THREE BALLS CHRONICLE
VOLUME 8 / ISSUE 5
June 2025
IN THIS ISSUE
Letter from the President
Letter from the General Manager
Loyalty Pawn Family
Security Awareness
Store Manager Updates
Golden 1 Center Events
Monthly Sales
Monthly Birthstone Guide
Monthly Birthdays and Anniversaries and New Hires
Loyalty Pawn’s Core Goals, Values and Visions
Employee Services Corner
Team Loyalty!
Happy June! As we welcome the start of summer, it’s the perfect time to recharge, refocus, and lean into the energy this season brings. The longer days and warmer weather offer new opportunities to connect, grow, and keep pushing toward our goals. Thank you all for the continued dedication and teamwork you bring to the table each day, your efforts are what keep us strong and moving forward. Let’s make this month count and carry that momentum into the second half of the year.
Be sure to check out the exciting events coming up at the Golden 1 Center and don’t forget to submit your ticket request forms.
Wishing all you Dad’s a Happy Father’s Day and
President’s Letter
Hello Loyalty Pawn Family,
Some of you may have known my father, Stanley Lukowicz II, and some of you may not. He recently passed away, and I felt it was important to share a bit about his life. He was more than just a father he was the person who introduced me to the pawn shop industry and inspired my own path in business. Of all the ventures he pursued throughout his life, pawn shops and his grandchildren were his two true passions. They weren’t just a business to him; they represented opportunity, community, and the thrill of the deal. His story is one worth telling, because it reflects a life of grit, hustle, generosity, and deep devotion to family and the community. I wanted to share his obituary which is below.
Stanley Joseph Lukowicz II passed away Monday, May 12, 202, in the presence of family at the age of 77 years old. Stanley’s life is as storied as his larger-than-life personality. Stanley was born in Providence, Rhode Island in August 16, 1947 and spent time as a child in Florida and Texas before settling in the Compton, Watts area of Los Angeles. It was in Los Angeles he learned the invaluable lessons of hard work and the hustle that made him such a successful businessman and entrepreneur. Stanley had his first job at the age of 9, before school as a paperboy and after school stacking shelves in a grocery store. In the second week of the 11th grade, he dropped out of high school upon the realization that during the previous summer, he had made more money than his teacher made in a year. At this point, he went to work and learned the art of making money from his mentor, Louie Berman of Pasadena, and at 19 opened his first business, a pawn shop in Los Angeles. By 22, Stanley was buying and selling antiques, silver bars, brass bars and other haberdashery, traveling back and forth from Europe.
Southern California is also where he was introduced to Doreen Anne, the one and only woman he would fall in love with and remain married to for 51 years. To seal that deal, he wooed her on their first date in Las Vegas to see Elvis Presley. Their love and life spanned over five decades and survived eight children and the loss of daughter Kerry, and the trials that come with a large family and an ambition to build a legacy until Doreen passed away in September of 2023. Stanley and Doreen left Southern California to raise their family and seek opportunities in the Gold Country in 1972. Stanley and Doreen worked to raise their children, build businesses and managed to see the world. To seek education and opportunity for their children, they moved to Sacramento in 1986. Although he moved, his commitment to Amador County did not waiver as he continued to flourish as a pillar of the Amador County community with his philanthropy and commercial business endeavors.
This impressive man lived as an antique dealer, silver bar trader, motorcycle and power products dealer, restaurateur, hotelier, investor of a gold mine, Buffalo Brewing Company investor, venture capitalist, bank investor, pottery factory owner and succulent farmer, Cornish Inn owner,
art and jewelry merchant, commercial real estate investor and developer, pawnbroker, sports team owner, convenience store owner, world traveler, beach home owner, philatelist and Americana documents trader and business consultant, generous to a fault, philanthropist, and most importantly, a family man. Stanley was a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, sitting on the Boards of Amador County Foundation and the California Loan and Secondhand Dealers Association, as well as countless others. Until very late in life, he suffered no fools and was a brilliant human with an incomparable humor despite the hard row his life had been. His final words were of his wife Doreen and his children, of whom he was so proud, as proof that his proudest achievement was that of a family man.
Stanley is mourned by his sister Vera and her husband Wayne; his children Kelly, Pamela, Stanley Joseph Lukowicz III, Kristine, Teresa and Daniel; his grandchildren Meagan, Zachary, Audrey, Lauren, Lillian, Luka, London, Sebastian, Natalia and Scarlett; his extended in-law family members Deborah, Jason, Jorge, Kerry, Nancy, Emerson and Carley; and countless more whose lives he impacted.
Since the passing of dear friends, and his wife, the Stanley of late had changed a bit from how he should and would want to be remembered. If you were lucky enough to have met the real “Trader Stan, the working man’s friend,” you would remember him, like h im or not, and if blessed enough to truly know him, you loved him dearly.
He now has a peace that the last few years did not possess for him, surrounded by his wife Doreen, his decades-long business partner Michael Spinetti, his friends and confidants Robert Mastagni and Robert Shirley, and his many cherished loved ones who had gone before him.
Stanley will be buried with his wife Doreen. A private funeral and memorial will follow in the coming weeks for family and friends.
Gratefully,
Stanley Lukowicz III President
Letter from the General Manager
Greetings everyone, We’re excited to share that loan growth reached $82,000 in May, putting us well on track to hit our $100,000 goal for June. This momentum is a testament to everyone's hard work and dedication let’s keep it going strong!
Sales Spotlight
While May was a softer month in terms of overall sales, we’re proud to recognize our Top 3 Sales Performers who stood out with their exceptional efforts:
� Dominic T. � Norma B. � Ah X.
Thank you for your commitment and drive you inspire us all!
Grow Your Jewelry Expertise
We’re looking for 5 team members interested in enrolling in the AJP GIA Online Course to deepen their jewelry knowledge and enhance their professional skills. If you're passionate about learning and want to take part, please contact Wayne by June 15th to secure your spot!
Sincerely,
Wayne Silliman General Manager
Loyalty Pawn Family
Greetings, Loyalty Family!
First and foremost, I would like to congratulate Team Broadway for surpassing their 20% stretch goal last month. This marks the fourth consecutive month that they have achieved their goals great job, Team Broadway! A special shoutout goes to Ricardo and Kirby for ensuring a steady inflow of quality pictured jewelry inventory, meeting all of our store’s needs. We will continue to replace the number of pieces sold from the previous month and maintain our support for all of you. Additionally, we had an excellent month in pawn services, marking the second-highest collection we’ve achieved this year. This is particularly exciting, considering that back in January, we anticipated this trend as we reached the end of the first cycle of collecting under the new rates established at the beginning of the year. We expect continued growth this month, and it will take everyone’s efforts to help fulfill our capital needs by reaching our sales goals. We have a robust selection of inventory at various price points; now we just need to move it! Let’s not forget about our great Layaway programs, which have always been a great way to help our clients afford luxury pieces. This month has also seen the highest number of buys we’ve had all year, so great job to everyone for properly qualifying our clients. Lastly, this month we will take the opportunity to get to know one of our newest members of the Florin Team, Adrianna.
1. What helps keep you motivated? My family and kids.
2. What professional skills do you think everyone should have? Customer service skills and communication skills.
3. What professional skills would you like to master? I would like to master welding because it would come in handy.
4. Who is the best pawnbroker you know, and what makes them the best? Jesus, because he’s my friend and I don’t know that many pawn brokers.
5. What do you consider yourself to be good at, and what could you improve? I am good at cooking, and I could improve in baking.
6. What is the best perk you have had at a job? Discounts.
7. What is the most valuable career advice you've been given? Never give up on your goals in the workplace.
8. What can the company do to celebrate a success you've had? COFFEE and recognition maybe a raise.
9. What do you like about the pawn industry? All the cool stuff you come across.
10. What do you dislike about the industry? -Maybe customers? Seen allot of things on tv shows I know may be unrealistic.
11. What can the company change or improve to make it better to work here? Recognition for hard work done.
12. What's the last big challenge you've had, professionally or personally? The last big challenge had way trying to get a job but now I would say potty training.
13. Where do you see yourself in five years? New house. Maybe some sort of manager position with awesome pay.
14. What is something you would like to get better at in the pawn industry? Everything. I don’t know too much about it honestly.
15. Have you checked something off your bucket list? What was it? No not really.
16. If you could choose any celebrity to be your best friend, who would it be? Seth Rogan. He seems like a fun guy.
17. What are you looking forward to this year? Moving possibly or my birthday.
18. If you could be a professional in any sport, what would it be and why? Not a fan of sports but maybe softball because I’ve played for many years.
19. What do you value more: time off, making more money, or benefits? Time off only because I want to watch my kids grow up but money to because I can provide for them.
20. What is a small thing that makes your job easier or better? Probably when its busy so time goes by quicker. I like to always be and doing something
21. What is the best work event you have attended? What made it so great? My old jobs Christmas party because they had raffles, I won a apple watch and shark vacuum and really good food.
Shop Talk Manager Updates
El
Camino
Loyalty Family,
Summer's Heating Up and So Are the Sales!
The heat is on, and so is the summer sales season! Team El Camino is turning up the temperature with a sizzling new goal: $59,000 for our 20% and with our unstoppable team spirit and sales skills, we know we can crush it!
Just like the rising thermostat, cash for gold is on the upswing, and Team Elco has been buying strong. Our layaway balance is sitting pretty at $103,000 and growing, keeping that momentum steady will be the key to our success.
As we dive into June, we’re also riding the exciting wave of new pawn service charges bringing even more opportunity our way. And let’s not forget the fresh energy joining our team a warm El Camino welcome to Chealynn Martin and Zane Wakley! We’re thrilled to have you on board as we surf into a strong summer season together.
Here’s to a hot month of sales, teamwork, and success. Let’s make June one to remember!
Tony Mora
Hi Team Loyalty
We’re beyond excited to have new working AC units just in time for summer it’s already making a huge difference in our energy and focus! With a cool and comfortable workspace, we’re more determined than ever to hit our June sales goal. We’re going to make it happen by using every tool at our disposal, staying sharp, and pushing each other to succeed. Plus, we’re keeping the momentum going by playing games and running fun challenges with the team to stay motivated and engaged. Let’s crush this month together!
John Mark
Roseville
Broadway
Hello Team,
We’re excited to share that the store hit its 20% sales growth goal for the second month in a row. To celebrate the team’s hard work, we took the staff out to an Oakland A’s game, a fun way to show our appreciation and build team spirit. As we head into summer, we’re expecting loan balances to continue growing, so our focus is sales and layaways to keep our momentum going. My personal goal for the next couple of months is to have our layaway balance reach 10% of our loan balance. The team is energized and ready to meet the challenge here’s hoping to push another month of grown in all metrics.
Thank you,
Kirby Erlanger
Florin Mall
Hello Loyalty Pawn Families,
I hope this message finds you well. Team Florin had a sales goal of $92k for May, aiming for both a 20% and a 5% target. Unfortunately, we fell short, achieving only $73.5k in sales. Looking ahead, we have set a goal of $78.5k for June, and we are determined to meet it. To achieve this, Team Florin will concentrate on listing our inventory online and securing layaway agreements to boost future sales.
We are also thrilled to celebrate Adrianna’s one-month anniversary with us! She is learning quickly, handling small counter deals, and we are confident that she will integrate seamlessly into our team at Florin. Additionally, Team Florin has reduced our loan balance and will focus on bringing it back to $2.2 million.
Wishing everyone the best of luck as we strive to meet our sales goal!
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do." - Steve Jobs
Mark Xiong
1st
2nd Norma Bobadilla (El Camino #1) Dominic Tognolini (Roseville #3) David Palomares (Florin
3rd
4th
5th
Dominic Tognolini (Roseville #3) Norma Bobadilla (El Camino #1) Norma Bobadilla (El Camino #1)
#2)
Ah Xiong (Florin #2) David Palomares (Florin #2) Stephanie Alfaro (El Camino #1)
Matthew Stevens (Roseville #3) Matthew Stevens (Roseville #3)
Dominic Tognolini (Roseville #3)
Josh Bonton (Broadway #4) Ah Xiong (Florin #2) Matthew Stevens (Roseville #3)
Golden 1 Center Upcoming Events
Below is the list of events that are posted as of right now and we will be adding events to this list each month as they get posted! The events in green are available and the events in red have already been spoken for. If you would like to request tickets send your ticket request forms to lauren.l@loyaltypawn.com so that I can get your requests in and if you need a request form email lauren.l@loyaltypawn.com and I can send you a copy or you can ask your supervisor! With the Golden 1 Center opening back up there is a limited number of tickets available, so for every event you are only allowed to request and receive 4 tickets per event!
Ivan Cornejo
Wu-Tang Clan
Jorge Medina & Josi Cuen
Cody Johnson
Cody Johnson
V101 - Lisa Lisa
Uchis
Lainey Wilson
Ana Gabriel
Lil Wayne
Alejandro Fernandez
McRae
Los Tigres del Norte
Luis Conriquez
Phil Wickman
22nd
26th
17th
9th
10th
11th Saturday 8:00 PM
23rd Thursday 8:00 PM Disney on Ice Presents Frozen & Encanto
Disney on Ice Presents Frozen & Encanto
Disney on Ice Presents Frozen & Encanto
Disney on Ice Presents Frozen & Encanto
Disney on Ice Presents Frozen & Encanto
Disney on Ice Presents Frozen & Encanto
Eric Church
Brandon Lake
Ramon Ayala
November 1st Friday 7:00 PM
November 2nd Saturday 10:30 AM
November 2nd Saturday 2:00 PM
November 2nd Saturday 7:00 PM
November 13th Thursday 7:00 PM
November 15th Saturday 7:00 PM
November 29th Saturday 8:00 PM
Pawning Through the Ages
For thousands of years, people all over the world have from time to time found themselves with one problem in common the need for fast cash. And for almost as long, there’s been one easy way to solve it: To “pawn” personal items of value for a cash loan. Throughout history, pawnbrokers have provided monetary loans in exchange for valuable items. These items are then held by the pawnbroker for a contractual period of time during which the owner of the item can repay the cash loan, plus an amount of interest, to reclaim their goods. If they are unable to come up with the money to buy the item back, the broker has the right to sell the item to another buyer. In the United States today, more than 12,000 pawn shops operate nationwide, their shelves filled with an eclectic array of items from the ordinary to the unbelievable. Each has its own unique story and past.
The First Pawn Shops
More than 3,000 years ago, pawn shops first emerged in Ancient China as a method of granting shortterm credit to peasants. Some pawnbrokers operated independently, but over time most of these businesses were run through pawn shops. Pawnbroking thrived in ancient Greece and Rome, giving merchants a way to get small shops off the ground. During the Middle Ages, some restrictions were placed on charging interest by the Catholic Church, halting the growth of pawn shops. These rules were relaxed in the 14th and 15th centuries in Europe as short-term credit became an important way of financing business endeavors and granting temporary aid to the poor. Prominent families such as the Lombards of England and the Medicis of Italy became known as money-lending families. England’s King Edward III famously pawned his jewels to the Lombards in 1388 to help finance war against France, and Queen Isabella of Spain is said to have put up her jewelry as collateral to fund Christopher Columbus’ expeditions to the New World.
The word “pawn” stems from the Latin word “patinum” meaning cloth or clothing. For the working class, clothes were often the most valuable items they owned. Though the majority of pawn shops have always been privately operated, some public pawn shops were set up as charitable funds in Europe in the 18th century, offering low interest loans to the poor to help curb debt. The practice of pawning clothes on Monday and retrieving them on Friday “payday” was a common way for poor people to make it through the week during the 19th century. Since people in need of quick cash were more apt to be on the fringes of society during this era, protections were put in place to try to prevent the pawning of stolen items. The Pawnbrokers Act of 1872 in England established regulations protecting pawnbrokers who inadvertently sold stolen items. This act also stipulated the amount of interest that could be charged on pawned items, and set out overall guidelines for the industry, establishing a pattern of regulation that continues today.
Pawn Shops Today
In the past 100 years, the number of pawn shops has skyrocketed in the United States. During the Great Depression era, pawn shops were among the only institutions offering cash as banks failed and people were forced to give up their cherished items to make ends meet. Today, whether in big cities and small towns, pawn shops are still a primary place people can go to turn their items into cash. These shops operate as mini-banks for millions of Americans who do not hold checking accounts, and they also serve as an area of exchange for people of all class backgrounds to buy and sell unique, rare or coveted items. Electronics, musical instruments and distinctive pieces of clothing are also commonly pawned items.
The pawn shop industry has been criticized at times for preying upon the poor with inflated interest rates and low-balling the value of goods in order to turn a profit. But organizations such as the National Pawnbrokers Association, established in 1988, contend that their industry offers a viable solution for those in need of cash. Pawn shops are required to uphold clear regulations about the terms of the pawn contract and the amount of interest on the cash loans. Each pawned item is also registered to prevent the sale of stolen items.
Pawn shops are repositories of history, holding antiques, jewelry, furniture and other items that have been passed from generation to generation. Their owners may genuinely know their source or offer tales of where they believe items came from and how much they are worth. Of course, pawn brokers do their own assessment of each item, estimating its age, authenticity and value on the open market. Along the way, they develop a unique set of skills, sniffing out the authentic from the fake, the valuable from the worthless and the art of driving a hard bargain.
Source: https://www.history.com/shows/pawn-stars/articles/pawning-through-the-ages
Monthly Birthstone Guide
This will help educate you about some of the more popular semi and precious stones we come across and it will also help you close some more sales. The idea is to educate you on each month’s birthstone as you can arrange your cases properly and make suggestions to our clients that may be browsing or even looking for a gift. Let’s think outside the box when utilizing this information.
JANUARY – Garnet
MARCH – Aquamarine
MAY Emerald
FEBRUARY Amethyst
Anniversaries, Birthdays and New Hires
June Birthdays
Tony Mora June 7th
Ramsey Lewis June 21st
Chealynn Martin June 30th
June Anniversaries
Wayne Silliman 26 Years
John Mark 18 Years
David Palomares 14 Years
Dominic Tognolini 7 Years
May New Hires
We had three new hires in May! Chealynn Martin and Zane Wakley to the El Camino Team and Connor Cline to the Roseville Team, lets all welcome to Chealynn, Connor, and Zane to the Loyalty Family!!
Loyalty Pawn’s Goals, Values, and Visions
“The Leader in Local Lending”
Company Wide Goals
• To Offer Immediate Relief with a Short-Term Loan.
• To Develop, Recruit and Inspire an Elite Work Force, Driven by Loyal Business Practices.
• To Provide the Highest Standard of Quality, Commitment and Value to Every Customer in Our Loyalty Pawn Family!
Core Values
• Loyalty
• Dedication
• Creativity
Company Vision
Loyalty Pawn Employee Services Corner
JUNE CALENDAR OF NATIONAL EVENTS
JUNE…
Ah, happy day, refuse to go!
Hang in the heavens forever so!
Forever in midafternoon, Ah, happy day of happy June!
~Harriet E Prescott Spofford, American Writer (1835-1921)
ü June 5 is World Environment Day a day meant to raise environmental awareness across the globe.
ü June 11 is this month’s Full Moon
ü June 14 is Flag Day (U.S.). Be sure to raise the flag! Learn about the U.S. Flag Code, which provides guidelines for displaying the American flag properly.
ü June 15 is Father’s Day this year.
ü June 19 is Juneteenth (also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day). On this day in 1865, Union General Gordon Granger read the Emancipation Proclamation aloud in Galveston, Texas, effectively liberating enslaved people in the state, which had thus far been beyond control of the Union Army.
ü June 20 is the summer solstice, which heralds the start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s the day with the most hours of daylight. In the Southern Hemisphere, winter begins at this time.
ü June 21 is this month’s Full Moon. Find out why it’s called the Strawberry Moon!
ü June 24 brings Midsummer Day, also St. John the Baptist’s Feast Day. Traditionally, this was the midpoint of the growing season, halfway between planting and harvesting. It is celebrated in many cultures on the night of June 23, as Midsummer Eve!
ü June 26 marks Islamic New Year, which begins with the first sighting of the crescent Moon after the new Moon in the month of Muharram. This event signals the start of the Islamic lunar calendar year.
ü June 28 is the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots a watershed moment for LGBT rights in the United States.
“Just for Fun” Days of June 2025
• June 1: Say Something Nice Day
• June 3: Chimborazo Day
• June 6: National Yo-Yo Day
• June 8: Upsy Daisy Day
• June 21: Go Skateboarding Day
• June 30: Asteroid Day
FULL MOON OF JUNE
The full Strawberry Moon rises on Friday, June 11, 2025. This year, it is special because it is a Solstice Full Moon! What is the true origin of the name “Strawberry Moon,” and what are some other June Moon names? Will it be pink?
On the evening of June 11TH just after sunset look towards the southeast to watch the full Moon rise gently above the horizon. There, it will appear large and golden-hued. June’s full Moon will reach peak illumination at 11:41 P.M. Eastern Time.
Is Dating a Coworker a Bad Idea?
The Good. The Bad. The Ugly. Risks and Solutions,
Workplace romances come with a lot of challenges, and they can, at times, end in disaster but they’re also very common, and for good reason. In this issue of Three Ball’s Chronicles, we will cover workplace romancing and explain the reasons why they can backfire and/or hurt your Loyalty Pawn career.
Many people meet their mate at work, but savvy employers know that love is complicated. When romance is in the air at work, an employer may be faced with gossip, lovers' quarrels, and distracted employees. Even worse, this may lead to sexual harassment, retaliation, favoritism, and workplace violence.
In fact, that is the biggest danger of having an office romance. If the affair blows up so may the workplace environment. It could lead to one employee doing everything and anything to avoid the other; difficulties in getting work done when working together; and, in the extreme, cyber-bullying.
Workplace romances can be harmful for a number of reasons, including:
• Distractions - Employees may be distracted by their romantic relationships, which can lead to decreased productivity
• Gossip- Coworkers may gossip about the relationship, which can damage reputations and create patterns of distrust
• Favoritism-Coworkers may perceive the relationship as a sign of favoritism, which can negatively impact morale.
• Conflicts of interest-Relationships can lead to biased decision making and other inequities, especially if one person has authority over the other
• Harassment-The line between flirting and harassment can be blurred, and one person may be subjected to a toxic work environment
• Legal issues-Souring relationships can lead to legal entanglements, especially if one person has authority over the other
• Awkwardness-When a relationship ends, one person may want it to continue while the other doesn't, which can lead to lingering awkwardness
Romance in the Workplace – The Good
These days, people spend the bulk of their time at work, which makes the temptation to start a workplace romance strong. After all, these are the people you see every day. You have a lot in common with them. When you spend this much time with someone, you get to know them on an intimate, day-to-day level. You get a feel for their intelligence, personality and ethic and this can create a type of chemistry that could lead to something more.
Also, when you date somebody at work, they get you and the pressures of your job. There are groups like law enforcement and the investigative agencies that have had great success actually encouraging relationships because the demands and pressures being put on them are often unique to their professions.
Being in a relationship where someone knows those demands and how that can likely impact time and availability is vital for any kind of relationship growth. People inherently understand and are attracted to others who “understand” that part of their life. And, once the romance starts, it can be very exciting pretending to your colleagues that you’re not dating. Practically speaking, two people in an office romance can also be a force for good, sharing notes/ideas and collaborating well together.
Romance in the Workplace – The Bad
There are also a lot of “cons” to dating your co-worker. The most common one being, if it doesn’t work out, you still must see your ex and work with him or her every day. This is especially hard on the person who didn’t want the relationship to end. This type of situation can lead to poor performance, increased absenteeism, workplace drama and a possible hostile work environment.
Also, workplace romances rarely, if ever, stays between two people. Soon the rumor mill gets started and it’s everybody’s business. Now your love life is the subject of gossip around the worksite and all eyes are on you and the person you’re dating. Relationships need time to grow between just two people before being brought out into the open. Constant scrutiny can drive a quick wedge between you.
Another reason work and romance rarely mix is it can put a serious hamper on job performance. You may find yourself taking longer lunches together or finding ways to sneak off to be alone. This could lead to jealousy among co-workers who may view this behavior as “slacking off”.
Romance in the Workplace – The Ugly
Aside from creating a tense office environment, having an office romance can also lead to potential legal consequences. For example, if one party wants to end the relationship but the other one doesn’t, a sexual harassment claim may come up. Another potential ugly consequence of workplace romance? The person you’re dating may already be in a committed relationship. Imagine the embarrassment of finding this out through a nasty phone call or email from a furious significant other!
Romances gone wrong can lead to workplace violence. Remember this; just because you work with somebody doesn’t mean you really know them. The person you’re dating may have a serious mental illness or some type of emotional instability you’re not aware of. The closeness and intimacy of a romantic relationship and the subsequent loss of this relationship could trigger a sudden and violent response.
The Supervisor/Subordinate Relationship – Double Trouble?
The supervisor/subordinate relationship is one of the trickiest office romances to navigate since there are so many potential pitfalls. For one, favoritism is going to be an issue. Think of it this way: If your supervisor has ten other employees under him but he’s dating you, your coworkers are going to start treating you differently. Whether he is or isn’t offering you any special “perks”, such as raises or time off, people are going to believe he is. You may even risk turning into the worksite outcast.
As a supervisor dating a subordinate, you may run into some issues as well. Say you’re the supervisor and the person you’re dating suddenly believes they no longer have to work as hard or even do their job at all. Normally, you would reprimand the person but considering the relationship, your hands are now tied.
Supervisor/employee office romances may also lead to legal consequences in addition to the awkwardness the relationship undoubtedly will create, there is a legal issue with respect to potential harassment or discrimination claims. For example, giving raises/promotions to a subordinate simply because of a relationship he/she has with a superior or the perception of the relationship having an impact exists
And don’t forget about sexual harassment. Especially in a case like this. Even if the relationship was consensual, you always run the risk of a sexual harassment claim from the subordinate who can claim feeling pressured to continue the relationship out of fear of losing their job. The upside is that if the relationship works either as a romance or closer friendship, the subordinate wins more intimacy with no downside and the subordinate wins a lover and/or friend and possibly protector and mentor as well.
What to Do When Romance is Unavoidable
Some workplace romances go beyond the excitement of a mere fling; they’re the real thing. If you and the person you’re dating believe this is something lasting, it’s best to disclose the relationship with a supervisor or management above both your positions for a fair analysis of the situation.
Many companies today are creating “Love Contracts” for people that are dating each other from the same company. The purpose of these contracts is to clearly outline specific guidelines and acknowledgements by both parties in the relationship. This protects the company, as well as defines the responsibilities and behavioral guidelines of the parties involved when they are at work.
At Loyalty Pawn, we strive to create and maintain a safe and comfortable working environment for all our employees. Policy reminds us that specifically if a relationship between a store manager or store keyholder and a subordinate is made known, reporting changes must be made to ensure that the reporting relationship is modified so that all employees can continue to work harmoniously. This may mean that shift schedules might change, or one of the employees is moved to a different worksite location, to name a few. There’s no one size approach that fits all situations. Careful consideration and open communication here is key.
When it comes to workplace romance, it’s best to weigh the good, bad and ugly things first. You might find the love of your life or lose the best job you’ve ever had. At the very least, a workplace tryst will change the dynamic of your working environment. Be sure to think it through before jumping right in. And at Loyalty Pawn, remember that we encourage employees to connect with our HR Practitioner to review each person’s unique situation to protect the company as well as define responsibilities and behavioral expectations of all parties involved when they are at work.
Next Month…we’ll discuss dating Workplace Gossip: How to address and avoid it. If you have additional questions or need support, Loyalty Pawn Employee Services (HR) is only a phone call, text, or email away. Until then, keep relationship and conversations at work, healthy, productive and work-related. ~Dmae
LOVE
PEOPLE? COOK THEM TASTY FOOD! May Recipe. Pie, Pie, Me Oh My! Strawberry Rhubarb Chaat. Chaat is no single dish or recipe; it encompasses a range of snacks with a riot of textures and flavors. Here, tart rhubarb plays off the sweetness of strawberries; puffed chickpea cereal (boondi) delivers that essential crunch.
How to Make Strawberry Rhubarb Chaat - so scrummy! https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/strawberry-rhubarb-chaat
401K-Loyalty Pawn Retirement $avings Program
Are you saving for retirement? Why not start today?
Once you have completed 12 months of service with Loyalty Pawn, you’re eligible to participate and start putting away those pretax (or post tax Roth) dollars into your very own 401k account. To enroll, send me an email and I’ll help you get started. Plus who doesn’t want to receive a 3% employer match each payroll cycle? Contact Employee Services at employeeservices@loyaltypawn.com Start saving for retirement’s tomorrow, today!
When it comes to 401(k) plans, it's your money. But your boss and the government make the rules. Need more 401k investment info and advice? Contact our Investment Advisor, John Malhotra.
John S. Malhotra - Financial Services Representative CA Insurance License # 0K09207 1478 Stone Point Drive, Suite 390 Roseville, CA 95661 d (916) 607-9754 | f (844) 2958527
e malhotra.john@principal.com w www.principal.com
Shout Outà Thank you to my subscription to the Old Farmer’s Almanac for inspirational quotes and content for LP’s Three Ball’s Chronicle each month.
If you need HR, Payroll, Benefits, or Family support, Loyalty Pawn’s Employee Services is only a phone call, text message, or email away, on demand, anytime! 916-752-2255 employeeservices@loyaltypawn.com
