What Does "Informal Body Lanugauge Mean? I Got Disciplined for This

Rich Duke — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:07:38 GMT

I work for a Fortune 500 company and recently was disciplined for “demonstrating informal body language in meetings.” I am trying to understand what that means? I know it does not mean yawning or sleeping in meetings or putting my feet on a chair or table. Perhaps someone can guide me or seen this kind of admonition before so I can stop this “inappropriate behavior.”
Does any HR professional or in-house counsel reading this have any internal documentation on “formal” or “informal” “body language? Do any companies provide training in “body language?” Do you typically discipline employees for “body language issues?”
Perhaps this sounds strange but this was the actual written language used and I want to ensure I stay out of trouble.
Thank you.

RE: What Does "Informal Body Lanugauge Mean? I Got Disciplined for This

URI93 — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:21:57 GMT

I would just ask your HR staff why you were disciplined. If you don't know why, it will happen again. It sounds like they might have some strange policies. Maybe they're someplace in writing.

RE: What Does "Informal Body Lanugauge Mean? I Got Disciplined for This

Elena — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:51:24 GMT

I agree with UR that the best course of action is to be very upfront and ask your HR director for the meaning. You mentioned some of the gross and obvious actions, but, this sounds like it could be something more subtle. You may not even be aware that you are doing it. It could be facial expression, body posture or any number of possibilities.

RE: What Does "Informal Body Lanugauge Mean? I Got Disciplined for This

Skitch — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:09:53 GMT

My first instinct is to say that you were not sitting alert and erect in your chair, paying attention to the level they expect. Were you propping your head on your hand, elbow on the table? It sounds as if they expect you to sit alert and interested. Any slouching represents disinterest to them. You should ask though. I may be way off base.