This manual is your company’s bible. In it, you’ll find useful info like legal employment requirements, how to report harassment, and the mission and vision of the company, for employees to reference.

 
But somewhere buried in the pages is usually a set of workplace rules that make absolutely no sense in a professional workplace environment.

Rules like:

1. Inflexible scheduling & no telecommuting -- Maybe your best ideas come to you between 10 and 11 PM while eating ice cream on your couch. Too bad. You’ll need to make sure to remember it during required business hours from 9 AM to 5 PM.

2. Scheduled breaks -- Nothing can be more invigorating than a quick walk break after a long brainstorming session. (Data even supports the power of breaks to boost productivity.) But if your scheduled break isn’t for another few hours, you’ll have to wait.

3. Requirements for leave, and time off -- As a grown adult, it can feel insulting when your manager asks to see a doctor's note for sick days or proof of death for your bereavement requests to be approved.

 
4. Stealing employees’ frequent-flyer miles -- There are no words to explain why this happens, but it does. Sure the company sent you, but you’re the one that had to hustle through crowded airports (and pat-downs) and give up your time. Plus, what do they do with those miles?!

5. No personal items on your desk -- You’re at your desk for hours, so why not be allowed to make it a welcoming environment for you?

Of course, there are exceptions.

Surgeons obviously can’t arrive whenever they want when they have patients waiting for them. Or having a desk covered with Funko POP figurines might not make a good impression when meeting clients.

These are exceptions and not the rule.

However, as an employee, it’s not your call to decide if YOU’RE the exemption.

 
              There is a way AROUND the rules nonsense.

 
When you’re working for yourself and building your own business, you’re the boss! You decide what type of workplace you want to build.

Now, this doesn’t mean you won’t have any structure. You’ll want rules and policies in place to build a successful online business.

 
But you decide what those are. And how they add value to your business.
Your business. Your rules. Makes sense.

To Your Success,

Paul Hanson