 |
 CDHRA News.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
First-Time SHRM members who join before July 15, 2005 will receive a $15 discount on their first year's membership dues. Join SHRM
[ Top ]
SHRM On-line 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.
Outsourcing - Going All The Way?As companies reconsider options for outsourcing payroll services, the question remains whether to move out all of payroll or just certain parts. [ More ] (SHRM Members) |
Benefits - Bucking For Bonuses.The use of reward programs - offering both monetary and non monetary bonuses - is on the rise, a new SHRM survey finds. [ More ] (SHRM Members) |
Diversity - Lost In Translation.How can you effectively communicate policies, safety and in-house procedures to employees with limited English skills? [ More ] (SHRM Members) |
Research - Emotional Intelligence.Leaders who are emotionally intelligent tend to be more articulate and arouse enthusiasm for shared vision. [ More ] (SHRM Members) |
Research - Blended Learning.A new approach to e-learning combines the power and effectiveness of the classroom with the versatility of computer-based learning. [ More ] (SHRM Members) |
Compensation - Ready For Roth.Now is the time to start preparing for employer-provided Roth 401(k) plans, recently unveiled by the IRS. [ More ] (SHRM Members) |
White Papers - Limiting Liability.Directors' and officers' liability insurance is quickly becoming a common part of companies' risk management strategy. [ More ] (SHRM Members) |
Global - Evaluating Executive Pay.Employers worldwide are adopting executive compensation systems that are mindful of costs, investor concerns and strategic goals. [ More ] (SHRM Members) |
Consultants - Untangling Your Web Site.When potential clients visit an HR consultant's web sit, what they see should be what they get. [ More ] (SHRM Members) |
Five for HR - WORKPLACE DIVERSITY.
|
[ Top ]
SHRM Interactive.
| SHRM Web cast Series |
|---|
Essentials: FLSA, Six Months Later [ More ] |
Executive Diversity [ More ] |
What HR Should Know About E-Learning [ More ] |
HR Trends in Asia [ More ] |
[ Top ]
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.
EEOC Launches National Call Center Despite Concerns.The Equal Opportunity Commission launched its contractor-operated National Contact Center to help respond to the more than 1 million unsolicited calls the workplace rights enforcement agency receives each year. A federal employee union has protested, saying jobs were taken from federal workers and given to contractors. [ More ] |
Research Finds Short-Term Benefits in Forced Ranking.Forced ranking systems - in which a set percentage of an organization's workforce is fired every year - can improve firms' expected productivity, at least in the short term, according to new research. |
Report: Workers' Unhappiness Is Increasing.Only half of all working Americans are pleased with their jobs, down from nearly 59 percent in 1995, a Conference Board report found. Even among those who said they are content with their jobs, only 14 percent said they are "very satisfied." |
Anti-Harassment Training: Less Is . . . Less.Employers who are geared up to comply with the new California law requiring two hours of sexual harassment training for supervisors may think they're sitting pretty, but if that's all the anti-harassment training they're planning to do, they may be in for a rude awakening. |
Choice of Providers Key to Health Costs.Employers can reduce their health care costs by working with health plan partners to choose providers that offer more-effective care, according to research that reveals that some providers may be "over treating" patients to no recognizable health benefit, causing patients to pay more than they need to. |
[ Top ]
Track Recertification Hours Online.
Now keeping tract of recertification hours is even easier! HRCI (Human Resource Certification Institute) announced the launch of their new online recertification system in mid April. The system provides a personal recertification file so you can keep track of all your recertification activities online in one secure place. No more overflowing folders or misplaced course completion materials. Everything you need is in one place: www.hrci.org. If you have questions about the online recertification system please call HRCI at 866.898.4724 or email them at info@hrci.org.
[ Top ]
Top Ten People Skills. How to get along on every job.
No matter what kind of work you do, there are 10 basic people skills that everyone needs to get along with co-workers on the job:
- Show patience and understanding. Give others the benefit of the doubt whenever possible, and be patient about mistakes—your own and others’.
- Listen carefully. Focus on people when they’re speaking. Don’t think about what you’re going to say next, and don’t interrupt.
- Communicate clearly and assertively. Speak up for yourself and your ideas. Be courteous and respectful of others while still having the self-confidence to be clear and direct
- Be reliable and accountable. Keep your promises and accept responsibility for your actions. If people can’t count on you, they’re not going to want to work with you.
- Accept criticism without taking it personally. Instead of getting angry, ask for clarification. You might learn something useful. If not, thank them for their input anyway.
- Accept praise and recognition graciously. Don’t crow, and don’t boast. Savor your victory privately.
- Give positive feedback. Let co-workers know when they’re doing a good job. Compliment them sincerely on their achievements. When you see something that could use improvement, offer constructive criticism, using the sandwich technique:
(1) Begin with a positive comment.
(2) Insert your criticism gently.
(3) End on a positive note. - Be a team player. Cooperate with co-workers. Help them when you can. Accept their help when you need it. Don’t hog the ball, and don’t let the team down.
- Deal with conflict promptly and effectively. Face interpersonal problems right away, and negotiate a mutually satisfactory settlement. Bring in a third party, such as a respected co-worker or your supervisor, to mediate disputes you can’t settle on your own.
- Share. Be generous. Share information, credit, opportunities, etc. Also be courageous. Accept your fair share of the burdens, failures, and mistakes.
[ Top ]
Three Basics for Getting Along With Co-Workers.
Here are the three basic elements that are the foundation for all your people skills:
- Self-knowledge. The better you know yourself — what you think, how you feel, what you believe — the better you’ll be able to understand others.
- Understanding. Put yourself in your co- workers' place. Walk a mile in their shoes.
- Interpersonal problem solving. No relationship between people is ever without conflict. Instead of butting heads, learn how to influence, persuade, and motivate others.
[ Top ]
Ingredients for Successful Communication.
Since we are essentially verbal creatures, communication is at the heart of getting along with others. Effective communication requires you to use your whole body:
- Brain. Think before you speak and choose positive words.
- Eyes. Maintain comfortable eye contact while you speak.
- Ears. Keep your ears open to listen when others speak.
- Mouth. Speak clearly and slowly. Smile from time to time.
- Hands. Use your hands to emphasize points (downward motion), express uncertainty or regret (palms up), or encourage patience or restraint (hands up, palms
out).[ Top ]
Do You Know What Is In Your Credit Report?
A recent amendment to the Fair Credit Reporting Act means that you’ll be able to get free credit reports once a year. By September 1, all Americans can request a free report at www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 877-322-8228.
You need to know what information your credit report contains because consumer reporting companies sell this information to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home.
For more information, you can get a copy of a brochure titled Your Access to Free Credit Reports at: www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/ freereports.htm..
[ Top ]
Don't Get Burned!
June is Cancer from the Sun Month because summer begins now and the summer sun’s rays are most damaging to unprotected skin. How safe are you? To find out, answer these True/False questions.
| Sunscreens labeled 15 and higher don’t protect you against all the sun’s rays. | T |
F |
| Suntans are a sign of skin damage. | T |
F |
| Sunscreens should be used on cloudy days | T |
F |
| Some medications can make your skin sensitive to the sun. | T |
F |
| Even casual exposure to sunlight like driving a car, walking to the store, or taking an outdoor lunch break can expose you to the risk of skin cancer. | T |
F |
All of these statements are true.
[ Top ]
Give and Take. Six tips or negotiating anything with anybody.
To be a successful negotiator, you must:
- Know your objectives. What do you hope to achieve? What would you consider a win?
- Understand the other person’s objectives. What does the other person really want and why?
- Anticipate the other person’s moves. If you know the person well, it’s like playing poker with a buddy. If you don’t, you have to be extra sharp and pay attention to clues.
- Know your options. How important is each issue to be negotiated? What are the trade offs? What other options do you have? Maybe you can get what you want someplace else from someone else.
- Determine your settlement range. The settlement range lies between the most you can expect and least you can expect from the negotiation. For example, if you’re negotiating the price of a new car and the dealer is asking $18,000 and you don’t want to pay more than $15,000, your settlement range is somewhere between $15,000 and $18,000 — the closer to $15,000 the better.
- Know your walk-away point. As the song says, “you gotta know when to hold ’em, and know when to fold ’em.” Before you enter any negotiation, have a clear idea of under what circumstances you’d rather walk than continue negotiating.
[ Top ]
Telephone PR. How do you answer the phone?
When you answer the phone at work, do you:
- Keep in mind that the caller judges the company by how you handle the call?
- Greet the caller and introduce yourself (name, company, department, title)?
- State your willingness to help?
- Monitor your tone of voice?
- Warm and friendly tone (not bored, impatient, or hostile)
- Conversational, yet professional
- Clear so that every word can be distinctly understood
- Moderate, varied pace (not too fast, not a monotone)
- Moderate volume (not mumbling or too loud)
- Address the caller professionally and courteously?
- Learn and use the caller’s name.
- Use a title (Mr./Ms.) unless you already have a personal relationship.
- Demonstrate interest and concern for the caller’s time and business?
- Let the caller state the reason for the call without interrupting.
- Quickly obtain any necessary information (without keeping the caller waiting on hold too long).
- Promptly transfer callers who need to speak with someone else.
- Take accurate and complete messages when calls are for your supervisor or co-workers (date, time, name and other identifying information, reason for call, good time to return call, etc.).
[ Top ]
Project Management. How to handle last minute changes.
Take advantage of any opportunities to head up a special project on the job. You can learn a lot and get a chance to demonstrate your skills. But always remember to expect the unexpected. Last minute changes and adjustments can drive you nuts, but they usually go with the territory. Here’s how to cope:
- Quickly estimate the impact of changes and adjustments. All changes, no matter how small, have an effect on some aspect of a project — the schedule, the budget, or team morale, to name a few. You need to know what effect changes and adjustments will have and be prepared to respond appropriately.
- Communicate changes to everyone involved. When you announce changes, explain why they are necessary. This will help overcome natural human resistance to change.
- Keep the project goal firmly in mind. Don’t let the project get thrown off course by changes. You don’t want to get near the end of the project and find that because of numerous changes along the way you are no longer headed for the original goal.
- Document changes and adjustments to the original plan. Incorporate them into the unfolding project plan.
- Get major changes approved by your supervisor before you proceed.
[ Top ]
Fire Safety. Follow these tips to prevent fires.
Fire is always a risk in the workplace. That’s because the three key ingredients of a fire — fuel, oxygen, and heat or ignition sources — are found in all work areas.
Here’s what you can do to prevent workplace fires:
- Practice good housekeeping to keep fuels away from heat. Dispose of combustible waste promptly and properly. Keep combustible materials away from heat, lights, machinery, and other ignition sources.
- Follow fire safety rules. Smoke only in designated areas and extinguish cigarettes, pipes, etc., as well as matches, carefully.
- Identify and take precautions with flammable substances. Check labels and material safety data sheets (MSDSs) to identify flammables. Keep them in approved airtight containers, and treat empty containers like full ones unless they are purged. Clean up spills and leaks immediately. Use flammables only in well-ventilated areas away from ignition sources.
- Use and maintain electrical equipment properly. Keep machines and motors well lubricated and clear of dust and grease. Replace worn or damaged cords and wires. Don’t overload circuits, motors, or outlets.
- Prevent fires that result from chemical reactions. Read labels and MSDSs to make sure you don’t store or use incompatible chemical substances together.
[ Top ]
Leaking Cash?
Does your wallet seem to have a hole in it? Didn’t you just go to the ATM yesterday? Where did all that money go? Many people ask those questions these days, with prices going up and the summer spending season on the doorstep.
What can you do? Financial experts recommend keeping track of your spending. Get yourself a pocket notebook at the dollar store and for a couple of weeks, write down everything — and that means every single thing! — you spend money on.
Or get receipts for everything, collect them all in a box, and add them up at the end of your recordkeeping period. You may be surprised to find out where your money is really going. Are you spending it on things you need, or are you squandering some on unnecessary stuff?
[ Top ]
Looking for ways to save $$$?
Here are four money-saving tips:
- Car. Raise the deductible on your collision insurance to at least $500.
- Home. Turn down the AC a few notches and use fans to circulate the air.
- Vacation travel. Check for specials on airfares, hotels, car rentals, etc. Special deals aren’t always advertised. You can usually save on airfare if you buy in advance and include a Saturday stay over.
- Medications. Always compare generic drugs and health products to brand names. If the ingredients are the same (and they usually are), buy the much cheaper generic.
[ Top ]
Celebrate Let It Go Day
Let It Go Day (June 23) was created by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Pennsylvania. In their own words, “Whatever it is that is bugging you, drop it! It’s only eating away at you and providing nothing positive.”
Good advice! Why not pick one or two of those bugs you’ve been bothered by all year and LET THEM GO!
[ Top ]
How to be more persuasive.
Want to persuade someone to agree with you? Tell them a story.
Douglas Mishkin and Alyssa Senzel, employment lawyers with the firm of Patton Boggs in Washington, DC, urge you to do what savvy teachers, preachers, and parents do: Instead of nagging, tell a story. Engage your listener in a true and entertaining tale to make your points easier to take and to remember.
- If you want to persuade a co-worker to do something your way, tell a story from your experience about how your way has been successful or how another way failed.
- If you want to persuade your teenager not to smoke, tell him or her about your own (or a friend’s) experiences with smoking and why you finally quit.
It may not always work, but what do you have to lose?
[ Top ]
QUOTES.
"The secret of happiness is not in doing what one likes, but in liking what one does."
— James Barrie
"Be the change you want to see in the world."
— Mahatma Gandhi
"All progress is based upon a universal innate desire on the part of every living organism
to live beyond its income." — Samuel Butler
"Most people can trace their success and failures to the relationships in their lives."
— John C. Maxwell[ Top ]
Review Your Progress. Conduct a job performance self-audit.
At least twice a year it’s a good idea to take stock of where you are and where you’re going on the job. Use following questions to conduct your own unofficial performance audit. Write your answers down.
Performance Objectives:
- What were your job goals for the past 6 months?
Achievements:
- Which of your job goals have you achieved?
- What have you done during the past 6 months that you are especially proud of?
Problems:
- Did you experience any problems on the job during the past 6 months? If yes, briefly describe.
- What actions did you take to resolve these problems?
- Did any of these problems keep you from achieving job goals? If so, which goals and why?
Future Performance Objectives:
- What would you like to achieve on the job during the next 6 months?
[ Top ]
Coping with differences. People skills for a diverse workplace.
Increasing diversity in the U.S. population brings people together on the job from different cultures, races, and national origins. Getting along with co-workers from different backgrounds can be a challenge. Co-workers may have different:
- Work ethics.
- Beliefs and ways of thinking.
- Styles of expression.
- Ideas about acceptable behavior.
- Attitudes about disagreement.
- Approaches to decision making.
Given all these differences, it’s not surprising that misunderstandings may occur. What can you do to improve interpersonal relationships in a diverse workplace?
- Avoid stereotyping. Avoid making generalizations about people who are different from you.
- Search for ways to break down barriers. Fundamentally, people are people the world around. Focus on what’s the same, respect the differences.
- Don’t assume your way is the right way. Be open to other possibilities. One of the strengths of a diverse workplace is that it brings together people with different ways of perceiving and solving problems.
- Help co-workers understand your point of view. Explain your ideas clearly and concisely. Offer reasons for why you think the way you do.
[ Top ]