There's a sign on the door that leads from the volunteer sort room of this place to the back offices.
It also happens to lead to the nearest restroom for volunteers.
There's a sign on the door. It says:
"Authorized personnel only. Volunteers must be accompanied by staff beyond this point."
The words are black on a bright red background.
As long as I have worked here, the sign has been on that door. And as long as I've worked here, we've NEVER accompanied ANYONE back there. I don't know who put it there, and I don't know what incident motivated its creation.
But I do know it works.
We tell volunteers as we're orienting them that they're welcome to go through that door and use the facilities as they need, but to be quiet because there's a call center just beyond the bathrooms. But even after the permission is clearly given, people are terrified to go through that door.
It fascinates me. At least once a day the following interaction will happen:
Volunteer: Excuse me, where did you say the restrooms are?
Me: (Pointing at the door) Through that door on the left hand side.
Volunteer: (Looks at red sign, then back at me) This door?
Me: (Pointing even more directly) Yep. Go on through. They're on the left.
Volunteer: (Looks down at the handle, then back up at the sign, then back at me. Then they'll notice the door right next to it that is clearly labeled "Supply closet". They approach THAT door.) This one here?
Me: (Standing up from my desk and pointing my finger within 3 inches of the correct door) No, THIS one.
Volunteer: Oh. Okay. (They hesitantly put their hand out to the door handle like they're afraid it's going to shock them. After they open the door a few inches a look of guilt crosses their face and they glance back at me. I give them a reassuring smile and nod encouragingly. They take a deep breath and push the door open.)
Okay, there might be slight exaggeration here. But not much. I can't tell you how many times I have to stop someone from peeing on our tapeguns in the supply closet. And, I can't tell you how many OTHER posted rules people blatantly ignore. Don't take food? Nah! They have plenty, they'll live without this item. Don't use the pallet jacks as skateboards? Meh! That's just for people without the balance to do it safely.
But none of those rules are posted in red.
2 comments:
I don't usually take the time to sit and read (especially blogs) but my strep throat has kept me housebound for 24 hours so one thing led to another and I found myself on your blog. One minute you had me laughing hysterically and the next minute I was crying. Thanks for being you!!
If the Food Bank needs any signs that say, "Do Not Put Feet on Wall," I can think of a few that BYU-H could spare.
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