Plant Services - April 2008 - (Page 66)

NEW! An attorney says: Were You Featured In This Magazine? Reprints enable you to reuse your article and simply place it into the hands of your target audience. Having been featured in a well-respected publication adds the credibility of a third-party endorsement to your message. Many employers either ban radios or require ear buds so the music doesn’t disturb coworkers. In all likelihood, the “buzz” emanating from Loh’s headphones wouldn’t have been oﬀensive to Mary, or at least not as oﬀensive as her bellowing the objectionable lyrics. Other employers have solved the audio problem by allowing workers, in turn, to select from pre-approved radio stations. Like so many problems in the workplace, this one normally can be solved by eﬀective employer-employee communication. Communication, however, seems to be Loh’s downfall. But, Acme can’t make the ability to speak English a condition of employment. Under our discrimination laws, employers can’t demand facility with English as a condition of hire unless it’s required by the job. Loh’s job, as a gofer, clearly doesn’t require her to speak English. Acme should consider oﬀering classes in English as a second language to its foreign-born employees or pay for them to attend such classes oﬀered elsewhere. If Loh were able to speak English, she might be able to move up the corporate ladder to a better job than gofer. Profanity should be cause for discipline, and most employers’ work rules prohibit the use of profanity in the workplace. Herman completely dropped the ball in this regard, and his thoughts about this issue should have resulted in him being disciplined. If he was unable or unwilling to address the problem with Loh, he should have marched directly into the human resources oﬃces to seek assistance. In the ﬁnal analysis, it’s good to know that television is good for something. Julie Badel, partner Epstein Becker & Green, P.C (312) 499-1418 jbadel@ebglaw.com • Sales Aids • Recruitment Tools • Secured ePrints • Trade Show Handouts • Media Kit Supplements • Educational Programs • Employee Training • Sales Presentations • Conference Materials • Direct Mail Campaigns FosteReprints 866.879.9144 sales@fostereprints.com 66 A corporate consultant says: When an employee brings a problem to a supervisor, it’s the supervisor’s responsibility to resolve it. Herman dropped the ball; not because he didn’t have the tools to deal with it, but because he didn’t know he didn’t have the tools to deal with it. He could have had another employee or translator communicate with Loh. In most plants, portable music devices can be a distraction and a safety concern. Loh might be only a “gopher,” but any number of potential hazards are present. Workers need to be aware of their surroundings. Rap or talk radio, distracted people lose focus and not see developing hazards. Language proﬁciency is an “either-or” issue. Acme must either establish a minimum competency or it must provide a means for coworkers to communicate eﬀectively. Employees .PLANTSERVICES. A http://www.coxreels.com http://www.coxreels.com http://www.plantservices.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Plant Services - April 2008

Plant Services - April 2008 Contents From the Editor Letters The PS Files Up and Running Crisis Corner What Works Asset Manager Technology Toolbox Cover Story Compressors Motors Flooring Web Hunter In the Trenches Product Picks Classifieds Energy Expert

Plant Services - April 2008

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