The OperationsInc Navigator
January 5, 2010

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:

[email protected]

In This Week's Edition...
  • Directing you to HR Solutions
  • 10 Worst Phrases Used in Business
  • One Third of Workers say office temperature effects their productivity
  • What's on Your Mind?
  • Searching for Inspiration? A Few Words of Wisdom...
  • Ask Yourself...
  • Legal Disclaimer

  • 10 Worst Phrases Used in Business
    Countdown

    An author recently revealed the ten worst business sayings. Topping the list was "Pick your brain" followed by "Throw it against the wall and see what sticks". Other phrases topping the list included the following:

    • Sweat Equity (#3)
    • It's not rocket science (#4)
    • The ball's in your court (#5)


    One Third of Workers say office temperature effects their productivity
    Cold Temperature

    A recent study revealed that more than a quarter (27 percent) of workers describe the temperature at their work place as "too hot," while two-in-ten (19 percent) workers say it is "too cold." More than one-in-five (22 percent) workers said that a "too hot" work environment made it difficult to concentrate. Eleven percent of workers said the same about a "too cold" work place.Ten percent of workers report they have fought with a co-worker over the office temperature.


    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 [email protected]. 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:
    -What type of information can I give out during a reference request?

    --- HR Manager, Public Services

    Answer:
    To start this the answer to this question is typically dictated by your company's policy towards references, most of which insist that these requests get routed to whomever owns HR or, in cases where you are allowed to handle them, should result only in confirmation of title, employment dates and maybe compensation. Aside from that conventional wisdom is this day and age of lawsuits and claims with the DOL, the less shared the better. Oh, and there is nothing really "off the record" so saying something is before telling your caller the truth won't cut it.


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


    " To win without risk is to triumph without glory."

    - Pierre Corneille


    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
    -What do you consider to be the most difficult task in being a manager or an executive?

    GAUGING THEIR RESPONSE ---
    This is a must ask question when interviewing managerial candidates. The response you get is guaranteed to send you on the way to several follow up questions. Remember that the answer you initially get is only part of the most critical insight we are seeking. Equally as important is the follow up question that covers what the candidate does to overcome these challenges and deal with the difficult parts of their job. If there ever was a question perfectly suited for extensive post response probing this is the one.

    HR Best Practices Tips

    --How to communicate salary structure changes
    When compensation changes occur it is important to present this critical information clearly and cohesively. Employees want to know the specifics, even the reasons and in some cases how this is impacting the firm, not just them. You therefore need to be prepared to cover a wide range of questions. Overall the plan should be to explain at a level with which you are comfortable, provide reasons, be it broad and vague or specific, and then move on. It is important to remember that most if not all of this discussions are for the purpose of sharing news vs. debating or deciding, meaning you need to be prepared to cut off any extended discussions, especially when changing the decision is not an option.

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