THE FACILITY DOCTORS
Topic: How do we keep up with legal changes in a landscape where it is almost impossible for us to know the law from day-to-day?
Response By: Gil Fried, J.D.
Co-Editors: Dr. Kimberly Mahoney & Prof. Gil Fried
Changing trends and laws keep us on our toes, but should not stress us out. How do we keep up with all the changes? How do we respond to issues in this instantaneous world where news about your facility can be shared before you even know anything is going on? -
that it can be a challenge. However, there are simple solutions. One is to delegate work to others you trust. You cannot be an expert in ev- erything, but you can surround yourself with trusted employees tasked with knowing their area and the responsibility to notify you of any crit- ical issues. If you do not trust your colleagues, then you should engage in retraining or recruiting those who can get the job done. I also encourage facility managers to read as much as possible. Not just facility-related publications (such as Facility Manager), but science, history, technology, and others. Sometimes the best ideas and inspi- rations come from unorthodox sources, and if you have blinders on, you might miss them. Some of my favorites include Popular Mechanics, Discover,, and many business publications. It is also critical to view issues from all sides, and therefore, it is important to have colleagues able to serve as devil’s advocates. For example, transgender bathroom and locker room issues are a hot topic right now. Some might say you should let individuals choose which locker room they want, while others will raise the concern of possi- ble sexual abuse claims. Let everyone have their say, and then analyze all possible scenarios / solutions. Assume a transgender person wants to use a locker room and there are Muslim and/or Orthodox Jewish women in the same locker room. What can go wrong? You have tried to accommodate the rights of one person, but now you are possibly infringing the religious rights of others who have a religious mandate for modesty. Dammed if you do, and dammed if you don’t, right? procedures adopted in consultation with appropriate key stakeholders, and adhering to those policies. Problems occur when policies do not consideration. However, strategic hiring, employee education, and facility policies
are thrown out of kilter when the law changes at such a fast pace. It is - in the U.S. is the battle over concealed weapons and open carry laws. Currently 45 state constitutions allow open carry of weapons with few or no restrictions. U.S. citizens, permanent resident aliens, and certain non-immigrant aliens are allowed to carry weapons subject to con-
ditions imposed by the applicable state. The terminology describing hidden from common observation, but varies somewhat from state to gun. Printing refers to a circumstance where the shape or outline of a through a garment, pulling back clothing to expose a gun, or unhol- stering and exhibiting a gun. The law varies from state to state as to what is a violation.
widely by state and a prime example is with college/educational fa- or local law to the contrary with certain exceptions. Recently, several states have considered or passed legislation con-
House of Representatives passed a bill which outlaws bringing hand- guns to collegiate sporting events. Starting July 1, Kansas’ proposed law requires state universities to allow concealed carry on college and university campuses, unless security measures are in place such as met- al detectors and security guards. In Tennessee, a bill passed in March from being denied (except certain circumstances) entry into a sporting event. In early May, the Texas House approved three bills loosening gun regulations. A proposed law in Washington sought to overturn at their venues. These are just some examples of the constantly chang- ing legal landscape a facility manager needs to track. Great advisors and voracious reading can help us stay abreast on some issues, but our ever-changing regulatory landscape will always keep us on our toes. Good friends in high places can also help noti- fy you of possible legal changes that may impact your facility. At the beginning of each semester, I tell my students that what they learn may change by the end of the term…the same applies to your facility. We must expect changes in our never static world and be prepared to adapt. FM
Kim Mahoney, Ph.D., is assistant professor in the college of business sports man- agement department, and Gil Fried., J.D., is professor – chair in the college of business sport management department both at the University of New Haven.
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