After arriving in Irving, Texas, for aCompany of Friendsevent at the localWingate Inn, I caught up on the day’s news by browsing theDallas Morning News.
Late this summer, Calvin Klein, a highly design- and style-oriented company,circulated a memorequesting that employees’ workspaces conform to the “Calvin Klein brand aesthetic.” On its face, not a bad idea. I can imagine, sharp, smart, stylized offices and common areas.
Alas, the memo dictates that team members not display photos, knickknacks, or flowers — unless they’re white. It goes on to outline approved office supplies: black folders, black binders, black pens (with black ink, no less). Black, black, black.
Seems overly limiting — by design. What do you and your colleagues do to ensure that your workplace is professional and productive — while still positively personal?