Category: Archive

As you know, all companies regardless of their business rely on a body of employees that are diverse in mind and thought. As we progress into the next century, it is of the utmost importance that companies seek out and employ certain types of individuals perhaps neglected in the hiring processes of the past.

We also know that there are already thousands of dyslexics (learning disabled, or LD) working who have never been identified and could use some help to reach their full potential.

Here are some basic abilities that all dyslexics share, as quoted from the book “The Gift of Dyslexia” by Ronald D. Davis:

1. They can utilize the brain’s ability to alter and create perceptions.

2. They are highly aware of the environment.

3. They are more curious than average.

4. They think mainly in pictures instead of words.

5. They are highly intuitive and insightful.

6. They think and perceive multi-dimensionally (using all senses).

7. They can experience thoughts as reality.

8. They have vivid imaginations.

These eight basic abilities, if not suppressed, invalidated or destroyed, will result in two characteristics: higher-than-normal intelligence, and extraordinary creative abilities.

SOURCE: Special Needs. E-mail: lisa@special-needs.org, Fax: 603/737-3904.

Are you looking to add a benefit…free massages, pet care or the like? Before you do it, consider a recent study indicating the benefit employees most want.

A comfortable, flexible environment topped the list of desired perks in a national Job Satisfaction Survey conducted by SurveySite for CareerPath.com. The survey points to a trend toward a new ideal American workplace that is personalized to the individual.

Survey respondents indicated a desire for employment in a workplace where they can custom-tailor their hours to suit personal needs. Other preferences include the option to telecommute and work where they want, as well as casual attire policies that allow them to dress as they like.

However, 89% of respondents still say the most important factor in considering a job opportunity is salary, and more than 50% believe they are underpaid

It’s a reminder that in many workplaces, salary and scheduling are your bread-and-butter benefit.

SOURCE: SurveySite and CareerPath.com, February 2000.

You missed the entire point for the fines and suspension. The point was to let him (and others) know that these thoughts and the expression of these types of ideas are not condoned.

You also seem very flip with how you characterize people of color by using the “darker than copier paper” description. Obviously, you are not familiar with the “brown paper bag test” used to discriminate against darker skinned blacks in this country. If you did know, then shame on you.

The argument about stifling speech is irrelevant. We do not need outrageously offensive acts to occur to justify diversity or any other training. You do it because you believe in its ability to improve you business organization. Because it is a value. Not as a stop gap or a cork for loud mouthed pitchers (or anyone else).

During my tenure as an HR professional I recall an incident where an employee told a group of other employees who were talking about a local gay-rights march “I think they ought to round them all up and shoot ’em!” An African American employee asked if the company was going to allow that comment to go unchallenged. She felt it was a veiled threat that no racist would be allowed to get away with.

An employer cannot foster an environment characterized by mutual respect (which is essential in a diverse work force) if it also provides unfettered “freedom of speech”. Regardless of what you think, there are times and places appropriate for the articulation of your thoughts. Words have consequences regardless of the intent behind them. Employers have a right to expect employees to exercise good judgment in what to say to whom and when to say it. Parents have a duty to teach their children the same good judgment. It begs the question “why is this undesirable to say in public?”. That in turn might provoke some challenge to the thoughts behind the words.

I think Major League Baseball acted appropriately in disassociating itself, the Atlanta Braves and the city of Atlanta from John Rocker’s opinions. Along with that multi-million dollar contract goes a responsibility to represent his employer and his associates in a way they think is appropriate. If he can’t accept that, he has the freedom to disassociate and say whatever he thinks – on his own clock.

You know it is very interesting to me how people can claim to not condone Rocker’s comments, yet defend him saying them all the same.

I agree with your statement “What scares me about John Rocker is not what he says, but what he thinks.” But I do not agree with when you say that he should not be punished for what he has said. A good parent, who truly wants to prepare their child for the future complications he/she will face, will guide their thought and speech. When respect was a virtue in society…people were taught to do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.

Before one can even get to a action there exist a thought, and then comes a word and finally the actions began to flow. By punishing Rocker the MLB is sending a message of respect to society at large. The MLB nor any one else for that matter, can curtail a persons thoughts, however disrespectful, fearful and demoralizing speech that leads to actions eventually, can be dealt with.

Punishing kids by taking some of their allowance away is typically not that effective, because money is not that big of a communicator to them at such a young age. However, taking money from materially-driven adults is a good way to send a message. I coach a little league baseball team, and I can tell you that it is really hard to teach kids about sportsmanship and respect for your competitor, teammates and fans. My kids love John Rocker, and the fire he brings to the mound. If he were not punished for what he had said what would that have communicated to them…that they could call their black teammates monkeys just because the thought it.

I am sure that you have thought of some very ignorant things in you life time but did not say them…my friend that is not fear, that is called respect… one of the highest virtues one can lay claim to.

I truly hope that you do not really believe what you wrote. I admire bravety as well…I just think that respect is more important.”

Rocker is not a perfect citizen, but he has the perfect right to be as big ajerk as the next person, without being reprogrammed or censored.

His employer may decide his fate, but it is not the business of anyone else whatRocker thinks or says. This is a free country. We are losing our right tofree speech without fear of retaliation.

Mr. Editor,

I was appalled at the stream of insults that Atlanta relief pitcher, John Rocker, hurled at America via his interview with Sports Illustrated. However, while I support his First

Amendment rights to prove to the world the strength of his moral character, I support Major League Baseball’s right to censure and fine this young man.

I served my nation in the United States Navy for nearly ten years. During this time the military instilled in me from the day of my first enlistment of oath a belief in the

Constitution of the United States. “… support the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic…”

While I may not have fully understood the true meaning and depth of those words, I did take my own meaning to be that the rights of American citizens are worth defending. Rocker has that right. We need not rally behind his misguided words, but as a nation, we must give him that right.

Where I find fault with your editorial is that “suspension that never should have been levied.” I believe Major League Baseball has a duty to protect itself from one of theiremployees. Should for instance, an employee or a contributor to your magazine editorialize about the Holocaust being a fraud, would you feel this person deserves to be heard regardless of the hurt it would cause to those who survived it just to bring about dialogue? Or would you be more inclined to distance your magazine from this person and more importantly, distance that person from your magazine?

Rocker’s words were directed at several protected classes and at the core of what makes America the greatest nation in the world, Diversity. While legally protected by the First Amendment, should not go unpunished by his employer. While hiding the issue of hate under the carpet is not the answer to the problem, neither is allowing those who propagate hate in any of its guises to escape punishment.

I agree with your assessment of the Rocker situation. I do not condone many of his viewpoints but we are all entitled to an opinion. STICKS AND STONES… It’s called freedom of speech and it’s something this country is drifting away from.

Unless a person is completely incapable of thinking for himself, I think we all have at least one stereotypical viewpoint but are too tactful to blurt it out for the world to hear. Mr Rocker just didn’t think that far ahead. Plus, if anything, sensitivity training will just sour him even more. If we’re going to change these attitudes we need to stop focusing on the differences and preferential treatment, and start focusing on our commonalities and equal treatment (but as you said, affirmative action is a topic for another day….)

Thanks for having the courage to disagree with the “PC” BS.

In this booming economy, organizations should hold their employees to high standards. After all, take a look at the implementations of training and awareness employers have relating to standards of workplace safety, substance and alcohol abuse, and workplace violence. This does not just apply when you are on the work site, it should be carried over into your daily life activities as well.

Ultimately, negative behavioral patterns of employees will eventually effect the bottom line the business economy.

If the money you make and career you have is important to you, you will make the behavioral adjustment, or else the employer will find someone that can fulfill their mission requirements. For example, it is well know that when first time offenders get sent to prison, they tend to go in with this “I’m a bad dude attitude”, but they soon and quickly they learn that there is a different set of rules in the penitentiary then what they had on the outside.

In prison, negative behavior is dealt with shiftily and severely. This is not to say that organizations should gain the prison mentality, but they should seek the significance of regarding high behavioral standards of their employees as valuable assets.

Life is hard for all of us, to take it easy on one would eventually lead to a tragedy of the commons.