The NFL\u2019s investigation into the New Orleans Saints bounty program has created a lot of debate and controversy. The league\u2019s investigation revealed that the Saints had a system over the past three years that awarded players cash for vicious hits that led to injuries and players being carted off the field.<\/p>\n
It is undisputed that the bounty program was overseen by the Saints\u2019 former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.\u00a0 The Saints head coach Sean Payton was aware of the bounty but did not step in to stop it.\u00a0\u00a0 This led to a statement released by Payton and the team\u2019s GM, Mickey Loomis, in which they acknowledged that the violations disclosed by the NFL during their investigation happened under their watch.\u00a0 This is yet another example of a problem that got out of control because a person with authority knew something was wrong but failed to take responsibility,<\/p>\n
The Bounty scandal is more than a football story.\u00a0 It raises an issue that even transcends sports. The bounty system itself reinforces the simple truth that it is human nature to retaliate.\u00a0 How better to get back at an opponent who beats you than to take out one of its players.\u00a0 Perhaps the reason the Saints rejected warnings from the NFL was because it\u2019s just too hard to resist a good payback.\u00a0 Retaliation is part of the human condition and something our society enjoys as entertainment.<\/p>\n
This explains why fans get excited to watch a bench-clearing brawl, a good hockey fight and even a slugfest between two NASCAR drivers.\u00a0\u00a0 It explains why fans understand and accept \u201cunwritten rules\u201d that justify a bean ball or a charge to the mound.\u00a0 In fact some of the most memorable sports moments from our national pastime (baseball), involve acts of retaliation:\u00a0\u00a0 Pete Rose beating on Buddy Harrelson, Bert Campaneris throwing a bat and Nolan Ryan taking it to Robin Ventura?<\/p>\n
Unfortunately for employers outside of sports, acts of retaliation can be more costly than a few fines or suspensions.\u00a0\u00a0 In FY 2011, the EEOC received more charges alleging retaliation than any other type of claim.\u00a0 This was the second consecutive year that retaliation was the most filed charge.\u00a0 Retaliation is human nature so there is always a risk that it can happen.\u00a0 Retaliation can take many forms: a negative job review, reduced hours, denial of training, a demotion, or termination. This is why it is imperative that employers develop policies that prohibit retaliation.\u00a0 More importantly, employers need to spend time educating their management team about what retaliation is and what they can do to guard against it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The NFL\u2019s investigation into the New Orleans Saints bounty program has created a lot of debate and controversy. The league\u2019s investigation revealed that the Saints had a system over the past three years that awarded players cash for vicious hits that led to injuries and players being carted off the field. It is undisputed that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_mo_disable_npp":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,10],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n