(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Loading ...TGIT Thank God its Thursday
As we all know by now, gas prices are on the rise. As they are not declining any time soon, many companies are converting to the “4 day work week.” Whether companies decide to allow their employees to telecommute once a week, or fit their employees 40 hour work week into 4 days (10 hours a day), many business owners are trying to help their employees during this time. ABC News released a news report explaining that Birmingham, Alabama is one of the first cities adapting to this trend. Four thousand employees in the area are taking advantage of this four day work week. Other services businesses are offering include money for public transport, providing carpool arrangements, and the option of telecommuting. ABC News did a calculation as follows:
Average commute: 30 miles round trip
Average car gets: 17 miles/gallon
Average gallon of gas: 4.10
Result: 7.24 a day, 377.52 a year
This shows the estimated amount that people could save. Imagine if a whole town, state, or even the whole country did this. A lot of money could be saved, not to mention we would cut down on the amount of gas demanded and the amount of pollution we output everyday. Everyone would be better off. Utah is one of the first states converting all of their state officials to this system next month, and Arizona has been talking about doing the same for their state employees.
Time magazine recently reported about the four day work week, explaining that Brevard College in Florida went to a four day week for summer session and saved $268,000. In addition, sick leave dropped by 50%, and turnover among the staff decreased by 44%. Here at Creative Business Resources, an HR outsourcing firm we deal with lots of different clients and business owners on a daily basis. We have had to alter our processes such as dates of payroll because one of our own personal clients here in Arizona has converted to the four day work week in direct response to higher gas prices. If you are a business owner and you want to boost the morale of your employees you could implement this new trend. In addition, stay tuned for our newsletters in July and August that gives more tips on how businesses can survive and prosper in this economic downturn.
Posted July 9th, 2008 by Jessica Spinks - Posted in Human Resources, Productivity | | 1 Comments
(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...Low Productivity? Blame high gas prices!
A recent survey completed by Florida State University professor Wayne Hochwarter reveals that when the price at the pump goes up, employee productivity and morale goes down.
“People concerned with the effects of gas prices were significantly less attentive on the job, less excited about going to work, less passionate and conscientious and more tense,” Hochwarter said. “These people also reported more ‘blues’ on the job. Employees were simply unable to detach themselves from the stress caused by escalating gas prices as they walked through the doors at work.”
Hochwarter surveryed over 800 people early this spring when gas prices were hovering around $3.50 per gallon. Everyone surveryed each used their own personal transportation to cummute to work and traveled on average of 15 miles each way.
Some of Hochwarters main points:
The interesting point about this survey is that is was completed in the spring with gas prices significantly lower than what they are today. Here in Arizona, with gas prices hovering around $4.19 per gallon for regular unleaded, I wonder if these same statistics will hold true in our own backyard. I'd be willing to bet the results would be staggering now that the prices have increased and more than likely will continue to rise. I recently heard of a man here in Phoenix taking a significant paycut to find a new employer within walking distance of his home. His only reasoning for it was the cost of fuel since his trip was about 30 miles each way. I personally know people driving double that mileage just to get to work.
Many companies are now getting very creative in an attempt to boost moral and get their employee motivated by helping privide solutions or band-aids for the increased prices of fuel.
A few suggestions we have seen from helpful companies are:
- Organizing car pools
- Telecommuting or allowing employees to work from home a few days of the week (if it's feasible for your position),
- Exchanging tips with one another on fuel coservation
- Pre-Paid Gas Cards as incentives instead of movie and lunch gift certificates
Hmmmm, what would you rather have? A gift certificate for $25 to Chili's or a $25 pre-paid gas card? I'll take the gas!
Posted June 20th, 2008 by Vincent - Posted in Benefits, Human Resources, Other, Productivity | | 0 Comments
(1 votes, average: 3 out of 5) Loading ...What Dress Code?
So your co-worker or subordinate is dressing a little bit "out of their element" at the office. They obviously don't see themselves from your perspective and you think it might be affecting their ability to represent the company or the internal morale. It might even be a blatant disregard for the company dress code. Especially as the heat picks up in Arizona, more folks are trying to wear less clothing while still being in compliance with dress codes. Lets face it, some things are meant to be worn in the privacy of our own homes!
Here's some thoughts:
1.Know your audience and be careful how you say whatever it is you want to say.
2. Don't ignore it if its going to affect other people in the office or the company's image to the businesses they serve. Especially if you're a manager, you need to deal with it…sorry 
If you don't precedence is set and its a slippery slope.
3. Keep in mind Sexual Harassment issues if the person's dress is inappropriate in a sexual way. What is ok for you might be offensive to someone else.
4. Most importantly, use Common Sense. I see clients not dealing with this all the time, and that is not good, but don't overreact to a minor violation with official company meetings and punishments. However, sending out communication prior to the summer season isn't a bad idea. Then the whole company is reminded of how it should be, and those outside the lines can expect someone to discuss it with them, even if they disagree or don't "understand the infraction". Its tough enough to handle without all the drama.
Stay cool, but please stay dressed!
For more on HR tips, sign up for the Free HR Newsletter at http://www.cbri.com/
Posted June 18th, 2008 by Aaron Witsoe - Posted in Human Resources, Productivity, Uncategorized | | 0 Comments
(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...Bring the Best Out in Employees by Showing You Care
An article I ran into at BusinessWeek.com talks about when employees know they are being cared about, they will in turn step up their efforts around the office. Also, it says to be careful not to neglect a valued employee because they can probably go elsewhere and make the same amount of money, if not more, doing something similar or more compelling.
With that said, you must be thinking, “what can I do to make sure my employees aren’t going to leave me? You are in luck. Another section of the article gave a list of suggestions for managing the type of valued employees that fit the about criteria? Rank-order each of your direct reports in terms of his contribution to your customers and your company.
• Ask yourself, "How many of these people could leave our company and get another job—with a pay raise—in three months?"
• Make sure you express your sincere appreciation for the contribution these great people are making to your company.
• Make peace with the fact that you need them more than they need you.
• Ask each of them, "What can your manager do to create an environment where this is a great place for you to work?"
• Don't focus on what you cannot change. Focus on what you can change. Let's say you can't give them a raise. Accentuate the things you can give them: recognition, educational opportunities, the chance to work with a wider range of people, both within the company and outside of it.
• Listen to their ideas, and do whatever you can to keep them coming to work with you.
• Treat them as a great human services leader would treat valued volunteers.
Posted April 18th, 2008 by admin - Posted in Human Resources, Performance Reviews, Productivity, Recruiting | | 1 Comments
(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...10 Unusual Excuses for Being Late to Work
Everyone has their reasons for being late at one point or another. Some of the stories can seem quite far fetched if you ask me. Here is a list of the top 10 unusual excuses for being late to work from the Business Journal.
According to the survey, hiring managers gave the following top 10 unusual excuses they've heard for being late to work:
- While rowing across the river to work, I got lost in the fog.
- Someone stole all my daffodils.
- I had to go audition for "American Idol."
- My ex-husband stole my car so I couldn't drive to work.
- My route to work was shut down by a Presidential motorcade.
- I wasn't thinking and accidentally went to my old job.
- I was indicted for securities fraud this morning.
- The line was too long at Starbucks.
- I was trying to get my gun back from the police.
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I didn't have money for gas because all of the pawnshops were closed.
Do you have any other stories that can top this list?
Posted April 11th, 2008 by admin - Posted in Human Resources, Productivity | | 1 Comments
(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...The Rules of Criticizing Others
The ability to give and receive criticism is an art that few have mastered. If you can, you will have a leg up on managing your employees.
A line from BusinessWeek.com points out some ground rules to go over before you criticize someone.
When you want to criticize someone:
1. Begin by finding something you like or appreciate about the person you're about to criticize. This is not only fair, but will also make the person more likely to be receptive to what you have to say.
2. Focus on what that person has said or done, not on him or her personally. Only the former is relevant and likely to be acknowledged.
3. Conclude by affirming your faith that the other person will consider what you have to say. This is both a respectful way to wrap up the criticism and the best way to ensure that your remarks will be given their due.
Living by these rules, before you attack someone, will make you a more respected manager/co-worker with everyone involved in the situation. Also, it will allow more communication to pass through one another. Next time you have a beef to pick with someone…remember the rules.
Posted April 4th, 2008 by admin - Posted in Customer Service, Human Resources, Performance Reviews, Productivity, Uncategorized | | 0 Comments
(1 votes, average: 4 out of 5) Loading ...Do You Have the Skills to Manage?
"Interpersonal skills are extremely important for managers dealing with a wide variety of personalities. All of your employees will be different—each will have his or her own way of thinking and operating. Your challenge is to be able to help them overcome these differences and mesh as a team. "
This is a exert that I found in Businessweek.com. Managers are the ones that lead the many and need to be the ones that show the many how things are done. Leading by example and being interpersonal are two of the main factors of being a "good" manager.
Do you have the right managers in place to make your business run flawlessly?
Posted March 28th, 2008 by admin - Posted in Human Resources, Productivity, Recruiting | | 0 Comments
(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...Launch a Wellness Program for Your Employees
Creating a wellness program for your company can mean more than just getting in shape. It can mean a whole new lifestyle for all your employees. When you are feeling healthy, you are more energetic and motivated to face each day. Who wouldn't what all their employees to feel great and perform at their best?
In an article from Business Week, "Some companies hand out small cash bonuses or gift certificates for reaching predetermined milestones. Others offer discounted insurance premiums. Still others make it a “team thing” and set up competitions between departments. "
By making heath exciting, everyone will want to join in and be a part of the new family. Make it a priority in your company and watch the benefits exude from your employees.
Posted March 14th, 2008 by admin - Posted in Benefits, Health, Human Resources, Performance Reviews, Productivity, Recruiting, Workers' Comp | | 3 Comments
(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...Who Do You Have Winning It All?
Its coming up on March Madness time. For all you college basketball fans, the most exciting time of the year is right around the corner. To make it even more exciting, what do you do? Start up the company office pool! A little gambling should help spice it up just enough to make it interesting to even the uninterested.
In the article from the Business Journal is a survey relating to productivity and March Madness. An interesting stat that I couldn't believe was, "Very few employers offer guidance in their policies regarding office pools, even though it may mean taking a hit in terms of productivity, Spherion officials said."
Maybe its time to update the employee handbook and put some guidelines or rules in on office pools, or maybe its just time to enjoy March Madness!
Posted March 7th, 2008 by admin - Posted in Human Resources, Performance Reviews, Productivity | | 1 Comments
(2 votes, average: 4.5 out of 5) Loading ...Please, Stay Away if You’re Sick
If you are sick, should you go to work anyways? This is a great debate among many. Staying home to watch tv and lounge on the cough is an easy suggestion, right? To some it may be, but to others a day staying home from work is just creating more work to go back to, or some feel they are indespensible and can’t miss a day, while others just don’t have the time to take work off. Whatever the reason is, is it really a good idea to go in to work when you are under the weather?
An article from Business Week that I ran into goes into great detail of the downfalls of having a sick co-worker show up on the job. “Illnesses like the cold and flu can be spread by physical contact. When we're sick, the people with whom we come into physical contact have a significantly increased risk of coming down with the illness, according to virologists, epidemiologists, and other experts. There is a causal relationship between being sick with a cold or the flu and making others sick by touching them directly or handling an object that they soon touch themselves.”
Some other points brought up in the article for staying away from the office were, if we can actually perfrom to the best of our abilities while not feeling well, getting other co-workers sick, getting co-worker’s families sick, and the last one here that caught my attention, “going to work sick is unfair to your employer. According to a report published in The New York Times in 2006, researchers at Cornell University found that ill workers on the job could account for up to 60% of corporate health costs. The recently coined phrase "presenteeism" speaks to the financial downside of overly motivated workers who bring their upper respiratory illnesses to work with them.
All in all, is it fair to yourself to work when you are not feeling well? I guess that is up to you.
Posted February 29th, 2008 by admin - Posted in Benefits, Health, Human Resources, Other, Productivity | | 0 Comments
