KYCareerMover: Career - Related Articles

Mar. 20, 2005

Fly Close To The Flame?

By Scott T. Fleischmann

When reading newspaper articles about forest fires I marvel at the bravery of the men and women who put themselves in jeopardy to overcome this calamity. The best planning and protective apparel can be for naught if the wind switches directions.

However, the bravest of all are the pilots who fly small airplanes loaded with water to drop on the fire. In order to hit their targets they need to fly close to the ground, close to the flames. People in other occupations also fly close to the flame every day. For many workers such as law enforcement professionals, fire fighters, and steeplejacks, the daily physical danger is obvious. But there are other workplace dangers, and many workers do not understand those hazards.

Because of government regulations, the hidden physical dangers continue to decrease. OSHA and similar organizations have made significant progress to improve these conditions. Yet, there are always possible dangers. Those who suspect that they are in danger should investigate that insecurity. Ultimately, each person needs to assess the level of peril and decide what he or she will do about it.

Some danger is not physical. As an example, some people are put in emotional danger every day. Some years ago, I visited a government social service agency with a friend. While he was resolving the issue, I tried to read but was constantly interrupted by patrons abusing the receptionist. Variously, she handled the hostility, threats and expletives with smugness, malice and aversion. In the worst case, she told them that they needed to fill out several additional forms.

This employee of the taxpayers was as rude as the patrons. Although I would like to think that I would be ever gracious regardless of the situation, my heart contradicts my desire. It is natural for people to protect themselves. One who is attacked emotionally hour after hour, day after day, year after year has a good chance of becoming bitter and hardened.

One may put his or her spiritual beliefs in jeopardy in certain jobs. Some years ago, a professional baseball player requested to be excused from games on a given weekend day. Every Major League team plays every Saturday and Sunday. People are available to attend those games because they are not working. Ultimately, he left that career over the controversy.

An employee who confirms danger in the workplace has only three options. If the situation is unworkable, he or she can leave the job to do some other type of work. Before making that decision, one also needs to decide if it is a problem related to a specific company or an entire industry. Leaving an entire industry is more difficult than leaving a company.

One can also decide that it is a manageable risk. In that case, an employee may decide to stay. However, it is important when making that decision to identify how the danger will be managed. The receptionist mentioned above may get nightly solace from reading poetry, scripture or self-help books.

The final option is to work through the issue with management or a government agency. This decision is only for the strong. Erin Brokovitch is an inspiring movie, but few of us are able to persevere under that type of persecution.

Regardless of the danger, employees are always better served when they identify it and make a decision on how to handle it.

Scott T. Fleischmann is the managing principal for Integrity Business Solutions Inc., a management consulting firm. He can be contacted through e-mail at ibs.scottf@juno.com, or through the company web site at www.aboutintegrity.net.

Career Notes“ (and all associated articles) are the proprietary property of Integrity Business Solutions, inc. “