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What is your policy on Nerf Guns being used at work?

Angela

If you were asked to consider the use of Nerf Guns at work, what would be your response to this request?

The IT sector and new start-ups are facing this phenomenon.

How would you communicate a well-balanced view of the potential risks to the individual and the business?

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  • Hi Angela,

    I had to google this one! I'd love to know why you are asking, but off the top of my head my response would depend on the context - is it a one-off or ongoing thing, and what's the environment like? Do clients visit? I'd consider if the purpose of introducing them (and perceived benefits) outweighed the following risks/drawbacks:

    - distracting to those working (at best annoying, at worst, adversely impacting productivity)
    - appears unprofessional to staff and visitors
    - potentially harmful (what if fired into someone's eye?). Having never used one, I'm not sure about the extent to which this is a concern...
    - sends a message to staff that playing around at work is ok (again, depends on whether this is a one off or not...and also on your cultural context)

    Personally, I can imagine a place for them at a one-off fun event, but other than that it sounds like quite an annoying prospect!

    Laura
  • in reply to Laura
    Usage -spontaneous and yes to customer / supplier visits on site.
  • in reply to Angela
    I thought this was a short lived American fad from 3 or 4 years ago. Perfect for those who want to discover their inner Rambo but for every ecstatic 20 something (predominately) male employee there are many more who equally dislike it.

    My view is this, firms like to do these things because they feel it makes them a 'cool' employer when most of the time it is really just using cliched juvenile games. Of course, some firms will see horse play as the very cutting edge of coolness but in 99% of the time, those who try to be cool end up by looking silly
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  • in reply to Angela
    I thought this was a short lived American fad from 3 or 4 years ago. Perfect for those who want to discover their inner Rambo but for every ecstatic 20 something (predominately) male employee there are many more who equally dislike it.

    My view is this, firms like to do these things because they feel it makes them a 'cool' employer when most of the time it is really just using cliched juvenile games. Of course, some firms will see horse play as the very cutting edge of coolness but in 99% of the time, those who try to be cool end up by looking silly
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