The OperationsInc Navigator
July 29, 2008

Greetings!

The Navigator is published every other week and is filled with the latest HR related news, practical tips, answers to our reader's questions and a whole lot more! We welcome your participation in the makeup of this periodical. Send your feedback, ideas and input to:

enewsletter@operationsinc.com

In This Week's Edition...
  • Directing you to HR Solutions
  • Work/Life Balance Not A Priority
    for Many Businesses
  • Does High School Status
    Correlate to Careers?
  • What's on Your Mind?
  • Searching for Inspiration? A Few Words of Wisdom...
  • Ask Yourself...
  • Legal Disclaimer

  • Work/Life Balance Not A Priority
    for Many Businesses

    A recent survey revealed that while 89% of employees believe work/life balance is important when evaluating a new job, only about 50% of HR Professionals consider it to be an important initiative for their company. In addition, 58% of workers believe that their employer encourages working too much.


    Does High School Status
    Correlate to Careers?
    Cheerleader

    A recent study indicated that 39% of workers age 30 and older said their high school experience had an influence on the job they hold today. 12% of former Student Government members report making $100K +, 10% of honor society members followed by 7% of athletes, geeks and class clowns. Some other interesting findings included:

    • 37% of teacher's pets earn less than $35K per year
    • Cheerleaders were more likely to hold a vice president role
    • Drama club and honor society members were more drawn to healthcare positions
    • Job satisfaction levels are highest among teacher's pets (81%) and cheerleaders (76%)


    What's on Your Mind?

    Because we want to best serve our readers, we feature a segment of our Newsletter where you can submit questions directly to our OperationsInc professionals. Do you have a question related to the management of the Human Resources function? Email it along to enewsletter@operationsinc.com. The best ones will make it into a future newsletter, along with the answer... and those that don't get published will still receive a response.

    This week's question:
    "Can you deny employment to an applicant if they have a prior criminal history?"

    --- Director of HR, Retail

    Answer:
    Some recent decisions in courts around the US have shown that in order for an employer to deny a employment based on bad credit the employer must show that the bad credit directly impacts or effects the person's ability to perform their job OR that the bad credit reasonably compromises the trust the employer could have in the employee given their role. For example someone in an Accounting role where they controlled or impacted in some fashion the cash flow could be denied employment due to bad credit. Someone in Maintenance or even Customer Service would be far more difficult to deny. Bottom line - be very careful with how you use credit checks in your pre- hire process and decision making.


    Searching for Inspiration? A Few Words of Wisdom...
    compass


    "The successful person makes a habit of doing what the failing person doesn't like to do."

    - Thomas Edison


    Ask Yourself...

    How Strong Is Your HR Backbone?


    Legal Disclaimer

    Information provided in The OperationsInc Navigator is researched and reviewed by the HR experts at OperationsInc. The information in every issue of The OperationsInc Navigator is in part gathered via information available in the public domain, as well as in part the original, copyrighted work of OperationsInc and is protected under U.S. copyright laws. As such, you may not reprint or publish in any format any article or portion of article The OperationsInc Navigator without the express permission of OperationsInc.

    OperationsInc provides the information in this e- newsletter for general guidance only. The information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional human resources, legal, or other competent advisers. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a professional adviser who has been provided with all pertinent facts relevant to your particular situation.

    We encourage you to pass along any issue of The OperationsInc Navigator by forwarding it to friends and colleagues.


    Directing you to HR Solutions
    Direction

    INTERVIEW QUESTION OF THE WEEK

    Each Newsletter we will publish an interview question which hiring managers can utilize to better qualify candidates for hire, along with our analysis of the answers you may receive and their meaning.

    This Week's Question
    --How do you define success?

    GAUGING THEIR RESPONSE ---
    Simple question --- but you will be surprised with the way this question is interpreted and answered. Some personalize it and talk about a nice car or a house, failing perhaps to realize that you are asking about professional success. Some will talk about effort but fail to focus on results. Some will try and turn the question around by asking a question back (e.g. What do YOU define as success). Overall this thought provoking question can yield some solid insights into the candidate you are considering.

    HR Best Practices Tips

    --Establishing a successful mentoring program
    Growing and developing your team of professionals is a strategic exercise that takes planning and solid execution. One critical step any size company can take is to establish a mentoring program whereby leadership is paired with subordinates to provide guidance and direction that goes beyond day-to-day management. Meetings to discuss leadership skills, communication, planning, style, etc. all will contribute to the growth of the next layer of employee population in your firm, helping you create a promotable group of future managers and stars.

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