Don't Be Yourself

5 Trap 4 Bring Your Whole Self to Work

Under constant pressure to compete in the war for talent, organizations frequently offer “bringing your whole self to work” as a cultural perk, at least when they market their HR policies and cultures.¹ At times, this perk is defined by opportunities to “do what you love” or “express personal or private aspects of your identity” without the need to conform to rigid rules or cultural formalities. At other times, it is about slightly more superficial or trivial choices—like choosing how to dress during Zoom or analogue/3D meetings, or having the opportunity to bring your dog or your children to the office, which hopefully means your children can bring only their best rather than their whole self. But ...