Take a look at our newsletter this month!
WWW.OBIORAHFIELDS.COM | 404-994-6218 | MAY 2019
STANDING UP FOR OTHERS HOW MY MOTHER INFLUENCED ME
M other’s Day is on May 12 this year, and it’s an occasion for people all over the country to celebrate how their mothers have provided for them and influenced them in their lives. I take it as an opportunity to reflect on the things that I deeply admire in my mother and how she shaped me into who I am today. Faye Bess worked as a telephone operator for BellSouth for 30 years, and she never took any nonsense from anyone. She always stood up for her rights and the rights of her fellow workers. She was active in her union, and she was in a myriad of strikes that happened throughout her tenure there. I remember her taking me and my siblings to those union meetings and to the strikes as well. I guess that’s one way to model standing up for yourself and others to your kids! I’m incredibly grateful for the influence my mother had on me, even at an early age. I remember sitting at a parent-teacher conference with my mother when I was in fourth grade. Up until this point, I was not a stellar student; I think I had earned all Cs. My mother asked my teacher why I was making all Cs, and my teacher replied that I
would probably never be more than a C student. My mother, frustrated that someone would say that about her daughter, shot back that the teacher would “never be more than a C teacher.” That exchange, as funny as it is now, was the beginning of my dedication to doing better in school. After that, it really clicked that I could be a better student than I had been, and I started to live it.
I CAN DEFINITELY TRACE MY DESIRE TO STAND UP FOR OTHER PEOPLE BACK TO HOW I SAW MY MOTHER STAND UP FOR HER COWORKERS WHEN I WAS YOUNG.
when I was young. She lives a few states over in Louisiana now, but I try to visit her as often as I can. She’s an incredible cook, and I can’t get enough of her gumbo. Even if your mother didn’t take you to union strikes or defend you to your fourth-grade teacher, there’s a chance that your mother has influenced you in some way, shape, or form. This Mother’s Day, give your mother a call, or visit her if you can, and thank her for the ways she has helped you become who you are.
At Obiorah Fields, LLC, our areas of practice include federal employee rights, Georgia employee rights, and veteran benefits. I can definitely trace my desire to stand up for other people back to how I saw my mother stand up for her coworkers
–Danielle Obiorah
404-994-6218 | 1
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com
Do you think you know what the most common form of workplace discrimination is? It’s not sexual discrimination, racial discrimination, or even religious discrimination — it’s actually retaliation. According to the most recent data from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) website, charges of retaliation were more numerous than any other discrimination charges in 2017. Any time an employer fires, demotes, or harasses an employee for lawfully reporting discrimination or cooperating with EEOC discrimination investigations, that employer is engaging in retaliation. If you have reason to believe you are a target for retaliation for something along these lines, there a few steps you can take to address the issue. A good place to start is by talking to your organization’s human resources representative. Even if you don’t know why, asking an HR representative if there are reasons for a negative performance review or pay deduction is a necessary step to ensure you can make your case. It could be that there are other reasons for retaliatory behavior that you haven’t considered. If not, your case could have a legitimate basis. Since retaliation can take several forms, a retaliation case can be difficult to build. Employers engaging in retaliation might try to disguise retaliatory behavior to make a legitimate case against them less likely. The surest way to build your case is by saving any relevant documentation. This could be positive performance reviews prior to your complaint, nasty emails, or anything else showing that your employer had no legitimate reason for firing, demoting, or seemingly harassing you. If you were fired or demoted immediately THE MOST COMMON FORM OF DISCRIMINATION WHEN EMPLOYERS RETALIATE
CLUBS: NOT JUST FOR HIGH SCHOOL THE BEST WAY TO STAY ACTIVE IN RETIREMENT While it’s great not having your nose to the grindstone nine- to-five, leaving work also means leaving behind a lot of daily activities and social interaction. Eventually, having nothing but free time goes from relaxing to isolating, and that can be dangerous to your physical and mental health. When planning for retirement, it’s important to plan ways to stay active and engaged. Joining a new organization or club can be a huge benefit. Here are a few suggestions to help you stay active in retirement. Did you spend years dreaming about hitting the golf course every day? While it can be nice to spend some time alone on the green, consider joining a golfers club if you want to mix things up. Enjoy scrapbooking? Check for get-togethers at the craft shop. If you’ve always wanted to try pottery, look for a class at the rec center. It’s easy to find groups dedicated to just about any activity. Think of the causes you’re passionate about and get involved! Animal shelters and soup kitchens are always looking for volunteer help. Book lovers of all ages can join their local Friends of Libraries chapter. To make a difference through politics, help with fundraisers or join an active campaign. If you want to stay closer to home, check out your local homeowners association. There are plenty of ways to engage with like- minded people while making a difference. ENJOY YOUR HOBBIES GET INVOLVED Don’t know where to start when looking for a group to join? Start online! Try searching “groups for retirees” and see what comes up. You might discover a travel group and start planning your trip to Asia. Or maybe you’ll have more fun mentoring young people in your professional field. Don’t be afraid to spend your retirement doing something new! There’s nothing wrong with enjoying your alone time, but don’t let your alone time turn into a lonely retirement. Joining a group can help you broaden your social circle, stay active, and maybe even learn something new about yourself. TRY SOMETHING NEW
following your complaint, timing can be evidence of retaliation as well.
In any case, it will benefit you to consult with an attorney throughout this process who has
experience filing employee discrimination claims. We know how important your job is to you, and we want to make sure justice prevails in your case. Contact our office today.
2 | www.obiorahfields.com | Your Rights, Our Fight
THEY LEFT ME WHAT? 3 STRANGE OBJECTS OF INHERITANCE
When a family member or friend dies, it may be normal for recipients in the will to receive property, heirlooms, or money. Sometimes, however, the objects of an inheritance prove to be the strangest part of a will. Some wills have peculiar recipients in mind, while others have peculiar stipulations attached to the inheritance. These three last wills and testaments left recipients with some bizarre possessions. A PAIR OF PANTS While there’s no sisterhood here, this pair of pants has traveled through multiple generations. Solomon Warner was the original owner of a pair of 44-37 Levi’s jeans when he died in 1899. The jeans, made in 1893, are the oldest unworn pair of Levi’s in the world. The jeans were discovered in 2017 in a chest that had been passed down through Warner’s descendants. Warner’s great- great-grandson, Jock Taylor, the owner of the jeans, turned down a $50,000 offer from Levi’s to buy the jeans, saying he was holding out for double that. BURIED TREASURE? When reclusive metallurgist and clockmaker John B. McLemore committed suicide in 2015, he did not leave a formalized will — and that might be the least peculiar part of this story. The subject of a
widely acclaimed and controversial podcast, “S-Town,” McLemore was very distrustful of banks, among other institutions. It was rumored that he converted large portions of his wealth into
gold and hid it around his property in Woodstock, Alabama. The absence of a will, however, means that multiple parties have staked claims on the inheritance in a legal battle yet to be resolved. A LOT OF ARROWHEADS A “lot” is a bit of an understatement when describing the largest collection of its kind. Moon and Irene Mullins left behind their collection of 250,000 Native American arrowheads to caretaker Jerry Williams when they passed away in 1987. Williams and his wife struck a deal with Wayne Underwood, who owned a roadside museum called Mystery Hill in North Carolina. In exchange for the collection, he would pay the Williams $1 for every ticket he sold. The couple has made over $400,000 to date. Estate planning can be a complex process, and we want to use our expertise to help you and your family plan accordingly. You don’t have to do it alone. Give our office a call today.
CLASSIC FRENCH OMELET
WORD SEARCH
INGREDIENTS
• 3 large eggs • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
DIRECTIONS
1. In medium bowl, beat eggs with plastic fork until last traces of white are just mixed in. Season with salt and pepper. 2. In an 8-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter, swirling over medium heat until foamy but not browned. Add eggs, stirring rapidly with fork, while moving skillet to agitate eggs. Break up all curds by scraping bottom of skillet as they form. Stop stirring when eggs are softly scrambled and creamy (but loose enough to come together into a single mass), 1–2 minutes. 3. Using fork, gently spread egg in an even layer around skillet and scrape down any wispy bits around the edges. The top surface should be loose and creamy, but if still liquid, swirl skillet to bring raw egg to the edge where it will set faster. 4. Remove from heat. Tilt skillet up by handle. Using fork, gently roll omelet down over itself until nearly folded in half. Using fork, push omelet to edge of skillet so that the lower edge of egg just begins to overhang. Use fork to fold overhanging edge of egg back over, closing omelet. 5. Turn omelet out onto plate. It should have the seam on bottom.
Garden Blooming Day
Memorial Nightingale Spring
Emerald May Remember
Gemini Mother
Cinco Mayo
Inspired by SeriousEats.com
404-994-6218 | 3
WWW.OBIORAHFIELDS.COM 404-994-6218
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
157 South McDonough Street Jonesboro, Georgia 30236
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
How My Mother Influenced Me
1 2
Which Club Is Right for You?
How to Handle Retaliation in the Workplace
Strange Objects of Inheritance
3
Classic French Omelet
How to Celebrate Indulgent May Holidays
4
HOW TO FIND SUCCESS IN A MONTH OF EXCESS MAY’S FOOD-RELATED HOLIDAYS ARE A THING OF BEAUTY
Set the diets aside and poke another notch or two in your belt because May isn’t pulling any punches when it comes to sweet and savory holiday regrets. From National Hoagie Day and National Pizza Party Day to the holidays that really spell it out for you like International No Diet Day and National Eat What You Want Day, we’re all looking forward to an excuse to let our stomachs hang low this month. For those of you who plan on partaking, let’s take a look at the best junk food-related holidays this month and how to celebrate them!
and watch your store-bought delight steal the show as your
audience praises your craftsmanship and attention to detail — just how Sara Lee taught you.
NATIONAL HAMBURGER DAY TUESDAY, MAY 28
As if one day wasn’t enough, it turns out that the entire month of May is recognized as National Hamburger Month! Meat lovers rejoice as patties of heavenly beef are passed around the table for all to enjoy. There’s no shortage of ways to celebrate this patriotic pastime. From grilling out with the neighbors to making sliders for your new love interest, there’s a little something for everyone, especially considering the advances we’ve made in burger technology in recent years. If meat isn’t your thing, throw a veggie or tofu burger on the grill and season it to mouth- watering perfection. We won’t tell the beef purists if you don’t.
NATIONAL APPLE PIE DAY MONDAY, MAY 13
Gather your friends and family around the table and dust off Grandma’s old recipes, because it’s time to treat yourself to the most American thing since, well, itself. National Apple Pie Day is a great opportunity to spend quality time with your loved ones while baking the most traditional American dessert. Make the process a game by pairing off into teams for a bake-off; you can even pit the kids against the adults — with a little supervision of course. If you’re feeling a little lazy, throw an apple pie potluck
Eat up, everybody. Happy holidays.
4 | www.obiorahfields.com | Your Rights, Our Fight
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker