HR, Piety, and Sterilization

PR junkie had an interesting piece the other day on where have all the good times gone in Corporate America.  One of the commenters suggests that HR is responsible for the sterilization of our workplace…that the days of liquid lunches (and sexist behaviors) are all but gone thanks to us.  I particularly like the notion that we’re “pius” and that people shouldn’t put up with it anymore.  I’m a Mad Men fan – a big one – but the thought of regressing back to the 1960′s office is frightening to me…even as a male.  That aside, I have encountered the occasional suggestion – some of them blatant – that HR’s high & mighty commitment to managing risk in the workplace has gone to the brink of forever banishing fun from it.  I admit I’ve reluctantly been the wet blanket from time to time - It’s the least favorite part of my role.  I don’t think there’s anyway around this…no one else will do it, that’s for sure.  But I do think we need to focus really hard on finding that grey…no matter how small…between allowing a down right no-foul naughty time and doing it in a way that truly subjects the organization (or employees) to extreme risk.  I know, the purists would suggest there is no grey.  I’m not there…yet.