rush.
We, however, do assume that all employees there are a lot more careful about consuming hot beverages and sharing chairs.
And what do you think Naked Fridays would do for morale at your company?
Tags: David Taylor, onebestway
July 10th, 2009 at 10:04 am
What about the laws regarding indecent exposure? A bizarre “technique”. I would think this would lead to only hiring attractive, physically fit employees. This in turn to cause a rash of lawsuits.
July 10th, 2009 at 11:18 am
How does this employer avoid sexual harassment suits?!!
July 10th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
How does working in the buff create more business? I imagine ee’s doing less work because they are walking around peeking at each other. This doesn’t seem believable.
July 17th, 2009 at 7:55 am
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Or a lawsuit about rashes.
July 24th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Ok, what an idiotic idea.
July 28th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Of course business has improved. DUH. And what a surprise that 2 more naked people had to be hired to handle the rush to view the free Friday Show.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Okay harassment? Really, come on now. There is nothing harassing about the naked body. We need to learn that naked doesn’t mean sex. I think it was a dang interesting idea. Good for them.
July 29th, 2009 at 7:31 am
I’ve tried to imagine the employees in our company walking/working in the buff, and all I can say is: MY EYES, MY EYES!
July 29th, 2009 at 8:08 am
Eh, you’d get used to it. I mean, people live in nudist colonies and don’t have trouble!
July 29th, 2009 at 10:49 am
How is this allowed but you can’t hang a picture of a naked person on the wall in your office?
July 29th, 2009 at 11:44 am
You could hang that naked picture up on Fridays, LOL
July 29th, 2009 at 11:59 am
I would like to point out… obviously the theory behind this works. It’s not scientific but notice how the thread of replies has loosened up in attitude. Went from prude and stuffy to sort of laughing it off. We have opened up.
July 29th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
I wouldn’t base this thread on the success of people working naked in an office. I don’t think it would work in most places. I for one would not work in a naked office and I would pursue it legally if I lost my job because I wouldn’t take off my clothes to come to work.
OK go ahead… say it…
July 29th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Cheryl I think you are taking the article and my post a bit too seriously. We don’t know the policy of this company line for line. I highly doubt it was a requirement. I suspect even those not participating would have to adapt. In any situation that feels uncomfortable we are forced to communicate in some way or another cope. It’s no different than doing trust excercises with some department you never work with… you tend to get chatty and open up. Communication and thinking outside of your normal parameters can really spark creativity and renew energy. It is what that company wanted.
My comment about this thread is that even just the postings went from critical to joking… and now hopefully some understanding and maybe discussion on ways to incorporate the “idea” into our workplace, even if it’s fully clothed.
August 20th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Anyone remember Benny Hill? British humor is a lot different than it is across the pond.
September 17th, 2009 at 9:10 am
This can’t be for real. This is ridulous