The Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl Champions! How did they do it? How did this organization reach the pinnacle of the National Football League (NFL)?

Look no further than the hiring practices the team employed in assembling its roster. Who did the Eagles bring into the nest?

Players with flaws? ✅

Players overlooked or looked past? ✅

Players cast off by other franchises? ✅

Players who rivals considered "not worth the money." ✅

The Eagles didn't do things the way they always had been done. The team refused constantly to rely on anachronistic

NFL norms and antiquated ways of thinking. And in so doing, the Eagles achieved the ultimate success.

One way your organization can achieve this kind of success: STOP REQUIRING FOUR YEAR COLLEGE DEGREES WHEN THEY ARE NOT NECESSARY!

Far too many organizations refuse to adapt and refuse to adjust to the ever-changing landscape, to new ways of thinking, to the realities of higher education.

Please give this a serious listen and please comment and share!

And, for one last time (for now) . . . E-A-G-L-E-S!

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Michael S. Cohen is a partner in Duane Morris’ Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law training and counseling. Michael is a nationally-recognized thought leader on workplace culture and human resources issues. He has trained and counseled employers throughout the country and regularly conducts more than 200 trainings each year.

Michael Cohen (215) 979-1882

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelscohen12

https://www.duanemorris.com/attorneys/michaelscohen.html

Pronouns: he/him

Robin Williams once said, "Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always." Since I started this video series, so many of you have reached out, asking how you can help your employees in this new world of Executive Orders and the roll back of some very basic and fundamental human rights.

My answer: Get in the hole.

What does that mean?

Make sure that your employees, that your colleagues, that your friends all understand that you understand that circumstances are challenging. Make sure that they appreciate that you appreciate that we all have struggles and that they may be significant right now. Make sure that you don't walk by the hole into which they have fallen - jump in!

Please listen to how the best person I know, who is an introvert, leads with empathy and kindness and, without hesitation, gets in the hole.

And, once again thank you for your comments and your shares and keep the topic suggestions coming!

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Michael S. Cohen is a partner in Duane Morris’ Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law training and counseling. Michael is a nationally-recognized thought leader on workplace culture and human resources issues. He has trained and counseled employers throughout the country and regularly conducts more than 200 trainings each year.

Michael Cohen (215) 979-1882

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelscohen12

https://www.duanemorris.com/attorneys/michaelscohen.html

Pronouns: he/him

Harassment claims are on the rise and the EEOC is coming - maybe for you!

As you know, in April 2024, the EEOC issued its Guidance on Workplace Harassment (https://lnkd.in/eiCc2663). Recently, the Commission updated that Guidance and made absolutely clear that an organization's failure to provide harassment prevention training or its providing inadequate training may lead to liability (https://lnkd.in/eVQt2asN).

Plan and simple, the EEOC is not messing around and the Commission is looking to make an example of organizations that are not following its dictates.

Is your organization ready?

Do your supervisors and managers know that, from a legal standpoint, they are the organization and their action or inaction may render your organization liable?

Have you educated those leaders as to what their legal responsibilities look like in the face of inappropriate conduct based on protected class?

Are you certain that your supervisors and managers appreciate the critical importance of the 5 Rs?

I hope you will take a few moments to better understand these legal obligations. I also hope you will comment and share.

And, of course, GO BIRDS!

______________________________________________________

Michael S. Cohen is a partner in Duane Morris’ Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law training and counseling. Michael is a nationally-recognized thought leader on workplace culture and human resources issues. He has trained and counseled employers throughout the country and regularly conducts more than 200 trainings each year.

Michael Cohen (215) 979-1882

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelscohen12

https://www.duanemorris.com/attorneys/michaelscohen.html

Pronouns: he/him

Thank you all so much for the incredible response to Episode 1. Your feedback, both on-line and off-line, has been heartening and incredibly instructive. Please keep it coming!

Today's episode takes aim at the Workplace Golden Rule - that leaders must treat all employees the same all the time and that we should strive for 100% consistency. Might this kind of management minimize litigation risks? Maybe. Will this approach ensure that we do not get the most out of our people? ABSOLUTELY!

Effective leaders know what motivates each of their people. Effective leaders embrace notions of equity in management. Effective leaders understand that treating everyone fairly does not require treating everyone the same.

And, of course, Go Birds!

______________________________________________________

Michael S. Cohen is a partner in Duane Morris’ Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law training and counseling. Michael is a nationally-recognized thought leader on workplace culture and human resources issues. He has trained and counseled employers throughout the country and regularly conducts more than 200 trainings each year.

Michael Cohen (215) 979-1882

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelscohen12

https://www.duanemorris.com/attorneys/michaelscohen.html

Pronouns: he/him

(Recorded 1-20-25)

I'm excited to launch the first installment of my workplace podcast series. So many of you have been kind enough to express your enthusiasm and to share your thoughts for subjects. I am hoping that you enjoy today's episode and that, as I continue with more, they become a regular part of your content consumption.

I'm trying to keep the episodes authentic and practical. That is to say, you're going to get the real me, for better or for worse. If I'm in a hotel room when as idea strikes, I will film in a hotel room. If I just finished coaching a softball practice, sadly you may have to endure that as well. I will "go there" when I think it's necessary, but not simply to create chaos or controversy. The workplace is complicated. Nuance must continue to exist. And, we absolutely have to continue to challenge ourselves and each other.

Apropos of the above, one topic that was suggested over and over again was politics in the workplace. And, given that yesterday was Inauguration Day, this seems like a perfect place to start.

And, of course, Go Birds.

_________________________________________________

Michael S. Cohen is a partner in Duane Morris’ Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law training and counseling. Michael is a nationally-recognized thought leader on workplace culture and human resources issues. He has trained and counseled employers throughout the country and regularly conducts more than 200 trainings each year.

Michael Cohen (215) 979-1882

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelscohen12

https://www.duanemorris.com/attorneys/michaelscohen.html

Pronouns: he/him