What to do if your boss retaliates after you voice a complaint: Ask HR
Have a question? Submit it here.
Question: What can I do if leadership in the company retaliates against me and my team whenever we bring forth concerns or complaints from staff? ‒ Demetria
Answer: It's incredibly disheartening to be in a situation where leadership retaliates against you and your team for voicing concerns or complaints. When leadership chooses retaliation over reflection, it not only stifles open communication but also damages trust and morale across the organization. However, you are not without options. Here's a structured approach you can take to address this issue:
Ultimately, healthy organizations thrive on feedback and protect those who speak up. Your actions can foster an environment of integrity, accountability, and respect. Remember, standing up for what's right is crucial, even if it feels challenging. You're not just advocating for yourself, but for a culture of openness and trust.
Resume: How can you make yours stand out?
One of my colleagues was recently terminated due to concerns about cultural fit within our company. Although he possessed strong skills and intelligence, he wasn't always the easiest to work with. Is cultural fit considered more important than technical abilities and job performance? ‒ David
Increasingly, employers are looking for workers who check both boxes: acumen and fit. They want people who can do the work and work well in the context of their unique work environment. Cultural fit is a significant factor considered by many employers alongside technical abilities and job performance. While possessing strong skills and intelligence is crucial, the ability to work harmoniously within a company's culture is equally vital.
Workplace culture is not just about what work is done, but how it is done. It encompasses various elements, including work performance, personality, work style, and work ethic. These factors affect collaboration, morale, and overall productivity. Therefore, many employers prioritize cultural alignment during the recruitment process and throughout an employee's tenure.
The employment-at-will doctrine, which applies in most states, allows employers to terminate employment for any nondiscriminatory reason, including cultural misalignment. This legal framework reflects the importance placed on having the right cultural fit. Culture affects how well individuals work with others, which in turn impacts team performance and company success.
Ultimately, while technical skills and job performance are essential, cultural fit significantly influences long-term success within an organization. Both employers and employees benefit from a harmonious cultural alignment, and flexibility on both sides is necessary to ensure a mutually supportive and productive work environment. Each party should strive to understand and adapt to each other's cultural dimensions to achieve the best fit possible.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.
Hiring a friend or relative? How do I avoid nepotism perception when recommending a relative for a job? Ask HR
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Chicago Tribune
an hour ago
- Chicago Tribune
Business news: Scholarship awarded and PNW lauded for veteran efforts
The Franciscan Health Mobile Market program is getting a boost from local roofing company Korellis, according to a release. The Mobile Markets provide food to those in need with drive-through events at various Franciscan Health locations, but had been reduced this year due to state and federal funding cuts, the release said. Since July 2021, the Franciscan Health Food Insecurity Program's Mobile Markets have served more than 10,000 individuals and 3,000 families in North Lake County. The drive-up Mobile Market sponsored by Korellis is scheduled to take place from 3-5 p.m. Aug. 20 at 5454 Hohman Ave., Hammond on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants must provide a valid photo ID. Those seeking food assistance should call 219-407-6948 to learn more. The Syd Garner Scholarship Committee and Lake County Council recently named Sierra Barron of Hobart the 2025-2026 recipient of the Syd Garner Scholarship, a release said. Councilman Pete Lindemulder, R-4th, presented Barron, who currently works at Lake County Community Corrections, with the scholarship on behalf of the council at the council's July 8 meeting. Barron is a senior at Indiana University Northwest where she is majoring in criminal justice and minoring in sociology. The Syd Garner Scholarship provides funds to students at IUN who are employees or children of current employees of the Lake County Government with five or more years of service. Barron has a 3.697 GPA, the release said. Steinhafels, an employee-owned company, recently opened a Furniture and Mattress Superstore in Merrillville, a release said. Located at 1600 E. 80th Ave. in Merrillville Plaza, the 50,000-square-foot showroom replaces the former RoomPlace site. This marks Steinhafels' first location in Indiana and its seventh in the greater Chicagoland area, the release said. The Merrillville store becomes Steinhafels' 16th location overall. The superstore features Steinhafels' signature room settings, decorating services and top-brand mattresses, the release said. To learn more visit Valparaiso Clerk-Treasurer Holly Taylor has earned the designation of Certified Public Finance Administrator by the Association of Public Treasurers of the United States and Canada in recognition of her commitment to excellence in public treasury standards, a release said. Taylor has also earned the designation as Certified Municipal Clerk by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks Inc. and the designation as an Indiana Accredited Municipal Clerk awarded by the Indiana League of Municipal Clerks & Treasurers. Taylor joined the City of Valparaiso as a Deputy Clerk-Treasurer in 2012 and was first elected as Clerk-Treasurer in 2019. She is a graduate of Purdue University. Purdue University Northwest has been designated a Collegiate Purple Star of Indiana institution by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. The designation recognizes PNW's commitment to supporting the military-affiliated student population at the university — from application to graduation, a release said. PNW is one of 28 colleges and universities in Indiana to be recognized as a Collegiate Purple Star of Indiana institution and one of just six institutions to be awarded Tier 1 status, a list that also includes Purdue West Lafayette and Purdue Fort Wayne, the release said. Designations and tier status are based on 37 standards across eight categories. PNW earned a 91% overall performance score on the Collegiate Purple Star Summary Report. PNW's Veteran Services program ensures a smooth transition from military life to academic success, the release said. For additional information on PNW's Veteran Services, visit Northwest Health – Porter will host an open house to give community members a look at its newest high-tech surgical robot and how it's transforming the future of surgery from 1-3 p.m. July 29 in the Community Room at Northwest Health – Porter, 85 E. U.S. 6, Valparaiso. Area residents are welcome to drop in any time during the open house and 'test drive' the latest technology used in minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgeries, while talking with some of the surgeons who use it, the release said. All ages are welcome to attend the open house, including children accompanied by parents. The 'Meet the Robot' community event is free, and registration is encouraged, which can be completed by going to Valparaiso City Attorney Patrick Lyp has accepted a job in the private sector and will leave his position, according to a release from Mayor Jon Costas. Lyp joined the City of Valparaiso in January 2014 as General Counsel/Economic Development Director although his service with the Redevelopment Commission dates back to 2004. He was named City Attorney in January 2020, the release said. Lyp worked on city projects including the redevelopment of the County Seat Shopping Center, the former Anco facility into Journeyman; and the downtown amphitheater and pavilion. Lyp was appointed by Gov. Eric Holcomb to serve on the Board of Directors for the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority from 2020-2024.
Forbes
5 hours ago
- Forbes
Japan's Fast-Growing Wine Market Embraces Natural Wine
Carefully grown Japanese wine grapes. Japanese wine is gaining momentum. As of 2024, there were 493 wineries in Japan, jumping from 238 in 2008—more than doubled in 16 years, according to the Japanese government. The wineries are now in 46 prefectures out of the total 47, indicating that each prefecture has potential for wine production. Some American importers have already noticed the rapid development of Japanese wine. One of them is Direct Import Vines (D-I Wine) a natural wine importer in New York, 'What we love about Japan's wine is how it reflects the country's deep dedication to craft, precision and subtlety. The same meticulous attention to detail that defines Japanese cuisine and design shows up in the vineyards and cellars, with winemakers carefully coaxing out dedicated, expressive flavors from native grapes like Koshu and Muscat Bailey A," says D-I Wine's founder Bretton Taylor. The company started to import Japanese wine in 2021 and now has a portfolio of 8 wineries in 5 different regions. A variety of wine that reflects Japanese terroir. One of them is Coco Farm & Winery It was founded in 1958 by educator Noboru Kawada to provide meaningful work for individuals with learning disabilities. All wines are made with grapes grown in Japan and no chemical fertilizers or herbicides are used in its vineyards; natural wild yeast is the main fermentation method in the winery. Coco Farm's wine has been highly acclaimed. It has been served at G7 summits and on Japan Airlines' first and business classes, for example. 'We started to have increasingly more export inquiries from overseas in the past few years. They seem to be interested in Japanese wine's clear, delicate expression of the grapes, often with gentle umami, which goes well with Japanese food as well as other various types of cuisine,' says Shoko Ochi, director of communication at Coco Farm. 'Within Japan, there is a wide range of micro-terroir. The farms we work with beautifully express it,' she says. To showcase the diversity and the character of each micro-terroir, Coco Farm procures grapes from reliable natural grape growers nationwide, in addition to its own vineyards in Tochigi, Yamagata and Hokkaido Prefectures. As a result, the company makes wine with around 30 different varieties, such as Japanese native Muscat Bailey A, Southern French grape Tannat and global grapes like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. For instance, Coco Farm's 2019 Zweigelt has distinctive characters. Made with the Austrian grape variety grown in the cool climate of Hokkaido, it has notes of cassis, black cherry and cinnamon with some peppery spiciness. There is subtle earthiness in the finish, which makes the wine uniquely Japanese. Coco Farm & Winery makes wine with grapes from its vineyards painstakingly cared for by hand. Reasons Behind The Rapid Growth Of The Wine Industry Why has Japanese wine production seen such a dramatic surge? One of the reasons is the creation of the special wine districts by the Japanese government in 2002. Within the wine districts, the minimum production volumes of 6,000 kiloliters for wineries are lowered to 2,000 kiloliters, as long as the products are made with grapes grown in the region. The new law made it much easier to start a winery at a lower cost. Also, in 2003, the Japan Wine Competition began, where wine made with 100% grapes grown and vinified in Japan is evaluated and ranked by a committee of wine professionals and academics. It is organized by major wine-producing prefectures and the Japanese government to recognize the quality of Japanese wine. The annual competition has shown a wide range of high-quality products and inspired wineries nationwide to aim for higher goals. Also, Japanese wine started to receive top awards at the world's biggest wine competitions, such as the IWSC International Wine & Spirit Competition, the Decanter World Wine Awards and the International Wine Challenge. The success in the global market has also stimulated new entries into wine production in Japan. Dynamic Natural Wine Market If you like natural wine, Japanese wine is something you should keep your eye on. 'In Tokyo, one of the world's most dynamic wine markets, sommeliers, chefs and wine lovers not just enjoy natural wine. They celebrate it,' says Taylor of D-I Wine. 'As a natural wine importer, our biggest competition is Japan. We find some very small vineyards in France that say they won't export, with the exception of their Japanese importers—because they are very important customers for French winemakers. Whenever we tour or try to discover new wineries in France, the Japanese importers have already been there. Sometimes they are discovering French wines that the Parisians haven't discovered yet.' To reflect Japanese importers' enthusiasm and hard work, consumers are interested in natural wine. A 2024 survey of 1,500 individuals between 20 and 70 years old, 50% male and female respectively, 23.1% of the respondents were interested in drinking natural wine. Interestingly, only 15.7% of the respondents said they wanted to drink organic/biodynamic wine, suggesting consumers are attracted to natural wine's diverse styles and genuine expression of terroir. There are no data on how many natural wine producers like Coco Farm exist in Japan, but an online natural wine shop lists 350 natural wine labels made in Japan, for example. The number is small, but it suggests that the natural wine segment has established its own place in the domestic market. Japanese natural wine seems to have the potential to stand out in the global market as well. 'Japanese wine is still relatively new on the international stage, but it's already carving out a unique identity—one that feels deeply tied to place, tradition, and innovation all at once. What excites us most is the way Japanese winemakers are blending native varieties like Muscat Bailey A and Koshu with modern, low-intervention techniques and a cultural approach rooted in precision and humility,' he says. The results are wines that are subtle but expressive, often with lower alcohol, clear umami, and a real sense of atmosphere. 'They are the wines that whisper, not shout. It's a category that rewards attention and curiosity, and we think it's only just getting started,' says Taylor. Diverse terrain makes Japanese wine unique.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
He gambled away $35K, she covers all the bills — Ramit Sethi weighs in on couple's messy money dynamic
Money can be a source of conflict for couples — and it's not just about who pays for what. In some cases, dynamics can arise that fuel resentment and erode trust. That's the case for Taylor, 29, and Hayden, 25, who sought help from Ramit Sethi on an episode of the I Will Teach You To Be Rich podcast. Taylor is a dentist who earns about $14,600 a month and has a strict savings plan. Her common-law partner, Hayden, makes $2,000 a month as a part-time bartender who 'dabbles' in real estate. But it's not his salary that's the issue: he has a history of gambling and, for about a year, he lied about it. While there's an income disparity between the two, they also have polar-opposite money mindsets. She likes to save; he likes to spend. It's also given their relationship a 'mother-son' dynamic, in which Taylor is the financial provider — a role that she resents. While they've talked about getting married in the next two years, they're hesitant to get engaged because of their different philosophies around money and the issues this has created. Don't Miss Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich — and 'anyone' can do it The Canadian economy is showing signs of softening amid Trump's tariffs — protect your wallet with these 5 essential money moves (most of which you can complete in just minutes) I'm almost 50 and don't have enough retirement savings. What should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 solid ways you can catch up How different money mindsets can affect couples When Sethi asks Taylor if she trusts Hayden with money, she says: 'Not my money.' Taylor said she 'cannot seem to get over the fact that he will not track his money and be financially responsible.' She's also 'scared of what our future could look like if he doesn't get a hold of his spending or start budgeting.' Taylor grew up in a household 'marked by instability, financial stress, health issues, even incarceration,' said Sethi. Since her parents weren't financially responsible, she stepped up and became the parent. 'Now fast forward to adulthood,' said Sethi. 'Taylor's the saver, the contributor. Her partner is unreliable with money just like her parents. And Taylor feels safest when she's the one in control.' Hayden, on the other hand, was 16 when his dad passed away at age 42. 'Most of the guys that I know who lost their dads early have told me they expect to die at the same age. That belief that he's going to die early shapes his view of money,' Sethi noted. Then, Hayden got into gambling — and it 'definitely became a habit, an addiction,' he said. When he first moved in with Taylor, he earned $35,000 from a house he sold but then proceeded to blow all of it in about four to five months. He managed to keep his gambling hidden from Taylor for about a year; he even took out a personal loan just to 'continue the lie.' Eventually he came clean and Taylor was 'devastated.' 'I never wanted to feel like a man was just living off of me. And that's exactly what it ended up feeling like,' said Taylor. Hayden has started therapy and joined Gamblers Anonymous (GA), but 'right now, we're definitely in that mother-son dynamic in our relationship,' he said. 'I want that gone.' When one partner feels like the financial caretaker A lot of Canadians have financial deal breakers in their romantic relationships, according to a recent TD survey. Indeed, 71% of Canadians polled would consider breaking up if they discovered their partner was being dishonest about their finances, while more than half (56%) would contemplate a split from a partner with bad spending habits. 'The way one partner manages their finances can have an impact on how the other person views the future of their relationship,' said Nicole Ewing, principal of the Wealth Planning Office with TD Wealth. 'Love and money are often really intertwined because if you can't trust your partner on money matters, you may want to reassess whether that relationship is the right fit for you,' she said. Elsewhere in the TD survey, 70% of respondents said financial transparency and responsibility were 'crucial factors' in a relationship. And nearly half of those surveyed felt that having conversations about money once or twice a month was ideal. However, only 41% of couples have had the 'money talk' with their partner after moving in together or around the time they get married. Additionally, an RBC poll found that almost a quarter (23%) of Canadians said that it's never been more stressful to talk to their partner about finances, with two in 10 (20%) saying their partner 'simply avoids talking to me about finances.' But perhaps one of the biggest issues? The poll also revealed how if couples do talk about money, they don't always follow through with meaningful action. A quarter (26%) of respondents said that even though they discuss money matters, they don't know what to do next. Read more: Dave Ramsey just issued a blunt reality check to people under 40: 'If you don't retire a millionaire, that's no one's fault but yours.' Breaking free requires communication While there's something to be said for wanting to help out a loved one who's struggling financially, there's often a blurred line between helping and enabling. Breaking free of this dynamic starts with open and honest communication, which could involve scheduling regular 'meetings' to discuss money matters — as opposed to impromptu discussions that could catch one partner off-guard and turn into an argument. Some couples may even want to consider couples counselling or financial counselling, which can offer professional guidance in a neutral environment. From there, couples can start to develop a joint financial plan, looking at ways to share financial responsibilities and set shared financial goals for the future — say, if they want to save for a wedding or put a down payment on a house. This plan should also allocate a portion of each partner's income toward joint expenses. Sethi's advice for Taylor and Hayden? They need to 'recalibrate' their relationship dynamics. They obviously want to be together, he said, but the question is: 'Do we have a powerful enough vision to carry us through those difficult times?' That means having those difficult conversations about money — and, in this case, Sethi said those conversations should be led by Hayden (so Taylor doesn't feel like this is yet another financial burden on her shoulders). For example, they can discuss how they're spending money, where it needs to change and the ways that money could be reallocated. If they can do that now before they're married and have kids, it may get easier as both Taylor and Hayden's family and income grows. But if they can't, 'it's going to be really hard to change later," Sethi warned. 1. YouTube: I track every penny. He gambles. Should I marry him?, I Will Teach You To Be Rich (Jul 8, 2025) 3. TD Stories: Here are 3 of the biggest financial deal breakers in a relationship, according to new TD survey (May 12, 2025) 4. RBC: Finances and feelings: Harsh economic realities taking a toll on relationships among Canadian couples - RBC poll (Dec 12, 2024) What To Read Next 'Mr. Buffett, how can I make $30 billion?': Warren Buffett once explained how he'd turn $10,000 into a huge fortune if he were a new investor — here are his 3 simple strategies Here are 5 expenses that Canadians (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Are you rich enough to join the top 1%? Here's the net worth you need to rank among Canada's wealthiest — plus a few strategies to build that first-class portfolio Pet owners, here's how you can get up to 90% cashback on expensive emergency veterinary bills — and you can even get a free quote in 30 seconds This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
