February 21, 2019 In PC Pointer By Cindy Fassler

Cost Of Caregiving On Employees

In the hustle and bustle of the daily grind, we often forget the reality of our employee’s and colleague’s responsibilities outside of work. Whether these responsibilities are to an elder relative or to their dependent children, approximately 43.5 million Americans are currently providing unpaid or informal caregiving. Your employees and colleagues are finding it more difficult to balance successful career development while fulfilling their caregiving responsibilities.

Employers need to take into consideration the caretaker benefits they can offer employees. Joseph B. Fuller, Professor of Management Practice at the Harvard Business School, states “The costs associated with voluntary turnover and lost productivity driven by caretaking duties are much more substantial than employers take into account.”

Read further for information on the impact of unpaid caregiving on employees:READ MORE

February 15, 2019 In Candidate, PC Pointer: Candidate Edition By Cindy Fassler

How To Tell A Coworker They’ve Made A Mistake

A fellow coworker comes to you and asks you to review their completed project. You take a glance and there is a problem, and it’s a big one. There’s not just a missing data slide or a few misspelled words, but the whole project is wrong and definitely needs to be re-done.

You absolutely need to tell them there are errors or discrepancies. You don’t want to sound like a “know-it-all” or come across condescending but you just can’t let them proceed with a project that completely missed the mark.

So, exactly how do you tell them they are wrong? Whether it’s your office BFF, a new hire, or even your supervisor, there are a few tips on how to handle this potentially difficult conversation.

Read further for tips on how to tell your coworker they made a mistake:READ MORE

February 7, 2019 In PC Placements, PC Pointer By Cindy Fassler

When An Employee Gives Notice

California is an at will employment state, meaning employers and employees can end employment at a moment’s notice. When it comes time for an employee to resign, it is usually a simple process in which the employee gives their notice with an end date.

But, what if you receive just a verbal resignation from an employee you clearly will not miss? Receiving this resignation can leave you jumping for joy, however, you’ll want to withhold from celebrating until you have received written confirmation with an agreed upon end date! Once a team member gives notice, it’s time to partner with HR so you can systematically navigate the resignation process to avoid any road bumps along the way.

Read further for tips on handling employee resignations: READ MORE

January 31, 2019 In PC Pointer By Cindy Fassler

Foster Career Development In Your Staff

When one of your best employees gives notice out of left field, you’ll certainly be wondering why. As it usually turns out, they had been thinking about it for months and consulting with friends and family. The one person they should have clued into that conversation was YOU, their manager. 

Their decision to leave could have potentially been avoided with a real conversation on whether they felt valued or if they felt they had the potential to grow within their role at your company. Unfortunately, this is a crucial conversation managers and employees completely drop the ball on.

LinkedIn research points out that one of the main reasons people quit their job is lack of career advancement; because they feel like they’re unable to do so in their current role. A recent Alight workforce study reports that 78% of employees expect managers to discuss career and learning opportunities with them and that shockingly only 37% of employees feel managers do this well. What do you do when your team members feel like they can’t talk about career development? Block out the time in your already-packed schedule to sit each one down for a real conversation about it.

Read further for ways to help foster career development in your team members:READ MORE

January 24, 2019 In PC Pointer By Cindy Fassler

Everyone Is Jumping Ship, Should I follow?

Amidst the ever evolving workforce landscape, it’s not uncommon for people to change jobs. But when does it become cause for alarm when a few people leaving turns into a stampede of colleagues headed for the door?

If it seems your company is frequently losing strong team members, it may be time for you to evaluate your situation and ask yourself some key questions. It may be concerning to see colleagues you respect leave, but their departure should not immediately instigate a red flag warning for you. There are an array of factors to consider before making the decision to jump ship or to stay the course.

Keep reading for a few varying factors that can help you navigate a tricky situation: READ MORE

January 17, 2019 In PC Pointer By Cindy Fassler

The Truth About Open Office Floor Plans

You might think the perfect way to entice your team to be more collaborative is to remove cubicles and provide a trendy open floor plan environment. Creating a more accessible and communicative platform to spark innovation through connectivity would theoretically lead the business to success.

Traditionally, office spaces have consisted of little neighborhoods of personal cubicles since their invention in the 1960s. One of the more recent reinventions of the workplace has been the open office floor plan. These are wide open spaces filled with long community tables, typically with a standing desk section, where everyone can see and hear each other.

With approximately 70% of organizations currently incorporating the open office floor plan into their workplaces with 40% dedicated to communal use, you will want to pause before you jump in line. We urge you to consider the increasing amount of statistics that point out the truly toxic downsides of this widely-incorporated trend.

Read further for some shocking discoveries on open floor plans:READ MORE

January 15, 2019 In Candidate, PC Pointer: Candidate Edition By Cindy Fassler

What You Can Do If You’re Not A Good Culture Fit

Changing jobs is exciting and stressful. After accepting an offer and settling into a new routine, you may be one of the many people who struggle to adapt to a new company culture. You are familiar with your coworkers, understand the dynamics of the company and everyone’s responsibilities, and you can even navigate the supply room without getting lost! You seem to be getting the hang of things, however, something seems to be leaving you anxious. This is normal. After all, you will certainly face new challenges, learn new methods of doing things, and figure out how to best work with your coworkers in any new position. If, after a month or two, you’re worried that you may not be blending well with the company’s culture, you’re not alone!

Perhaps the reality of the culture is not aligned with what you had expected it to be. You may be feeling disappointed if you thrive in a collaborative environment but most of your colleagues want to work heads down with headphones in. Maybe you’re the introvert finding yourself overwhelmed in a bustling open floor plan office. Sometimes when faced with change we can feel defeated, but with a few tips and a little practice you can find your stride and adjust successfully. So, what can you do if you feel like you’re not fitting into the office culture at your new job?

Read further for tips on how to adapt to a new company culture:READ MORE

January 10, 2019 In PC Pointer By Cindy Fassler

New Year, New Laws: Are You In The Know?

As each New Year dawns upon us, industry professionals and HR departments gear up for the year ahead with new updates on California labor laws and regulations. As we enter 2019, it is imperative that management and employees are well informed and educated on new updates that have already taken effect as of Jan 1st and those that will be enacted throughout the year ahead. Familiarize yourself with these updates by using resources such as the Department of Labor website or the CalChamber’s free downloadable guide. You will want to update your workplace posters and employees handbooks to reflect up-to-date information. Are you fully prepared?

Read further for a briefing on new labor laws for 2019:READ MORE

January 3, 2019 In PC Pointer By Cindy Fassler

Survive The Office After Vacation

You just spent the last week or so away from the office; enjoying the holidays, celebrating with family and friends, or flying across time zones. But now you’re back in the office and expected to fall back into your normal work routine. Taking time away from work is a great refresher for your mind and body. However, it can also leave you with the post vacation blues. Some of us can feel drained after a vacation and can struggle to get back into the groove of things. How can you survive your first days back at work after an amazing vacation?

Read further for 5 tips on surviving your first week back at work:READ MORE

December 20, 2018 In PC Pointer By Cindy Fassler

Leadership Success Starts with You: 6 Habits of Successful Leaders

Carol Sandberg, COO of Facebook, states, “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.” Being a leader comes with a special line of responsibilities; the actions and attitude you portray directly impacts your employees and their success. What can you do to improve your skills and stand out as an effective leader?

Read further for 6 habits that successful leaders practice:READ MORE