479 - INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

Why is it important to think about biological diversity in business?

Have you ever had a colleague that was biologically diverse?

NO, Not the kind of diversity you're thinking about.

I'm talking about that one colleague who doesn't shower or wash their clothes.

They are a walking, talking biologically diverse universe of bacteria that the entire office can smell the moment they arrive.

AWKWARD SUBJECT, right?

I do not by any means want to ignore the possibility that the person may have a medical issue regarding their body odor, but that is rarely the case.

I once had a co-worker who ask loudly, and to no one in particular, "Have you ever noticed that when you don't brush your teeth for a few days they get a thick film on them".

Yes, he said that.

Disgusting? Absolutely.

To make matters worse, the guy played trombone. I pitied the poor musicians who sat in front of him as his breath traveled through the instrument and out in their direction.

Then there was another co-worker who had a reputation for not washing his hands after using the restroom.

One day, another colleague approached him as he was leaving the restroom without washing his hands. The colleague asked, "Why don't you wash your hands after you pee?"

The other replied, and once again I quote: "I already got them wet. Why should I get them wet again?"🤢

EEEWWWWWWW. That was the last time any of us shook hands with him.

This is one of the many positive reasons to work from home.

I realize that this is not the reason for International Day. Biological Diversity is fascinating and is important for the entire planet.

Everything exists for a reason...even disgusting colleagues.

It's all in a day's work, and when it comes to addressing the issue, guess who gets called in? Human resources.

Now you know another reason why there is an International Human Resources Day.

Have you ever had a "biologically diverse" co-worker? If so, how was the situation handled to let make the person aware of the disturbance they caused?