Getting Out When You Never Should Have Gotten In

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

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

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

What happens when your workers are overpaid?

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

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

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

Need for Equality?

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

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

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

When a Second Change May Be Too Much

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

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

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

Is Your Boss a Psychopath?

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

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

And to those celebrating: Happy Passover!

Happy News on This Monday

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

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

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

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

How about 'dem perks?

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

Let's Go To Boston

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

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

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

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

Two for Tuesday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Using MySpace to Search Potential Employees

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

Passionate about your job

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

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

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

Hump Day

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

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

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

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

Two for NY

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

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

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

Art of Persuasion

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

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

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

Credit Where Credit is Due

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

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

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

Google and the USA

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

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

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

Preserve Workers Choices

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

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

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

Moody in the Office

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

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

Bringing Mothers Back From Leave

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

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

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

When is it time for a promotion?

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

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

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

Risky Business

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

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

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

Follow up from yesterday

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

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

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

Word From Washington

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

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

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

Making Up for Lower Pay

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

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

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

Weekend Fun

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

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

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

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

Forecasting In Focus

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

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

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

The basics of human resources management

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

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

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

Big Company

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

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

Back to the Afternoon Nap

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

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

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

Love Contract

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Multinational but one message

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

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

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

We Are Family

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

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

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

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

Post-Valentine's Day Love

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

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

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

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

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

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

Making a Guest Worker Feel At Home

It's an Astronology Tuesday!

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

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

Dating in the Workplace

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

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

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

Sick of the Job Search???

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

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

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

New York to Boston to DC

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

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

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

Job Growth...slow but strong

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

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

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

Tell Me About Your Blog

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

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

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

Women in the Workplace

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

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

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

What is a PEO?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dress Code

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

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

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

Minimum Wage and the rest

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

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


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

High Tech AND High Price?

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

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

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

Life and Work

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

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

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

What's Going On in 2007?

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

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

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

Jeter or Brady?

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

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

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

Advising You

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

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

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

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

We're Going Around The World

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

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

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

Who Pays?

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

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

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

The blog of the blogs

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

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

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

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

We're Going Real Big On This Astronology Tuesday

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

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

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

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

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

Managing the Cold

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

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

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

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

Heading back to Boston

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

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

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

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

Tell Me About Yourself

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

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

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

Oldies but Goodies

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

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

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

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

Resumes on 2 for Tuesday

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

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

Heat Wave...in January...

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

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

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

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

How To Be Happy At Work

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

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

Part 1: click here

Part 2: click here

Not Just Salary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy New Year

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

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

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

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

Election year

In an election yeah, the Washington Post's Robert Novak asks who is Labor's candidate in 2008? click here

It looks good for someone that there will be more jobs in 2007...but who will it look good for, that remains to be seen: click here

Lastly, from the New York Times, an article about the founder of Netflix and how his life got started on that path: click here

Digging deep

Digging deep on this Thursday into the Human Resources news for you...

First, an article that asks: are your vacation days numbered? Another article about people not using their vacation days: click here

A reprint from the New York Times, but an important article that says to protect your career and identity when looking for a job: click here

And good news for those looking for a job, the indicators show that the January job market shows strong growth: click here

Change Change Change

A lot of people are seeking change...this comes from the Boston Globe which says this change can be good: click here

The most glaring stats from this article are: "The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that people in their 20s change jobs every 18 months, and CareerJournal reports that 75 percent of all workers are job hunting." Wow.

The Boston Globe goes on to say that a personal coach can help talk you out of a slump and may be a good alternative to switching jobs completely: click here

And, lastly, the New York Times says that adult disabilities can be hidden on the job and how HR professionals can help recognize and treat them: click here

Boxing Day Special

They don't celebrate it in America, but today is Boxing Day in Canada and we want to honor (or honour) the Canadian holiday...

First, from Amy Joyce of the Washington Post, the word that every day is Christmas: click here

Next, word from the New York Times about a woman plummer, who has a degree in Fine Arts...an interesting story: click here

And, lastly, from the New York Times career couch, advice about finding a mentor: click here

Less Than Conventional Friday

It's a less-than-conventional Friday with less-than-conventional articles...

First, an article that says the business and HR are going to have to prepare for less-than-ready workers: click here

Next, the salary increase for Asian companies was set by Mercer at 4.2% for 2007: click here

Lastly, an interesting take on hiring and keeping salespeople: click here

We're Seeing Double

For some reason we didn't have a blog posted yesterday so today we're seeing double...as in double the dosage of the Astron Solutions' Blog!

First, from the Houston Chronicle, an outlook on 2007 seems to call for companies to give modest raises to their employees: click here

Maybe they should raise that raise because InformationWeek says that 75% of employees will look for a new job in 2007: click here

There has been much talk in the past few weeks about how insurers are going about handling civil unions: click here

Following up on a past blog article, this article states that human resources departments are forcing out more before retirement age: click here

Technology systems, like the ones Astron Solutions uses, are fast becoming the norm in HR programs: click here

And lastly, also from the Houston Chronicle: it may seem selfevident, but coming in sick is common but not good for productivity: click here

Last Astronology of 2006

Two great article to prepare you for the last Astronology of 2006:

First, Amy Joyce talks about all those job titles that people are given and what they really mean: click here

And next, from the Washington Post, an article about the Democrates raising the wage for poor workers: click here

Back to The Basics

We had enough videos last week so we're back to the basics: articles

First, an informative article for HR professionals about the IRS's new guidelines on taxpayers substantiating their contributions to charities made through payroll deductions: click here

Next, from the Boston Globe, an article about pitching for flexibility after you get an offer and more advice in this column: click here

And more advice from the Democrat and Chronicle in Rochester to use old job to show your skills, but don't let that old job define you: click here

Human Resources Managers

Collegerecruiter.com has an interesting video on what it takes to be a human resources manager...do you feel like this is how your job is?

I Work With Monkeys

The worst-case scenario for a Human Resources professional to be in...monkeys come in to interview:

YouTubing it with The Office

We went to YouTube again for another great clip about Human Resources, this time, a clip from The Office. Toby tells the Dunder Mifflin employees, they can ask him "any questions about anything", watch what Dwight K Schrute decides to ask him...

A little something different to brighten up your Monday...from YouTube...

Everybody's Working For the Weekend

Including us here at Astron Solutions so we'll make sure to give you some great Human Resources articles going into yours...

First, from the New York Times, an interesting article about people fighting against mandatory retirement ages: click here

Next, from the Washington BizJournal an informative Q&A about the role of Human Resources in a company and what one person sees as their role: click here

And, lastly, from Kentucky, word that they will be starting a HR Certification class at one of their universities...a far cry from really being certified, but a step in the right direction to make sure that HR professionals peform, well, as professionals: click here

Start Them Out With a Quote

The price one pays for pursuing any profession or calling is an intimate knowledge of its ugly side.

- James Baldwin



From the Boston Globe, an article that says that you should take care of your employees and they'll take care of you: click here



One of the reasons for that, as shown by the Indianapolis Star is that the rate of unscheduled absesnse rose to 2.5% in 2006: click here



One way to bring down that number is to successfully deal with office mourning and the Boston Globe has some ways to do so: click here

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Perfomance Review Day

At the time of year when most people are getting the annual performance review, some companies do thing a little differently according to the Washington Post: click here

The Supreme Court is hearing a pay-discrimination case, a case closely watched by companies and civil rights groups, and definitely, HR professionals: click here

Lastly, I thought this had something to do with the Office ("Philly Papers, Union to Continue to Talk"...I could just see Jan getting upset about this one like in "Boys and Girls") but it ends up it has to do with HR issues, so a double bonus: click here

Job Search Blunders on Astronology Tuesday

First, from Canada, an interesting article about the most common resume blunders encountered in Canada with typos and misspellings at the top: click here

Next, from Amy Joyce of the Washington Post, an article which states that there's no Holiday season for those searching for jobs: click here

And lastly, an interesting article that says the nonprofit skills can pay off in job search as people move to the private sector: click here

Enjoy Astronology and our treat of an extra article on this Tuesday!!!

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Start with a quote...

"Accomplishing the impossible means only that the boss will add it to your regular duties." - Doug Larson



What do you do when you've caught the flu but can't use any more sick days? Amy Joyce of the Washington Post has your answer: click here



An interesting article about Human Resource Outsourcing: click here



And from the blog world, an interesting piece from the "Know HR" Blog which discusses the amount of people who lie on their resumes: click here

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The Workforce

We start off on a very somber mood this Friday with an article from BBC News that talks about the crippling effect HIV/AIDS is having on the workforces of many countries: click here

In China, rising costs in major coastal cities are causing firms to relocate their operations, which brings a lot of new problems along with it: click here

And in the US workforce, it seems that the December job market shows modest employment growth: click here

Happy December!!!

Home [sick] for the Holidays...

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

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

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

When Movies Become Your Life...

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

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

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

Enjoy our articles for today!

Dilbert Wins Again

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

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

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

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

Party time?

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



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



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



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

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Happy Thanksgiving

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

A New Twist on the Blog!

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

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

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

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

Volunteer and Work

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



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



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

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Short Week and Lots to Do

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

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

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

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

Vendredi...et chômage

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

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

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

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

Bonjour!

Greetings from beautiful Paris!!!

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

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

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

Two Big Guns Get Together

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

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

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

We're Playing Tue...

As in Two for Tuesday....

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

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

Work/Life Balance

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

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

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

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

Work/Life Balance

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

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

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

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

We're Going Double Into the Weekend

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


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

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

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

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

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

Enjoy the weekend!

Post-Astronology Day

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

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

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

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

It's an Astronology Tuesday!!!

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

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

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

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

"Dilbert" vs. "the Office"

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

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

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