Is there Bad Culture?
Culture, as Merriam-Webster defines it, is the beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place, or time.
As a millennial, I have stressed the importance of finding the perfect culture that suits your work style. For some, it could be a work hard, play hard environment while for others, it could be abstinence from blurring the lines of work and pleasure. What ever that balance is, most would want a mixture of work and life.
More and more companies are adopting policies in which they mix the traditional work environment with indulgent rewards such as happy hours, intramural sports, on-site bars, and even Vegas trips. All of this sounds like fun and games until lines are crossed and relationships are blurred.
Where is the fine line in which you can grab a drink with your coworkers and upper execs but maintain the distance so that you don't feel obligated to invite them to everything you do?
Of course you want to be able to enjoy your superiors and become friends with them, but it can be a game of chance when you spend 8+ hours with them and see them outside of work.
It is always better to be working with your friends but to some extent, the culture can be distracting and perhaps even detrimental. Every moment feels like walking on eggshells.
Culture to me is one of the biggest factors in choosing a workplace but there are lines to be drawn when things get out of control and the line between work and personal life blurs.
With the culture comes the fun, but just like how they warn you to not live with your best friend, culture can bring trouble.
