I don't like insects. I find no good use for them and wish that their existence was wiped from this planet. This is why I have an exterminator come to my house every three months. It's also because I live in a row house in South Philadelphia where every house is an ideal nest, playground, and dining room for these little agents of Satan.
So a regular visit from the bug guy is a good idea. He walks around and inspects. He sometimes lays bait that looks like sawdust. Sometimes he sprays his death liquid in every corner.
I Hate The HR Fear
I never thought of myself as a person with a lot of fears. But as I thought about writing about my fears in HR, I realized that I have decent size list of fears:
- Spiders, bees and most other insects
Rodents- Heights
- Swimming in the ocean
- Food past its expiration date
- Tainted food
- Prescription drugs
- Fire
- Dogs
- Burglars
- Driving at night
Hero Worship: I Don't Get It
I think it started sometime in grade school, this notion that we should have heroes. I remember being asked at different times who's your hero. I also remember classmates responding with examples like a parent or a fireman. All very nice responses.
I on the other hand could never conjure an answer for anyone that I admired for their courage or noble acts. I came up with smart aleck responses like Godzilla, or President Tito, knowing full well that Godzilla didn't exist and that I had no idea who Tito really was.
I on the other hand could never conjure an answer for anyone that I admired for their courage or noble acts. I came up with smart aleck responses like Godzilla, or President Tito, knowing full well that Godzilla didn't exist and that I had no idea who Tito really was.
Don't Work Too Hard
It's 4:48 in the morning. I'm asleep.
At 4:49, the sound of humans yelling outside our house disturbs my slumber. The sound starts as indiscriminate noise and eventually evolves into words. But I can't discern the emotion. Is it happy yelling or angry yelling? Is it a get-away-from-me-you-vagrant-creep yelling or is it I-wish-I-was-closer-to-you-so-I-wouldn't-have-to-disturb-the-neighbors-because-I-like-talking-to-you yelling?
A few seconds of panic and intense listening eventually reveal the emotion and actual words to be happy yelling. And just as soon as the conversation started, it ended with this parting statement, "don't work too hard."
At 4:49, the sound of humans yelling outside our house disturbs my slumber. The sound starts as indiscriminate noise and eventually evolves into words. But I can't discern the emotion. Is it happy yelling or angry yelling? Is it a get-away-from-me-you-vagrant-creep yelling or is it I-wish-I-was-closer-to-you-so-I-wouldn't-have-to-disturb-the-neighbors-because-I-like-talking-to-you yelling?
A few seconds of panic and intense listening eventually reveal the emotion and actual words to be happy yelling. And just as soon as the conversation started, it ended with this parting statement, "don't work too hard."
Improving Productivity By Improving The Temperature ... by Rashed Khan
Getting the most out of your staff by taking steps to improve their productivity is important. After all, you are paying them to come work for you. We can’t simply crack the whip and tell everyone ‘to just be better’ since this normally results in unhappy staff and reduced productivity. There are a number of ways to nurture productivity but one factor which few take into consideration is the temperature at the workplace. Getting this right will help bring out the most in your staff and the best thing is, it isn’t even hard to do since it only requires the temperature of your already existing heating system to be altered.
"HR and Indoor Air" ..........................................by Jakob Barry
Human resources, otherwise known as the big HR, has a lot to deal with everyday in the workplace. That’s why one of the last things on the HR mind is the state of an office’s indoor air. But in truth it’s an important job in making sure it’s breathable and healthy.
That’s because when air becomes tainted or stale it’s not as easy to breathe and when this occurs people’s concentration begins to slip. It doesn’t mean employees are going to pass out at their desks but on certain levels their work will be compromised.
That’s because when air becomes tainted or stale it’s not as easy to breathe and when this occurs people’s concentration begins to slip. It doesn’t mean employees are going to pass out at their desks but on certain levels their work will be compromised.
Welcome To The Occupation Is Going One Step Beyond
A month ago, Welcome To The Occupation had its 3-year anniversary. For those three years, I have put a great deal of effort into effecting change in the Human Resources field.
Unfortunately I have recently realized that changes in my professional life have limited my ability to continue to deliver my message. So instead of standing in the way of other writers who have something to say and prove, and instead of completely retiring from the fold, I’m going to take Welcome To The Occupation in a new direction.
Unfortunately I have recently realized that changes in my professional life have limited my ability to continue to deliver my message. So instead of standing in the way of other writers who have something to say and prove, and instead of completely retiring from the fold, I’m going to take Welcome To The Occupation in a new direction.
HR Tech Swag Video, Songs & Good Luck
I know ... another blog post about the HR Tech Conference. Right? But this one is just for fun. It's full of sights, songs, comedy, and good luck.
Let's start with the latter. This year hotel prices in Chicago were high, and hard to obtain in the Loop for less than a small fortune. Thus, many folks I knew were staying on the outskirts. But for me, I booked my hotel only a couple of weeks ahead of time and got a reasonable rate at the Club Quarters on Wacker Street.
My luck didn't stop there.
Let's start with the latter. This year hotel prices in Chicago were high, and hard to obtain in the Loop for less than a small fortune. Thus, many folks I knew were staying on the outskirts. But for me, I booked my hotel only a couple of weeks ahead of time and got a reasonable rate at the Club Quarters on Wacker Street.
My luck didn't stop there.
Rich HR Desserts (Day 2 & 3 of HR Tech)
One of my HR colleagues who ventured to the HR Technology Conference for the first time this year frankly declared, "this is different from SHRM conferences." When I asked in what way, he answered, "there's no little guy here." I reluctantly agreed and we both admitted there was a better way to declare the difference.
So as I thought about that comment over the course of the day, I understood it more. By design, HR Tech is smaller and not as broadly focused as SHRM. HR Tech isn't catering to the HR professional who is looking for instructions on how to fill out an I-9, or what interview questions to ask. Instead, HR Tech is hoping you can do all of this already. HR Tech wants you to not think about how to do everything in HR. HR Tech wants you to think about how to do it better.
So as I thought about that comment over the course of the day, I understood it more. By design, HR Tech is smaller and not as broadly focused as SHRM. HR Tech isn't catering to the HR professional who is looking for instructions on how to fill out an I-9, or what interview questions to ask. Instead, HR Tech is hoping you can do all of this already. HR Tech wants you to not think about how to do everything in HR. HR Tech wants you to think about how to do it better.
It's Up To Me (Day One at HR Tech)
When I was young and thinking about what I wanted to be when I grew up, I considered teaching. I sensed the seed of that notion but it never took root. At least that's what I thought at the time.
Since then, I've ventured down many paths and finally settled in a HR role for the past fifteen years. Hence, I've learned the intricacies of recruiting, administration, benefits, safety, compliance, engagement, etc. etc. I've also learned there are nuances to these that appear to be an ongoing treasure hunt. During this time, my position continued to elevate and for the past year and a half, I've been in a director's role.
In that role, I understood as the name implies, my job would be to direct. Thinking of a movie director, I was able to envision this role easily. I understood there were many moving parts. There were actors, writers, set designers, costume makers, all of the different roles. As the director, my job was to point the way.
Is HR Right For You?
This was the title and subject of a small article in the Metro newspaper. (Click here for the online article.) Despite my skepticism, the article offered some realistic, albeit general, advice that I concurred.
"Solid analytic and math skills", "strong sense of ethics and confidentiality", "be a bit of a cheerleader", and "possess a keen business mind to understand how talent affects the business" are noteworthy traits mentioned in the article. But these traits could apply to many management-type positions.
"Being good with people", and "keeping organized records" along with many other general traits could be added to the list. But again, the general traits apply to many work scenarios.
"Solid analytic and math skills", "strong sense of ethics and confidentiality", "be a bit of a cheerleader", and "possess a keen business mind to understand how talent affects the business" are noteworthy traits mentioned in the article. But these traits could apply to many management-type positions.
"Being good with people", and "keeping organized records" along with many other general traits could be added to the list. But again, the general traits apply to many work scenarios.
Work Some Forgiveness Into Your Job
One of my most complicated tasks in Human Resources is to remind folks that we are all human. I think to most people most of the time, this could seem like a simple or maybe unnecessary task. However, it plays an enormous role in my conversations with employees ... managers and non-managers alike.
Obviously, my conversations are not reminding employees that other employers are not insects, or trees, or lamps. I'm reminding folks about the innate imperfections that exist in every aspect of the work we do, where we do the work, how we do the work, and who does the work.
Obviously, my conversations are not reminding employees that other employers are not insects, or trees, or lamps. I'm reminding folks about the innate imperfections that exist in every aspect of the work we do, where we do the work, how we do the work, and who does the work.
HR Tech: The Promise I Can Make
If you're a historical reader of this blog, you know of my fondness for the HR Technology Conference. Since this blog's inception, I've written about it many times because it truly was a turning point in my HR career.
Negotiating Your Salary If You're In HR
How much are you worth? More specifically, what is the dollar amount you consider to be an accurate assessment of the work you do?
It's a hard question to answer. It's hard because if you ask yourself and the 9 others most familiar with your work, you'll receive 10 different responses.
Unfortunately there is no slide-rule-answer to this question. Compensation is so personal that a person's emotions eclipses another person's logic. Compensation within an organization executed with the best intents and careful calculations can still be viewed as crushing someone's status, creating a gulf of uncertainty, or initiating feelings of unfairness. Because it's so personal, it makes me wonder if anyone believes they are compensated fairly.
It's a hard question to answer. It's hard because if you ask yourself and the 9 others most familiar with your work, you'll receive 10 different responses.
Unfortunately there is no slide-rule-answer to this question. Compensation is so personal that a person's emotions eclipses another person's logic. Compensation within an organization executed with the best intents and careful calculations can still be viewed as crushing someone's status, creating a gulf of uncertainty, or initiating feelings of unfairness. Because it's so personal, it makes me wonder if anyone believes they are compensated fairly.
The Social Generation
Not to be over critical of my blog post title, but a title like “The Social Generation” has an almost pretentious ring to it. It sounds like the name of a book that's desperately trying to get your attention and perhaps sell you on the idea that social media is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
But as it stands, it was the best title to describe my last day at SHRM’s Annual Conference. If you were there, you would know that the idea of social media was pressing itself to not be denied. There were signs in prominent places throughout the conference noting how to follow on Facebook or check in on Foursquare. Plus there was a large area called The Hive devoted to helping folks catch the social media bug or wave or whatever you want to call it.
But as it stands, it was the best title to describe my last day at SHRM’s Annual Conference. If you were there, you would know that the idea of social media was pressing itself to not be denied. There were signs in prominent places throughout the conference noting how to follow on Facebook or check in on Foursquare. Plus there was a large area called The Hive devoted to helping folks catch the social media bug or wave or whatever you want to call it.
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