Don't Perform!

Don't let living up to your coworkers expectations dictate your behavior at work. Just because you may have a reputation for being no-nonsense, it doesn't mean you have to perform to that when dealing with management. Too many of us get caught up in "keeping it 100." Worry about doing ehe right thing...and keeping your job!

Don't Squander an Opportunity!

I work with a 30 year-old African-American female who's in bad standing with management. Part of it is her doing and part is management now trying to get rid of a nuisance. I gave this woman an opportunity to work in a highly visible role to try to help us drive in some business. I put her on my team because she had the skills to do well and it would be a great way to get her to rehabilitate her image. What did she do with this opportunity?

She started the event by announcing to a member of management that she couldn't give 100% because she'd been drinking all night. #1: they could send her for a drug/alcohol test. #2: they could have sent her home without pay. #3: she could have faced other disciplinary action for saying she was at work possibly still inebriated.

She didn't fail me. She failed herself and her son.

You can lead a horse to water, but can't make it drink.

Has someone given you an opportunity? What did you do with it?

Happy Holiday!

I hope everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving holiday. I'll be back with posts on Monday.

False Allegations

As long as you make allegations of mistreatment at work that you truly believe and think that actions and evidence support your allegations, you are making your complaint in good faith and there shouldn't be a penalty or any consequences for your allegations.

However, if you knowingly make false allegations of work place abuses you are opening yourself up for a potenaial world of harm. Making intentionally false allegations can open you up to employment actions..and rightfully so. We can't afford to protect those who make it harder for all of us, who are fighting for our employment lives. And, we can't have investigations into false allegations taking time away from investigating and resolving real issues.

We fight every day for truth and justice. Not bullsh%t!!!!

Stay True To You!

As we approach the approach the holidays it seems fitting to give my yearly advice....stay true to who you are. Dealing with abuse often brings mental anguish, physical problems (e.g. headaches, insomnia, high blood pressure, etc.), and even spiritual questions, such as why would God put me through this challenge?

Your attacker(s) need you off-balance to bring you down and wear you out. It's a psychological game being played in order to get advantage.

You have to stay strong and not let them change you. Write in a journal to get your emotions out. Exercise to relieve stress. Read. Go out to dinner or a movie. Don't obssess 24/7 for your own mental and physical well-being.

Smile. Laugh. Love.

You can fight back and fight to stay a healthy and whole individual.

God bless!

Crabs in Barrel!

There's a stereotype that Black people behave like crabs in a barrel, trying to pull each other down. That came to mind, when a good friend told me about how the Black and Hispanic workers in her office made false alegtions about her and the Hispanic man, who run the facility.

She'd been complaining to me for months about the poor work ethic and bad attitudes of many of the staff and that, despite coaching and counseling, the behavior and lack of accountability persisted. These workers turned around and called in the union to make claims of feeling physically threatened and of unfair demands on how much work should be done.

What's funny is the actual workers in the group, who've been picking up their slack, have already come out in defense of the bosses and in condemning those making complaints that are unfounded. The stories of the complainants have started falling apart under union questioning. The baselessness is becoming clear.

I always say, "Just do your job and go home." Why people have energy to make false complaints, which hurt those who come forward with REAL issues of abuse that should be taken seriousy, can do all that but not their jobs is beyond me. Do your job and leave.

Someone hatched the plan and egged everyone on and then a large group became involved in trying to pull down their own. It's sad and pathetic. In the end, they will probably do more to harm themselves since their work output is going to be evaluated and compared to other offices. If you are doing two interviews with claimants in 8 hours and someone else is doing 10 - 14 in the same time, THE PROBLEM IS YOU. Don't complain, when asked to do more.

And don't try to pull good people down like a crab. False allegations hurt more people than you think. I hope they are all exposed and outed as the low lifes that they are.

Abuse Must Be Reported

If you report workplace abuse to any authority figure at work, they are obligated to report it. Even if you mention discrimination, harassment and/or retaliation (you don't have to use those actual names) to an authority figure in another department or unit, they are still required to report your complaint to higher-ups.

It doesn't matter if you ask the person to keep what you've said a secret for fear of retaliation. They can't keep workplace abuse allegations private. They are in authority and are paid a higher salary to do the right thing and deal with sensitive issues. They don't get to pick and choose, when they're in charge.

If someone goes to an authority figure, it's a cry for help. Reporting it is step one because doing otherwise is the first part of covering up wrongdoing. You shouldn't ignore signs a person might commit suicide and you shouldn't ignore signs that someone at work is being mistreated or abused and someone else might be breaking the law.

Don't Talk!

Anytime you face issues at work, you have to stop yourself from running off at the mouth. Coworkers stand to gain a lot from revealing what you've said and even if they're not in it to get an under-handed promotion, they still might reveal your plans and cost you your job.

An employer might have decided they screwed with you enough and will dial things back a bit because they feel in control of the situation and in control of you. But, finding out you're planning to find a lawyer or to file an external complaint may push their hand towards termination.

It doesn't mean you can't continue with a complaint and may end up proving your point about mistreatment, but it sure doesn't keep the checks coming in!

Don't let someone force your hand and force you out of work. Employers are capable enough at that game without outside--or inside--interference.

Start Dusting Off That Resume

So, we're getting late in the year, which means folks are starting to think about the new year and getting a new job. Yeah, it's still a tough economy and the job market is competitive, but folks are still hiring. I know a few people who've gotten jobs--management jobs--in the last couple of weeks.

Take a look at your resume and make sure it's up-to-date and captures your skills and accomplishments. Show it to a friend and get feedback. Keep it simple--don't send out 4 pagers. Edit!

Tailor your cover letter to the company you're applying to and follow-up. If you get an interview, be on time. Ask questions. Know facts about the company and postion you're applying for. Be positive and smile, but don't be phony.

If you have a talent, start making a plan on how you can make a profit and, eventually work for yourself!!!