Wet Cement’s Post

Another great article for #ThrowbackThursday! This week, we are spotlighting on an article on the effect of merit principles on governmental performance by Dr. Sanghee Park (IUPUI) and Jiaqi Liang (University of Illinois Chicago). Go check it out👀

Yesterday, my morning was barely started when a student asked me about this #video. It was a hot topic throughout the day, and will likely be the subject of #conversation again today. The comments have been widely misrepresented and misinterpreted. His apparent point - that we shouldn't allow #genderbias to influence our election choices - was lost in an incredibly poor choice of words and the manner in which they were fumbled. Adding the comment, "Scratch that from the recording. I don’t want the deans hearing that I said that." didn't make things any better. While this gave the university an unplanned and unanticipated media storm to manage, the fact that it came as I'm preparing to teach a block on #strategiccommunication provided some timely fodder for discussion, which I think Ashleigh Lee, MSJ is going to lead next week. The lessons write themselves (as they always have): 💥 Never say anything you wouldn't want to read on the front page of the New York Times (above the fold, preferably). This is always the first thing we remind people. But, once the stuff hits the fan and the communicators gear up in response to your self-imposed disaster: 👉 Get your comms team organized and consider your options (quickly, because the clock's ticking) 👉 Get the 5Bs of crisis comms going: be first, be right, be credible, be empathetic, be respectful (always stay above the fray) 👉 Get your public face in place (you want a public facing spokesperson people connect to) 👉 Get your feedback loop going (for good or bad, you need that loop in place) 👉 Get a call to action in place (promote positive change) You're going to get a lot of help in these moments, and "help" is actually a euphemism for interference. It's going to come from across the spectrum and it's going to detract from what you need to do and other areas that are priorities. That's all part of the chaos of #crisiscommunication.

Signaling began years ago and has heated up in the last year...in part, "Despite a new poll showing strong public approval of DEI programs, Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) and Rep. Mike Cloud (R-TX) have introduced the “Dismantle DEI Act” (S. 4516/H.R. 8706) to “eliminate all federal DEI programs and funding for federal agencies.” The bill, cosponsored by 26 other Republicans in Congress, would also establish a broad prohibition against federal contractors’ DEI programs, such as anti-bias training, which the public supports. The bill broadly defines DEI as: Discriminating for or against any person on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, biological sex, or national origin, which is already a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Requiring as a condition of employment, a condition for promotion or advancement, or as a condition for speaking, making a presentation, or submitting written materials, That an employee undergo training, education, or coursework, or other pedagogy, that asserts that a particular race, color, ethnicity, religion, biological sex, or national origin is inherently or systemically superior or inferior, oppressive or oppressed, or privileged or unprivileged; The signing of or assent to a statement, code of conduct, work program, or plan, or similar device that requires assent by the employee that a particular race, color, ethnicity, religion, biological sex, or national origin is inherently or systemically superior or inferior, oppressive or oppressed, or privileged or unprivileged." Published on: June 21, 2024 Daniel V. Yager Senior Advisor, Workplace Policy, HR Policy Association

Let's talk about school-related leave laws ⬇ ❓ School-related leave laws are designed to help employees balance their work and family responsibilities by allowing them to participate in their children's educational activities. 🏫 Examples of covered activities that fall under the school-related leave include things like parent-teacher conferences, school performances and events, classroom and field trip participation, and special education and counseling meetings, etc. 🎒 States currently offering school-related leave are CA, CO, IL, LA, MA, MN, NV, NC, RI, VM, and D.C. For assistance in navigating absence and leave, send me a message and I can connect you with one of our subject matter experts 📩 #EmployeeBenefits #LeaveLaws #WorkLifeBalance

Recently tabled in Parliament, our 2023 Charter Report examines the operation of the Charter – how it interacts with law and policy to protect and promote human rights. Specifically, the report looks into the role of human rights in law-making and how Victoria’s courts and tribunals considered human rights in their decisions. The report also looks at how public authorities engaged with the Charter through the year. Visit the link to read and download the report: https://lnkd.in/gBXhj9Kh

What does each political party say about issues affecting class diversity in the creative industry? It's one week until the General Election, and we’ve taken a look at each manifesto and highlighted some of the key points relating to the work we do and the people we support at Creative Mentor Network. This includes policies on education, employment, the economy and diversity. For us, it’s important the next government works to ensure more opportunities are available for young people looking to enter the creative industries, and that they get the support they need at school, and beyond, on this journey. These are our key takeaways from the manifestos. Please take your own time to research the issues that are important to you before voting. Parties have been listed alphabetically.

Read the latest insights from Shipman & Goodwin LLP attorneys Julie Fay and Daniel Schwartz on free speech in independent schools in this article published in NBOA: Business Leadership for Independent Schools’ Net Assets Magazine. Explore the interplay of laws, regulations, and cultural considerations in this important discussion. #FreeSpeech #IndependentSchools #Shipman #NBOA https://lnkd.in/eVj6g72p

This NYT article discusses the backlash against DEI. A close examination, however, reveals that what is mostly directly under attack are overreaching HR-controlled DEI public commitments made for performative PR purposes in an earlier, less litigious era. My take is that this is yet another reason for moving DEI directly under the CEO.

The Austin Community Classified Employee Association is here to support Classified Employees, to fight for better working conditions. We support you in a number of ways: - We meet regularly with administration to advocate for issues facing Classified Employees - We speak to the board about issues facing Classified Employees - We can walk you through the HR and Grievance filing processes: help you prepare, and even come with you for support. We, along with the prof-tech, adjunct, and faculty senate associations, are currently fighting hard for more accountability around bullying and toxicity from those in management positions. To better advocate for all, we need employees who can embody the ACC value of Courage to come forward and speak of their experiences. Our administration is promising us Compassion so that we can all embody the Joy and Yes that we and our students deserve. Please know that your association officers are here to support you. You can reach out to any Classified Employee Association officer you are comfortable with and let us know what issues are negatively impacting you at work. https://lnkd.in/g95Mxrnk