I have newly acquired the ability to vote on Close/Re-Open questions and whilst going through the queue, I noticed a pattern.
Looking on here, I found this question: Here which talks about what differentiates between a question that is closed for being too Opinion based vs one that has an Opinion element, but ought to remain open.
However, reading through the discussion hasn't addressed my thoughts.
If I compare this to other SEs that I'm part of - say, for example, someone dared ask the ultimate opinion Question:
"Which is better, Android or Iphone" - we all know that such a question would very quickly devolve into mud-slinging between the two factions. And whilst some people would post up well thought out and reasoned cases as to why they have their preference or what needs a particular platform suited best - the risk of a full-scale flame-war is an inevitability and would tarnish the reputation of SE as a place where one comes to seek knowledge (or more realistically, copy and paste bits of code other people have written to solve the issue they are facing.)
I have no issue with that.
When it comes to Workplace - this rule seems to run counter to what Workplace actually is.
The majority of the questions asked here are "I have problems X at my Workplace, how do I navigate it?" - which, by it's very nature is an opinion based question. There is no definitive answer on how to solve a workplace problem. And whilst some may argue that with Coding SEs there's also no definitive way to solve an issue, the answers put forth can be tested and proved correct or incorrect.
I accept that there is a lot of grey area here - for example, a question of "Should I change careers?" is fairly easy to close as opinion based, it's not a question that we, the community, can answer for an individual.
Other questions, whilst still being predominantly opinion based, can generate a range of answers that can help the user navigate corporate life - for example, I often advocate for a more disagreeable response to Workplace issues, because there is data to support that this is the best solution long-term and because in my personal experience, setting clear boundaries with my Employer has had a net benefit for me and my career. Other people may advocate a different, more diplomatic tact. Both approaches have their merits and the individual asking the question is free to choose one or a combination of all the answers to resolve their issue.
but this is still an opinion based Question, with opinion based answers and against the site rules in it's strictest interpretation
My question is therefore:
"Unlike most other SE where opinion questions would illicit counter-productive arguments. The nature of the problems that most askers seek assistance on WP are going to be opinion based. The value that WP SE adds to the users is mostly going to be opinion based. As such, is this rule applicable in it's current form or should it be adjusted and clarified to suit the particular needs of the WP Community?"