George Abraham says there are right ways and wrong ways to deal with issues that pop up in nearly ever workplace.

Abraham, a Manhattan-based author, consultant and former company executive, said media coverage in recent years has shed light on some of the corruption in corporate America. Many of the problems facing business today are tied to a lack of morality, he said.

Abraham, with family ties to the Longview area and the Monsour, Thomas and Mack families, will be at Barron's in the French Quarter Center, Loop 281 and McCann Road, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday to visit, sell and sign copies of his book "The Seven Deadly Work Sins Against the Golden Rule."

Abraham said one of the positive influences on his own life, his aunt, Margaret Thomas of Longview, plans to be with him at the signing event. He said she has played an instrumental role in his life.

He holds a Ph.D from the University of Mississippi and spent years teaching and as chairman of humanities, communications and fine arts at Hinds Community College in Mississippi before taking a position at Michigan's Ferris State University as chairman and professor of languages and literature.

In the corporate world, Abraham worked for Fred's, a chain of discount stores where he served as vice president of administration and president of the company's training program. More recently he has done consulting work and served as an adjunct professor at Hofstra University and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

Abraham said all people are the sum of their experiences, especially those from their early years and exposure to family, friends and school.

"I think my book is a helpful read for students who have not yet entered the workforce and those already entrenched," Abraham said.

"After over 30 years of experience I have concluded that the wrongdoings people commit against individuals and or the organizations for whom they work are one or more of the seven deadly sins against a universal moral compass," he said.

"I wrote this book to offer workers and organizations needed information and to promote dialogue on this topic."

Abraham said the book will be useful to those affected by the wrongful actions of others and those perpetrating the actions.

"I wrote this book to light a fire under organizations and people who think they are powerless against the unholy politics at work," Abraham said in his book.

He said people can make a difference in the morals they encounter in their work environment.

"Great numbers of people can transform a 'vulture culture' — an organization taken over by predatory people — to a culture of good if they make it their objective and dedicate themselves to the task."

Abraham's book identifies the seven deadly work sins, offers examples illustrating them and then offers suggestions on dealing with them. He said it all gets back to following the Golden Rule "do unto others as you would have them do to you."

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If you go

What: Book signing event for George Abraham

Book title: "The Seven Deadly Work Sins Against the Golden Rule"

When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Barron's, French Quarter Center, Loop 281 and McCann Road

Cost: $10

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Identical to those classified as "deadly" by the early Christian church, below are the sins George Abraham discusses in his book, "The Seven Deadly Work Sins Against the Golden Rule:"

Lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride

Seven golden work virtues that can counteract the sins he defines:

Purity, moderation, generosity, proactivity, peace, beneficence and humility

Source: Abraham's book "The Seven Deadly Work Sins Against the Golden Rule"