A few years ago, I attended a “coffee morning with the principal” at my daughter’s school. During the discussion, homework came up. The principal flat-out admitted that all the research showed that homework in the lower grades was worthless for the student, but that they assigned it because the parents wanted it.
As soon as she said that, three women asked if the amount of homework could be increased.
Think about that for a moment–the principal just admitted that homework was worthless, yet these presumably intelligent adults wanted more homework for their first graders.
Education isn’t the only field where smart people act in dumb ways. Take HR, for instance. The New York Post just ran an article titled “The corporate ‘cure’ for sexual harassment only feeds the disease.” Based on research out of Stanford, this article points out that sexual harassment training may make for more sexual harassment.
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Brilliant. That’s the kind of training I want to attend. Makes me think of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCuUoZfYVaU
One thing that is important to teach is how to try to stop harassment if you are harassed. I remember learning to ask the person to stop – yes, very tough when you are being harassed, but kinda important, right – and then learning to keep extensive notes. I never ended up taking anyone to court, but I’ve been harassed more times than I’d like to admit. Knowing those two things above made me feel VERY empowered. I could either go to court or not, but I knew what to do. As for stopping the idiots who harass people? Yeah, I think you’re article is perfect. Just be nice and professional. Period. We all have times when we are not nice and professional, but geez. Using your power to sexualize your employees? Not sure there’s any cure for that but taking the bastards to court or leaving the job. It’s probably not the greatest job ever anyway….
Saying no is something we all need to learn. There was a man harrassing all the women (years before training) and when he tried to touch me I told him I would hurt him if he tried it. Not diplomatic but he never tried anything again. Even if it continues, it does help to know you stood up for yourself.
The being kind to everyone would be a lovely world. Can we vote Evil HR Lady for President?
Yay! Vote for me. Okay, I’d rather stick pins in my eyes than be a politician.