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Vote on Desiree Davidson's Story
Were they afraid we were planning a coup d'etat?
I spent my first summer during Columbia Law School at a firm in Philadelphia described as one of the best places in the city for black lawyers. I believed that if there was any place where I would have an equal chance at opportunities, be treated fairly and succeed, this would be it. There were three black female summer associates out of sixty that year but any time all three of us were in an office talking, one of the partners would knock on the door to see how we were doing. It happened too often to be a coincidence that sometimes we would purposely agree to meet in so-and-so's office to test our theory that we were being monitored. Like clock work, ten minutes after we would get together a partner would stop by.
Being Nice is Good for Business
- Workplace Unfairness
- Female
- Caucasian
- Information Technology/Internet
- Non-Profit
- Corporate Social Responsibility
As a financial officer, I fully recognize and appreciate that businesses have difficulties and that lay-offs may become necessary. But lay-offs can be done in a human way so that employees receive out-placement services, severance and time to figure out what they are going to do. Not only are such policies humane but they're good for business as well. In my 20 years of experience in finance and human resources, I've seen that happy people are more productive. If you treat your people well they will stay - less turn over, less cost.