Comments on: Strength of Character–Lessons from Penn State http://blog.shrm.org/?p=616 Sat, 05 Jan 2013 21:33:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Tracey http://blog.shrm.org/?p=616#comment-1166 Tracey Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:17:29 +0000 http://blog.shrm.org/?p=616#comment-1166 Marcy, Your comments are well taken in regards to the power an institution (even sometimes individuals) possess. How often difficult it must be to do the right thing when no one is watching. When a story breaks like this one - we quickly judge the people who could have done something or more to prevent the situation. However, we forget that most likely these are people just like ourselves. Again, I stress that individuals have to decide if they can live with not doing what they know is right. I don't deny that it can be a tough decision even if it means potential risk of losing their livelihoods. Marcy,

Your comments are well taken in regards to the power an institution (even sometimes individuals) possess. How often difficult it must be to do the right thing when no one is watching. When a story breaks like this one – we quickly judge the people who could have done something or more to prevent the situation. However, we forget that most likely these are people just like ourselves.

Again, I stress that individuals have to decide if they can live with not doing what they know is right. I don’t deny that it can be a tough decision even if it means potential risk of losing their livelihoods.

]]> By: Marcy http://blog.shrm.org/?p=616#comment-1141 Marcy Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:12:30 +0000 http://blog.shrm.org/?p=616#comment-1141 I hear and agree with everything being said.Let's not forget, though, how organizations can eat their young, metaphorically speaking. Like all powerful institutions, there continued existence is paramount, maybe the most important characteristic to them. Individuals who observe wrongdoing and report it are putting themselves and their jobs at risk. Many times a whistleblower pays and pays for doing the right thing--including never working in his or her field again. Maybe having difficulty finding a job at all. None of this is to say it's OK to let something as egregious as thie go unreported. In many cases, maybe all cases, of reported child abuse, there is a mechanism to keep the reporter's name confidential. The trouble is, the institution is powerful enough to ruin the individual's life. And will. That's the saddest part. I hear and agree with everything being said.Let’s not forget, though, how organizations can eat their young, metaphorically speaking. Like all powerful institutions, there continued existence is paramount, maybe the most important characteristic to them. Individuals who observe wrongdoing and report it are putting themselves and their jobs at risk. Many times a whistleblower pays and pays for doing the right thing–including never working in his or her field again. Maybe having difficulty finding a job at all.

None of this is to say it’s OK to let something as egregious as thie go unreported. In many cases, maybe all cases, of reported child abuse, there is a mechanism to keep the reporter’s name confidential. The trouble is, the institution is powerful enough to ruin the individual’s life. And will. That’s the saddest part.

]]> By: Bernie Dyme http://blog.shrm.org/?p=616#comment-1140 Bernie Dyme Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:41:11 +0000 http://blog.shrm.org/?p=616#comment-1140 Culture is critical. As we all know, values come from the top and there should always be a culture of openness. But in all of this, we also need to create mechanisms which allow employees to seek assistance when they are in need. Emloyee Assistance Programs are such mechanisms. These programs can help folks with problems either before they act out if there is an openness to getting help from leadership. They can also help the victims and their families. Finally, they can help those who are left in the aftermath such as the employees who continue to work in the workplaces like Penn State. Culture is critical. As we all know, values come from the top and there should always be a culture of openness. But in all of this, we also need to create mechanisms which allow employees to seek assistance when they are in need. Emloyee Assistance Programs are such mechanisms. These programs can help folks with problems either before they act out if there is an openness to getting help from leadership. They can also help the victims and their families. Finally, they can help those who are left in the aftermath such as the employees who continue to work in the workplaces like Penn State.

]]> By: Tracey http://blog.shrm.org/?p=616#comment-1012 Tracey Fri, 18 Nov 2011 01:03:52 +0000 http://blog.shrm.org/?p=616#comment-1012 When we hear of these types of tragedies we often hear other people comment on how could others have turned such a blind eye? I try to put myself in the witnesses shoes and honestly ask myself what would I do in similar circumstances. I think the answer really determines if you can really look yourself in the mirror knowing you chose not to do the right thing. As mentioned; organizations having clear and communicated reporting processess helps. However, I think we all possess a sense of when something isn't quite right such as might have been the case at Penn State. When we hear of these types of tragedies we often hear other people comment on how could others have turned such a blind eye? I try to put myself in the witnesses shoes and honestly ask myself what would I do in similar circumstances. I think the answer really determines if you can really look yourself in the mirror knowing you chose not to do the right thing.

As mentioned; organizations having clear and communicated reporting processess helps. However, I think we all possess a sense of when something isn’t quite right such as might have been the case at Penn State.

]]> By: Beth Mirza http://blog.shrm.org/?p=616#comment-1006 Beth Mirza Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:50:00 +0000 http://blog.shrm.org/?p=616#comment-1006 Thanks Miriam. The fallout from this tragedy is going to be widespread. Thanks for reading and commenting. Thanks Miriam. The fallout from this tragedy is going to be widespread. Thanks for reading and commenting.

]]> By: Miriam Russell http://blog.shrm.org/?p=616#comment-1001 Miriam Russell Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:01:42 +0000 http://blog.shrm.org/?p=616#comment-1001 These horrific acts from Penn State mirror the unethical and illegal conduct of Wall Street. Values need to be asserted, boundaries or regulations must be established, reporting and follow-up must take place. Without these structures, the most vulnerable will be taken advantage of. And the cost to society, trust and profits will be great. These horrific acts from Penn State mirror the unethical and illegal conduct of Wall Street. Values need to be asserted, boundaries or regulations must be established, reporting and follow-up must take place. Without these structures, the most vulnerable will be taken advantage of. And the cost to society, trust and profits will be great.

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