I’ve written about violence in the workplace; I’ve even admitted that I was abused at different times in my life.  If anyone gets to know me, they will know that in about 98% of the instances, I’m pretty transparent….and with some of my other ‘faults’….that is a pretty damn good percentage to be….

I wanted to write this due to the fact that nine (9)…yes, ‘9’, African Americans were killed in a church in Charleston, South Carolina last week and at this point in time, the issue that everyone in the media seems to be focusing on is all of the Confederate Flags around. 

Yes, the Confederate Flags are an issue….I even saw one ‘article’ compare the Confederate Flags with the Nazi Swastika….a pretty good try but I think it is a little off the mark.  However, I do believe that all Confederate Flags belong in a museum and should not be permitted anywhere, anytime, anyplace other than in a controlled environment (and, yes, if some southerner from Memphis wants to decorate the inside of their home with Flag placemats, then I say ‘go for it’, as long as I don’t have to be offended by your taste in décor) when the history of our great nation is on display.

….and I do believe that the Confederate Flags are an issue….but, the real issue here is that someone gave this certifiably crazy, young man a gun or the ability to obtain a gun.  Let’s set the record straight right now….I am NOT against people owning guns….I am not against the 2nd Amendment…..if I could, at this point in time, I would vote to repeal it for I think that it has been one of the more negative legacies we have as a country….but, a repeal is not in the cards…so, I believe that any mentally healthy, capable individual that wants (or needs) to have a gun, should be able to under the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.

A while ago I wrote a BLOG about ‘WBE’s' (Women Business Enterprises) that are owned by women but actually run/managed by anyone other than the ‘woman’ owner.  I recently learned that some companies that actually have women owners but are managed by their husbands and someone that in my humble opinion are erroneously referred to as the ‘financial advisors’ were ‘awarded’  designations from WBENC, certifications that until recently, I thought were worth ‘something’.  It is my understanding that there are a number of women that spend hours at their respective health clubs spinning away, while their ‘employees’ work diligently so that these women and their respective husbands could live in their very expensive homes off of the trust fund taxes of their employees.  These do not seem the types of companies that should have been awarded any kind of designation from WBENC.  But, maybe I have totally misunderstood the story….if so, my bad…

It is my understanding that last count, some of the ‘woman owned businesses’ had liens against them in the amount of approximately $450,000 to $500,000, which would have included social security taxes, federal payroll taxes, state payroll taxes and state sales’ taxes, among other ‘taxes’….I believe and was informed that these amounts would have included penalties/interest and fines.  I also am under the impression that these ‘liens’ were over a period of time; meaning, the women and their businesses did this on a number of occasions and that a few of the liens are/were against the women personally, due to the nature of the taxes that were ‘utilized’…. 

‘The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), is the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned, controlled and operated by women in the United States.  WBENC, a national 501(c) (3), non-profit, partners with 14 Regional Partner Organizations to provide its’ world class standard of certification to women-owned businesses throughout the country.’ The aforementioned is a direct quote from WBENC’s website. 

Some of you reading this already know….you are working for a company or a person that does almost everything ‘right’ (let’s remember that no one and nothing is ‘perfect’) but a good deal of us don’t work for a ‘Great Employer’….

Paying well and having good benefits is a cornerstone for ‘great employers’, however, that is not all that is necessary.  It is really about making every employee feel like a ‘star’ and that takes a conscientious effort!

Google has free meals; Quicken Loans has arcade games and Salesforce.com provides treadmill desks….but the compensation, benefits and perks are only part of it.  If you talk to anyone that studys, builds or just works at great workplaces, you will learn that the foundation is one of trust and engagement that unites management and the workforce in a common vision that is not only about success but describes the type of an organization that an employer wants it to be.

‘A very intentional, people centric culture’, as described by China Gordon, CEO of the company that puts together the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list.  The individuals that lead ‘people centric companies’ talk about their people not as employees who can be satisfied with the right compensation package but as colleagues who are invested in the business. 

Apparently, it is not an easy thing to accomplish and it takes ongoing energy, communication and transparency.  It means taking a long term view that can be a major conflict with short term business results.  It is maintaining a communication style and method that is ongoing, frequent and deep. 

The results can be (and generally are) worth it…..and it is not just a ‘feel good’ HR exercise.  Studies have shown that companies with an engaged workforce turn in better financial performance.  Employers on Fortune’s 100 List saw an 11.8% annualized stock market return from 1997 to 2003 compared to the normal S&P 500 with a 6.04% return for the same period.  These companies showed an 8% turnover rate for IT compared to 16.2% of industry average or 24.5% turnover rate in hospitality compared to an industry average of 38%.

There are many things one learns about oneself as one matures….I’ve had my ADD all my life….never fully having it confirmed for me until this past year.  I always wondered why finishing anything (classes at a University, personal tasks I assigned to myself, projects at work) major took so very much work and focus; much more than the person next to me.  I seem to be unable to ‘focus’ on the business while giving so very much attention to the GPHR test which I will be taking soon.   I seem to be unable to focus on studying while paying attention to all the needs my daughter has prior to leaving on her next ‘journey’.

 We normally go to New England each year but I took a much needed vacation with my daughter at the Jersey Shore….sitting on the 'deck by the bay'….just a wonderful long weekend, even though we had rain for two (2) days.  We never were without something to do; pizza and coffee on the boardwalk, movies, antiquing, beaching in the wind, great conversations with friends/family and some long walks.  I’m relishing every minute with her since soon she will be off to Naval Justice School and then on to her first assignment which is on the other side of the country. 

Yes, I’m a tad, bit crazy.  I encourage my daughter to go and see the world.  As stated before, my experiential life was based on various cultures…I’ve given my daughter ‘wings’ and she is ready to ‘fly’. 

So, I’m back and, hopefully, will be back on track with these ‘BLOGS’ for I keep on adding topics to the list….By the Way….I’ve paid the extra money to extend my test date to the end of July instead of the beginning of July….for a number of reasons.  Mainly, too many things to do prior to my daughter leaving and my clients need attention.

The title of this BLOG is based on Justice Antonin Scalia’s comments once the decision in favor of Samantha Elauf was announced from the bench.  Remember, this is the case of the Muslim woman who filed an employment discrimination suit against Abercrombie & Fitch, for refusing to hire her because she wore a head scarf.  If you read my former BLOG, you know how I feel about Abercrombie & Fitch and how I really don’t understand why anyone with any kind of class/maturity would want to work for that sexist company….