Something that pushed me to resign from a job at a 2nd tier technology company (gaming) was receiving in invitation (company-wide or locality-wide) from an HR person, via company communication channels, to an after-work-hours drag queen conference call event.
It just made me question the value of the HR department-- Here I am with a ton of pressure on me to build a product.
And the HR department is organizing a very non-work related politicized event, using company resources?
I was disgusted-- not about people attending an online, non-work related drag queen event-- Fine, people can do whatever they want in their off hours-- it's none of my business.
But I was disgusted simply that company resources were used to organize peoples' attendance to an event that promotes drag queens. It was the last straw, decided to quit soon after.
HR departments are often charged with helping overstressed workers release some of the stress and tension. That often means crappy pizza parties at the end of a quarter. Sometimes it means off-site parties with BBQ and beer. Sometimes it means renting out a movie theater. Sometimes it means giving funds to 'clubs' at the company to buy some craft alcohol, host a drag event, go play tennis, or anything else.
I don't understand what is political about a drag event. It's a form of performance a la theater, comedy, dance, etc. Can you explain what would bother you about drag queens being promoted? Perhaps drag performances disturb you for some personal reason but to another person a workplace craft whiskey club with a bit of funding from the company to buy a bottle once a month would be disturbing because of the life experience of having an alcoholic as a father or loved one. But I wouldn't expect every event a workplace to put on to appeal to every employee. If that is the goal that is how you end up with the pizza party and that's about it.
It just made me question the value of the HR department-- Here I am with a ton of pressure on me to build a product.
And the HR department is organizing a very non-work related politicized event, using company resources?
I was disgusted-- not about people attending an online, non-work related drag queen event-- Fine, people can do whatever they want in their off hours-- it's none of my business.
But I was disgusted simply that company resources were used to organize peoples' attendance to an event that promotes drag queens. It was the last straw, decided to quit soon after.