Litigation Value: Approximately $450,000 (depends on how much Meredith’s medical bills are)
It is good to be back and last night’s episode was a great start for a promising season!
When a manager runs over an employee with a company car on company property, it’s time to contact the finance department about setting aside a pot of money to pay the large verdict that will eventually be awarded against the company. Especially where, as is the case here, the accident may not be covered by workers’ compensation. Add to that Michael’s admission to his boss that the accident was caused by his “negligence,” and Meredith has the beginnings of a nice little lawsuit. Maybe this would be the time for Dunder Mifflin’s attorneys to remind Michael of my favorite saying: “If you can’t be good, then, for the love of God, just be quiet.”
Speaking of God, we generally recommend that our clients refrain from calling a staff meeting for the express purpose of inquiring about their employees’ religious beliefs. And we really try to discourage managers from suggesting that the staff perform animal sacrifices to some creature with the body of a walrus and the head of a meerkat. Suffice it to say that what Michael calls an ‘investigation” into whether his branch is cursed, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission calls “evidence” of religious discrimination.
I have just discovered your blog and I love it. My husband and I also love the game of identifying potential lawsuits arising out of Michael’s behavior — there is never a shortage of material!
Good to be back reading your cool blog.
What do you think about Jan coming back to ‘volunteer’ at the Fun Run hosted by her old company? That seems potentially dangerous. They should have played that up a bit more. Maybe they will in future episodes, I think she’ll be around for a while. I thought it was pretty funny how Ryan was acting exactly like Jan used to when he was talking to Michael. Good stuff
Two additional things I loved about this episode:
1. Even though hardly anyone cared, Toby finally got to excel at something. As an HR professional who also runs, that was important to me. 🙂
2. Finally, someone tackled the tough issue of nipple chafing. Taping only works if you shave your chest, and… well, you get the idea.
I enjoy your blog and I have a question.
I have not seen you write anything about Jim’s pranks directed at Dwight.
Has Jim exposed himself to any liability, or is he being stealthy enough in
his attacks to mitigate most of the risk?
Congratulations on the mention in today’s Wall Street Journal! It would have been nicer if they would have actually given the URL, but it’s still good!
Don’t forget Michael’s pantsing of Toby at the start of the race. Not appropriate for an office sponsored event!