I've never had to can anyone from my outfit because of anything on my list of annoying employee behaviors for exactly the reasons you cited. A few years back, I had leadership of a team at one of my clients' shops, and canned someone for repeatedly interrupting a presentation to a customer on account of his cellphone. If he'd left the room, it would have gone by the wayside. Cellphones disturb people. It's not just the ringing, but the fact that people yell, perhaps for lack of a sidetone, but they make way too much noise while talking.

I've seen youngsters (under 40) bobbing and weaving at their desks, not accomplishing anything on behalf of their employer, my client, while listening to their CD or whatever.

Few of my fellows work here, and I only have three or four at any given time, unless there's reason to muster the troops.

None of these issues are major around here, but, clearly, they're an issue for the youngsters. If they want to play, they'll have to do it someone else's dime.

Your reference to the concentration camp motto is uncalled-for. When I was a little boy, I lived only a short bicycle ride from one of them.

RE