We Wear Work Badges Like Dog Tags

Last week, I traveled part of the week to my company's other campus.  It's a bigger city, lots of hustle & bustle.  Everything is built up vs. out, so there are lots of elevators & escalators and ID-coded secured entrances on most floors and wings.

What I couldn't help noticing was that, with all that security, I didn't notice many badges displayed.  But they were in hand to scan when necessary.

At my site, we wear our ID badges like dog tags.  Most people have the exact same around-the-neck lanyard, featuring the company logo.  It takes ID to a whole different level.  I think it really could be an "identity."

Once in a while, I see someone with a fancy beaded lanyard - usually women, with colors and bling.  It's the only sign of non-conformity.

Of course, may people go for the waistband clip with the retractable cord.  Not quite as much of a label, but still, often worn visibly.

I'm not knocking this trend of wearing the badge.  I mean, I often find it helpful to casually glance down and see the name, so I can address the person directly. 

But, as I stand back and watch so many members of a tired-looking, sometimes aging, sometimes out-of-shape workforce, I imagine these tags with the weight of chains, appearing to make the wearers trudge and shuffle slowly along with their heads and eyes cast down.

I often forget to take mine off when I leave the building.  More times than I can count, I've been approached in stores during my after-work errands, mistaken for a helpful store employee.  "Sorry, I really don't work here, but what are you looking for?"

So, in addition to wondering where people keep their ID badges - out of sight, yet, at the ready....I have to wonder if they think I look like an idiot wearing mine, so I don't lose it! 

"Dweeb."  (rolling eyes)