CDHRA AUGUST 2005 Newsletter |
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Harvest Season Begins!
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CDHRA News
SHRM Online - Highlights
SHRM Interactive - Webcast Series
On the Web - HR News
Drive Wise Quiz
Preventable Accidents
Plan for Safety
Heat Illness
Making Teams Work
Good for You!
Inventions and Inventors
Delete Work Station Woes
Arrive Alive
Brain Power
Know Your Benefits
Eye On Performance
CDHRA News
Kim Peek, the real "Rain Man," is coming to CDHRA's October 11th membership gathering. The real-life Rain Man is not autistic, nor is he a savant. In fact, he is considered a megasavant. Though Kim's motor skills are impaired, along with some of his capacities for logic, he has a nearly photographic memory and it is estimated that he has read nearly 8,000 books. Kim has responded to the attention and exposure that came with the movie "Rain Man" by coming out of his private world and taking up a role as a spokesman for those who have disabilities. The details of his appearance and the actual meeting notice are forthcoming.
For information about one of Kim's past personal presentations see this Sunday, July 09, 2000, Pitsburgh Post-Gazette article By Dennis B. Roddy, Post-Gazette Staff Writer [ Click Here ].
Additional information about Kim and savant syndrome is available from the Wisconsin Medical Society's Website [ Click Here ].
* Images are Copyright of Darold A. Treffert, M.D., and Wisconson Medical Society.
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SHRM Online Highlights.
For the latest HR information, resources and reference material, visit www.shrm.org.
NOTE: SHRM membership may be a requirement for access to these articles.
Global - Tips for Effective Internships (SHRM Members)
Implementation is just one of the challenges faced by employers creating global internship programs. [ More ] |
Global - Spain Steps Up Training (SHRM Members)
A governmental initiative in Spain is helping employers retrain the nation's workforce. [ More ] |
Measurements - The Big Tent (SHRM Members)
Success in human capital measurement occurs only if departments outside of HR are involved. [ More ] |
Benefits - Get Well(ness) Soon (SHRM Members)
Here's how one company incorporated wellness into the fabric of its organization -- and yielded significant savings in health insurance costs. [ More ] |
Benefits - Four-Legged Dependents (SHRM Members)
Pet insurance is offered as a voluntary benefit by a growing number of employers, who negotiate a group rate and require interested employees to pay the premium. [ More ] |
Outsourcing - In Search of Metrics(SHRM Members)
As organizations undertake efforts to transform HR operations, inadequacies in the ability to measure HR performance are becoming more glaring. [ More ] |
Research - Do You See What I See?(SHRM Members)
A new study examines how perceptions of organizational communication differ from the perspectives of human resource professionals and employees. [ More ] |
Research - HR's Future (SHRM Members)
What issues will HR be grappling with 10 years from now? [ More ]
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Technology - New FSA Rules, New Headaches (SHRM Members)
Employers may need to update systems to let users take advantage of extended medical flexible spending accounts spend-dopwns. [ More ] |
Training - The Fourth Revolution (SHRM Members)
After the agricultural, industrial and information revolutions, what's next for U.S. businesses? [ More ] |
Training - Testing the Test (SHRM Members)
A number of factors must be weighed when identifying screening tests for job applicants. [ More ] |
Law - SOX and Fraud (SHRM Members)
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act is one of the most significant new employement law remedies enacted in many years. And where there are employee remedies, there must be employter prevention. [ More ] |
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SHRM Interactive
SHRM Webcast Series
(SHRM Members) |
Guide to DOL Compliance Programs [ More ] (SHRM Members) |
Discrimination Law Update [ More ] (SHRM Members) |
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On the Web
For more news and updates on these and other stories, see the online version of HR News visit www.shrm.org/hrnews.
Questions About Arbitration Agreements Remain Unanswered
A number of things have become clear in the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Courts's decision in EEOC vs. Waffle House nearly three years ago, but other issues are as murky as ever. What are an employer's options when a current or potential employee refuses to sign an arbitration agreement? What should be included in those agreements, anyway?
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Communication Poll Points Out differences in HR, Employee Perceptions
An SHRM/CareerJournal.com poll reveals that the HR professionals and employees surveyed agree that their organizations so a good job of informing employees about goals or changes, but employees believe that leaders need to work on listening to employee suggestions. |
Don't Touch That Dial! Cold Office Air Chills Productivity
Cranking up the air conditioning may dial down productivity and cost employers money, according to a Cornell University study that looked at the link between changes in physical environment and work performance. |
Disgraced Reporter Looks for HR Job
Remember Jayson Blair? Two years after he made headlines for fabricating quotes and plagiarizing articles while reporting for The New York Times, Blair reappeared in the news in June when several newspapers quoted him as saying he was looking for a job - in HR management. |
Survey: No Clear Consensus On Noncompete Agreements
Organizations appear evenly divided on whether to require employees to sign noncompete agreements, according to an SHRM online survey, depending on how competitive their industries are. Confidentiality agreements may be a better choice, experts said. |
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Drive Wise Quiz. Are you a safe, defensive driver?
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Defensive driving means looking out for yourself and the other driver. Check your driving know-how by marking True (T) or False (F) for these statements.
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1. |
Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of accidental death in America both on and off the job. |
T |
F |
2. |
The safe distance between two vehicles at night is 2 seconds. |
T |
F |
3. |
When you come to a stop sign and there is no other vehicle approaching, it is safe to simply slow and proceed. |
T |
F |
4. |
If you have the right of way, it is safe to assume that other drivers will yield to you. |
T |
F |
5. |
When passing, you should cut back into the right lane immediately after overtaking the other vehicle. |
T |
F |
6. |
If you have to make or take a phone call or read a map, slow down and keep one hand on the wheel. |
T |
F |
7. |
Be extra cautious in heavy traffic or around road construction. |
T |
F |
8. |
The prohibition against drinking or taking drugs and driving does not include prescription drugs or over-the-counter remedies. |
T |
F |
9. |
Part of safe vehicle maintenance is to regularly check tire pressure. |
T |
F |
10. |
If everyone else is exceeding the speed limit, you are more likely to have an accident if you don't keep up with them. |
T |
F |
Answers:
(1) True.
(2) At night increase the distance to 4 seconds.
(3) False. Come to a full stop at stop signs.
(4) False. Never assume that drivers will yield right of way. Yield to other drivers who are determined to get there first, regardless of who is right.
(5) False. Wait until you see both headlights of the vehicle you are overtaking before cutting back in front.
(6) False. If you can't keep full attention on your driving, pull over.
(7) True.
(8) False. Some of these medicines can cause drowsiness and inattention. Check with your doctor or pharmacist.
(9) True.
(10) False. You're more likely to have an accident if you exceed safe speed limits for road and weather conditions. |
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Preventable Accidents
The U.S. Department of Transportation says that most motor vehicle accidents are preventable. For example:
Accidents at intersections can be prevented if you:
- Control speed so that you can stop quickly if necessary.
- Check cross-traffic and wait for it to clear before entering the intersection.
- Be careful when making turns in intersections.
- Watch out for other drivers making turns.
Sideswipes and head-on collisions can be prevented if you:
- Stay in your travel lane.
- Make sure you have enough room to pass another vehicle before pulling out.
- Keep a safe distance from parked vehicles and watch for people opening doors into your travel lane.
Rear-ending other vehicles can be prevented if you:
- Maintain a safe distance behind the vehicle in front.
- Keep track of traffic conditions ahead.
- Pay attention to your driving and keep your eyes on the road.
Passing accidents can be prevented if you:
- Pass only when road lines and signs say you can.
- Pass only when your view of the road ahead is unobstructed by hills, curves, trucks, etc.
- Signal lane changes.
- Allow sufficient clearance before pulling back in front of overtaken vehicle.
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Plan for Safety. Take these steps before you start any job
Safe work habits are a prime defense against injuries. One of the most important work habits is planning for safety before you start any job. Here's how:
1. Gather information. Check job procedures, read instructions and warnings, and gather any other data that will help you determine how to do the job safely and correctly. Ask your supervisor to clarify anything you don't understand.
2. Identify the hazards of the job and decide how you can either eliminate them or take precautions against them.
3. Think about anything that could go wrong while you work. By anticipating problems, you avoid being harmed by unexpected hazards.
4. Give yourself space to work. Remove any items from your workspace that could get in your way or create a hazard, such as tools and materials that you don't need for this job.
5. Inspect tools, equipment, and materials to make sure they are safe to use.
6. Inspect personal protective equipment (PPE) to make sure it's in good condition to protect you from the hazards of this job.
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HIGH TEMPERATURE + HIGH HUMIDITY + PHYSICAL WORK = HEAT ILLNESS
The U.S. Labor Department reminds you of the above formula during the dog days of August. Serious heat illness occurs when the body can’t cool itself through sweating. The most severe heat-induced illnesses are heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Untreated, heat exhaustion could progress to heat-stroke and possible death.
What Are the Symptoms?
- Headaches.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Weakness.
- Mood changes such as irritability, confusion, or the inability to think straight.
- Upset stomach or vomiting.
- Decreased or dark-colored urine.
- Fainting or passing out.
- Pale, clammy skin.
What Should You Do?
- Act immediately.
- Move the victim to a cool, shaded area to rest. Don’t leave the person alone. If symptoms include dizziness or light-headedness, lay the victim on his or her back and raise the legs 6 to 8 inches. If symptoms include nausea or upset stomach, lay the victim on his or her side.
- Loosen and remove heavy clothing.
- Have the person drink cool water every 15 minutes unless sick to the stomach.
- Cool the person’s body by fanning and spraying with a cool mist of water or applying a wet cloth to the person’s skin.
- Call 911 for emergency help if the person does not feel better in a few minutes.
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Making Teams Work. What qualities mark effective teams?
Many tasks and projects are best accomplished by teams whose members apply their diverse skills and abilities to a cooperative effort. To make teams work, you need to recognize the qualities that make a team effective.
Place a check mark before each statement that refers to an effective team. |
1. |
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Operates in a culture that emphasizes individual achievement. |
2. |
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Agrees on its purpose, goals, roles, and timetable. |
3. |
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Shares credit and avoids assigning blame. |
4. |
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Encourages members to voice only shared opinions and ideas. |
5. |
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Promotes equal participation by all. |
6. |
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Agrees that the team's work is worthwhile. |
7. |
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Is dominated by a strong leader. |
8. |
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Has, or can acquire, the information, equipment, and resources it needs. |
9. |
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Relies primarily on the skills of the most experienced members. |
10. |
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Is not limited to achieving any particular goals and objectives. |
11. |
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Is large enough so that only some members have to contribute. |
12. |
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Promotes communication, cooperation, and trust. |
Answers: Did you check numbers 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 12?
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Good for You! Motivate yourself to achieve your goals
Studies show that high expectations are usually met with high achievement. On the job, expectations translate into goals and objectives. To achieve a successful result, the goals you set for yourself must be:
- Reasonable - in balance with other aspects of your life such as family responsibilities and personal aspirations.
- Attainable - possible to achieve given your current skills, abilities, etc.
- Relevant - directly connected to performance requirements and standards.
- Challenging - capable of motivating you to work hard and advance without being so difficult that they lead to frustration and stagnation.
Setting appropriate goals is half the battle. The other half is motivating yourself to achieve them:
- Make it a mission. Commit to success.
- Focus on strengths. Use all your talents and capabilities.
- Ask for feedback. Feedback will help keep you on track.
- Roll with the punches. Take problems and setbacks in stride.
- Reward yourself for small achievements. You deserve it.
- Refuse to accept defeat. Keep going until you win.
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Inventions and Inventors
August is National Inventor's Month, which might prompt you to wonder about who invented some of the common items we take for granted today. For example:
- Windshield wipers? Invented by Mary Anderson from Alabama in 1903 so that streetcar drivers could see pedestrians and other vehicles on rainy days.
- Marshmallows? Believed to have been invented by the Egyptians some 3,000 years ago. They made a candy from the sweet, sticky root of the
mallow plant, which grows in marshes.
- Scissors? Another Egyptian invention, although it wasn't until Roman times that scissors were made with two crosscutting blades.
- Paper? Another Egyptian invention going back some 5,000 years, originally made from soaking and pressing papyrus leaves into thin sheets.
- Toilet paper? Invented by Joseph Gayetty in 1857. But it wasn't until the Scott brothers came along 10 years later that Gayetty's invention became a familiar household product.
- Chocolate chips? Invented by Ruth Wakefield, manager of the Toll House Inn in Massachusetts, who broke up bars of semi-sweet chocolate into her cookie batter and called the result Toll House cookies.
- Disposable diapers? Invented by mother and architect Marion Donovan in 1947. When she couldn't sell her invention to manufacturers she set up her own company in the early 1950s.
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Delete Workstation Woes. Sensible ergonomics for computer workers
California healthcare provider Kaiser Permanente gives these tips for creating an ergonomically correct workstation:
- Adjust chair height. Your feet should rest on the floor or on a footrest. Make sure your lower back is firmly supported by the chair's back support or use a posture aid such as a back support pillow.
- Arrange your workstation so that frequently used items can be reached without stretching or lifting.
- Adjust keyboard or chair height so that your forearms are parallel to the floor or tilted up slightly, and your wrists are straight and relaxed at the keyboard. Typing with bent or strained wrists may lead to pain and, over time, may cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Adjust lighting to avoid glare on your computer screen. Avoid eyestrain and headaches by positioning the top of the computer screen at eye level and adjusting the backlight on the screen and task lighting to avoid glare.
- Take micro-breaks every 10 minutes. While sitting at your workstation, drop your hands into your lap for 2 or 3 seconds. Take a deep breath. This will restore blood flow to your upper body. Take short stretch breaks every hour or two.
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Arrive Alive. Safe Driving Top 10
Make it to your destination safely by knowing how to respond to traffic conditions and other drivers. Here are 10 ways to arrive alive every time you drive:
- Keep your mind on your driving, your eyes on the road, and both your hands on the wheel. Pull over to take or make phone calls.
- Look ahead for changes in traffic or road conditions. If you see brake lights, slow down and be prepared to stop.
- Follow the "2-second rule" and stay at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle in front - more in bad weather and at night.
- Adjust your speed and driving to changing weather and traffic conditions.
- Yield to drivers who are determined to get there first.
- Keep checking your rearview and side mirrors for approaching traffic.
- Learn your vehicle's blind spots. Always turn your head and look for other vehicles before changing lanes.
- Expect the unexpected. Watch out for other drivers who speed up, slow down, pass, cut across lanes, or turn without signaling.
- Watch for sudden movements - like pedestrians, bicycles, or animals darting into the road in front of you.
- Take special precautions at night. Maintain a safe speed and stay at least 4 seconds behind the vehicle in front.
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Brain Power
Your brain is a powerful computer that stores and retrieves millions of pieces of information every day. Brain researchers tell us that we learn by associating new information with the information that's already stored in our brains.
When it comes to your work, take advantage of your considerable brain power to learn new skills and assimilate new information. Also use your brain power to deal with challenges by connecting them to what you already know - which is a lot.
Whenever you learn something on the job, link it to the things you already know - to all those experiences you've already had - and see how quickly you catch on.
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Know Your Benefits
The benefits you receive as an employee of your organization are extremely valuable and add significantly to your total compensation. In order to make the most of your benefits package, you need to know:
- Options and how to make informed choices.
- Terms and conditions of each benefit.
- Eligibility requirements to qualify for benefits.
- How to sign up for benefits.
- How to make changes.
- How to file claims.
When employees have questions about their benefits, they'll contact you in the Human Resources Department. Are you prepared to answer their quesitons?
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Eye on Performance. Focus on doing the best possible job
Here's how to perform at your best every day:
- Understand what's expected of you. For every task you perform, know the desired result (goals and objectives), specific responsibilities, and timetables
- Know how your job fits in to the big picture. Seeing how your job relates to others puts it in context and ensures cooperation and a smooth workflow.
- Understand applicable standards. This means knowing quality standards as well as performance measurements.
- Review job instructions to make sure you understand them. Ask questions if there's anything you don't understand. If problems or questions arise as you work, check with your supervisor right away.
- Make sure you have the resources to do a good job. Get the right equipment, materials, and information to do a good job.
- Give and receive feedback. Keep track of your progress by touching base with your supervisor regularly and discussing how the work is going
- Review your performance. When the job is done, take a minute to review your performance. What did you do well? What needs improvement? What additional training or information would help you do even better next time?
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