Apr 23, 2013

When female tech developer Adria Richards heard a group of men sitting behind her at a conference make sexist comments, it grossed her out.  She tweeted their picture to her 9,000 followers with the caption “Not cool. Jokes about forking repo’s in a sexual way and ‘big’ dongles. Right behind me.” Richards asked conference managers...

Apr 14, 2013

You’re a good employee. You have ethics.  Then, one day you realize your supervisor doesn’t. He’s worked out a deal where your company buys products from a company he and his wife own for project he oversees. This company charges your company three times the going rate for their products but no one dares raise the issue as your supervisor runs the project...

Apr 7, 2013

When “Jim” accepted a job with an oil services company, he didn’t realize he was putting his career at risk.  He’d heard stories that his new boss “Bill” was one tough son of a gun and that those who got on Bill’s wrong side didn’t last long.  Jim didn’t worry, he was tough too. “Anne” didn’t benefit from the same forewarning.  When...

Mar 24, 2013

According to a recent Gallup poll, thirty percent or less than one-third of American workers describe themselves as “engaged” in their jobs and committed to their employers.  A larger number, 54% percent, describe themselves as “disengaged” at work and not committed to their employers. These employees report feeling trapped in dull jobs and admit that...

Mar 19, 2013

John Anderson applies for a job and is a devout Morman.  Although he has good qualifications he brings up his religion twice during the interview process, first when asked about outside organizations to which he gives time and second when he mentions his last employer’s company culture, particularly the drinking at beer Fridays, made him feel uncomfortable...

Mar 12, 2013

Could two employees take down your business? Would the employees get away without consequences? When a Domino’s Pizza employee prepared sandwiches for delivery, videoed himself putting cheese up his nose and placing  the nasal mucus on a sandwich as a co-worker provided narration saying “that’s how we roll at Domino’s.” The two then posted their prank...

Mar 3, 2013

Is your company at risk? Judy didn’t mean to jeopardize her company’s future when she asked her employer if she could take home two old computers from the store room for her teens and later sold both at a garage sale for $25 each.  The happy buyer, however, found intriguing company information that she gave her husband, who worked for Judy’s company’s...

Feb 26, 2013

Q. I didn’t realize my supervisor had linked to my Facebook profile. She made up an assumed name and profile and friended me and two other employees who she perceived as troublemakers but who both left the company months ago. This came to light last Friday when I got fired. During the meeting I said how I’d always loyally supported her and she said,...

Feb 16, 2013

Seven months ago you hired a cracker-jack marketer who quickly proved herself indispensible. “Jackie” had a way of connecting with people, accessing the media and describing the value of your organization in ways that lead to a dramatic increase in revenue. You don’t want to lose Jackie, but she’s just started wearing a nose ring. She thinks it’s...

Feb 4, 2013

Can retail giants American Apparel, Abercrombie & Fitch and L’Oreal insist on appearance-oriented hiring and employee standards? Can your employer? Although American Apparel states that applicants don’t need prior retail experience, they require prospective employees to submit photos, stating applicants must be “able to present themselves in a way that...