Heading to Vegas

Heading to Vegas so we're going to combine all the rest of the posts into this one...

The Olympian says to take a vacation, so that's where I'm getting my inspiration from: click here

From the New York Times we have an article about being plugged in at home but ultimately left out: click here

Also from the New York Times, the Career Couch, about being chronically late: click here

From the US Immigration Weblog, an interesting article about employers' stance on the proposed laws: click here

From the Washington Post, an article which tells you why women don't make as much as the guys: click here

Word of a Human Resources Management blog launched by faculty of Capella University...some competition for us: click here

From the Hackett Group, an article about outsourcing Human Resources: click here

Lastly, from PersonnelToday, 2/3 of Brits would lie on their resume to get the job they want according to a recent study: click here

New Competencies for HR

The Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) starts us off on this two for Tuesday with an article about new competencies for Human Resources: click here

Next is a blog which sites a study saying that accountants are the moral beacon of the workplace: click here

Green Path

We're baaaacck

First, from Amy Joyce, a law partner who pulls his firm down the green path: click here

Also from the Washington Post, an article about the democrats seeking to overturn the federal pay ruling: click here

Lastly, from the Boston Globe, a Q&A which says, among other things, that you should make sure a company's hires and fires reflect diversity: click here

Huge Memorial Day Post

Going away for the week so we're going to give you more than enough HR news to get you through your week...

First, Amy Joyce starts us out with an article that says to look out for caregivers: click here

More from the Washington Post about the hiring practices due to political leanings at the Justice Department: click here

Also from the Washington Post, word that Congress has approved the minimum wage increase: click here

Lastly from the Washington Post, an article that talks about how the OMB is moving to secure social security numbers: click here

From the Boston Globe, word that working too hard is bad for you: click here

Also from the Globe, an article that says young workers truly have something to complain about: click here

From the New York Times, the monthly wildcard is job numbers: click here

Also from the New York Times, a column about moving out of retirement and into uncertainty: click here

Lastly from the New York Times, an article about finding a new path to the world of work for "disconnected" young people: click here

From itzbig, an article about what Human Resources can learn from marketing: click here

From about.com, a list of the top 5 Human Resources books: click here

From News Blaze, an article about how HR is the way to rescue your company in the upcoming labor shortage: click here

We rarely do this, but this HR blog has plenty of great information to help you out: click here

And our last article, buried in a blog, is word of infighting at salary.com and a lawsuit between Mercer Human Resources and Salary.com: click here

ENJOY!

Outsourcing HR

Forced Fun?

First, from the New York Times, an article about the limits of office celebrations from the Career Couch: click here

Next, also from the New York Times, an interesting article that shows where business and media mix in the place where a situation becomes "silly enough for a sitcom": click here

Lastly, from the Washington Post, word about turbulence over executive pay in the airline industry: click here

We missed you

We missed you yesterday so we're doubling up on our blog today here at Astron Solutions....

First, from the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), an article that says that the immigration bill does not fix HR problems: click here

One reason, according to Government Executive is that it targets employer verification: click here

Next from Human Resources Executive, an interesting article talking about companies beginning to have to cope with workers on military leave: click here

Next, from the Washington Post, an interesting article about a person fired for blogging: click here

And lastly, also from the Washington Post, an interesting question posed which asked why can't the woman stay once the man is fired with the example of the World Bank: click here

Life After Finals

As college seniors and graduate students leave their respective institutions this month, they should look forward to the fact that there is life after finals, although, according to the New York Times, the entry-level salary will vary greatly: click here

Next is word from the Boston Globe to consider your choices when returning to teaching: click here

Lastly, from the Washington Post, Amy Joyce tells us that your boss could be fooling you for Safety's Sake: click here

Job Interview Training

Your Job Can Save Your Life

In this Boston Globe article we start off by learning how maybe your job won't kill you...maybe it'll save your life: click here

Next, also from the Boston Globe, various strategies to deal with a co-worker with too much cologne among other advice: click here

Lastly, an interesting book reviewed by the Washington Post, which is about new girls on the job front: click here

A different type of coach

In the effort to land a high-paying job, some try using an executive coach according to the New York Times: click here

Next, also from the New York Times, an interesting article that says that cutting emissions not only helps the environment, but it also creates a lot of new jobs: click here

Lastly, from USA Today, following up on our Mother's Day leftover theme, an article about more nursing mothers getting lactation programs at work: click here

More Mother's Day stuff

We're chock full of Mother's Day leftovers so we're feeding them to you here at Astron's blog...

First from Amy Joyce, it's advice on how to return to the office after taking a pregnancy leave: click here

Next, from the Washington Post, it's an article about a group that pushes forward motherhood causes in the political light: click here

All about Mom's

It may be the day after mother's day, but we've still got mom on our mind the day after mother's day...

First from Amy Joyce, a column which says that employers should not discriminate whether you have a baby yourself or adopt one, a mother is a mother and she should be given time off: click here

Next, from MSNBC, an interesting article asking why moms are giving up careers? They say moms are being pushed out: click here

Lastly, if mom made a salary, how much would she be worth? The Current-Argus calculates: click here

Interview Skills

For your weekend, an interesting interview skills video made by human resources professionals...enjoy:

College to the Workplace

We start with the Boston Globe looking at this difficult time of year for college students when they need to make the transition from the college world to the working (AKA real) world: click here

Next, Boston Globe takes you inside the mind of a genius to find out about creating and implementing ideas: click here

Lastly, from Kansas.com via the Wichita Eagle via the San Antonio Express News comes this article about flexibility is an asset for employees and employers: click here

Wanderlust

We start with this interesting New York Times Career Couch Q&A asking what should you do about wanderlust among other questions: click here

Next, from Austin, Texas we see one worker's e-mail to their boss and the incongruous response they got: click here

Lastly, an interesting blog about girls in the workplace, especially right out of college and what they should expect: click here

Baseball and Mangement

On this Astronology two-for-Tuesday, we start with lessons from the diamond and how one manager is taking what he learned on the baseball field to skills used in management: click here

Next, from the Washington Post, an interesting article about how pressure from above caused this bank to accrue some bad mortgages: click here

Office Awareness

Amy Joyce starts us out on this Monday by saying that office awareness can help head off abuse at home: click here

Next, from the Boston Globe, a Q&A stating to make sure that expectations for both worker and boss are well defined: click here

Lastly, from the Express-News Business Writer, a way that businesses can help workers balance their lives: click here

Worker Productivity

First from the Washington Post, an article about the growth of worker productivity slowing down: click here

An interesting study says that 70% of success at work has to do with "People Skills"...Office Space would be proud: click here

Lastly, we have a list of the top 100 adoption friendly workplaces: click here

The cost of healthcare

The Boston Globe starts us out with a Q&A with ways to lessen the costs of healthcare: click here

Next, also from the Boston Globe, an interesting take on being loyal...it can be a selfish act: click here

Lastly, in an article from the Washington Post we look at GM and the United Auto Workers and more union grumbling in Motown: click here

Return to work

The Career Couch from the New York Times starts us out with an article about sizing up your skills for a return to work: click here

Next, also from the NYT, an interesting article about how Whole Foods helps immigrants seeking jobs: click here

Lastly, Mercer Human Resources talks about how you should handle defined contribution plans: click here

Wal-Mart Under Attack

First Human Rights Watch attacked Wal-Mart yesterday saying that their tactics used against unions are illegal: click here

Now today we have the response from Wal-Mart and a more in-depth look by the Washington Post into the company's heavy handed tactics against unionization: click here

The Gender Wage Gap

Amy Joyce of the Washington Post starts us off on this Monday with an interesting article documenting findings which show that not only do women make 77 cents on the dollar of a man's salary, but this gap begins right after graduation: click here

The Washington Post also brings us a report that details an auditor questioning overtime payments...something you should definitely watch out for in your firm: click here

Lastly, when you fire someone, you should know you did it...but according to our Attorney General, he doesn't and now it came out he gave firing power to his aides: click here

Credible Activisim

According to SHRM (the Society for Human Resource Management), "Credible Activism" is the key HR skill: click here

The Jerusalem Post writes about a recent book that explores the boundaries of responsibility: click here

Lastly, on this Friday, Toronto stakes their claim on Mercer Human Resources list of cleanest cities: click here

Smarts Does Not Equal Rich

According to this study published in Network World, you don't have to be smart to make a lot of money in your job: click here

An interesting article from a little while back in the Washington Post shows that Starbucks has a crack in its image when it comes to how it treats its workers: click here

Lastly, UK publication Personnel Today shows what professions British parents aspire for their children: click here

Diversity

Diversity is a key buzzword in all aspects of society from college admissions to workplace dynamics and this article from the New York Times talks about how diversity makes a team click: click here

Also from the New York Times, Lisa Belkin's "Life's Work" takes on sharing practical truths, in child-sized doses: click here

Lastly, from the Washington Post, Stephen Barr's "Federal Diary" tells of renewed efforts to extend war-time tax breaks to civilians: click here

When Happy Hour Is a Complete Misnomer

It's called Happy Hour but for some offices, writes Amy Joyce, this can be a complete misinterpretation of the actual events: click here

Ever wondered what a staffing firm does? Well this Boston Globe article helps to clarify: click here

Happy Astronology Tuesday!

How much is your boss making?

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch uses new disclosure agreements to take a look at executive pay: click here

Next, the Washington Post writes about how the Supreme Court wrangles with overtime pay: click here

Lastly, another blog gives us some information about jobs in the hotel industry: click here

Getting More From HR

An interesting management article starts us out by saying that managers need to get more from HR who contribute a fifth of a company's bottom line according to the article: click here

In a piece about a Human Resources Exchange, the Ledger-Enquirer, writes about Russians coming to the United States: click here

We conclude with a Personnel Today piece that says that four out of 10 UK employees would risk lying on their CV: click here

On Trade and Labor

This interesting Washington Post article starts us off this Thursday with a debate between Congress and the President on labor and trade: click here

Next, an article on employee feedback systems: click here

Lastly, from the UK, another interesting article on incentives...this time incentives that try to keep you from getting sick: click here

Getting there...

We're midway through the week, but we're just heating up on the blog...

Amy Joyce says that mentorship is the best investment you can give a young person: click here


Financial Futures says to unpack the benefits package: clcik here

And Career Track gives a working study for the laid off: click here

Back to NY

We were in Boston yesterday but we're back to where we belong in New York for our two for Tuesday:

First danger signals at work at how to deal with them in this Q&A: click here

And also from the New York Times, an interesting article about a chocolate maker who changes lives: click here

Marathon Monday

On Boston's Marathon Monday we go to the Boston Globe for all 3 articles...

First a Q&A that says, the tile is nice, but where is the cash?: click here

Next, an interesting article which looks at movies and says to hail the tyranical boss who has mastered that role: click here

Lastly, word that vacations are for daydreaming...no travel needed: click here

Global Spread of Corporate Social Responsibility

SHRM Survey of Human Resource Professionals Shows Significant CSR Role in Business Strategies in United States, China, India, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, and Canada according to this press release: click here

This Boston Globe column has advice about how to ease the transition back into the working world after taking a leave: click here

Lastly, also from the Boston Globe, an interesting "play-by-play" from inside the "Montgomery Ward National Bureaucrats Bowl": click here

Guide to negotiations

New York Times gives us in this article a guide to negotiations to use in the workplace...or with your child: click here

This Portland Business Journal article says that CEO salaries were back up 9% last year: click here

Lastly, Florida Today says that changes to the workforce are coming and we should be ready for it: click here

Tuesday Twofer

Both from the Boston Globe on this Astronology Tuesday...

First, if you thyink you deserve a raise, this Q&A says to do your research and then ask: click here

And in interesting column from View From the Cube which says that there's been a blurring of two online mating rituals: click here

Getting Out When You Never Should Have Gotten In

What happens when you want to terminate you job faster than Britney Spears terminated her Vegas wedding? Well Amy Joyce says that maybe you should have spent more time in the search process: click here

From the Washington Post word that President Bush is renewing his efforts on immigrations which will certainly affect Human Resources if passed: click here

Also from the Washington Post, an interesting Chapter 2 from a story about a man trying to make his way in the world and find idealism...check it out: click here

What happens when your workers are overpaid?

Circuit City says, accoridng to this Washington Post article, that when the workers are overpaid, fire them: click here

Next, an ask HR blog about how to get the perfect job: click here

Lastly, from the Mail Tribune, another article for you about pets at the office: click here

Need for Equality?

We start on this Thursday with an interesting column asking whether we really need an equal rights amendment when the Democratic presidential frontrunner, the speaker of the house and the secretary of state: click here

Also from the Washington Post, Wal-Mart defends it's security measures: click here

Lastly, from the Indianapolis Star, some Human Resources news: click here

When a Second Change May Be Too Much

This is one time where HR giving someone a second chance may be way, way too lenient: click here

Next, a New York Times Career Couch Q&A saying that if you want recognition, you should be willing to share the limelight: click here

The New York Times Home Front has an interesting article about small businesses getting help with federal contracts: click here

Is Your Boss a Psychopath?

An interesting question posed by Fast Company in this article: click here

And from Amy Joyce of the Washington Post, a column that suggest that two-way empathy thaws an icy response to time off: click here

And to those celebrating: Happy Passover!

Happy News on This Monday

We have a lot of news about unhappy things in the job market so we're trying to bring up your Monday with some fun, happy news:

First, from the "Nice Blog", talk about how being a nice boss will actually help your bottom line: click here

The Employee Factor blog has an interesting article about customers wanting smiles: click here

And more HR blogging, this time from India about people at work and play, and people who are too busy to notice they're too busy: click here

How about 'dem perks?

On this Friday we go to the top place to work for in America, Google, and why they're number one:

Let's Go To Boston

Boston is the place for Thursday's Astron Solutions blog as we look at the Boston Globe articles pertinent to HR...

First, an article about how business school is helping women rejoin the workforce: click here

Next, a column that says that today's work ethic just not longer works: click here

Lastly, an interesting article about the state's one-stop career center which offers training vouchers among other issues in this Q&A: click here

Two for Tuesday

Astronology's Two for Tuesday goes to the New York Times

First saying that policies that bring dogs to the office may not always be a bad idea: click here

And next an interesting dilemma...you've earned a vacation but do you dare take it?: click here

Somebody's Got a Case of the Mondays...

If you have a bad case of the Mondays, we're here to try to cure it...

First, from Amy Joyce, a column about maternity leave and employers seeing opportunity to act: click here

The Washington Post talks about "welfare reform" for men in this article: click here

And, lastly, also from the Washington Post, an article about how resume lies can cost you dearly: click here

Using MySpace to Search Potential Employees

This is a very interesting Headline News report on YouTube (minus the audio being off) about using MySpace to look up potential employees. A good way to start your spring weekend:

Passionate about your job

The Boston Globe starts us out on this Thursday with the edict that we should all reignite the passion about our job: click here

From the Washington Post an article about the uneasiness people have over legalizing workers and how businesses and unions are allying together (an odd alliance indeed) to try to stop it: click here

And lastly, from Wharton Business School, a continuation of one of our many stories here at the Astron Solutions blog...office romances: click here

Hump Day

Happy Humpday! We'll celebrate today, on the first full day of Spring, with a cornucopia of articles...

First from the Kane County Chronicle, an interesting article about how multitasking can actually hurt a firm: click here

From the Worcester Business Journal, an article about how the labor department is encouraging firms to hire the disabled: click here

And lastly, from the Washington Post, word that the data security breaches we have seen recently have spurred new products to protect worker's identities: click here

Two for NY

This Two for Tuesday goes to the New York Times...

First, the Career Couch Q&A tells you what to do if your manager is a bully (hint: you aren't helpless): click here

And the second article examines where the nonprofits turn for help: click here

Art of Persuasion

Amy Joyce starts us out on this Monday talking about business schools teaching more than saying please: click here

Also from the Washington Post, word that Atlantic City Casino Dealers have OK'ed a union which could have nationwide effects on casino workers: click here

From the Boston Globe, a Q&A that says to learn what you like in a job and keep it: click here

Credit Where Credit is Due

The Washington Post starts us off on this Friday with an article about a boss who steals his underlings' credit and how to get rid of that problem: click here

Also from the Washington Post, word that labor rights in Guatemala are aided by a little trade deal: click here

And, lastly, from PersonnelToday, an article about the construction costs at the London Olympics and how you can go about trying to avoid costs like these from accruing: click here

Google and the USA

First on this Thursday, word from the Washington Post that Google is searches for government workers: click here

The Boston Globe's Ask the HR Expert takes on the question of full-time employment as well as other HR issues: click here

And lastly, an article about medical leave being under fire from businesses: click here

Preserve Workers Choices

An interesting article which is a special to the Washington Post starts off our Wednesday with the plea to perserve real choice for workers: click here

From the Boston Globe a first-person story about how disappointment can have shades of success: click here

Also from the Boston Globe, an article about the word of the day in HR...fluidity: click here

Moody in the Office

On this Two for Tuesday, the New York Times career couch says that their moods can cast an influence on the office: click here

And also from the New York Times, an interesting question: can your dog humanize your office? click here

Bringing Mothers Back From Leave

Amy Joyce of the Washington Post writes about developing maternity leave programs with an emphasis on that worker returning: click here

Also from the Washington Post, word that the unemployment rate has dipped to 4.5 %: click here

The Boston Globes ends this Monday with the revised definition of full-time employment: click here

When is it time for a promotion?

In this Q&A from the Boston Globe, the reader asks if seven months is the correct time: click here

The New York Times suggest to just use the web to get the boss to pay you more: click here

A controversial article to end the week about a group of Human Resources groups getting together to talk about defending the rights of legal workers in the US: click here

Risky Business

The advice from the New York Times is not to panic if your employer is monitoring your e-mail, but they also say the risk is all yours: click here

Also from the New York Times, an article about how defining yourself as a consultant while going indepedent can be quite a challenge for some: click here

Lastly, an interesting story from the Boston Globe about seeing a former boss...and just letting them and the past pass by: click here

Follow up from yesterday

While the Senate has voted to give airport screeners unionizing rights--as reported yesterday on this blog--they had to compromise in their final proposal to avoid a Bush veto as described here: click here

An interesting article from the Washington Post says that Japanese working women still serve the tea and discrimination still exists: click here

Lastly, the Boston Globe says to embrace insanity to survive: click here

Word From Washington

The Washington Post has some great HR articles for you on this 2 for Tuesday

First, a report that the Senate has voted to allow airport screeners to unionize: click here

Another debate in Washington is on what to do with immigrants from Mexico and Mexico's President wants to keep them at home: click here

Making Up for Lower Pay

Word on a Monday from the Washington Post that lawmakers seek to expand insurance for wage drop-offs: click here

And some word on attracting talent, first from the Oakland Business Review: click here

And from the San Jose bizjournal, an article about attracting and keeping qualified workers: click here

Weekend Fun

We're sorry we missed you yesterday but an internet glich left the blog unattended so you're going to get a Saturday surprise with three great articles:

First, word the manufacturing hiring is seen to be coming on strong in the next couple of weeks: click here

Next, from the Washington Post, an interesting article about when politicians salaries are the same, but their net worth is totally different and how this relates to common workplace situations: click here

And, lastly, more word on those office flings and flirts we've been talking about so much on our blog: click here

Forecasting In Focus

The Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) puts workforece forcasting in foucs: click here

Word from Mercer Human Resources Consulting, employers have become more generous with their 401(k) matching: click here

Lastly, a report from the Leading Indicator of National Employment (LINE) and SHRM that most employers plan to hire new employees in March: click here

The basics of human resources management

An article talking about what one person describes the basics of human resources management: click here

Word from our next article says that the new workforces is ill-prepared for the working world: click here

And from Tampa Bay news about how one manager brought news about his personal life to his employees: click here

Big Company

Today's Astronology talked about big companies with small company resources...well here are Forbes' list of America's best big companies...some of which made that sucessful leap: click here

And continuing with one of our theme's from the past, word about flirting at work, which this New York Times Q&A says is fliritng with disaster: click here

Back to the Afternoon Nap

Lisa Belkin of the New York Times says that we would all be more productive if we went back to the afternoon nap: click here

Amy Joyce says that piercing pushes the limits of appropriate office dress: click here

Labor groups are protesting student labor laws which do not allow students to form unions: click here

Love Contract

As we've brought up in this blog and in Astronology, and a subject that was brought up last night in The Office, office romances can have interesting results. The Age debates the issue: click here

Word from the Washington Post that a man has sued IBM after being fired for visiting an adult chat room while at work: click here

And, lastly, also from the Washington Post, an interesting article about hiring...when you can't hire the father, hire the son...at least that's what Senator Hillary Clinton did: click here

To tell or not to tell...that is the question

The Washington Post's Amy Joyce debates whether people with mental illnesses should disclose those to their employer: click here

The Boston Globe talks about how films teach CEOs what not to do: click here

And lastly, advice on how to turn "with honors" into "with job": click here

Multinational but one message

On this Wednesday, the Astron Solutions blog is aiming to show mulitnationals how to manage remote teams: click here

Also, Benefitnews.com talks about how to manage retirement plans across the globe: click here

Lastly, word that the 2007 pay outlook looks rosy for top performers: click here

We Are Family

It's a Friday before a long weekend so we'll give you some great articles to get you into your weekend:

First from the Boston Globe, an article about that family and the roles that everyone should play in that family: click here

Next, from the BostonWorks HiringHub, a Q&A, that asks, among other things, whether facial piercings should automatically eliminate a candidate: click here

Lastly, from Personnel Today, an article that says that pay settlements for the last quarter were up 3.5%: click here

Post-Valentine's Day Love

We're sorry we missed you yesterday, but we're back with double today on the Astron Solutions blog

Starting with an article from the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) that says that romance in the office is a common occurence but can have serious consequences: click here

An article from the Bradenton Herald states that the low unemployment rate has been hurting the employment at schools: click here

Next, we move to the Boston Globe where they say you should know where your workers will be in the year 2010: click here

Then an article from Personnel Today which suggests to hire and promote from within to save on recruitment costs: click here

Lastly, from the Dayton Daily News, the Office HR director, Toby's, worst nightmare comes to real life via Facebook: click here

Making a Guest Worker Feel At Home

It's an Astronology Tuesday!

President Bush stressed the need for a temporary-worker program in his latest State of the Union: click here

Next from the Washington Post, an article about Job Discrimination in China, which takes different forms than in the US: click here

Dating in the Workplace

The age-old question of whether to date in the workplace is tackled by Amy Joyce at the Washington Post with this article: click here

The New York Times tackles the questions of whether a college degree is really a good economic choice (I really hope so): click here

And from the Anchorage Daily News, an interesting article about the state suing the former retirement system...you have to read it to understand: click here

Sick of the Job Search???

Call in the Job Doc...Boston Globe does in this chat with a real life job doc: click here

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, an article about human resource experts saying that workers can benefit from art: click here

And to get you into your weekend, when politics get into the human resources and jobs debate: click here

New York to Boston to DC

First, from New York and the New York Times, an article declaring this an employee's market: click here

Next the Boston Globe brings out a new word: impedership: click here

Lastly, from the Washington Post, word of Wal-Mart and the union joining forces on a a new healthcare initiative: click here

Job Growth...slow but strong

The New York Times reports on the employment situation in the United States and says that it has been slowed but remains strong: click here

Also from the New York Times, a look at the preparation one should take before changing jobs: click here

Lastly, word of the Hope Program out of New York and how it's helping people get a fresh start: click here

Tell Me About Your Blog

Another article, this time from the Boston Globe, about how to answer the question: "tell me about yourself": click here

Also from the Boston Globe an article about winter sales and how it's not fun in the sun: click here

Lastly, a Q&A saying that leaving the old job on good terms is just as important as finding a new one: click here

Women in the Workplace

Amy Joyce writes about those companies that open more doors and allows more women into higher spots in the workplace: click here

Next, from the Pocono Record, an interesting article about University students offering new views on Human Resources Management: click here

Lastly, from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, a report that talks about all those employees who missed work because of fake excuses: click here

What is a PEO?

Once in a while Blogger doesn't blog for us so we double you up the next day...lucky you!

Curious of what a PEO is or what they do for your company? Well look no further than the Orlando Sentinel which describes in this article what they do, why your company hired them, and what to expect: click here

From the New York Times, an article about how charting a path from your bed to your desk can help with multitasking in the office: click here

Also from the New York Times, a profit and loss look at the common question of whether to job-seek while at work: click here

From the Boston Globe, an article that says that balancing your life and your work is no longer a career ender: click here

And lastly, also from the New York Times, a look inside the mind of your employees: click here

Dress Code

Dress code seems to be a recurring theme in our blog and Astronology but this Amy Joyce article has a little bit of a different tone: click here

From the Washington Post, an article about backers pushing for a genetic nondiscrimination bill: click here

Also from the Washington Post, a story about the democratic presidential candidates and how labor and liberalism are affected by them: click here

Minimum Wage and the rest

Minimum Wage is a big topic for this Astronology Tuesday so we'll dive right into it:

First, word from the Washington Post that the Senate cleared way for the minimum wage vote: click here


Also from the Washington Post, an article that examines the maverick Costco CEO who joined the push to increase the minimum wage: click here

High Tech AND High Price?

Salaries rose and demand grew in the IT market this past year according to this article that was published in TechNewsWorld: click here

Information from a seminar on the responsiblities of employers hiring illegal immigrants: click here

Lastly, from Benefitnews.com, word that gambling problems are prevalent in the workplace: click here

Life and Work

The Boston Globe in this piece says that it will not ruin you in the balance for a life and work: click here

Word also from the Globe of an investment made in the past that paid off in the future for one person: click here

Lastly, advice that the best leaders form mutual respect: click here

What's Going On in 2007?

First, news of the Human Resources trends of 2007 that Human Resources professionals should be aware of: click here

Next, word of the slowing growth in the February job market of 2007: click here

Lastly, the word of advice to resolve organizational issues in the new year and tips on how to do so: click here

Jeter or Brady?

Rule Boston or rule New York? Tough choice...we lean towards New York, but we're going to give you 2 great Boston articles on this Two for Tuesday:

First, advice that social fumblers should e-mail more and interact less: click here

And, lastly, word that admonishment still stings for an employee, no matter how nice or correct the boss and no matter what the age of the employee: click here

Advising You

Sometimes people come to HR for advice, but where does HR turn?

One thing that Human Resources sometimes has to explain to employees are noncompete clauses in contracts, but few know much about them...the New York Times explains here: click here

Also from the New York Times, word about how small businesses get bigger and how they're getting help in New York: click here

Professional certification is an issue that Human Resources professionals should not only know about for people applying, but should know about for themselves to attain before looking for jobs according to the Providence Business News: click here

We're Going Around The World

First, word that Asian firms are giving human resources more responsibility in the organization's operations: click here

The salary surge in China is expected to continue in the next year: click here

Lastly, from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, an article about the challenges for working parents to find backup child care: click here

Who Pays?

The questions is always out there in any profession, but definitely when labor and management get together for negotiations, and definitely when it comes to protection and who pays for the worker's protection, as covered by the Washington Post: click here

The Boston Globe writes that both workers and Human Resources could benefit from talking about what went wrong when someone gets fired: click here

Lastly, also from the Boston Globe, a story about how MTV has aquired a professor-rating Website...imagine if they had that for all employees: click here

The blog of the blogs

Sometimes the best blogs check out what's in the other blogs on the internet...

First, from Careerbuilder.com's blog, tips from HR Managers on how to improve your resume: click here

Next, from the Business Times blog, word that the transformation of the HR process has gathered pace: click here

And, lastly, from the Business Toolkit Blog, word about the skill gap facing Human Resources: click here

We're Going Real Big On This Astronology Tuesday

We're going really big with double the articles on this Astronology Tuesday..

First, from the Society of Human Resources Mangement (SHRM), an article about the steady increase seen for time off on MLK day: click here

InsuranceNews says that 401(K) statements now come with a word of advice: click here

On that track, About.com asks if you're getting the best benefit from your benefits: click here

Lastly, from the New York Times, a story about one woman's use of a company grant to pursue her own goals: click here

Managing the Cold

Throughout the Midwest and Northeast, residents are trying to manage the cold...

Which is a lot like the task of management trying to manage needy employees, according to Amy Joyce: click here

According to the Boston Globe, little rituals in the workday for employees help to save time and build ties: click here

And, lastly, a Q&A which says that skirting recruiters is OK, but really may not be in the best interest of the job seeker: click here

Heading back to Boston

I'm going to Boston so I figured I'd scour the Boston Globe for some great articles for your Friday evening...

First, word that the state's best fields such as biotech and health are likely to get even better: click here

An old Q&A about immigration law from HR experts: click here

A new Q&A about many things including alcohol consumption at holiday events: click here

Tell Me About Yourself

Tell Me About Yourself may be the most popular interview question asked by recruiters but it may be a lot more important than one might think, according to the Boston Globe: click here

Human Resources executives, according to this article, are worried about online recruitment candidates cheating on online tests: click here

Lastly, our Canadian neighbors at Globe and Mail tell us that there may be a little bit of a generation gap between Baby Boomers and those Generation X'ers: click here

Oldies but Goodies

Going through some leftover HR articles on this humpday, we found some good information for you here at Astron Solutions:

First, the question is asked: Where did the Human in Human Resources go? click here

Next, from Newsday, an article that shows that some employers' benifits go way beyond the normal...even to pet insurance: click here

And lastly, an article that says that women are being sent on a record number of international assignments: click here

Resumes on 2 for Tuesday

First, from Amy Joyce, word that persistence can help rescue lost resumes: click here

And from the Boston Globe, more news on costly resume errors: click here

Heat Wave...in January...

If you think that this weather has been strange...check out this headline: click here

I mean I know that there are commercials with monkeys and other animals working in offices...but please...(just kidding...and there is good HR stuff down below)

As we reported on our blog and in Astronology, more and more firms are doing background checks: click here

And there will now be no more Christmas party for Kane employees...sorry guys: click here

How To Be Happy At Work

Maybe we can all take something from the Danish system of business which not only produces the happiest country on earth (according to a Reuters survey over the summer), but now the happiest workers on earth: click here

Next from FedSmith.com we have a two-part series asking: In Human Resources We Trust?

Part 1: click here

Part 2: click here

Not Just Salary

75 % of employees are looking for new jobs, but not all because of salary. Workers also want career opportunity, career development and life/work balance according to this article by Long Island Business News: click here

From the Bradenton Herald, an article that says that ADHD can bring self-doubt to employees: click here

Lastly, an article about Customization 2.0, an interesting concept: click here

Low G.P.A. On Your C.V. May Leave The Offers M.I.A.

First, from the New York Times, an article that says that low grades in college may stop offers from coming: click here

Next, from the Boston Globe, an advice column that teaches management how to stay out of court: click here

Also from the Boston Globe, an article that says to slow down, you're moving too fast: click here

Happy New Year

The first blog of the New Year coincides with the first Astronology of the New Year which means you get a double treat on many people's first day back to work.

And it's two for Tuesday so we decided to go back and see two articles that revist old Astronology topics...

First, Amy Joyce goes through her top resume bloopers...sounds familiar: click here

Next is from the Washington Post and goes over bad bosses and some of the things they do (including not keeping their word): click here