Cell phones are a way of life.  We update our Facebook accounts, check e-mail, find a restaurant, text our significant others and even occasionally talk to someone.  But increasingly, cell phones are becoming a vehicle for what is being labeled as “textual harassment” or harassment via text messages.  It’s easy to discount, thinking that this is a simple issue and one that won’t ever affect you, but “textual harassment” is becoming a problem for all age groups and it is an issue that employers must deal with.

Employees today are using their cell phones as new weapons for sending threatening and abusive messages to co-workers.  They are spreading non truths about others including their supervisors and/or the companies they work for.  They are sexually harassing colleagues and employees alike and even bullying co-workers.  Considering all of this, it is important for employers to have clear policies in their handbooks that detail what is and is not acceptable when it comes to texting.  This form of harassment can also apply to social media posting. When drafting your policies, consider the usage of not only personal cell phones but also privacy issues related to company paid for and company reimbursed cell phones as well. Once your policies are in place, you should establish training for staff members that explains your position and outlines procedures for complaints to management.  Dealing with reports immediately, documenting the complaint, investigating the claim and evaluating the evidence for potential corrective action will go a long way in defending you and your company should the EEOC get involved. 

StaffScapes is experienced in dealing with claims of textual harassment and works with its clients to have clear policies established.  For more information or assistance for your company, please call StaffScapes at 303-466-7864.

Medical Marijuana has become a popular topic of discussion, especially in the work place. Employers are being forced to take a closer look at their drug policies and make decisions on how this could impact their policies.  Some interesting statistics below found on the Colorado Medical Marijuana Registry website.

• 33,614 new patient applications have been received to date since the registry began operating in June 2001. Twenty-seven (27) applications have been denied, 23 cards have been revoked, 279 patients have died, and 2,366 cards have expired, bringing the total number of patients who currently possess valid Registry ID cards to 30,919.
• Seventy-four percent of approved applicants are male.
• The average age of all patients is 40. Currently thirteen patients are minors (under the age of 18).
• Patients on the Registry represent all the debilitating conditions covered under Amendment 20. Severe pain accounts for 91% of all reported conditions

Are some of these patients in your workforce?  Maybe it’s time to review and update your policies.  Contact StaffScapes for assistance with policy development, drug free workplace programs, handbooks, and other human resource needs.

Recently, I was reading an article in the PEO Insider magazine by Christina Stovall, MBA, PHR regarding Workplace Violence.  Many statements which I will highlight throughout this post got me to thinking.  According to The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), approximately 2 million employees across the US experience workplace violence each year.  At first, that seemed like a big number. I know the news is filled daily with horrific stories, but millions, really? Then I got to thinking about all the cases that occur at your average small business that are not big enough for national news and realized it was possible.  Domestic disputes, arguments that turn violent, hostage situations, bullying, you name it.  In fact, a couple of years ago in my town, two business owners shot each other over a parking space.  I realized that the norm I am experiencing today is actually worse it seems than it used to be.  Stress levels are up, moods are declining, tempers are boiling to the surface faster and more and more people seem to be desensitized to judging comments or actions that can lead to many forms of devastating responses.  I think years of uncertainty, layoffs, financial concerns, lack of work and increased workloads are taking their toll.  In times like these, it seems some individuals are tested beyond what they can deal with when that final straw is broken.

So as owners and managers, what can we do to help prevent issues at our own place of business?  The following tips may help and I encourage you to share ideas that you may have as well.

• Be aware of changes in the moods of your staff.  Is anyone more stressed than usual?  Has anyone taken on a lot of extra work requiring even more hours of dedication to the job?
• Provide clear instructions to your employees regarding pending changes, their performance and any big developments that will have an impact.  Employees that know where they stand are generally able to better deal with change and typically will not react with violence.  But if they do not feel as if they have been treated fairly, their concerns have been addressed or that their feelings and comments have not been viewed as serious, they can quickly react with devastating results.
• Establish policies and procedures regarding workplace violence and ensure that each individual has been properly notified.
• Draft an emergency response plan and make sure that all staff members are well trained.
• Offer access to an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) for your employees to seek assistance on matters such as financial, family or health.  At StaffScapes we offer such a program to all of our clients and their employees. 
• Take complaints seriously and investigate claims completely.

No one can prevent every act of violence, but talking about the issues, having a plan in place and offering a support system will go a long way in assisting those that may need it and keeping violence out of the workplace. 

Back in March of this year, the Maine Unemployment Insurance Commission overturned a lower ruling and awarded unemployment benefits to an employee that was fired for illegally downloading 800 music files onto her work computer. The Portland Press Herald reported that after the employee was fired, she sought unemployment benefits and was initially denied. However, the Commission overturned the denial 3-0 stating, as the Press Herald reported, the claimant “made an isolated error in judgment when she downloaded the software on the company’s computer and that the action “does not constitute misconduct”.  

What? I must have a different definition of isolated. Illegally downloading 800 files would not constitute isolated in my world. Also, not only did the employer have to pay wages to the employee for this unproductive time, but this could also open up legal action taken against the employer for copyright infringement and media pirating.

The Press herald goes on to report that the Commission ruled that the employer’s code of conduct policy “was not imposed, enforced, or communicated in an equitable manner.”

So what can we learn form this extreme case? Make sure that your policies, including code of conduct, computer and/or electronic usage policies are well documented, communicated and enforced. Contact StaffScapes to review your current policies for proper creation and implementation.