Thursday, December 31, 2009

Here's to a Great 2010

Happy New Year to you from everyone here at Astron Solutions. Let's hope 2010 is a great one. 2009 has seem some rough times in the economy and especially with Human Resources, but hopefully better things are on the horizon for the new year. A few articles to send out the year:

-Since one of our themes this past year has been layoffs, let's take a look at the way the Washington Times is saying goodbye to people they're letting go from the Washington City Paper:
...the individuals hustled with great dread to a couple of tables where lots of letters were waiting. People walked away carrying word of their fate. Those that are getting laid off are being asked to finish up their shift tomorrow and then depart. The letters come with a list of open positions at the paper, just in case the departed want to try their luck with a different department.
Ouch. Does not sound like a good way to do this. Especially over a holiday weekend. The blog article quips "Is the paper going to raise those individuals on their cell phones and say, Hey, come back from Vail and pick up your letter to find out whether you've been sacked or saved?". Not the best idea by management. Many companies need to meet personnel numbers by year end but this isn't the best way to do it.

-Another big theme in 2009 was the use of social networking for job searches--especially the ever-growing Twitter. Well Career Solvers has some great advice as we close out 2009 about how you can use Twitter in your job search as they interview someone who has written a book about it.

-Lastly, looking ahead to 2010, Yahoo! HotJobs has a list of the most secure jobs in 2010.

Wishing a Happy and Healthy New Year to you and your loved ones from all of us here at Astron Solutions!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Astronology - 'Tis the Season...for Employee Relations Nightmares?

Astron Website Top

Astronology

Volume X

Issue 22

 

December 29, 2009

Dear Andrew,

Astron Solutions provides high-quality, low-cost, innovative human resources consulting services to organizations like yours. Call us for advice, innovative program design, and user-friendly Web/PC based software.

 

Happy Holidays from Astron Solutions!

 

Thank you for your support over the past year! It's been a challenging one for many of us. We hope that 2010 is a good one for you!

This issue of Astronology will feature an article from the archives. We'll be back with a brand new edition on January 12th.

Everyone at Astron Solutions wishes you and your family a happy holiday season and start to the new year!

 

'Tis the Season...for Employee Relations Nightmares?

giftsIt's the holiday season. Employees' thoughts turn to visions of the large cash bonuses they have come to expect year in and year out. Potential employee relations nightmares include numerous aspects of holiday bonuses. Let's explore....more

 

Have a Question?

If you have a topic you would like addressed in Astronology, or some feedback on a past article, don't hesitate to tell us!  Simply reply to this e-mail.  See your question answered, or comments addressed, in an upcoming issue of Astronology.

Looking for a top-notch presenter for your human resource organization's meeting?  Both Jennifer Loftus and Michael Maciekowich present highly-rated sessions on a variety of compensation and employee retention issues.  For more information, send an e-mail to info@astronsolutions.com.

 

The Fine Print

We hold your e-mail address in trust.  Astron Solutions promises never to share or rent your personal information.  We also promise never to send you frivolous e-mails and will allow you to leave our list, at your option, at any time.

To remove yourself from this list, please follow your personalized subscriber link at the bottom of your Astronology alert e-mail.

Copyright 2009, Astron Solutions, LLC

ISSN Number 1549-0467

Quick Links

 

World of HR Blog

Bringing you Human Resource news from around the globe...compliments of Astron Solutions.

More

 

Join Our Mailing List

 

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Happy Holidays from Astron Solutions

I would just like to wish everyone a very Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year from everyone at Astron Solutions! Hope that 2010 brings great things for you and everyone close to you.

Thanks for all your support. Make sure to check out the Astron blog in the New Year for great Human Resources coverage and check out the Astron Solutions website for our many great products.


-Andrew

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Buying References

The next time you get a reference from a potential employee, you may want to take an extra look into that reference. Why? Because companies like CareerExcuse are offering you the chance to buy fake references (H/T Wendy). Wow.

They even highlight their ability to provide references from bankrupted companies (I'm not kidding here), saying: "Bankrupt companies make a great previous employer. We have created a management company with dozens of bankrupt companies that are ready to provide any inquirer your desired reference information."

This company is pretty despicable but may not be illegal as Monster reports:

Surprisingly, the legal framework of CareerExcuse’s business is solid- except for their fake diploma offerings. According to law, falsifying information on a resume is not illegal unless you’re lying about your educational credentials.

Falsifying your work experience could, however, almost certainly get you fired, not to mention the fact that your lack of experience might lead to incompetence at a new job that would be telling and risky in and of itself.

We researched the matter and came up with a 2001 legal study on lying on the employment resume, which stated:

The study concludes that it is illegal to commit résumé fraud only if the job seeker (1) is claiming an educational credential from a “diploma mill,” a bogus institution and (2) is using the résumé in a state that has enacted legislation to discourage the activities of these schools. However, an employer may be within its legal rights to terminate an employment relationship based upon misrepresentation of qualifications, depending upon the state and the nature of the falsification."

And that's not all they offer!
     * Fake Resume - FREE GUIDE!
    * Fake Funeral Excuse  

Beware of this company if you are an HR professional

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Complying With The Rooney Rule

This headline ran across the USA Today website today: Redskins say they 'over-complied' with Rooney Rule; Roger Goodell confirms it. What is the "Rooney Rule" and how can you "over-comply" with it? And why are we writing about this on a Human Resources blog? Let's explore.

First, let's define the "Rooney Rule". From Suite101.com:
The Rooney Rule is named after Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney and was established in 2003. With an eye towards balancing minority candidates with other hires, the rule mandates that all coaching searches interview at least one minority candidate. As of 2009, there are almost four times as many African American head coaches in the NFL than there were prior to the rule.
Seems pretty straightforward on the surface. In 2003 there was a lack of minority head coaches in the NFL and the league decided to institute a rule that every team must interview at least one minority candidate for head coach. Since then, the amount of African American head coaches in the NFL has grown, and the Rooney Rule, as ESPN.com wrote in 2007, was credited with opening the doors.

In June, the NFL extended the Rooney Rule to include openings for "general manager jobs and equivalent front-office positions" according to the Washington Post who explains this isn't always the case: "[The Rooney Rule] will not apply to a case in which a team's top front-office job is held or filled by the franchise's owner or a member of his or her family, or in a case in which a team has an existing contractual obligation to promote a member of its front-office staff."

So that's how we got to our headline today. Pro Football Talk Daily taped a segment that said they were concerned the Rooney Rule could not have been followed because the resignation and hiring of personnel chief Vinny Cerrato and hiring of Bruce Allen as the Redskins General Manager occurred within an hour. Now here's where the rule gets tricky. The Redskins say they have complied with the rule and cannot divulge the minority candidate(s) interviewed because it would not be fair to them. And the Commissioner Office has backed them up. So they will not face a fine for this infraction as other franchises have.

Some criticize the rule like the National League Policy Center calling it "Pro Football's Affirmative Action Deception". But many laud the rule like Brian W. Collins for the NYU Law Review and some are trying to extend the rule even further, especially to the college football ranks where minority head coaching hovers around 6%, as Michael J. Nichols writes in the Virginia Sports & Entertainment Law Journal. Many of these leagues are worried they may face lawsuits if they do not do more to consider hiring minority coaches but they are getting push back about implementation from many levels.

Do you think that this is a good way to go about promoting minority hiring? Do you think a "good-faith interview" is enough or do you think that too many token candidates get passed over because of that? And how could this apply to other venues besides sports?

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Fired Because Of Fantasy Football

Most Fantasy Football Leagues are currently in the playoffs. That means that the stakes are the highest and fantasy football owners are constantly making sure their top guys are playing in the big games. But be careful if you're updating your team at work or discussing roster moves with your co-workers. Why? Because, as Yahoo! Sports wrote, if you work for a company such as Fidelity, it could lead to your firing (H/T Ari).
Said Fidelity spokesman Vin Loporchio: "We have clear policies that relate to gambling. Participation in any form of gambling through the use of Fidelity time or equipment or any other company resource is prohibited. … We want our employees to be focused on our customers and clients."
Well is fantasy sports gambling? It may be a distraction at work but is it really an actionable offense? The Yahoo! writer thinks it isn't:
We would also like to point out – in our professional capacity as fantasy gurus, not as legal advisors – that laws have been passed which define the terms "bet" and "wager," and fantasy participation has been excluded. Here's a link to a million-word legal definition. Whatever else he did, Pettigrew wasn't gambling. Back off, company spokesman.
Now can you change your company policy to exclude things like fantasy sports and college basketball pools? Absolutely. But if you're going to fire someone for an offense like this, make sure that it is definitely covered by your policies and procedures.

Though maybe the reason the employee was fired was Trent Edwards was his quarterback. If he's supposed to be advising clients, what does that say about his decision skills?

All jokes aside, four people are out of a job because of fantasy football. Do you feel that this is just? Does your company stop you from accessing fantasy sports? Let us know in the comments below.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Astronology - Online Networking and the Workplace

Astron Website Top

Astronology

Volume X

Issue 21

 

December 15, 2009

Dear Andrew,

Astron Solutions provides high-quality, low-cost, innovative human resources consulting services to organizations like yours. Call us for advice, innovative program design, and user-friendly Web/PC based software.

 

Fact or Fiction

 

Social Networking/Interactive Websites are currently listed in the top 5 frequently used websites in the United States.

FACT!

According to
Alexa.com, a research website that tracks user activity via a browser toolbar in order to collect data on web trafficking for companies, two social networking sites and one video sharing website made the list of top 5:

1. Google
2. Facebook
3. Yahoo
4. Youtube
5. Myspace 

 

World Disney World Photo Contest

 

In our last issue of Astronology, we asked our readers to submit their favorite photos of special Walt Disney World memories. Thank you for participating! Our contest winner is Andrew Miller of Salary.com. Based on his photo, it looks like there were some fun times at a character breakfast!

Do you have a funny or clever caption for this photo? Please send them to us and we'll feature the best in our next issue of Astronology!

 

Happy Holidays from Astron Solutions!

 

Thank you for your support over the past year! It's been a challenging one for many of us. We hope that 2010 is a good one for you!

Our December 29th issue of Astronology will feature an article from the archives. We'll be back with a brand new edition on January 12th.

Everyone at Astron Solutions wishes you and your family a happy holiday season and start to the new year!

 

Online Networking and the Workplace

teamIn today's world of fast technology, organizations face the task of how to handle the online social networking craze headlined by popular sites such as MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. In this edition of Astronology, we take a look into the online social networking phenomena and its impact on the workplace....more

 

Have a Question?

If you have a topic you would like addressed in Astronology, or some feedback on a past article, don't hesitate to tell us!  Simply reply to this e-mail.  See your question answered, or comments addressed, in an upcoming issue of Astronology.

Looking for a top-notch presenter for your human resource organization's meeting?  Both Jennifer Loftus and Michael Maciekowich present highly-rated sessions on a variety of compensation and employee retention issues.  For more information, send an e-mail to info@astronsolutions.com.

 

The Fine Print

We hold your e-mail address in trust.  Astron Solutions promises never to share or rent your personal information.  We also promise never to send you frivolous e-mails and will allow you to leave our list, at your option, at any time.

To remove yourself from this list, please follow your personalized subscriber link at the bottom of your Astronology alert e-mail.

Copyright 2009, Astron Solutions, LLC

ISSN Number 1549-0467

Quick Links

 

World of HR Blog

Bringing you Human Resource news from around the globe...compliments of Astron Solutions.

More

 

Join Our Mailing List

 

Thursday, December 10, 2009

When Personal Information Gets Out

My company sent around an e-mail today that let us know our benefits administrator inadverently sent out personal benefits enrollment information (including Social Security numbers) to the Human Resources department of another client.

Now that the damage has been done, what can the company do to make it right? The benefits administrator is sending a letter home to all of us explaining the mistake and also offering one free year of credit monitoring. But is that enough?

One co-worker who had learned about this type of situation in her past job said that this was insufficient: "Thieves sit on the information for a while due to the fact they know people will be monitoring and then start using when they think the coast is clear--usually after one year."

Now "luckily" this information was only sent to a another Human Resources department and the e-mails were supposedly all deleted without being read. But what if this was accidentally (or purposefully) sent to people who were not as honest? Not only is the associates' information at risk, but their families who are enrolled in the benefits are at risk as well.

This just goes to the heart of the issue: make sure that all safeguards are in place to assure that your employees' personal information never gets into the wrong hands. And if it does somehow get into someone else's hands, you need to make sure there are measures in place to correct the situation.

Do you think that our benefits administrator has done enough in this situation? What do you think they could do more (another year of monitoring, etc.)? What measures does your company have in place for this type of situation?

Friday, December 04, 2009

College Gap vs. Racial Gap

Sorry it's been a few days since I posted but I've been busy celebrating my birthday and such... ;)

Well I'm back with some good articles:

First, from the New York Times, an interesting look into the fact that a college degree can't close the racial gap and how some candidates try to scrub their resume for anything that gives away race to a potential employer. As far as we think we've come in this country (Black President, major women candidates, etc.), we still have a long way to go in some respects.

SmartMoney asks if Wall Street is in hiring mode? Forbes answers by saying that while the economy is recovering meaning layoffs have slowed, hiring hasn't exactly started up at a large pace yet (it's also a tough time of year to hire). New York Magazine says (maybe tongue-in-cheek) that this is proof President Obama's job summit is already working.

Have a great weekend! Many more links next week!

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

What I'm Hearing...Today's a Special Birthday!

Today is a special day here in the Astron family. Happy birthday to our very own blogmaster, Andrew!! Thank you for all you do with Welcome to the World of HR! Wishing you a great day filled with fun, cake, and presents - or whatever your heart desires!!

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Astronology - Winter Blues: Motivating Employees

Astron Website Top

Astronology

Volume X

Issue 20

 

December 1, 2009

Dear Andrew,

Astron Solutions provides high-quality, low-cost, innovative human resources consulting services to organizations like yours. Call us for advice, innovative program design, and user-friendly Web/PC based software.

 

Happy Birthday!

 

December is a busy birthday month here at Astron! Please join us in wishing Happy Birthday to Astron's blogmaster Andrew Katz (December 2) and Senior Statistical Analyst Francine Giocondo (December 10)!

 

Fact or Fiction...With a Twist!

 

Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL is twice the size of Manhattan, New York.

FACT!

At its largest, Walt Disney World in Orlando covers about
46 square miles (30,000 acres).  The island of Manhattan, in New York City, is an estimated 23 square miles (14,720 acres).

Heading to Disney World this December to celebrate the season?  Do you have some wonderful Disney photos from previous trips you'd like to share?  Send us your favorite pictures as part of our Astronology reader contest.  The winners will receive a Starbucks gift card and see their photos published in the next issue!

 

Winter Blues: Motivating Employees

boredAlthough the winter season is mostly noted for its joyous holiday festivities, in the workplace this time of year can signal a time for slowing down.  Many employees become distracted due to seasonal merriment or the exhaustion the festivities often bring. This issue of Astronology takes a peek into how HR leaders can motivate employees, even when there are economic hardships, distractions, or exhaustion present within the organization....more

 

Have a Question?

If you have a topic you would like addressed in Astronology, or some feedback on a past article, don't hesitate to tell us!  Simply reply to this e-mail.  See your question answered, or comments addressed, in an upcoming issue of Astronology.

Looking for a top-notch presenter for your human resource organization's meeting?  Both Jennifer Loftus and Michael Maciekowich present highly-rated sessions on a variety of compensation and employee retention issues.  For more information, send an e-mail to info@astronsolutions.com.

 

The Fine Print

We hold your e-mail address in trust.  Astron Solutions promises never to share or rent your personal information.  We also promise never to send you frivolous e-mails and will allow you to leave our list, at your option, at any time.

To remove yourself from this list, please follow your personalized subscriber link at the bottom of your Astronology alert e-mail.

Copyright 2009, Astron Solutions, LLC

ISSN Number 1549-0467

Quick Links

 

World of HR Blog

Bringing you Human Resource news from around the globe...compliments of Astron Solutions.

More

 

Join Our Mailing List

 

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Losing Disability Benefits Because of Facebook/Chippendales

The Lede from The New York Times had this as a title: "Depressed Woman Appears Happy on Facebook, Trouble Ensues."  When you read through the story (first reported from CBC News), it's another lesson to employees to watch what you post on sites like Facebook:
A 29-year-old Canadian woman who says she’s too depressed to do her job claims that her employer’s insurance company stopped paying her disability benefits because she posted some photographs of herself on Facebook in which she appeared to be happy.
Nathalie Blanchard, who has been on sick leave from an IBM office in Quebec since “she was diagnosed with major depression” 18 months ago, called her employer’s insurance company, Manulife, to ask why she had stopped receiving her monthly check. Ms. Blanchard says that an insurance agent informed her that photographs she had posted on her Facebook account — showing her apparently enjoying a Chippendales show, her birthday party and a beach vacation — proved that she was not depressed
Now I can't see how this can stand (but then again I don't know the Canadian court system that well). I'm not sure an insurance agent is qualified to tell if a woman is depressed or not based on photos she posted on Facebook. And if she was enjoying Chippendales, her birthday and a beach vacation, isn't she a normal human being. Let's just say things got worse for Blanchard after this...
[Her lawyer, Tom Lavin] told The Gazette, a Montreal newspaper, that his client’s mortgage insurance was cut off because someone alerted her financial institution to the supposedly damning Facebook photos. “That forced her to sell her house because she can’t afford to pay her mortgage,” Mr. Lavin told The Gazette, “her credit has gone down the tubes and her reputation has been damaged. She’s not having a good time.”
If she wasn't depressed before...Ouch.

Friday, November 20, 2009

A Few Restaurants in Park Slope You May Not Want To Work For

From New York Magazine's always excellent Grub Street:

When Marc Murphy testified against a proposed bill mandating that restaurateurs provide paid sick leave, his director of operations made sure to point out that Landmarc treats its employees very well, thank you (among other things, they get five sick days after they’ve worked there a year). But here’s something interesting — another restaurateur who testified against the bill on Tuesday, Irene Lo Re, also happens to be the owner of one of 25 Park Slope restaurants that were busted by the state Department of Labor for underpaying workers.
Though the eateries weren’t named in yesterday’s press release from the labor department, the NY Daily News today revealed that the restaurants include Olive Vine Café, Sotto Voce, Sweet Melissa Patisserie, Baluchi's, Sette Enoteca e Cucina, and Aunt Suzie’s. And a call to Christine Quinn’s office reveals that Aunt Suzie owner Irene Lo Re spoke against paid sick leave. To make matters more interesting, Lo Re is president of the Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District and she has also been a chairperson of Community Board 6. We’ve called Lo Re to find out what, exactly, it is that she doesn't like about the bill. 

That's not good news. One usually thinks of restaurants as places where labor laws are a gray area (many New York restaurants have undocumented workers and the wages paid aren't always "fair"), but there are still consequences for violating the law even within the food services industry. Mama Mexico faced a lawsuit earlier this year and the question of paid sick leave has become a hotly debate topic. Those are just two examples but it shows that no matter what industry you are in, you need to treat your workers right.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Astronology - Giving Thanks to Our Top Performers

Astron Website Top

Astronology

Volume X

Issue 19

 

November 17, 2009

Dear Andrew,

Astron Solutions provides high-quality, low-cost, innovative human resources consulting services to organizations like yours. Call us for advice, innovative program design, and user-friendly Web/PC based software.

 

The Astron Road Show

 

The Astron team will be on the road again soon.  For now, we're hard at work in the office!  We will keep you posted on our travels so that we can meet you in person!

 

Fact or Fiction

 

All turkeys gobble.

Fiction!

It is only the
Tom Turkey that makes the "gobble" sound we associate with turkeys. Happy Thanksgiving - gobble gobble! - to you and your family from everyone at Astron Solutions!

 

Giving Thanks to Our Top Performers

shakeIn honor of Thanksgiving, this edition of Astronology will examine how to identify, and more importantly, to thank top performers within an organization for a job well done. Considering the economic conditions that many of us are experiencing, thankfulness shown through monetary exchanges may not be feasible. No matter your budget, it is critical to acknowledge those who go above and beyond their assigned capacity. Such behavior demonstrates loyalty and dependableness...key assets for any organization!....more

 

Have a Question?

If you have a topic you would like addressed in Astronology, or some feedback on a past article, don't hesitate to tell us!  Simply reply to this e-mail.  See your question answered, or comments addressed, in an upcoming issue of Astronology.

Looking for a top-notch presenter for your human resource organization's meeting?  Both Jennifer Loftus and Michael Maciekowich present highly-rated sessions on a variety of compensation and employee retention issues.  For more information, send an e-mail to info@astronsolutions.com.

 

The Fine Print

We hold your e-mail address in trust.  Astron Solutions promises never to share or rent your personal information.  We also promise never to send you frivolous e-mails and will allow you to leave our list, at your option, at any time.

To remove yourself from this list, please follow your personalized subscriber link at the bottom of your Astronology alert e-mail.

Copyright 2009, Astron Solutions, LLC

ISSN Number 1549-0467

Quick Links

 

World of HR Blog

Bringing you Human Resource news from around the globe...compliments of Astron Solutions.

More

 

Join Our Mailing List

 

Stat Counter