Category: HR Strange But True

Catch up on the latest odd, offbeat, and humorous HR stories.

Yahoo! CEO Pulls Plug on Telecommuting

Numerous media sources are reporting that Yahoo! is created its own headlines by announcing to employees that as of June 2013, it will no longer allow workers to telecommute, even for 1 day per week. Reports citing an internal memo say employees will still be allowed to work at home under special circumstances. MSNBC is […]

SBT Reader Offers Clever Response

Last week, we shared an SBT reader’s suggestion about what to ask a job applicant. The reader suggested asking, “What’s your favorite fish?”  The interview question is meant to stump the candidate. “Anyone who doesn’t stop and think about the question, but simply comes up with something, may be someone who often jumps to conclusions […]

What Work Activity Just Broke a Guinness World Record?

Communicating on conference calls can be difficult sometimes. Without social cues, it can be hard for a coworker calling in to know when there is an appropriate time to interject? Now imagine a conference call with 10,424 participants at one time. And that’s just the old world record! Broadnet, in partnership with The Contact Group […]

Office Space Still Number 1

What’s your favorite type of movie: A sentimental love story? An insightful documentary? A crime-fighting action flick? What about a film about work? While the latter may not be the first thing that comes to mind, there are some good ones out there.  A recent BLR® poll asked readers to rank their favorite workplace movies.  […]

‘Want to Take a Ride in My New Car?’

We recently covered weird interview questions on the part of the hiring manager. This week we look at some odd questions asked on the other side of the desk. Here are a few responses from a recent OfficeTeam survey that collected weird inquiries from the interviewee. Here are a few: “Do I have to be […]

Breaking This Workplace Ban Is So Stupid, It’s Criminal

This HR Strange but True story has a happy ending for 117 workers but not for the person who didn’t follow a workplace policy. Well, actually the employee didn’t just allegedly break a workplace ban; he could be guilty of criminal violations of a state law—and risking a catastrophe. Hard as it is to believe, […]

Which Industries Lead to Love?

Could the industry you work in help you find a date? According to a new CareerBuilder® survey, 39 percent of workers said they have dated a coworker at least once over the course of their career. Seventeen percent reported dating coworkers at least twice.

Love Is in the Air: Coworkers Say ‘I Do’?

Who says that office romances can’t work out? Here are a few examples of past SBT’s where coworkers said ‘I do.’ A 7-11 Wedding—This couple paid tribute to the employer that brought them together by returning for their nuptials. Any guess what time they had the ceremony? Exchanging Rings Under Golden Arches—This wedding had a […]

Worker Looks to ‘Encore Career’ in his 80s after 60 Years on Job

Employees usually look to their retirement when they are in their 60s—not after having worked at the same job for 60 years! And most aren’t looking forward to an “encore career” like Lynwood “Ozzie” Osborne. Employees usually look to their retirement when they are in their 60s—not after having worked at the same job for […]

Interview Tactic: Bring Seafood into the Mix

We recently ran an SBT on a Glassdoor survey about weird interview questions. Among the top were, “How many cows are in Canada?” and “Pick two celebrities to be your parents.” We asked readers to share their own odd interview inquiries. Here’s one that is definitely original: “I like, ‘What’s your favorite fish?’”   “The […]