Workplace Survival Guide: How To Fight Discrimination, Whistleblowing and the Workers' Compensation System
By Cathy Harris
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About this ebook
Most workplace complaints are filed on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or age.
Most workplaces in America have a system set up to make it appear as though when you file a workplace discrimination complaint that you will receive justice. It is called the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC.gov).
The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination, however, EEOC has many flaws and one must understand that things will not change overnight. However, filing a “workplace complaint” is a good first start to shine the light on what is really occurring at your workplace.
Because of the fallen economy and during hard times, managers, supervisors and others in the workplace will bring in others who look like them –their own relatives, friends and neighbors. These types of internal practices have left many American workers out in the cold with no place to go.
As students embark into the workforce for the first time, many will ponder office perks, work scenarios, and upper mobility. For many it will be their first experience as victims of work abuse. Besides women, and minorities --there has been an alarming pattern of workplace abuse involving teenagers, the most vulnerable group of complainants.
Hundreds of teenagers file discrimination complaints each year with EEOC and other state and local civil rights agencies. More than 70 percent of the cases are sex-related.
The problem is far more prevalent than reported cases suggest. Many of the cases are not reported because many of the teens are really fearful. They have been told that if they told an adult they would be retaliated against. Nationally, most of the charges are against employers in fast-food restaurants, retail and other service industries, places where most of the nation’s nearly 6 million teen workers are employed.
While rape is among the worst abuse teens face on the job, it’s rare. But it does happen. Teens are very savvy in certain areas like fashion, technology and pop culture --but are a lot less savvy when it comes to their rights on the job. This is a huge population of students basically being exposed to sexual assaults or other sexual perverted behaviors.
As we move increasingly more towards diversity, workplaces must learn to treat everyone with dignity. They must embrace fair hiring not only because it is the right thing to do also because it’s good business. There must be checks and balances put into place to make sure that there is more than just an appearance of justice when you file a workplace discrimination complaint.
Women, minorities and teenagers should not and cannot afford to back away from the workplace. Some companies welcome women, African Americans or gays, but are horrible at welcoming the “disabled.” If you don’t have an inclusive workforce, people know that. The word “a diverse market” gets out pretty fast. You have to “walk the walk!”
Minorities, especially African Americans who are treated as if they are second and third class citizens in their own country, are no longer “the last hired and first fired.” Nowadays --they are not hired at all.
We can no longer turn a blind eye to these types of disparities. Remember tough times, means tough choices and this book will lay out an action plan for you and your entire family to take control of your own life should you find yourself facing workplace discrimination or any other disparities in the workplace.
This book will show everyone -- how to fight workplace discrimination, whistleblowing and the workers’ compensation system –AND WIN.
To learn more about discrimination in the workplace read the two-part volume book “Discrimination 101: The Complete Guide to Recognizing and Surviving Discrimination in the Workplace” (Volume I and II). Good luck!
Cathy Harris
Cathy Harris is an Empowerment and Motivational Speaker, Health and Wellness Expert, Business Coach and the self-help author of 18 books. She is an expert on many different topics including health, business, writing/publishing, workplace discrimination, whistleblowing, law enforcement, domestic and international traveling, politics, community relations, family empowerment, and media. Her books and articles are full of content-rich material to help anyone get back into the driver’s seat.
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Workplace Survival Guide - Cathy Harris
OTHER BOOKS BY CATHY HARRIS
The Cathy Harris Story
The Failure of Homeland In-Security
Police Interactions 101
Domestic and International Traveler’s Survival Guide
Recession Survival Guide
Discrimination 101 (Volume I & Volume II)
A Woman’s Guide to Buying a New or Used Vehicle (Part I & II)
How To Write A Book
My Hair, My Crown, My Glory
Politics 101
Cancer Cures
A Self-Help Guide to Empowering Your Family and the Entire Community (Series 1)
A Self-Help Guide to Starting Your Own Business (Series 2)
A Self-Help Guide to Becoming Healthier Over the Next 30 Days (Series 3)
WORKPLACE SURVIVAL GUIDE:
HOW TO FIGHT DISCRIMINATION, WHISTLEBLOWING AND THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION SYSTEM
by
Cathy Harris
SMASHWORDS EDITION
PUBLISHED BY:
Angels Press on Smashwords
Angels Press
P.O. Box 5288
Atlanta, GA 31107
http://www.AngelsPress.com
info@AngelsPress.com
Workplace Survival Guide: How To Fight Discrimination, Whistleblowing and the
Workers’ Compensation System
Copyright 2012 by Cathy Harris
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
Smashwords Edition License Notes:
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Preface
Chapter 1. Top 10 Steps on How To Survive Discrimination in the Workplace
Alarming Workplace Statistics
Steps to Take When Entering the Workplace
The Truth About EEOC.gov
The Real Truth about EEOC and Federal Agencies
Mediation vs. Litigation?
Chapter 2. Top 10 Steps on How To Blow the Whistle On or Off the Job
EEOC.gov Whistleblowers
Examples of Private Industry Whistleblower Lawsuits
Examples of Federal Whistleblower Lawsuits
Chapter 3. Top 10 Steps on How To Challenge the Workers’ Compensation System
Top Reasons Supervisors Abuse Their Employees
Workplace Abuse Results in Workplace Violence
Four Workers’ Compensation Programs
Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
What Companies Can Do to Keep Down Discrimination in the Workplace
About the Author
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to my two lovely daughters who are business owners and future leaders of America. Both of you have made me very, very proud.
It is also dedicated to anyone who would like to build more productive working relationships in the workplace. Always have the courage to stand up for your beliefs and remember that the truth
is still the most powerful political weapon on this planet.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to acknowledge my friends in the workplace who helped keep me focused on my goals to continue to fight the good fight. My victory was also –your victory!
PREFACE – A NOTE TO THE READER
One of America’s deep, dark secrets is ‘workplace abuse’ also known as ‘workplace discrimination’ or ‘workplace bullying.’ Workplace discrimination is the treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit. Most workplace complaints are filed on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or age.
Most workplaces in America have a system set up to make it appear as though when you file a workplace discrimination complaint that you will receive justice. It is called the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC.gov).
The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination, however, EEOC has many flaws and one must understand that things will not change overnight. However, filing a workplace complaint
is a good first start to shine the light on what is really occurring at your workplace.
Because of the fallen economy and during hard times, managers, supervisors and others in the workplace will bring in others who look like them –their own relatives, friends and neighbors. These types of internal practices have left many American workers out in the cold with no place to go.
As students embark into the workforce for the first time, many will ponder office perks, work scenarios, and upper mobility. For many it will be their first experience as victims of work abuse. Besides women, and minorities --there has been an alarming pattern of workplace abuse involving teenagers, the most vulnerable group of complainants.
Hundreds of teenagers file discrimination complaints each year with EEOC and other state and local civil rights agencies. More than 70 percent of the cases are sex-related.
The problem is far more prevalent than reported cases suggest. Many of the cases are not reported because many of the teens are really fearful. They have been told that if they told an adult they would be retaliated against. Nationally, most of the charges are against employers in fast-food restaurants, retail and other service industries, places where most of the nation’s nearly 6 million teen workers are employed.
While rape is among the worst abuse teens face on the job, it’s rare. But it does happen. Teens are very savvy in certain areas like fashion, technology and pop culture --but are a lot less savvy when it comes to their rights on the job. This is a huge population of students basically being exposed to sexual assaults or other sexual perverted behaviors.
As we move increasingly more towards diversity, workplaces must learn to treat everyone with dignity. They must embrace fair hiring not only because it is the right thing to do also because it’s good business. There must be checks and balances put into place to make sure that there is more than just an appearance of justice when you file a workplace discrimination complaint.
Women, minorities and teenagers should not and cannot afford to back away from the workplace. Some companies welcome women, African Americans or gays, but are horrible at welcoming the disabled.
If you don’t have an inclusive workforce, people know that. The word a diverse market
gets out pretty fast. You have to walk the walk!
Minorities, especially African Americans who are treated as if they are second and third class citizens in their own country, are no longer the last hired and first fired.
Nowadays --they are not hired at all.
We can no longer turn a blind eye to these types of disparities. Remember tough times, means tough choices and this book will lay out an action plan for you and your entire family to take control of your own life should you find yourself facing workplace discrimination or any other disparities in the workplace.
This book will show everyone -- how to fight workplace discrimination, whistleblowing and the workers’ compensation system –AND WIN.
To learn more about discrimination in the workplace read the two-part volume book Discrimination 101: The Complete Guide to Recognizing and Surviving Discrimination in the Workplace
(Volume I and II). Good luck!
CHAPTER 1: TOP 10 STEPS ON HOW TO SURVIVE DISCRIMINATION IN THE WORKPLACE
When seeking employment --you need to inquire about family-friendly policies. Do they have flex-time and a flex workplace, and who has access to them? How are job openings posted? What kind of relationship does the company have with nonprofit organizations? Where do they recruit? Do they participate in the United Negro College Fund?
Alarming Workplace Statistics
Surviving in the workplace means having the tools to fight back if you find yourself in that vulnerable position.
As you read this book you will understand that there is some alarming workplace statistics out there such as:
• Over 85% of workers are unhappy with their jobs.
• Over 85% of workers are one (1) paycheck away from being homeless.
• The goal of abusive managers is to break the spirit
of good hard-working, honest employees.
• Because of the weak economy -- nepotism, favoritism and cronyism have polluted MOST workplaces in America.
Many issues affecting women in the workplace include:
• Depression is the number one barrier women