August – 2011

Goodbye COBRA: Today’s the Day That Federal Subsidies Run Out

by John Hollon on Aug 31, 2011, 1:10 PM | 1 comment

You knew this day was coming: It’s the day that federal COBRA subsidies for unemployed workers runs out.

As a blog post at The New Republic put it:

Some Americans who lost their jobs in the recession are about to lose something else: Their access to affordable health insurance. And it’s thanks to the same backwards thinking that’s preventing broader action to boost the economy.

Ever since February 2009, the federal government has been subsidizing COBRA premiums. COBRA is the program that allows people to keep their job-based insurance even when they lose their jobs. The premiums tend to be very expensive, particularly for people out of work, so the subsidies make a big difference.” Read more…

HR Basics, HR Management

Rookie Manager Mistakes: How to Avoid Them — Even If You Aren’t a Rookie

by John Hollon on Aug 31, 2011, 12:10 PM | No comments yet

It’s been a long time since I first became a manager, but I remember the experience clearly because it was back when you simply got thrown into a management role and were expected to learn while doing it — the business equivalent of learning to swim by jumping in the deep end of the pool.

Needless to say, this isn’t the best way to produce good managers. It wasn’t good then, and it certainly isn’t good now. I’m glad I have solid managerial instincts and survived.

That’s why this article over at our sister website ERE is such a good one — Rookie Mistakes That Even Tenured Managers Make, and How to Avoid Them! — because all too many of us have been there and done that.

I had my first shot at management last year, and like every newly promoted doe-eyed employee I was on a quest to be the best manager ever! However, I had no management experience and no playbook as to how I was going to go about winning over my team. Read more…

HR Basics, HR Management

5 Rules For Giving Solid Employee Feedback That Works

by Kimberly Roden on Aug 31, 2011, 11:10 AM | No comments yet

When we talk about communication in the form of feedback at work, both managers and employees tend to get anxious and basic conversations quickly become burdensome and uncomfortable.

In my post, Did you mean to say it that way? I wrote about how we communicate and the importance of being genuine vs. scripted.

With a bit of practice and some simple guidelines, the feedback conversations people normally dread can take place much easier. Practice doesn’t always make us perfect but it will surely make the process easier. Before hitting the topics, it’s important to remember that preparation is key.

We’re working with humans who have minds of their own that are filled with opinions. It’s reasonable to have a dialog and anticipate any follow-up questions that may arise for an effective discussion. Notice it’s about having a discussion – when people are speaking to each other – not at each other. Read more…

HR Insights, Rewards & Recognition

Three Reasons You Should Rethink the Hand-Written Thank You Note

by Derek Irvine on Aug 31, 2011, 9:50 AM | 5 Comments

People know I’m in the “thank you” business. It’s my job (and my pleasure) to help organizations get better at expressing appreciation for the efforts of their employees.

Because people know my line of work, I’m often asked about my opinion on the handwritten thank-you note.

I’m of two opinions. In personal life, it’s appropriate and quite thoughtful to send a handwritten, detailed thank you note. In the world of business however, handwritten thank you notes present several challenges. Read more…

HR News & Trends, Legal Issues

Labor Relations Board Delivers a Three-Punch Knockout for Unions

by Eric B. Meyer on Aug 31, 2011, 9:25 AM | No comments yet

By Eric B. Meyer

Yesterday, the National Labor Relations Board issued three very union-friendly opinions that could have an effect on the way you conduct business.

In Lamons Gasket Company, the Board (3-1) decided that if an employer voluntarily recognizes a union as a collective bargaining representative for a particular unit of the workforce, then employees in that bargaining unit must wait at least six months to file a decertification petition. Previously, under Dana Corp., the Board allowed for an immediate challenge to the union’s status by 30 percent of employees or a rival union.

In a scathing dissent, Member Brian Hayes criticized the majority’s “purely ideological policy choice,” as disturbing Board precedent that was reasonably designed to effect a “‘finer balance’ of interests that better protects employee free choice.” Read more…

TLNT Radio

Today on TLNT Radio: Employee Engagement is About the Simple Stuff

by Lance Haun on Aug 31, 2011, 8:55 AM | No comments yet

Editor’s note: We will be continuing the TLNT Radio show in podcast format rather than on BlogTalkRadio. New episodes will be posted here at TLNT every week. Make sure you subscribe to TLNT and get our daily newsletter for the latest, or subscribe to our podcast in iTunes to automatically get updates.

Employee engagement is a topic fresh on everyone’s mind. While there may be some best practices out there, nobody is really sure how to do it the right way for their organization.

Our guest this week, former Martha Stewart Living Vice President for HR & Organizational Development Ron Thomas, told TLNT Radio there are two simple ways to keep a pulse on employee engagement and some easy ways to get the most out of informal engagement exercises.

How to Stay Front, Center, and Visible — Even When You Work Remotely

by Patty Azzarello on Aug 31, 2011, 7:37 AM | 2 Comments

Many people have asked me recently how to build your personal brand and get positive visibility when you work remotely and no one can see you!

Organizations are changing so much and so frequently that many people have never met their boss or their peers. Many companies right now have zero-travel policy for internal travel.

So many people find themselves trying to build their credibility and their career without every getting face time with their stakeholders. If you are a remote employee trying to exert your influence on the business, you can feel invisible, isolated, and powerless.

And no one can see how truly impressive you are in your slippers. Read more…

Benefits

6 Tips for Getting Employees to Better Utilize Preventive Health Care

by Liz Rowell on Aug 30, 2011, 12:30 PM | 1 comment

“I’m here because my father got cancer,” I said to the doctor at my first annual check up in almost four years. She was running about 40 minutes behind.

“He didn’t get his regular check ups, so they caught his cancer at an advanced stage,” I continued with some conviction. She nodded and told me to come back the next day at 8 a.m. — after fasting — to get blood drawn.

What? Why not right now? Didn’t she know how hard it was to get time off work plus a babysitter so I could get to this appointment? Does it surprise you to know that — two years later — I’m still thinking about the lab work I need to do? Read more…

HR News & Trends, Talent Management

Savings From Remote Work: One State Could Save $1.5 Billion a Year

by John Hollon on Aug 30, 2011, 11:10 AM | 1 comment

When it comes to telework and remote working arrangements, one of the toughest things to get your hands around is how much money doing it actually saves.

Leaders in telework — such as IBM, which reportedly saves $100 million annually with it its North America sales and distribution unit alone — report some pretty impressive savings, but that still hasn’t convinced a lot of organizations (like one I used to work for) that it makes sense and is economically feasible.

Well, for organizations like that, I have a question: would $1.5 billion in savings due to telework change your mind? That’s what the state of California (which sadly needs all the help it can get) can reportedly save, per year, by letting employees work from home two days per week. Read more…

HR Insights, Talent Management

Sometimes, You Need a Little Different Perspective About Your Workforce

by Derek Irvine on Aug 30, 2011, 9:50 AM | 1 comment

Charlie-Watts-singer-Mick-Jagger-and-musician-Keith-Richards

Perspective on the workforce seems more necessary now than ever as the market enters another downward cycle yet companies have already cut their workforce to the bone. In such an atmosphere, it’s important to keep perspective – especially these two facets.

Seth Godin recently told this story about the Rolling Stones:

Keith Richards tells a great story about Charlie Watts, legendary drummer for the Stones.

After a night of drinking, Mick saw Charlie asleep and yelled, “Is that my drummer? Why don’t you get your arse down here?” Read more…

Goodbye COBRA: Today’s the Day That Federal Subsidies Run Out

Rookie Manager Mistakes: How to Avoid Them — Even If You Aren’t a Rookie

5 Rules For Giving Solid Employee Feedback That Works

Three Reasons You Should Rethink the Hand-Written Thank You Note

Labor Relations Board Delivers a Three-Punch Knockout for Unions

Today on TLNT Radio: Employee Engagement is About the Simple Stuff

How to Stay Front, Center, and Visible — Even When You Work Remotely

6 Tips for Getting Employees to Better Utilize Preventive Health Care

Savings From Remote Work: One State Could Save $1.5 Billion a Year

Sometimes, You Need a Little Different Perspective About Your Workforce

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