It took a conflict between policy and practice to see what was up with the company culture.

I was new in my career and didn’t understand the importance of company culture until there was a conflict between the policies and practices.

I was asked to follow a common practice of staying late to finish a time-sensitive project. No problem, since we always got compensated accordingly. However, during the same conversation, I was told not to work any more overtime since I had reached my top allowance according to policy. Also not a problem, since I was pretty tired and happy to go home for a break after a few weeks of pushing hard on a few projects.

I realized my manager had contradicted herself and I should clarify which I should follow - the policy or the practice.

The response was not what I was expecting. Instead of getting a simple answer I was met with a question I didn't know how to answer.

My manager looked at me and asked: "What's your problem lately?"

I was not expecting that.

After an unproductive and tense conversation, me leaving in tears, and a weekend to reflect I realized that I didn't have a problem. (Note: I am in no way claiming to be perfect! There are lots of things I could do better.) There was, however, a problem with the company culture: how the manager spoke to employees and employees being uncertain about following policy. Employees should never have to choose if and when to follow policy to make a manager happy with their performance at work.

But I realized it wasn’t just this time. There were other times when we were told to ignore policy so we could get the job done. There were times when I would cringe overhearing my manager talking to another employee, knowing how awful that employee felt in that moment. The environment was not supportive. It was not a positive work culture.

Employees should never have to choose if and when to follow policy to make a manager happy with their performance at work.

That was a turning point in deciding to stay with the company. Because of the company culture it was no longer a place I wanted to work and invest my time. It was no longer a safe space to ask questions or get clarification. It had always been that way - it was only in that moment that I saw what the company culture was around me.