An HR Tale of Culture, Communication, and Crumbly Consequences
It started like any other Monday.
The office kitchen—normally a buzz of caffeine-fueled camaraderie—was unusually quiet. The Motivation Monday donuts, a sweet tradition courtesy of HR, were nowhere to be found. Not just a few missing. All of them. Glazed, powdered, jelly-filled. Gone. Not even a rogue sprinkle left behind.
Within minutes, speculation spread faster than a sugar rush.
“Accounting gets in early. Suspicious.”
“IT’s on a new bulk cycle—probably hoarded them for protein pairing.”
“Janine’s dog has an Instagram. Maybe she took them for content.”
By 10:00 a.m., the vibe had shifted from puzzled to passive-aggressive. HR called a quick stand-up.
“Let’s take a breath,” said Dana, the HR Manager, clutching her clipboard with resolve. “Remember our values: collaboration, trust… and donut equity.” That’s when Greg from Sales raised his hand. “So, funny story. I thought they were leftovers from Friday’s client meeting. I may have… taken them. All of them. To my gym.”
The room fell silent. Someone gasped. Even the office plant seemed to lean in. Greg added, sheepishly, “There wasn’t a sign. I didn’t know they were for the team.”
HR Insight: Culture Needs Clarity
As lighthearted as this story seems, it highlights something real: workplace culture lives in the little things. Rituals, even snack-based ones, contribute to belonging and shared understanding. When those rituals aren’t communicated clearly, well-meaning actions can have unintended consequences.
In this case, Greg didn’t ignore culture—he didn’t know it existed.
What Can HR Learn from This?
- Make it clear. If a perk or practice is for everyone, say so—visibly and often.
- Onboard for more than rules. Culture isn’t just policies; it’s the why behind your team traditions.
- Don’t assume. Even the obvious needs context. If it matters to your culture, repeat it, reinforce it, and label it.
As for Greg?
He took full ownership—and HR handed him a new project: designing the office donut sign.
“Please enjoy. These are for team morale—not personal meal prep.”
He even brought bagels the next week.
Culture, communication, and carbs—balanced once more.