By Lynne Curry College was once the “golden ticket” to the American Dream of greater job security and higher lifetime wages. In the last decade, however, college enrollments have declined. According to a recent Harris poll, 51% of U.S. adults report that skyrocketing college costs have decreased their ability to pursue a post-high school education.1 Although 62% of U.S. … [Read more...] about College…no longer the golden ticket for employers or employees
Hiring
Staff continuing education: Must you or should you pay for it?
By Paul Edwards I’m looking to hire a new employee and they asked me about my policy on paying for employee CE. I normally don’t pay for employee CE but it sounds important to this potential new employee. What is the best way to handle this? Many individuals working in healthcare fields have annual continuing education (CE) requirements they need to meet in order to maintain … [Read more...] about Staff continuing education: Must you or should you pay for it?
Is it a recession or not? The answer may surprise you
By Lynne Curry My in-box filled with questions after I posted a Recession Fears Loom blog. Readers asked how I made sense of the different views voiced by economists and politicians. As a medical office manager with responsibilities around staffing and profitability, you are probably watching to see which way the economy goes. Here’s the background, and my answer to “are we … [Read more...] about Is it a recession or not? The answer may surprise you
How to attract employees in the post-pandemic job market
By Lynne Curry The pandemic has changed employees and what they want out of a job. It's up to employers to recognize these new attitudes toward work and figure out how to attract good staff. See if you relate to the situation described here by a manager in another industry, and if you can use some of the advice. Question: I always thought I was a good manager. Not anymore. … [Read more...] about How to attract employees in the post-pandemic job market
Diversity messages may backfire when companies focus on bottom line benefits
Companies that justify their diversity efforts by saying that a diverse workforce will improve their bottom line risk alienating the diverse employees that they hope to attract, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. That’s because such “business case” justifications for diversity can backfire, by making members of underrepresented … [Read more...] about Diversity messages may backfire when companies focus on bottom line benefits
Don’t forget this crucial first step with your new hires
By Lynne Curry It’s a crucial first step many managers fail to take. Swamped by other work, they greet their new hires, introduce them to the employees they’re replacing, and leave to attend to other pressing duties. On the surface, this makes sense. The departing employee can easily explain the work that needs to be done. Beneath the surface, this approach carries with it … [Read more...] about Don’t forget this crucial first step with your new hires
How job hunting changed: You have leverage you never had before
By Lynne Curry Question: I left a senior position in a large practice when the pandemic and four children at home forced me out of the workforce. At first, my now ex-husband and I thought I’d take a month off, get the kids settled and return to on-site work. But COVID-19 dragged on, and I couldn’t see leaving the kids at home to fend for themselves while I returned to 10-hour … [Read more...] about How job hunting changed: You have leverage you never had before
Recession: Get ready for new employer-employee reality
By Lynne Curry The talent war seemed like it would last forever. Employers desperate to fill vacancies but unable to find solid job candidates; applicants receiving multiple job offers; employees expecting more from their employers and using their newfound leverage. Both employees and employers gained as a result. Employers developed compelling value propositions to attract … [Read more...] about Recession: Get ready for new employer-employee reality
Should you rehire a boomerang employee?
By Lynne Curry “I’ve learned my lesson and I’d like to come back.” One by one “boomerang” employees are returning to employers throughout the nation. Each employee has a story. Said one, “I’d always wanted to start my own business. Now that I tried it; I’ve learned it’s not for me.” Said another, “I wasn’t looking for a job. An employer sought me out, offered me a signing … [Read more...] about Should you rehire a boomerang employee?
How to find out if the candidate can actually do the job
By Karen Zupko Have you ever hired someone whose professed skill levels during the interview turned out to be lower than you were led to believe? It’s difficult to measure skills and abilities through interview questions alone. Unless you assess candidate skills using objective screening tools, you’ll often be disappointed. Here are 4 ways to reduce the … [Read more...] about How to find out if the candidate can actually do the job