Company pulls workers flags

Palm Beach Post ^

[cd jones]

http://www.gopbi.com/partners/pbpost/epaper/editions/saturday/business_3.html

On a day of national mourning and prayer, a Boca Raton company had its managers confiscate some American flags from employees' cubicles, saying other workers might find them offensive.

[Arkinsaw]

"It seems to me only a small number of people are upset about this," he said.

Can we show him different????????

[StriperSniper]

NCCI pulls workers' flags

By Phil Galewitz, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Saturday, September 15, 2001

On a day of national mourning and prayer, a Boca Raton company had its managers confiscate some American flags from employees' cubicles, saying other workers might find them offensive.

NCCI Holdings Inc., a company that compiles workers compensation insurance data, told its 850 Boca Raton employees that displays of nationalism had no place in the office.

"Divisive statements or actions, political or religious discussions and anything else that could be divisive or mean different things to different people are not appropriate in our work environment," Chief Executive Officer Bill Schrempf said Friday in a memo to employees.

Several employees complained about the flag prohibition. One employee said she was suspended and told to go home Friday morning when she refused to remove a small flag from her desk. The company refused to confirm whether it had asked any employees to leave.

"It just boggles my mind that here in America or anywhere in America, one would be restricted from displaying it," one employee wrote in an e-mail to Schrempf that also was sent to The Palm Beach Post. "Too many people these days, including yourself, it seems, seem to forget what the flag symbolizes and that many men and women served to defend that flag. I think you should show a little more respect."

NCCI spokesman Michael Bullard said the company has a long-standing policy of prohibiting employees from bringing political or religious symbols into the workplace.

Fewer than 10 flags were removed from cubicles, Bullard said. "It seems to me only a small number of people are upset about this," he said.

Palm Beach Gardens human resources consultant Rita Craig said companies need to understand that "right now, more than ever, people want to celebrate the fact that they're American."

"Let's face it, this is the United States. Our flag signifies our freedom," Craig said. "It's not saying that other countries are bad."

Other large Palm Beach County employers, including Delray Beach-based Office Depot and the Palm Beach County School District, allowed their workers to display the flag at their desks.

At FPL Group Inc. in Juno Beach, some employees were given small flags, said Pat Davis, a company spokeswoman.

At Office Depot, the company sent an e-mail to employees Thursday encouraging them to wear red, white and blue clothing on Friday, said company spokesman Lauren Garvey.

NCCI observed a moment of silence at noon Friday, gathering its workers in the headquarters' atrium. The company also has offered to help businesses affected by the terrorist attacks. The attacks at the World Trade Center and Pentagon will generate thousands of workers compensation claims.

NCCI said it was not directly affected by Tuesday's terrorist attack, though some employees lost family and friends, Bullard said.

Gov. Jeb Bush this week urged all Floridians with flags to fly them. Radio stations and various groups have urged Americans to display the flag this week as a sign of national strength and unity.

NCCI is the only Florida company named in the 2001 Best Workplace for Financial Professionals by CFO magazine in its September issue. It was singled out for its "quality of work life."

NCCI's "company practices enable each employee to create for themselves the proper balance of work and family life," CFO said.

NCCI provides on-site amenities, including child care, gym and a Starbucks cafe. It also has an employee-community volunteer program and flexible work scheduling.

Staff writers Dan Weil, Amy Martinez and Jeff Ostrowski contributed to this story.

phil_galewitz@pbpost.com

[jimtorr]

NCCI is the only Florida company named in the 2001 Best Workplace for Financial Professionals by CFO magazine in its September issue. It was singled out for its "quality of work life."

They should have this award revoked forthwith!

[StriperSniper]

To Call Us:

800 NCCI 1-2-3
Fax: 561- 893-1191

To Mail:

NCCI Holdings, Inc.
901 Peninsula Corporate Circle
Boca Raton, FL 33487

[Tai_Chung]

Our Vital Statistics

Headquarters:

National Council on Compensation Insurance, Inc.
901 Peninsula Corporate Circle
Boca Raton, FL 33487

Phone: 561-893-1000
Fax: 561-917-7025

Customer Service Center: 800-NCCI 1-2-3 or customer_service@ncci.com

Internet: www.ncci.com

[wysiwyg]

NCCI contact information

[Schnucki]

They apparently live at: http://www.ncci.com/

[VadeRetro]

Let's remember there are lots of Vietnam-era Democrats out there who are still offended by displays of ultra-nationalism. If you must fly a US flag, how about flying a Viet Cong, IRA, or Palestinian flag as well to show you're not some kind of KKK Nazi?

[wysiwyg]

Isn't the company w/i it's rights? If not, can someone explain to me why not?

Within its rights? Yes. Within its right mind? NO!

[lavrenti]

I agree. This company can do what it wants. However, this is a different country. We are at war.

Trust me. It will sink in soon.

[dighton]

Probably no need to say it, but when flaming this JERK let's be courteous to his employees.

[classygreeneyedblonde]

Too bad this is our country. they can get out if it offends them!!!!!!1

[VA Advogado]

And I didn't think Palm Beach County Florida couldn't get any more pathetic.

[KirklandJunction]

CONGRATULATIONS!
You go to the top of today's list of foul-mouthed illiterates.

[laconic]

If anyone here has stock in any company that may employ this NCCI gang for workmen's comp issues, write and demand that they be fired!

[Teacher317]

NCCI Holdings Inc., a company that compiles workers compensation insurance data, told its 850 Boca Raton employees that displays of nationalism had no place in the office.

"Divisive statements or actions, political or religious discussions and anything else that could ... mean different things to different people are not appropriate in our work environment," Chief Executive Officer Bill Schrempf said Friday in a memo to employees.

Nationalism, by definition, is the UNITING of a people under one cause. It is the OPPOSTIE of divisiveness. A glowing example of typical liberal logic and newspeak.

I especially love the line I highlighted in red... can you imagine ANYTHING being discussed at this concentration camp, including their own memos?

[a_federalist]

"Chief Executive Officer Bill Schrempf "
Let's deport this communist piece of sh*t to Afghanistan where it belongs.

[dittomom]

Sounds like this company has a "zero tolerance" policy towards the American flag. Definately not a place where I would want to work.

[antivenom]

WELL in a court of law, I am sure a lawyer will be able to PROVE that the USA Flag isn't a political symbol, (as donkeys and elephants are for example) BUT it is a NATIONAL symbol, also like an Eagle, it is a NATIONAL symbol, their policy STATES..."political or religous symbols"...this is a lawsuit I would love to be in the jury.

The English language (especially written as policy)is fun to defend and twist...ask Bill Clinton, he stretched the definition of "sex" and "is" to the nth degree

[tm22721]

"It seems to me only a small number of people are upset about this," he said.

Not anymore, Mr. Bullard. I hope that your clients drop their contracts with you Monday morning after the outcry that is rightly occurring.

BUMP

[537 Votes]

NCCI is the only Florida company named in the 2001 Best Workplace for Financial Professionals by CFO magazine in its September issue. It was singled out for its "quality of work life."

They should have this award revoked forthwith!

Awards like this usually mean that the company is in bed with the magazine. I wouldn't be surprised if NCCI is also the only company in Florida that advertises in CFO Magazine.

[Thebaddog]

Check out the Chicago Tribune Sunday magazine cover!

[victim soul]

I'll give you daycare, a gym and Starbucks coffee just as long as you give up your First Amendment rights at the work place door. The day any "boss" can tell me what I can and cannot say is the day I leave. An oath for political correctness for a paycheck? I think not.

Jump ship,you besieged workers, New York companies who lost so many need you.

FREEDOM!!!!!!

[Woodkirk]

They would be singing a different tune if their offices had been in the WTC. NCCI -- what "nation" do they think is represented by the "N" in their name. These people love money more than they do the country that enables them to enjoy the blessings of it.

[Tai_Chung]

We need to find a listing of their customers. Send e-mails to all their customers, especially the ones that may have been located in the WTC.

[WatchOutForSnakes]

Just sent a rather classless e-mail to them. I feel so ashamed, NOT!!

[Tai_Chung]

15 of the 19 suicide terrorists were living in Florida. This company is in Florida. What's going on down there?

[SamAdams76]

...a Boca Raton company had its managers confiscate some American flags from employees' cubicles, saying other workers might find them offensive.

I am a manager at my company and I can assure you that had such an order come down from the brass, I would NOT carry it out. They would have to fire me first.

[HENRYADAMS]

Pictures and names of the management and board should be posted. In addition the names and pictures of individuals who own large chunks of stock. Even if one must trace them through numerous corporations and trusts. Marvelous patterns shall probably develop.

[fightu4it]

Driving Directions to NCCI Holdings, Inc. 901 Peninsula Corporate Circle Boca Raton, FL 33487 From I-95 North of NCCI Holdings (Palm Beach International, PBI) Take I-95 south to Congress Avenue, exit 40C. When you exit, stay in the lane for North Congress. You will make a right-hand turn, heading west. At the light, go straight, crossing Congress Avenue. Turn right before the lake and follow the road around the lake to NCCI headquarters. From I-95 South of NCCI Holdings (Fort Lauderdale Airport, FLL) Take I-95 north to Congress Avenue, exit 40C. When you exit, stay in the lane for North Congress. You will make a left-hand turn, heading west. At the light, go straight, crossing Congress Avenue. Turn right before the lake and follow the road around the lake to NCCI headquarters. Parking Instructions Go to the second gated parking area, which is the visitors' entrance. Push the button at the gate and announce yourself to security personnel to gain entrance. Visitors' parking will be on your right. Proceed to the main entrance, and security personnel will announce your arrival to the appropriate party. Additional Information: See

[Mad Dawgg]

Ok Freepers! Lock And Load!

We got addresses and phone numbers let's get to Freeping!

Fax Phone E-mail and Snail mail Lets get to it!

[StriperSniper]

This company is the ultimate "warm and fuzzy",
all responsible should grow "warm and fuzzy"........in a compost pile!

[Tai_Chung]

Senior Management—NCCI Holdings, Inc.
D.W. (Bill) Schrempf President and Chief Executive Officer Robert G. Blanco Actuarial and Economic Services Michael E. Bullard Corporate Communications James J. DeCesari Data Resources Terrence D. Delehanty Legal	Alfredo T. Guerra Finance Phyllis Lodico Risk Services Michael Shawn O'Rourke Information Technology Therese M. Swanberg Human Resources Helen J. Westervelt Regulatory Services

[Ed_in_NJ]

"NCCI said it was not directly affected by Tuesday's terrorist attack, though some employees lost family and friends..."

Yeah, they're within their 'rights,' OK. And certainly a great place to work.

[supercat]

Isn't the company w/i it's rights? If not, can someone explain to me why not?

Yes, though the bozo might have to explain to his superiors why everyone underneath him simultaneously quit.

[angkor]

From their Web site, some corporate hokum:

"We are mindful of our interaction with the communities where we live and work. We recognize our responsibility to be good corporate citizens and to support our communities. "

Also, their board of directors should be informed of this obscene "sensitivity" to the feelings of employees:

NCCI Holdings, Inc.
Board of Directors 2000-2001

Vincent T. Donnelly
President and Chief Operating Officer,
The PMA Insurance Group

Judith A. Blades
Executive Vice President Business Insurance,
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

Joseph A. Edwards, Esq.

Roxani M. Gillespie
Partner, Barger & Wolen LLP

Gary R. Gregg
Executive Vice President, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company

Raymond W. Jacobsen
Chief Operating Officer Middle Market,
Commercial Insurance Royal and Sun Alliance

John G. Pasqualetto
President and Chief Executive Officer,
Kemper Employers Group, Inc., Kemper Insurance Companies

Gary J. Pon
President and General Manager, Pinnacol Assurance

Ellen A. Rudnick
Executive Director and Clinical Professor,
Entrepreneurship Program Graduate School of Business,
The University of Chicago

Richard F. Russell
President and Chief Executive Officer, Amerisure Companies

D.W. (Bill) Schrempf
President and Chief Executive Officer, NCCI Holdings, Inc.

Kermit C. Smith
President and Chief Operating Officer,
Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company

Thomas P. Staudt
Chief Executive Officer, BenefitPort

Michael V. Tripp
Executive Vice President, American International Companies

[fightu4it]

NCII INC.

FREEP IT !!!

[antivenom]

The more I think about this the more livid I become. HOW much you wanna bet, IF Al Gore had been handed the election by the FLORIDA liars and cheaters and election fraud voters.....we would have this company BUYING the employees FLAGS and provided a picture of Al Gore too!

I am LIVID!

Make a BET somewhere in this bosses background is a VERY close link to the Democrats...

This BOSS will not allow President GW Bush's NATION to move forward UNITED!

[putupon]

I found it necessary to email this company and suggest they relocate their headquarters to Kabul.

[DWSUWF]

"...CONGRATULATIONS! You go to the top of today's list of foul-mouthed illiterates..."

Do I get a prize?

[BJungNan]

"It seems to me only a small number of people are upset about this," he said.

This is what a spokesman for the company is quoted as saying. Anyone have an email address, telephone and fax number so we can show them how many a "small number of people are?"

[beckett]

Here's the email page on NCCI's website. They have de-activated the Customer Service email link on the page that appears. But if you click the "E-Mail Our Webmaster" link and then scroll down, there is another Customer Service email link that is operating.

The fax number is 561-917-7025.

[Don Myers]

bttt

[ET(end tyranny)]

Excuse me?! When you are at war, a show of nationalism IS needed! It keeps morale up!

[Clive]

When the road to political correctness suddenly takes a sharp right turn, it is inevitable that some of those on the left will blindly run off the road.