WIRTW #491 (the “rage” edition)

Last Friday, Fake ID played to a packed house at The Symposium, an old school rock club in Lakewood, Ohio. And, they absolutely brought down the house. Here’s their set closer, Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name.”


Why am I posting of video of a bunch of teen and preteen kids playing music? For starters, my daughter is the lead singer, and I think they’re very worthy of sharing.

Also, Fake ID teaches us a couple of employment lessons.

Age is not a valid predictor for success. Fake ID is comprised of two 11 year olds (including Norah) and three 14 year olds. In my opinion, they perform well above their young ages suggest. Don’t judge your employees, or prospective employees, by their age, judge them on their abilities and talents, whether old or young.

Talent is not a substitute for hard work. What impresses me most about how well Fake ID performs isn’t the performance, but all of the time and effort they put in to honing it. Lots of great talent wastes away by laziness and apathy. Your best employees will be the ones that work the hardest, period.

You have one more chance to catch Fake ID live this month, at Sky Zone Highland Heights, tomorrow, January 27, from 7 - 8:30 pm. No cover for the music, regular jumping rates apply.

Here’s what I read this week.

The Wile E. Coyote method of noncompete litigation

Wile E. Coyote. Forever chasing the Roadrunner. Always ending up falling off a cliff or crushed under a giant boulder.

Noncompete litigation. Sometimes you win an injunction. Sometimes the court drops a big boulder on your head.

Employee leave rights and the flu

I’m typing today’s post from my bed, where I convalesce with the flu.

Since I’m at home with the flu, I thought it worthwhile to discuss the leave-of-absence rights of employees with this illness.

Walmart (yes, Walmart) has now done more for worker rights than the U.S. government

Image by Sven via Wikimedia Commons

Earlier this month, Walmart announced sweeping additions to how it compensates its employees.

The 3rd nominee for the “worst employer of 2018” is … the camera creep

The third nominee for the Worst Employer of 2018 might be the creepiest I’ve shared yet.

From the Tampa Bay Times (c/o the ABA Journal):

Attorney James Patrick Stanton, accused of secretly videotaping nude and partially clothed female employees of a Tampa company, has agreed to never practice law again in Florida. 

WIRTW #490 (the “hilarious world of depression” edition)

Mental illness, especially among our youth, is an issue about which we do not pay nearly enough attention (to wit: this week’s suicide of Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski).

Today, I recommend that everyone check out The Hilarious World of Depression podcast.

The Hilarious World of Depression is a series of frank, moving, and, yes, funny conversations with top comedians who have dealt with this disease, hosted by veteran humorist and public radio host John Moe. Join guests … to learn how they’ve dealt with depression and managed to laugh along the way. If you have not met the disease personally, it’s almost certain that someone you know has, whether it’s a friend, family member, colleague, or neighbor. Depression is a vicious cycle of solitude and stigma that leaves people miserable and sometimes dead. Frankly, we’re not going to put up with that anymore. The Hilarious World of Depression is not medical treatment and should not be seen as a substitute for therapy or medication. But it is a chance to gain some insight, have a few laughs, and realize that people with depression are not alone and that together, we can all feel a bit better.

As a launching point, I recommend the January 2 episode featuring Rhett Miller (who also wrote and performs the podcast’s theme song, about “the world’s greatest clown”). Rhett talks frankly about his own teenage suicide attempt and how music saved his life. It’s a supremely worthwhile listen from one of the world’s great songwriters, and an all around good guy.

Here’s what I read this week:

Employee’s refusal to take drug test dooms discrimination claim

Can an employee, terminated for refusing to submit to a “reasonable suspicion” drug test, sue the employer for discrimination?

According to one recent federal district court opinion (and good ol’ common sense), the answer is no.