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Workplace Trends

Workplace Drug Testing Turning Up More Cocaine & Amphetamine Positives

Written on 19 Mar, 2012 at 22:28

Workplace drug testing cutoff levels changed in 2010. On October 1, 2010, the U.S. Departments of Transportation (DOT) and Health and Human Services (DHHS) instituted lower initial and confirmation cutoff levels for amphetamines and cocaine, for use in required drug... (Continue reading)

Poll Shows Majority Support Public Employee Unions and Collective Bargaining

Written on 28 Feb, 2011 at 22:54

Survey results should make protesters in Madison, WI, and other state houses feel good, and give Republican governors pause.... (Continue reading)

Office Romances: Worth the Risk?

Written on 13 Feb, 2011 at 22:44

Fans of NBC’s “The Office” were thrilled when fictional co-workers Jim and Pam tied the knot, but, in reality, only 15% of office romances result in marriage. In fact, many office romances end badly, creating an uncomfortable situation for everyone... (Continue reading)

Ten Fatal Flaws of the Modern Day Office

Written on 6 Jan, 2011 at 0:10

As the economy changes and more Americans juggle multiple jobs and work from home, questions are being raised about the necessity and effectiveness of today’s offices. Are we really more productive when working at the office? Here we’ll examine ten... (Continue reading)

Increase in Part Time Jobs with Benefits Reported

Written on 15 Dec, 2010 at 23:05

A survey found: (1) "a dramatic increase in the number of organizations that offer benefits to part-time employees": and (2) an increase in those offering part time employment. ... (Continue reading)

Workplace IT Issue: How Email Fraud is Becoming Sneakier and More Sophisticated

Written on 1 Nov, 2010 at 20:55

Are You Sure You Can Spot E-mail Fraud or a Contaminated E-Mail? We know what you’re thinking. Fake Emails? They’re transparent and effortless to spot. But as Internet culture becomes increasingly sophisticated, so do its scam artists, hackers and cyber-criminals.... (Continue reading)

Cutting Costs Without Layoffs? 14 Tips for Employers Seeking Alternatives to Pink Slips

Written on 17 Mar, 2009 at 11:00

News of layoffs has been rampant since our economy began lagging in 2007. Recently, it seems impossible to turn on the news without hearing about more people losing their jobs. After all — the country is in a recession, businesses... (Continue reading)

Jobs for Stay at Home Moms — and Dads — at Give A Mom a Job.com

Written on 22 Jan, 2009 at 5:00

You’re a stay at home mom — or dad. You have one or more children, and you’ve decided that you want a work-life balance that allows you to attend to your parenting and other responsibilities. But you’d also like an... (Continue reading)

Navigating the Intersection of Telecommuting and Wage-and-Hour Law

Written on 20 Nov, 2008 at 5:00

Telecommuting — Perk, Convenience, and Potential Legal Minefield Many employers offer their employees the opportunity to work from home on either a regular or temporary basis. While the flexibility of a telecommuting arrangement can benefit both the employer and the... (Continue reading)

Recession Prompts More Brown Bag Lunches and Other Employee Spending Cutbacks

Written on 14 Nov, 2008 at 7:05

Survey: “Vast Majority” of Workers Making Changes Due to Economy From brown-bagging to (temporarily, we hope) giving up the quest for the job of their dreams, a survey by Vault.com shows that America’s workers are hunkering down and making both... (Continue reading)

Most Companies Have Diversity Strategies

Written on 12 Oct, 2008 at 18:05

Study of Corporate Diversity Initiatives As corporate workforces start to resemble Olympic villages, and globalization intensifies trans-national and cross-cultural workplace interactions, diversity programs are becoming a mission-critical piece of most organizations. According to a recent study by the Institute for... (Continue reading)

Do’s and Don’ts of Hiring an Independent Contractor

Written on 3 Oct, 2008 at 0:12

Independent Contractor Agreements – A Match Made in Heaven? Today’s employers are watching their bottom line more closely than ever before, including examining the costs associated with maintaining a full time workforce. At the same time, workers are looking for... (Continue reading)

Fifty-Five or Over? We Want You — To Work

Written on 22 Sep, 2008 at 15:19

Are you looking to keep the gold flowing during your Golden Years? Does the idea of a retirement spent sitting in a rocking chair or playing golf seem like Purgatory? Do you need to keep working for financial reasons? If... (Continue reading)

Retail Scheduling Software Could Harm Employee Morale, As Well As Customer Service

Written on 18 Sep, 2008 at 18:45

The Way It Used To Be Twice each year my mother would make her regular pilgrimage to the old B. Siegel’s store select her seasonal professional attire. It was always a leisurely, enjoyable experience – one that newly-introduced employee scheduling... (Continue reading)

Growing Popularity of Temporary Executive Level Jobs

Written on 2 Jun, 2008 at 7:00

Hiring temporary workers for basic office clerical positions has long helped understaffed businesses run smoothly. Now the use of temporary employees options is expanding to many other roles in today's businesses.... (Continue reading)

2008 Workworld Predictions: Looking into the Crystal Ball, Part II — Outlook by Occupation/Industry & US Economic Indicators

Written on 16 Jan, 2008 at 1:09

Increasing fears of impending economic slowdown suggest a weak 2008 job market. But some other factors -- including depreciation of the dollar, baby boomer retirements, and shortages of employees with highly-demanded skills -- brighten the employment outlook somewhat.... (Continue reading)

2008 Workworld Predictions: Looking into the Crystal Ball, Part I — Big Picture Trends

Written on 10 Jan, 2008 at 0:32

An effort to summarize 2008 workplace trend forecasts from a number of sources and assemble them in one place for quick comparison, followed by a few humble thoughts of my own. ... (Continue reading)

Survey: Much Business Use of Social Network Sites

Written on 3 Jan, 2008 at 23:39

If you think the explosion of social networking is relegated to the high school and college crowd, you might be surprised at the results of a recent survey on online social networking. ... (Continue reading)

IT Jobs Outlook, From Dept. of Labor

Written on 28 Nov, 2007 at 0:30

What IT jobs will remain stateside despite the offshoring of many? What IT specialties will be the fastest growing in coming years? Where in the US might an IT job search by a job seeker or a recruitment effort by... (Continue reading)

Background Checks and the Job Search

Written on 24 Sep, 2007 at 22:21

If you’re on a job search today and haven’t been on one in many years, particularly since before 9/11, you will likely encounter many important changes in the application and hiring process. Prevalence of Background Checks One such change is... (Continue reading)

Labor Dept. Training Disabled Vets in IT Work

Written on 23 Sep, 2007 at 22:43

Suitable employment opportunities are among the many needs of our disabled vets returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan. With a focus on the number of dead, it is easy to lose sight of the much larger number of wounded.... (Continue reading)

Much Employee Creativity Unused on Job

Written on 21 Sep, 2007 at 13:35

The following is a guest post from The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, with a few of my thoughts appended thereafter. (Do I sound like a lawyer there, or what?) At a time when many economists and futurists are pointing... (Continue reading)

State of the Union(s): A Labor Day Follow-Up, With Questions

Written on 9 Sep, 2007 at 23:54

A handful of union-related items today, a week after Labor Day. First: The New York Times notes that there was no Labor Day parade this year in the Big Apple, where it all began in 1882: If you wanted to... (Continue reading)

Wanna Start a Company in Your Garage? Go Work for a Big Company First.

Written on 29 Aug, 2007 at 21:30

I came across this article about the myth of “garage” business creation a bit late (it was published in Fast Company in March), but: (1) it’s good; (2) maybe you missed it too; and (3) I want to put my... (Continue reading)

9 Tips to Beat the Heat and Look Professional: Women

Written on 22 Jun, 2007 at 8:59

At many offices across the country, today is Casual Friday. If you’re wearing a company polo and a nice pair of khakis, or something even fancier, pat yourself on the back. If you’re wearing a halter top and other people... (Continue reading)