T+D Blog

Corporate Responsibility

Has the state of current affairs--the bailout bill that failed in Congress--sparked renewed interested in corporate responsibility and the role that workplace learning and performance professionals play in it?

Worrying about the next quarterly report, above the attitudes of employees, the needs of the current workforce, and the environmental implications of a particular action could have long-term implications of the success of the company and the retention of key employees.

So, what role should learning executives play in corporate responsibility?

Are You Prepared for a Disaster?

Three schools in Woodbridge Virginia were placed in lockdown on Thursday, September 18 because a police situation involving the hunt for a murder suspect. This incident has caused a lot of parents to question the way the situation was handled--not the fact that the students were kept safe in the school building, but the fact that parents were not notified of the situation or kept abreast of where the students were being transported for pick-up.

Does your organization have a disaster preparation plan in place? Have you or others in your office been trained on what to do in an emergency--and I'm not talking about a fire drill. Since 9/11, all organizations should be taking a serious look at how they handle all kinds of disasters--from keeping their employees safe to communicating to family. Don't wait until disaster strikes!

Gaining Ground Against Workplace Bullies

Have you ever been bullied at work? Have you seen someone else getting bullied? Would you consider your boss a bully? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, you’re not alone. Thirty-seven percent of Americans reported being bullied at work and 12 percent reported having witnessed someone else getting bullied, according to a 2007 study released by the Workplace Bullying Institute along with Zogby International.

A follow-up study this year found that in 24 percent of bullying cases reported to employers, the employer did nothing and the bullying target was retaliated against, and eventually lost her job.

Why is bullying behavior so prevalent though mishandled in the workplace? A potential indicator is that it’s often immune from legal repercussions. This could all change as many states are now considering “healthy workplace legislation” to prohibit bullying.

Do you think respectful treatment in the workplace should be legally required? Or would such mandates lead to an increase in tricky lawsuits against employers?

To find out more about workplace bullying including other studies and potential solutions for both individuals and companies, visit the Workplace Bullying web site.

Creature of Habit, Fear of Change

Do you fear change? Do you like the status quo?

If you do, you are not alone. Most people don't adjust well to new things or big changes. That's where workplace learning and performance professionals can don their expertise. Successful change management initiatives start with communication. Being upfront and honest with employees about the impending changes will help the process go smoothly.

In this month's issue of T+D magazine, John Ely and Merry Lee Olson write about gaining buy-in from employees. Change happens, it's how you deal with it that matters.

Before you implement any change, you must have a plan in place to minimize risk, and make sure that plan includes communication with your employees.

Deconstructing Women in Business

Women entrepreneurs own 28 percent of businesses in America today. They are a powerful force, and changing the way business gets done, one business at a time," says Michele DeKinder-Smith, founder and CEO of Jane Out of the Box, a research-based online resource community. But not all of these ladies work quite the same way.

The two year study, commissioned by the site, shows that female business owners can be categorized into one of five catchily-titled types (percentage denotes estimated frequency of occurring type): Jane Dough (18 percent), Go Jane Go (14 percent), Tenacity Jane (31 percent), Merry Jane (19 percent), and Accidental Jane (18 percent).

Jane Dough is focused on the growth of her business, as well as marketing and selling. Go Jane Go might have the highest income of all five groups but she has the least personal time. Tenacity Jane has cash flow concerns but undeniable passion while Merry Jane has mastered the work-life balance. Finally, Accidental Jane started her business on a whim, but has found a successful outlet for herself and her skills.

Do you, or someone you know, sound like one of these types? The assessment used in the study is available at the www.janeoutofthebox.com in case one is curious to find out more.