March 29, 1:56 pm
How should we treat Tiger Woods?
The other day when talking with a colleague the name of Tiger Woods came up. One topic led to another and we found ourselves discussing how companies treat (or rather, mistreat) people with sex addictions.
Mind you, I’m on the HRD (development) side of the HR aisle, not the HRM (management) side, so I’m not steeped in all the latest labor laws, and I know this can be a touchy subject, but consider the following.
It used to be that when people had a drinking problem they got fired. But now, instead of firing them, we have Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to help people overcome their alcohol addiction. The same is true with drug addictions, and perhaps you’ve heard of companies now providing assistance for people with Internet addictions.
Our question became “why is it that sexual addictions are treated differently?”
NBC News ran a story titled “Tiger Woods: ‘I Tried to Stop and I Couldn’t Stop.” In the article, it’s obvious that Tiger has started down the path of a typical 12-step program for addictions … he admitted responsibility. “It was all me. I’m the one who did it. I’m the one who acted the way I acted.”
Don’t misunderstand. I’m not advocating people have illicit affairs or that we should condone such behavior. Far from it. But I am saying that too often companies shoot employees when they’re on the ground bleeding, and I’ve got a problem with that.
As a society, we’ve created compassionate workplaces that help people with addictions. Why not extend that compassion and offer the same help no matter what the addiction?
Employers? HRM folks? What do you think?
Filed in Management, Workplace, Corporate Culture, Retention, Human Resource Management
Do Tiger’s personal issues affect his ability to perform well in the workplace? More specifically, does his sex addition affect his ability to perform well as a golfer? Actually, his absence from the PGA Tour draws fewer viewers. However, Tiger’s infidelities have been going on for quite some time and his ability to play professional golf still remains strong. It is in my opinion that what happens outside the boundaries of someone’s “workplace” should not be the interest of other parties NOT involved.
I understand there is a flip side to this argument…Tiger is a role model, Tiger is a professional golfer, Tiger’s boundaries disappeared when he become famous, etc. But, Tiger is still a human; a man, a husband, a father. Whatever arrangements had been made between a husband and a wife need to remain between a husband and a wife. Allow Tiger the opportunity to heal, repair the damage and move on. I welcome his return to the Master’s this weekend.
I also add one more unsolicited piece of advice…Those who are casting stones might want to consider protecting the glass houses they are living in.
Kimberly,
Thanks for the feedback. But why don’t you tell me how you REALLY feel?
But seriously, your statement “Allow Tiger the opportunity to heal, repair the damage and move on” hits the nail on the head. When companies dropped him as a spokesperson it was because they were afraid of “damaging” their own brand. Instead, they might have looked more compassionate and “real” if they said “we’re going to stay with Tiger as he works through this.” How cold and uncaring it is when companies kick people who are down.