China’s Communist Party probably isn’t an organisation HR would turn to for advice on management etiquette, but there could just be something in their latest course of action.
According to Huaxin Metropolis Daily, a local newspaper in China’s Sichaun province, Party officials have issued local officials in Pengshan County a list of “10 forbidden behaviours”.
The rules came about after residents complained about officials taking advantage of their positions and after reviewing 1,700 suggestions from public opinion polls, symposia, investigations and interviews, the county’s party committee issued the commandments.
According to the
Washington Post the forbidden behaviours are:
- It is not allowed to flatter or kiss the ass of one’s superior: One must express one’s real views.
- It is not allowed to make inspection trips in a cursory way, and it is not allowed to bring any unnecessary accompanying personnel during such trips.
- It is not allowed to use jargon while making speeches: Clear points should be made.
- It is not allowed to be a “hands-off” boss.
- It is not allowed to ask others to write one’s personal documents.
- It is not allowed to act high and mighty in front of the masses or subordinates. It is not allowed to fold hands behind one’s back, curse or point fingers while talking to the masses.
- It is not allowed to make empty promises or say “I don’t know” or “Don’t ask me” to the masses when they try to make an inquiry.
- It is not allowed to ask others to carry bags, pour tea, open or close car doors; it is not allowed to throw trash from the car windows.
- It is not allowed to smoke or to pick one’s teeth in the public; it is not allowed to be sloppily dressed.
- It is not allowed to bully people at the compound one lives in; it is not allowed to postpone paying the property management fees or to park illegally.
While not all would be applicable outside of China if you de-communised the list there are some lessons HR can take to pass on to management such as:
- Cut out the jargon – using plain English will get the message across more clearly
- Interact with staff and encourage them to voice their opinions
- Follow through with any promises made – including looking into the things you do not know the answer to
- You may be the boss but don’t think too highly of yourself
- You’re the boss so dress like one
- Bullying is unacceptable at any level of any organisation
