Colin Powell in his book "It Worked for Me", tells a story about parking lot attendants at the Pentagon that he had befriended. Since there were more cars than spaces, he asked them how they decided who got their car first. He wrote, "They gave each other knowing looks and little smiles. "Mr. Secretary,"...it goes like this, when you drive in, if you lower the window, look out, smile, or know our name, you're number one to get out. But if you look straight ahead, don't show that you see us or that we are doing something for you, well you are likely to be one of the last to get out". Employees who are ignored or worst yet, treated badly, will always find a way to get back at their employer.
A case in point was published in the Sacramento Bee on May 27, 2012 regarding a correctional officer, Sandra Knott. Her story is a tragic one at best. In July 2003 she was diagnosed with cancer. While going through chemotherapy she was placed on "light duty" in an office setting. Her cancer went into remission; she went back to correctional officer duties, but then the cancer recurred. This time under a different warden, when she requested light duty she was denied and told that she needed to" fulfill the essential functions of her job". She was offered other positions that would require walking great distances and being on her feet, but she was clearly unable to perform those duties.
Fellow employees in the meantime were donating their time to her in order to keep her on payroll. She decided to take medical leave but she continued, however, to look for other positions within Corrections and sent a query to Jan O'Neill, chief of the Office of Employee Wellness. O'Neill's response was very succinct: "Your letter makes it sound like your need for medical treatment is of concern to me, she wrote. "My only concern is your ability or inability to safely perform the essential functions of your peace officer classification." AMAZING!!
Needless to say, the Department of Corrections is now settling the case for nearly $1 million dollars in damages and is working with her towards a settlement as she is about 15 months short from being able to retire. Her stage 4 cancer continues, so it remains to be seen whether she will even make it to retirement.
A case in point was published in the Sacramento Bee on May 27, 2012 regarding a correctional officer, Sandra Knott. Her story is a tragic one at best. In July 2003 she was diagnosed with cancer. While going through chemotherapy she was placed on "light duty" in an office setting. Her cancer went into remission; she went back to correctional officer duties, but then the cancer recurred. This time under a different warden, when she requested light duty she was denied and told that she needed to" fulfill the essential functions of her job". She was offered other positions that would require walking great distances and being on her feet, but she was clearly unable to perform those duties.
Fellow employees in the meantime were donating their time to her in order to keep her on payroll. She decided to take medical leave but she continued, however, to look for other positions within Corrections and sent a query to Jan O'Neill, chief of the Office of Employee Wellness. O'Neill's response was very succinct: "Your letter makes it sound like your need for medical treatment is of concern to me, she wrote. "My only concern is your ability or inability to safely perform the essential functions of your peace officer classification." AMAZING!!
Needless to say, the Department of Corrections is now settling the case for nearly $1 million dollars in damages and is working with her towards a settlement as she is about 15 months short from being able to retire. Her stage 4 cancer continues, so it remains to be seen whether she will even make it to retirement.
Such lack of compassion or kindness on behalf of an employer is telling. Officials forget the human condition, and think that employees are widgets to be told what to do and when to do it. They also forget the basic of tenet contained in most religions far and wide -- treat others as you would want to be treated.
Kindness matters, especially at the very top level. Employees observe their leadership and decide what kind of culture exists. And if there is trust in top management and difficult decisions need to be made, employees will know that leaders had their best interests at heart.
Colin Powell goes on to say that "every person in an organization has value and wants that value to be recognized. Everyone needs appreciation and reinforcement. Taking care of employees is perhaps the best form of kindness".
Great words of wisdom from Secretary Colin Powell....
Kindness matters, especially at the very top level. Employees observe their leadership and decide what kind of culture exists. And if there is trust in top management and difficult decisions need to be made, employees will know that leaders had their best interests at heart.
Colin Powell goes on to say that "every person in an organization has value and wants that value to be recognized. Everyone needs appreciation and reinforcement. Taking care of employees is perhaps the best form of kindness".
Great words of wisdom from Secretary Colin Powell....
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