Want Your Workplace to Offer Acceptance, Respect, Empowerment, and Value?
3 May 2023
What Do You Expect from Your Workplace?

Want to know why I do not get along with "traditional" HR managers? And why nobody else specializes in the trades? Here you go!
Behold this "motivational quote": Life is short. Work somewhere you're continuously accepted, respected, encouraged, inspired, empowered, and valued.
This statement is one of the most deceptive, useless statements I have seen in a long time. Beyond the fact that every listed item is subjective and open to interpretation:
- This is obviously targeted towards employees, which leaves the reader assuming employers are the only ones violating the principles of the statement itself.
- Acceptance: Demanding "Continuous Acceptance" defies the concept of accountability. Do something acceptable and you will be accepted.
- Respect, Encouragement, Inspiration: These three are solid, but as indicated in #1, they are all a two way street. EVERYONE should offer respect, encouragement, and inspiration to each other. Before assuming someone is violating one of these things, VERIFY THEIR INTENTION. Intentional communication before making emotionally biased decisions would likely solve 99% of problems we have in society today.
- Empowerment: You cannot demand this of anyone. The only one who can empower you is YOU. Whatever actions you take come with consequences... Both positive and negative. Be prepared and act accordingly.
- "Being Valued": Another variation of Acceptance. Again, not something you can force on someone else. Knowledge that you are valued by another is based on MUTUAL execution of Respect, Encouragement, and Inspiration.
We all have rules we have to follow to protect ourselves legally, whether as a citizen, employee, or employer. The needs of these three categories of people often cause conflict as interpretations vary. Human interaction is complicated by its very nature. The key to survival is removing emotional bias from decision making, intentional communication, and building a firm foundation of Trust among everyone you interact with.
For citizens, there are psychologists to help. For business owners, there is only one H.R. Guy. 😇
End of rant.

Reasonable Accommodations in the workplace are no joke - you can get into serious legal trouble if you don't comply with the ADA. Yet here's a case study on a company who terminated someone for an issue directly related to their disability and was not held legally liable. Check out the details of how this might apply to your business.