Archive for the 'Employee Retention' Category

I recently talked with Katherine Crowley and Kathi Elster, co-authors of “Working for You Isn’t Working for Me: The Ultimate Guide to Managing Your Boss.” Katherine, a Harvard-trained psychotherapist, and Kathi, a management consultant, run K Squared Enterprises in NYC, running lectures and workshops and consulting with managers and executives about workplace relationships. “Working for You Isn’t Working for Me” serves as a handbook for employees struggling to deal with a difficult boss–but there is much that bosses can learn from this book, too.

During our conversation, we covered everything from boss attitudes in our current economy, to recognizing and understanding employee coping tactics, to the severe lack of communication in today’s workplace, to the one thing bosses need to do right now to become better employers–and more. Read on for interview Part I (of three):

• Posted by: Amy Chulik on October 14, 2009
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• Categories: Economy, Employee Engagement, Employee Retention, Employer Advice, Leadership Development

We’ve been struggling through a recession, and over the past year, many things have changed. One thing, however, remains the same: Employees will call in sick, and they will sometimes not really be sick. Yes, I’m talking about that unspeakable action: They will lie. CareerBuilder has just released 2009’s survey about the most unusual excuses for missing work, which included more than 4,700 workers and 3,100 employers. Turns out nearly one-third of the workers surveyed have called in sick to work when they were well at least once.

As in 2008’s most unusual sick excuses, this year’s list is spotted with strange animal injuries, other bouts with nature or pedestrians, and questionable friendships, as well many head-shakers, like “I accidentally hit a nun with my motorcycle.” In a new twist, however, this year’s survey results are reflective of the effect of our tough economic climate, as 28 percent of employers think more employees have been absent with fake excuses due to increased stress and burnout due to the recession.

Here are 2009’s Most Unusual Excuses for Missing Work:

• Posted by: Amy Chulik on October 8, 2009
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• Categories: Employee Engagement, Employee Retention, Survey Results

If a boss has sex with a subordinate, and no one’s around to exploit it, does it make a sound?

Had it not been for the extortion plot against David Letterman by a former CBS employee, the world might never have known of Letterman’s affairs with female “Late Show” staffers. Now, of course, the media are weighing in on the scandal and the rules regarding sex in the workplace. 

But why should the media have all the fun? I’d like to hear your take on all of this…

On the one hand Continue Reading…

• Posted by: Mary Lorenz on October 7, 2009
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• Categories: Employee Retention

Have you been overhearing your employees talking about living on ramen (not that there’s anything wrong with that) and refreshing the computer screen a hundred times a day to spot the exact moment that paycheck deposits? That may not come as a huge shock, but current worker struggles may be deeper and more common than you realize.

As we continue to experience the effects of a sluggish economy, many workers are struggling with household budgets. A whopping 61 percent of workers report they always or usually live paycheck to paycheck just to make ends meet, up from 49 percent last year and 43 percent in 2007, according to a new nationwide survey of more than 4,400 workers by CareerBuilder. Thirty percent of workers with salaries of $100,000 or more report that they too live paycheck to paycheck, up from 21 percent in 2008.

So, how are workers getting by?

• Posted by: Amy Chulik on September 22, 2009
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• Categories: Economy, Employee Retention, Survey Results

It’s been well over seven hours and 15 days since “Project Runway” took its love away from Bravo.

Now that the Emmy-nominated reality show about fashion designers has moved to a new home on Lifetime, Bravo executives are struggling to fill the void the network’s highest rated reality show left behind – a struggle that any manager who has ever had to say goodbye to a great employee – for whatever reason – can identify with.

Continue Reading…

• Posted by: Mary Lorenz on September 3, 2009
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• Categories: Employee Engagement, Employee Retention

In CareerBuilder’s recent interview with Ben Roth, founder and chief executive officer of Roth Staffing Companies, L.P., Ben revealed his thoughts on the “three circles of the hedgehog,” his advice to other companies on how to create a values-driven company, the importance of his company’s “Ambassadors” in driving employee engagement, and more.

Continue Reading…

• Posted by: Amy Chulik on August 26, 2009
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• Categories: CareerBuilder Leadership Series, Employee Attraction, Employee Engagement, Employee Retention, Employer Advice, Leadership Development