One of Finland’s wealthiest citizens just received a $60,000 speeding ticket for being fourteen miles over the limit. You see, in Finland you pay fines based on your annual income. In 2013, his was about seven million dollars. He promptly announced that he is rethinking his Finnish citizenship.
Imagine this happening in the US. The millionaires would pay thousands if caught speeding, those on public assistance little or nothing at all. Besides the social implications, one might argue that a policy like this allows some to speed without repercussion. But the larger principle here is the law of unintended consequences. We elect policymakers who we trust will consider the context and unforeseen consequences of the laws they enact. Sadly, we see far too many examples of the politically expedient trumping the needs of the greater good.
Public policy, however, is not the sole domain of unintended consequences. Look around your organization and you may discover dozens of examples, including some that victimize you. It can be tempting to look past these consequences, especially if we’re promulgating the policy. But add all these little rules together and you end up with sand in the gears of the organization. This impacts morale, productivity and, of course, the bottom line.
Every parent, as well, has been guilty of establishing rules they later regret. My wife and I alone could fill a page with the mistakes we’ve made along this line. You probably can too. So the next time you have the urge to enact a policy based on some issue you’re facing, take a breath, take a walk, have a drink, read book or count to ten. Better still, sleep on it. If it still appears reasonable the day then consider announcing it. As for the policy makers, I’m not sure there’s anything we can do.