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The OperationsInc Navigator
March 13, 2012

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
  • Training & Development Services
  • Lack of Leaders is Main HR Concern
  • Laugh the Day Away
  • What's on Your Mind?
  • Searching for Inspiration? A Few Words of Wisdom...
  • Ask Yourself...
  • Legal Disclaimer

  • Training & Development Services
    Heather

    Have you seen our latest list of Training and Development Courses being offered in March? We invite you to learn more about all of our Training Courses led by Director, Heather Trotta.

    Click HERE to learn more and to view our March Calendar or contact Heather directly at: 203-322-0538 or [email protected]


    Lack of Leaders is Main HR Concern
    Chess

    As companies start to take a look at their current talent pool, they aren't happy with the findings. A recent survey reveals that the number one human resources' obstacle companies are expecting to face in the upcoming year is the lack of potential leaders. A startling 31% of respondents noted lack of high-potential leaders in the organization as their most pressing human resources challenge. Low engagement and lagging productivity came in second with 26%. A whopping 23% of those polled are concerned with a shortage of talent at all levels. Deficiency of top talent is also a growing concern for employers with almost one in five of those polled (19%) citing losing strong performers to other organization as their main concern.


    Laugh the Day Away
    Laughing

    So how important is an employee's sense of humor when it comes to your company's corporate culture? It may be more important than you think. According to 79% of chief financial officers polled, an employee's sense of humor is important to fitting into an organizations culture. Humor in the office has been said to ease tensions, build relationships, and improve office morale. Below are the findings from this survey:

    • Very important: 22%
    • Somewhat important: 57%
    • Not at all important: 20%
    • Don't know/no answer: 1%


    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:
    - Is an employee liable for taxes they owe as a result of their failure to pick up lower than normal / ideal deductions in their paycheck for the prior year?

    - HR Manager, Financial Services

    Answer:
    In short, yes. The idea behind giving employees paystubs or access to them online is to put the onus on the employee to check their deductions and flag issues as they arise. When they realize in March (as they prepare their tax return) that they under-deducted the employee is responsible for payment of the taxes due,even when the issue is tied to an error by the employer when processing their requested deduction level. While some cases may result in the employer owning some responsibility, it still falls to the employee to check their stub regularly.


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


    "He who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander."

    - Aristotle


    Ask Yourself...
    OI

    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
    - If you could change one thing about your last job, what would it be?

    GAUGING THEIR RESPONSE ---
    Great question that should give you a window into what may bug this candidate, with the goal being to red flag a response that is likely to also be present at your place of business. For example someone saying they wish it was less intense, and your environment is very intense, is telling you they are not a fit. Always probe to ensure that you understand the response, doing so without tipping them off to the idea that you don't like their answer.

    HR Best Practices Tips

    --Introducing telework into the organization

    Several recent workplace related surveys suggest that today's worker wants out of their workplace, yet the same folks looking to escape are staying because their employer offers flexibility in schedule and even work location. To that end having a telecommuting / remote working arrangement is still hot and getting hotter. If you aren't already offering such arrangements look into putting one in place, albeit carefully and with some expert advice, giving your firm a competitive advantage and retention tool in one.

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