Employee Relations: February 2009 Archives

We encountered a disease I called "lackitipitis" that often occurred on days when restaurant covers were going to be low or their were minimal check ins or checkouts.  This disease afflicts tipped employees and results in understaffing and callouts on days when people feel they aren't going to make enough money.

Do you have questions on Human Resources?  Questions about your career?  How to treat and keep your employees? 

Contact me at

robert@galaconcierge.com

or post your comments or questions on one of the postings

Topics include

Employee Relations
Feedback
Interviewing
Job Search
Orientations
Resumes
Time Management
Training

About Robert Braathe

Robert Braathe is a management consultant working with businesses in process improvement, human resources and innovation.  He is the full-time instructor of Business and Technology at SUNY Delhi @ SCCC in Schenectady, NY.  Robert teaches courses that include Individual Behavior in Organizations, Human Resources II, Strategic Management, and Organizational Communications.  He also teaches Business Communications and Human Resources Management for Schenectady County Community College.

Robert has held leadership positions with Walt Disney World, Gap and Apple Computers. He has worked on projects with other companies such as Club Gateway Resort, Scholastic Library Publishing and North River Ventures. 

As an undergraduate he participated in the Walt Disney College program and Management Internship program.  He was named Distinguished Alumni at Western Connecticut State University, where he received his Master's in Business Administration.  He holds a B.S. in Hotel, Restaurant and Travel Administration from the University of Massachusetts.

In 2004, the Robert Braathe Leader's Award scholarship was named in his honor at University of Massachusetts. Robert is pursuing his PhD in Management from North Central University. 

For more information, visit www.galaconcierge.com

Incentives don't have to cost you a lot of money. Genuine acts of appreciation can result in feelings of belonging and further motivation for people to get the job done.

A tip I shared with my students this past week can also be applied to keeping your people on track on their projects.

What processes are keeping you from attracting and retaining talent?

Some things to consider when looking at the mission of your human resources functions

- Do we regularly engage in feedback with our associates (and not just the "scheduled" review time)?

Regular feedback can be most effective when it is unscheduled, succinct, and timely.

- How do we improve our onboard processes to ensure people stay with us after the probation period?

Many employers lose more employees in the first 90 days than in any other time period.

Developing an effective onboarding process to train, retain, and develop can be the answer.

- How are we developing individuals into more inclusive members of our community?

Design and implement activities that make people feel included from the get go. At Apple my first day at corporate headquarters included lunch at the company cafeteria and a standing ovation upon arrival to the beginning of orientation.