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The Hiring Site

Category: Employer Advice

5 Things New Leaders Can Learn from Conan O’Brien

June 2, 2009

conan_o_brienNo, really… After scanning some of the reviews from last night’s premiere of “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” while waiting for my morning coffee to kick in, I started thinking about how Conan’s transition into his new role as “Tonight Show” host isn’t unlike that of someone taking on the role of a new manager…

Take, for instance, the media speculation over how and to what degree “The Tonight Show” would change with a new host. Don’t we all wonder how the workplace will be affected with there’s a change in management?   

Read the rest…

Taking the Bull#*$% out of Work: Cursing and the Workplace

June 2, 2009

shut-it1Britain’s Got Talent’s Susan Boyle is just the latest in a string of public figures to bring profanity into a place of business. However, not all profanity in the workplace stems from extreme anger or, as in Boyle’s case, apparent stress and exhaustion.

On the contrary, many places of business weave cursing into lighthearted banter or jokes and consider it an accepted part of the job. In fact, in some workplaces, one may feel out of place not to join in on the forbidden-word fun. I came across a recent Chicago Tribune article about cursing in the workplace, and although the article brought up some interesting points, it was the comments that really made for some great debate.

One commenter, “Hoofty,” wrote:

I worked for a company in which the “F-Word” could be used as a noun, adjective and verb all in the same sentence and was done so on a regular basis. And this was in the office!

I didn’t think much about it, until my wife brought up the fact that when I switched jobs, my language had cleaned up 1000%.

I guess the moral of the story is that profanity in the workplace can spill into private life. Question – WHY are they cursing? Out of anger, frustration, or in jest? Does it matter? What kind of example are you setting as a leader? What if you take away the meaning behind the words? Is using “fudge” really any better?

“Hoofty,” among others, brings up the idea that not only can cursing in the workplace environment spill over into one’s personal life, but that using a replacement such as “fudge” or “Nutter Butter” for a profane word or phrase while in the office is conveying the same idea and emotion as the original word (and in my opinion, the latter may simply serve to make workers hungry). So does this really solve the profanity problem in the workplace — if swearing in the workplace is even a problem to begin with?

Many think that profanity has no place in the workplace, and that it leads to toxicity, hurt feelings and hostility, and will lead to bigger issues as a result.

Other commenters, however, say that cursing is the symptom, not the disease — and that it points to a larger issue in the workplace. In their view, employers should be taking stock of their employees. Workers are likely frustrated, angry, experiencing low morale — or all of the above — and cursing is simply the outward expression of those feelings. The problem itself must be solved, they say, and the cursing likely will, too.

Positive effects of workplace profanity

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And You Thought Accidentally Hitting “Reply All” Was Your Biggest Worry … Why a Company E-Mail Policy May Be In Order

May 12, 2009

Does your company have a standardized e-mail policy? If you have to stop and think about it, then it’s probably safe to assume that, if there is one, it’s not strictly enforced.  And that could be a problem – especially if your company has had layoffs recently, which can open the door to wrongful termination lawsuits from ex-employees. 

That’s the reality an HR professional who wrote into this recent “Ask Annie” column is facing:  The company where the manager works is being sued by an ex-employee, whose lawyers are demanding that management turn over its e-mails as part of the discovery investigation, which “has got the whole place in an uproar.”

Read the rest…

Weight & the Workplace: 43 Percent Gaining Lbs. Over Economic Anxiety

May 4, 2009

Yes, swimsuit season is fast upon us… and ridiculously mouth-watering temptations like this aren’t helping the cause. The waistlines of American workers are expanding, as four out of ten American workers have reportedly gained weight at their current jobs, according to a newly released CareerBuilder survey. You can blame delicious gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches directly if you like, but as it turns out, there’s something else making us turn to one of our most consistent comforts: The recession.

The survey, conducted from February 20 through March 20, 2009 among more than 4,400 workers, reveals that one in ten workers report increased snacking during the day due to economic concerns, and almost half (43 percent) of workers say they have gained weight in their current jobs. A quarter have gained more than ten pounds, and 12 percent have gained more than 20 pounds in their present positions. That’s a lot of grilled cheese sandwiches.

While we can point fingers at the recession for our weight-related woes, other factors are likely at play here as well — factors that contribute to weight gain with or without a struggling economy in the mix, like:

  • Restaurants – Nearly two in five (39 percent) employees surveyed eat out for lunch twice or more per week, making it difficult to control portions and calorie intake.
  • Vending machine meals — 12 percent buy their lunch out of a vending machine at least once a week.
  • Snacking — Two-thirds (67 percent) of employees surveyed snack at least once a day, including 24 percent who snack twice a day.
    burger

“Weight gain in the office is common and is a result of a variety of issues including today’s economic stress and poor eating habits,” said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of Human Resources for CareerBuilder.com. “Making little adjustments to your routine, such as bringing your lunch to work, getting up from your desk during the day, and walking instead of driving or taking public transportation will help curb some of your financial worries, while making you healthier.”

So how can employees stay healthy and keep those waistlines from growing, despite growing concerns over our economic state?

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7 Job Seeker Questions You Didn’t See Coming, Part II

March 19, 2009

I recently posted the first part of of “7 Job Seeker Questions You Didn’t See Coming.” These questions are really to get you thinking more creatively about the types of questions that may be thrown at you before, during, or even after an interview. Without further ado, here is the second installment:

  • “Is telecommuting or flexible scheduling an option?”
    Options such as these may not be the right fit for your company, and if that is the case, you should tell candidates up front. However, if you have flexible work alternatives in place (or considering them), it is a boon to you, because today’s job seekers are interested in working a bit differently.

    If you have been forced to freeze or cut salaries or trim benefits, flexible hours — or even summer hours — may be a great way to give back to your employees while you are getting back on your feet. Half-day Fridays, for example, can give employees a chance to reconnect with family and friends, take a class, or enjoy one afternoon/week doing something fun or educational away from the office grind. (Read: Doing something for themselves.) Moves like this can have a huge influence on employee morale.