Do not bring your ‘whole self’ to work

Genuine workplace tolerance

Sir, – Further to “Concept of ‘belonging’ gathers pace amid rethink over diversity, equity and inclusion” (May 19th), “bringing your whole self to work” is an idea which risks turning workplaces into cults.

We’re at work either to make money together, or to provide a public service together. In pursuit of such ends, we should be industrious, respectful, collegiate, cheerful, honourable and honest. That’s what used to be called “being professional”, and one should behave like that toward everyone one encounters in a corporate or client setting, entirely regardless of the vagaries of one’s personal opinions (if any – and ideally none) about them.

Personal opinions and personal politics are irrelevant in a work context, and it is unprofessional to burden colleagues with such self-indulgent baggage. Genuine workplace tolerance is a byproduct of relative anonymity, not of compulsory oversharing. – Yours, etc,

SEÁN MacCANN

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Trillick,

Co Tyrone.