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YOUR CAREER

Valentine’s Day a chance to show appreciation at work

Valentine’s Day, coming up on Feb. 14, is often focused on a celebration of romantic love. It can also be a day to express affection and appreciation for others, and it is a great opportunity to show kindness and generosity at the office. Here are some ways that you can encourage acts of kindness at your workplace on Valentine’s Day: Write notes of appreciation: Take a few minutes to write a note of appreciation to a coworker or boss. A simple message of thanks or a few words of encouragement can go a long way in building relationships and boosting morale. Share treats: Consider bringing in some treats to share with your coworkers, such as chocolates, cookies, or other sweets. This is a simple way to show your appreciation and… . . . read more.

SOCIAL MEDIA

‘It was just a joke’: Jokes and social media posts gone wrong

By Lynne Curry Question: During the Christmas holidays, I attended a social event where my wife and I told a series of jokes to and about each other. Several others at our table were equally rowdy, and everyone enjoyed our jokes. While I knew individuals at other tables were watching the fun we were having, I didn’t realize one of them was recording us. The recording made it back to my employer. Even though I attended the event on my own time and the person who recorded my jokes wasn’t employed by our company, my employer fired me, despite my four-year track as a manager. I’ve searched for an attorney but not found one interested in my case. I’ve also looked for work, and found a potential new job. I’ve… . . . read more.

HARASSMENT

Every bully has a weak spot

By Lynne Curry He’s smug, arrogant and has bullied you for months. Before you he bullied a string of good people, each who had the good sense to quit before he destroyed their work lives. You’ve thought about quitting but don’t want to. That leaves you one option. You need to know how you can take him down before he takes you out. Here’s what you need to know: Bullying rests on psychological power. Bullying causes psychological harm to the target and those who witness it but feel powerless to intervene. Those targeted feel their bully has all power and they have none. That isn’t true—every bully has an Achilles heel. For example, narcissist bullies can’t take criticism and when you criticize them, they lose their cool and react. Angry,… . . . read more.

WORKPLACE SAFETY

7 tips for a safe winter commute

In the best of winters, driving to and from the office can be challenging. This winter continues to be downright dreadful in many parts of the country. Snow, ice, and cold weather can all create hazardous conditions on the road, and it is important to take extra precautions to ensure the safety of yourself and others. Here are tips for winter driving safety for you and your staff. Plan ahead: Before you set out on your commute, be sure to check the weather forecast and road conditions. If there is a storm or bad weather expected, consider leaving early or finding an alternative mode of transportation. Prepare your vehicle: Make sure your vehicle is in good working order before embarking on a winter commute. Check your brakes, tires, and fluid… . . . read more.

YOUR CAREER

5 ways to improve your job search

It doesn’t hurt to have a plan in case you find yourself looking for a new job. Although the demand for skilled talent remains strong, professionals need to be increasingly strategic and intentional when making career moves, says David King, a senior managing director with Robert Half, a global talent solutions and business consulting firm. “Workers should make a point of highlighting the value they bring to potential employers. This begins with knowing what companies seek in prospective hires, and pulling relevant strengths to the forefront.” A recent survey by Robert Half reveals five key considerations for those launching a job search. Resume red flags— When evaluating candidates’ resumes, top factors that give employers pause include: Frequent job hopping (80 per cent) Insufficient skills for the position (80 per cent) Vague… . . . read more.

WORKPLACE SAFETY

10 tips for winter safety in your office parking lot

As extreme winter conditions continue in many parts of the country, remember to have your office parking lot maintained for the safety of your employees and patients. Here are some tips for promoting safety in your office parking lot this winter and being better prepared for future winters: Clear the parking lot of snow and ice regularly to improve traction and reduce the risk of slips and falls. This may involve hiring a contractor or having staff members take turns clearing the lot. Mark slippery areas with caution signs or cones to warn drivers and pedestrians of potential hazards. Install snow fences or berms around the perimeter of the parking lot to help prevent snow drifts from blocking entrances and exits. Stock up on supplies such as sand, salt, and… . . . read more.

MOTIVATING YOUR STAFF

Praise is nice but a year-end bonus is better

A year-end bonus can be a powerful tool for reminding your staff their hard work and commitment and the company’s overall growth and success are closely intertwined. And according to a survey of employers, 50% of companies plan to award year-end bonuses in 2022. While this is down from 63% last year, it’s a sign that staff retention remains top of mind for many employers, says Robert Half, the specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm which conducted the survey. Presenting employees with a financial reward—whether it’s to acknowledge individual, departmental or companywide success—can help bolster retention and even help with recruitment efforts. It can also be a motivational tool for driving team productivity and engagement in the year ahead. A year-end bonus can help employees feel like they make a… . . . read more.

WORKPLACE SAFETY

Are there guns in your workplace?

By Lynne Curry If you think the national division over guns hasn’t hit your workplace, you haven’t been listening. Not only are the employees who advocate for increased gun control, including a ban on assault-style rifles like the AR-15, engaged in an active argument with those who argue for fewer restrictions on gun owners’ ability to carry concealed firearms—but some of your coworkers or employees may be packing. Does your employee handbook address whether your employer allows employees or non-employees to bring guns onto worksites? What about whether employees can keep guns in their cars or trucks? The concealed handgun permit statues in many states don’t address whether those legally permitted to own guns can bring them to work or carry them into others’ workplaces. Instead, it’s up to employers… . . . read more.

WORKPLACE SAFETY

Signs of potential disaster were present at Walmart—Are they at your workplace?

By Lynne Curry There were signs of potential disaster that later erupted in six deaths when Walmart supervisor Andre Bing shot and killed six coworkers in November. There always are. Four decades of investigating violent workplace incidents have convinced me of this. “I didn’t want to say anything,” someone always says, “but….” “That was just ‘Jon,’ but we all sort of knew it, and didn’t poke the bear.” “I didn’t want to get anyone in trouble, so I didn’t tell anyone.” “I was too scared to say anything.” The Walmart investigation uncovered significant information detailing the genesis of the November disaster. Bing had written a note on his phone filled with complaints about coworkers, saying they mocked and harassed him. He named the coworkers he felt had antagonized or betrayed… . . . read more.

MANAGING STAFF

Inflation’s impact on employees and the workplace

By Lynne Curry What keeps your employees and coworkers up at night, and what does it mean to you as their employer or colleague? According to the U.S. 2022 Inside Employees’ Minds Report conducted by the HR consulting firm Mercer, which surveyed 4049 employees between Aug. 26 and Sept. 9, 2022, it’s financial worries, https://www.mercer.us/content/dam/mercer/attachments/private/us-2022-inside-employees-minds-report.pdf. The number one issue for many employees in 2022—can they cover monthly expenses given skyrocketing inflation—ranked only ranked ninth in 2021. As no surprise, employee satisfaction with their employers has declined markedly from last year in the areas of compensation and benefits. Further, two years of continued crises—the pandemic, layoffs and labor shortages, supply chain challenges, political and racial polarization, the war in Ukraine, and the looming recession—have changed how employees view work. Employees who… . . . read more.


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