MAY 2019
WADE LAW GROUP
THE LEGAL ISSUE 408-842-1688
www.WadeLitigation.com
3 SIGNS IT’S TIME TO FIRE AN EMPLOYEE
SOME BAD BEHAVIORS ARE HARD TO DETECT
Sometimes it’s easy to tell when it’s time to let someone go. When an employee is consistently late, refuses to deliver on their promises, or establishes a pattern of blatant toxicity, it’s obvious that you should send them packing. Unfortunately, sometimes the worst employees in your organization are the ones coasting by behind the scenes, covering up their mistakes, and undermining your workplace culture without you realizing it. Here are three less obvious tendencies of bad employees.
THEY’RE EAGER TO THROW THEIR COWORKERS UNDER THE BUS.
In business, errors are bound to be made — sometimes even catastrophic ones. But when your employee immediately rushes to point the finger at another individual, even one who is partly culpable, it’s a red flag. Any employee who genuinely enjoys working in your organization will form connections to their coworkers. If they’re quick to throw others under the bus instead of taking some responsibility, it shows they do not value trust or community, or they simply care more about their own well-being than the well- being of the company. While it’s not ideal for an employee to take responsibility for an error that truly wasn’t their fault, acknowledging they may have had a hand in the error — whether it was miscommunication or mismanagement — shows a level of self-awareness and strength that can go a long way in business. This is especially true in your management team. It’s easy for a manager to point out an underperforming team member and say they’re messing up, but in reality, it’s their responsibility to keep everyone on track. If someone is throwing around blame after a mistake has already been made, it might be worth asking why the mistake was able to occur in the first place. Playing the blame game in management will result in disgruntled employees and create a rift in company culture. Nothing damages workplace culture like unsubstantiated rumors. Your employees may complain from time to time about one another as a means to blow off steam, but you need to start recognizing when it becomes an insidious pattern. When someone is continuously talking about others, it shows a lack of character and an unwillingness to work out problems on their own. Face- to-face communication is always better, and those who shy away from honest communication and resort to talking smack weaken your entire workforce. THEY NEVER STOP GOSSIPING.
THEY DON’T VALUE THE REST OF THE TEAM.
If there’s one thing you should never tolerate in your office, it’s an unchecked ego. The best way to ensure success in your business is to hire folks who are not only intelligent and competent but also play well with others and lift one another up. Teamwork is paramount at every stage, regardless of the business you’re in. Just because someone is a top performer doesn’t mean they got there alone. If they can’t recognize that and give credit where it’s due, it’s likely those they’ve unwittingly leaned on, gossiped to, or complained about are getting fed up. At a certain point, it doesn’t matter how great an employee seems to be; if a substantial chunk of their team dislikes them, it’s time to start asking some hard questions. Don’t let your own opinion of a high-performing colleague cloud your perception of their personal faults. Sometimes, they may seem to benefit the bottom line, but they bring everyone else down in the process. Make no mistake: These folks are not worth keeping around.
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THE GOOD KIND OF GOSSIP HOW TO CULTIVATE VALUABLE CUSTOMER REVIEWS
When you’re thinking about buying a new product or service, what’s the first step you take? If you turn to the World Wide Web in search of reviews, then you’re in good company. According to a survey conducted by BrightLocal, 85 percent of consumers regard the customer review to be the single most credible and trustworthy source of advertising. That same survey found that 68 percent of customers surveyed were willing to provide feedback for the company. So, how do you get your customers to write the glowing reviews that help close deals? 1. DIVERSIFY YOUR PLATFORMS Don’t rely on customers to go to your website to leave reviews. There are numerous websites you can utilize that make leaving feedback more convenient for your clients. What’s more is that these other platforms are highly trafficked. BrightLocal found that Facebook and Yelp were consumers’ most trusted sources of user reviews in the U.S., but you can also use Google My Business or the Better Business Bureau. Most importantly, be sure you are active on all the platforms you use. 2. OFFER INCENTIVES Give your clients a reason to write reviews. Consider offering incentives like a discount or coupon code, coffee gift card, or an entry to win a contest for an even bigger prize.
3. ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS Think of the review process as a conversation rather than a request to be met, and use open-ended questions to start. Before you even request a review, you can ask customers questions like “How was your recent experience with us?” or “How are you liking your product?” That way, you can gauge their satisfaction before they leave any feedback. 4. RESPOND, RESPOND, RESPOND The last thing you want to see is a scathing one-star review. But no matter how hard you work, they are still bound to happen. When you receive one, take the time to respond thoughtfully — without being defensive — and try to come up with a possible solution to the complaint. And be sure to respond to your positive reviews as well. When you show that you engage with all of your customers, prospective ones will be more likely to give you a shot.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU STEAL A PROTECTED ANIMAL ANIMAL THEFT AND TRESPASSING DON’T GO UNNOTICED
The next morning, realizing what they’d done, the three young men panicked and released Dirk into a nearby canal. But Dirk’s misfortunes weren’t quite over. He was chased out of the canal by what onlookers believe was a shark, only to be chased back in by a surprised dog. Fortunately, concerned passers-by called authorities, and SeaWorld workers came to rescue Dirk and bring him back to his family. Dirk returned unharmed to his partner, Peaches, but his kidnappers weren’t so lucky. Once a Facebook post recounting their misdeeds made its rounds, police traced the crime back to the two Welshmen. They were charged with trespassing, stealing, and keeping a protected animal, and there was no shortage of public shaming as their crime circulated the internet. Taking note of their letter of apology and admissions of guilt and regret, the judge enforced a heavy fine for the crime in lieu of jail time. Charges for kidnapping a protected animal vary from state to state, but the Endangered Species Act ensures perpetrators face harsh penalties, including fines and maximum sentences. The Animal Legal Defense Fund also provides free legal assistance and training to help protect animals from harm.
You wake up slowly, still groggy from a raucous night out with your friends. As you look around, taking stock of your surroundings, you see the other inhabitants: a desk, your shoes, a penguin … a penguin?! While footage confirms that two young Welshmen stole Dirk the penguin from his SeaWorld Australia home, the men had little memory of the night’s misadventures the next morning — until they saw Dirk waddling around their rented apartment. The night before, after imbibing a hefty amount during their vacation in Australia, the men got the harebrained idea to break into SeaWorld and swim with the dolphins. After getting inside, video footage captured them stripping down to their skivvies and running around the facility — until they spotted the penguin enclosure. “Look at them!” one said. Distracted from their original plan, they made their way to the penguins, grabbed one, and left. Dirk, the 7-year-old fairy penguin (the smallest species of penguin), was bred in captivity and had never left his enclosure.
Be careful on your next night out, and please, enjoy wildlife without stealing it!
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Imagine you are told you must leave the city you work and live in because it’s killing you. Hard to fathom, isn’t it? But this actually happened to Kamal Meattle, a researcher, activist, and New Delhi native, who was told by doctors that the city’s air quality was a threat to his health. His lung capacity had gone down 70 percent, and doctors suggested he leave New Delhi. Instead, Meattle chose to stay and find an innovative solution to his health problems and the city’s air quality crisis. New Delhi is no stranger to poor air quality. Sometimes pollution gets so bad it warrants a city-wide warning for kids to stay inside. Meattle, who studied engineering at MIT, turned to research by NASA and other organizations to address the issue. During his research, Meattle found that there are three common house plants that excel at removing dangerous chemical compounds, like formaldehyde and carbon monoxide, from the air: the areca palm, the snake plant (or mother- in-law’s tongue), and the money plant. Using these plants, Meattle created an indoor plant-based air filtering system that allows his building, the Paharpur Business Center (PBC), to cultivate all the fresh air it needs. Air entering the building is cleaned by a scrubber, then is filtered through the building’s extensive greenhouse to remove chemicals and bacteria. The greenhouse, and the rest of the building, is filled with areca palms, snake plants, and money plants. A LOOK AT THE HEALTHIEST BUILDING IN NEW DELHI GROWING FRESH AIR
Today, the PBC is the healthiest building in New Delhi. Twenty years after Meattle rolled out his plant-based filter system, the results speak for themselves. Employee productivity has gone up 20 percent. Respiratory problems have gone down by 34 percent, headaches by 24 percent, and lung impairment by 12 percent, among other health benefits. Just stepping into Paharpur boosts your health: Blood oxygen levels go up by 1 percent after 10 hours in the PBC. Meattle has remained in New Delhi and is set on helping other Indian businesses replicate his plant-based system so they can grow their own fresh air. As he says of his decision to stay, “Either you are overwhelmed by the fact that there are so many problems and so many people, or you find solutions to help in any way you can.”
SUDOKU
SHRIMP SAUSAGE SKEWERS
INGREDIENTS
Creole Seasoning Ingredients • 2 tablespoons paprika • 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder • 1/2 tablespoon onion powder •
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1/2 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
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1/2 pound cooked sausage, cut into
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1-inch pieces
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2 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 tablespoon cayenne or chili powder
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2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
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1/4 tablespoon dried oregano
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Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
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1/4 tablespoon dried thyme
DIRECTIONS
4. Add creole seasoning and mix well until all ingredients are covered. 5. Load up skewers with alternating pieces of shrimp, sausage, and zucchini until they’re full. 6. Grill skewers until shrimp are well-cooked (6–8 minutes). 3 408-842-1688
1. Heat your grill to medium high. 2. In a bowl, combine all ingredients for creole seasoning. 3. In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, zucchini pieces, and sausage pieces, and cover them with the olive oil.
Inspired by PaleoLeap.com
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
WADE LAW GROUP
84 West Santa Clara Street, Ste. 750 San Jose, CA 95113
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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3 Signs It’s Time to Fire an Employee
The Value of User Reviews and How to Cultivate Them
The Price You Pay for Stealing a Penguin
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The Healthiest Building in New Delhi
Shrimp Sausage Skewers
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Bay Area Local Events
SOUNDS AND SIGHTS OF SUMMER
market features live music, food, beer, and wine from local vendors. Admission is free, and proceeds from vendors go to the community.
MAKERS MARKET June 1, 11 a.m. (Every first Saturday of the month) Santana Row, San Jose
This monthly craft fair is free and open to the community! Come see crafts and wares created by local artisans, enjoy live music, and get a complimentary taste of local food and wine inside the shops. While the event is free, the organizers ask that you RSVP on Eventbrite, so they can estimate how many people will be coming. Bring the family and enjoy a lively Saturday on Santana Row!
HEROES 5K RUN/WALK June 1, 8 a.m. Campbell Community Center, Campbell, CA
If you’ve been craving some time in our wonderful outdoor spaces, these three events give you a perfect reason to do just that. You’ll enjoy local crafts, music, and festivities right here in the Bay Area. Take a look and find your way into this great season.
Join this inclusive event to celebrate the everyday heroes who make our world a better place. The run/walk benefits Options for All (formerly Employment and Community Options), an organization that supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the community. Be your own hero and put on your running shoes to show your support for these perseverant individuals who demonstrate their abilities, rather than disabilities, every day. Register and find more information at: OptionsForAll.org/events/2019/5/1/options-for-all-heroes- 5k-runwalk
FINE ART IN THE PARK May 18–19, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Lincoln Park, Los Altos
Organized by the Rotary Club of Los Altos, Fine Art in the Park brings quality crafts from over 150 artists. In addition to incredible artwork, this open-air
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