Like the monkeys in the experiment, every culture 15 and organization has its unwritten rules. These rules are probably the single most influential factor on the work environment and employee happiness. Though many work cultures embrace positive values, such as loyalty, solidarity, efficiency, quality, personal development and 20 customer service, all too often they reinforce negative attitudes. In many businesses, an unwritten rule states that working long hours is more important than achieving results. In one medium-sized company, the boss never 25 leaves the office until it is dark. Outside in the car park, he checks to see who is still working and whose office windows are dark. Staff who risk leaving earlier now leave their office lights on all night. Other common unwritten rules state that the boss is 30 always right, even when he's wrong; if you're not at your desk, you're not working; nobody complains, because nothing ever changes; women, ethnic minorities and the over 50s are not promoted; the customer is king, but don't tell anyone, because management are more 35 interested in profitability. Often nobody really knows where these unwritten rules came from , but like the new monkeys, new recruits pick them up very quickly, despite the best intentions of induction and orientation programmes. The way staff speak to management, to customers and to each other gives subtle but strategic clues to an organization's culture, as do the differences between what is said, decided or promised, and what actually gets done. New staff quickly learn when their ideas 45 and opinions are listened to and valued, and when it's better to keep them to themselves. They learn which assignments and aspects of their performance will be checked and evaluated, and whose objectives and instructions they can safely ignore. Monkeys may be 50 more direct, but work culture is every bit as effective at enforcing unwritten rules as a good beating.
1. "Don't worry! She'll book your flight and get you a ticket before you even (say) Jack Robinson." Catherine (began) to laugh. "I have not (heard) you use that expression for years, not since I (was) a kid. You (told) me once where it (comes) from, but now can't (remember). It (is) such an odd expression!" "Yes, it is. I (think) it (originated) in England and the Pommies (brought) it to Australia. Australians (started) to use it, and I guess it (has become) part of our idiomatic speech. Sort of slang, really." 2. Maggie put the receiver in its cradle and (turning) around, (stood) leaning against the desk, staring at Samantha. "Youare not ( going) to believe it, but that snake in the grass have just (had) the temerity to call me honey." 3. I looked at my mother and, and (saw) the tears rising in her eyes. She (pushed) them back, and (took) a deep breath. "Mai, are you really all right? I (feel) that you (have been pushing) me away recently. You have not (said) a word since 1 (was) here. Do you (feel) a bit better, darling? Tell me the truth." "Yes, I (am doing) fine," I (lied). A few days after that visit of my mother's, I (fell) into a deep depression. I (felt) listless, without energy. I (was) helpless, almost an invalid.
