The Devil Doesn’t Only Wear Prada

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As originally published by SHRM’s “We Know Next,” found here.

We all know that powerful women face Catch-22s.  When Donald Trump exercises control, he is in control. When Martha Stewart exercises control, she is controlling.  Same behaviors; different labels.

A lot has been written about these Catch-22s.  Less has been written on how women with power can handle them.
Here are three of the many Catch-22s women with power face and my suggestions for how to navigate them. Continue reading The Devil Doesn’t Only Wear Prada →

Costly Unpaid Internships

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As originally published by SHRM’s “We Know Next,” found here.

An important customer, client, colleague or business partner asks an executive if her son can intern with your company for the summer.  Don’t worry about the money, she says.  My son is only looking for the experience.

As we approach the summer, expect more of these requests.  I personally have received quite a few already! Continue reading Costly Unpaid Internships →

Never Again: Holocaust Remembrance (Yom Hashoah)

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Tomorrow, Thursday, April 19 is Holocaust Remembrance Day, Yom Hashoah.

It has been more than 60 years since this period of unspeakable horror when more than 11 million people were killed. This includes more than 6 million Jews. While each life is equally precious, in many countries, entire Jewish communities were exterminated.

There were also many righteous gentiles who fought the Nazis. A Catholic Church in Poland saved my aunt, at personal risk to those saving her.  She is not the only one whom they and others saved. Continue reading Never Again: Holocaust Remembrance (Yom Hashoah) →

Elephant in the Living Room

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As originally published by SHRM in HR Magazine Vol. 57 No. 3.

Alcoholic employees present a range of legal risks.

3/1/2012   By Jonathan Segal

Al has been employed by his company for 15 years. For the first 12 years, he was a superstar. He worked hard and consistently exceeded performance expectations. Clients loved him. Employees admired him. During the past three years, Al’s performance has steadily declined in quality and quantity. And he’s had a number of exchanges with clients and employees that have been anything but positive. Al talks a lot about his three closest friends: Jack Daniels, Jim Beam and Old Grand-Dad. On occasion, colleagues smell what they believe to be alcohol on his breath. What do you do? Do you focus only on the declining performance? Or, do you address the elephant in the living room—Al likely has an alcohol problem? Continue reading Elephant in the Living Room →

Breathe Deeply Before You Read: ALJ Finds At-Will Statement Violates NLRA

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In a recent case, an ALJ of the NLRB held that an employer’s at will statement in its Employee Handbook violated the NLRA.  I told you that you needed to breathe deeply before reading.  Take another deep breath before continuing.

Of course, the Board has not yet ruled on the ALJ’s decision. While I am not a betting man, I think the Board  is as likely to reverse the ALJ as is former Chair Wilma Liebman is to apply for a job with the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation. Continue reading Breathe Deeply Before You Read: ALJ Finds At-Will Statement Violates NLRA →

Hooked Up On Twitter (A CAUTIONARY TALE)

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Hooking Up On Twitter (A CAUTIONARY TALE)

by Jonathan Segal

on February 27, 2012

As published by SHRM’s We Know Next: www.weknownext.com

I begin this cautionary blog with a story. After the story, you’ll understand why I began the blog as I have.

I wrote an article on holiday parties for Business Week. I discussed the risks, including too much alcohol consumption and sexual harassment. Of course, the two often are connected. Continue reading Hooked Up On Twitter (A CAUTIONARY TALE) →