Author: Joe Class III
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“I don’t need a title. I’m comfortable with who I am.” Wes Rethath, Jr.
Wes Rethath, Jr., Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Tasty Tots Incorporated, a nonprofit geared toward feeding hungry families in Kansas, made this statement during a mandatory employee meeting. I made a mistake sitting closer to the back of the venue instead of putting myself in the middle. The agenda for today’s meeting was…
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Employee Appreciation Day
“Did you know she worked here?” “No. What did she do?” I’m not sure if the conversation went something like this or if it was glossed over. What I do know is the mental health organization she worked for wasn’t healthy, even though they claimed that mental health was the top priority and of major…
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Human Creativity Is Important
Artificial intelligence is on everyone’s mind lately, at every level. One thought is that AI can recreate creative content, tell stories, and think creatively as human beings do. From the logical side of things I can see the benefits of AI, particularly in the technology industries where it’s either A or B, one or zero.…
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It’s not all that much. Just 645%
Pay for executives skyrocketed 12.6% last year, dwarfing the 4.1% raises for rank-and-file employees. I had to read that twice for it to sink in. Average salaries for CEOs increased by more than 12% last year, but regular run-of-the-mill middle-class workers? On average, these workers received less than 5% of an increase. Not a cost…
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Overheard in Public
“I just need to buy that car. That’s all.” “What in the hell are you talking about, Geri?” Geri had a way of starting a conversation in her head out loud, confusing her BFF Beth. “You know I can’t keep up with you, right? You start out in the middle of a thought . .…
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Problems with HR? Is Quiet Quitting the Solution?
The idea behind hiring a human resources director or manager is to gain and retain employees. The role is designed to recruit, onboard, and train new hires, manage and maintain performance, handle all the compensation and benefits, and resolve employee conflicts. Your human resources officer also ensures all staff comply with labor laws and employment…
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Tony – The Tow Truck Driver
“Tony, I don’t know how many times I have to tell you, you can’t come in here dressed like that,” Margie said, a cigarette hanging from her lipstick-painted red lips. In her right hand, she held a carafe of burned black coffee. In the other, a breakfast plate: three pancakes, two pieces of thick linked…
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Isolation
Four years ago, the world isolated itself from connecting socially with people fearing a nefarious new virus, COVID-19. Eyes were what you saw in public. If worn correctly, another person’s eyes sit above the mask, covering their nose and mouth. Unless you dared expose yourself and your loved ones to the dreaded coronavirus. One hard…
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Follow the Leader – Sort Of
Mark, Joe, and Chris were all friends back in the day. We’re talking about the early 1970s when kids were shoved outside and told to play, often unsupervised and unregulated. But for the three boys, they didn’t think much about that. Mark was a bit of a loudmouth and opinionated on every subject. A fan…
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Rothenberg’s Appointment
“Doctor Rothenberg, Fawn is here to see you.” Doctor Valencia Rothenberg hired Traci Underhill part-time, helping the Doctor answer the telephone, questions, and general office work so she could see more patients. Traci’s hard work and dedication to Valencia’s practice worked well for her, with incremental raises, a few well-received bonuses, and profit-sharing, which was…
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The New Kid
Hermes. I know. I laughed when I first heard his name, too. I couldn’t help it, but there it was, my laughter out in front of the classroom. He was a scrawny guy with curly, dirty blonde hair and blue eyes. From the back, it was easy to mistake him for a girl. My friends…
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You’re Offended by That?
“You’re offended by that?” Shelby screamed at Angela. The two best friends were having coffee at the local Starbucks. It wasn’t unusual for the friends to talk about subjects varying from abortion to religion. Even political ideologies were a part of their dialogues. For some reason, all rational thought left Shelby. There was no reason…
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Reporter vs. Storyteller
When I tell someone I’m a storyteller, they automatically reply, “Oh. You’re a reporter.” “Uh, no. I tell stories.” “How is that different?” A reporter relays the facts relevant to the current situation, focusing on having every fact relevant and accurate to the event while maintaining objectivity through words, video, or an online report. A…
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Clear Communication
I get it. Information is a hot commodity. Data is equal to cash in today’s world. It’s the currency our world functions on because we all work together, trading, buying, and selling data. We need to ensure our active listening skills work. Data is transferred between people, from their heads into your ears. If they…
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First Date
“I don’t appreciate what you said about my friends.” Her voice was tense, borderline hostile. What I didn’t know then was that this conversation would change the trajectory of both of our lives, hers and mine. Between the abuse at home and the constant teasing at school, I was fed up. Mostly, I was tired…
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Any Other Holiday
DISCLAIMER: If there is something I will NOT do, it’s give anyone credit for the physical and emotional trauma they caused me. Therefore, you will not hear me name my biological mother for that reason. Like J.K. Rowling says in Harry Potter, the name only has power if you give it the power. So, if…
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You Don’t Know How It Feels
Walk a mile in their shoes. See what it feels like. So, first of all, eww, no. That’s gross! Second of all, what about all the athlete’s foot possibilities? Yuck! It’s like putting on bowling shoes – even though I know they spray them with disinfectant. It’s just, well, your feet. (The sarcasm is strong…
