10 reasons why employees should celebrate America this July 4

July 3, 4:27 PMOffice Politics ExaminerJi Hyun Lee

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There are many things that are wrong in the workplace— backstabbing employees, gender bias, young bosses and bad bosses— but let’s take a moment to celebrate some of the good things in the America, in spite of the backstabbers.

This past Thursday marked the 45th anniversary of the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1965, which made it illegal to discriminate against people based on their race, national origin, sex, age, disability and religious preference. It is the law that made it possible for everyone to have an equal chance at success in the workforce. It is what gives us the multicultural society that we live and work in.

The workplace is filled with conflict and for all of us, that conflict is possible because the Civil Rights Act was enacted. For many of us that were laid off recently, it’s easy to get discouraged with the unemployment now at a dismal 9.5 percent. Although many of us think back on all the jobs we quit and the promotion that we didn’t get, the great thing is that we all have the opportunity to compete and fight equally for the jobs and the promotions that are out there: It’s quite a wonderful privilege to have.

On this July 4 holiday, if you’re a frustrated worker or jobseeker, lets take a moment to reflect on all the advantages that is available in America. Hopefully, we can use some of these reasons to remain calm and assertive in these turbulent economic times.

10. Everyone can fight for a promotion if wrongly denied. Connecticut firefighters were denied promotions in favor of less qualified black firefighters. The Supreme Court ruled that reverse discrimination was illegal and allowed the white and Hispanic firefighters their due raise and promotion.

9. We work, friend and marry people of diverse backgrounds and everyone is just fine with that.

8. Though there is a recession happening in this country, most of us still have the means to survive on good food, good television and the Internet. Because it’s too cruel of a society to have to do without the Internet.

7. Our workplace issues have more to do with personality conflicts than race, gender or age conflicts.

6. Conniving bosses don’t discriminate— they’re equal opportunity backstabbers so whether you’re white, black, Asian or gay, everyone has an equal chance to be sabotaged.

5. Even if you hate your job, you’re lucky to have something, which is always better than nothing.

4. This year, we have our very first black president in Obama, a woman secretary of state in Clinton, and soon-to-be the very first Hispanic Supreme Court justice with Sotomayor. Diversity in the government makes it possible for the country’s workplace to be that much more level for everyone.

3. The Equal Pay Act was amended this past Jan. 29— The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was enacted which made it possible for the victim Lilly Ledbetter to receive compensation for lost wages when she was paid less than male coworkers. The new bill extends 180-day statue of limitation to reset with every new paycheck and for Ledbetter who worked as a supervisor at Goodyear tires for 19 years, that is 19 years of back pay that she is now entitled to receive. Appropriately enough, this is also the very first bill signed into law by President Obama— America’s very first black president.

2. The growth of Social media makes it possible for the unemployed to find opportunities with other like-minded individuals. And this has everything to do with the brilliant, diverse, and educated people in America.

1. Barack Obama has made some mistakes and we’re okay with that— so far.

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