tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.comments2013-03-19T14:26:10.977-05:00Sara Rickover: M.A.M.A. CurmudgeonSara Rickoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04379574619046537545noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-8202934085858867162013-03-19T00:00:26.736-05:002013-03-19T00:00:26.736-05:00Health care is obviously an inevitable part of any...Health care is obviously an inevitable part of any organisation. Its better to start a special department in all companies together with Human resource. <br />Self Insured Employerhttp://www.dhsgroup.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-33940216098895651262013-02-13T20:28:25.757-06:002013-02-13T20:28:25.757-06:00When I worked at the local cable company in sales....When I worked at the local cable company in sales. I had many good friends and that made the day go by faster and made my sales better. We talked and laughed between calls and there was a attitude of fun. Customers can feel that through the phone and often wanted in on it. So I think it's important that we create close friendships at work and I wouldn't work for a company that didn't create that culture in their company.LindaRay Cameronhttp://www.lindaraycameron.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-31333242513230817822012-11-16T14:53:21.509-06:002012-11-16T14:53:21.509-06:00As long as healthcare is offered through employers...As long as healthcare is offered through employers, it will be a part of corporate strategy. Thanks for the comment.<br />SaraSara Rickoverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04379574619046537545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-53688293275202647402012-11-12T20:40:45.336-06:002012-11-12T20:40:45.336-06:00Too bad ACA didn't go far enough. If it had go...Too bad ACA didn't go far enough. If it had gone further, so much management time wouldn't be wasted on healthcare "strategy". CM Lancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07448888760809069388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-19522323006251515072012-10-08T20:23:47.519-05:002012-10-08T20:23:47.519-05:00Peg, thanks for this comment. It is often difficul...Peg, thanks for this comment. It is often difficult to distinguish settlement and mediation. A good mediator really does facilitate the discussion about resolving the dispute, to a far greater extent than in a settlement conference where the alleged neutral person often just slaps the parties around to move them to a middle ground.<br />As a defense attorney, nothing irritated me more than being told by the person running the settlement conference that I HAD to make my client cough up the costs of defense, regardless of the merits of the case. Pure extortion.<br />SaraSara Rickoverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04379574619046537545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-14892522936632019332012-10-08T20:19:48.204-05:002012-10-08T20:19:48.204-05:00Dane,
I am always amazed how cases settle, particu...Dane,<br />I am always amazed how cases settle, particularly when the parties are not represented by attorneys. <br />Sometimes one party just wants to be done with the situation. Sometimes there are relationships one or both parties want to preserve. Sometimes they recognize the case should never have been filed.<br />One of the hard things about being a mediator is knowing when to be quiet and when to intervene. Usually, if the parties are talking to each other, it's best for the mediator to be quiet.<br />SaraSara Rickoverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04379574619046537545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-55565794786908113662012-10-08T19:48:57.555-05:002012-10-08T19:48:57.555-05:00Sara,
I once attended a mediation designed to avo...Sara,<br /><br />I once attended a mediation designed to avoid a small claims court hearing. As I recall, the claim was about 500.00. I was an observer, hoping to become a mediator. The plaintiff presented her case, the defendant answered. There was some discussion directed by the mediator. Then the mediator asked the plaintiff where she was on the original amount of 500.00. The plaintiff said she'd take 450.00. The defendant said, well...okay.<br /><br />I behaved well as an observer. I did not say, "are you kidding me? There's no case here. Take it to the judge. Go for zero." I can follow rules, and I did that day. <br /><br />I know ADR saves money and works quickly. But in this one small case, the defendant took it on the chin. She needed advice, but didn't get any, even from me.<br /><br />Perhaps in larger cases, advisers are involved, and this problem doesn't occur. But, in this case, the mediator went for the settlement, and justice was not an issue.Dane Zellerhttp://www.danezeller.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-37386301597420919342012-10-08T10:28:10.407-05:002012-10-08T10:28:10.407-05:00Mediation is a broad term with many definitions. F...Mediation is a broad term with many definitions. For many mediators, the process should be entirely voluntary, with no coercion. If the parties are pressured into settling because "that's what will happen if you go to court" then the process should better be called "settlement" not mediation. A very important component of mediation is the lessening of hostility between the parties. Sometimes what the aggrieved party wants most of all is an apology.Peg Nicholshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07442026513439378111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-40349475268740248612012-09-11T14:52:54.328-05:002012-09-11T14:52:54.328-05:00Throughout my career, particularly in the early da...Throughout my career, particularly in the early days, I frequently found myself part of a group of "professionals of one race or gender all in the same work unit". I don't feel that homogeneity "led to lower retention of those professionals." C.M. Lancenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-67537774463507664192012-08-27T21:27:31.203-05:002012-08-27T21:27:31.203-05:00Good point. You're right -- language matters. ...Good point. You're right -- language matters. <br />SaraSara Rickoverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04379574619046537545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-41594386276627517642012-08-27T21:19:39.623-05:002012-08-27T21:19:39.623-05:00HR will always be a hindrance when it refers to pe...HR will always be a hindrance when it refers to people who work for their company as "resources" or "human capital" as if they were items on a balance sheet. Southwest Airlines, no slouch in a bankrupt-ridden industry, has no human resources department; they have a people department. Just a difference in terminology? Hardly. A difference in strategy. <br /><br />Dane Zellerhttp://www.danezeller.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-88173607440817615492012-08-14T18:26:22.374-05:002012-08-14T18:26:22.374-05:00Not a bad idea, but it is derailed right at the ou...Not a bad idea, but it is derailed right at the outset. Who will pay for surveys of our citizens? The government? Liberals will protest that the money will be better spent on the downtrodden and the conservatives will see an opportunity to reduce expenses and lower taxes. All good reasons for both sides to continue to ignore we the people.CM Lancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07448888760809069388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-26588248109095788772012-06-26T14:15:21.403-05:002012-06-26T14:15:21.403-05:00Sara
Thanks so much for your eloquent and powerfu...Sara<br /><br />Thanks so much for your eloquent and powerful post. My experience is similar to yours and I'm so glad you are voicing what many of us experience and feel. Thank you!<br /><br />DanaDana Theushttp://www.inpowerwomen.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-18310669891031122822012-06-18T20:38:45.900-05:002012-06-18T20:38:45.900-05:00Most people would do just fine at work if they use...Most people would do just fine at work if they used their common sense. Thanks for reading.<br />SaraSara Rickoverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04379574619046537545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-24679861773127063302012-06-18T20:16:52.803-05:002012-06-18T20:16:52.803-05:00Kind of a stark reminder to keep your nose clean, ...Kind of a stark reminder to keep your nose clean, huh?Sally Jadlowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03931931968897678146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-86998229690918022692012-05-15T14:50:33.644-05:002012-05-15T14:50:33.644-05:00Mike, I agree with your perceptions of corporate l...Mike, I agree with your perceptions of corporate life. Hadn't heard the story about the ladders. What a shame.<br />SaraSara Rickoverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04379574619046537545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-33209088744570248122012-05-14T20:49:35.892-05:002012-05-14T20:49:35.892-05:00Unfortunately, many of the issues you describe can...Unfortunately, many of the issues you describe can be attributed to large corporations as well. I've had the opportunity to work for several of the largest telecommunication firms in a somewhat senior position and I can attest to the fact that no one is happy there either and for many of the same mismanagement reasons.<br />Good managers seldom are recognized. Individual contributors receive more recognition. More telling is a story that circulated about the promotion policies of telecommunications companies. <br />All of the candidates for a promotion were asked to climb atop six foot step ladders and kiss the ceiling. As they did, the ladders were kicked out from under. The candidate who stuck to the ceiling longest received the promotion.Mike Lancenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-21726812802721510132012-04-23T21:38:29.424-05:002012-04-23T21:38:29.424-05:00Skype is nice, but I'd hate to see an NICU nur...Skype is nice, but I'd hate to see an NICU nurse do her job from home on that one!Sally Jadlowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03931931968897678146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-27899160618168280952012-04-17T11:16:06.132-05:002012-04-17T11:16:06.132-05:00Thank you. We, the people, need to keep the messag...Thank you. We, the people, need to keep the message going. Logical discussion like this is needed.Mike Lancenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-78848804490823269512012-04-04T10:33:29.302-05:002012-04-04T10:33:29.302-05:00Mike, thank you for your comment.
I could have wr...Mike, thank you for your comment.<br /><br />I could have written much more on the ACA, but chose to keep the post focused on how my professional background has influenced my opinions about this controversial law, and how some of my opinions conflict with each other.<br /><br />As I said, as a benefits administrator, I see advantages to national uniformity in healthcare law, though I’m not sure the nation is ready for the hard political choices that uniformity will require. Some would argue those choices were made with passage of the ACA, but the text of the ACA was actually a hodge-podge of what could pass the Senate before Scott Brown was elected in Massachusetts, and the House then had to pass the Senate’s version to get any healthcare law on the books at all.<br /><br />I disagree with your points about the infallibility of the Constitution and the Supreme Court. First, the Constitution is the foundational document of our nation. It is not conservative dogma or liberal dogma. There is much in it that both today’s conservatives and today’s liberals object to – we simply object to different interpretations of different parts. The solution for both conservatives and liberals is to pursue the amendment process if they feel so strongly.<br /><br />With respect to the Supreme Court, it has been settled law since Chief Justice John Marshall wrote the opinion in Marbury v. Madison in 1803 that the Supreme Court is the final arbiter of Constitutional interpretation. However, the Supreme Court has never declared itself infallible. Although following precedent is a strong principle for judicial interpretation, the Court has reversed itself many times over the years. Hardly a mark of infallibility.<br /><br />SaraSara Rickoverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04379574619046537545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-44998032613448496892012-04-03T12:47:13.223-05:002012-04-03T12:47:13.223-05:00An interesting blog. All of your logic focuses on ...An interesting blog. All of your logic focuses on the benefits exhibited in the ACA and none on the validity of conservative principles opposing it. You could have perhaps expounded on how fragmented state and local elected officials and bureaucracies are more efficient, less corrupt, easier to police, and inherently focus on the rights of individuals. <br /><br />Alternatively, you could argue for the infallibility of the Constitution as a conservative dogma, akin to the infallibility of the Pope as mandated by the Catholic Church in the late 19th century.<br /><br />As you say, we’ll see which way Justice Kennedy will sway in June. After all, isn’t the Supreme Court, as an extension of the Constitution, also infallible and not dependent upon the luck of the draw in the balance of conservatives vs. liberals at the time of important cases?<br /><br />Whatever your conclusions, I appreciate your fair and balanced discussion.Mike Lancenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-88214111922579080712012-03-19T12:29:16.920-05:002012-03-19T12:29:16.920-05:00Dane, thanks for commenting. I particularly like ...Dane, thanks for commenting. I particularly like "What do you think?"<br />SaraSara Rickoverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04379574619046537545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-55034392095668217082012-03-19T11:49:38.002-05:002012-03-19T11:49:38.002-05:00A number of things:
1. Ask them: "How can I h...A number of things:<br />1. Ask them: "How can I help you today?"<br />2. Tell them: "We're doing away with the annual performance review."<br />3. Ask them: "What do you think?"<br />4. Tell them: "I'm going golfing today. Don't call me. Handle whatever comes up."<br />5. ....Dane Zellerhttp://www.danezeller.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-73822498487014910702012-02-29T13:57:31.308-06:002012-02-29T13:57:31.308-06:00Here is a good article on the facilitative, evalua...Here is a good article on the facilitative, evaluative and transformational styles of mediation from Mediate.com: http://www.mediate.com/articles/zumeta.cfm. <br /><br />I believe these styles are more of a continuum than three discrete methodologies. My personal style falls between facilitative and evaluative. More specifically, I start out as facilitative, and move into evaluative only where I think it will be helpful.<br /><br />In the twelve years since this article was written, I think mediators have become more accepting of a variety of styles, and fewer mediators are adamant that one or another is the best approach.<br /><br />SaraSara Rickoverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04379574619046537545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8344395899781146321.post-1743520199841076052012-02-27T20:48:19.170-06:002012-02-27T20:48:19.170-06:00Yes, Mike. Mediators are trained to facilitate, no...Yes, Mike. Mediators are trained to facilitate, not to decide. There are different styles of mediation, and some mediators are more evaluative than others. But every mediator I know believes strongly that one of the primary benefits of mediation is that the parties decide how to resolve their dispute, rather than letting someone else (typically judge or jury) make the decision.<br /><br />SaraSara Rickoverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04379574619046537545noreply@blogger.com