ACORN Nuttiness or Solid Oak?

The recent news about the liberal community organizing group called ACORN has provided fodder for conservatives and embarrassment for liberals. In case you missed it, two undercover conservative activists claiming to be a student and a prostitute visited ACORN offices in Maryland, California, New York, and DC. ACORN employees were caught on tape giving advice on tax evasion, human smuggling and child prostitution.

ACORN opponents say the organization is a front for illegal activity. ACORN says its taped employees were victims of a sting, though some of the employees have been fired.

Interestingly, according to the Los Angeles Times, the two undercover activists also visited ACORN’s LA office where ACORN employees didn’t take the activists seriously and asked them to leave. The LA employees assumed it was a joke, not a national sting.

This incident is a reminder of a couple of important points for human resources professionals, executives, and managers. First, when talking to your employees, it’s always possible you’re being recorded. An employee may be mad at you and is hoping you’ll say something showing union animus, a discriminatory attitude, or inconsistent treatment. I suspect a secret recording occurs every day in workplaces around the country. Therefore, what you say should be straight, consistent and above reproach.

Second, when caught with your pants down, don’t jump in a bunker, circle the wagons, and fight to the death. That’s almost always a mistake. If your company or employees have done something wrong and it’s as clear as the nose on your face, admit it and take responsibility. It’s fine to point out the good things about your organization and to clearly say that what a few employees have done isn’t representative of the organization’s work or purpose. Claiming victimhood is ridiculous. Expressing remorse is proper. Then you can move ahead with the good work you want to do.