Articles

Straggly Beard and Both Parents
by Dr. Lynne Curry

Question:

Our employees swap assignments back and forth when they get slammed with too much work Since we pay on commission, everyone likes to do as much work as possible and so the employees really appreciate getting these extra assignments from their co-workers I try to stay out of the assignment swapping and have always given employees the right to pass their projects to the co-workers of their choosing

Harvey came to me this morning, quite upset He says he passes assignments on to co-workers but none of them give him assignments in return I said I'd check into it

I asked a couple of the employees what was up and they confirmed what Harvey had said They said they don't feel comfortable giving Harvey assignments because of his appearance He has a straggly beard, wears slightly wrinkled clothing and just looks offbeat They said they like Harvey and know his long-term customers eventually learn to look past Harvey's appearance to the great job he does but they just don't want to risk losing a customer who takes one look at Harvey and looks for a new vendor

I know Harvey's going to expect me to fix what he sees as unfairness in the assignment swapping and I don't know what to say to him I could fix this by letting all employees know that assignments have to be rotated equally I don't want to create a problem between Harvey and his co-workers or hurt his feelings

Answer:

The problem already exists Luckily, Harvey gave you permission to talk honestly when he asked you for assistance If you don't tell him the truth, what you leave a festering misunderstanding that may deepen into resentment If you tell him the truth, you give him both respect and the chance to make a decision based on honest feedback.

Alternatively, you could mandate a rotating system If you go that route, you fix one problem and create another Your current system allows employees control over their projects – institute a rotating system and you take something away from each employee – their freedom to choose what's right for their customers.

Instead, consider tackling the real issue – Harvey's appearance handicaps him in ways he doesn't see If you choose this route, meet with Harvey and let him know what you've learned, that his co-workers personally respect his work yet worry that their customers might not give him a chance Harvey may say "that's their problem." If so, leave the issue alone, because Harvey does a great job If, however, Harvey listens your company and Harvey both stand to gain

Question:

My husband and I both work for a company with enough employees to fall under the Family and Medical Leave Act I'm expecting a baby and have been here a year and plan to take 12 weeks of unpaid leave after my son's birth My husband and I had then planned that he take off his 12 workweeks and thus we'd give our son six months of intensive parenting

We were just notified by our company's president that we're only entitled to 12 workweeks total leave as a family Isn't this unfair, since we're both employees and simply happen to be married? Is it right that they can deny my husband his time with our child or force me to give up half my leave so that my husband can also take advantage of his employee right?

Answer:

According to attorney Peter Partnow, "When a husband and wife who work for the same employer request leave related to childbirth, the employer may limit their leave to a combined total of 12 workweeks during any 12 month period." Partnow states that federal regulations contain this limitation and my own investigation shows that most employers provide family leave lo only one parent at a time Part now states that if something unfortunate occurs and you encounter a disability related to childbirth, you can take additional leave not subject to the combined limit Finally, given the complexity of FMLA requirements, you might want to download the regulations from the Internet and request a sit-down meeting with your company's human resources officer Perhaps you and your company can work out a solution you both feel is right