HR Made Simple

July 3, 2007 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

As a follow-up to yesterday’s blog (Discrimination in the Workplace - Non-pregnant Women) I promised to share what actually happened in the real-life stories I shared about two women who experienced a few uncomfortable moments in the work place.

As a reminder – here are the two stories:

1.  A 38 year old, married woman named Susan is conducting an interview (she is 3 months pregnant and not “showing”). Upon viewing a family photograph on the Susan’s desk, the female job candidate volunteers that she has two children she had “just under the wire”. The interviewer asks, “What do you mean?” The job candidate explains she is 35 years old and does not believe women shou...Read More
Industries: Human Resources, Operations

July 2, 2007 | Link This | Email this | Comments (2)

Most US workers are well aware of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) guidelines regarding pregnant women. In a nutshell, discriminating against pregnant women is illegal. This was familiar territory to me as a former HR Director but a few recent conversations with some female friends and former colleagues got me thinking about another side of this topic. Is there a bias towards women who are happily married and have decided not to have children or those who have waited until later in life to start a family? Consider these two examples:

1.  A 38 year old, married woman named Susan is conducting an interview (she is 3 months pregnant and not “showing”). Upon viewing a family photograph on the Susan’s desk, the female job candidate volunteers that she has two children she had “just under the wire”. The interviewer ...Read More
Industries: Human Resources, Operations

June 18, 2007 | Link This | Email this | Comments (2)

What happens when an inappropriate comment made at the company “watering hole” severely offends one (or all!) of your employees?

 Picture this – the team has gone out for drinks after work to celebrate meeting a sales goal or securing a new client or maybe just because it’s Friday. The atmosphere is raucous and fun, everyone seems to be having a good time and then it happens. Someone forgets they are not out with their pals and blurts out a cringe –worthy sexist remark, racial joke or horrifying personal story. You witness this and like everyone else you give the obligatory uncomfortable laugh, change the subject and hope everyone forgets about it. Too bad, they never do.

 The next day at work you overhear a couple employees talking about the incident. It’s clear the gossip mill has kicked in and you are not going to ...Read More

Industries: Human Resources, Operations

June 13, 2007 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

In an average day, how much time do you spend coaching your employees? Let’s say you spend about an hour. Within that hour how much time is devoted to coaching your top performer vs. your bottom performer? My guess is that you are spending far more time, energy and effort with your bottom performer. I say this as I recall countless meetings with clients who have asked UKNY to help “solve” employee performance problems. Inevitably, our consultations are consumed with “Joe” who just doesn’t seem to get it or with “Susan” who is continually failing to meet a deadline. We might touch on “Betsy” who always delivers but it’s an “honorable mention” at best.

 Consider this – companies are filled with employees who feel ignored, underutilized, disenchanted, or just plain bored. According to a...Read More

Industries: Human Resources

June 11, 2007 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

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Industries: Construction, Human Resources, Retail