Mind Nomad Writing

• 95% of staff would prefer to keep social interactions to a bare minimum
• 73% of staff are very satisfied knowing very little about one another
• 36% of staff have asked a question
• 100% of staff reporting on themselves for making an inquiry were satisfied with how their report was handled

• Results from the most recent statistical analysis estimating staff perceptions

In the nuanced work of staff interactions, it is important to appreciate the complexity of these interactions. One should always remain mindful of the potential organizational risks associated with interpersonal interactions. To support the successful navigation of these interactions, below is a compendium of broad and specific questions that all those in staff relations roles would be wise to avoid and to coach leaders to avoid in their individual staff interactions as well. 

The following non-exhaustive list contains examples of socially disruptive inquiries. 

Next to each question you will note specific symbols. These symbols pertain to the categorical designation for each ‘insensitive inquiry’ referenced within this compendium. A legend follows to further elucidate this coding below the ‘insensitive inquiry’ question bank.

Insensitive Inquiries:

• Do you have a preferred name? (/)
• Do you have any children? (/)
• Do you want children? (+)
• Why don’t you want children? (+)
• What happened to your children? (<x>)
• Are you in a romantic relationship? (***)
• Do you wish you were in a romantic relationship? (/)
• Why aren’t you in a romantic relationship? (***)
• Why don’t you wish you were in a romantic relationship? (#)
• How was your weekend? (/)
• Do you have any weekend plans? (+)
• Why don’t you have any weekend plans? (#)
• What do you think of the weather today? (<x>)
• Do you like coffee? (/)
• What are your career goals? (***)
• How are you managing after the loss of your…
  • Child (<x>)
  • Mother (<x>)
  • Father (<x>)
  • Spouse (<x>)
  • Government-sanctioned food voucher (#)
  • Government-sanctioned housing voucher (#)
  • Limb (***)
  • Government-sanctioned sanity (#)
• What are your hobbies? (/)
• Why don’t you have hobbies? (***)
• Do you require workplace accommodations? (+)
• Why do you require workplace accommodations? (***)
• What kind of food do you like? (/)
• Do you have any government-approved allergies? (#)
• Who is your government-approved emergency contact? (/)
• Why don’t you have a government-approved emergency contact? (#)
• Have you participated in the government-sanctioned voting event? (***)
• When will you participate in the government-sanctioned voting event? (***)
• How will you participate in the government-sanctioned voting event? (#)
• Why haven’t you participated in the government-sanctioned voting event? (#)
• How do you like working here? (***)
• Why don’t you like working here? (#)

Symbol	Meaning
+	Potential for morale destabilization
/	Prohibited relational probing
<x>	Inquiry historically associated with attrition events
***	May trigger disclosure cascade
#	Likely to warrant immediate escalation to industry Monitors

As a helpful rule of thumb, staff should remember that curiosity is not a protected behavior in the workplace.

If you follow the three-step decision-making process for inquiries, you will successfully circumnavigate unintended consequences.

1. The best inquiry is the one that never even crossed your mind
2. The second best inquiry is the one you never ask
3. If you happen to ask a question, stay calm, and report it on

Remember, the staff interaction team is here to receive and analyze all reports.

#Drudgery