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Frame 1: Hermie is in a bathroom stall reading a paper. We hear “click.”
Frame 2: Lights go out. Hermie’s eyes are showing. Hermie: “Uh… hello…”
Frame 3: Hallway with the bathroom door closed and locked. Hermie from inside: “HELLO! Please unlock the door!”
Frame 4: The next morning, Rocco comes to unlock the door.
Frame 5: Rocco finds Hermie ragged looking and unshaven. Rocco: “Oh, Hermie. Wow, you’re here really early. I’m usually the first one in and the last one out.”
Frame 6: Hermie: “Good morning, Rocco… Thanks to you I finally had some time to write the close-of-day training document.
Why Workplace Learning and Process Documentation Matter
Workplaces thrive when employees understand expectations, follow best practices, and continuously learn from their experiences. But what happens when knowledge isn’t shared effectively? The latest Hermie the HR Hermit Crab comic, Lights Out, humorously illustrates a serious workplace issue—what happens when critical processes are undocumented, overlooked, or left unpracticed.
The Scenario
Hermie, our diligent HR professional, finds himself stuck in the company restroom overnight after the lights automatically shut off and the doors lock. The next morning, Rocco, the self-proclaimed “first one in and last one out,” is surprised to find Hermie already there—disheveled but productive. With nowhere to go, Hermie used his time to draft the company’s close-of-day training document, presumably covering processes that should have prevented his predicament.
This humorous situation highlights some crucial lessons about workplace training, process documentation, and the balance between formal and informal learning on the job.
The Importance of Process Documentation
If there had been a clear process for closing the office—one that was documented, trained on, and consistently followed—Hermie wouldn’t have been trapped. Many organizations assume employees will just “figure things out,” but without structured documentation, critical steps are easily missed.
Process documentation is essential for:
- Ensuring consistency in operations
- Preventing avoidable mistakes
- Onboarding new employees efficiently
- Reducing reliance on institutional knowledge locked in employees’ heads
In this case, a well-documented “Closing Checklist” would have included:
- Checking restrooms before locking up
- Confirming all employees have left the premises
- Ensuring no one gets trapped overnight!
The Role of Informal Learning
While formal training programs are necessary, much of workplace learning happens informally—through experience, mistakes, and problem-solving on the fly. Hermie’s unexpected overnight stay gave him firsthand insight into a major operational gap.
Organizations can encourage informal learning by:
- Fostering a culture where employees feel comfortable asking questions and sharing lessons learned
- Encouraging mentorship and peer learning opportunities
- Conducting “post-mortems” after mistakes to refine processes rather than assign blame
Had Rocco and his team regularly engaged in informal discussions about workplace procedures, they might have realized that their closing process was incomplete.
Learning from the Unexpected
Workplaces that fail to document key processes and encourage informal learning risk more than just minor inconveniences—they create inefficiencies, knowledge gaps, and frustration among employees.
Hermie’s misadventure is a reminder that:
- Processes should be clearly documented and trained on
- Learning happens in both formal and informal ways
Let’s take the lesson to heart—before the lights go out on our own workplace effectiveness.
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