Doctors Can’t Cure This Headache

Have a bad excuse for missing work?  Everyone knows the basics, such as you are "under the weather", suffering from the “24-hour bug”, something with the kids or spouse, jury duty, and the list goes on.   

Now there is a new way to get away with skipping out on work and have proof.  Get a fake doctor’s note!  This article from Azcentral.com, tells you how you can provide proof of why you weren’t able to make it in that day.   

I find it hard to believe that it would ever actually come to having to use a fake doctor’s note, but now all bases are covered.  If you’re a slacking employee, and can’t suck it up for the whole eight hour day, you now can rest assured knowing you have a fool proof lie to tell your boss in the morning.  

Just keep in mind that if your boss calls to verify the appointment, you're out of a job! 

Posted October 31st, 2007 by admin - Posted in Human Resources | | 1 Comments

WOW! What happens when you don’t hire the RIGHT talent…

Many of us have probably ordered a cake for someone at some point. Well… here is an example of a cake brought to us by the skilled employees of a WalMart Bakery. The person that ordered the cake said, 'I would like to order a cake that says: "Best Wishes Suzanne" and underneath that: "We Will Miss You"'. As you can tell by the picture, the final result was… well… RIDICULOUS!!!!

So the question really is: HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN??? I am sure there are many answers so I will start with the first thing that came to my mind:

Who hired this person? Where was management? Does this person work in a vacuum? I ran a small business once and I couldn't imagine what I would have done if one of my employees did something that stupid. But my employees were better than that… I think. So how could I (as a business owner or manager) ensure that this never happens? Would a simple screening or test prior to employment identified that this employee has a severe weakness and should NEVER be in a position to spell, write, take orders, deal with customers, etc.???

just a thought…

Posted October 31st, 2007 by Harry Glazer - Posted in Customer Service, Human Resources | | 4 Comments

Wanted: New Employee Willing to Lose a Limb

Here's what I see:  over 25% of work-related injuries happen to workers on the job less than 90 days, and many of those injuries are severe.   My assumption is that those workers are not fully trained, they are not given proper equipment, they are not properly supervised…or it was a bad hire to begin with!  Is it my imagination, or should employers invest more time and effort in the proper training and orientation of new employees?

Posted October 26th, 2007 by Kym - Posted in Workers' Comp | | 0 Comments

Increase Profits by Losing Your Customers

Do you have those customers that call all the time, ask too many questions, and demand too much time?  Just go ahead and fire them!  When you take a closer look at how much time and money you spend trying to satisfy their needs, are they really worth servicing?  By getting rid of the unprofitable clients you have, you could make one of the smartest business moves there is, freeing up time and resources.  

The example given in an article from Businessweek.com stated, “Yes, breaking up may be hard to do, but when a client is costing you money or making you crazy, it can be a smart move.  Severing unprofitable or exhausting relationships can, after the initial fallout, boost your company’s revenues.” 

To clarify a little, the article isn’t saying to just fire off customers that are time consuming and irritating,  because a loss of revenue could sink the company perhaps.  Take a closer look at how much time and what resources are being used to service your clients.  I like to go by the saying, is the juice worth the squeeze?

Posted October 24th, 2007 by admin - Posted in Customer Service, Human Resources | | 1 Comments

Hilarious Forwarded E-mails Build Camaraderie

Everyone has done it once for sure, sent the e-mail forward of the funny pictures and witty sayings.   You know the ones I'm talking about.  The car that got run over by a semi, or the house that was destroyed by a boulder, or the better yet, the person who is caught in an embarrassing situation.   Did you ever think that sending these types of e-mails can actually be productive in the workplace?  

I found an article on CNN.com that backs my theory.   It says, "A lot of times your relationship with a co-worker will border on friendship, By sending a co-worker something humorous you are building camaraderie."  Also, she went on to say, "In any relationship, sending the e-mails is a way to reduce awkwardness and provide a context for starting a conversation.  It's an excuse to talk to people you don't talk to every day, and it's a way of building up social capital," Bruckman said. 

Most companies don't want their employees wasting company time sending e-mail forwards, and I don't blame them.  But would it really hurt the company if they are improving relations with fellow employees?  Providing a better working community and environment for your employees can make a big difference between having energized, motivated employees and having the office be a dreaded chore. 

Posted October 19th, 2007 by admin - Posted in Human Resources | | 2 Comments

Is a College Educated Employee a Good Thing?

Flexible schedules, advancement opportunities, changing departments within the company, increased compensation/responsibility; these are a few of the changes employers are going to have to make to attract and keep the next generation employees.    Tamara Erickson, consultant in Massachusetts and author of Workforce Crisis: How to Beat the Coming Shortage of Skills and Talent, said "If you want to hire college-educated, you're going to be completely screwed, because there are not going to be enough college-educated people by a long stretch of the imagination.  You've got to really be a best-in-class employer." With the Baby Boomers phasing out of the workforce and the Generation Y crew beginning to step in to the helm, businesses are learning quickly that the rules of employment have shifted.  The old ways of business are on the outs.  A text messaging, IPOD listening, fast moving group has made their way into workplaces all over.    Hiring long-term employees might be a thing of the past.  The new Generation Y employees are looking to get exactly what they want out of an employer, or they will leave and find one that will. Another excerpt from an article in the Arizona Republic says, "If you look at the world many boomers entered, it's very hierarchical," Erickson said. "That's not really interesting to Y's. They want to be judged on their own capabilities. They don't want to be told they can't take the challenge now." The Generation Y’s consist of anyone born between the year 1977 and 1991.The are a highly confident and technically skilled group of up and comers.    

Are you bracing yourself, if you’re an employeer?  Are these types of changes going to help or hurt your company’s culture?   

Posted October 12th, 2007 by admin - Posted in Recruiting | | 0 Comments

Understanding the New Arizona Immigration Law

Should all business owners be scrambling to make sure that they are in compliance with the new Arizona immigration laws, or just wait around to see if it ever fully integrates itself within Arizona businesses? Isn’t that the question of the last few months? Well, I guess the safe thing to do is to just be prepared for whatever happens. CBR is out to help all Arizona businesses prepare and be knowledgeable in the wake of Governor Napolitano’s signing of the new legislation. Under this new law, officially titled the Legal Arizona Worker's Act (HB 2779), Arizona employers and companies with employees in Arizona will face severe penalties for failing to comply. Lunch and Learn: Understanding the New Arizona Immigration Law is the seminar developed by CBR for their clients and all Arizona businesses to better understand the new roles and requirements of employers. RSVP now to have a seat reserved for you and your Arizona business. Its better to be safe than sorry!

Posted October 3rd, 2007 by admin - Posted in Immigration | | 0 Comments