Lessons from Olympics: Luge Tragedy
The Olympics provide lessons for all facets of life. Look closely, and you’ll find numerous Olympic lessons that can be applied to the workplace.
Tragedy gripped the Vancouver Olympics even before the opening ceremony as a result of the death of a member of the Georgian luge team during a practice run. Nodar Kumaritashvili was killed when he left the track and crashed into an exposed metal beam located directly next to the track.
Like some employers after a work-related tragedy, Olympic officials were intent on quickly diverting blame. Instead of a thorough investigation, the sport’s international governing body issued a statement within 10 hours of Kumaritashvili’s death, finding that the dead luger had failed to properly compensate as he entered the curve where he crashed going 90 miles per hour. It wasn’t the track’s fault. It was the athlete’s.
Taking blame avoidance to a whole new level, Olympic officials changed the track before competition began, not for safety reasons, but to accommodate the emotional state of other luge participants. Never mind that luge Olympians had complained about the track’s danger for quite a while. It was the fastest such course in the world, a fact that Olympic officials took pride in, rather than taking precautions to prevent the event from becoming deadly.
When an employer’s mistake results in tragedy, it’s much better, albeit unusual, to admit the obvious and deal responsibly with the consequences. It’s difficult now to believe a single thing the Olympic officials in charge of the luge competition say about anything.
The luge tragedy also points to another important lesson. Listen to what your employees say about working conditions and their need for change. Just as the luge competitors knew more than anyone else about the track, employees usually know more than anyone else about a workplace and its dangers.
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About Chris Parker
Chris Parker's practice focuses on the representation and counseling of companies in matters pertaining to the workplace and the protection of their intellectual property and trade secrets. In addition to serving as an advocate for clients, Mr. Parker is also trained as a mediator and frequently serves as a third-party neutral.
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About Jimmy Daniel
Jimmy Daniel provides counseling to businesses of all sizes related to the employment relationship. He assists in the drafting of employment agreements, policies, and handbooks, as well as provides guidance related to compliance with federal, state, and local legislation such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
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About Larry Bridgesmith
While serving in an Of Counsel relationship with the firm, Mr. Bridgesmith also serves as the Executive Director at the Institute for Conflict Resolution at Lipscomb University and as an officer and principal in Strategic Resolutions Group, LLC. In these roles, Mr. Bridgesmith brings over 30 years of legal experience in dispute resolution and innovative workplace strategies to clients, students and business entities alike.
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1. Olympics Luge Tragedy Videos | Worldwide News Says:
[...] The Olympics provide lessons for all facets of life. Look closely, and you’ll find numerous Olympic lessons that can be applied to the workplace. Tragedy.Read more [...]
March 13th, 2010 at 3:21 pm e