Category Archives: Philosophy – Employee Rights
Cloverleaf On-Ramps and the Law
When I was in law school, a professor discussed an interesting analogy. It involved the invention of cloverleaf-shaped on-ramps. The new on-ramps were self-imposed structures, which- like the self-imposition of new laws- improved safety and prevented us from making human errors.
Filed under Philosophy - Employee Rights
Employee Types
This management seminar flier categorizes different types of problem employees (e.g. “The Gossip,” “The Excuse Artist”), and offers ways to deal with each employee personality type. I think it is usually counterproductive to give people labels. For example, if a manager tells an … Continue reading
Filed under Humor, Philosophy - Employee Rights
“Ghosts of Abu Ghraib” (DVD)
Recently, I watched a very interesting, albeit unsettling, documentary titled “Ghosts of Abu Ghraib.” More information about the film is here. The film, of course, addresses the notorious photographs of torture (or alleged torture, some feel) that was conducted by … Continue reading
Filed under Philosophy - Employee Rights
Pump You Up
Employers- are you looking for an employment defense attorney who will unquestioningly agree with every word you allege, gladly smear your opponent employee as “ridiculous” and a ”liar” and the like, and write letters to your opponent (although more so written to you) proclaiming … Continue reading
A Story: Opposing Attorneys Drinking Beers Together. (?!)
Another plaintiff’s attorney told me a war story that I’ve often thought about. The attorney was involved in a very negative lawsuit, where the parties (plaintiff and defendant) apparently disliked each other immensely. The case went to trial. After the … Continue reading
Filed under Philosophy - Employee Rights
Corporate Rhetoric, the Decline of Individual Rights, and What You Can Do About It
If you listened only to corporate-based rhetoric, you would get the following impressions about individuals who sue organizations: Frivolous lawsuits are out of control, and too many huge verdicts are being awarded to individuals who spill coffee on themselves and … Continue reading
Filed under Philosophy - Employee Rights
“That’s Just the Way That I Am”
“That’s just the way that I am.” Ever find yourself saying this, when confronted about something you’ve done? If so, that means four things: (1) you are being unreasonable; (2) you KNOW you are being unreasonable; (3) you are making … Continue reading
Filed under Philosophy - Employee Rights
Litigating? It’s Not About “Right” and “Wrong,” It’s About Risk
If you’re an employee or an employer involved in a lawsuit, you may feel strongly that you are “right” and the other side is “wrong.” I think this is a counterproductive way of looking at a legal dispute.
Filed under Philosophy - Employee Rights
Employer Anger = College Money for Lawyers’ Kids
Employers who are angry wind up paying more in legal fees. A lot more. This is old news to employment attorneys, but perhaps not to the angry employers themselves. Sidetracked by anger and the idea of chasing “principle,” they may … Continue reading
Filed under Philosophy - Employee Rights
Are You In “Survival Mode?”
An employee (client) remarked to me that when she worked for her former employer- which had a difficult manager and stressful environment- workers there lived in “survival mode.” This phrase rang true to me. I talk to many employees in bad work … Continue reading
Filed under Philosophy - Employee Rights
