If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.
Mother Teresa
Dear HR Community At-Large,
By now, you’ve probably heard the news that on Saturday, July 13, 2013, Neighborhood Watchman George Zimmerman was acquitted on all charges in relation to the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
And so have your employees.
Few things divide our nation like matters that reinforce our opinions regarding questionable outcomes of the legal system and matters of race, and the Zimmerman trial has been a hotbed of ideas and opinions on both. While you may think that the trial has no ramifications on your organization, you should at least consider the following emotions that your employees (or customers) might be feeling as a result of the outcome:
Grief.
Disappointment.
Frustration.
Confusion.
Hopelessness.
And so the question remains: Should HR even be thinking about the Zimmerman verdict on Monday morning? Does it have any relevance or importance in the workplace?
Unfortunately, this post does not have a definitive answer on how best to serve as a resource to your staff nor will it serve as commentary on social or legal matters relating to the case. In times of national unrest, it is hard to prescribe a singular approach to such a diverse group of individuals and the purpose of the blog is not to serve as an additional sensationalized news/opinion outlet. My only advice would be to encourage safe spaces for dialogue and seek to express empathy for those in need.