Home [sick] for the Holidays...

We'll start off today with an interesting article from Reuters that says "I'll be sick for Christmas, you can plan on me" and talks about all the people who call in sick during the holiday season who are not really sick: click here

Here's another interesting story from the Boston Globe about someone unsatisfied with their job choice and switching professions completely: click here

And lastly, also from the Boston Globe, an article that says if you want to succeed in business, get a mentor: click here

When Movies Become Your Life...

What do you do when your manager is half your age? New York Times examines the issue: click here

What about ditching a career as a talent agent to open a coffee shop? click here

Worried about how fast the business world is going? click here

Enjoy our articles for today!

Dilbert Wins Again

The pop culture references continue with John Sazaklis, Astron Solutions' Senior Automation Expert:

"I read the Dilbert cartoons everyday when I take the train into work in the morning. It's funny how a lot of the situations that happen in the cartoon I can relate to in my job. Things that 'The Boss' reminds me of things that my bosses do at the office.

When I was younger never missed an episode of Married with Children. I loved how Al dealt with his obnoxious clients."

Not our usual Two for Tuesday...but fun nonetheless!!!

Party time?

As we get you back from your Thanksgiving holiday, we go right into the Christmas topic of choice...the office party.



The Washington Post first says that the father of the modern office party, Julius Caeser, really knew how to throw down: click here



But the Post also cautions that Partying can be such "sweet sorrow": click here



And lastly an article titled "The Truth About Human Resources"...just so you can see if it really is the truth in your life: click here

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Happy Thanksgiving

Just a wish from the Astron Solutions Family to your Family for a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

A New Twist on the Blog!

We have a new section here at Astron Solutions where employees talk about their favorite HR references in pop culture. The first comes from National Director, Jennifer C. Loftus:

The Office is one of my favorite work related shows. Whenever I watch it I always think to myself "Is Michael really doing that?!" He's an HR person's worst nightmare come to life! The show is always good for a laugh, and helps to remind me about what's good workplace practice and what isn't!

Dilbert cartoons are another favorite because they're so realistic! Some people I know - who don't work in an office setting - don't see the humor. It's funny to see situations I've been in represented in cartoons. It also makes me feel good - I'm not alone!

CSI is another favorite. I like the show because I learn about science, the characters are interesting, and the story lines are unique. I'm interested to see how they handle the relationship between Sara Sidle and her boss, Gil Grissom, moving forward. So far it's been pretty quiet. CSI also tops my list because I love Las Vegas. I hope we have an office there someday!

Volunteer and Work

It's Two for Tuesday and for this Tuesday we go to Washington for both of our articles:



The first is from Amy Joyce about volunteering, which is promoted by firms with paid time and ideas: click here



The other is also from the Washington Post and is a very telling and moving article about one man's search for a job being more than just finding a paycheck: click here

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Short Week and Lots to Do

In this Thanksgiving week we try and get you a full plate before your turkey comes on Thursday

First, from the Kansas City Star, an interesting article about new diversity training through videos by HR teams: click here

Next, from the UK, an article about firms becoming more cautious about executive pay, but are still not doing enough to prove they aren't rewarding mediocre CEOs: click here

And on this Thanksgiving week, The Buffalo News says to give thanks to tireless human resource workers: click here

Vendredi...et chômage

It's Friday in Paris (and all around the world) and we're here to bring you the best in HR news going into your weekend!

First, from CNN and Careerbuilder.com an article which may seem obvious to some, but really needs to be put out there, which says that holiday shopping means holiday hiring: click here

On the theme of hiring, from the Mail Tribune, an article which says that the tighter job market makes for lots of hiring: click here

What is one of the negative consequences of the lowering unemployment and tighter job market? Inflation may start to go up as you can read within this NYT article: click here

Bonjour!

Greetings from beautiful Paris!!!

A headline that will leave you scratcing your head...but if you read it, you should understand: Massachusetts Unemployment Rate Falls In October Despite Job Loss: click here

An article from the Tuscon Citizen on the report that the Feds are going after illegal hiring in firms, something HR professionals should look out for: click here

And, for those sports fans out there, an interesting article about a boss and a manager not getting along and how detrimental that can be...especially when the manager is so good, as Joe Girardi is, that he got Manager of the Year awards...but still got fired: click here

Two Big Guns Get Together

We start on this Wednesday with news that the U.S. Department of Labor has form an alliance with SHRM to promote employment of workers with disabilities: click here

Next, from the Washington Post, word that you should not expect big increases in pay next year: click here

And lastly, also from the Washington Post, a column with the "truth" about the job-hunting myths: click here

We're Playing Tue...

As in Two for Tuesday....

Our first article comes from the Detroit Free Press and says that, as the downfall of Rep. Mark Foley showed, "Big Boss" is always watching your messages at work: click here

And lastly, from the Akron Beacon Journal, a very, very interesting article about employees cracking down on smoking because of rising healthcare costs, and how they are discriminating against hiring smokers, even using urine tests for nicotine: click here

Work/Life Balance

Here's 3 articles from MSN Careers/Careerbuilder.com to spruce up your Monday morning

First, an article about how to free yourself from emotional traps at work: click here

Next, a very interesting article about post-retirement entrepreneurs, people who retire so they can go to work for themselves: click here

And an interesting article about how bad habits can be good for your career as you destress after work: click here

Work/Life Balance

Here's 3 articles from MSN Careers/Careerbuilder.com to spruce up your Monday morning

First, an article about how to free yourself from emotional traps at work: click here

Next, a very interesting article about post-retirement entrepreneurs, people who retire so they can go to work for themselves: click here

And an interesting article about how bad habits can be good for your career as you destress after work: click here

We're Going Double Into the Weekend

Sometimes Blogger just desides not to post the blog for the day so we're going double on this Friday to get you into the weekend...


First on the menu is the debate between work and home...

The Boston Globe says they need to be separated: click here
While the New York Times says that they can work together: click here
What do you think?

The Washington Post says to double check your paycheck because payroll errors are a lot more prominent than you think: click here

The Boston Globe has some tips on job hunting through the internet: click here

Which may lead to the the lowest jobless rate since 2001, writes the Washington Post: click here

Enjoy the weekend!

Post-Astronology Day

After an exciting Astronology yesterday, we get back into the swing of things today with 3 great articles...

First, from Proskauer Rose LLP, an interesting update on immigration law, something that all HR professionals should be updated on in this day and age: click here

Next, from the Boston Globe, an article that says te best leadership is not measured by meeting benchmarks, but on their ability to reach goals and keep going: click here

And, from the Washington Post, if your employees missed part of work yesterday to vote, how to get them to do their patriotic and work duty on the same day next year: click here

It's an Astronology Tuesday!!!

Get excited for an Astronology Tuesday as we release more fun information to you on Astron Solutions' website. If you're not currently receiving Astronology, go to our website and sign up now!

Two for Tuesday has two great articles for you from MSN Careers:

First, an article about the "New Retirement": going back to work...as many people re-enter the workforce, what does this mean for your company: click here

And lastly, a very interesting article about the ten worst things to do in a business meeting...interesting stuff: click here

"Dilbert" vs. "the Office"

Corporate evaulation is not exactly looked forward to in many companies from "Dilbert" to "the Office": "It's performance review day, company-wide," Pam, the office manager character in "The Office," said in an episode last year. "Last year, my performance review started with Michael asking me what my hopes and dreams were, and it ended with him telling me he could bench press 190 pounds." For the full article: click here

The New York Times has a great article about putting bright ideas to work off campus: click here

Part-timers are finding work at law firms, according to the Boston Globe, because of high turnover rates: click here

Culture Shock

Today in Copenhagen is Christmas Beer Day where they unveil the very popular Christmas beer at 8:59 PM...a little weird, but part of the Danish culture. Getting used to other people's cultures is a theme of this blog and we have three foreign articles for you today....

First from the Shanghai Daily, a report that US companies are facing Human Resources problems in China: click here

Next, from The Standard, China's business paper, an article about how brain drain is adding to Hong Kong's woes: click here

And, lastly for this week, from China Daily, an article that reports about an increase in China's minimum wage...something that could have an effect on the US wage market: click here

MTV European Music Awards

Today the MTV European Music Awards and the Astron Solutions blog are both coming to you live from Copenhagen!

First off, from the USA today, a study that says saving for retirement means losing ground to debt and living expenses: click here

Next, from the Orlando Sentinel, an interesting Q&A about how to solve an office bully problem: click here

And lastly, and maybe a bit late, from the Birmingham News, and interesting article about what to wear and what not to wear during Halloween in the office: click here

The City So Good They Named It Twice

We head to NY, NY for our daily blog with three article from the New York Times:

First, advice from the Career Couch on how to moonlight as an entrepreneur while still keeping your other job: click here

Next, Lessons in closeness, learned at a distance about how being immersed in work can actually be relaxing: click here

And, lastly, not exactly HR territory, but an interesting article about where immigrants turn to when the banks say no on loans and how that changes with the more knowledge they have about the situation: click here