View from the Plateau

The BWV syndrome and employment

2011-10-02T14:45:00.001-06:00

Forbes.com article (H/T Uncle Elmer).

There was an article on this issue recently on Forbes.com and this is too important not to cover. The article covers the special needs of employees suffering from BWV syndrome*. BWV is a genetic condition and those who have it must deal with it their entire lives. In the past many employers avoided hiring people with the condition, or limited them to positions which didn’t cause them undue stress.

Now employers know they can and should hire people with BWV for every role within the enterprise. The problem now is that employers are making the mistake of treating employees with BWV as if they were any other employee. This isn’t fair to employees with BWV, because they have special needs which the employer needs to consider. Chief among these is the problems those with BWV experience when forced to make trade offs between competing priorities, or when they are forced to make and stand by long term decisions.

For example, someone with BWV syndrome will be caused undue stress if they have responsibilities both inside and outside the workplace. A normal employee could handle say a position as account manager while also performing common tasks at home such as yard work, painting, and basic repairs. However, those with BWV would find such an arrangement unbearable. Employers must take this into account with BWV employees, and work with their caretaker to make sure their combined workload isn’t excessive. While a BWV employee may have no trouble handling basic office work, if this is compounded by adding tasks outside of work such as dusting and vacuuming this will often cause them undue stress.

The special needs of BWV employees must also be considered when looking at their motivation for working. BWV employees function best when their employment is purely optional. Unlike your other employees it is important that they not feel compelled to work to meet their financial needs. HR departments need to take this into consideration when devising BWV friendly policies.

Another area where traditional HR policies cause undue stress on BWV employees is in the area of vacation time. Other employees are able to plan ahead and arrange to take their vacation time as needed. However, this kind of policy puts the BWV sufferer in the position they are least able to manage. It forces them to make a decision between two competing priorities, and also forces them to engage in long term planning. In the Forbes article the author (who herself suffers from BWV syndrome) described the stress this caused her when her family moved:

Years ago, as a corporate VP in a large national marketing firm, I was “put down” by the head of HR for my choice to take a week off to move my family, including my husband and our two small children, to another city. This HR leader said to me, “I moved to another town with my kids last month and only took a half day off.”

Clearly the normal policy of having the employee schedule their vacation time in advance was not a BWV friendly policy. This forces someone with BWV to both plan ahead, and to make an excruciating trade off in whether they would rather take their vacation time to relax vs to make their life outside of work go smoothly. This kind of thoughtlessness by employers must stop.

She gave another example of how well intended HR policies can be downright cruel to BWV sufferers. One firm had a policy which allowed those with BWV to take time off when needed to focus on their home life. This would seem to be extremely BWV friendly because it removes the need to make a decision requiring trade-offs. However, those with BWV who took this option found that they weren’t given credit for the time they weren’t at work when it came to career advancement. So the promised avoidance of making a trade-off decision was in fact a lie. Only if companies pretend that BWV sufferers were in fact working in the office while actually not working can we offer an equitable solution to BWV sufferers. If you run a business, you need to talk with your HR department immediately about this and the other issues mentioned in the Forbes.com article (H/T Uncle Elmer).

*”Born With Vagina”

Division of labour

2011-09-27T23:43:00.001-06:00

Since I'm experimenting with the blogger new styles and new techniques View From The Plateau will be text only for a while.

Bookworm Room: Work as Contribution–Danny Lemieux

2011-09-27T08:58:00.001-06:00

Cole’s Note: It’s been a while since this Blog has been updated – and I haven’t had the spleen to rant lately about the working world in general, but I found this article over at the Bookworm Room and reproduce it in it’s entirety below.

Work as contribution

Danny Lemieux on Sep 27 2011 at 7:40 am | Filed under: Capitalism, Economics, Hard Work

A short time ago, my priest gave a sermon that addressed the deep sorrow and sense of worthlessness internalized by our parishioners that were unemployed. The point of the sermon, actually, was how the unemployed felt “useless” and demeaned for being unable to provide for their families, but that nobody in God’s family should ever feel useless or demeaned. Fine sentiments.

It struck me, though, that we miss a big part of what work represents: contribution. We work to contribute to our society. The value of that contribution to society is often measured by the money we make (profit is a measure of value creation). Whether you design a new i-gizmo, manage a postal delivery room, mop floors or serve-up burgers at the big-M, you are contributing and, as such, your work is noble. A mind game that I like to play when people speak of certain work being beneath them is to ask, what if that job just disappeared: no ditch diggers, no burger flippers, no cleaning people, no garbage collectors (oops, “sanitation engineers)? Not a pretty picture, is it?

I once reminded my kids of this when they made fun of fast-food service workers. Both ended up working as restaurant help (my son worked at Taco Bell). It was good for them.

I suspect that much of the angst and ennui that we see among the unemployed, trust-fund babies and the badly-employed (i.e., those that knowingly cause damage to society) is a deep seated awareness that they are not contributing. This leads to anger, antisocial behaviours and tantrums. In many case, not only they not contributing, but they feed off the productivity of the contributors. That certainly doesn’t contribute to self-esteem. On the other hand, if you contribute, you don’t need to feel bad about yourself. I am at an age where my peers love nothing more than to mentor younger employees and pass on the knowledge they have accumulated over their careers. There is a wonderful light in the eyes of these veterans – they are contributing!

Unfortunately, I sense that our society has been drifting away from this. Work is seen by too many as something that one is forced to do in order to survive, a necessary drudgery. Wage slaves. It’s so unfair! Too many people choose professions because they want to make money, rather than by their sense of how they will contribute. I have known many such people, some very wealthy, most of whom were profoundly unhappy.

That’s too bad. I suspect that one big reason our country is in decline is because we measure tend to measure our lives by the material things we obtain rather than by how we contribute to society.

I suggest that one way we can really help our country is to re-ennoble the value of work by, as Book mentioned so eloquently in an earlier post, reframing its meaning. I don’t care what kind of work somebody does…just as long as they contribute, it is noble, it is good.

If you disagree with me, let me know. If you agree, then go let’s go and find some young kids and explain to them the nobility of work as a contribution to society. Don’t ask people what they do for a living, ask them how they “contribute”. I suggest that we could spread around quite a bit of happiness and self worth that way.

That’s just my two cents, of course.

Quote of the Day

2011-09-17T10:26:00.001-06:00

There is no incontrovertible evidence that global warming is caused by human activity. Man-made global warming has always been simply a theory

read it all

Coming Back

2011-08-10T16:17:00.001-06:00

Slowly but surely, the plateau is coming back to life. Right now – the site has been re-vamped for the new web and a new design to make it easier to follow.

Just adjusting things

2011-03-25T12:11:00.001-06:00

Checking the RSS feeds and Twitter and Facebook Notify

Whether Fares Journalism?

2011-03-18T15:57:00.001-06:00

A most excellent post in American Thinker today on the influence of the left in the main stream media.

The Media and the Republicans

By Steve McCann

As a consequence of the media's perception of their role in ending the Vietnam War and through exposing Watergate forcing Richard Nixon to resign, the press began to look upon themselves not as an neutral reporters of the news but rather as a crusaders out to right the wrongs, as they perceived them. Journalism, as taught in the university and promoted by those who had been active in the 1960's, became to be viewed as a vehicle for social and economic change.

As further incentive, the journalists who successfully assumed the role of societal avenger were feted by their fellow scribes, became celebrities, and, coincidently, achieved great wealth.

read it all

2011-01-13T13:11:00.001-07:00

Our Post-Modern Left http://ping.fm/AyyLO

2011-01-12T13:27:00.001-07:00

I Can Hear The Civility From My House http://ping.fm/P4his

2011-01-12T00:45:00.001-07:00

Reporter Jeanette Stewart has created an ethical scandal for her newspapers http://ping.fm/r3LzG

2011-01-12T00:40:00.001-07:00

The Media Has Declared... WAR! http://ping.fm/l3boB

2011-01-11T10:30:00.001-07:00

What Publishers & Authors Need to Know About Quora http://ping.fm/58737

2011-01-10T09:08:00.001-07:00

Murders, Lies, and Liberal Fantasies of Conservatives http://ping.fm/wc4en

2011-01-09T15:19:00.001-07:00

Arizona Shootings: 'It Was a Colossal Failure of Journalism' http://ping.fm/r3ZEn

2011-01-07T15:07:00.001-07:00

CREDENTIALED DELUSIONS http://ping.fm/v4VCF

2011-01-07T12:13:00.001-07:00

Why Wasn’t I Consulted? http://ping.fm/3Rzo3

2011-01-07T11:41:00.001-07:00

"Ethical Oil" framework adopted by new Environment Minister http://ping.fm/gy8gL

2011-01-07T11:31:00.001-07:00

Stephen Harper criticizes police for apologizing for Ramadan arrests http://ping.fm/202o9

2011-01-07T11:09:00.001-07:00

Why the Constitution is Better Than Marx http://ping.fm/YIHr9

2011-01-07T10:29:00.001-07:00

Thank God These People Are on the Other Side of the World http://ping.fm/hmYaM

2011-01-07T10:12:00.001-07:00

Sex and War; Political Correctness and Perversion http://ping.fm/x5ejB

2011-01-06T12:27:00.001-07:00

Happy Whiny People http://ping.fm/pFrfR

2011-01-05T01:07:00.001-07:00

Psychology and the Shrinking of America http://ping.fm/LyKNu

2011-01-03T12:48:00.001-07:00

The Greatest Trick the Devil Ever Pulled http://ping.fm/jeuSd

2011-01-02T11:46:00.001-07:00

Nuclear Proliferation and Democracy http://ping.fm/lgbVa

2011-01-02T11:34:00.001-07:00

Tend My Flock http://ping.fm/iwAq1

2011-01-02T11:21:00.001-07:00

Obama's Bucket and Other Social Science Insights into His Presidency http://ping.fm/CIIyF

2011-01-01T11:24:00.001-07:00

Don’t Hide in the Dark http://ping.fm/HswGP

2011-01-01T11:15:00.001-07:00

INTERNAL RECTIFICATION http://ping.fm/Vll2W

2011-01-01T10:54:00.001-07:00

2011 Prediction: Media Hits New "Warming" Low http://ping.fm/DC7xH

2010-12-31T09:47:00.001-07:00

"What the Constitution Means to Me." http://ping.fm/aAjMb

2010-12-30T18:24:00.001-07:00

Some Predictions for 2011 http://ping.fm/SzRXu

2010-12-30T16:07:00.001-07:00

City.vi http://ping.fm/BbjDF

2010-12-28T19:04:00.001-07:00

The Missing Link in the Evolution of Barack Obama http://ping.fm/N5xtR

2010-12-27T15:59:00.001-07:00

Obama Destined to Be a Footnote in Presidential History http://ping.fm/GwHIK

2010-12-27T10:50:00.001-07:00

They Miss W. http://ping.fm/mJQv8

2010-12-27T10:48:00.001-07:00

The World Pivots http://ping.fm/2sA6f

2010-12-25T11:49:00.001-07:00

Merry Christmas, Richard Dawkins http://ping.fm/lYhRy

2010-12-23T23:47:00.001-07:00

Saved by Christmas http://ping.fm/wBrO3

2010-12-21T09:28:00.001-07:00

For Those Who Believed Arts Money Was Awarded Fairly http://ping.fm/EjtkN

2010-12-20T12:23:00.001-07:00

Swedes just wanna have fun http://ping.fm/4XLBo

2010-12-19T14:55:00.003-07:00

A Christmas appreciation http://ping.fm/quD3w

2010-12-19T14:55:00.001-07:00

“It’s all about profits!” http://ping.fm/rVstU

2010-12-19T09:48:00.001-07:00

What would an Ignatiff government look like? http://ping.fm/EffhV

2010-12-18T11:10:00.001-07:00

Google eBooks: Is That All There Is? http://ping.fm/j7h3Q

2010-12-17T11:17:00.001-07:00

The Adolescent Left http://ping.fm/ZcwUe

2010-12-17T11:01:00.001-07:00

The West ascendant: Canada's new political power http://ping.fm/ZjE1q

2010-12-17T10:35:00.001-07:00

A Lawyer's Perspective on Publishing, and on Fair Use http://ping.fm/EcSUm

2010-12-16T12:20:00.001-07:00

Why We Should Get Ready for a Plunge in Print-Book Sales http://ping.fm/WdNOY

2010-12-16T10:54:00.001-07:00

When The Communists Show Up To Protest The Nazis http://ping.fm/dFVu7

2010-12-16T10:47:00.003-07:00

The First American Prime Minister http://ping.fm/e0WIt

2010-12-16T10:47:00.001-07:00

MSM is not connecting the dots (are we surprised?) http://ping.fm/p6teP

2010-12-14T14:26:00.001-07:00

Pity the Poor Terrorist http://ping.fm/jsxa0

2010-12-13T13:31:00.003-07:00

God and Man at Columbia http://ping.fm/Vhw4n

2010-12-13T13:31:00.001-07:00

Teen Tyrants http://ping.fm/oSnE2

2010-12-13T13:13:00.001-07:00

David Suzuki's brave old world http://ping.fm/ZTYzs

2010-12-13T10:09:00.001-07:00

A Desperate Call From Gibby http://ping.fm/rU2Ln

2010-12-12T22:28:00.003-07:00

Liberals, NDP, Bloc gang up on Alberta http://ping.fm/TowBh

2010-12-12T22:28:00.001-07:00

The Ramsayization of Society http://ping.fm/RC3l2

2010-12-11T15:36:00.001-07:00

The Saturday Interview: Victor Davis Hanson ‘therapeutic’ culture heart of U.S. problem http://ping.fm/AvRue

2010-12-11T01:19:00.001-07:00

Death of the Global Warming Myth http://ping.fm/gxWSN

2010-12-10T19:34:00.001-07:00

Kim and the Khyber http://ping.fm/cI01h

2010-12-10T09:48:00.001-07:00

The Enablers: The Men of Words http://ping.fm/F9Nc4

2010-12-09T00:34:00.001-07:00

WikiLeaks, Stuxnet, Cyberwar, and Obama http://ping.fm/vNlXa

2010-12-07T11:14:00.001-07:00

CableGate's Grand Illusion http://ping.fm/kRoZk

2010-12-07T10:59:00.001-07:00

Multiculturalism, R.I.P. http://ping.fm/edsj5

2010-12-07T10:32:00.001-07:00

It’s a Norman Rockwell world out there, even for the haters http://ping.fm/WZPrw

2010-12-06T13:24:00.001-07:00

What's an Italian supercar doing in a federal government surplus sale? http://ping.fm/ihsBd

2010-12-06T12:45:00.001-07:00

Google eBookstore Cheered by Indie Booksellers http://ping.fm/RY0KV

2010-12-06T12:42:00.001-07:00

Privation for Thee. Not for Me http://ping.fm/reZn5

2010-12-06T11:58:00.001-07:00

Can Google Save Indie Bookstores? http://ping.fm/hDbko

2010-12-06T11:45:00.001-07:00

Dear atheists: Most don’t care what you think http://ping.fm/29KFJ

2010-12-06T11:27:00.001-07:00

Politically Incorrect Powerful Women http://ping.fm/UXnZn

2010-12-04T16:25:00.007-07:00

Alternative Energy and the Academy at Lagado http://ping.fm/Jlmbh

2010-12-04T16:25:00.005-07:00

Alternative Energy and the Academy at Lagado http://ping.fm/0p66W

2010-12-04T16:25:00.003-07:00

Caught at Three A.M. With the Secretary http://ping.fm/k8prC

2010-12-04T16:25:00.001-07:00

Caught at Three A.M. With the Secretary http://ping.fm/V8COU

2010-12-02T10:42:00.001-07:00

Liberals and the Coming Redistribution of Fault http://ping.fm/gUBnw

2010-12-01T15:36:00.001-07:00

Assange's Strange Anti-Imperialism http://spectator.org/

Blog Notes–December 1, 2010

2010-12-01T14:35:00.001-07:00

The View from the Plateau site has been kind of quiet lately – personal issues and time constraints have kept me away from writing for the last while – only thanks to Twitter and the Google news sharing has kept my blog from going completely dormant.

Well, hopefully, no more – I’ve just been updating the systems around Casa Cole for the last couple of months and this is in a nature of a first post using the new machine.

For details of the tech – It’s a new Lenovo Desktop running Windows 7 – 64 bit and a ton of the new Windows Live technologies – including an updated version of the Windows Writer software – which is used to manage and create the site.

I do admit to being distracted the last month or so with the new Apple iPad. (Hell – I even have two of them) and the X-box 360 with the new add on for motion control and playing with these toys trying to see if they are good for blogging and reporting.

So far – I’ve not been able to find anything that lets me create and manage the blogs as well as the Windows machine and the writer software. But the downside is that the iPad is a real time-burner. Allied with the Apple TV – I’ve spending more and more time consuming blogs, TV shows, Movies and news feeds than creating.postings.

Hopefully – doing the redesign to add in some more sharing buttons and linking to my Facebook page at facebook.com/colecoop – plus getting links from twitter and LinkedIn

So this will be an on-going update. There are some issues I’m trying to resolve – like why it’s posting multiple times to Facebook and bouncing around all over the place – as I try to get this going again. Thanks for the patience.

2010-12-01T10:33:00.001-07:00

Thank God for the First Amendment http://ping.fm/lppOZ

2010-11-29T00:32:00.001-07:00

The Cancun Climate Capers http://ping.fm/laor2

2010-11-29T00:24:00.001-07:00

Me Being President http://ping.fm/keWVw

2010-11-28T15:02:00.001-07:00

Did You Know Israel Created Radical Islam? http://ping.fm/LzimM

2010-11-28T12:25:00.001-07:00

Conrad Black: Canada's military identity crisis http://ping.fm/lvBzE

2010-11-27T10:43:00.001-07:00

The Immorality of Class Warfare http://ping.fm/kGpV7

2010-11-26T10:45:00.001-07:00

What’s important to conservatives and liberals, or why they talk past each other http://ping.fm/aTQSC

2010-11-25T15:04:00.001-07:00

Jason Kenney Does It Again http://ping.fm/mKsVy

2010-11-23T10:32:00.003-07:00

Canadians don't trust Greenpeace http://ping.fm/kOF73

2010-11-23T10:32:00.001-07:00

Off to Fort McMurray (and minus 30 degrees!) http://ping.fm/2gnJ6

2010-11-23T10:28:00.001-07:00

The Case Against Health: Why pleasure is our highest good http://ping.fm/iLTLk

2010-11-23T10:23:00.001-07:00

The Decline of British Politics http://ping.fm/O73EL

2010-11-22T11:26:00.001-07:00

No Business, No Jobs http://ping.fm/Stz1L

2010-11-22T11:12:00.001-07:00

First You Need A Hat http://ping.fm/JEfGh

2010-11-21T13:13:00.001-07:00

Students are supposed to read books, not burn them http://ping.fm/iqKQq

2010-11-21T13:09:00.001-07:00

Washington Post: Judeo-Christian Ethic Is a 'Problem' to
Be Solved http://ping.fm/f1Jct

2010-11-20T15:34:00.001-07:00

Bedbugs in the UN http://ping.fm/ds77K

2010-11-20T15:09:00.001-07:00

Fools and Their Money http://ping.fm/FceIY

2010-11-20T14:56:00.001-07:00

George W. Bush: His Own Man http://ping.fm/4iU9x

2010-11-20T07:32:00.001-07:00

FP Tech Desk: Give the gift of Starbucks via Facebook http://ping.fm/ELBsG