Category Archives: Diversity Training

Patricia Berkly LLC on the Move

bullying, companies who offer diversity training, Discrimination, Diversity Training, diversity training consultants

Patricia Berkly LLC on the Move


 Patricia Berkly LLC on the Move

Patricia Berkly LLC on the Move

Fall is a traditional time to get back in the swing of things with the beginning of the school year and people returning from vacation. Subsequently, the fall has been quite hectic for Dr. Leah Hollis, President of Patricia Berkly, LLC. In early fall, Dr. Hollis was featured on WBZN to discuss her book UNEQUAL OPPORTUNITY. Also, Dr. Hollis was featured with Coach Ron Tunick from Ventura, CA. The Pacific Coast drive time radio show informed listeners on how to be on the lookout for discriminatory behavior in the workplace. Later in September, Dr. Hollis visited St. Francis University to offer diversity training for staff and students. Workshops included “Inclusive Curriculum” and “The Intersection of Bullying and Diversity” for the athletic department. Her busy day culminated with a lecture: “Changing Agents: Innovators, leadership and diversity management.”

September also included a visit to the business owners at the Lions Club in Flemington, NJ to discuss “The Perfect Storm: Retaliation in the Workplace.” The most recent EEOC statistics again reveal that retaliation was the leading complaint area in 2011, surpassing race and gender discrimination complaints. Visit the Patricia Berkly LLC YOU TUBE Channel for lectures and other critical information on workplace discrimination.

Later the same month, Dr. Hollis also visited with the PA- NOW Conference in greater Philadelphia to present “Care for the Caregiver.” As the EEOC advises, gender discrimination is not just about being discriminated against because of gender, but also due to the care giving duties typically assigned to women.

The fall continued with a hectic schedule for Dr. Hollis as she presented “Up to Date- Out of Court: Five Updates every employer should know.” Her legal update of Supreme Court cases was provided through the Johnstown Chamber for Commerce for HRCI credits for Human Resources professional in the Laurel Highlands. The same weekend, Dr. Hollis presented a lecture for the SUPER SIXTY of Richland High School and their parents. In these tough economic times, Dr. Hollis conveyed her message of positive imagery and optimism to actualize goals and objectives. October concluded with a national webinar on Workplace Bullying and Employee Engagement. Participants attended from corporations and higher education to learn more on this critical topic plaguing the workplace. Through the year, Dr. Hollis has addressed the topic of bullying, harassment and discrimination. While bullying is technically legal, it is costly and debilitating to any organization. Visit the Patricia Berkly LLC YouTube Channel for lectures and other critical information on work place discrimination.

November will continue with a busy schedule as Dr. Hollis makes a second appearance on the Jim Blasingame Show from Alabama to discus workplace bullying. She also authored “Avoiding Bullies in the Executive Talent Acquisition Process for Todd Raphael of ERE.net. With events planned in late December, and Spring 2012, Leah Hollis of Patricia Berkly LLC has been on the move!

How to avoid being target of discrimination…

companies who offer diversity training, cultural diversity training, Discrimination, Diversity Training

How to avoid being target of discrimination…

How to avoid being target of discrimination…

How to avoid being target of discrimination…

 

 

Even if an organization is located in an “at-will state”, it still must comply with Federal Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

The EEOC has reported again an all time high in the number of complaints with 99,922 complaints reported in 2010, up over 7,000 complaints from 2009.  “Retaliation” now leads the complain area, surpassing “race” as the most common complaint.

The recession has certainly had an impact on the record number of complaints.  In the past, dissatisfied or poorly treated workers would find other employment. In a sluggish economy, people stay in bad situations longer, and find themselves the target of potentially discriminatory practices.  Further, employees are more educated about the laws and are more likely to exercise their rights in a fiscally challenging environment.  After being fired, and with meager job prospected, terminated employees are more likely to sue than to simply walk away from a situation where he or she experienced a tangible loss.

Retaliation is the largest complaint area, yet one of the easiest to avoid.  Once an employee complains about his or civil rights, he or she should not face adverse employment action.

In short, retaliation is when an employee complains, and something bad happens to them.  

Retaliation is not just about being fired; it can include other employment actions such as demotion, transfer, or a change in shift.

Employers who have regular training can avoid falling into a snare of the changing EEOC rules.  As the breadth of retaliation has changed in 2010 and the fact that ORAL complaints are now viable, organizations needs to keep managers and supervisors compliant with the EEOC rules to avoid costly lawsuits.

Here are a few steps you can take:

1.      Review HR policies regularly to insure these policies comply with most recent legislation,
2.      Invest in a regular training calendar.  Training is far cheaper than the cost to defend a law suit,
3.      Keep in mind that diversity training is nice, but it application to EEOC policy is critical,
4.      Take ALL complaints seriously and include HR BEFORE changes in employment status for those who complained.

For more information, visit Leah Hollis, the President and Founder of Patricia Berkly LLC a diversity training and consulting group. Dr. Hollis has conducted several lectures and assisted clients with this issue.  Her group is atwww.diversitytrainingconsultants.com.

The recent book Unequal Opportunity, offers details about discrimination and harassment cases, and suggests solutions for managers.  Visitwww.diversitytrainingconsultants.com for more details.
Contact: Patricia Berkly LLC for training solutions that can help your organization.