Some bosses are more laid back as they organize the annual NCAA Tournament Pool and look the other way while employees occasionally check their personal e-mail on company time. Some bosses are strict and keep a close eye on the lunch breaks and go over expense reports with a fine-tooth comb.

Then there is the Qwest supervisor who according to the Associated Press (AP), tried to cut down on bathroom breaks by telling workers to use disposable urinal bags in the field. The story went on to say that the manager distributed the bags to 25 male technicians (OK, ladies, you have child birth, while urine bags will be our cross to bear), telling them not to waste time leaving a jobsite to search for a public bathroom. A Qwest spokesman denied there was such a policy.

Now I am all for a more productive workforce, but this has gone a bit too far. And this can’t be real good for company morale. I don’t really see this policy being embraced by the workers. But on the upside, the amount of coffee you will need to provide to the employees will probably go down.

What is the craziest policy implemented at your company to cut down on “wasted” time? What was the employee reaction?

I just hope my boss doesn’t realize I take time out of my workday to read an article about workers urinating into bags.

Also, please re-read the headline to this blog entry; I am very proud of the pun on words.