ferguson, mo: a view from two hr practitioners
TRANSCRIPT
Ferguson, MissouriA View From Two HR Practitioners
October 20, 2015
Julie Logan, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
❖ Associate Director of Human Resources, Husch Blackwell, LLP
❖ VP Development, HRMA of Greater St. Louis
Angie Schaefer, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
❖ VP Human Resources & Employee Engagement, Safety National Casualty Corporation
❖ Immediate Past President, HRMA of Greater St. Louis❖ Diversity Director, MO SHRM❖ Membership Chair, HR People & Strategy, St. Louis
Affiliate (SHRM’s Executive Network)
Our View
● Overview of Discussion● Timeline ● Impact on Employees and Businesses● Workplace Policies● Social Media● Lessons Learned
Overview
Overview
Overview
We all have stereotypes & unconscious biases.
Overview●What is the definition of unconscious bias?
a) A measure of how strongly one associates a concept (e.g., pleasant/unpleasant) with one or another social group
b) Generalization about a group of people or particular identity
c) To distinguish, single out, or make a distinction about a group, person, or thing
d) Acting with rudeness and insensitivity towards someone based on of their diverse identities
Timeline● August 9, 2014 – Michael Brown Jr. is shot and killed by a Ferguson
LEO● August 10, 2014 – A candlelight vigil for Michael Brown turns violent.
More than a dozen businesses in Ferguson are vandalized and looted.● August 11, 2014 – The first day of school is cancelled for a district
near Ferguson and over the next several days other nearby districts also cancel classes.
●That morning and throughout the day, hundreds of people gather outside the Ferguson Police Department.
●During the evening, the teargas is used to disperse the crowd, when, according to reports the protests were no longer peaceful
● August 12 – 24, 2014 – protests throughout the day and night, most resulting in violence and destruction of property. Residential streets in Ferguson are shut down and families are not allowed to leave their homes.
Timeline● August 24, 2014 – Michael Brown’s family requests that all protests
cease so that they can lay their son to rest.● August 25, 2014 – Michael Brown’s funeral.● August 26 – November 23, 2014 – almost daily protests take place.
The violence has somewhat subsided, however, there are still arrests, and LEOs from around the area are assisting in Ferguson. At various times a State of Emergency is declared and the National Guard is brought in to assist law enforcement.
● October 8, 2014 - VonDerrit Myers Jr. was shot and killed by a St. Louis City LEO in the Shaw neighborhood.
●Protestors leave Ferguson and arrive in the Shaw neighborhood. Several nights of protest happen in the South City area.
Timeline● November 20 – 24, 2014 – A few different groups have formed to lead
protests over the last few months. They begin to prepare for action in response to the pending Grand Jury announcement, specifically if officer Darren Wilson is not indicted. A list of 70 businesses is published as targets for protesting.
● November 24, 2014 – during the work day it is announced that the Grand Jury decision will be announced later that evening
●Late evening it is announced that officer Darren Wilson will not be indicted.●Protests have been taking place for most of the afternoon and evening and
later turn to rioting with more destruction of businesses.● November 24 – December 2014
●Protests continue and move into shopping malls around the St. Louis area●Reports of employees leaving work to join demonstrations
Timeline
Timeline
Timeline
Timeline
Timeline
Timeline
Impact on Employees and Business●Husch Blackwell
●November 17: Protestors targeted the building and attempted to enter
●November 17-December 5: Building tenants operated on partial lockdown
●November 21: Attorneys and other professionals are advised to take home laptops due to impending Grand Jury announcement
●Admin support would be provided through the Kansas City office
●November 24: Business closed early due to impending Grand Jury announcement
●November 25: Business closed for the day due to protesting
●December 3: Business closed early due to reports of protesting
Impact on Employees and Business
Impact on Employees and Business●Employee Issues
●Child Care●Reporting to Work ●Lack of Sleep●Stress● Discussions at Work
Workplace Policies
Workplace Policies
●Paid Time Off●Flexible Schedules●EAP●Telecommuting●Remote Access●Building Security
●Employee IDs● Visitor Access
Social Media
●twitter●facebook
Lessons Learned
●Disaster recovery plans should include Civil Unrest●Be flexible with policies and employee work
schedules●Reasonable versus Fair
●Engage in social media, even if only as a follower●Understand your biases and how they might impact
decision making●Invest in an EAP if that isn’t already a resource
Questions?
