I was thinking about the unpleasant things I've encountered in various workplaces. In my experience, there are few things I find more repugnant than explicit, blatant negative reinforcement.

I am reminded of a scene from The Hudsucker Proxy:

Mail Room Orienter: You punch in at 8:30 every morning, except you punch in at 7:30 following a business holiday, unless it's a Monday, then you punch in at 8 o'clock. Punch in late and they dock you. ⇒ Read more

Other People's Habits: How to Use Positive Reinforcement to Bring Out the Best in People Around You author: Aubrey C. Daniels asin: 007135915X