This archive report was first published on 5 September 2019.
As I stepped into my new role at a multinational company, I was hit with a wave of culture shock. It's been a week since I joined, and I'm still trying to wrap my head around the new norms.
One of the first things that struck me was the open floor office setup. Gone were the days of a designated desk and a quiet workspace. Now, everyone works in an open-plan area, with no personal space to call their own. My HR manager, George, explained that this was part of the company's new working philosophy, embracing a more collaborative and flexible work environment.
But it's not just the office setup that's different. Parking has become a challenge, with a first-come, first-served arrangement that leaves me scrambling to find a spot. George assured me that this was meant to promote equality and fairness, but I'm not so sure.
Another adjustment I'm facing is the matrix reporting arrangement. I have two bosses, one based in Nairobi and the other in South Africa, and I need to navigate their different expectations and priorities. George advised me to make sure my local boss has nothing to escalate to the regional boss, but I'm still trying to figure out how to allocate my time and resources effectively.
And then there's the technology. This office is all about telepresence and teleconferencing, which is a far cry from my previous employer's more traditional approach. I've been given all sorts of earphones and codes to help me make the relevant calls and attend virtual meetings, but it's still a bit overwhelming.
But it's not all about work. My induction process has also included some more mundane tasks, like paperwork and filling out forms. One of the HR ladies asked me about my next of kin, and I found myself getting defensive about my mother. She seemed to think I was being too generous with my benefits, but I just can't help it – my mom is everything to me.
As I navigate this new culture, I'm also having to adjust to a more relaxed dress code. Gone are the days of formal business attire; now, it's all about dressing down in jeans and casual tops. I've even seen some of the women wearing what my former colleagues would call 'scandalous' outfits. It's definitely a change of pace, but I'm trying to roll with it.
And finally, there's the lack of a 'tea girl' to make my tea for me. I'm going to have to get used to making it myself, which is a bit of a shock to my system.
