Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with workplace

Do not associate with employees outside of work

Brian B. — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:29:46 -0800

What is the legality of signing a mandatory company agreement to not associate with non-management employees outside of the workplace?

How can I find out if my employer is using a cell phone jamming device?

Anonymous — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:39:30 -0800

I suspect my employer has installed a cell phone jamming device . How do I find it if they have? At the risk of sounding like a paranoid kook - I suspect that my employer may have set up an electronic device to interfere with cell phone usage at my place of work. As of a few days ago, in a very specific area of my building radiating out of one point about 25 feet, all cell phone signals go to one bar or zero out completely. The loss/severe reduction in signal affects both CDMA and GSM phones. If you step beyond the threshold of a separating wall, the signal returns full force.

Is there a feasible way to find out if there is a cell phone jammer being used in this area?

TeachingFilter

bad grammar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:25:07 -0800

Is it normal or is it the symptom of a serious cognitive / psychological disorder that I don't like teaching? I have never had a diagnosis, and I'm an adult now, but I think I may have Asperger Syndrome. I am highly introverted, I love research, I am comfortable with a high level of detail, and I don't really care what other people think. I don't perceive social cues well, and when I start doing anything that takes a high level of focus, the rest of the world goes away.

This makes me terrible as a teacher. I don't perceive my students' social cues until they become blatant, hence I'm not sure when I am losing them. I do not get the reward that good teachers get from the back-and-forth with their students. I furthermore am alienated and get angry when students goof off or are disrespectful.

I have learned not to spam other people with an Asperger level of detail (think horror vacui; I used to read the dictionary for fun). But I don't instinctively empathize with what other people consider a normal (low) level of detail for instruction. It seems "dumb" to me. I could follow the cookbook (rely on other teachers' research and worksheets) but I would be bored with it. There's no there, there.

I bailed out of of one career (academic) because I couldn't teach. I now am looking for a librarian position that won't involve user instruction or too much work with the public. I don't mind IT, research, or day-to-day administration.

How do you deal with sexism in your workplace?

hazyspring — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:37:52 -0800

How do you deal with sexism in your workplace? I work for a "progressive" organization, and I've transitioned into a different job. I've been in this job for over a year.

I'm finding that I'm experiencing behavior such as being talked over, interrupted, and just generally that my opinion is not listened to. In many instances, I'm the only woman in the room.

Part of the reason I'm finding this behavior so alarming, is because I've worked in this organization for almost ten years, and never experienced anything on this level. I knew it existed, but never experienced it in this way. Also, most of the men I work closely with and have known for a few years do not treat me in this way.

The issue is with people I work with infrequently. and I'm just finding myself getting very angry when individual incidents happen, especially when I can see clearly that I am being treated differently than the men in the room.

I guess I'm just looking for good tactics in dealing with these situations so I don't end up feeling constantly angry and also so I feel like I handle each incident in a professional way that I can feel good about.

Why Should You Use Social Networking at Work?

Jaybo — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:06:47 -0800

Many workplaces ban social networking sites such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and so on. What are some of the reasons workplaces should allow (and even encourage) staff to use social networking sites? I'm particularly interested in the case you would make to someone in the healthcare field but examples that are applicable to other areas, especially those that may ban social networking site for privacy or productivity reasons, are welcome as well.

Company bike fleet?

greggish — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 07:04:20 -0800

My organization is interested in providing a small fleet of bicycles for employees to use for meetings, workday errands, etc. The only reason *not* to do this that comes to mind is liability—although we could provide waivers, right? One way or the other, I haven't yet found examples of other companies doing this. What do you know about it?

Anorexia? Help!

Anonymous — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:21:31 -0800

Anorexia? Is there anything a workmate can do? A little background: I've worked with a woman on my team for a little over a year and a half now. She's a naturally small person, perhaps 150 - 155 cms tall, and when she came into my team she'd have been about 55 kilos.

Over that period she has been exercising heavily and dieting, and is now probably around 40 kilos. The veins running up her arms are highly visible, and she has heavy, dark circles under her eyes most of the time. She has commented that while she knows she is skinny she "feels fat", and no longer has a period.

Am I right in thinking this sounds like anorexia or a similar diet/body image disorder? Bearing in mind I'm her colleague and not a manager, are there any suggestions as to anything I could say or do that might encourage her to reconsider the damage she's doing to herself? Or at least things I could avoid saying or doing to avoid making it worse?

Coworker/crush's having a rough time. What can I do?

wayofthedodo — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:17:59 -0800

My coworker/friend/crush has just broken up with her long-term SO. Can I help her? So this is my first job, and I’ve had a crush on my coworker since we started. Since it is my first job (and I'm really bad with interpersonal relationships anyways), I've no idea how to handle it. We're friends, we text back and forth some times, and I make her laugh at the office without much effort. I helped her adjust to our hellhole office, she helped me deal with my ongoing quarterlife crisis. She's leaving to study for the MCAT in November for three months. She just broke up with her long-term boyfriend, and told me that she has been on the verge of tears ever since. To top it all off, she just had a really bad day yesterday. I let her know that I'm there for her to talk to. Is that all I can/should do? Help me hivemind, I'm so bad at this.

How do I deal with management manipulation?

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:13:22 -0800

I'm in a crappy work situation and I know that the ultimate solution involves leaving my job, but how can I cope with this particular situation in the meantime? I am an in-house developer for a medium-sized company whose CEO hired his offspring in high-ranking management positions. They get their way via manipulation, boasting of "experience" (though they have no experience in my particular field - in fact, their suggestions have proven a huge hindrance in the past), scheming to get a person disliked/let go and ultimately complaining to dad.

One of the upper-management offspring has decided to meet with me, a low-ranking developer, about a time-sensitive project that does not involve or affect them whatsoever. Junior's input, however misguided, will inevitably disrupt my day-to-day work for a significant amount of time. I already know what will be suggested, believe that it's antithetical to the goals of our entire department, and fear that my efforts and completed work will be cast aside once more. Since my manager is completely ineffective, it's up to me to contend with Junior and tell them what they're not used to hearing: "no".

Caveat: I'm a wuss and seemingly unable to truly grok workplace politics. I know my place in the ranking, but I'm not stupid - I am a professional and want to make sure I'm well-represented. How do I best communicate my expertise in technology to someone painfully technologically-inept? How do I handle manipulation, condescension and veiled threats in this upcoming encounter? Maybe I need to cop a "bless your heart" attitude going in, otherwise I get scared or fooled and buckle. Additionally, helpful documents or articles on how to deal with workplace politics or toxic workplaces, especially for tech folks or introvert/geek types, are greatly appreciated. I want to learn something from this situation, rather than just run with my tail between my legs.

(I realize that I need to leave this job, but blah blah blah economy. I'm working on it. In the meantime, I need to make rent. This is anonymous because my employer is a fan of scouring their employees' social networks for incriminating evidence of "treason". I will read e-mail sent to qsvculngmjiaq@mailinator.com.)

What to do about my excruciating work situation?

Anonymous — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:52:59 -0800

What are the best strategies for my current work situation? Question relates to disability, unemployment, and illegal activities (not mine). Apologies for any lack of detail, but, you know, anonymity.

I've been at my current job for about a year and a half, where I'm a good performer. Since requesting reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities act (I work in Illinois), my manager and the HR department have started building a tardiness-related firing case (no other employees in the department even have their arrival times tracked), I've had my shift switched back and forth (in addition to some other petty stuff that's jerky but not, apparently, illegal), brought to meetings with HR where I'm yelled at and not allowed to talk, and other Office Space-ish nonsense. One lawyer (although not my lawyer) told me it was clearly retaliation.

Further: the company is misleading in the descriptions of some of its products (although I'm not sure if it crosses the line into actionable fraud as IANAL), they haven't hung the required labor-law posters, and they (as in, the company, not individual users) install pirated software on computers (I've brought this up to multiple managers with no result, and have screencaps of cracker signatures from multiple installs).

Possibly more important: the stress just from going in every day is becoming unbearable. I feel like I'm going to "lose it." My health's been affected. I'm sick of the frustration and I'm sick of taking their shit, and I've run the situation (in much more detail, obviously) by some of my more level-headed friends, and they agree that I'm being treated quite poorly.

So: should I wait until they fire me (as they've told me they will the next time I'm at all late - it's a "right to work" state so that's their right, I guess, ADA issues aside), quit and try to collect unemployment insurance until another full-time job comes up (Illinois seems to allow this if the company was participating in illegal activity), or stick it out, hope their assholism toward me crosses the line into blatant illegality (after reading a recent Metafilter post on workplace bullying, I realized my manager met about 2/3 of the criteria, but, again, being a jerk isn't illegal), and depend on the legal system to provide redress?

We want to get our instant message on

SweetTeaAndABiscuit — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 10:23:18 -0800

Instant messaging for the workplace: I've been tasked with exploring instant messaging options for a large department within a much larger business. My large department would like to explore instant messaging as a means of communication among many work areas and locations. I'm not sure a conventional option like Yahoo or AIM would be acceptable to the larger company we are a part of. Are there any other options that are particular well suited for professional use? Any ideas or directions in which to begin my search would be much appreciated.

Where's my hard-earned quarter?

WidgetAlley — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 15:59:56 -0800

You-are-not-my-lawyer-filter: Minimum wage went up, and my paycheck didn't. Why not? Minimum wage went up, and, two pay periods later, my check has yet to reflect this (it's still $7.00). What's up?

Some more info: I am a summer job worker in an independently owned plant nursery and greenhouse, with about 20 employees total. I am enrolled in college in fall and spring but not during my employment; my state does not have a minimum wage requirement so I am referring to the federal minimum wage when I say "minimum wage." I am well over the age of majority (21), not a student-learner, or a full-time student, nor any other clause that I can find that would make me exempt under the US Department of Labor standards. Is it just because I was originally hired on at $7.00? Is there a grace period for implementation? Is it because I'm going back to school in a week? Or am I getting dicked around?

Thanking you in advance for your help!

Where to buy electronic gift card?

zooropa — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 08:00:19 -0800

Thank you filter: What are some good ways you can easily send a gift card to a co-worker? I just started a new job a few weeks ago and several folks have really gone out of their way to help me with some "quick" questions. I'd like to give them a little gift card as a way of saying thanks. Nothing extravagant. Just something simple -- $10 for iTunes, $10 for Amazon, etc.

Is there a way to do this electronically without having to go out and buy cards at a store? We're a Web-based business, so it'd be nice to do something where all they have to do is click a link for an electronic gift certificate. And if so, are there other workplace-friendly ideas besides the obvious (Amazon and iTunes).

And yes, I do write thank you notes. I'm a big believer in a simple handwritten note and write them often. But this is slightly different.

Mad Men Indeed

punkfloyd — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:41:56 -0800

I have been watching the AMC series Mad Men (set in NYC office setting around 1960) and it made me wonder. Just how accurately does it portray the professional workplace of the period? (Ubiquitous smoking, drinking, degrading comments to women and overt flirting, etc.). In particular, was it ever considered normal to keep a stocked bar in every office/conference room? I realize things are exaggerated for TV and to contrast with today’s norms... but generally speaking was it really this bad back then? I guess I am looking for responses from those who are familiar with the TV show and worked in an office in this timeframe.

How does a working drunk get sober?

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:07:06 -0800

Looking for info regarding employer disability laws relating to alcohol rehab in state of Conneticut. I fully understand you're not my lawyer.

Can an alcoholic go into rehab in Connecticut and receive disability pay? Are alcoholics protected under disability laws? To what extent? Can anyone recommend steps for managers or supervisors who are aware that a good employee (one they like and do not want to fire) is an alcoholic?

What are the laws to be aware of? What are the constraints of employers?

Anyone have any experience with this they can share?

DrunksMagooATGmail.com for more info.

To be clear, I'm not the alcoholic in question. I'm looking for effective, compassionate ways to handle this from the employer's side, either formally or informally.

How to plan a quick and cheap workplace retreat

RajahKing — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:43:49 -0800

Can you help me plan a one-day workplace retreat in New York? A group of colleagues at my nonprofit workplace are planning to do a one day (or half day) retreat, somewhere in New York City, hopefully before Labor Day.

Here is the basic framework:

1. The goal is "team building" and "fun" - no work-driven goal beyond that. Its been acknowledged that we all do good work, like each other, etc., but don't really know each other, collaborate much, or socialize much.
2. Can't be very expensive, but we have some money to spend (approx $300).
3. This will be for a group of six co-workers, all of us are managers, on the same horizontal level of the organization, along with our supervisor.
4. I don't think it should be SO fun, like going to see a movie or barbequing at the beach.
5.It can be anywhere in NY, preferably centrally located in Lower Manhattan or Brooklyn.
6. We do want it out of the office.

Anyone have any good ideas? Thanks so much, hive.

Do you add a suffix to your name in your email signature?

dudleybdawson — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:46:07 -0800

Do you add a suffix after your name in your email signature? For example, if you are a certified project manager, do you add PMP after your name? Or if you have your MBA, do you add 'MBA' after your name? If so, why? I ask because I believe in 99% of the cases where I've seen a suffix, it is unnecessary and not used within the right context or it just simply isn't worthy of being added after a name. I would be interested in some responses arguing both sides of the issue.

I need challenge and pressure to stay motivated... how do I stay motivated during times when those things aren't present?

twiggy — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:49:55 -0800

I have a very hard time keeping motivated and being productive when work is slow. If I am not either feeling pressure or being challenged, I get sloppy and underperform. Is this normal? What can I do to fix it? My current job at a very, very small company has been a bit slow due to the economy causing us to restructure a bit (layoffs, job role shifts, etc). I like this job and I love the people I work with, but I have noticed (as i've seen in past jobs) that when things are slow, or I am not being challenged, I tend to lose focus and underperform.

Generally, I'm a pretty intelligent guy, and more than willing to put in long hours and hard work when the job calls for it... I've been here 'til 3am and not complained about it...

I've had focus issues for a long time - leading me to audiobooks because when I read a regular book I'll often "wake up" and realize I haven't really taken in the last page or two, etc... However, back in college (10 years ago now?) I did seek help to see if maybe I had "Adult ADD" and the screener said I did not. Maybe a second opinion is in order, but that just seems like an easy "scapegoat," really.

Am I a rarity, or is this pretty normal? What can I do, besides giving myself pep talks or whatever, to make sure I stay motivated and on top of things?

What if the swine flew south?

papafrita — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:12:49 -0800

I've been tasked with overseeing some of the swine flu preparations in my workplace. Help? As the head IT guy, I've been asked to prepare for the possibility of swine flu "trickling" down here from Mexico.

With all of the unregistered travel between these countries, it's a very real possibility. Add to that the fact that the necessary antivirals are practically unaivalable (yet) here, and that this city, with an impoverished population of over five million, is almost as densely inhabited as Mexico City. An outbreak here could easily lead to death counts in the hundreds.

The matter at hand is the following: I need to find some information on workplace transmission prevention. I've been able to find plenty of information on personal hygiene and prevention; the thing is, I've been tasked with preparing a plan for cleaning the computer and communications equipment: keyboards, phones, mice, etc.

My research skills must be failing me, since I haven't yet found any sources that recommend what materials/disinfectants to use. Will an alcohol-based solution suffice, or is something with e.g. chloride bleach, or maybe hydrogen peroxide, better?

As an aside, what personal preparations could be recommended for someone in a country that doesn't even stock Tamiflu or Relenza, other than hand hygiene to the extreme! ... and tons of worrying?

Out obnoxiousing the obnoxious at work?

cha4 — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 09:23:30 -0800

I work with a guy in cubicleville who is paranoid and is a bit of a talking head. He insists on getting into every nook and crany of a project, and putting himself at the center of everything as much as possible. On the other hand, I am more low key, and even if I tried, couldn't name-drop, chat up people people, and be as obnoxious as he ends up being. (I am trying to work on being more extroverted, but in the meantime, I get inundated with small tasks that make it difficult. To him, doing what he does almost comes naturally / with little effort.)

To his credit, he gets things done (and I do as well). But he's 30 years my senior so, for example, drafting a email that uses office-speak and doesn't step on anyone's toes comes quicker and easier to him. Often I find myself in constant catch-up mode and stressed that I have to try to keep up with his high-energy way of handling things.

What might be some good strategies to cope with that kind of environment? (I guess short-cuts to getting better at office speak and/or things that impress the boss in general might be a good start. Just trying to hold on to my sanity while dealing with/keeping up with everyone.)

Possible workplace discrimination to mental illness

Anonymous — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 08:43:12 -0800

What should I do about possible discrimination to mental illness with my current employer? Let me just start by saying I realized that the economic slump has made it hard for many people to keep a job or find one, and my employer recognizes this too.

We recently had a major lay off, around 130 people of our 400 person workforce was cut. In this cut some people were moved to new locations in the building.

When I was hired and up until the lay offs I had an office, with a desk, that wasn't exactly 'in the contract' (I'm not contracted), but it was a stated in the interview and when I was hired.

I suffer from clinical depression, about three years ago I had a family member be murdered in the work place, shot three times in the back of the head. When we were moved as a result of layoffs, etc I was placed into a room with five other people; and my location put me in the room placed me in a corner with my back to the door, along the main hallway of our workplace. And no the door doesn't close.

It drove me nuts, paranoia crazy. This isn't exactly my employers fault, I understand their side. I went to my psych. and explained everything and they put me on some meds to help it. They weren't helping, so I then went to my employer and explained everything, many occasions, and they went ignored.

Eventually it came to the point where I did a lot of my work from home only being in the office 4 - 6 hours a day. Mind you I still produced about 50 hours of work a week. Then one day I am called into my boss's office. I am given a warning and told if I do not physically be at my desk for at least eight hours a day I would be fired.

I was floored, I explained to them and HR rep who was in the room everything I had been conveying and it went ignored. They said tough, sit there eight hours or be fired. I showed them the ADA, and they took it to legal, then came back and moved me to a new location...which is all I wanted.

However, now they haven't stopped harassing me. First they explained that I would be monitored coming and going on video, which is fine with me, I have nothing to hide and they can use their equipment however they would like with in reason.

But then they said I would be forced to use a biometric punch clock and if I refuse, I would be terminated. (Mind you I'm salary and have never punched a clock ever).

I explained to them that I wouldn't start punching a clock and be punished for something unless EVERYONE had to punch a clock. They again went to legal and came back and pulled that off the table.

Afterward a few managers made it clear to me in not so many certain terms that they will 'find a way to make me quit'.

Here's the thing. I know ultimately this is just all extremely crazy (no pun intended). I have no qualms about being in my chair eight hours a day, I don't think anyone should unless there are circumstances stating so. But I explained to them on more than one occasion my issues with where I was sitting and why, and even had medical documentation that stated my issue.

I can't just up and quit, I have a family to support. However, since the issues with my employer things have been awful. I do now sit in a cube, not in a room in the main hallway with my back facing the door, but all my work duties have been taken away. I am no longer put on any calendar invites for things and no one hands me out work. I sit here eight hours a day doing absolutely nothing. (It's not as fun as some would think it is, I have limited internet access and reading a book at my desk would be a huge no no).

On one hand I feel guilty, that I've done something wrong and if I quit (I also wouldn't be eligible for any type of government assistance (i.e. unemployment) I'm simply telling my family I can't support them for a short time because I can't sit my bottom in a chair and get paid to do nothing for eight hours a day.

But the other hand I feel like the company is now making me miserable after I pointed out their issues.

I did file a complaint with the EEOC, but that will take months, and it's not as if they will do much. Also the EEOC notifies my employer of the complaint including my name, and I've informed my employer I filed a complaint with the EEOC, not sure if they took me serious, they asked for a copy of it and I told them it would come from the EEOC.

What should I do?

Sorry, another job question....

universal_qlc — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 21:36:01 -0800

Is this worth finding a new job over? As established in previous posts, I work at a Big Defense Contracting company. As an engineer, in the past two years I've memorably:

(1) Gotten jokes that about making people cry during our technical interviews (I didn't)..."especially the female ones."
(2) Questions if I would "stick around as my life...progresses." Am I incorrect in thinking they are trying to ask about whether I plan to have babies and/or leave the workforce to have them?
(3) Been asked if I "could smile some more", which I'm quite sure no one would ever ask one of the menfolk-type engineers walking around.
(4) Been asked if I am "a real engineer."
(5) Been told that I am "a real pretty lady."
(6) Had a coworker inform me when I met him that were "getting good about hiring women and minorities." (I am both)

And so forth, on and on. It happens once every couple of weeks. I also keep being mistaken for some OTHER young, female engineer of the my race, and we don't actually look anything alike.

With the exception of managers asking about my life plans, I generally give people the cold put down when these sorts of things happen. (i.e., "I didn't cry during or after my interview, and I doubt anyone else did." or "Yes, I am a real engineer." Delivered with a totally dead, straight face). Offenders are mostly male, non-management senior-level engineers. Management does a good job of never, ever making these kinds of comments.

I'm tired of it, but I feel that these things fall within a gray area that doesn't warrant a visit to HR and that complaints would fall on deaf ears, anyway. For the most part, it doesn't hamper my work or make my life harder than it would be without the comments, but it sure hampers my mood once in a while.

So the actual question: Anecdotally, will this be different at another company or in another industry where a MechE could find employment? Or do I need to just suck it up because this happens everywhere? (Really, it's my first engineering job - I don't know. I'd hope not).

How to encourage casual collaboration at work between different offices?

Tilon — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:37:34 -0800

I'm part of a group of about 70 people (at a company of tens of thousands) spread across the country and we're having a hard time communicating, especially casually. Anyone have any suggestions? Being spread across the country we lose a lot of the casual water cooler conversation and the chance encounters they bring. "Hey, you're working on the Henderson account? I know Bob Henderson, we should talk", "I'm starting a new project next week similar to one I hear you're working on...can we chat about how your's is going?", "You might know something about ABC software, can you give me a hand?". Those sorts of things.

We're a fairly diverse group -- from slightly aggressive, outspoken folks to quiet, leave-me-alone-I'm-coding types -- but we're mostly technical and often exhibit some of the Dilbertesque cynicism that comes with that.

We've tried wikis and message boards in a few small places, but interest has been almost non-existent.

Does anyone have any ideas, thoughts, books, or anything else that might encourage the sort of casual collaboration we lack? I'm thinking smaller steps at first to combat some of the cynicism, but we'll certainly look at anything that has been shown to work elsewhere.

Can you make Officespace look good bt comparison?

oddman — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:41:57 -0800

I need a movie with horribly unethical working environments. I'd like to screen a movie for my students which depicts a really unethtical workplace. Ideally the movie would feature things like sexual harrasment, conflicts of interest, disregard for privacy, nepotism, and the like. Something like the movie Office Space but with more, and different, kinds of unethical behavior.

I'm definitely not looking for movies focused on the unethical actions of businesses (like Enron) toward their communities or about unethical businesses in general. I want the unethical behavior to be focused on the workers. Which is to say I'm not interested in corporate ethics per se, but specifically in the unethical treatment of employees.

I've scanned this thread already.

What's in my pocket?

amarynth — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 08:06:17 -0800

I've been asked to take over a small games/trivia section in our department newsletter. Asking for ideas and a copyright question inside! Our department of about 200 people has a newsletter that comes out every 3 months. We had a small trivia section that had trivia questions about staff members (questions included matching a person with their first job, a list of staff members and what they had in common (all had met spouses at work), a couple of baby pictures that you had to match with staff members, and guessing the year a picture of a couple of staff members that had know each other forever was taken). The people who had been writing the questions have run out of ideas, and I've been asked to take over after I came up with inauguration trivia questions for a cookie hour. Here's what I'm looking for:

Ideas for general trivia questions that aren't too, too googeable. They don't have to be impossible, but I want people to have to work at it at least a little.

Ideas for more staff-related trivia.

Other games that it might be ok to use. For instance, I have a book of those word-picture puzzles (you know, like this:

mind
matter

and the answer is "mind over matter"). Is it ok for me to copy one or two to put in the newsletter? What about ones that I find on websites, can I copy those?

Lastly, the next newsletter comes out in March, so I was thinking of putting in some college basketball team logos and having people identify the teams. Is there anything sketchy about using the logos without permission of the team or anything like that to be aware of?