One of the best practices I've seen in many companies is the concept of the floating holiday. On a day like President's Day, many people choose to work rather than take the day off, and have the option of using...
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It Pays to Get “Their” Early
On a recent client visit, I arrived a few minutes early and met a new client in the process. He was doing some work on my client's home and mentioned he had been looking for someone to take a look...
Birthday Rememberance
One of the easiest ways to recognize your staff is to remember their birthday. A simple note or email acknowledging their birthday can make a lasting impression. One employer in Florida that I know of actually sends a handwritten note...
The Human Element in Computer Training
Computer based training is becoming more of the norm in human resources as more organizations move to an asychronous training strategy vs. face to face synchronous learning. There are many factors to consider when it comes to computer based training,...
Moonlighting and Adding Supplemental Income
Last time, I talked about ways to earn extra income at work through new responsibilities and volunteering to work overtime. Today, I'd like to share with you some ideas on how to "moonlight" or add supplemental income without affecting your...
Praises without Raises
Q: I work in retail, and I can't seem to get a raise out of my employer, no matter what I try. They tell me I am a hard worker and they make me feel valued, but it isn't showing...
Applying for Jobs before Graduation
Q: I'm graduating in May, and have applied for many companies I hope to work for over winter break. A few companies have told me to wait until April to apply, while others have asked me to apply now. What...
Bi-Weekly Pay as a Motivational Tool
I've been paid bi-weekly at many jobs, and consistently since joining academia in 2007. I find this to be motivating to me in managing my budget, managing my productivity, and planning ahead for future projects.By getting paid bi-weekly, it forces...
Answering Machines and Email Addresses – Redux
I encountered two more people recently who had very unprofessional or unclear voice mail messages. After bringing it to the attention of one of the people, I was told "well it took forever for me to get it right, so...
Wal-Mart and Farming Out Work
Several news outlets reported this week that Wal-Mart was letting go of 12,000 workers in its Sam's Club division.Reading deeper into this story, it became clear that most (if not all) of these workers were part-time and/or were in-store product...