Growing up, my parents shared many stories of the struggle, perseverance, and the marginalization of black people. My father frequently closed with, “There’s no shame in being black, it just ain’t easy at times.” He wasn’t kidding! I grew up in a society located smack dab in the middle of the land of the free, and home of the brave …
I have known that distinct smell of marijuana ever since I was in middle school. The year was 1975, and I was spending the night at my very popular older brother’s house (known for his infamous parties). I happened upon that plate beneath to sofa that contained, among other things, a pack of funny little thin papers, little round seeds, …
It was 5 minutes until 5:00 pm on a Friday. I was at my desk holding court about where the Sales team was going for happy hour when suddenly the “personnel” lady appeared with a figurative summons for me to appear in personnel court along with a fellow Account Executive. “Why,” you ask? Two weeks prior while in Sedona, Arizona …
Last month the New York City Commission On Human Rights banned discrimination based on hair. My elation that society had chipped away another chunk of the granite mountain that is discrimination immediately turned to shame, as I was left wondering why such a law was necessary in the year 2019 in the first place. This took me back to a …
At age thirteen I was led to an epiphany. The year was 1976, and this is my story – – I was an eighth grader, rocking a pair of light blue converse all-stars, the perfect afro, and living large at Canterbury Jr. High School. That was the year of my (to this day) most infamous encounter with Clifford, a classmate and neighbor, who by that time …
An auditor arrived for an ambush audit. He asked to speak with the individual who oversees HR–the receptionist called me. Minutes later I entered the conference room where I had her seat him. I extended my hand and said, “Hi I’m William Wiggins, I’m in charge of HR here, what can I do for you today?” He looked at my …
2019 is just around the corner and HR leaders everywhere are making their New Year’s resolutions. I’m not talking about false promises to lay off gluten, flatten that spare tire around the midsection, call grandma in Sheboygan more often, eat more kale, blah blah blah. That’s all well and good, but how about making a collective resolution to your employees and …
It’s that time of year again when there is a certain nip in the air, foretelling if it will be a good or bad winter. This is a time of hot apple cider, roaring fireplaces, football and the mother of all HR events, Open Enrollment! OK, Maybe it doesn’t exactly trump the Super Bowl; but employee benefits can be a …
After being twenty minutes late for our long-awaited connection, she opened the conversation with: “About me, prior to coming here, I worked at a day spa.” “Do you like essential oils?” “I feel like we’ve met before?” “Oh, November is your birthday? That’s Sagittarius, I’m a stereotypical Capricorn.” “Do you have any pets or young children? Good, because we work …
I exited the elevator, right into… “Oh, there you are. Do you have some time later today? I’m totally unsupported. This is a hostile work environment I need to take a medical because of this place…I’m still waiting on my manager to get back to me on that. I’m a Jewish female over 40 with a disability, and I’m being …
