Divorce and the Unproductive Employee

Divorce and the Unproductive Employee It’s a fact that employees are not the only ones who suffer through a divorce businesses also bear the cost of an employee’s divorce through reduced productivity and employee absence. Divorce costs the British economy billions of pounds each year, so there is a clear correlation between employee wellbeing, business productivity and loss of valued staff. Small and medium-sized businesses are most likely to be affected, especially as the cost of replacing a member of staff or getting sufficient cover for them can be debilitating.   What are the impacts of divorce on business productivity? The estimated minimum amount of time it takes to get divorced is 4-6 months. During this time, your business is suffering as much as your divorcing employee: Absenteeism:  One obvious side effect of divorce on an employer is the work time a worker will need to miss to meet with their legal representatives, and possibly attend court hearings. The more contentious the divorce, the more time off work required. Non-Productivity:  Going through a difficult divorce is one of the most stressful things that a person can go through. This will naturally mean that the employee is less likely to be productive at work. They may lack focus, using working hours to deal with the issues, distracting colleagues to discuss what they are going through, and leaving work early due to childcare issues. Increased Sick Leave: People going through a divorce or separation often experience symptoms of depression, including headaches, fatigue and insomnia, leading to increased level of sick leave being requested. Increased Mistakes:  The stress and possible depression that an employee goes through reduces the ability to function, impairs judgment and overall job performance it can lead to injuries, mistakes, and accidents. Resigning:  Employees leave jobs as a result of divorce or separation. Not only is there a risk of losing a valued member of staff but the addition cost of hiring a new team member can be very burdensome. For a small business, losing just one member of staff, even for a short amount of time, can have a huge impact on productivity, and on the other people who work there.” How you can support divorcing employees It is a fact that divorce affects productivity and effectiveness, so it is an issue businesses really cannot afford to ignore. There are several things HR departments can do to minimise individual distress and workplace disruption. Here are some tips on how you achieve this: Have a divorce policy:  Have a policy regarding absence for issues such as lawyer appointments or court appearances. Make sure your staff are aware of the policy and who they should approach to discuss particular difficulties. Provide training:  Provide adequate training to managers/team leaders and supervisors so that they can deal with divorcing employees appropriately. Be approachable:  An open-door policy where employees feel that they can tell you their situation. There should be ongoing dialogue so that the divorcing person’s changing needs can be accommodated. Show compassion:  Show compassion but don’t be patronising. Listen to the employee, offer appropriate help and ask about their feelings and whether there is anything you can do for them. Provide confidentiality:  Remember information about an employee’s divorce is private under data protection legislation. Discuss with the employee the level of information that other members of staff should be aware of. Offer practical support:  Outline practical steps that people need to go through to minimise stress. Signpost expert help available. Discuss how they can manage their work tasks and working hours. Your employee will also need certain financial information i.e. pension valuations and tax information, so let them know how this can be accessed. Something as simple as allowing frequent breaks can go a long way. Do not offer advice that you are not qualified give. It is not always easy for employees to work out who to speak to, so having contact details to hand will often help. Look for practitioners with relevant experience. Collaborative law and mediation are two methods by which couples can resolve their differences in a constructive, amicable and child-focused way. Be flexible:  Working hours may need to be changed to accommodate new childcare responsibilities. Divorce should be treated similarly to bereavement as it brings the same sense of loss and, as such, it should be approached with similar compassion. Educating other staff:  When faced with a colleague’s divorce, many people can make flippant remarks and offer unhelpful advice. Remarks such as, ‘You’re better off without him’, ‘You’ll find someone else’ or ‘I know just how you feel’ are not helpful. Using appropriate language to deal with personal issues is something that can be discussed, and this can give employees an opportunity to clarify their own feelings around personal issues before they are faced with a distraught colleague. There may also be office gossip which needs to be addressed. Be mindful of bullying:  Absence due to divorce can place burdens on co-workers and line managers alike who may pressurise (inadvertently or otherwise) or bully a divorcing employee into returning to work or performing their duties to the same level as they did previously. Make a plan:  What tasks need to be completed and what deadlines need to be met. Is your employee in a position to complete them in time/what back up do you have if they can not? Have a short-term and long-term plan. Some employees’ divorces may drag on for years, so you need to be put in appropriate ongoing support to allow for this. About the author: Carol Sullivan is the founder of Divorce Negotiator and specialises in providing pragmatic advice to keep proceedings amicable for divorcing couples.

Five Last Minute Unique Gift Ideas for Your Girlfriends

Five Last Minute Unique Gift Ideas for Your Girlfriends Running out of time with your Christmas shopping? Here are some ideas that are unique and hassle free. Running out of time with your Christmas shopping? Here are some ideas that are unique and hassle free. Your girlfriends will love you no matter what you give them this Christmas (well, at least I hope they do!) but it doesn’t hurt to put some thought into what to get them. If you are pressed for time and you don’t know what to get you girls, here are our top 5 recommendations that you can easily find online. Beauty Basket Fill up a basket or box with beauty and hygiene items that suit the individual needs of your friends. Think about it, something as simple as this can really save somebody some hassle. You can pick out items  and put them all together in a gift bag. Beats a fruit basket that usually goes bad a week later! Membership or subscription Whether a wine membership, Netflix, or a magazine subscription, a gift that lasts all year long is a treat! Also, this will remind your friend of you every time they use the membership. It can easily be ordered online or by phone, and there are many options to choose from. Travel Certificates A travel certificate or a hotel gift card can be a great treat to receive, especially since it’s a well-deserved break that you can use at your own convenience. It shows concern on the part of the gift-giver, and it also shows how much you know each other in terms of taste in travel and relaxation. Shopping Card Whether from Amazon or her fave store, a shopping card allows your friend to pick whatever she wants. Sure it doesn’t look like it involves much thought, but for many people, being able to pick out their own gift is preferred. So if you have a friend who just doesn’t know what she wants, this is a safe bet! ITunes/Google Play Card With everyone on their phones all the time, an itunes/google play card will let your friend buy the apps, books, and music that your friend may want but doesn’t feel like spending on. This gift idea is fool proof! Any other quick gift ideas for your  girls? Share it with us @mscareergirl now!

How to Address Inactive Lifestyles to Improve Employee Wellbeing

How to Address Inactive Lifestyles to Improve Employee Wellbeing Physical inactivity is estimated to cost the UK £7.4 billion a year and combined with growing sedentary lifestyles; this is causing severe health issues in the workplace. This is down to a combination of factors such as an increase in long-term health conditions, greater dependency on nursing care and drops in productivity often influenced by stress or employee burn-out. Nuffield Health recently published A Healthier Workplace, a white paper commissioned by Sport England, discussing the priority areas employees should address to protect their highly-valued staff. Here are some of the most effective strategies, based on the report’s findings, to reduce physical inactivity and get employees moving. Understanding the terms With more than 20 million Brits classed as ‘physically inactive’, the risk of health issues such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer is rising. However, our research found businesses have a limited understanding of the differences between and sedentary and inactive lifestyles, making it difficult for them to devise effective strategies for employee support. Physical inactivity is similar to but not the same as sedentary behavior. A sedentary lifestyle is where an individual does not receive regular amounts of physical activity. So, if you sit behind a desk Monday to Friday, but do occasionally go to the gym or are more active on weekends, then chances are you fall into this category. Research has shown it is possible to lead a sedentary life, but still meet physical activity guidance. You can do this by building up active hours to form a better health profile and reverse the negative effects sedentary behavior has on the body. The issue is it’s difficult to accomplish this successfully unless an individual commits to upping activity levels around their working day or during weekends. Deciding the best approach A significant part of our research focused on under-represented factions, including lower socioeconomic groups and those with lower levels of educational achievement. This is because they are normally less likely to meet physical activity guidelines. One of our first discoveries from available literature was much of it contains a distinct lack of substantial evidence for businesses to form robust investment cases. Secondly, we noticed different employee demographics respond better to some methods than others, but the most effective techniques to increase physical activity were found to be a combination of workspace supervised exercise classes and group support. These practices are more efficient because they introduce a social element to exercise. Forming bonds with relatable individuals provides many people with extra motivation to reach group health goals. When it came to minimizing sedentary behavior, the best outcomes arose when interventions focused on addressing a key culprit; the office desk. By experimenting with active desks and activity prompts, it was noticed employees responded to these gentle nudges positively and increased their physical movements. They also enjoyed the flexibility of being able to work standing up or sitting down when they wanted. Taking the lead There is a common misconception for change to occur; leaders must be vocal and bold, giving emotive, sensationalized speeches to inspire new actions. However, this will not always realize desired results. Physical activity needs to be engrained in workplace culture from the top-down. There is no substitute for the C-suite rolling up its sleeves and getting personally involved. Serving as a role model can be particularly useful for wellness-related programs, but the process needs to be top of every manager’s priorities to develop a culture which is then championed by trail-blazers on the ground. A good starting point is to keep conversations around healthy lifestyles positive, focusing on the benefits increased physical activity can bring, like improving energy, job performance, and emotional resilience both at work and in their personal lives. However, employers need to approach personal issues sensitively, so employees don’t feel like their own choices or actions are being criticized. The benefits of an active workforce are clear, and so too are the risks associated with physical inactivity and sedentary behavior. By incorporating a range of multi-component wellness offerings into today’s workplace, organizations and employees have nothing to lose, but everything to gain. About the author:  Dr Davina Deniszczyc is the Charity Director and Primary Care Medical Director at  Nuffield Health.

The Gift of Focus Marla Gottschalk

The Gift of Focus Marla Gottschalk Ive been stuck on the word focus for the past couple of weeks. Focus, or rather the lack of it â€" appears to be a growing problem in our work lives. At work, our attention has become infinitely divided; calls, e-mails, meetings, devices. We all need become acutely aware of the need for focus or I fear the quality of our work will slowly diminish. The reasons to allow time for focus are many. However the core justification really rests deep within our brains. While we possess the ability to switch between tasks, we simply do not have the ability to attend to all of them effectively. (Research at Stanford has shown that heavy multi-taskers have trouble mastering even the simplest of tasks.) So, Id like to pose the question: How are you doing focus-wise? Are you taking control of the issue? Here are a few practical suggestions to help you bring more focus into your work life. It all starts with one small step. Strategies to consider: Tame those e-mails. Seriously, e-mails are going to be the death of us â€" as they insidiously rob us of focus each and every day. (Do you feel like you are falling down the rabbit hole?) Forward thinking organizations are beginning to ban e-mails during designated time periods or specific days, to allow employees the opportunity to focus on their work. First rule to tame this problem, courtesy of LinkedIn CEO, Jeff Wiener â€" if you want fewer e-mails, send less of them! Segment meetings.  Many meetings lack direction and become the antithesis of focus. One method to solve this, is to use a targeted agenda to thoughtfully segment the time spent in the meeting. For example, if you plan to meet for 60 minutes, segment time to allow for no more than 2-3 topics. Devote 20 minutes to each â€" enough time to review information, discuss and gain some closure. Identify a time-keeper to keep things on track and record topics to be addressed later. Control your calendar. Only you can take the steps to make your spent time count. Review your schedule for the past week and ask yourself the following question: What you can eliminate to make room to focus on the tasks that matter? Then offer that gift to yourself. Look around you. If your work environment doesnt allow time (or a bona fide quiet space) to really focus, start making waves, While offices are designed for efficiency, open floor plans can become an enemy of focus (How about a few well placed walls?) Discuss options with your manager to provide an appropriate space to collect your thoughts. Set a routine that works for you. Be sure set the right scenario to allow for focus. Consider elements such as the time of day that you seem sharpest, and the physical elements most conducive for you to think deeply (Personally, I require music). Aim for a 30-minutes of focus each day, to start. Of course, remember to build in breaks, as this allows your thoughts to coalesce. How do you build focus into your day? Share your strategies here. Additional reading: Tame the E-mail Beast, Entrepreneur.com Make Time for the Work That Matters, Julian Birkinshaw and Jordan Cohen, Harvard Business Review Control Your Workday, Gina Trapani, Geek to Live

Slash Workers and the Current State of Affairs in Freelancing - CareerMetis.com

Slash Workers and the Current State of Affairs in Freelancing With the job market in a volatile state, many people look to freelance opportunities to make ends meet. Unfortunately, in most cases, freelancing can be quite a difficult journey that may involve dealing with shady contracts, gig scarcity, and employers who give you the runaround when payment is due.While a few have the mindset that freelancing is only viable until the next full-time job opportunity comes around, most see it as an opportunity to gain independence from more traditional job structures.Taking the step to freelance full time is not easy, but better comprehending the ins and outs of the new workforce makes that transition considerably more manageable.evalGet on board with a better freelance career by understanding the current state of affairs for “The Slash Workers,” a future of work-study commissioned by AND CO.Who Are Slash Workers?Slash workers are independent workers who offer different services or skills depending on the client or project. Most have cultivated at least 2 or 3 related skill-sets to help attract more clients.This is becoming increasingly common and is an example of how modern career is evolving.While our grandparent’s generation may have stayed at one job for the entirety of their working lives, and our parents might have moved around a handful of times, the new generation is looking to work on multiple projects and generate different income streams.Only 5% of freelancers interviewed said they accept work around one skill, and only 13% work for just one client.Only 7% said that they wanted to freelance primarily for financial gain. 40% of freelancers in the study claimed that “personal growth” was the primary factor; “flexibility” came in second.Key Things to Know About Slash Workers1) Freedom v. WealthevalSome say that wealth is a form of freedom, but most say happiness is achieved regardless of money.evalAs much as 43% of freelancers say they are worse off since moving away from more traditional employment, but 34 % argue that things have largely stayed the same for them since the switch.The major difference, regardless of success, is that 68% feel happier about what they’re doing.There’s certainly a trade-off when it comes to picking between happiness or wealth. But at least according to the results of this study, when one has a higher quality of life, they are better off overall.For some, working a permanent position intrudes on their work-life balance.evalAccording to a study from McKinsey Global Institute In any form of business, it’s important to protect yourself from harm. Unfortunately, the average freelancer will have a hard time getting a proper respect for the work they do or being protected in the correct manner.Here are a few reasons why freelancers get stiffed:1) Bad ContractsA bad contract will give you limited rights or say-so over the content you create, potentially coming back to bite you later down the line. Also, a bad contract may force an exclusivity clause, which d eters you from working with others.There are times where a client may not need your content for a while, which may result in weeks or months of lost income if they pay on publication. As a result of situations such as these, 35% of freelancers claimed that vague or shady contracts resulted in them not getting paid.2) Not Taken SeriouslyevalThere’s often a bad stigma associated with working with freelancers, especially when employers are faced with shady Craigslist ads or content mills offering ridiculously cheap prices for deliverables.For many, working as a freelancer has an unfair connotation of unseriousness; those that work independently know how unearned and unjust such an assumption is. Nevertheless, situations like these can bias employers from giving freelancers fair treatment from the start.evalLOOKING AHEADWe are very much at the beginning of the freelance wave with considerable growth and complexity expected over the next few years.Indeed, many estimates suggest that by 2020, 40% of the US workforce will be freelance, engaging a range of different careers and redefining what it means to be an independent worker.That doesn’t mean that it’s too soon to begin your career as a “Slash Worker.”Though there will be continued dynamism in this space, and the economy more broadly, there is nevertheless a strong opportunity to get ahead of the curve and generate multiple income streams, build a range of diverse, marketable skills, and begin to embrace a life of flexibility and freedom.

6 ways to start your interview off on the right foot - Sterling Career Concepts

6 ways to start your interview off on the right foot 6 ways to start your interview off on the right foot The followingare important points to keep in mind while preparing for your next interview.The first three apply before you even shake hands with the interviewer since from the moment you arrive, you are making an impression on your prospective employer. The second set of three kick into gearonce the interview gets started and you develop a dialogue and rapport with the interviewer. Arriveat the receptionist’s desk approximately 10 minutes before your scheduled interview time. Not much earlier and preferably not later than that. With a smile, give your name to the receptionist. Make a strong initial impression by speaking clearly and distinctly and maintaining a friendly and professional demeanor. The expression “you’ll never get a second chance to make a good first impression” rings true in the interview process â€" including receptionists, assistants, and secretaries. As you wait in the lobby, envision a great interview happening. Visualize being a strong candidate for the job. Picture yourself as a contributing member of the company’s team. Achieving success is easier once you have it firmly implanted in your mind. This is the power behind visualization. Keep cool under pressure. If you are kept waiting or encounter any stress before the interview, maintain your composure and self control. It may be a unavoidable schedule delay or it may be a test. Either way, remain calmand flexible to changes. Speak in a rich, self-confident manner. Answerquestions with energy and conviction. Vary the tone of your voice during the conversation. Dont be afraid to show emotion and enthusiasm. Eye contact is a powerful form of communication. It demonstrates confidence, trust, and power. Employment personnel are wary of the honesty of someone who cannot make direct eye contact. You don’t want to ‘stare down’ the interviewer, but good, consistent eye contact indicates self assurance and poise. Determine and adapt to the interviewer’s communication style by listening and observing how he/shewalks, uses body language,and dresses. Observe overall mannerisms and behavior and do your best to mimic that style. In the final analysis, most people hire people they like andjob candidates who are similar to them. Keep in mind, the employerishoping to like you, that your skills and strengths are a match with the jobs needs, that you will fit in with the existing personality of the group. No one wants to have to interview a long stream of candidates to find the right one.With that in mind, prepare thoroughly and present yourself well to put your best foot forward and ace that interview! 6 ways to start your interview off on the right foot 6 ways to start your interview off on the right foot The followingare important points to keep in mind while preparing for your next interview.The first three apply before you even shake hands with the interviewer since from the moment you arrive, you are making an impression on your prospective employer. The second set of three kick into gearonce the interview gets started and you develop a dialogue and rapport with the interviewer. Arriveat the receptionist’s desk approximately 10 minutes before your scheduled interview time. Not much earlier and preferably not later than that. With a smile, give your name to the receptionist. Make a strong initial impression by speaking clearly and distinctly and maintaining a friendly and professional demeanor. The expression “you’ll never get a second chance to make a good first impression” rings true in the interview process â€" including receptionists, assistants, and secretaries. As you wait in the lobby, envision a great interview happening. Visualize being a strong candidate for the job. Picture yourself as a contributing member of the company’s team. Achieving success is easier once you have it firmly implanted in your mind. This is the power behind visualization. Keep cool under pressure. If you are kept waiting or encounter any stress before the interview, maintain your composure and self control. It may be a unavoidable schedule delay or it may be a test. Either way, remain calmand flexible to changes. Speak in a rich, self-confident manner. Answerquestions with energy and conviction. Vary the tone of your voice during the conversation. Dont be afraid to show emotion and enthusiasm. Eye contact is a powerful form of communication. It demonstrates confidence, trust, and power. Employment personnel are wary of the honesty of someone who cannot make direct eye contact. You don’t want to ‘stare down’ the interviewer, but good, consistent eye contact indicates self assurance and poise. Determine and adapt to the interviewer’s communication style by listening and observing how he/shewalks, uses body language,and dresses. Observe overall mannerisms and behavior and do your best to mimic that style. In the final analysis, most people hire people they like andjob candidates who are similar to them. Keep in mind, the employerishoping to like you, that your skills and strengths are a match with the jobs needs, that you will fit in with the existing personality of the group. No one wants to have to interview a long stream of candidates to find the right one.With that in mind, prepare thoroughly and present yourself well to put your best foot forward and ace that interview!

What You Should Know About Resume Writing Services

What You Should Know About Resume Writing ServicesIf you are looking for resume writing services Everett is the place to be. If you have the creativity and desire to work in the best hospitality industry, you should look into the opportunity that comes with your resume writing services. Let's discuss some of the services that the company provides.Resume writing services offer professional resume services. The company can help you write the resume of your dreams. You will find what you need from their experienced team of professional resume writers. They will take care of the content, formatting, as well as graphics on your resume.The company has an expert team of writers who have done dozens of cases of perfect online resume for their clients. Their job is not just to make your resume perfectly complete but to make it conversational. They know how to adapt resumes to suit the needs of your job application and make it compelling.It is their goal to match you with the employer. They ca n match you with the employers who will hire you as their next employee. You can find out if they can match you with the right job, if you need more information about them, or even if they need your resume before they consider you as an employee. This way you can know how much time and effort they put into your resume so you know if they are the right fit for you.Resume writing services provide writing and editing services to other industries as well. A writer can help you out with creating a cover letter or other documents for a trade show or convention. If you are one of the several hundred people who attend a trade show every year, hiring someone to help you with your resume writing will ensure that you do not forget any of the important details that you need to include. The hired services will help you make your resume design professional and eye-catching.Another reason why you should consider hiring the services of resume writing services is the fact that they can get you the j ob faster than you would try to do it yourself. The professionals will use different tools and templates to meet your needs. These are tools and templates that you do not need to learn about on your own. These tools and templates will help you a lot and you can make use of these tools to your advantage.The last reason why you should consider using their services is that they can give you a resume template to start off with. This will make the job a lot easier for you. Your resume writing services will create a template to begin with that meets your requirements and specifications.They will create your resume for you that makes you stand out from the rest. Resume writing services Everett can help you on your way to career success. If you have already decided to hire the services of a resume writing service, I urge you to take a closer look at their portfolio.