Don't Worry - Be Happy

Is your work fulfilling?

Is your boss supportive?

Are your efforts recognized?

If you answer "no" to any of these questions, you may not be a very happy employee. Or worse, your happiness may be compromised outside of work due to those eight-plus hours spent each day in a less-than-desirable work situation.

You may need to take your happiness into your own hands, in order to feel the bliss and joy you deserve. Empower yourself by resolving to take a few steps in the new year:

• Set one or two work-related goals that are achievable and meaningful to you. Communicate them to those around you. Post them in your workspace. As you meet each goal, be sure to celebrate in small, yet fun ways.
• Dwell on the parts of your job that feed your soul. Focus on tasks that you do well and the people who bring out the best in you.
• Laugh. Have you heard the saying, "either laugh or cry"? Choose to laugh. Find ways to create humor in your day. Reading the comics over lunch or buy a silly calendar. Have lunch with your "fun" co-workers. The act of laughing itself releases endorphins known to improve mood.
• Ask your supervisor for feedback instead of expecting it. Ask specific questions - "What what the best part of my role in the XYZ project?" Or, "What value am I bringing to this department on a regular basis?"
• Develop yourself. Learn a new skill, take a continuing education course, or volunteer to be on a committee. Giving of oneself is a great way to feel that "warm and fuzzy" feeling.

"Some pursue happiness, others create it." ~Author Unknown

http://www.h-r-now.com/

Ericka Heid
HR Now

Health care or Wellness?

Throughout the battle for health care reform, I have thought a lot about whether we are focusing on the right aspects of reform and have come to the opinion that we should place more emphasis on the health of our bodies as well as the health care of our bodies.

We, as Americans, are much less healthy than our grandparents and great grandparents and I see two major behaviors contributing to the majority of our health care dollars - over-eating and smoking.

Today, almost 30% of Americans would be classified as obese, and 35% of us are overweight. We know that obesity is almost solely responsible for Type 2 Diabetes, and contributes to high blood pressure, heart disease, and failing joints.

Those who smoke have a much higher occurrence of cancers, high blood pressure, heart disease and respiratory ailments. And, through second hand smoke, contribute to these diseases in others.

Treatment of such diseases costs billions and billions of dollars each year. And, almost all of these diseases are PREVENTABLE. So, while I do believe it is important to regulate and monitor health care insurers and providers, it seems equally as beneficial to start regulating and monitoring those who are are knowingly and willingly putting themselves - and the nation - into an unhealthy situation.

We, as business owners can make a difference. After all, over 80% of Americans are employed and spend at least half of their waking hours at work. You can help to create significant change. Here is how:

1. Start a wellness program that promotes overall health including weight loss, nutrition, and disease management. Wellness programs have been proven to be an investment, with returns shown in both health care cost reductions and productivity gains. By making this investment, you'll also realize a higher level of productivity and engagement from your staff.

2. Get people MOVING. Can you bring in an aerobics instructor or personal trainer once or twice per week? Is there someone who can start and maintain a walking group? Can you commit to subsidizing a health club membership? Again, there may be an upfront cost, but this is minimal compared to the long-term savings of a healthy workforce.

3. Offer a free or subsidized smoking cessation program. There are hundreds of smoking cessation programs available (check with your health care insurer to see if they have a free one before looking around). Think of the time lost on people out on smoke breaks and absent! (Not to mention the high medical costs of a smoking related disease)

4. Lead by example. If you find yourself in one of these risky groups - start making personal changes. And let others know you are doing it. They'll help keep you motivated, and you may spark that fire of change within them.

While each of these items may have an upfront cost, when calculated with increased productivity, reduced absenteeism and lower health insurance premiums, they are shown to actually contribute to a healthy bottom line.

Here's to a healthier 2010!

Ericka Heid
HR Now
HR Now

Employee Gift Giving

"Tis the season for merriment, joy, and... recognition?

Yes! Now more than ever, employees need an extra boost to help keep them happy and motivated. Your employees have been worried about economic security for more than a year now, and it's time to bring some joy and merriment back into the workplace.

So this season, take a different approach to employee gift giving. Instead of buying a one-size fits all purchase that covers the masses, invest a little time and energy into something special. I know, I know... you don't have a lot of time for shopping and wrapping. But do you have a few minutes to think about what is meaningful for each employee? I hope so. Time spent here will reap huge benefits in the long run. Here are some easy, low cost ideas for bringing the joy back to your office:

1. Decorate. Bows, wreaths, candles, and tinsel. Stay away from religious decor, but throw up some lights and garland for a fun and festive work environment.

2. Organize a "secret giver" game - with a twist. Instead of gifts, play the game with random acts of kindness. Clean a desk, organize a book shelf, scrape the ice off a windshield, deliver a cup of coffee. Make it fun without the cost.

3. Have a party. Sometime before the first of the year, get your people together and celebrate. To cut costs, have it in the afternoon with appetizers and cookies. Give everyone the rest of the afternoon off to relax.

4. When gift giving, remember to make it small and meaningful. A handwritten note of appreciation for specific contributions throughout the year will be cherished by most employees. If you want to purchase gifts, make sure you find out what the employee really wants. If you don't know, ask around. Do they love the movies and would appreciate a gift certificate to the cinema? Are they a wine connoisseur and would appreciate a wine of the month membership or basket of wine? Would they enjoy a day at Nickelodeon Universe with their children? A magazine subscription to their favorite publication? Most gifts can be purchased online and require very little running around. You can give a personalized gift without the extra effort!

If none of these options are right for you and your company this year, find something else. Make it personal, meaningful, and lasting. It is an investment into the health of your strongest asset - your people.

H1N1 Help

Take Care of Employees

•Encourage workers to practice good cough etiquette and hand hygiene and to clean shared work areas—computer terminals, phones, conference rooms, etc.
•Take particular care of employees with known serious health conditions, as they are more susceptible to the H1N1 virus. Consider allowing them to work separately from others or from home during an outbreak to minimize exposure.
•Keep an eye on employees. If someone shows flu symptoms (see below), ask them to go home. Don’t pressure them to return to work before their fever has broken.
•Know who to contact if one of your employees is ill. The company may choose to inform others in your work area that they may have been exposed to the H1N1 virus.
•Be a good role model. If you are sick, stay home.
•Stay in periodic contact with ill workers who are at home.
•Don’t discriminate against people who might have H1N1 flu or have been exposed to the virus.
•Know your company’s leave policies so that you can explain them to your employees. Apply them consistently to all of your employees.

Keep Business Moving

•Identify critical functions and the skills needed to complete them.
•Inventory your employees’ skills. Who has the skills to complete critical functions?
•Cross-train workers so more employees can complete more critical functions.
•Identify which workers can serve as substitutes for others.
•Keep an eye on absentee rates. If they appear to be rising, get ready to move your employees into their cross-trained roles. If any of those roles require certification or other preparation, make sure the cross-trained employees are up-to-date before moving into their new roles.
•Consider virtual meetings instead of face-to-face gatherings. Try to limit contact among employees to halt the spread of the virus.
•If possible, allow employees to work staggered shifts to reduce the number of people in the workplace. Allowing workers to commute outside of rush hour can also help reduce contact with potentially ill people on mass transit.
•Find out if you are authorized to make decisions about activating emergency plans.

Keep Your Best!

Byam, who is managing partner at the employee recognition firm The Terryberry Company, offers eight keys to successful retention:

1. Start Retaining on Day One
The first week of a new job is an extremely impressionable time, and it represents an important opportunity to build a productive and fulfilling relationship between the new employee and the business. (At Founders Bank & Trust, President Laurie Beard personally meets with every new employee and presents him or her with a Welcome Aboard award.)

2. Exhibit Continuing Confidence
Remember, says Byam, that one of the best and most motivating forms of recognition you can provide is your continuing confidence in your employees' ability to meet new challenges. Dare to believe in them fully and keep raising the bar by coming up with new assignments that test their skills and their creativity.

3. Try to Include Significant Others
Whenever possible, involve co-workers' significant others in recognition events and other important career moments. Byam says that you'll be sending a powerful message: "We value you and your family, and we want to keep you with us."

4. Keep Asking About Goals and Aspirations
How can you know what will motivate and inspire employees if you don't ask? From time to time, take a valued employee to lunch and use the time to pose several key questions. What do you like most about your job? What is your most exciting and thrilling challenge? If you could go anywhere you wanted in this organization, where would it be?

5. Encourage and Reward Career Growth
Support your employees' desires to acquire new skill sets and don't miss the opportunity to acknowledge those achievements, suggests Byam. A more highly trained workforce stands a better chance of succeeding in the global marketplace.

6. Blow the Trumpet for Your People
Get the word out about successful workers and their accomplishments. Imagine how proud your employees will feel when a neighbor or buddy comments about seeing their accomplishments highlighted in the newspaper, Byam says.

7. Find Interesting and Entertaining New Ways of Saying Thanks
Make sure everybody in your organization gets to participate in the recognition experience, Byam says. In North Andover, Massachusetts, a large retirement community recently came up with a fun bingo-based recognition game. When one of their employee teams reaches a production or service goal, they reward the entire staff by launching a day-long bingo game.

8. You Get What You Reward
Want your employees to stay with your organization? Show them that their service is valued and appreciated by recognizing it, says Byam. Successful organizations build employee relationships that are fulfilling for their people and for the business.

Give

Maybe its the fact that the holidays are coming, or perhaps it is prompted by the fact that money is tight. But I'm thinking a lot about how I can give without buying anything.

Today, I join my business networking group at Feed My Starving Children to pack meals for children who would otherwise go hungry. Last week, I collected and donated over 20 coats to People Serving People. I don't say this to congratulate myself, instead I am recognizing that, while each of these things might be important - they are small acts and make me hungry to serve more. I find myself continuing to search out opportunities to give.

I hope the beginning of a chilly season stirs a warm feeling of giving in you. And whether you give monetarily, of your time, or by being a friend to someone - it is all important.

Ericka Heid
HR Now
www.h-r-now.com

Wake Up Your Luck

This morning, I heard an old Persian Proverb, "Go and wake up your luck". For some reason, this really stuck with me and I have found myself thinking about it at various times today and how it might apply to me, and my business.

I am a fairly motivated person, and spend little time waiting for things to happen. I'd like to think that I am pretty action-oriented. But the proverb doesn't talk about finding "action", it's about finding luck.

Last night my husband and I went out to dinner with some good friends. At the bistro, it was BINGO night, so of course, we played. Wouldn't you know that we had no luck? Not one BINGO was called at our table, despite our concerted efforts to wake up that luck.

This afternoon, I met with a potential client. They are a small company who has experienced the sting of downsizing, financial hardships, and overall lack of business. Throughout our conversation, I realized that, despite thier "bad luck", they remain extremely optimistic, and actually want to invest in the people processes that will help them rebound quickly when the economic opportunity arises. A perfect example of a group of dedicated individuals "waking up thier luck."

I am standing at Luck's door, ready to help the sleeping giant awake. I know that my ability to remain optimistic, seek out and sieze opportunities, and ready myself for the ensuing upswing will result in success.

Best of luck to you.

Ericka Heid
www.h-r-now.com