A headline in this week’s St. Pete Times sports section stated “The Times Forum floor is deemed too slick as officials cancel Magic-Heat game in Tampa.”  The NBA pre-season basketball game was canceled 30 minutes before game time because “playing conditions were not commensurate with NBA standards … While some felt the court was indeed playable, our sole focus was player safety and leaving nothing to risk.” 

The slip and fall claims for the fast food (QSR) restaurant had increased dramatically for both employees and customers.  The quarry tiles were in good condition and according to the management they were cleaned regularly and according to procedures.  My inspection of the tile surfaces did not show neglect or poor cleaning procedures usually indicated by a glossy sheen or greasy feel.  But when water was placed to the tiles they were indeed slippery.  So, what was going on?

“Pizza, pizza, pizza!  Everyday it’s pizza.  I get so tired of pizza that I eat free as a benefit of working here.  So, with a little ingenuity, our late night crew now gets a little variety in our diet.  We worked out a little trade with the other late night restaurants next door and across the street.  We exchange a few pizzas for chicken, tacos, burgers and fries.  Everybody’s happy!”  While investigating mysterious rising trends in food costs, I heard this kind of statement many times from employees, particularly those working the late night shifts.

You receive an email from a good friend lamenting about their misfortune of losing luggage and their phone while traveling in Europe.  They don’t want to bother you, but would you be willing to send them $940 so they can get home.   You know that they travel quite a bit, the request seems to be genuine, and you want to come to their rescue.