Stating the obvious

I am in the market for new career opportunities. So, as I am browsing a list of jobs and their descriptions, the following line jumps out at me: “Professional demeanor and attitude required at all times.”

When did this become necessary to state? I mean, if you are adept at hiring someone and providing them a professional environment to work in, shouldn’t this be a given? Would not the absence of professional demeanor and attitude be noticeable in reference checks or interviews? Or in that initial probationary period?

Honestly, what I read into that statement was “Your work environment will be a seething morass of office politics, miscommunication, and unnecessary bureaucracy. You will be expected to unequivocally enjoy this.”

Needless to say, I did not apply for that one.

Conversely, I do know several peers who behave abysmally unprofessional (and blame it on their artistic nature). But, I could weed them out in the interview process in a heartbeat.