HR Soapbox Blog

Zodiac Signs Are Need-To-Know Employer Information!

(Published August 25, 2008)

I love August. Why? Because I was born in August. On August first of every year, I ask my husband, “Do you know what today is?” His response, after more than five years together, “Of course, it's the start of your birthday month.” (Insert a big smile!) Being an August baby, an end-of-August baby to be exact, makes me a Virgo. A nugget that all of my co-workers should tuck away because it might explain why I do the things that I do.

For instance, the reason I cannot leave for the day unless all my pens are in the pen caddy cap side up, my chair is in perfect alignment with my computer monitor and pushed under the desk as far as it will go, and the piles on my desk are perfectly straight isn't because I'm obsessively anal, it's because I'm a Virgo. Nothing irritates me more than to arrive the next morning to see the piles askew or an uncapped pen sitting on my desk. I've gotten over my chair being crooked. The cleaning lady doesn't know me; it's not her fault.

Of course, not all Virgos are meticulous and fussy, but enough of us are that knowing this about us can be highly beneficial in a business setting. It doesn't take much to make me happy during the workday. Simply put documents in my clearly-marked inbox, not laying on top of an existing pile already on my desk; don't borrow a book, pen, fill-in-the-blank without putting it back where you got it from; tidy up the contents of a file folder before giving it to me so that no papers are sticking out. See? It's really very easy to get along with a Virgo.

My suggestion to you is to ask your employees, “What's your sign?” Granted, not every trait of every sign will apply to every employee born under that sign. Plus, the traits vary depending on where you get the information. (For this article, I relied on zodiac-signs-astrology.com.) But knowing someone's sign just might explain why exactly they do the things they do. It's nothing personal; it's just their nature.

For example, if a co-worker doesn't want to work with you on a joint project, you're apt to assume he doesn't like you, when, in fact, his aloofness might be the result of his independent Aries nature. Or if an employee cries when you criticize her performance, you might think that your delivery was too harsh, when, in actuality, her over-sensitivity as a Cancer is to blame.

Melissa V. Pomerantz
Editor

Posted by Editorial at 8/25/2008 12:26 PM

Conversely - an employee should know the "quirks" of their sign and work at minimizing its effect at the workplace.
Posted by: Edward at 8/26/2008 12:39 PM

Good point, Edward. Many years ago, I had a scorpio for a boss. He hired scorpios to work for him too. I have no idea if this was intentional or not, but during meetings in a small room the amount of energy was almost palpable. Interesting article.
Posted by: Gail( Visit ) at 8/26/2008 1:22 PM

Just remember, in this diverse world, there are some people out there that don't care to be known by their zodiac sign, and don't want to know anyone else's either. Perhaps learning the general personality types of your employees is a better way to go.
Posted by: L Pijor at 8/26/2008 1:22 PM

Really like this article. As a Gemini who has a dual reporting - to two other Gemini's, it can get pretty confusing trying to determine which of the "personality" mixes I'm going to be working with on any given day. Add me into the mix and that makes six of us.
Posted by: Michelle at 8/26/2008 1:54 PM

I'm sorry but when I read this I thought it was a joke. What is your sign? That may be fine for the singles bar but not the workplace.
Prejudging people based on their astrological sign is unprofessional and a great way to alienate people by stereotyping them.
Posted by: D Burnett at 8/26/2008 2:26 PM

I found this article curiously interesting. It sounds more like some folks have a OCD, are ADHD, or are high maintenance.
Posted by: Kipulani at 8/26/2008 3:24 PM

The comments were to some degree out of the stone age...One in charge doesn't ask a persons BD, as it is already on the app. With out the place or time, it is only the generalized work habits of the particular sign. Look at this as a help instead of ADHD or some other stupid thing. Productivity is maximized when those people who have to work closely with one another, actually enjoy and feel more comfortable with certain signs...Gads , I would hate to have some of you for my HR personnel...Too uptight, rigid and sounds like your'e not much fun either!!
Posted by: Babe at 8/26/2008 3:55 PM

This was a refreshing read away from the normal 'HR' articles. Being in HR you can tend to be a little rigid and on edge after the zillions of calls you make, take, etc, dealing with all the problems. So Kudos for taking a different approach on why we do what we do... thanks!
Posted by: KGG at 8/27/2008 2:45 PM

I'm actually a fan of finding out when someone is born and what Chinese sign they are because this can also determine who they get along well with in my office! Also what their typical personality/characteristics are.
Posted by: Pauline M. at 8/27/2008 2:46 PM

I absolutely agree with D Burnett. The subject of this article is very unprofessional. I suppose there are plenty of email lists I could have subscribed to if I wanted astrology tips - but HR Soapbox is not one of them. I thought this list was for professionals? If you are seriously going to send me horoscope articles without irony, what's next? The Cost-Benefits of Calculating Your Employees' Biorythyms? What Every Employer Should Know About the Chinese Zodiac? How the Power of Crystal Healing Can Improve Worker Productivity? No thanks, I need to get actual work done. I will unsub today.
Posted by: Tara at 8/27/2008 2:51 PM

I have to agree with the previous comment wondering whether this was a joke article. Please, please tell me that it is? While I understand that's it's very bad HR form to knock people's belief systems it alarms me somewhat to think that people take their star signs so seriously. We're also still using the Zodiac chart that the ancient Greeks used and we're 2,000 years ahead which means if you think you're a Virgo you're almost certainly a Leo as the sky has changed in the last 2,000 years. Isn't it about time we moved on from such superstitions? May I suggest those who still believe in such things google for their real sign and then maybe they'll see that they've been duped all along!
Posted by: Mazda at 8/27/2008 2:51 PM

Being on the cusp of two signs, I have the traits of neither (smile)But it was fun to read since I know an August born person that fits right in that mold. (another smile)
Posted by: Bf at 8/27/2008 2:52 PM

Sorry. I think that this is an unprofessional and un-scientific way of approaching people. My religion does not allow me to even consider astrology as an explanation to anything. Not only that, there is no consensus as to what traits each sign entails. Everyone has a different opinion. If you are going to concentrate on traits and behaviors do testing and get to know the person and not put "faith" in insignificant un-scientific beliefs.
Posted by: s at 8/27/2008 3:00 PM

Come on, lighten up people. I don't think this article was intended to be taken so seriously. Just a light hearted way of approaching personality types.
Posted by: Jenny at 8/27/2008 3:13 PM

Lighten up everyone, it is just one person's view. It doesn't mean you have to agree.
I, on the other hand, found it refreshing.
Thanks
Posted by: Loeee at 8/27/2008 3:17 PM

Lighten up people. I think it was a great article, just what HR people need, we tend to be too rigid, as can be seen by some of the comments.
Posted by: Lili Goncalves at 8/27/2008 3:18 PM

Good grief people...lighten up! HR is not a "scientific" profession...we are dealing with people. People who may have many different reasons for the way they act, and/or react. When I read the article, I did so with this in mind. I don't believe you can pigeon hole anyone, however, you can take a little bit of this and little bit of that to stick in your knowledge cap,and who knows, maybe it will come in handy at some point. If not, so be it. I believe everything in this life has some intrinsic value otherwise it would cease to exist...like common sense seems to be rapidly disappearing from our planet. I have to agree with Babe...take a chill pill, step outside your rigid boxes and enjoy something out of the ordinary for a change.
Posted by: Tracey at 8/27/2008 3:19 PM

HR Soapbox is intended to provide readers with articles that are generally more light-hearted and opinionated than the rest of our publications; thus, the topics and tone may not be what you expect. However, we did not expect anyone to take our comment to ask employees "What's your sign?" seriously. Sorry it was not more clear that the article was written tongue-in-cheek.
Posted by: Gloria at AHI at 8/27/2008 3:22 PM

Just reading these comments reinforces the impression most people have of HR and the reason articles with titles "Why we hate HR" are written. HR should not be used as a police force (I thought of a stronger definition, but I am sure that would bring more comments on professionalism).

HR professionals should have enough smarts to know that not all people think, behave, or have the same emotional or physical needs. But as so often happens, the point of the article is lost. To the folks playing HR cop, it is you who create the problems. Instead of spouting venom and behaving like Chicken Little, look in the mirror at yourself. Instead of encouraging people to take time to understand their co-worker and see the flip side (how people see you), you want to shut down communication because it doesn't fit into your narrowly defined world. What is wrong with friendly interaction, interest in others as individuals, and tolerance for diverse viewpoints? Why not show interest in another - it doesn't have to be zodiac signs, it may be some other commonality - a love of cats, dogs, PTA, NASCAR, etc. No matter what it is, guess what? The person will believe you actually care about them, which can lead to better relationships at work and a better employee and healthier workplace. Maybe that is why I am so busy as an "OD" professional. I come in to bring "health" back to an organization whose culture has gone sour. HR is usually a reflection of an organization's culture. Thank goodness for the HR people who "get it."
Posted by: OD Pro at 8/27/2008 3:35 PM

It's bad enough that you want me to ask what their sign is and now you accuse me of not being fun? You are really stepping on my toes! Just for clarification on these places where we are asked to leave a comment, are we only supposed to leave a comment when we agree with the article? I didn't think so.
Posted by: D Burnett at 8/27/2008 3:37 PM

I just wanted to say thanks to Melissa for a great article. Most of the HR reading is preaty boring and stuffy, this was a great change of pace. My GM actually had pizza lunches with all of the employees divided by their signs. They were great get to know each other sessions!
Posted by: Jessica at 8/27/2008 3:50 PM

I thought the article very cute and agree with OD Pro and others that believe knowing what and how your co-workers think and behave can explain alot about the way everyone interacts, etc. I believe very strongly in my sign and (un)fortunately have the same odd behaviors as the Editor, but I'm a Libra. So you "old grumpy HR folks" it might do you some good to try to understand why some of your employees are the visionaries in your office while you're stuck in mile-hight paperwork and grumpy! Myers-Briggs studies, etc have been used in our office many times over several years and as a supervisor these insights into what makes people do what they do can make or break how your "team" will work (or not). And Babe (your comments well taken) but be careful with the birthdate on the application - No, No, No.
Great, cute article Melissa
Posted by: Kara at 8/27/2008 3:55 PM

I never thought much of your e-letter anyway. It's written by "C-students" for the truly "stupit". Your total lack of regard for the employee as a human being is appalling.

This most recent issue takes the cake: a lead article on "Zodiac Signs Are Need-To-Know Employer Information!" combined with info on how to keep an employee off unemployment. to run an article like that - in this economy of shrinking wages and growing job-loss - showed just how stupid & debased you really are!

Take me off your mailing list! Take me off now!!
Posted by: I. Flanders at 8/27/2008 4:12 PM

How is it that SO MANY of the comments noting that this article was "fun" and that "HR people should lighten-up" were also filled with name-calling and a juvenile tone?
I think that speaks volumes.

To some people, astrology is a religion. Discussing astrological signs in the work place could be offensive to many employees . . . it's kind of like saying, "Let's discuss the differences between those of us who attend a Methodist church v. a Baptist church v. a Unitarian church." Or, "Let's discuss the differences between Sally who says she's voting for McCain, and Mary who says she's voting for Obama." Sure, it sounds like fun, but for crying out loud, it's just asking for trouble.

There HAVE to be parameters, and I agree that this article was unprofessional. As I began reading it, I actually muttered, "They PAID someone to write this??" No offense to you, (author) Melissa, but I just don't think even this "tongue-in-cheek" article has a place, here.

For whoever asked how HR is 'scientific' when we're dealing with people, are you serious?? Wow. Scary.

Lastly, Babe, before you glorify an article that has no substance whatsoever, you might reconsider where you spend your HR-related online reading time, considering you have a place for birthdates on your applications. You are seriously behind the eight ball. You may want to contact an employment attorney, STAT!

Ok, back to trying to get myself out of the mud . . .
Posted by: ~Serious, boring, HR professional at 8/27/2008 5:04 PM

Anyone with more than a newspaper horoscope knowledge of astrology knows that the impact of the stars on one's person is far more complicated than one's Sun sign. This article is to astrology, what "hire the first person who applies" is to a workforce plan.

I hope that your next post elaborates on something a bit more probing, perhaps something about what Jack's Mars in Aries has to do with his constant need to argue with Jane, or how Mary's Mercury in Aquarius makes her so fabulous in brainstorming sessions.

We will never be taken seriously as professionals until we are able to plot our CEO's astrological chart against the astrological chart of our organization and develop our business strategy accordingly. That's what is going to get us a seat at the table, after all.
Posted by: Mayfly at 8/27/2008 7:05 PM

Basing an employee's work behavior or choosing employees for tasks based on "what's your sign" is basically silly. I am not a supporter of personality tests either, as there is just too much room for misjudgement there. The best way to judge an employee's behavior is to watch them work and monitor how they interact with others. Based on facts, true evaluations are developed.
Posted by: Barbara( Visit ) at 8/28/2008 7:42 AM

I think those with the harshly negative comments have missed the boat on this one. Why do say it was unprofessional...because the article didn't neatly fit into your linear thinking, clearly defined (by whom I wonder) little box of HR issues, problems and concerns? Our profession is what I consider to be one of the most ever changing and difficult professions. Face it, we're dealing with our staff, our bosses, the federal and state government, the IRS AND we're supposed to make sure our employees are happy, productive and want to come to our workplace everyday, while minimizing the political atmosphere (at least I would hope) that exists at all levels of an organization. I don't care what type of organization you work at - it's not linear. The dynamics change from time to time and we have to be cognizant of that and change with it. What this article did was give us all a new and different perspective. Kudos to the person who had a luncheon, with employees arranged by "sign." What an out of the box thinker and I'm sure those that participated (I hope it was voluntary) had a good time. What a great way to open up lines of communication where none may have existed between some employees by having them share something they have in common with each other in a relaxed, unstructured way. Whatever works for an organization in bringing people together and making them feel a part of the "team," can significantly increase employee morale, productivity and thereby the organization as a whole. I do not believe the article was saying - you must do this - but was simply offering a litle bit of information with a different point of view and I quite frankly enjoyed the change of pace. All the biting, and negative comments were quite surprising to me. I have "colored outside the lines" my entire life, and I have no desire to fit into the mold created by some who may mislabel me because I don't fit into their mold.
Posted by: Tracey at 8/28/2008 8:13 AM

Great comment Tracey! I fully agree. I can't believe that people get so aggitated by an article that was listed to be light-hearted and written tongue-in-cheek.
Posted by: Jessica at 8/28/2008 8:41 AM

Right on the Mark, Tracey!!! Maybe we forget that the 'H' in 'HR' is for 'Human'!!!
Posted by: SD at 8/28/2008 11:19 AM

Great comment Tracey. I enjoyed the article and took it for what is was a tongue in cheek moment and break from the mundane of my Open Enrollment.
Are we Human Resources professionals or are we INHUMAN Resource with no sense of humor.

Thanks Melissa! I loved the article!
Posted by: Anita at 8/28/2008 2:36 PM

Melissa, I actually chuckled when I read this, not because I believe in astrology but because I thought it was fun to see what a Virgo as myself is supposedly like according to the article (and I must say, THAT even tickled me because some of it fits!) I too enjoyed the light-heartedness of the article as my week has been extremely hectic and this made me smile. Thank you.
Posted by: Angela Shanklin at 8/28/2008 2:57 PM

Initially, the tag line got my attention, and I admit, I enjoyed reading the article. I find in my position, the more I can relate to any employee in my company, the more likely they are to keep the communication open. But the part about this story that's fascinating, is just how many people decided to interact with the author, and other posters by adding their comments.
Posted by: Brandy at 8/29/2008 9:33 AM

Melissa, effective sarcasm and satire require knowing your audience and how far beyond reasonable you have to go to hint that you aren't being serious. Even those of us who desperately hoped you were joking knew that you would need to be slightly more absurd (unfortunately) to communicate satire. Evidently, we lack either your naivete or optimism, but in either case, we seem to have a better understanding of the (horrific) state of HR "professionalism."

Perhaps seeing the number of comments in agreement with your "tongue-in-cheek" position will help you understand how much better written and more informative articles are actually needed. Perhaps you could consider writing a formal explanation (or retraction) with your next article - explaining what the Supreme Court means by, "manifest relationship to performance on the job."

To the twits who advocate lightening up, consider that HR decisions affect people's livelihoods and carry significant legal risks for the organization; our decisions should not be capricious. Lastly, for those who have stated that HR isn't scientific or that what we do must remain mystically mysterious because we're dealing with people, please spend some time updating your professional education or look into another line of work. (There is over a century of empirical research testing falsifiable hypotheses about human behavior in the workplace... and those of us who know that research are actually quite good at predicting behaviors in a legally defensible way.)
Posted by: Chicken bones & tea leaves at 8/31/2008 10:51 AM

To CB&TL - That's the major problem with HR - that it has become more scientific/statistical, leaving much of the "human" out of the job - which is why I left the generalist field and specialized. With your attitude, you should specialize too - in the EEO report!
Posted by: mkm at 9/2/2008 9:34 AM

I work with a woman who displays your obsession with an absolutely perfect work space. She was not born in August. We all know her as someone who is excessively rigid, and believe me, working with someone like this can be difficult. Excusing unpleasant character traits because of an astrological sign is silly.
Posted by: Lynn at 9/3/2008 11:25 AM

<< I have "colored outside the lines" my entire life, and I have no desire to fit into the mold created by some who may mislabel me because I don't fit into their mold. >>

Tracey, I find this comment from you particularly funny, considering you're advocating for how this 'astrological sign' article was welcomed. I mean, if astrological signs don't attempt to fit you into a mold, nothing does.

Thank you to chicken bones & tea leaves. Although you will be accused of the need to remove inanimate objects from your body or remove your head from some obstruction . . . keep on rockin' in the HR world, my friend.
Posted by: ~Serious, boring HR professional at 9/3/2008 1:52 PM

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Zodiac Signs Are Need-To-Know Employer Information!