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
Friday, November 03, 2006
Thursday, November 02, 2006
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
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
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
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
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
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
So Spooky We're Seeing Double
That's how it is on the Two for Tuesday on Halloween...we'll trick and treat with you here at Astron Solutions
First, from Proskauer Rose LLP, an interesting article summarized thusly:
Another from the New York Times talks about the way to raise labor's voice at the annual meetings is to give them a say in who are the directors of their company: click here
Enjoy and Happy Halloween!!!!!
First, from Proskauer Rose LLP, an interesting article summarized thusly:
In a split decision handed down on Tuesday October 24, 2006, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reversed a lower court decision that had been part of the foundation for the growing trend of challenges by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to waivers commonly used by companies in employee separation agreements.
Another from the New York Times talks about the way to raise labor's voice at the annual meetings is to give them a say in who are the directors of their company: click here
Enjoy and Happy Halloween!!!!!
Monday, October 30, 2006
Monday Isn't All Bad
Monday can still be OK because you know you're getting a full dose of Astron Solutions' articles from the weekend...
First, Amy Joyce of the Washington Post looks into hiring people with cognitive disabilities: click here
Next, also from the Washington Post, an article that looks (as Astronology did) at midterm elections and shows how wage initiatives are shown as favoring democrats: click here
And lastly, also from the Washington Post, an article looking at human resources mistakes made by the Washingotn Redskins in the past...interesting read for sports fans and Human Resources professionals alike: click here
First, Amy Joyce of the Washington Post looks into hiring people with cognitive disabilities: click here
Next, also from the Washington Post, an article that looks (as Astronology did) at midterm elections and shows how wage initiatives are shown as favoring democrats: click here
And lastly, also from the Washington Post, an article looking at human resources mistakes made by the Washingotn Redskins in the past...interesting read for sports fans and Human Resources professionals alike: click here
Friday, October 27, 2006
From Sea to Shining Sea
We're scouring the globe on the last Friday in October to find you some great articles on Human Resources...
First we go to London for an article from Accountancy Age about employee benefit packages. Stock benefits packages have had their day. HR experts must consider developing bespoke benefits because people are looking for different things at different times in their lifecycle: click here
Back to the US and to Arizona where we have an article which talks about what federal agencies to turn to if you get denied benefits: click here
And lastly, checking out other blogs on the internet, we found one man's opinion that says that Human Resource professionals are keeping the skilled out of the workforce...do you agree?: click here
First we go to London for an article from Accountancy Age about employee benefit packages. Stock benefits packages have had their day. HR experts must consider developing bespoke benefits because people are looking for different things at different times in their lifecycle: click here
Back to the US and to Arizona where we have an article which talks about what federal agencies to turn to if you get denied benefits: click here
And lastly, checking out other blogs on the internet, we found one man's opinion that says that Human Resource professionals are keeping the skilled out of the workforce...do you agree?: click here
Thursday, October 26, 2006
What are you wearing?
Following up on a theme in our Astronology and our blog, this article is a New York Times Q&A about office dress codes: click here
From Education Week, an article about new employees with just high school diplomas, and even some employees with four-year college degrees, lack the work skills needed to succeed in a global and increasingly competitive workplace, suggests a survey of corporate human-resource officials: click here
And lastly, from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, an article about how companies are providing other benefits to employees in lieu of a shrinking amount of health benefits: click here
From Education Week, an article about new employees with just high school diplomas, and even some employees with four-year college degrees, lack the work skills needed to succeed in a global and increasingly competitive workplace, suggests a survey of corporate human-resource officials: click here
And lastly, from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, an article about how companies are providing other benefits to employees in lieu of a shrinking amount of health benefits: click here
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Back in El Pais
After a trip to Barcelona, we're back and better than ever with two articles from the Boston Globe:
First an article based on the old economics 101 adage, there's no such thing as a free lunch: click here
Next an article about loyalty to individuals being fine, but what happens when a team is involved: click here
First an article based on the old economics 101 adage, there's no such thing as a free lunch: click here
Next an article about loyalty to individuals being fine, but what happens when a team is involved: click here
Monday, October 23, 2006
Monday Means It's a New Week
And a new week means great articles from Astron Solutions!
First from China an article about the Chinese government finally stepping up and providing Human Resource assistance to Central Asian countries. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that China's reserves will reach $1 billion, but China has been historically stingy about spending them, even for the benefit of it's own people: http://english.people.com.cn/200610/22/eng20061022_314077.html
Next, from the Washington Post's Amy Joyce, an article about how the Redskins could learn a little bit from Business 101: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/21/AR2006102100098.html
Lastly, also from the Washington Post, an article about how a Domestic Bill of Rights bill lacks sufficient backing and what it passing could mean for the rest of the job market: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/18/AR2006101800862.html
Sorry about the presentation (we know it's usually so neat and tidy) today, but enjoy the articles!
First from China an article about the Chinese government finally stepping up and providing Human Resource assistance to Central Asian countries. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that China's reserves will reach $1 billion, but China has been historically stingy about spending them, even for the benefit of it's own people: http://english.people.com.cn/200610/22/eng20061022_314077.html
Next, from the Washington Post's Amy Joyce, an article about how the Redskins could learn a little bit from Business 101: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/21/AR2006102100098.html
Lastly, also from the Washington Post, an article about how a Domestic Bill of Rights bill lacks sufficient backing and what it passing could mean for the rest of the job market: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/18/AR2006101800862.html
Sorry about the presentation (we know it's usually so neat and tidy) today, but enjoy the articles!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Greetings From Barcelona
The World Traveling continues and so does the Astron Solutions blog with a great mix of articles for your Thursday!
First, a story from The News Journal of a bank which got a great return once they started hiring employees with developmental and learning disabilities: click here
Next, an article from the Ledger of a librarian with an interesting dress code...and some interesting body are: click here
Lastly, from PR.com, an article that spells out exactly how expensive it will be to hire people who cost you money: click here
First, a story from The News Journal of a bank which got a great return once they started hiring employees with developmental and learning disabilities: click here
Next, an article from the Ledger of a librarian with an interesting dress code...and some interesting body are: click here
Lastly, from PR.com, an article that spells out exactly how expensive it will be to hire people who cost you money: click here
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Greetings from Milan
Greetings from a stopover in Milan!
Three great articles await you on this Wednesday all with an abroad theme to them
The first is from The Free Lance Star and talks about how one worker is realizing that all of his company's jobs are heading overseas: click here
Next is from Ireland which says that Sales and Marketing skills are most in demand in Europe right now: click here
And lastly, from Personnel Today magazine, an article about how European base salaries are taking a back seat to increases in training and development: click here
Arrivederci!
Three great articles await you on this Wednesday all with an abroad theme to them
The first is from The Free Lance Star and talks about how one worker is realizing that all of his company's jobs are heading overseas: click here
Next is from Ireland which says that Sales and Marketing skills are most in demand in Europe right now: click here
And lastly, from Personnel Today magazine, an article about how European base salaries are taking a back seat to increases in training and development: click here
Arrivederci!
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
The Problem With Office Romances
The Boston Globe starts off this Two For Tuesday with an article about how office romances are full of complications: click here
Also from the Boston Globe a great article about a worker who has moved but misses their old space...an interesting read: click here
Enjoy!
Also from the Boston Globe a great article about a worker who has moved but misses their old space...an interesting read: click here
Enjoy!
Monday, October 16, 2006
Ants Marching
On this Monday we first look into the Boston Globe which says that slowly, in an office setting, we all begin to think, act, look, and talk like one another. Is this a good or a bad thing for an office? On the one hand everyone is in the same state of mind and on the other it may not be great for having a dynamic, diverse office...you decide: click here
Also from the Boston Globe, word about a new way to sell in today's market: with ideas...an interesting read, especially with the talk of the merger of Google and YouTube, and maybe something to think about when hiring new employees: click here
And lastly, from the New York Times, about the training of workers to fix computers and giving them a new lease on life...part of the old adage of giving someone a job or the skills to do ajob being the best form of charity because then they can provide for themsleves...check it out: click here
Also from the Boston Globe, word about a new way to sell in today's market: with ideas...an interesting read, especially with the talk of the merger of Google and YouTube, and maybe something to think about when hiring new employees: click here
And lastly, from the New York Times, about the training of workers to fix computers and giving them a new lease on life...part of the old adage of giving someone a job or the skills to do ajob being the best form of charity because then they can provide for themsleves...check it out: click here
Friday, October 13, 2006
Friday We Head to DC
...with three great articles from the Washington Post....
First, how turning down the chance to move up in your company may be a good move: click here
Next, a ban on child labor begins in India and thinking about what this may mean for your company's hiring practices: click here
Lastly, within this article, news of the Office of Personnel Management finally digitalizing their system and saving them from the problems they've had in the past with pension payments: click here
Enjoy your weekend!
First, how turning down the chance to move up in your company may be a good move: click here
Next, a ban on child labor begins in India and thinking about what this may mean for your company's hiring practices: click here
Lastly, within this article, news of the Office of Personnel Management finally digitalizing their system and saving them from the problems they've had in the past with pension payments: click here
Enjoy your weekend!
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Creativity and Psychology
On this Thursday we delve a little into the brain for some great articles.
First from the Boston Globe, an article about an agency that's showing its creative side and how they encouraged people to do so: click here
Next from the New York Times, an interesting article about creative ways that business travelers get past the "no liquid" security requirements and how lip balm has become a medaphor for fear in the post 9/11 world: click here
And lastly, from the New York Times, an executive spotlight of a woman who had a passion for psychology and took that to the top of her industry: click here
One last thing before the end of the post today. A plane crashing into a building in New York City is always a chilling reminder of 9/11 but for a lot of people in the baseball community, this one stung even more due to the passing of Cory Lidle. His time with the New York Yankees was short, but Lidle will always be remembered as a guy with not great stuff who went out there every time and competed and never wanted to give up the ball. It's another sad day for New York.
First from the Boston Globe, an article about an agency that's showing its creative side and how they encouraged people to do so: click here
Next from the New York Times, an interesting article about creative ways that business travelers get past the "no liquid" security requirements and how lip balm has become a medaphor for fear in the post 9/11 world: click here
And lastly, from the New York Times, an executive spotlight of a woman who had a passion for psychology and took that to the top of her industry: click here
One last thing before the end of the post today. A plane crashing into a building in New York City is always a chilling reminder of 9/11 but for a lot of people in the baseball community, this one stung even more due to the passing of Cory Lidle. His time with the New York Yankees was short, but Lidle will always be remembered as a guy with not great stuff who went out there every time and competed and never wanted to give up the ball. It's another sad day for New York.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Motivating Bosses
After reading the Astronology from yesterday, you may have figured out how executives motivate employees, but how do you motivate executives?
According to the New York Times, paying them based on performance, but not necessarily on stock price is a way that Deere & Company handles their business: click here
In other news, and continuing a theme for the past month, the Boston Globe reports that gay workers are feeling more welcome in the workplace: click here
And lastly on your Humpday, an article from the Brampton News which says that many smaller companies may do better by outsourcing their human resource needs: click here
According to the New York Times, paying them based on performance, but not necessarily on stock price is a way that Deere & Company handles their business: click here
In other news, and continuing a theme for the past month, the Boston Globe reports that gay workers are feeling more welcome in the workplace: click here
And lastly on your Humpday, an article from the Brampton News which says that many smaller companies may do better by outsourcing their human resource needs: click here
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid
That's the theme of our Two for Two-sday on 10/10 (you give us 10 minutes, we'll give you the best in HR news from around the world...or something to that effect)
Sometimes the gossip news, according to Amy Joyce of the Washington Post, is better off left at the door and not brought into the office: click here
And sometimes the blind admiration of bosses and the things that may be said because of it, are best off not said, according to the New York Times: click here
Sometimes the gossip news, according to Amy Joyce of the Washington Post, is better off left at the door and not brought into the office: click here
And sometimes the blind admiration of bosses and the things that may be said because of it, are best off not said, according to the New York Times: click here
Monday, October 09, 2006
The search for talent
This is an unusual post. Usually we post articles for you to be able to see online. But today (after spending an entire day in the London airport), the focus is on a magazine and articles from there that every Human Resource manager should read.
That magazine, as you may have guessed by the picture, is the Economist. In this weeks issue, a 15-page special report on the search for talent, why it's getting harder to find, where people are finding it, and how they are successfully recruiting it are discussed.
The recommendation of this blogger is to pick up this issue and read through it. It may not pertain to you right now, but with the baby boomer generation retiring, this is going to be a huge problem in the not-so-distant future for many firms and organizations who rely on skilled labor to do their tasks. If you don't start thinking about the problem now, it may be too late.
That magazine, as you may have guessed by the picture, is the Economist. In this weeks issue, a 15-page special report on the search for talent, why it's getting harder to find, where people are finding it, and how they are successfully recruiting it are discussed.
The recommendation of this blogger is to pick up this issue and read through it. It may not pertain to you right now, but with the baby boomer generation retiring, this is going to be a huge problem in the not-so-distant future for many firms and organizations who rely on skilled labor to do their tasks. If you don't start thinking about the problem now, it may be too late.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
We're Going Big
"Go Big or Go Home" is a saying we like...we're going to do both on this Thursday...
Double dose of HR articles for you and then we're taking it home for the weekend....
First comes from the Boston Globe from the summer and says that training teaches workers...to hate training, something to think about when structuring training programs for employees: click here
Next from the Washington Post, an article about a problem with D.C. officers who work only part time but collect full-time pay: click here
Then from the New York Times, an article about adding a personal touch to hotel etiquitte and how that passes on added value to the consumer: click here
Penultimately, from Management-Issues News out of London, a follow up on a theme we've explored on this blog: telecommuting hitting the corporate mainstream: click here
And, lastly, from the Boston Globe once again, salary trends for 2006: click here
Double dose of HR articles for you and then we're taking it home for the weekend....
First comes from the Boston Globe from the summer and says that training teaches workers...to hate training, something to think about when structuring training programs for employees: click here
Next from the Washington Post, an article about a problem with D.C. officers who work only part time but collect full-time pay: click here
Then from the New York Times, an article about adding a personal touch to hotel etiquitte and how that passes on added value to the consumer: click here
Penultimately, from Management-Issues News out of London, a follow up on a theme we've explored on this blog: telecommuting hitting the corporate mainstream: click here
And, lastly, from the Boston Globe once again, salary trends for 2006: click here
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
A Little Change of Pace
A couple of articles about different topics than jobs and hiring for today...
First is from the New York Times about couples who run the house for other couples...interesting article: click here
Next from the New York Times is about a CEO who makes hearing aids and how he got to doing that...interesting progression: click here
And, lastly, from the Boston Globe, an article about virtual offices being about what you make it...interesting idea: click here
First is from the New York Times about couples who run the house for other couples...interesting article: click here
Next from the New York Times is about a CEO who makes hearing aids and how he got to doing that...interesting progression: click here
And, lastly, from the Boston Globe, an article about virtual offices being about what you make it...interesting idea: click here
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Working From Home
2 for Tuesday ends the Boston/New York rivalry for this year as the baseball playoffs begin tonight!
How to know if working for home is right for you or your boss? The New York Times has some advice for you: click here
And from the Boston Globe, a large decision for women in the workplace: be female or be funny: click here
How to know if working for home is right for you or your boss? The New York Times has some advice for you: click here
And from the Boston Globe, a large decision for women in the workplace: be female or be funny: click here
Monday, October 02, 2006
Somebody's Watching You
Picking up a theme from the past and for the future, employee privacy is a thing of the past and pre-screening and on-the-job survellience are coming to the forefront of American debate...Amy Joyce looks into this in the Washington Post: click here
SHRM has come out with a study that says that entrants to the US workforce "ill prepared", sorely lacking in basic academic skills, reported by MSNBC: click here
And lastly, an article from the Boston Globe that says that great bosses don't manage, they lead: click here
SHRM has come out with a study that says that entrants to the US workforce "ill prepared", sorely lacking in basic academic skills, reported by MSNBC: click here
And lastly, an article from the Boston Globe that says that great bosses don't manage, they lead: click here
Friday, September 29, 2006
When Your Practices Don't Make Perfect
Three articles of cautionary tale on this Friday of what not to do in your company:
First from Reuters, an article about Tyson foods who settled a hiring practice dispute with women and minorities who it didn't give an equal advantage to: click here
Moving on in the food industry to Denny's who has been accused of discrimination according to the Washington Post: click here
And lastly, from Washington a tale of the Attorney General of Washington, D.C. stepping down after firing 10 veteran union workers, a move that rubbed many the wrong way: click here
First from Reuters, an article about Tyson foods who settled a hiring practice dispute with women and minorities who it didn't give an equal advantage to: click here
Moving on in the food industry to Denny's who has been accused of discrimination according to the Washington Post: click here
And lastly, from Washington a tale of the Attorney General of Washington, D.C. stepping down after firing 10 veteran union workers, a move that rubbed many the wrong way: click here
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Recruiting, Hiring and All That Jazz
This will blow away any other form of new-age recruiting if it really picks up, but supposedly some firms are recruiting potential employees on YouTube...no kidding: click here
Late in this article on the economy from the Washington Post, you can see a reference that hiring is, indeed up due to certain economic factors: click here
And lastly, an article about how finding part time help in one town is a full time problem: click here
Late in this article on the economy from the Washington Post, you can see a reference that hiring is, indeed up due to certain economic factors: click here
And lastly, an article about how finding part time help in one town is a full time problem: click here
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Taking it back
Well we usually give you only two for Tuesdays...but we gave you three...so this Wednesday, you only get two...but we picked two great ones for you:
Reported by Yahoo! from SHRM, New-Hire Compensation jumped this past month...a good sign for those seeking jobs and a sign for those in HR to watch out for when recruiting new employees: click here
And an article from GlobeAndMail in Canada which says that companies are working with colleges to help out Canada's labor problems...an interesting partnership: click here
Reported by Yahoo! from SHRM, New-Hire Compensation jumped this past month...a good sign for those seeking jobs and a sign for those in HR to watch out for when recruiting new employees: click here
And an article from GlobeAndMail in Canada which says that companies are working with colleges to help out Canada's labor problems...an interesting partnership: click here
Taking it back
Well we usually give you only two for Tuesdays...but we gave you three...so this Wednesday, you only get two...but we picked two great ones for you:
Reported by Yahoo! from SHRM, New-Hire Compensation jumped this past month...a good sign for those seeking jobs and a sign for those in HR to watch out for when recruiting new employees: click here
And an article from GlobeAndMail in Canada which says that companies are working with colleges to help out Canada's labor problems...an interesting partnership: click here
Reported by Yahoo! from SHRM, New-Hire Compensation jumped this past month...a good sign for those seeking jobs and a sign for those in HR to watch out for when recruiting new employees: click here
And an article from GlobeAndMail in Canada which says that companies are working with colleges to help out Canada's labor problems...an interesting partnership: click here
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Happy Astronology Day!
We have three great articles for you on Astronology Day!
Following up on an earlier post on our blog, we look in as Amy Joyce talks about how gay workers have more doors open to them now than they had 10 years ago: click here
Another interesting article from the Washington Post about how certain employees just run up their mileage to meet minimum requirements. Requirements can be good for employees to make sure they make a certain amount, but if it just has them driving around in circles, it can really backfire for the company: click here
And lastly, from the Florida Sun-Sentinel, an article reminding us that Human Resources is about, well, human beings: click here
Following up on an earlier post on our blog, we look in as Amy Joyce talks about how gay workers have more doors open to them now than they had 10 years ago: click here
Another interesting article from the Washington Post about how certain employees just run up their mileage to meet minimum requirements. Requirements can be good for employees to make sure they make a certain amount, but if it just has them driving around in circles, it can really backfire for the company: click here
And lastly, from the Florida Sun-Sentinel, an article reminding us that Human Resources is about, well, human beings: click here
Monday, September 25, 2006
Just Another Manic Monday
If you wish it was Sunday, because that's your Funday, then we have some articles from yesterday for you...
From the Washington Post, students demanding better wages organize a sit-in. If you work in a University or College in the United States, remember that college students unhappy with wages can be a very lethal force: click here
Speaking of school...it's about that time of year when some adults go back to school, and it could be a nice holiday present to get yourself according to this New York Times article: click here
And lastly, also from the New York Times, an article about how a family with someone out of work takes on daycare by themselves: click here
From the Washington Post, students demanding better wages organize a sit-in. If you work in a University or College in the United States, remember that college students unhappy with wages can be a very lethal force: click here
Speaking of school...it's about that time of year when some adults go back to school, and it could be a nice holiday present to get yourself according to this New York Times article: click here
And lastly, also from the New York Times, an article about how a family with someone out of work takes on daycare by themselves: click here
Friday, September 22, 2006
It's Friday!!!
Friday articles for the HR Professional before the weekend:
First, from the Roanoke Times, an article about a group of unsung heroes who are experiencing high turnover rates: click here
From the New York Times, an article about the rebirth of Venture Capitalism and what that means for the job market: click here
And lastly, from the Washington Post, a very important article about how retiree's health care may overwhelm the United States' government...a very big issue for HR professionals to consider with a new generation of retirement packages being set up: click here
To those celebrating, a Happy New Year (L'Shana Tova) and a good fast for Ramadan...and to those not celebrating, celebrate it's the weekend :)
First, from the Roanoke Times, an article about a group of unsung heroes who are experiencing high turnover rates: click here
From the New York Times, an article about the rebirth of Venture Capitalism and what that means for the job market: click here
And lastly, from the Washington Post, a very important article about how retiree's health care may overwhelm the United States' government...a very big issue for HR professionals to consider with a new generation of retirement packages being set up: click here
To those celebrating, a Happy New Year (L'Shana Tova) and a good fast for Ramadan...and to those not celebrating, celebrate it's the weekend :)
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Ask And Ye Shall Receive
Supposedly this is not an easy thing for some workers in the workplace which has a two-pronged effect: it could be very good for employers because they don't have to give extra benefits to employees because they won't ask for it, but it may lead to silently disliking their jobs. The New York Post explores: click here
From the New York Times, new strategies for police recruiters in New York to get the number of NYPD boosted...an interesting case study for HR professionals to ponder: click here
And lastly, from CBSNews, an article about labor unions trying to heal their differences after a bitter divorce: click here
From the New York Times, new strategies for police recruiters in New York to get the number of NYPD boosted...an interesting case study for HR professionals to ponder: click here
And lastly, from CBSNews, an article about labor unions trying to heal their differences after a bitter divorce: click here
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Image Isn't Everything
Let's get right into the aritcles on this hump day as we wind down September...
First from Amy Joyce and the Washington Post which says that kid-friendly policies don't help singles...something to think about before instituting those policies: click here
Next, from the New York Times, an article about image help...but not only for the famous...maybe you need your own publicist: click here
And lastly, from MSNBC and Reuters, a study that shows that gay-friendly businesses are on the rise, a good way to boost a company's image to potential clients: click here
First from Amy Joyce and the Washington Post which says that kid-friendly policies don't help singles...something to think about before instituting those policies: click here
Next, from the New York Times, an article about image help...but not only for the famous...maybe you need your own publicist: click here
And lastly, from MSNBC and Reuters, a study that shows that gay-friendly businesses are on the rise, a good way to boost a company's image to potential clients: click here
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
New York, New York
Today is going to be a New York day...it has to be. The Mets clinched their first division in 18 years last night, the Yankees reduced their magic number to 3, the Giants came back to win a huge game this weekend, and we have two big articles from the New York Times for you on this Two for Tuesday:
Sometimes you have to be cautious with certain employees and how you treat them...
The first group is cancer survivors who after surviving cancer face the next big task of going back to find a job: click here
Another group are people who have spent time in jail and go back and look for work...not an easy task as shown by this article: click here
Sometimes you have to be cautious with certain employees and how you treat them...
The first group is cancer survivors who after surviving cancer face the next big task of going back to find a job: click here
Another group are people who have spent time in jail and go back and look for work...not an easy task as shown by this article: click here
Monday, September 18, 2006
Doubling Up
We apologize for missing you this past Friday...but we're making up for it with 5 articles on this Monday morning.
First, from the New York Times, an interesting article about a website in New York City that feeds workers tied to their desk all day: click here
Next, the Portland Business Journal reports that a recent survey shows that it pays most for you to work in San Francisco...the real San Francisco treat! click here
An interesting article from a very odd source about Human Resource Management and the law and how they interact on a daily basis, especially in today's world: click here
Next from the Washington Post, an article about the firms vying to be the in charge of the US border security. Although this comes with a lot of political charge, it also comes with a lot of human resources issues as one company wants to patrol with drones, while another wants humans on the ground...an interesting dilemma to play out: click here
And lastly, going back to the NYT, and continuing with a blog theme over the past couple of months, an article that say that some bosses see the virtues of a long vacation...do you feel the same in your company? click here
Hope that catches you up on the HR news of the weekend!
First, from the New York Times, an interesting article about a website in New York City that feeds workers tied to their desk all day: click here
Next, the Portland Business Journal reports that a recent survey shows that it pays most for you to work in San Francisco...the real San Francisco treat! click here
An interesting article from a very odd source about Human Resource Management and the law and how they interact on a daily basis, especially in today's world: click here
Next from the Washington Post, an article about the firms vying to be the in charge of the US border security. Although this comes with a lot of political charge, it also comes with a lot of human resources issues as one company wants to patrol with drones, while another wants humans on the ground...an interesting dilemma to play out: click here
And lastly, going back to the NYT, and continuing with a blog theme over the past couple of months, an article that say that some bosses see the virtues of a long vacation...do you feel the same in your company? click here
Hope that catches you up on the HR news of the weekend!
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Jobs, Jobs and more Jobs
It's almost Friday but that doesn't mean we're slowing down at Astron Solutions:
Certain cities in New Jersey are being hurt by the lack of jobs, though some are better off now than they were in the past: click here
Bizjournals.com says that laid-off workers this year are back in action faster...a good sign for the United States economy. It's not always about a flat unemployment number, but how long people stay unemployed. It also is important for employers to know that even though a candidate is unemployed, they may not be for long, so act fast: click here
And to end the posts, a recent survey has shown that multinationals are going towards a centralized compensation system...we talked in the past about how this could backfire due to cross-cultural boundaries, but the survey proves that many are moving towards that structure: click here
Certain cities in New Jersey are being hurt by the lack of jobs, though some are better off now than they were in the past: click here
Bizjournals.com says that laid-off workers this year are back in action faster...a good sign for the United States economy. It's not always about a flat unemployment number, but how long people stay unemployed. It also is important for employers to know that even though a candidate is unemployed, they may not be for long, so act fast: click here
And to end the posts, a recent survey has shown that multinationals are going towards a centralized compensation system...we talked in the past about how this could backfire due to cross-cultural boundaries, but the survey proves that many are moving towards that structure: click here
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Getting Over the Hump
The Mets and Yankees seem to be heading to the playoffs, the kids are heading back to school, and Astron Solutions is heading to the vault to find you some great HR articles!
First from Amy Joyce of the Washington Post talks about people who have been fired in really poor ways (including by e-mail)...definitely a cautionary tale for employers who are looking to save a PR nightmare: click here
From Careerbuilder.com, advice for small businesses takes on the mythbuster role as they bust the top 10 myths of recruiting: click here
And lastly, continuing a theme from the summer, it is not just workers taking less vacation time, but now managers who don't want to be forgotten about once promotion time comes: click here
First from Amy Joyce of the Washington Post talks about people who have been fired in really poor ways (including by e-mail)...definitely a cautionary tale for employers who are looking to save a PR nightmare: click here
From Careerbuilder.com, advice for small businesses takes on the mythbuster role as they bust the top 10 myths of recruiting: click here
And lastly, continuing a theme from the summer, it is not just workers taking less vacation time, but now managers who don't want to be forgotten about once promotion time comes: click here
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Moving On
If Septemeber 11th is the day we remember, September 12th is the day we learned how we would move on and live in our new world. The debate of whether we're better off now than we were 5 years ago will rage on for a long time, but the fact is that our lives have certainly changed...how we move on in our new world is the greatest measure of how strong we are...(Just a little food for thought...)
On to our two for Tuesdays (on an Astronology day no less):
One from the New York Times jobs section which talks about employers who are going to new names and educating their workforce about what that brand should mean to them...and how this will help to attract potential employees: click here
The next is a Q&A from Yahoo Finance about how to save enough to retire on...good for both employees and employers to take into account with aging baby boomers and shrinking social security: click here
Happy Astronology Day!
On to our two for Tuesdays (on an Astronology day no less):
One from the New York Times jobs section which talks about employers who are going to new names and educating their workforce about what that brand should mean to them...and how this will help to attract potential employees: click here
The next is a Q&A from Yahoo Finance about how to save enough to retire on...good for both employees and employers to take into account with aging baby boomers and shrinking social security: click here
Happy Astronology Day!
Monday, September 11, 2006
Remembering 9/11
Five years after the fact, we look back at the events of September 11th and how they still effect our lives:
From the New York Times job section, an article about how our lives have changed in the last 1,825 days since that awful morning: click here
The other part of the country effected by the damage, Washington DC, reflects via the Washington Post: click here
While not mentioned in this article, Ground Zero has become a health hazard for workers. This article points out other black lung "hot spots" including those in West Virginia: click here
Monday is a tough day, but we know that this one is tougher than all the others...
From the New York Times job section, an article about how our lives have changed in the last 1,825 days since that awful morning: click here
The other part of the country effected by the damage, Washington DC, reflects via the Washington Post: click here
While not mentioned in this article, Ground Zero has become a health hazard for workers. This article points out other black lung "hot spots" including those in West Virginia: click here
Monday is a tough day, but we know that this one is tougher than all the others...
Friday, September 08, 2006
Best of Both Worlds
We go domestic and abroad on this Friday morning for some great HR articles.
From China, Mercer has just published a study which says that companies in China are having employee retention problems, definitely an issue since many companies are highly divested in China, and those that were thinking of doing so are now looking elsewhere as the prices begin to even out. It brings up an interesting HR problem...how to make HR programs cross-culturally valid: click here
Forced with low recruitment numbers, the army has gone to private pitches to get recruits. Some think no HR pitch will help the army (as long as signing up probably means going to Iraq, the recruitment numbers will be pretty low), but maybe a change in approach will help the army in its recruitment efforts: click here
Lastly, clearing out an old article (which is still quite relevent), we blog about a blog on Ken Lay's death in which Monster.com takes a closer look on ethics. This is such an important issue for HR and the companies leadership to continue to tackle because the problem hasn't totally gone away: click here
From China, Mercer has just published a study which says that companies in China are having employee retention problems, definitely an issue since many companies are highly divested in China, and those that were thinking of doing so are now looking elsewhere as the prices begin to even out. It brings up an interesting HR problem...how to make HR programs cross-culturally valid: click here
Forced with low recruitment numbers, the army has gone to private pitches to get recruits. Some think no HR pitch will help the army (as long as signing up probably means going to Iraq, the recruitment numbers will be pretty low), but maybe a change in approach will help the army in its recruitment efforts: click here
Lastly, clearing out an old article (which is still quite relevent), we blog about a blog on Ken Lay's death in which Monster.com takes a closer look on ethics. This is such an important issue for HR and the companies leadership to continue to tackle because the problem hasn't totally gone away: click here
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Where Does It All Come From?
An interesting article on one "expert's" view on the history of Human Resource Management: click here
This Washington Post columnist thinks that the best way to tackle inequality is not through wages, but through tax reform: click here
And lastly, from the New York Times, an article about how some people are getting their start in show business...with a little help from NYC: click here
Get excited for Friday!!!
This Washington Post columnist thinks that the best way to tackle inequality is not through wages, but through tax reform: click here
And lastly, from the New York Times, an article about how some people are getting their start in show business...with a little help from NYC: click here
Get excited for Friday!!!
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Your Life Is Worse...But You're MORE Content?
This interesting paradox was scratched at its surface in yesterday's blog and we'll go into it again today with interesting research from the Pew Research Center (thanks to a loyal reader for this submission): click here
This graphic is a very interesting one for HR
Professionals to review:
In other news, one reason why workers may be more content is that sexual harassment claims are down from their record level in 1997 according to the US Equal Opportunity Commission: click here
And on a different topic, an interesting pay plan by Dana Corporation is ruled illegal...read here why: click here
This graphic is a very interesting one for HR
Professionals to review:In other news, one reason why workers may be more content is that sexual harassment claims are down from their record level in 1997 according to the US Equal Opportunity Commission: click here
And on a different topic, an interesting pay plan by Dana Corporation is ruled illegal...read here why: click here
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
It's Tuesday So That Must Mean We're Playing Two
Two for Tuesdays continue with two interesting articles from two very different sources.
The first is from the Washington Post is an interesting development as the most overworked are winning in today's economy: click here
For an economics student such as myself this is really a dilemma because it contradicts (or becomes a paradox...whichever way you want to look at it) all that we learn. As the article says:
"For years, economists have taught their students a simple maxim: As employers hunt for workers, they want to get the best talent at the lowest price. According to this theory, whether employees want to work long hours or short hours, employers have an incentive to accommodate them, because asking people to do something they don't want to do raises the price of labor -- workers demand more compensation."
There's an old proverb about helping a man get a job being the best charity you can give someone and the Marin Independent Journal has an interesting story about how some are doing that: click here
The first is from the Washington Post is an interesting development as the most overworked are winning in today's economy: click here
For an economics student such as myself this is really a dilemma because it contradicts (or becomes a paradox...whichever way you want to look at it) all that we learn. As the article says:
"For years, economists have taught their students a simple maxim: As employers hunt for workers, they want to get the best talent at the lowest price. According to this theory, whether employees want to work long hours or short hours, employers have an incentive to accommodate them, because asking people to do something they don't want to do raises the price of labor -- workers demand more compensation."
There's an old proverb about helping a man get a job being the best charity you can give someone and the Marin Independent Journal has an interesting story about how some are doing that: click here
Monday, September 04, 2006
It's Labor Day but We're Still Laboring Away
Just because it's Labor Day does not mean the blog has to take a day off...actually, we feel it is our duty to post today:
Well this Washington Post headline will disagree with me as they ask do we really have to talk about work on labor day: click here
Another Washington Post article disagrees as Amy Joyce looks into a bunch of surveys recently released that delve into employees complaints: click here
And lastly, from Reuters, a study that shows cutting staff incentives hurts the company on the bottom line...something definitely to keep in mind on this labor day: click here
Well this Washington Post headline will disagree with me as they ask do we really have to talk about work on labor day: click here
Another Washington Post article disagrees as Amy Joyce looks into a bunch of surveys recently released that delve into employees complaints: click here
And lastly, from Reuters, a study that shows cutting staff incentives hurts the company on the bottom line...something definitely to keep in mind on this labor day: click here
Friday, September 01, 2006
It's the Weekend!
But before you enjoy some of the last sun of the summer of '06, check out these great HR articles:
Horizon Magazine gives the advice in this article that it helps HR Managers to help their employees fit in within the work environment: click here
And from overseas:
Forbes is seeing China's turnover rise as the price of retention of employees is going up: click here
And lastly, an interesting article from Vietnam that says that schools should join hands with companies in promoting and furthering educational opportunities: click here
Have a great weekend!
Horizon Magazine gives the advice in this article that it helps HR Managers to help their employees fit in within the work environment: click here
And from overseas:
Forbes is seeing China's turnover rise as the price of retention of employees is going up: click here
And lastly, an interesting article from Vietnam that says that schools should join hands with companies in promoting and furthering educational opportunities: click here
Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
And you can not deal with pressure...
According to the Washington Post, the pressure is going up in the cabins of Northwest Airlines as yet another airline is moving towards cutting jobs...an interesting non-strike idea is proposed there...one that, while may be considered less than a strike, and may never materialize, is an interesting one in today's economy, especially in the airlines: click here
Next from MarketWatch, a study from Careerbuilder.com that says that while most managers expect people to negotiate on salary, most candidates rarely do: click here
And one person's definition of what a "Cohert Human Resources Strategy" sounds like...is it anything like yours? click here
Next from MarketWatch, a study from Careerbuilder.com that says that while most managers expect people to negotiate on salary, most candidates rarely do: click here
And one person's definition of what a "Cohert Human Resources Strategy" sounds like...is it anything like yours? click here
Monday, August 28, 2006
Wages, Wages, and More Wages
First an article form the New York Times that say that real wages are failing to meet a rise in productivity. With higher living costs and energy costs, this could become a huge problem in the US: click here
Next from the Washington Post an article about how women in top positions are pulling up the wages for all other women...an interesting half-dilemma: to have more women making less or for a few women to become pinacles of the industry...no reason there can't be the elimination of both many say: click here
And, as reported on MSNBC, a Forbes article about the 25 most generous companies: click here
Enjoy!
Next from the Washington Post an article about how women in top positions are pulling up the wages for all other women...an interesting half-dilemma: to have more women making less or for a few women to become pinacles of the industry...no reason there can't be the elimination of both many say: click here
And, as reported on MSNBC, a Forbes article about the 25 most generous companies: click here
Enjoy!
Two for Tuesday
Two HR articles from the New York Times to get you going this morning...
First advice you can give young workers about how to recover after screwing up a big presentation in front of the boss...good advice for all: click here
And a look at the unemployed who can't turn to their familes for help are now turning to each other: click here
Enjoy!
First advice you can give young workers about how to recover after screwing up a big presentation in front of the boss...good advice for all: click here
And a look at the unemployed who can't turn to their familes for help are now turning to each other: click here
Enjoy!
Sunday, August 27, 2006
We're back...
...And better than ever. After a brief hiatus, the Astron Solutions blog is back.
Here are some great human resource articles to get you going on your Monday morning:
Can your employees interact very well with their computers but have no clue what to do when they have to interact with real people? Amy Joyce talks about a class that may help that out in the Washington Post: click here
Also from the Washington Post, some career tips that you may want to follow to get ahead in today's tough job market: click here
The best advice I ever received is mentioned in this article. When I asked my boss why he would wear a suit even though he didn't have to he said: "You dress for the job you want, not the one you have." Great advice.
Lastly, an interesting article from the United States about Africa and why they don't train more nurses with such a nurse shortage: click here
Here are some great human resource articles to get you going on your Monday morning:
Can your employees interact very well with their computers but have no clue what to do when they have to interact with real people? Amy Joyce talks about a class that may help that out in the Washington Post: click here
Also from the Washington Post, some career tips that you may want to follow to get ahead in today's tough job market: click here
The best advice I ever received is mentioned in this article. When I asked my boss why he would wear a suit even though he didn't have to he said: "You dress for the job you want, not the one you have." Great advice.
Lastly, an interesting article from the United States about Africa and why they don't train more nurses with such a nurse shortage: click here
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
All Good Things Must Come to an End
As the summer winds down, we have a cornucopia of articles for the HR Professional
First comes from the New York Times and talks about resignation letters. They suggest not doing a Jerry Maguire, "Who's coming with me?"-type exit and talks about what should be in the resignation letter: click here
Next, from the Washington Post, an article which says that more time off can justify taking a lower salary for some workers: click here
From Reuters, a study by Mercer showed that Director pay growth slowed last year...but larger companies still pay more: click here
And lastly, from Monster.com, an article that techie's have a new job qualification in today's world...working well with others. No longer will Jimmy Fallon's SNL character Nick Burns survive in today's job market: click here
This will be my last blog of the summer...hope you enjoyed all the HR news...look for more exciting things to come on the Astron Solutions blog and subsequent issues of Astronology. This is Andrew Katz signing off. Good night, and good luck.
First comes from the New York Times and talks about resignation letters. They suggest not doing a Jerry Maguire, "Who's coming with me?"-type exit and talks about what should be in the resignation letter: click here
Next, from the Washington Post, an article which says that more time off can justify taking a lower salary for some workers: click here
From Reuters, a study by Mercer showed that Director pay growth slowed last year...but larger companies still pay more: click here
And lastly, from Monster.com, an article that techie's have a new job qualification in today's world...working well with others. No longer will Jimmy Fallon's SNL character Nick Burns survive in today's job market: click here
This will be my last blog of the summer...hope you enjoyed all the HR news...look for more exciting things to come on the Astron Solutions blog and subsequent issues of Astronology. This is Andrew Katz signing off. Good night, and good luck.
Monday, August 07, 2006
From Wall Street to India
Welcome to another week of Astron Solutions' blog...
First up, from the New York Times, an interesting article about Wall Street Women who face a fork in the road. On one side is a highly demanding career which has been dominated by men and on the other side is raising a family...a tough choice for many women. Also tough is business school and an interesting graphic below provides more details on that: click here
From the Washington Post, an article on the same lines that say that women are greatly underrepresented in top corporate leadership positions. The number of 16.4% of corporate leadership positions is a little scary for women who strive for the top positions in their organizations: click here
Also from the New York Times, an article about a potential pension overhaul that Congress never got passed due to too many escape clauses and problems with the bill: click here
And from SiliconIndia, an interesting article on the strategic role of Human Resources Management: click here
First up, from the New York Times, an interesting article about Wall Street Women who face a fork in the road. On one side is a highly demanding career which has been dominated by men and on the other side is raising a family...a tough choice for many women. Also tough is business school and an interesting graphic below provides more details on that: click here
From the Washington Post, an article on the same lines that say that women are greatly underrepresented in top corporate leadership positions. The number of 16.4% of corporate leadership positions is a little scary for women who strive for the top positions in their organizations: click here
Also from the New York Times, an article about a potential pension overhaul that Congress never got passed due to too many escape clauses and problems with the bill: click here
And from SiliconIndia, an interesting article on the strategic role of Human Resources Management: click here
Friday, August 04, 2006
TGIF
It's another Summer Friday and whle the temperatures are supposed to be cooling down across the country, we're just heating up...
From the New York Times (click here) and the Washington Post (click here) news of the Wage/Estate Tax bill being blocked in the Senate. This is going to be a hot-button issue for the upcoming midterm elections and you should prepare, as a Human Resource professional for the possibility an increase may come soon after.
Next an article from Yahoo! Finance on how commuting is a drag on the economy. If you take public transportation, you probably noticed a recent spike in the number of people using it with you. With energy prices conitnually rising, this is a trend bound to continue for some time: click here
And lastly, advice from Monster.com to get more training. Is this something a potential applicant should do before applying or is this something that employers should provide for its employees? That's where the big divide lies: click here
Enjoy and stay cool this weekend :)
From the New York Times (click here) and the Washington Post (click here) news of the Wage/Estate Tax bill being blocked in the Senate. This is going to be a hot-button issue for the upcoming midterm elections and you should prepare, as a Human Resource professional for the possibility an increase may come soon after.
Next an article from Yahoo! Finance on how commuting is a drag on the economy. If you take public transportation, you probably noticed a recent spike in the number of people using it with you. With energy prices conitnually rising, this is a trend bound to continue for some time: click here
And lastly, advice from Monster.com to get more training. Is this something a potential applicant should do before applying or is this something that employers should provide for its employees? That's where the big divide lies: click here
Enjoy and stay cool this weekend :)
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Hitting the Job Market
Want to position yourself for a great chance at getting a job? Well Astron Solutions has some advice for you on this Thursday...
From the Washington Post, we have Top Tips From the Hiring Squad, where career experts share proven approaches for applying to, interviewing for, landing and getting the most out of a new job: click here
One way you can position yourself is as a middle manager which the Dallas Morning News claims are being highly sought: click here
Next, 5 strategies from Monster.com of what to do when moving without a job: click here
Lastly, back to the Washington Post, we look at the labor gap that exists in the auto market between a few of the big car makers and the United Auto Workers union: click here
From the Washington Post, we have Top Tips From the Hiring Squad, where career experts share proven approaches for applying to, interviewing for, landing and getting the most out of a new job: click here
One way you can position yourself is as a middle manager which the Dallas Morning News claims are being highly sought: click here
Next, 5 strategies from Monster.com of what to do when moving without a job: click here
Lastly, back to the Washington Post, we look at the labor gap that exists in the auto market between a few of the big car makers and the United Auto Workers union: click here
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
And so does Astron Solutions on this Wednesday for its blog articles...
The first is the issue which could be one of the biggest ones for Republican incumbents in the upcoming election: minimum wage. One of the issues being debated in this is the issue of tips as described in this Washington Post article: click here
Now I think that a lot of the real reason this issue has become a big issue is misunderstood. It's not merely the fact that minimum wage hasn't changed in about a decade, but it's more the fact--as the graph below from the Economic Policy Institute shows--that the real value of the minimum wage has dropped over a dollar since the last hike.
That's a big problem, especially with rising gas prices, rising consumer costs, and growing inflation.
One place this issue should be addressed is in the Labor Dept.: click here
Stephen Barr believes that the Office of Personnel Management should recruit more Hispanics: click here
And one issued tied closely to that and the minimum wage and immigration and every hot-button issue of 2006 in the job market are Household Employees and according to this article, they're fighting for their own Bill of Rights: click here
The first is the issue which could be one of the biggest ones for Republican incumbents in the upcoming election: minimum wage. One of the issues being debated in this is the issue of tips as described in this Washington Post article: click here
Now I think that a lot of the real reason this issue has become a big issue is misunderstood. It's not merely the fact that minimum wage hasn't changed in about a decade, but it's more the fact--as the graph below from the Economic Policy Institute shows--that the real value of the minimum wage has dropped over a dollar since the last hike.
That's a big problem, especially with rising gas prices, rising consumer costs, and growing inflation.
One place this issue should be addressed is in the Labor Dept.: click here
Stephen Barr believes that the Office of Personnel Management should recruit more Hispanics: click here
And one issued tied closely to that and the minimum wage and immigration and every hot-button issue of 2006 in the job market are Household Employees and according to this article, they're fighting for their own Bill of Rights: click here
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
The Heat Is On
It's going to be 100 degrees here in the North East and the pennant races are heating up after the trade deadline, but we're just getting warmed up on Astronology day here at Astron Solutions.
Word from the Washington Post that FOX has agreed to settle their sexual harassment lawsuit in New York: click here
If you want to know more about the EEOC or the new EEO-1 guidelines (including what the heck those abbreviations mean), go to our website and check out the Astronology for the week.
From the Philadelphia Inquirer, an article about some who fear that employees who receive medical help at work will lose some of the privacy afforded to them: click here
The article includes this interesting graphic:
And lastly, from the Sydney Morning Herald, an interesting article from Australia about who Human Resources Professionals owe their allegience to: the company or the staff? The article says the company...let us know if you disagree: click here
Keep cool
Word from the Washington Post that FOX has agreed to settle their sexual harassment lawsuit in New York: click here
If you want to know more about the EEOC or the new EEO-1 guidelines (including what the heck those abbreviations mean), go to our website and check out the Astronology for the week.
From the Philadelphia Inquirer, an article about some who fear that employees who receive medical help at work will lose some of the privacy afforded to them: click here
The article includes this interesting graphic:
And lastly, from the Sydney Morning Herald, an interesting article from Australia about who Human Resources Professionals owe their allegience to: the company or the staff? The article says the company...let us know if you disagree: click here
Keep cool
Monday, July 31, 2006
It's Just Another Manic Monday...
Don't you wish it were Sunday?
Back to another full work week (and a probable heat wave in the Northeast)...but we have some articles to lighten the edge:
It's a New York Monday...and we just don't say that because of the new slugger in the Yankees rightfield...but because we have three articles for you from the New York Times:
It ends up that many men who are unemployed are valuing their free time more than going back into the workforce, something employers definitely have to consider when offering jobs to people who have been unemployed for a while: click here
Want to know what that degree you have is worth to your employer? Want to know, as an employer, how much you should value that degree, well NYT has the answer: click here
And, lastly, word that workers at Wal-Mart in China have formed their first trade union. The good news for Wal-Mart is that these unions typically side with management: click here
Back to another full work week (and a probable heat wave in the Northeast)...but we have some articles to lighten the edge:
It's a New York Monday...and we just don't say that because of the new slugger in the Yankees rightfield...but because we have three articles for you from the New York Times:
It ends up that many men who are unemployed are valuing their free time more than going back into the workforce, something employers definitely have to consider when offering jobs to people who have been unemployed for a while: click here
Want to know what that degree you have is worth to your employer? Want to know, as an employer, how much you should value that degree, well NYT has the answer: click here
And, lastly, word that workers at Wal-Mart in China have formed their first trade union. The good news for Wal-Mart is that these unions typically side with management: click here
Friday, July 28, 2006
Everybody's Workin' For The Weekend
Happy Friday!
First on our agenda is a report from the Washington Post about the upcoming House vote on the increase in the minimum wage. This is a huge issue for an election year and it shows in how people are deciding to vote: click here
On that same note, from USA Today, an article saying that Asian nations should considering shortening the work week and raising overtime pay: click here
And also from USA Today, and a reference to our last Astronology, an article about the CEO of Sun Microsystems who seeks competitive advantage through blogging: click here
First on our agenda is a report from the Washington Post about the upcoming House vote on the increase in the minimum wage. This is a huge issue for an election year and it shows in how people are deciding to vote: click here
On that same note, from USA Today, an article saying that Asian nations should considering shortening the work week and raising overtime pay: click here
And also from USA Today, and a reference to our last Astronology, an article about the CEO of Sun Microsystems who seeks competitive advantage through blogging: click here
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Love and Memories
Office Romances can be good and bad. When they’re good, they can make for a very pleasant office environment. But when they go sour, they can lead to lack of productivity, jealousy, uncomfortable situations and a poor work environment.
Here are some articles talking about the issue:
From the Chicago Tribune, an article about when cupid comes to the office says to be very careful of bad situations which can cause feelings of unfairness and jealousy or lead to firing due to 25% of companies having bans against office romances: click here
From the Journal Times in
From China Daily, which says that in Bejing people are finding their marriage partners by looking in the workplace instead of going out to find the dating scene. The watercooler is the new meetmarket: click here
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Unique Ways To Get Ahead
Humpday celebration...
From SHRM, a report that August will continue the expanding of the job market: click here
Some of those workers, such as the ones at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC, are trying to get ahead in the service industry with old-fashioned good manners, according to the Washington Post: click here
And, lasty, a New York Times article about Peggy Fowler, the President and Chief Executive of Portland General Electric, who says, among other things, that she was powered by math: click here
From SHRM, a report that August will continue the expanding of the job market: click here
Some of those workers, such as the ones at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC, are trying to get ahead in the service industry with old-fashioned good manners, according to the Washington Post: click here
And, lasty, a New York Times article about Peggy Fowler, the President and Chief Executive of Portland General Electric, who says, among other things, that she was powered by math: click here
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
As I Walk Away...
Three articles for your Tuesday about people leaving the office:
First from the New York Times' Career Couch which questions, among other things, whether it's all right to call in sick even if you're not sick: click here
Next from the Washington Post which claims that more men are leaving the newsroom as their positions as anchors and reporters are being taken over by women: click here
And lastly, from the New York Times, an article from Chairman and Chief Executive of Citizen's Financial Group, Lawrence K. Fish, about learning by leaving and his experiences leaving the country: click here
First from the New York Times' Career Couch which questions, among other things, whether it's all right to call in sick even if you're not sick: click here
Next from the Washington Post which claims that more men are leaving the newsroom as their positions as anchors and reporters are being taken over by women: click here
And lastly, from the New York Times, an article from Chairman and Chief Executive of Citizen's Financial Group, Lawrence K. Fish, about learning by leaving and his experiences leaving the country: click here
Monday, July 24, 2006
Let's Talk About It
Hope everyone had a great weekend...now three articles about talking at work...
The first is from Randstad (via WorldAtWork) and talks about how loud talkers are among the worst pet peeves in the workplace, followed by cell phones ringing and use of speakerphones in public places...a lot of talking peeves at the office: click here
From SHRM, an article that says that water cooler talk helps co-workers bond...I guess talking about Jack Bauer's latest adventure or the Yankee's play during the weekend helps office unity: click here
And lastly, an article from Delware online which tells workers to hone their communication skills in order to not sound uncooth in the workplace: click here
The first is from Randstad (via WorldAtWork) and talks about how loud talkers are among the worst pet peeves in the workplace, followed by cell phones ringing and use of speakerphones in public places...a lot of talking peeves at the office: click here
From SHRM, an article that says that water cooler talk helps co-workers bond...I guess talking about Jack Bauer's latest adventure or the Yankee's play during the weekend helps office unity: click here
And lastly, an article from Delware online which tells workers to hone their communication skills in order to not sound uncooth in the workplace: click here
Friday, July 21, 2006
Benefitting from Benefits
It's Friday!
Four articles for you about health benefits to get you into/through your weekend:
The first is from 1010 Wins in New York and has the Transit Union suing the MTA for unfair health benefits which give fully covered Viagra for men and no pay for contraceptives for women: click here
An article from the Orlando Sentinal about a technician who may be due past OT pay. If you look further down the article, you'll see an update on health benefits: click here
A column in the Washington Post talking about small companies who provide their employees big benefits. If you're a small company, wellness benefits as well as good health care options are still available even though you think these resources may not be available to you: click here
And lastly an article from Forbes about a Judge overturning the so called "Wal-Mart Health Care Law": click here
Four articles for you about health benefits to get you into/through your weekend:
The first is from 1010 Wins in New York and has the Transit Union suing the MTA for unfair health benefits which give fully covered Viagra for men and no pay for contraceptives for women: click here
An article from the Orlando Sentinal about a technician who may be due past OT pay. If you look further down the article, you'll see an update on health benefits: click here
A column in the Washington Post talking about small companies who provide their employees big benefits. If you're a small company, wellness benefits as well as good health care options are still available even though you think these resources may not be available to you: click here
And lastly an article from Forbes about a Judge overturning the so called "Wal-Mart Health Care Law": click here
Thursday, July 20, 2006
I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke
These famous words were from a Coca-Cola revolutionary television commercial (which also spawned a #1 single) which showed men and women from all different culutures singing in harmony and drinking Coke together.
One of the leading advocates of Affirmative Action, the legislation that helped create this as the norm in the workplace, was John G. Feild and he died this past weekend. A leading influence in the civil rights views of president John F. Kennedy, Feild served as the executive director of the President's Commission on Equal Employment Opportunity during the Kennedy administration. His enforcement of these ideals, especially within the government, helped the EEOC become what it is today: click here
In today's world, many ethnic youths looking for jobs in an increasingly tight job market are looking online, according to this Washington Post report: click here
And speaking of online searches (and following up on the Astronology of the week), the Attorney General of Kansas says in the Kansas City Star that his state needs to step up background checks and do better screenings for employees: click here
One of the leading advocates of Affirmative Action, the legislation that helped create this as the norm in the workplace, was John G. Feild and he died this past weekend. A leading influence in the civil rights views of president John F. Kennedy, Feild served as the executive director of the President's Commission on Equal Employment Opportunity during the Kennedy administration. His enforcement of these ideals, especially within the government, helped the EEOC become what it is today: click here
In today's world, many ethnic youths looking for jobs in an increasingly tight job market are looking online, according to this Washington Post report: click here
And speaking of online searches (and following up on the Astronology of the week), the Attorney General of Kansas says in the Kansas City Star that his state needs to step up background checks and do better screenings for employees: click here
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
The Rich Get Richer...
Hope everyone got through the storms last night. The Yankees certainly did with Melky leading them to a walk-off homerun. We here at Astron are heading to the afternoon game to root on the Yankees sweep. But while you stay in your office, you can read these two Washington Post articles on the rich getting richer (and we're not talking about Major League Baseball's best-paid bench player ever, Alex Rodriguez)...
First an article about how the well-paid, especially in the D.C. area, benefit the most when the economy is good: click here
And second an article about how 2005 was a banner year for corporate executives who raked in huge compensation deals: click here
Enjoy the articles and let's go Yanks!
First an article about how the well-paid, especially in the D.C. area, benefit the most when the economy is good: click here
And second an article about how 2005 was a banner year for corporate executives who raked in huge compensation deals: click here
Enjoy the articles and let's go Yanks!
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Hot In The City, Hot In The City Tonight
A little Billy Idol for your Tuesday as temperatures push the triple digits...
Preparing you for the Astronology release (blogging about blogging...quite unique)...
An audio link (podcast for those of you who are tech savvy)! Resume Lies and the Liars Who Write Them With the Radio Shack CEO in the news for lying on his resume, Susie and Barb think the time is right to address this baffling topic. Why don’t companies do background checks? The office grapevine has no problem discovering the indiscretions of a new hire, so what is wrong with Human Resources making a few phone calls? Many famous examples are discussed, with FEMA’s Michael Brown at the top of the list:
Preparing you for the Astronology release (blogging about blogging...quite unique)...
An audio link (podcast for those of you who are tech savvy)! Resume Lies and the Liars Who Write Them With the Radio Shack CEO in the news for lying on his resume, Susie and Barb think the time is right to address this baffling topic. Why don’t companies do background checks? The office grapevine has no problem discovering the indiscretions of a new hire, so what is wrong with Human Resources making a few phone calls? Many famous examples are discussed, with FEMA’s Michael Brown at the top of the list:
Monday, July 17, 2006
Keepin' it cool
The heat wave has set in, but we're keeping it cool with HR news from Astron getting you ready for Astronology tomorrow:
From the Sunday Washington Post, Amy Joyce discusses the problems faced by employees when two bosses butt heads: click here
From Canoe's Lifewise Work, comes an article about always having a Plan B in your professional life, something that HR professionals certainly need to look out for when hiring an employee (asking "what's your ultimate goal?" or "where do you see yourself in 5 years?" can be a very telling sign): click here
On a related note, from HR BLR, retention of employees was the biggest concern among surveyed HR professionals: click here
And from Monster.com, the Worst Summer Job Contest...see if you can win: click here
From the Sunday Washington Post, Amy Joyce discusses the problems faced by employees when two bosses butt heads: click here
From Canoe's Lifewise Work, comes an article about always having a Plan B in your professional life, something that HR professionals certainly need to look out for when hiring an employee (asking "what's your ultimate goal?" or "where do you see yourself in 5 years?" can be a very telling sign): click here
On a related note, from HR BLR, retention of employees was the biggest concern among surveyed HR professionals: click here
And from Monster.com, the Worst Summer Job Contest...see if you can win: click here
Friday, July 14, 2006
Oh it's a hot one
Getting ready for the heat wave?
A bevy of different articles for your Friday (getting you ready for Tuesday's Astronology)...
From the Washington Post today, it seems that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) got more than they asked for. Although they were budgeted the same amount as last year, it was over the request from the Bush administration and brought cheers from EEOC advocates: click here
Lily Garcia poses (also in the Washington Post) this question: "Why can't a salaried person working for a private company get overtime? Is there a way around this?": click here
And last comes from the Shreveport Times comes an article that says that people looking for work in the Shreveport area worry about rising healthcare costs, finding a proper work-life balance, and the vulnerability of their workplace technology to corruption or breakdown. The Society of Human Resource Management's (SHRM) latest workplace forecast listed those three issues among their top 10 trends that concern human resource professionals across the country: click here
A bevy of different articles for your Friday (getting you ready for Tuesday's Astronology)...
From the Washington Post today, it seems that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) got more than they asked for. Although they were budgeted the same amount as last year, it was over the request from the Bush administration and brought cheers from EEOC advocates: click here
Lily Garcia poses (also in the Washington Post) this question: "Why can't a salaried person working for a private company get overtime? Is there a way around this?": click here
And last comes from the Shreveport Times comes an article that says that people looking for work in the Shreveport area worry about rising healthcare costs, finding a proper work-life balance, and the vulnerability of their workplace technology to corruption or breakdown. The Society of Human Resource Management's (SHRM) latest workplace forecast listed those three issues among their top 10 trends that concern human resource professionals across the country: click here
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Interesting Labor News
Two interesting pieces of news on a Thursday:
First from Proskauer Rose LLP, an Immigration Alert which says that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated the number of H-1B Advanced Degree visas available for Fiscal Year 2007: click here
And from the InhouseBlog, for those out-of-state companies doing business in California, the top 10 things to know about the labor laws (including the lack of the "use it or lose it" policy on vacation time): click here
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." -- Thomas Edison
Happy Almost Friday!
First from Proskauer Rose LLP, an Immigration Alert which says that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated the number of H-1B Advanced Degree visas available for Fiscal Year 2007: click here
And from the InhouseBlog, for those out-of-state companies doing business in California, the top 10 things to know about the labor laws (including the lack of the "use it or lose it" policy on vacation time): click here
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." -- Thomas Edison
Happy Almost Friday!
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
3 Interesting Ways to Find a Job...
Happy Humpday!
On this Wednesday (the last day of the All-Star break before the Yankees and Red Sox players start disliking each other once again), we have 3 articles about interesting ways to find a job...
Maybe the most interesting of all is from workforce.com which has an article about an innovative recruiting and development program--candidates are hired via an NFL-style draft--which helps National Oilwell Varco (a Houston-based oil company) build its next generation of leaders: click here
The next is from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) about the study in March which showed that 1 in 4 employees look for a new job while at work (it's not just employees checking their e-mails anymore): click here
Remember those career assessment tests that told you what you were going to do in life? Well they're more important in determining your future career path than you may think according to the Washington Post: click here
By the time you've finished reading this, you're probably over the Wednesday hump!
On this Wednesday (the last day of the All-Star break before the Yankees and Red Sox players start disliking each other once again), we have 3 articles about interesting ways to find a job...
Maybe the most interesting of all is from workforce.com which has an article about an innovative recruiting and development program--candidates are hired via an NFL-style draft--which helps National Oilwell Varco (a Houston-based oil company) build its next generation of leaders: click here
The next is from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) about the study in March which showed that 1 in 4 employees look for a new job while at work (it's not just employees checking their e-mails anymore): click here
Remember those career assessment tests that told you what you were going to do in life? Well they're more important in determining your future career path than you may think according to the Washington Post: click here
By the time you've finished reading this, you're probably over the Wednesday hump!
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Look up, look down, all around...
Oh how the power of a headline can influence the way one thinks about an article. In journalism terms it may be thought of as spin, but you can interpret this as you would like...
Mind you, this is all reporting on the same published report:
From the New York Times, "Jobs Date Indicates Economy is Slowing"...OK, well that would suggest that things are bad, right? Not necessarily: click here
From the Washington Post, "U.S. Payrolls Up Slightly; Jobless Rate Still 4.6%"...OK, well that would suggest that the amount of people with jobs is the same, but they're making more money? Not necessarily: click here
From BBC News (sent in by a loyal reader of our blog, Jessica Goldings), "U.S. Jobs Growth Mild As Wages Rise"...OK, so now there are more jobs AND higher wages? Not necessarily: click here
Three factors that should be taken into account here:
If you find good articles you would like to submit for use on our blog, please send them to askatz@astronsolutions.com
Mind you, this is all reporting on the same published report:
From the New York Times, "Jobs Date Indicates Economy is Slowing"...OK, well that would suggest that things are bad, right? Not necessarily: click here
From the Washington Post, "U.S. Payrolls Up Slightly; Jobless Rate Still 4.6%"...OK, well that would suggest that the amount of people with jobs is the same, but they're making more money? Not necessarily: click here
From BBC News (sent in by a loyal reader of our blog, Jessica Goldings), "U.S. Jobs Growth Mild As Wages Rise"...OK, so now there are more jobs AND higher wages? Not necessarily: click here
Three factors that should be taken into account here:
- The reason these results are viewed as "bad" are because Wall Street economists predicted higher results. This is coupled with the fact that consumer prices (especially gas prices) are rising. This sent the stock market down and raised fears of inflation. In fact, the Fed had predicted that job growth would not be as large as predicted.
- Average wages rose to $16.80/hour which added to the best wage growth in 5 years (which, for those math challeneged, is pre-9/11 numbers)
- There should be more workers in June due to seasonal workers, students finding employement/internships during school breaks, and recent graduates entering the workforce. This would, in theory, lower wages due to more workers in the workforce, so a rise in wages should be seen as a positive in this light.
If you find good articles you would like to submit for use on our blog, please send them to askatz@astronsolutions.com
Monday, July 10, 2006
A Monday In New York
Hope everyone had a great weekend. Last week was a short week, but we're strapping in for the long-haul today with a slew of informative articles. And you'll have plenty of time to read them with the World Cup over (congrats to Italy) and Major League Baseball in its All-Star Break.
All of them come from today's amNY but unfortunately, the website does not have the same articles as the printed version, and so you'll get them from a variety of sources. (If you would like to see them in the print version, click here and go to pages 29 and 30).
From amNY, 1/5 workers admit stealing from their office but that number is much higher. Whether taking tape to wrap holiday presents or taking school supplies for their kids, many workers steal from the place they work--many without really feeling all that bad about it: click here
From the Washington Post, we see that Americans are more satisfied with their jobs now than they were 30 years ago despite working harder and longer hours, greater pressure, and less performance pay among other things: click here
From the Chicago Tribune, an article about people bring their dogs to work. Although it would seem to be a nice idea, wouldn't barking get in the way of that conference call? Wouldn't it be a problem for that business meeting if your dog decided to poop or take a whiz on your shoes? In theory it sounds nice, but it ends up, according to this article, it's much more than theory for some companies: click here
And lastly, an article about people choosing to work nights and weekends to be with their kids more. It's not just a time slot for police, firefighters and medical workers anymore...: click here
I think that's enough to get you through your Monday...see you again tomorrow morning.
All of them come from today's amNY but unfortunately, the website does not have the same articles as the printed version, and so you'll get them from a variety of sources. (If you would like to see them in the print version, click here and go to pages 29 and 30).
From amNY, 1/5 workers admit stealing from their office but that number is much higher. Whether taking tape to wrap holiday presents or taking school supplies for their kids, many workers steal from the place they work--many without really feeling all that bad about it: click here
From the Washington Post, we see that Americans are more satisfied with their jobs now than they were 30 years ago despite working harder and longer hours, greater pressure, and less performance pay among other things: click here
From the Chicago Tribune, an article about people bring their dogs to work. Although it would seem to be a nice idea, wouldn't barking get in the way of that conference call? Wouldn't it be a problem for that business meeting if your dog decided to poop or take a whiz on your shoes? In theory it sounds nice, but it ends up, according to this article, it's much more than theory for some companies: click here
And lastly, an article about people choosing to work nights and weekends to be with their kids more. It's not just a time slot for police, firefighters and medical workers anymore...: click here
I think that's enough to get you through your Monday...see you again tomorrow morning.
Friday, July 07, 2006
It's Friday...and I'm In Love
Figuring an 80's song is a good way to go out on a July 4th-shortened week...
An article previewing our next Astronology focuses on the rise of background checks and pre-screening done by employers from SHRM: click here
An article from early June about the new Presidential directive which requires security clearance (more background checks) on all people working on federal facilities: click here
And, since we missed a day with a holiday, an extra link for this Friday...maybe employees should pre-screen their employers as well and all they need to do for a background check is read these tell-all books according to Reuters: click here
Enjoy and have a great weekend!
An article previewing our next Astronology focuses on the rise of background checks and pre-screening done by employers from SHRM: click here
An article from early June about the new Presidential directive which requires security clearance (more background checks) on all people working on federal facilities: click here
And, since we missed a day with a holiday, an extra link for this Friday...maybe employees should pre-screen their employers as well and all they need to do for a background check is read these tell-all books according to Reuters: click here
Enjoy and have a great weekend!
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Workers of the Office, Unite
Hope you had a good July 4th. We're back after a day off with three articles...
From the SHRM Conference, Rebecca R. Hastings writes about Jonathan A. Segal's presentation about the Yellow Zones of Sexual Harassment: click here. Included in this article are some acts that are not illegal but inappropriate behaviors that HR Managers may want to include in their Sexual Harassment Policy and the 6 R's of avoiding Sexual Harassment:
From the SHRM Conference, Rebecca R. Hastings writes about Jonathan A. Segal's presentation about the Yellow Zones of Sexual Harassment: click here. Included in this article are some acts that are not illegal but inappropriate behaviors that HR Managers may want to include in their Sexual Harassment Policy and the 6 R's of avoiding Sexual Harassment:
• Refrain from inappropriate behavior. This includes all types of harassment and is broader than just illegal behavior.
• Report all complaints to human resources even if the employee requests that nothing be done. He suggested that managers give employees three choices: you can go, I can go or we can go.
• Respond proactively to inappropriate behavior, such as comments or jokes, even in the absence of a complaint. Lead by example.
• Remedy inappropriate behavior with counseling, discipline and/or termination.
• Refrain from unlawful retaliation against complainants and witnesses.
The bottom line for Segal, which he described as a “sixth R,” is respect.
But if Sexual Harassment does occur, the New York Times says that an office coup is not an advisable way to handle it (click here) and SHRM reports that most workers say that would not even report the misconduct: click here
Monday, July 03, 2006
Somebody's Got a Case of the Mondays
On this holiday-but-not-really-a-holiday Monday, Astron Solutions is still hard at work to bring you the biggest and best HR news out there. Hope everyone had a fun weekend and those who are still on their weekend, we are jealous.
According to the Houston Chronicle, today is going to be a very lonely work day (an "orphan" workday as they call it): click here
And from the Washington Post's Sunday "Life At Work" section, an article by Amy Joyce with advice for recent college graduates to accept help from other people in the workplace (and for others in the workplace, including HR people, to offer it): click here
We'll be off tomorrow for July 4th. Happy Independence Day to everyone!
According to the Houston Chronicle, today is going to be a very lonely work day (an "orphan" workday as they call it): click here
And from the Washington Post's Sunday "Life At Work" section, an article by Amy Joyce with advice for recent college graduates to accept help from other people in the workplace (and for others in the workplace, including HR people, to offer it): click here
We'll be off tomorrow for July 4th. Happy Independence Day to everyone!
Friday, June 30, 2006
Happy July 4th Weekend!
On this Friday before a holiday weekend we jump right into the pool (pun intended) with vacation and travel...
In January we posted on the blog (click here) that Expedia.com found out that Americans left over 421 million vacation days unused in 2005. That number from Expedia.com is expected to go up over 36% in 2006 to 574 million. In this article from Amy Joyce of the Washington Post, the topic is delved into even further: click here
Other interesting facts from the article:
And from Tuesday's New York Times, an article about tools that are now in place to catch expense account padders. I wouldn't go booking that July 4th getaway on the company credit card anytime soon: click here
We will be closed on July 4th but we will be in the office on Monday, July 3rd which means you'll only miss one day of the blog next week...Have a great weekend!
In January we posted on the blog (click here) that Expedia.com found out that Americans left over 421 million vacation days unused in 2005. That number from Expedia.com is expected to go up over 36% in 2006 to 574 million. In this article from Amy Joyce of the Washington Post, the topic is delved into even further: click here
Other interesting facts from the article:
- One in four workers plans to work while on vacation this year (according to CareerBuilder.com's annual survey).
- The number of vacation days employees are skipping this year increased by one over last year
- On average, Americans leave at least four days unclaimed annually.
- Compared with other developed countries, Americans receive the fewest vacation days per year on average -- 14 days, as opposed to 17 in Australia, 19 in Canada, 24 in Great Britain, 27 in Germany and 39 in France (according to the Expedia survey).
- 20 percent of 400 workers surveyed had not taken a vacation, which is considered three or more consecutive days off, in the last three or more years.
- 91 percent of respondents said the amount of vacation offered is very or somewhat important when applying for a job. But only 26 percent said they had considered changing jobs because of insufficient vacation time.
And from Tuesday's New York Times, an article about tools that are now in place to catch expense account padders. I wouldn't go booking that July 4th getaway on the company credit card anytime soon: click here
We will be closed on July 4th but we will be in the office on Monday, July 3rd which means you'll only miss one day of the blog next week...Have a great weekend!
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Hiring and Firing
3 Articles about Hiring and Firing...
We'll go with the good news first:
Hiring in the United States in July, according to The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Rutgers University School of Management and Labor Relations, is expected to be strong as shown by this Washington Times article: click here
Now the informative news:
We'll go with the good news first:
Hiring in the United States in July, according to The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Rutgers University School of Management and Labor Relations, is expected to be strong as shown by this Washington Times article: click here
Now the informative news:
According to the Washington Post, an increasing number of companies use probing questions to sift through and assess acceptability and future success of prospective hires: click here
Now the firing news:
It actually isn't all bad news since the numbers suggest strength in the labor market, but initial jobless claims rose 4000 last week, according to Bloomberg: click here
Happy Almost Friday!
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Must Be My Lucky Day
Two posts? Yes, you're getting lucky with a Double Dose of Astron Solutions blog today as Human Resource talk heats up. The SHRM conference is over, but that doesn't mean your knowledge of the current HR issues need to end.
Two hot button topics:
Whistleblowing: The high court sends a message to employers, and as detailed in this Washington Post editorial from today, it's a refreshing change for some who were worried about not being able to complain without fear: click here
Second Hand Smoke: Guess what, it kills? And, says the Surgeon General, Richard Carmona, the only way to stop it from continuing to kill is to ban it from all workplaces. Although the movie "Thank You For Smoking" was just released recently, people have known for a long time that smoking kills and some say it's about time to get rid of it in all workplaces while others worry about the effect it will have on smokers: click here
Post your comments and let us know what you think
Two hot button topics:
Whistleblowing: The high court sends a message to employers, and as detailed in this Washington Post editorial from today, it's a refreshing change for some who were worried about not being able to complain without fear: click here
Second Hand Smoke: Guess what, it kills? And, says the Surgeon General, Richard Carmona, the only way to stop it from continuing to kill is to ban it from all workplaces. Although the movie "Thank You For Smoking" was just released recently, people have known for a long time that smoking kills and some say it's about time to get rid of it in all workplaces while others worry about the effect it will have on smokers: click here
Post your comments and let us know what you think
Dear Summer
Summer is here and the outfits get ... a little bizarre. Dress codes can vary, and many employers get a little lax with their "business casual" attire. Just how lax though really does depend on the company, its culture, safety concerns, and the types of visitors the organization receives.
As you can see an example of a dress code gone wrong in this article from the Louisiana Employment Law Letter: click here
And here are some points, from Vault.com's Weekly Career Update, to consider when developing your summer dress policy:
As you can see an example of a dress code gone wrong in this article from the Louisiana Employment Law Letter: click here
And here are some points, from Vault.com's Weekly Career Update, to consider when developing your summer dress policy:
- How many visitors do you normally entertain at your workplace? And how do they typically dress?
- What is appropriate for the summer? Blue jeans, shorts (how short?),
T-shirts, flip flops, sweats, peek-a-boo shirts, halter tops, spandex, tube
tops? - How much skin and/or undergarments do you want to see? The more lax the
policy, the more likely you are to see visible body parts (and your next
harassment lawsuit).
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Two for Tuesday
Two articles for this Tuesday
First comes from the New York Post as Joel Sherman shows amazement at how George Steinbrenner has loosened up the controls on his team and allowed Brian Cashman to do his job as the General Manager: click here.
We'll see how long this continues, especially with the Yankees 2 1/2 games out of first place (despite a resurgent Big Unit with help from Jason Giambi last night), but very few will deny that the overall organization is in better condition (from the Single A farm teams on up). This decision to harvest young players and build from within as well as lean on Cashman's advice that signing old, high-priced players will eventually drive the Yankees back into the baseball cellar seems to be the correct way of doing things. Eventually a good executive or manager in a company will realize when it is time to give up some control for the better of an organization and this can definitely be seen in this case.
The other article, from the Portland Business Journal is definitely related as it talks about what a C.E.O. can do to motivate employees: click here.
When I worked at Deutsche Bank as a summer intern, we used to have a speaker series. One of the speakers was a surprise guest: CEO of Private Wealth Management in North America, Gloria Nelund. She spoke and answered questions and asked us about the internship program. A couple of days later I saw Gloria in the elevators and she had remembered my name and what I was doing at the bank and asked me by name how it was going. Although not a huge gesture, the fact that the CEO took time to remember me meant a lot.
First comes from the New York Post as Joel Sherman shows amazement at how George Steinbrenner has loosened up the controls on his team and allowed Brian Cashman to do his job as the General Manager: click here.
We'll see how long this continues, especially with the Yankees 2 1/2 games out of first place (despite a resurgent Big Unit with help from Jason Giambi last night), but very few will deny that the overall organization is in better condition (from the Single A farm teams on up). This decision to harvest young players and build from within as well as lean on Cashman's advice that signing old, high-priced players will eventually drive the Yankees back into the baseball cellar seems to be the correct way of doing things. Eventually a good executive or manager in a company will realize when it is time to give up some control for the better of an organization and this can definitely be seen in this case.
The other article, from the Portland Business Journal is definitely related as it talks about what a C.E.O. can do to motivate employees: click here.
When I worked at Deutsche Bank as a summer intern, we used to have a speaker series. One of the speakers was a surprise guest: CEO of Private Wealth Management in North America, Gloria Nelund. She spoke and answered questions and asked us about the internship program. A couple of days later I saw Gloria in the elevators and she had remembered my name and what I was doing at the bank and asked me by name how it was going. Although not a huge gesture, the fact that the CEO took time to remember me meant a lot.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Almost Famous
Have you visited us at the SHRM conference yet? You have until Wednesday, June 28th, to do so! (details in previous post)
Jennifer C. Loftus, SPHR, CCP, CBP, GRP, a National Director for Astron Solutions, was interviewed for a Business Week segment on Paid Sabbaticals. If you missed the show on television, you can still check it out at the Business Week site: click here
And, from Malaysia, an article from Business Times about how Human Resources have moved from the role of "payroll" or "recruiter" and into the role of "strategic partner in the organisation": click here
Let us know if you agree with that assessment.
Jennifer C. Loftus, SPHR, CCP, CBP, GRP, a National Director for Astron Solutions, was interviewed for a Business Week segment on Paid Sabbaticals. If you missed the show on television, you can still check it out at the Business Week site: click here
And, from Malaysia, an article from Business Times about how Human Resources have moved from the role of "payroll" or "recruiter" and into the role of "strategic partner in the organisation": click here
Let us know if you agree with that assessment.
Friday, June 23, 2006
It’s Here—the 58th Annual SHRM conference!
Please be sure to visit the Astron Solutions team at booths #2823 and 2825 at the 58th Annual SHRM Conference June 25th-28th, 2006 at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
Our Senior Team welcomes the opportunity to meet you!
National Directors Jennifer Loftus and Michael Maciekowich, and Senior Automation Expert John Sazaklis will be on hand all three days. Senior Statistical Analyst Eric Katz will join us on Monday. Statistical Analyst Michael Snell will join us Tuesday.
Join us on Tuesday, June 27th from 4-5:15 PM when Jennifer Loftus will be giving a presentation titled "I Said It Was The Money...But I Lied" which discusses ways for you and your organization to implement proactive ideas to update your exit interview systems and stem undesired turnover of key employees.
Drop off your business card or scan your badge to win one of 3 great prizes.
We’re Giving Away 2 Dalmatian Puppies and a 1GB Jumpdrive!
Thursday, June 22, 2006
When your work is a zoo
Do you feel like you're stuck in a real-life version of the movie "Office Space" with Milton playing his music in the next cubicle and Nina next door answering the corporate accounts phone? Basically is your office a zoo?
Well it's nothing like that zoo at this office... click here
But it may be like the zoo at these offices... click here
Remember, if you have any suggestions for things you would like to see discussed in our blog or on our bi-weekly ezine, Astronology, please e-mail us to let us know...
Well it's nothing like that zoo at this office... click here
But it may be like the zoo at these offices... click here
Remember, if you have any suggestions for things you would like to see discussed in our blog or on our bi-weekly ezine, Astronology, please e-mail us to let us know...
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
We're baaaaack
After a brief hiatus, the Astron Solutions blog is back and better than ever.
We'll try to keep you updated semi-regularly with articles, websites and tools having to do with Human Resources. We also encourage you to check out our website: http://www.astronsolutions.com/index.htm. At the bottom of the screen you can subscribe to our bi-weekly human resource ezine, Astronology.
If there is a human resource topic that you would like to see covered, e-mail us and we’ll do our best to include that in our next issue.
We’re back with two articles.
One article is about the Administrative Review Board of the U.S. Department of Labor which broke new ground in a Sarbanes-Oxley Act ("SOX") whistleblower case brought by an employee of a privately held subsidiary of a public company (from Proskauer Rose LLP): click here
The other is a humorous one which may be the first time you’ll be glad to have a bad boss (from Reuters "Oddly Enough"): click here
If you have a boss worthy of that website, let us know too by e-mailing us
We'll try to keep you updated semi-regularly with articles, websites and tools having to do with Human Resources. We also encourage you to check out our website: http://www.astronsolutions.com/index.htm. At the bottom of the screen you can subscribe to our bi-weekly human resource ezine, Astronology.
If there is a human resource topic that you would like to see covered, e-mail us and we’ll do our best to include that in our next issue.
We’re back with two articles.
One article is about the Administrative Review Board of the U.S. Department of Labor which broke new ground in a Sarbanes-Oxley Act ("SOX") whistleblower case brought by an employee of a privately held subsidiary of a public company (from Proskauer Rose LLP): click here
The other is a humorous one which may be the first time you’ll be glad to have a bad boss (from Reuters "Oddly Enough"): click here
If you have a boss worthy of that website, let us know too by e-mailing us
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Brown bagging it? Blog teaches lunchtime etiquette
Beacon Journal | 03/06/2006 | Lunch blog aids hapless in brown bag etiquette
When Aparna Mohan started bringing her lunch to work, rather than shelling out over $10 each day to eat at one of the many over-priced lunch stops, she realized that she was not alone. Soon, she and her colleagues were sharing stories about what to pack, how to pack it and how to avoid being the victim of lunch bag thievery. She started her own blog on the subject http://lunchcounterculture.blogspot.com
The Washington Post recently offered tips from etiquette expert Shawna Schuh about what to do if your lunch mysteriously disappears:
With sunny spring days right around the corner, take the time to enjoy a meal away from your desk. You may even want to bring your lovingly packed lunch to your local park...that is, if it isn't already being eaten by someone else!
When Aparna Mohan started bringing her lunch to work, rather than shelling out over $10 each day to eat at one of the many over-priced lunch stops, she realized that she was not alone. Soon, she and her colleagues were sharing stories about what to pack, how to pack it and how to avoid being the victim of lunch bag thievery. She started her own blog on the subject http://lunchcounterculture.blogspot.com
The Washington Post recently offered tips from etiquette expert Shawna Schuh about what to do if your lunch mysteriously disappears:
• Don't assume that someone is doing this to you. It's probably being done to everyone. It's not personal.
• Don't complain and whine. You have to take a different tack; otherwise you'll just weaken the workplace more.
• Prepare. If your lunch always gets stolen, shame on you. (This is when you need to get yourself an insulated lunch bag.)
• Educate. A sign on the fridge as simple as ``This is not your mother's refrigerator. You can't just take anything out of it'' may clue in the clueless. Or put a note inside your lunch bag: ``Stolen food rots stomachs.''
With sunny spring days right around the corner, take the time to enjoy a meal away from your desk. You may even want to bring your lovingly packed lunch to your local park...that is, if it isn't already being eaten by someone else!
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