We invite you to learn more about our full suite of Training and Development Services led by Director, Heather Trotta.

Click HERE to learn more and to view Courses offered in January & February or contact Heather directly at: 203-322-0538 or Training@OperationsInc.com

A recent survey revealed that 65 percent of workers age 60 plus said they are putting off retirement because they can't afford to retire financially; down from 72 percent who said the same last year.The primary drivers for postponing retirement are financial restraints, as indicated by 65 percent of respondents, and the need for health insurance and other benefits, as indicated by 58 percent of respondents. However, mature workers are staying on board at their companies for a variety of other reasons, including:

• Enjoy their job (39 percent)
• Enjoy where they work (36 percent)
• Fear retirement may just be boring (26 percent)
• Enjoy feeling needed (14 percent)

According to a recent survey, when chief financial officers (CFOs) were asked about the perks they plan to offer or are already offering, subsidized training and education topped the list (29 percent), followed by flexible schedules or telecommuting (24 percent) and mentoring programs (24 percent). In addition:

• Matching gift programs (13 percent)
• Free or subsidized lunch or snacks (11 percent)
• Onsite perks such as childcare, dry cleaning, fitness center, cafeteria (11 percent)

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:
-What are the benefits of having a probationary period?

--- GM - Restaurant

Answer:
For most this is about not wanting to give someone who has been in your business 6 days the same benefits or rights as someone who has been there 6 years. We advise that you focus the "differences" tied to the first few months of employment around time off accrued and taken. Specifically don't let time off to be taken before 90 days except for significant illness or other extreme situation. Delay time off accrual as well to after 90 days, maybe giving the new hire a lump sum of time off on day 91 to make up for time off not accrued the first 90 days. Stay away from statements that imply you can more easily fire someone during the first 90 days as this can compromise your "at-will" relationship.

"A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts."

- Richard Branson

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.

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