My grievance with Carolinas Healthcare System

So I completed seven years of employment with Charlotte Mecklenburg Hospital Authority d/b/a Carolinas Healthcare System with overall successful and exceptional performances.

So how did it come to a Court case filing?  Nepotism? Cronyism? A little of both? or just an incompetent Human Resources staff?  You decide.

My case on July 26, 2013 was dismissed without prejudice in order for both parties to re-group and allow me to re-file within the next year.  CHS wanted the case dismissed with prejudice, and they filed their motion to dismiss at 8:59am (an hour and one minute before the start of our small claims case.)

Questions came up about my failure to file with the North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDL).  It is my understanding that the NCDL is designed to help employees get their job back.  According to CHS, they had completely eliminated all employee hairdresser positions.  So there was no job available to get back.  In addition, by February 2013, both managers that I had filed EEOC complaints against were separated from CHS.  I believe that these terminations were considered "corrective action" on behalf of CHS.  So I did not see a benefit in filing with NCDL.

I tried to work out a settlement out of court with CHS, but they have been unwilling to compromise.

As of August 2013, CHS and I still have not agreed to any type of settlement of my grievances of retaliation and  unfair treatment.

I found my case to be handled recklessly by CHS Human Resources and its attorneys.

Even others in management have questions about the competency of CHS Human Resources staff.  According to my research,  Human Resources purpose is to retain good employees and recruit good employees.  CHS has had a high turnover amongst its employees for years, and based on some opinions as shown above, third party recruiters supply better candidates than internal CHS recruiters.

 Some people may think that I am expecting a handout, but I have proof that I was willing to work for pay.

My 20+ transfer applications were not forwarded to hiring managers for consideration nor was I granted any interviews within the last two years of my employment not even from my direct upline.  My complaints to Human Resources were ignored.  I wonder if they were just hoping that I would just go away empty-handed?

Well, according to my understanding, I was laid off, but we did not agree on the layoff terms.  So I do not know if that means that I was just involuntarily terminated?  However, I received an exit interview survey to complete as if I voluntarily resigned.   I am confused.  Human Resources seem to be confused.  Which makes me question why CHS does not have a corporate compliance department that can provide a "check and balance" over the Human Resources administration without reporting up to the Chief Human Resources officer which has been a conflict of interest.

Articles such as this one seems to be the only way for "my side of my story" to be heard because North Carolina is an "at-will employment" state.  That means the employment laws favor the employer not the employee.

I hope my story helps others to make sound decisions about working in North Carolina.

All Attorneys are not of the same caliber

First of all, I am no one's "nigger" nor "nigga."  I will not be mistreated nor disrespected by anyone regardless of race nor social status. I have too much education and training to have any type of inferiority complex about myself.  So with that said, I have encountered attorneys that seem to think that all Blacks are "ignorant."  So they take our money and then they try to make us feel worthless and dumb . . .

I can not imagine if I did not have my credentials to back my stance, but regardless of education and social status, if you are paying money, then your opinion should be respected.

The pictures above were from a brochure that an attorney mailed to me prior to our initial "face to face" meeting.  I was appalled by her brochure.  I knew that this attorney was not going to be a good fit for me.  I immediately cancelled my formal consultation with her.

I can hardly believe the audacity to send out a brochure worded in that manner. I also paid another attorney for a consultation, and he was sooo bossy that the consultation was like a "mental war."  He tried to control the "information flow," and I was trying to get my questions answered.  After the consultation, I mailed him a follow-up note letting him know that I was displeased with my treatment, and I would not be securing his services.  I would rather pay an attorney triple his fee for respect and knowlege of the laws.

I encourage people to only patronize attorneys that give them respect and show genuine interest in understanding their desired outcome.  No one should feel inferior nor degraded.  The best attorneys are "older" with decades of experience and their hourly fee may be $300 to $400 per hour as far as North Carolina is concerned.

I have paid various different attorneys over my lifetime.  I would love to share my experiences with others if it will save them some time and money.

Return to Stand-up Comedy: Benita Blocker

The Whitest Black Woman in Comedy is coming back to the Stage with new material and a fresh attitude.

When I first started comedy about ten years ago, I was working in corporate America, and there was nothing funny about it at the time.  I was trying to use borrowed material.  I felt like a small fish in a big world.

I am now over age 40, and I am a big fish in a small world.  I am full-time self-employed, and funny things are always happening!

I have been performing standup comedy for my hair clients for the last five years or more as I was mastering my hairstyling craft.

Needless to say, I have been quiet for about a decade.  I have a lot on my chest.  So just like Kevin Hart's movie "Let me Explain."

It's time!  Please follow "Benita Blocker" on twitter to see my tour schedule . . . for open mic performances - that is. LOL!  My hair clientele is still my first priority!

Yours in Laughter,
Benita

Plus Size Considerations

To the restaurants with Booth Seating:  Plus size patrons usually prefer a table over a booth because the tables at the booths are not adjustable  in order to comfortably bend over to eat.

To the public bathrooms construction teams:  When the bathroom stalls are too small, plus size people have to stand behind the toilet just to get the stall door closed.  The handicap stall is usually a more comfortable option.

To the fairgrounds and amusement parks:  Some rides are not big enough for larger "butts" and legs.  The swings and bumper cars do not seem to be built for larger patrons.  An amusement park for "plus size" patrons would be a huge success!  Any investors?

To the personal trainers:  Plus size clients are carrying extra "weights" naturally.  Please consider this when designing workout routines.

These tidbits are designed to assist the slim folks to understand the dilemnas of the plus size community.

Shattered Tempered Window

One day while in the salon, I heard a vacuum seal "pop" then it was "snap and crackle" for another hour and a half.  My tempered window in the salon parlor doors just shattered for no reason.  It was not hot outside.  There were no signs of anything hitting it.  After researching this strange occurrence, I found people have awaken to their shower doors shattering in the middle of the night.  Apparently, if too much stress is placed on the glass when placed in a framing, then it may eventually give in and shatter.  Lucky for me, the window stayed upright and contained.  It was a scary occurrence initially because I did not know if someone had shot at me or what.  But after a slow inspection and confirming over the internet about glass shattering for no reason, I felt safer.  The glass company said as long as the glass was not missing, then they considered the shattered window secure until it was replaced.  Below is a picture of what the glass did look like.

Chauncey Sterling Case Similar to George Zimmerman case

http://thecharlotteweekly.com/news/2011/06/hearing-set-in-trial-of-southpark-murder-suspect/

http://thecharlotteweekly.com/news/2011/07/breaking-da-wont-seek-death-in-southpark-murder-case/

 This article is based on information obtained from CharlotteObserver.com and The Stonehaven Community Patrol online article which was stated to be based off a Charlotte Observer article by Elizbeth Leland.

Prosecutor name: Clayton Jones
Murder Victim:  Carolinas Healthcare System executive Robert Barber

Defendant's attorney:   Scott Gsell
Defendant:  First time offender Chauncey Sterling (no prior record before the murder according to the South Charlotte Weekly June 9, 2013 online article)

It is my opinion that it is not in the best interest of the defendant to demonstrate how he murdered a man during his own jury trial.  This is just ridiculous.

Obviously, the young man seemed to be guilty of attempted robbery, but there was one gun standing between a White man and a Black youth.

This situation is very similar to the Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman case in Florida.  If a gun is involved, then someone may get killed.

In both cases, the person bringing the gun to the fight ended up living.

So Chauncey Sterling did not die the day of the murder; however, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole.     I am sorry for the Barber family loss.  I am sorry that Chauncey Sterling was still trying to figure out his purpose in life when he took Mr. Barber's life.

Chauncey Sterling seemed to be the typical misdirected Black youth according to what I have read.  Why would his attorney have the defendant demonstrate how he murdered a man in front of the jury?

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/testimony-wrapping-southpark-murder-trial/nYKdX/

This same defense attorney, Scott Gsell, lost a June 2011 case where Montrez Williams was found guilty of murdering two other youths who were bullying him. Williams was sentenced to life in prison.

According to the story from wbtv.com, Montrez Williams seemed to have been stuck in a position where he felt that he had to kill or be killed.  He made his choice.  I understand his choice.  Sometimes the devil gets into people, and they can not be reasoned with.  You can only hope that the police will be diligent in maintaining peace and preserving your rights to feel safe without having to take justice in your own hands.

Best Pedestrian Neighborhood in Huntersville, NC

Exit 23 Gilead Road in Huntersville has one of the friendliest pedestrian based neighborhoods in the Lake Norman area.  The neighborhood is called "Rosedale."

Within a 5 to 15 minute walk, you can reach the following:
1) Grocery stores (24 Hours Harris Teeter, Bi-Lo)
2) Urgent Care
3) Hospital
4) Med Spa
5) Restaurants
6) ABC store
7) Pizza shops
8) Dentists
9) Pediatric Dentistry
10)  Donut shop
11) Bike shop
12) Insurance companies
13) Hair salons ( chain hair salons as well as private hair salons)
14) Nail salons
15) Doctor offices
16) Massage locations
17) Drug stores
18) Office Services
19) FedEx Office location
20) Starbucks
21) Pet Grooming
22) Frozen Yogurt
23) Fitness Centers
24) Personal Trainers
25) 7-11 store/gasoline station
26) McDonalds
27) Banks
28) Earthfare
29) Five Guys
30) Commuter bus stops
31) Bagel shop
32) GNC
33) Kids store
34)  Dry cleaners
35) Realtors
36) Tae Kwon Do
37) Learning Centers
38) Swim School
39) Day Care
40) Bars

Across the bridge which is NOT pedestrian friendly at this time, but there is
1) US Post Office
2) Sprint Store
3) Restaurants
4) Fast Food
and plenty of other shopping.

So if you work local to Huntersville, Rosedale may be a perfect neigborhood to commute to/from to save money on transportation costs as well as helping to save the environment.