Ask The Expert: School Bus Strike

On this last week in January, we are going to start a new tradition where we'll do an "Ask the Expert" series with Human Resource questions that will be answered by Astron Solutions' National Director, Jennifer Loftus. Jennifer has so many abbreviations after her name (MBA, SPHR-CA, GPHR, CCP, CBP, GRP) that I believe she qualifies as an expert in this field (and many others as well). Feel free to submit any HR questions that you have and I'll zip it over to Jennifer to see if we can get it answered for you. So without further ado, here is the first post:

Question (after reading the last Astronology), Cassandra said:

It made me reflect back on this whole school bus strike happening out in Staten Island. How are they able to strike? Because they are unionized?

Answer from Jennifer:

Yes, the school bus drivers are striking because they are part of a union / collective bargaining agreement. Although such rights are afforded to all employees under Section 7 of the NLRA, it’s generally only unionized employees who will take a strike action.

If what the City says is true, that the bus drivers are asking for a contract clause that is illegal, it seems odd to me that they are trying to get that changed through a strike, rather than working with their legislators.

Guest Post: Happy Birthday to Us!

Once again we give the floor to Jennifer who wanted to talk about a very special day that was had at Astron yesterday. Congrats to Jennifer, Michael and the rest of the team for such an awesome accomplishment!
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Happy birthday, Astron! 

Yesterday, on January 22^nd, the Astron team celebrated our 14^th anniversary! How quickly the time has passed. Thank you for being a part of our success, from our humble two person beginnings in Suite 6G, to where we are today! We look forward to serving you for more many more years to come.

Compensation 101: Compensation Philosophy

The compensation philosophy is the foundation for all compensation decisions an organization makes.  Developing a compensation philosophy, however, is not always an easy task.  There are a number of questions that an organization’s leaders must explore in order to ensure that the compensation philosophy helps the organization to achieve its goals. 

What is the purpose of a compensation philosophy? What elements are included in the compensation philosophy?  Does the compensation philosophy vary by employee group, department, or other category? How frequently must it be updated?  These are critical questions that need to be answered by Human Resource professionals, no matter the organization. In this issue of Astronology, we discuss the ins and outs of compensation philosophies and their importance.

What a compensation philosophy and why is it so important?

A compensation philosophy, in short, is the formal statement or commitment an organization creates in regards to the compensation of their employees. The transparency of this commitment benefits both the employee and the organization when it comes to pay strategy and salary negotiations. Compensation philosophies usually are developed with teamwork between human resources and executives.  The key factors to be considered when creating a compensation philosophy can include the:

•          Organization’s financial position,
•          Size of the organization,
•          Type of industry,
•          Organization’s objectives,
•          Salary comparisons with the competition, and
•          Level of talent currently in place and needed for success.

The main goal of a compensation philosophy is simple: attract, retain, & motivate employees.  In order to do this, the compensation decision making team should mix Base Pay (salaries based on survey insight), Incentive Pay (cash or non-cash awards), and Benefits (non-financial awards) in accordance with the organization’s resources.  For example, private sector organizations would want to develop a pay philosophy that includes competitive pay, whereas an organization in the public and non-profit sectors may want to develop a pay philosophy that is more rounded to also include a heavier emphasis on work/life benefits.  Developing a philosophy can be a challenge, as many organizations have varied circumstances.  The organization’s unique circumstances can make creating a competitive compensation philosophy difficult, no matter the level.  A careful balance of resources must be considered.

How often should the compensation philosophy be reviewed?

With this question we explore the on-going “Lead/ Lag Tango”.  Many organizations review salaries once or twice a year.  However, despite the annual or bi-annual salary review, market values change continuously. As a result, an organization is likely to be at market value once or twice a year. Consequently, the compensation team has to decide when they would like to offer raises.  Should your organization lead the market at the beginning of the year, following the lead-lag approach? Or lead at the end, following the lag-lead approach? What if an industry or position requires new college recruits at different intervals of the year? What if different positions have different recruiting seasons? These are personal decisions that must be considered for your organization’s needs. Planning reviews a month or two before an industry / position recruiting season is an approach for successfully navigating this dance.

How important is consistency?

Consistency is very important. Salary.com gives the wary example on the importance of consistency: “…suppose a company established a flat rate of $9.90 per hour for nonexempt employees in a customer service role. The department had 200 percent turnover. Despite the published flat rate, some employees with college degrees successfully negotiated for $10 per hour or more, while employees with 20 years of experience faithfully assumed the flat rate was non-negotiable. Soon, three women over 40, a protected class under age discrimination laws, were earning less than three men who had just graduated from college. The manager's defense when confronted with the disparity was that the women never asked for more.” This is a sobering reminder of the importance of staying consistent to a dedicated compensation philosophy.

How important is communication?

A sound compensation philosophy can create a sense of fairness in organization. As a result, it is important that a pay philosophy be communicated to all employees and even job candidates. It is much easier to mention in salary negations the market rate in relation to an organization’s salary offer, rather than dealing with complications down the road. 

How do I know my compensation philosophy is of quality?

SHRM offers the following questions to test your compensation philosophy:

• Is the overall program equitable?
• Is the overall program defensible and perceived by employees as fair?
• Is the overall program fiscally sensitive?
• Are the programs included in the compensation philosophy and policy legally compliant?
• Can the organization effectively communicate the philosophy, policy, and overall programs to employees?
• Are the programs the organization offers fair, competitive, and in line with the compensation philosophy and policies?

 Would you like to know more about compensation philosophies?  Are you struggling with updating yours?  Astron Solutions offer a variety of compensation packages that designed for varying organizational sizes and industries.  Contact us today for a free 30 minute consultation.  We look forward to helping you achieve your compensation goals for 2013!

Talking Unemployment

I have to admit the graphic doesn't exactly fit with the article but Slate last week looked into the best places to find a job by studying the unemployment rate of big cities:

The new metro area unemployment numbers are out, and the winner for lowest unemployment among American metropolitan areas is once again Bismarck, N.D. at 2.6 percent...In terms of large metropolitan areas with populations of over 1 million, you ought to set your sails for Oklahama City (4.5 percent) or New Orleans (4.7 percent and falling fast) as labor markets that are both hot and clearly seem to have the ability to absorb more people. Tulsa...is also doing quite well with a 5.1 percent unemployment rate but not quite as well as the D.C. area where we're at 5 percent.

As you can see by the always-handy Google graph, the unemployment rate has been pretty steadily decreasing since it reached 10% back in October of 2009 to the point where it's at ~7.8% now. In New York, we're seeing a 8.3% unemployment rate in the state and a 8.8% unemployment rate in New York City according to the New York Department of Labor.

The New York Times Economix blog recently looked into why the unemployment rate was so high still but in the article brought up something else that is equally disturbing:

Another feature of the current recovery is the long duration of unemployment for many workers. At the end of last year, 4.8 million Americans were unemployed for 27 weeks or more, and their share in the total number of unemployed workers fell to 39 percent after peaking at 45.5 percent in March 2011 and exceeding 40 percent for 31 consecutive months. The previous peak was a far lower 26 percent in 1983, at a time when the unemployment rate was about as high as it is now.

That number may actually be low, as it does not factor in "1.1 million discouraged workers who want a job but are not currently looking for work, and many of the 1.7 million workers who have joined disability rolls because they cannot find a job."

That's scary. And while all the talk lately has been about the Fiscal Cliff and the Debt Ceiling and other matters of the such, the author points out that Congress has not taken into action some of President Obama's proposals from his first term that would have started to reduce this long-term unemployment such as increased unemployment fund for job training and placement programs and a tax credit for businesses hiring people out of a job for more than 6 months, among other initiatives. The author worries that this could compound the problem and lead to much worse news for the US economy than anything we've had to worry about thus far. Scary stuff, indeed.

Ford's Impact

This was sent along to the blog from our fearless leader, Jennifer. Figured this was a good post for a long week's Wednesday on the blog:

I was reading in the 1/7/13 issue of Woman’s World, and they have an “it happened this week” column.  I found this neat HR story in this week’s happenings:

Henry Ford stunned Americans when he enacted an eight-hour workday and $5 daily minimum wage at his Ford Motor Company in 1914.  The unprecedented wage hike more than doubled most workers’ salaries.  The result?  Employee turnover decreased, and profits shot up $30 million over the next two years!

Compensation Practice Basics – Our New Six-Part Series

According to an October 2012 study reported by WorldatWork, it’s back to basics for compensation programs.  Human Resources professionals must be knowledgeable about the fundamentals of several compensation tools in order to successfully attract and retain talent in 2013.  The study, Compensation Programs and Practices 2012, notes that, across a wide spectrum of organizations, there is a more rigorous approach when it comes to compensation practices than in past years. 

Astronology looks forward to sharing compensation basics with you and exploring changes in compensation practices and programs for the future. We will examine the study’s findings and discuss compensation basics with you throughout the upcoming six-part Astronology series.  By the end of the first quarter of 2013, you will be primed and ready to enhance your existing compensation programs to ensure successful employee attraction and retention!

·         Compensation 101: Compensation Philosophy – Coming January 22nd

Compensation Programs and Practices 2012 found that 67 percent of organizations are adopting a formal, written compensation philosophy to ensure compensation programs support the organization’s culture. Has your organization adopted a compensation philosophy?  What elements are included in your compensation philosophy?  When was the last time you updated the compensation philosophy?  Does your compensation philosophy vary by employee group, department, or other category?  We’ll explore these questions and more in Compensation 101: Compensation Philosophy, as a compensation philosophy is the foundation upon which all other compensation decisions are made.

·         Compensation 102: Job Evaluation Methods – Coming February 5th

Market pricing remains a dominant method for job evaluation.  However, it is not a true job evaluation method, since its focus is external rather than internal.  Since neither the external nor the internal can be ignored when developing compensation systems, many organizations use a variety of methods to determine job values. In Compensation 102: Job Evaluation Methods, we will examine the various job evaluation methods and how they can be used to effectively create job groupings reflective of internal and external value.

·         Compensation 103: Salary Structures – Coming February 19th

According to Compensation Programs and Practices 2012, 85 percent of organizations have a formal salary structure. What are the pros and the cons of having a formal salary structure in place? What type of salary structures can be used to attract and retain talent?  How often should an organization update its salary structures?  How does HR know when it is time to create a brand new salary structure?  Compensation 103: Salary Structures will examine a wide variety of necessary considerations when building a salary structure.

·         Compensation 104: Pay for Performance – Coming March 5th

Compensation Programs and Practices 2012 cites that 71 percent of organizations have a formal employee performance appraisal system. A popular choice in this regard is to measure individual performance against management or personal objectives. How flexible can an employee performance appraisal system be? Where do you start when establishing a performance appraisal system?  What types of evaluation criteria should be included in the performance appraisal system?  How can HR ensure that the performance appraisal system is fair?  Does compensation link with performance appraisal score?  Should it?  The thorny issues are on tap for Compensation 104: Pay for Performance.

·         Compensation 105: Pay Communications – Coming March 19th

Compensation Programs and Practices 2012 found that 80 percent of organizations relay pay information to their employees via brief written or oral communication. In some cases, individual attention is given to employees regarding the topic of pay.  What is the best way to go about communicating the sensitive, but necessary topic of pay?  What communication methods are most effective?  Is there one right way to share pay information?  Are there any legal considerations that impact pay communications? You won’t want to miss Compensation 105: Pay Communications, since the best compensation programs lose their proverbial punch if not communicated effectively to employees.

·         Compensation 106: Variable Pay – Coming April 2nd

Wrapping up our six-part series, Compensation 106: Variable Pay will discuss the options surrounding and challenges with incentive programs. According to Compensation Programs and Practices 2012, in 2012 84 percent of organizations used some form of bonuses or incentive compensation to reward employees.  There are many options in the realm of variable pay: bonuses, award recognition payments, and individual performance plans are but three. What the pros and cons of different variable pay design options? Which variable pay options are viable for your organization, given its goals, objectives, financial status, and culture?  Does one variable pay design option fit all?  Or should the variable pay design change over time?  Our six-part series on compensation basics comes to a close with Compensation 106: Variable Pay’s examination of a more advanced compensation topic.

It’s going to be an educational Spring 2013 here at Astronology!  We look forward to exploring these topics and questions with you in the next six issues. We also look forward also to hearing your reactions, responses, and questions. Please contact us today with any specific questions you’d like us to tackle during this six-part series on compensation basics, and we’ll be sure to include a response to your question in the relevant article!

Home for the Holidays?

Happy New Year from all of us at Astron Solutions! As we start the new year, we start a new year of holidays and vacation time for all employees. But as companies try to maximize productivity and eliminate as much "unnecessary" vacation time as possible, which days out of the year are truly mandatory to give off and which ones are "optional"? The question may seem simple but there is a great amount of ambiguity as it pertains to both public employees and those that work for the private sector.

According to Compensation Today, without a collective bargaining agreement or contract that says that you have to, technically there is no federal law that says that you have to provide any holidays for nonexempt employees, yet 97% of companies due, mostly to create goodwill among their employees and keep up with societal norms. Some companies provide a lot of vacation time for their employees and some provide very little, but the actual days that are provided change by company and geography.

According to WorkAtWork's Survey from 2010, the top 6 days off for any type of system of paid holidays were New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Labor Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Christmas Day (all clocking in at ~90% or above). After that was the Day aft Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve which were both highly provided.Others got President's Day/Washington's Birthday, Martin Luther King Jr Day, New Year's Eve, Good Friday, Veteran's Day, and/or Columbus Day.

But that doesn't mean everyone gets all of these--far from it. Even the states can't agree on who gets what days off. MLK Day, which is coming up, is celebrated in almost every state as a legal holiday but Rhode Island doesn't recognize it as such. But Rhode Island celebrates Columbus Day as a day off which 22 other states don't give to their employees.

The key? Find out which days you "need" people in the office. Sure, you could probably use people in the office 7 days a week for 52 weeks of the year, but in lieu of that, which days are your clients not working that you can give them all off. Start with those as the base days off. Then figure out a good amount of days that make sense to have off and work towards those. Figure out what's normal for your industry and what's fair for your employees based on their location and come up with an easy-to-follow, smart, and, most importantly, consistent vacation schedule. The last thing you want is your employees planning something for their annual MLK Day off just to find out when they come back to work after New Years that they will have to work that day.

Happy Holidays and Greetings from Thailand

Most of America is probably traveling or has arrived to spend the Christmas season with family and loved ones. Most Christmas Eve's I would be doing so as well (or going for Chinese food and movies--a time-honored Jewish tradition on Christmas Eve). But this Christmas I will not be anyplace near family, friends or loved ones as I'm in Thailand celebrating my honeymoon. Currently I'm in Ko Samui, a beautiful island of white-sanded beaches and delicious food. So while I read about snow storms hitting all across the US, I will be enjoying the beach in the high 80s tomorrow.

Okay....enough gloating. The purpose of this post wasn't to make everyone jealous (though if that's a side effect, oh well...haha). But one of the things I've noticed in my time here is that social norms and comfort with a difference in cultures is essential to grasp and then practice when doing business with other cultures. A few examples from my trip:

• Every time I try to point in a direction, everyone ducks. Pointing is probably not good in any culture but the result of my constantly trying to figure out which direction I'm supposed to go in has gotten a few extreme reactions
• Shoes sometimes need to come off even when it seems strange. I like the idea of taking your shoes off when you go inside a building, especially a holy site, but leaving my shoes in the middle of a crowded walking street so that I can head indoors seems a bit strange to me and the first few times, I opted to keep my shoes in a bag inside instead of outside. But once I conformed, I found that there's really nothing to be worried about and I like the idea of not tracking your whole day around with you when you enter a building. 
• Learning a few words in another language means a lot to the native people. It's a strange thing to say but I feel like just learning a few words in Thai (especially bathroom which I loosely pronounce as "hong nam") has brought a lot of joy to some of the locals. Not the "let's make fun of Andrew for trying" type of joy but the "hey, he's giving our language some effort". I know that everyone tries to learn English for us tourists so a few, easy Thai words can't be so hard for me
• Sometimes greetings should be more formal. I'm not sure that you could get American businesses in the service industries to respectfully bow as they do in Thailand but I think that they would garner a lot more good will and respect from their customers. It's a small gesture and one that is part of their culture but the bow is a great way to show the customer just how important they are--even if they haven't learned any Thai words.

The lessons of all of these is that even though we all try to keep an open mind when going to visit another area or do business with a foreign people, sometimes truly understanding the culture and the norms will help not only further those business dealings and make them go smoother, but also provide lessons for how we can all conduct our business a bit differently ourselves. We tend to get caught up in "Western norms" but sometimes relying on thousands of years of customs works just fine too.

Here's wishing everyone who reads our blog and their families, friends, and loved ones a very Happy Holidays from us at Astron Solutions! May your year be filled with sunshine, happiness, and all good things!

The SS Human Resource Professional

Well...not exactly. But this ship that ran aground in Charleston Harbor, according to gCaptain, had the very interesting name of the HR Recommendation. Any guesses as to why they chose that name? Do you think they were asking for a new name or was the ship the idea of a suggestion box? The possibilities are endless (H/T Jennifer for this gem)

Guest Post: The Pros and Cons of Hiring Recent College Grads

We were gone for a while but now we're back again and better than ever with a guest post from Katie Wilson. Kate is a blogger and freelance writer for www.collegecrunch.org. She is passionate about all things education and is particularly interested in life after college in today's society. You can reach Kate in the comments below. Without further ado, here is Katie's post about the good and the bad of hiring recent college grads:
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The topic of recent college graduates and first-time employment has been a hot topic for some time now. With so many young 20-somethings emerging on the job market with freshly earned degrees and endless energy, unemployment numbers are all the more staggering. This topic is so hotly discussed today, because it is such a fundamental issue to our society. We go to college with presumption that our hard earned degree will lead us to the steady, paying job we've always dreamed of. While this assumption is slowing changing in light of recent economic struggles, the underlying concept remains—degrees lead to employment. But what is it exactly that newbie graduates bring to the table in the professional world? As hiring managers and human resources representatives, there are many reasons that fresh college graduates make strong job candidates and there are many reasons they may not fit for certain positions.
 

The Pros 

Recent college graduates bring a lot of positive things to the table when it comes to employment. Consider these positives when making your hiring decisions:

Tech Savvy: Having a strong familiarity with various forms of new technology is a must in today's work place. Today's college graduates are experts of the digital world. This is the first generation to have grown up completely immersed in technology. Learning new platforms, media, and programs is significantly easier for the younger generation because they've been adjusting to new technologies their entire lives. Having an affinity for technology and online communication is a huge positive in the professional world today.

Motivated and Energetic: Newbie grads are energetic and ready to work. They've just graduated from school. They're ready to be out of the classroom and active in the working world. This energetic student mentality can be a hugely positive thing in the professional world. Recent graduates will work the extra mile to make a statement, establish themselves, and grow. While "older", veteran employees will do this too, newbie graduates have extra motivation to "make it" because they are trying for the first time.

Masters of Multi-Tasking: Going hand-in-hand with understanding technology, because recent grads grew up with the internet and technology, most of them have mastered multi-tasking. Doing multiple things at one time is simply the way their brains work. This can be a very positive attribute in a busy and hectic workplace. Having to think on your feet and juggle multiple things at one time can be extremely useful in the right positions. Of course, this multi-tasking nature can also result in distracted and unfocused work. As a hiring manager or HR representative, it's important to carefully consider the type of position you're hiring for. 

 

The Cons 

While fresh college graduates offer a lot of positive things upfront, there are some setbacks young employees pose as well. Recent college graduates can pose some human resources concerns because their mindset is typically not a professional one. While this, of course, isn't universally true, many fresh grads can struggle with adjusting to a professional environment.

Youth Attitude: Many times the college graduate enters a work environment with an unprofessional attitude without really realizing it. These recent grads are used to making friends with the people they work with. The line between colleague and friend can be difficult to distinguish for a recent graduate. On top that, college grads entering the workforce today may suffer from a pretty hindered sense of confidence. After job searching for months and months on end, actually being confident in a new position can be a challenge. This lack of self-confidence can interfere with important job decisions and elements.

College Mantra: The "college mantra" can be a challenge for newbie graduates in the working world. Professional attire and attitude can be a struggle coming immediately from the realms of flip flops, late assignment requests, and college dorms. Part of that college mantra that follows many 20-somethings to the professional realm is a need for recognition and praise. Students are used to full attention from their professors. They get constant feedback from their professors and expect grades on their work to describe how successful they are doing. This is not the case in the professional world. Many recent college grads can struggle to understand their successfulness without regular recognition and feedback.

Astronology - Holidaze: Beating the Holiday Blues & Stress

Astronology Volume XIII Issue 12 December 11, 2012 Dear Andrew, Astron Solutions provides high-quality, low-cost, innovative human resources consulting services to organizations like yours. Call us for advice, innovative program design, and user-friendly Web/PC based software.   Happy Holidays! From all of us at Astron Solutions, happy holidays to you and those dear to you!    Our next issue of Astronology will be January 8th.   We wish you all the best this holiday season, and a healthy, productive, and prosperous 2013.         Holidaze: Beating the Holiday Blues & Stress The months of November to January signal a busy time for holiday celebrations, family time, and other happy moments. It is also the time for what some call the "Holiday Blues" and high stress levels. For those who work in an office setting, trying to meet pressing deadlines before vacation time and simultaneously preparing for holiday family and office events can become a major contributing factor to this seasonal anxiety..... Continue article | Continue to Astron Solutions     Have a Question? If you have a topic you would like addressed in Astronology, or some feedback on a past article, don't hesitate to tell us!  Simply reply to this e-mail.  See your question answered, or comments addressed, in an upcoming issue of Astronology. Looking for a top-notch presenter for your human resource organization's meeting?  Both Jennifer Loftus and Michael Maciekowich present highly-rated sessions on a variety of compensation and employee retention issues.  For more information, send an e-mail to info@astronsolutions.com.   The Fine Print We hold your e-mail address in trust.  Astron Solutions promises never to share or rent your personal information.  We also promise never to send you frivolous e-mails and will allow you to leave our list, at your option, at any time. To remove yourself from this list, please follow your personalized subscriber link at the bottom of your Astronology alert e-mail. Copyright 2012, Astron Solutions, LLC ISSN Number 1549-0467 Quick Links Client List Meet the Astron Team Contact Us   World of HR Blog Bringing you Human Resource news from around the globe...compliments of Astron Solutions. More

 

 

Astronology - Religious Accommodation....Keeping the Balance

 

Astronology Volume XIII Issue 11 November 27, 2012 Dear Andrew, Astron Solutions provides high-quality, low-cost, innovative human resources consulting services to organizations like yours. Call us for advice, innovative program design, and user-friendly Web/PC based software.   Religious Accommodation...Keeping the Balance For many, religion is a private and sacred part of their lives. Still, this delicate subject impacts an employee's professional life and his / her organization. Many organizations are quite conscious of the sensitivity needed when addressing employees' requests for religious accommodation. However, some organizations are not aware of how to keep a balance between satisfying their employees and keeping the organization productive. This edition of Astronology takes a closer look into the topic...... Continue article | Continue to Astron Solutions     Have a Question? If you have a topic you would like addressed in Astronology, or some feedback on a past article, don't hesitate to tell us!  Simply reply to this e-mail.  See your question answered, or comments addressed, in an upcoming issue of Astronology. Looking for a top-notch presenter for your human resource organization's meeting?  Both Jennifer Loftus and Michael Maciekowich present highly-rated sessions on a variety of compensation and employee retention issues.  For more information, send an e-mail to info@astronsolutions.com.   The Fine Print We hold your e-mail address in trust.  Astron Solutions promises never to share or rent your personal information.  We also promise never to send you frivolous e-mails and will allow you to leave our list, at your option, at any time. To remove yourself from this list, please follow your personalized subscriber link at the bottom of your Astronology alert e-mail. Copyright 2012, Astron Solutions, LLC ISSN Number 1549-0467 Quick Links Client List Meet the Astron Team Contact Us   World of HR Blog Bringing you Human Resource news from around the globe...compliments of Astron Solutions. More

 

Guest Post: 6 Reasons to Conduct an Exit Interview

We've been talking a lot about attracting and keeping employees--but what if you have to say good-bye? This next guest post tackles that and the reasons to conduct an exit interview. The author, Steven Burrell, has been writing about human resources and business solutions for many years. Click here for more information on aptitude tests and other tools for maintaining a successful workplace.
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Exit interviews are something that many business owners and managers do not think to do. Many think that since the employee is leaving that there is no value in a final interview. However, these interviews can provide valuable information about your business and allow you to get a good look at how things are really working on the employee level.

Learning Why People Quit 

When an employee is doing an exit interview he or she will almost always be more candid and honest because there is nothing to lose. They are leaving anyway and will tell you why. You may learn some things about your supervisors, other current employees and how your employees view their working conditions and hours. This will allow you to make the changes necessary to prevent turnover at work and to help you keep the employees that you value the most.

You May Avoid a Lawsuit 

An employee may be leaving over issues that he or she finds sue-worthy, such as sexual harassment or unfair labor practices. During an exit interview you will have the opportunity to get this information and try to rectify the situation. For example, you have a rather shy employee that is leaving. Perhaps he or she felt that she could not come to you with his or her concerns over another employee acting inappropriately. This employee is leaving rather than coming to you for a solution. If you can provide a solution, you may be able to actually keep this employee, or at least provide him or her with enough closure and satisfaction to not file a lawsuit over the situation.

Get a Look at Your Competition 

When someone is willingly leaving an employer, they almost always have another job prospect lined up and ready to go. Ask them why they are choosing to leave you and head over to the competition. Do not ask for details, but just some general reasons. This will help you improve some things and keep your other employees from fleeing down the road to the competition.

Learn What Programs Employees Want 

Some employees may leave because they do not get adequate vacation time or medical benefits. In today's world, these things are critically important to have. If they can find a similar job that offers these things, they have no reason not to go work there. Do not be afraid to ask if perks and benefits influenced the employees decision during the exit interview.

Learn What is Working 

During the exit interviews, do not just ask about what the employee didn't like, but also ask about the things that they did like about your company. Even little things like the hour lunch break you offer or the nice holiday parties can leave a really good impression and help to show that you appreciate your employees. Make note of these good things and keep them in mind when you are recruiting. This could help you land more valuable employees in the future, as well as retain the ones that you already have.

Learn Better Training Strategies 

If an employee does not feel that he or she was properly trained to do the job, they may decide to go to another company that offers more comprehensive training. In a nutshell, if there job is far too difficult to do, why should they stay to do it? Create a full training program that not only shows the basics of the job, but other things too, such as how to solve problems that crop up, who they should consult for specific questions and most of all, that you will support them whenever they need help or have questions.

Guest Post: 5 Benefits that can Attract Young Workers

Our guest posts continue with this post from Nadia Jones on benefits you can put in place to attract young workers. Nadia Jones is an education blogger for onlinecollege.org. She enjoys writing on topics of education reform, education news, and online learning platforms. Outside of the blogging world, Nadia volunteers her time at an after school program for a local middle school and plays pitcher for her adult softball team. She welcomes your comments and questions at nadia.jones5@gmail.com.
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What's Happening 

A culture clash is almost always certain to occur between generations, but such episodes usually play out within families. Consider this stereotypical scene: grandparents disapprove of the younger generation's attitude and music, and younger generations find their elders stuffy and preoccupied with standards of the past. Today, America's workforce is undergoing a unique transition. The Baby Boomers are retiring, and the Echo Boomers are filling the gaps; and offices around the country have become stages for generational conflict as the two age groups are forced together.

Why Businesses Should Care 

Experts have reported that these two headstrong generations have had difficulty finding common ground, but such clashes are being resolved as the priorities of the Millennial generation are becoming more clear. Much attention has been paid to this particular generation as it is estimated that by 2025 Generation Y will account for 75% of the global workforce. For forward-thinking companies that hope to prepare for the future, understanding this generation is a key to long-term success.

Millennials Seek Work-Life Balance 

The most resounding value of the Millennial generation is an increased need for work-life balance. Younger workers are willing to invest time and energy into their companies, but they also expect benefits that support healthy lifestyles and personal fulfillment. While this might sound like an impossible or inappropriate expectation, such balance can be offered to all workers, and it begins with benefits.

1. Health Insurance -- Millennials are approaching entry-level positions pragmatically and are paying close attention to details other than salary. In some cases, a job without adequate benefits is a deal breaker. Younger workers understand the financial implications of living without health insurance, and they view affordable medical treatment as an essential element of a well-balanced life. A company that wishes to recruit Millennials simply must offer a comprehensive and affordable benefits package.

2. Retirement Plan – You may not expect a worker in his 20s to be adamant about a 401K or IRA, but coinciding with an increasingly pragmatic viewpoint, the younger generations are looking ahead. With government programs like Social Security and Medicare in a bind, these young workers are planning for increased financial independence during retirement. Offering such a benefit is not only a great way to recruit Millennials, but to retain them as well.

3. Paid Time Off-- Whether it's for a doctor's appointment or to take a weekend road trip, Millennials are seeking more PTO to manage health and to fulfill personal goals outside of work. Studies show that many workers, not just Millennials, would opt for a lower salary in lieu of more time off. This priority represents a shifting demand in lifestyle support from personal income to personal time.

4. Flexibility -- Millennials are willing to make major investments in their work, but they would like the freedom to tackle projects on their own time and in an environment of their choosing. Companies that are in sync with these work habits are flexible with start and end times and allow employees to work from home when feasible.

5. Opportunities to Learn -- Whether it's an in-company training program or a certified online course, members of Generation Y seek professional development through learning new skills. But learning doesn't have to come from a formal source. Younger workers naturally crave feedback and advice from more experienced co-workers and superiors. Companies should never overlook mentorships as learning opportunities for new workers, and if additional learning programs are within the budget, workers of all ages should be encouraged to learn new skills to increase competitiveness.

Guest Post: 3 Unlikely Degrees that Can Benefit a Human Resource Department

We have a series of great guest posts for the blog. The first comes from Samantha Gray who is a freelance writer/researcher for www.BachelorsDegreeOnline.com. Her articles cover issues related to both online and traditional education, as well as student lifestyle, parenting and careers. Please send any questions or comments her way at SamanthaGray024@gmail.com. Without further ado, here is what Samantha had to say about degrees that can benefit an HR department

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Although a degree is not necessary to work in the human resources field, most employers still prefer to hire people with a bachelor’s degree. Often, these employers look for job seekers who have graduated with business or management degrees, but there are many other subjects that can prepare someone for a career in human resources. Because human resource managers handle a variety of tasks, a staff that is educated in a variety of subjects will produce the best results. What other degrees can benefit a human resource department? Check out the following three below. 

Communications 

A degree in communications prepares graduates for careers in all sorts of industries and positions. The basic tenets of the subject require students to study several arts and science topics, including psychology, sociology, political science, economics and marketing. Each of these topics is taught in short form, as professors display how they each play a role in the news media, politics and business. In addition, students study the anthropological history of mass communication and learn various techniques for disseminating information, such as speech writing, writing for news and public relations, public speaking and marketing campaign planning. Although most graduates go on to work in public relations, journalism, political campaign consulting or marketing, the degree also teaches skills that are valuable for work in the human resources field. As a human resource administrator, it is necessary to know how to effectively communicate with the employees you are responsible for helping. Job seekers with communication degrees are educated on a wide range of social science theories and methods, which are valuable for handling an array of human resource-related issues and social conflicts.

Psychology 

Psychology is the study of human mental functions and behaviors. Although most psychology students are interested in becoming researchers or clinical psychologists, a degree in this subject provides an education that can be applied to several fields. Psychology is an ongoing scientific study that has a goal of understanding individual and social thought and behavior. Students are required to learn how to conduct clinical studies and how to provide counsel to those experiencing personal and relational conflicts. Although human resource administrators aren’t counselors, an understanding of psychology can certainly prepare them for dealing with the personal and relational problems that employees experience in the workplace and are required to report to the human resource department.

Sociology 

Sociology is a scientific subject that deals with the study of human social activity. The goal of sociology is to produce and prove theories that can be applied to political policy and social organization. Students study how culture, deviance, law, religion and social class or stratification affects the plight of human welfare. In addition to studying the subject’s theories, students also study anthropological history and how it relates to the various theories. Like psychology, a degree in sociology can provide human resource administrators with an education that helps them better understand social interaction and human behavior in groups. Again, this knowledge can benefit administrators when they have to work through employee conflict in the workplace.

A Request for Help and Post-Hurricaine Wishes

We wanted to extend our wishes here at Astron Solutions to those effected by Hurricane Sandy. Our employees are mostly located in the New York Metro area and have seen the devastation from this storm to peoples homes, businesses, and, most sadly, with some people's lives as well. We hope that all your loved ones and those close to you are safe and sheltered and our thoughts go out to everyone during this tough time.

On another note, we have this from Jennifer: "I'm working on a column for the Work Style Magazine (from Europe) and need your help! With the US Presidential election just a week away, individuals around the world are watching what happens here in America. Individuals outside the US with an interest in Human Resources want to know what it is like to be employed by one of America's "super wealthy," an organization whose founder or leader supports Governor Mitt Romney in the election. How do the "super wealthy" act with their employees? What do they think about the people that work for them? What is the organizational culture like? I'm specifically looking to talk with people who work for any of these companies: Las Vegas Sands, PayPal, Univision, Citadel, GoDaddy.com, Public Storage, Marriott, New Balance, Penske Trucking, Limited Group (retail stores), and Charles Schwab. Thanks in advance for any referrals you can provide over the next couple of days!"

If you can help, please e-mail here at jcloftus@astronsolutions.com and let her know. Thanks!

Astronology - How Do You Keep an Employee Engaged?

Astronology Volume XIII Issue 9 October 29, 2012 Dear Andrew, Astron Solutions provides high-quality, low-cost, innovative human resources consulting services to organizations like yours. Call us for advice, innovative program design, and user-friendly Web/PC based software.   Hurricane Sandy The entire Astron Solutions team hopes that everyone in the path of Hurricane Sandy stays safe, and experiences minimal inconvenience and loss of power and personal property as a result of the storm. We look forward to reconnecting with you once the storm has passed.     How Do You Keep an Employee Engaged? According to a 2011 Gallup poll 29% of American employees feel "engaged" at their place of work. This is an alarming statistic, because this indicates that 71% of American employees either do not feel engaged or are complete disengaged with their place of work. Astronology has previously discussed the importance of enthusiasm in the workforce. In this edition of Astronology we will explore four low cost ways to keep employees engaged..... Continue article | Continue to Astron Solutions     Have a Question? If you have a topic you would like addressed in Astronology, or some feedback on a past article, don't hesitate to tell us!  Simply reply to this e-mail.  See your question answered, or comments addressed, in an upcoming issue of Astronology. Looking for a top-notch presenter for your human resource organization's meeting?  Both Jennifer Loftus and Michael Maciekowich present highly-rated sessions on a variety of compensation and employee retention issues.  For more information, send an e-mail to info@astronsolutions.com.   The Fine Print We hold your e-mail address in trust.  Astron Solutions promises never to share or rent your personal information.  We also promise never to send you frivolous e-mails and will allow you to leave our list, at your option, at any time. To remove yourself from this list, please follow your personalized subscriber link at the bottom of your Astronology alert e-mail. Copyright 2012, Astron Solutions, LLC ISSN Number 1549-0467 Quick Links Client List Meet the Astron Team Contact Us   World of HR Blog Bringing you Human Resource news from around the globe...compliments of Astron Solutions. More