JPNor
Shared on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 08:21As of the last couple years, the focus of my job has shifted to legal compliance and as such I'm subscribed to several newsletters to keep me abreast of changes in employment law. I've taken some interest in the topic even considering going to law school.
I had a conversation with a colleague, an upper-level human resources manager, about the challenges of employment law and the increasingly litigious workforce in our country. He runs seminars on managing company policies and practices to avoid lawsuits, and poses the question: "What can an employer to do absolutely eliminate the risk of being sued by an employee?" The ensuing discussion includes recommendations on writing policies, keeping certain information out of the HR office to avoid discrimination claims, etc. All wrong.
"Kill them" is the correct answer. But then, the employer still runs the risk of being sued by the employee's estate.
From an HR perspective, the employer-employee relationship feels almost adversarial. Even tiny companies are now extremely concerned about one employee suing over discrimination, another abusing workers compensation, or claims of retaliation from a bitter former employee. And this adversarial relationship sometimes even begins before the person is hired - take, for example, an amusing Twitter exchange:
@theconnor: Cisco just offered me a job! Now I have to weigh the utility of a fatty paycheck against the daily commute to San Jose and hating the work.
@timmylevad (Cisco channel rep): Who is the hiring manager. I’m sure they would love to know that you will hate the work. We here at Cisco are versed in the web.
Though it was never officially confirmed, "theconnor" more than likely never received his first fatty paycheck.
So my question is this: Do you hate your employer? It's OK to hate your job, but other than your daily responsibilities would you classify your relationship with your employer as adversarial? Do you respect them, and do you think they respect you?
- JPNor's blog
- Log in or register to post comments
Comments
Submitted by AngryJason on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 08:55
Submitted by BalekFekete on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 09:47
Submitted by BalekFekete on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 09:48
Submitted by NorthernPlato on Fri, 03/11/2011 - 16:54
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/27/2011 - 02:16