In This Issue:
Take This Job and Love It
Office News
Signature Lives
HR Tip of the Day
Chili Cook-Off
Feb. Employee of the Month
Safety
Careerbuilder
Siriusly - Vote Now!
Brian "Pimps His Ride"
Louisiana is for Hunting Lovers |
Office News
Sirius will be closed on Monday, February 20 and Tuesday, February 21, 2012 in observance of Mardi Gras holidays.
If you will not be working due to the Mardi Gras holidays, please submit your timesheet no later than Sunday, February 19, 2012.
Don't forget to spring forward! Daylight savings time is March 11, 2012.
All W2's have been mailed out! If you have not yet received your W2, you may request a duplicate copy after Feb. 15. Please contact Kim Guasca at kim.guasca@siriustechnical.com |
HR Tip of the Day
Did you know that it is a law that state withholdings must be taken from the state you are working in, not where you live?
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Signature Lives
by Sandra Ritter
5 Quick Tips to Keep You Moving Ahead with Goals and Tasks
The following are tips I have incorporated whenever I find myself wandering away from the goal or task I am doing.
* Check my emotions
If I'm stewing about something, I can't focus on what I'm doing. I remind myself that "emotions have no cash value." It's better to be objective and in the moment, focused on doing the goal or task at hand. Never, Never, NEVER make an emotional decision. Always, give yourself time to think about the situation before you speak and make things worse. Sleep on it is our motto at Sirius...things do look a lot different when you walk away for a little while and get another perspective.
* Let it go
If I've done my part and the ball is now in someone else's court, I remind myself to push forward on something else. This is always a tough one. I have actually found myself letting go of a situation sometimes 20 times a day. Learn to know you have done all you can...and give it to God and KNOW that He will give you the grace and wisdom concerning the situation. It's never about Him not leading and directing your path, but you allowing Him to direct it. Let Go...and Let God!!
* Take a breather and move
Taking a physical break, even if it's going to the kitchen to get a glass of juice, helps refresh your mind to refocus on the project at hand. If you are at work...get up and stretch your legs. Walk outside if you can...sometimes just going outside into the fresh air will revive you and your thoughts.
* Keep a notepad handy Sometimes the distracting thought could be useful, something that would resolve a client's issue. So, I'll write myself a note and tend to it later, AFTER I've finished what I'm doing. This way I won't forget my idea for a solution, but I don't let my current goal task / project become derailed. Now with all of our technology you can always take notes on your phone. I do that when I have a thought or hear a good saying that I want to remember. There are all kinds of great free apps that you can download that will help you stay organized and enhance your ability to remember important information.
* Reschedule
When I'm tired, my mind wanders more. Unless I am on a deadline, I will reschedule myself rather than rush or make a critical mistake. It is a more productive use of your time to stay focused on the goal you are doing WHILE you are doing it.
Although studies suggest we go about our everyday life not thinking about what we are doing 30 to 40 percent of the time, we, as people seriously working on our goals, don't have to be that way. So live in the now....and when you have completed your day, celebrate the fact that you PUT YOURSELF on your list and your goals are becoming more and more a reality! If you are interested in Executive/Life Coaching contact me at sandra@signaturelives.com
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Don't forget to get your Annual CHILI COOKOFF tickets for March 3, 2012 located in Bienville Square, Downtown Mobile, AL. Contact Susie Bush for more information. susie.bush@siriustechnical.com
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Shipbuilding and Marine
Specialty Chemical
Offshore
Power Utility
Steel
Nuclear
Petro-Chemical
Pulp and Paper
Manufacturing
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We are Sirius about you! At Sirius Technical, we recognize that YOU are a big part of what makes this company so great. Please let us know what we can do for you.Sirius Technical Services
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 The only choice you need when it comes to staffing. We provide highly skilled designers, engineers, project managers and various other technical professionals to ensure the success of your project. |
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Take This Job and Love it
 I read an interesting article recently by Dr. Judith Sills published in Psychology Today about "loving your job" (or the opposite thereof). The angle the author took was more refreshing than most of those that often claim, "if you love your job you'd do it for free". I think it's true we all come to a point in our career where we ask ourselves, is this what I want to do, love to do, should continue to do? "Loving what you do" is a nice cliche', but are you there? Do you LOVE your job or career path? Maybe we only need to look a little closer and ask ourselves some enlightening questions. Loving your job could simply be linked to your attitude toward it. Work, much like relationships, can seem routine at times, but taking a step back and looking at the positive things you have going for you can bring out a lot more gratification in your career (and your personal life). Click on the image above to link to this article by Dr. Sills and to ask yourself some key questions about your LOVE for your job. |
February Employee of the Month The February 2012 Sirius Technical Employee of the Month goes to.........Jason Jones! Hard working, humorous, and good hearted are just a few words to describe this great guy! Jason has been with Sirius for over a year now, and has done an excellent job! He is not only a diligent employee, but he also carries that dedication into his personal life. Jason is the father of two great boys, is involved with Mobile's Down Syndrome Society and attends First Assembly of Saraland. He is also the drummer of the local Mobile band, "Shifting Tracks"! We are so happy to have you with Sirius Jason! Thank you and congratulations! |
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HEALTH & SAFETY
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Do you know why SAFETY is talked about so much from company to company? Because of its importance! So whether you work in a chemical plant, shipyard or consulting firm, safety will always be a hot topic, but have you thought about how this carries over to your home? Did you know that statistics show that most accidents happen at home? Just when you thought it was safe to step into your house after a long day at work, danger could be lurking! Check out these silent dangers found in many homes, and if you have any suspicions they could be affecting you, have them looked into right away! There is nothing more important than you and your family's health. Click on the hearts below for more information.
RADON  Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water, entering the air you breathe. Radon is colorless and odorless and causes lung cancer. It can infiltrate any type of building - homes, offices, and schools - and build up to high levels. But you and your family will most likely receive your greatest exposure where you spend most of your time... your home. TAP WATER
 Do you know where your water comes from? It's true municipal water goes through rigorous testing and safety measures, but because there are many ways that water can become contaminated between the treatment plant and your faucet, water should be tested at the point of use. If you have well water, your water should be tested at least annually. CARBON MONOXIDE
 Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, it can cause death or illness before you are aware it is in your home.
MOLD/VOC
 Molds can grow on wood and insulation, in carpet, and even behind walls where they can continue to grow undetected. When excessive moisture accumulates in the home, mold growth will often occur. This moisture build-up can stem from plumbing leaks, from condensation in air conditioning and heating systems, or from ground water penetration. VOCs are harmful chemicals emitted by a lot of the products and materials we have in our homes. Most VOCs can't be detected by smell. Many VOCs exacerbate or trigger asthma attacks.
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| Careerbuilder Projects Strong First Quarter Hiring
We thought you might enjoy some statistics from Careerbuilder on how the first quarter of 2012 is expected to finish strong:
Here is their Q1 Hiring Forecast:
- 36% of companies intend to hire contract or temporary workers in 2012, up from 34% in 2011, 30% in 2010 and 28% in 2009.
- 62% of employers plan to increase compensation for their existing employee base while 32% will offer higher starting salaries for new employees.
- 34% of human resource managers reported that voluntary turnover at their organizations rose in 2011.
- 38% plan to train people who don't have experience in their particular industry or field and hire them for positions within their organizations in 2012.
- 29% of employers said they will be focused on recruiting diverse workers to expand their employee demographics.
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Brian "Pimps" His Ride
 Sirius Employee, Brian Hassam, is shown here with his "new" Ford project. Brian has been restoring classic cars for many years and it is a hobby that he shares with his son. Pictured here is the "before" shot of a 1961 Ford Falcon Futura, about to undergo remodeling. We can't wait to see the finished masterpiece Brian! |
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Louisiana is for (HUNTING) Lovers!
Did you know the fish are always biting, deer always walking, crabs always running, frogs always croaking and the ducks are always trying to fly to south Louisiana? Well they are and SIRIUS employee Robby Adams knows just where to find them! You just have to know where to scout these critters, and we recently learned that in Robby's boat, with his son Emmett, is usually the right place to be! Here are a few pictures of this avid hunter's adventures of this past season, including his son's first 8 point kill. Robby consumes all that he hunts too, like every good hunter should. Well, 'cept maybe those frogs. "All I can say is my vacuum sealer works overtime and this Cajun will never starve." As for those frogs, "I have family in Mississippi that will raid the frogs out of my freezer in a few weeks for Mardi Gras!" Mmmm, mmmm! Red beans and frogs!
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