Friday, April 12, 2019

WIRTW #548 (the “working for the weekend” edition)


I thought I'd update everyone on the summer goings-on of Northeast Ohio's favorite age-15-and-under cover band, Fake ID.

They have a busy summer. They will kick it off with a return engagement at Ohio Bike Week. After stealing the festival last year (really, go to the Ohio Bike Week Facebook page and read the reviews), they've been invited back to tear it up again.


Loverboy … and Fake ID. My 10-year-old self watching MTV in my grandparents' basement is totally freaking out.

Then, the band has a residency booked at Westlake's Crocker Park. They'll be playing on June 15, July 6, August 9, and August 20 (all from 5:30 – 7, on the square in front of the movie theater).

Pretty cool stuff for my 12-year-old daughter.

Here's what I read this week:

Thursday, April 11, 2019

The three things you need to know from the EEOC's 2018 charge data


Yesterday, the EEOC released its charge statistics for 2018. There are three big things you need to know.

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

When workplace training goes very, very wrong


A few months ago I participated in active-shooter training. I presented harassment training for a local manufacturer, and, at its conclusion, the company played a 10-minute video explaining to its employees what to do in an active-shooter situation. Generally I'm not a fan of training videos. They tend to be boring, poorly acted, and ineffective. This one, however, was quite effective. It was not only chilling to watch, but, a few months out, I still recall the ABCs of what to do during an active shooter (Avoid, Barricade, Confront).

An Indiana school district, however, had a different idea of how to train its employees to prepare for an active shooter.

This employer had its employees shot in the back, execution style, with plastic pellets.

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

To help end sexual harassment, men MUST be better in reporting it when they witness it


"Dad, something bad happened at recess today!"

It's a refrain I sometimes hear at the dinner table.

"Donovan, what happened?"

"Joe pushed Billy off the swing, and Billy cut his knee when he fell."

"Did anyone let a teacher know what happened?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I didn't because I didn't want to be a tattletale."

I've had this conversation with both of my kids — the difference between being a tattletale and reporting an unsafe situation.

Monday, April 8, 2019

The 10th nominee for the “worst employer of 2019” is … the exorcising employer


Is it too early to declare a winner for 2019's contest?

According to the complaint Jason Fields fired against the Hampton Inn at which he worked, and its manager, Sharon Lindon, he had to endure some pretty odd stuff during his employment.

As he tells his story, Lindon decided to help Field's after she learned of his impending divorce. How? By offering to exorcise him.

Friday, April 5, 2019

WIRTW #547 (the “new music Friday” edition)


Jenny Lewis just released the first great album of 2019.  

On The Line has witty and funny, yet touching and sad, lyrics, and beautiful melodies that will stick in your head. It's an album that commands your attention. I'll be shocked if it's not at the top of the "Best Of" lists at year's end. You should listen, now and often.


Thursday, April 4, 2019

I fart in your general direction: flatulence as harassment?


An Australian court has rejected an employee's claim that his supervisor unlawfully harassed him by farting on him.

David Hingst sought 1.8 million Australian dollars ($1.3 million) in damages based on a claim his supervisor would enter his small, windowless office several times a day and "break wind on him or at him … thinking this to be funny."