Employment Law and Leaders

Employment law is my forte. 

On some days, there's nothing better than reading a recent ruling, grabbing the salient points and being that much more equipped to advise and guide. Employment law is an area that employee relations HR pros need to pay attention to on a regular basis because it is under constant refinement. I am attending the 21010 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute for that very reason.

I entered the conference for facts and I left after day 1 with an insight.

The plenary session included a Title VII update and as the presenting attorney  wrote, "the 'human drama' we see in our day to day work continues to play out in some pretty amazing factual scenarios." Yes, it was amazingly unbelievable as we reviewed rulings on religious discrimination, sexual harassment, sex stereotyping, and pregnancy discrimination. And then, right there 60 minutes into the session, it struck me. 

Employment law is an entire profession responding to a void of common sense and respect between people. The cases we reviewed were nothing less than a reflection of the disappointing and troubled state of leadership in organizations. The legal system is complex, but leadership is not - bring judgement to a situation, consider the totality of the circumstances, and think before acting.

Why do so many leaders get  this wrong?

Comments

[adowling]

While studying for the SPHR Dawn Hrdlica gave me the best piece of advice that fits right in with your post. For any situation, does the solution make good business sense? If not, then dont do it. Discrimination, sexual harassment, stereotyping, none of that ever makes good business sense.

[Bryan Wempen]

Lisa, What I've taken from you thoughts is a reminder of a very simple and succinct way that we should conduct ourselves in both our professional and personal lives. - RESPECT & COMMON SENSE- It's always nice to see these types of thoughts in writing for all to read as a this reminder that your actions are you're "calling card" both professionally and personally.
Thanks, Bryan Wempen

[Joan Ginsberg]

I've said this many times, Lisa - MOST laws are responses to people behaving badly. When people complain about the number and complexity of statutes in the US - they need only look to their neighbors, co-workers, relatives, peers, etc. to see why. Everyone knows someone who behaves badly without concern for others, or who would do so if the law wasn't stopping them.

[Lisa Rosendahl]

April, that about sums it up, doesn't it?

Bryan, the blatant disregard for others was so striking to me. I am in and out of case decisions regularly and know how much law there is prohibiting these types of actions yet in the face of all that - people continue.

Joan, I agree 100%. So, why can't we all be friends?