General

Subscribe to General via RSS

Employers are more and more reaping the "benefits" of Facebook.  They are asking applcants for their FB passwords or for the opportunity to review the applicant’s Facebook page.  A corrections officer was required to provide his Facebook login information so his superiors could look at his Facebook page as part of his recertification process.  The…

Two researchers studied employee morale via work journals from 238 professionals.  A Harvard business professor and a Harvard psychologist collaborated to find four ways managers can ruin morale:

  1. Stall the worker’s most meaningful projects.  Such as one manager who routinely moved people on and off projects apparently at his whim.
  2. Block progress on goals.  Such

…

Back when I was in Iraq in 2005-06, I heard a story about a soldier in Kirkuk who walked off the premises of FOB Warhorse.  He just went outside the wire unarmed like he was back home and wanted some ice cream.  Leaving the base itself violated all sorts of orders.  But, more importantly, the…

I live here and did not know we have an animal court.  According to an ABA Bar Journal report, we have an animal court to hear cases of pet owners acting irresponsibly.  See ABA Bar Journal report.  The court may be unique.  It targets cases involving animal bites, stray animals and animal vaccinations.  It…

The not so-Evil HR lady pens another helpful post.  This time she talks about when can an employee give immediate notice of resignation.  A day care director is asking the HR expert about her situation.  The day care director is being asked by member of the board who oversee the facility to violate laws regarding…

Hossein Bagheri, owner of two Salsalito Mexican food restaurants here in San Antonio, plead guilty to hiring illegal immigrants to work in his restaurants.  The owner was placed on probation for five years by U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia.  The owner was also ordered to pay a fine of $250,000 and the restaurant corporation was…

You know, its almost like some employers want to be sued.  Or, they want strife of some sort.  I once had seven women come see me about their job.  As I listened to the ladies, I realized their claims were less about discrimination and more about horrible working conditions.  They worked in a small office.

I admire the litigation process very much.  The strength of our system here in the US is that virtually anyone can file suit for any perceived wrong.  But, the strength is also the weakness.  Anyone can file suit over anything.  People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has sued Seaworld in San Diego to…

Judges are easy targets.  They rule on issues that affect everyone.  They are limited by ethical rules in how or even if they can respond to political attacks.  So, sure, Newt Gingrich attacks Judge Fred Biery as part of his campaign for president.  Mr. Gingrich says he would "do no more than eliminate Judge Biery…

I served in the US Army, National Guard and Army Reserve for 28 years.  I served as an Infantry officer for most of that time.  As young Infantry officers, we studied leadership and group dynamics over and over.  Studying leadership has become a favorite past-time for me.  One fundamental principle of Army leadership is that…