The following story was published by Staffing Industry Analysts today.
Temporary workers employed through agencies earn higher hourly wages, are better educated than traditionally employed workers and move quickly between temporary and traditional jobs, according to a study announced today by the University of Florida.
"There has been concern by some advocacy groups that the temporary help industry is creating an entire class of people who are churning through temporary-help jobs and can't escape from that cycle," Sarah Hamersma, University of Florida economist and lead author of the study, said in a press release. "We find no reason to believe that a large number of temp workers are 'stuck' in a secondary labor market."
Hamersma and Carolyn Heinrich, a University of Wisconsin public affairs professor, studied occupational records, wages and earnings for 5,877 Wisconsin workers between 1995 and 2004.
Of 3,964 employees who held at least one temporary job, 3,947 held a permanent job at some time in those 10 years, according to Hamersma. In an analysis of a subsample over a four-month period, three-fourths of those in temporary jobs moved into traditional jobs and only 23% took another temporary job.
Temporary employees received about 15% more in pay per hour than traditional employees, according to Hamersma. However, quarterly earnings tend to be lower for temporary workers.
"We learned that the shorter duration of temporary jobs means the employees work fewer hours, which translates into lower quarterly earnings than for traditional employees, but they actually end up getting paid more for the hours that they do work," she said.
The findings in the study were presented in November at the annual meeting of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management in Washington DC.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Searching for a job - PLEASE THINK WHEN YOU APPLY!!!
by Scott Fiore, TriStarr Staffing
I'm starting my week frustrated! My company decided to offer a free seminar for job seekers and we have advertised it in various places, social media, job boards etc.
I received some responses over the weekend - the problem is - I don't know what to do with them!!! The candidates simply sent me a resume. I don't know if they are interested in the seminar or were just sending a resume. They didn't take the time to write a message, they didn't take the time to tell me something about themselves. Unfortunately for these candidates, they may not be chosen to attend the seminar (we have limited space). And - this is no different than what may happen when they are applying for a position.
My favorite of these candidates was the one who had spam blocking turned on so that when I took the time to respond to her - I HAD TO DO EXTRA WORK AND COMPLETE A FORM SO MY EMAIL COULD GO THROUGH. Believe me folks - this would be a turn off, and really - do you want to risk a recruiter or hiring manager simply saying to themselves - "forget this candidate" and move to the next?
PLEASE THINK when you are applying for a position, whether it be via the web, email, a job board, whatever - please take the time to write short note. Make it easy for people who want to contact you. Turn the spam filter on after you've gotten a job. You never know who's email you'll miss.
I'm starting my week frustrated! My company decided to offer a free seminar for job seekers and we have advertised it in various places, social media, job boards etc.
I received some responses over the weekend - the problem is - I don't know what to do with them!!! The candidates simply sent me a resume. I don't know if they are interested in the seminar or were just sending a resume. They didn't take the time to write a message, they didn't take the time to tell me something about themselves. Unfortunately for these candidates, they may not be chosen to attend the seminar (we have limited space). And - this is no different than what may happen when they are applying for a position.
My favorite of these candidates was the one who had spam blocking turned on so that when I took the time to respond to her - I HAD TO DO EXTRA WORK AND COMPLETE A FORM SO MY EMAIL COULD GO THROUGH. Believe me folks - this would be a turn off, and really - do you want to risk a recruiter or hiring manager simply saying to themselves - "forget this candidate" and move to the next?
PLEASE THINK when you are applying for a position, whether it be via the web, email, a job board, whatever - please take the time to write short note. Make it easy for people who want to contact you. Turn the spam filter on after you've gotten a job. You never know who's email you'll miss.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Communication in 2009 and Beyond
Communication in 2009 & Beyond
by Jeannine Hohman, HR Strategist, TriStarr Staffing
With all of the technology available today, there seems to be less need for face-to-face communication. We have more high tech tools to communicate with each other in our professional and personal lives than ever before.
With access to e-mail, voice mail, text messages, etc. it’s possible to avoid having to talk to a real live person during the course of our work day. Take the Blackberry for instance. You can call, e-mail, text, and check the web - all from the palm of your hand. Even better, with a GPS, you don’t even have to stop and ask someone for directions!
Welcome to the age of Advanced Technology.
Without a doubt, technology has made our lives more efficient, but in talking with a few colleagues, we wondered if the act of verbal communication is a dying art? Will recent graduates really know how to communicate in a face-to-face situation? Will they possess the communication skills needed to present themselves well in a job interview or convey their goals and ideas clearly?
This probably won’t be a major problem. After all, anyone who can master and be totally comfortable with all of the technology available today should be able to effectively communicate verbally. It will just take a little practice to gain confidence and a comfort level with public speaking. This is nothing new and hinges on the adage “Practice makes perfect”.
How can we keep verbal communication skills alive? Try this….. instead of sending a co-worker an e-mail or text message to ask a question, just take a walk to their office and ask in person.
By the way, I typed this article on my lap top with a wireless connection, e-mailed it to my manager who is one office over, and received feedback via e-mail which I read on my Blackberry while out of the office and then I texted back “THX” and put a reminder on my Outlook calendar to finish and print the final copy ☺
JMH
by Jeannine Hohman, HR Strategist, TriStarr Staffing
With all of the technology available today, there seems to be less need for face-to-face communication. We have more high tech tools to communicate with each other in our professional and personal lives than ever before.
With access to e-mail, voice mail, text messages, etc. it’s possible to avoid having to talk to a real live person during the course of our work day. Take the Blackberry for instance. You can call, e-mail, text, and check the web - all from the palm of your hand. Even better, with a GPS, you don’t even have to stop and ask someone for directions!
Welcome to the age of Advanced Technology.
Without a doubt, technology has made our lives more efficient, but in talking with a few colleagues, we wondered if the act of verbal communication is a dying art? Will recent graduates really know how to communicate in a face-to-face situation? Will they possess the communication skills needed to present themselves well in a job interview or convey their goals and ideas clearly?
This probably won’t be a major problem. After all, anyone who can master and be totally comfortable with all of the technology available today should be able to effectively communicate verbally. It will just take a little practice to gain confidence and a comfort level with public speaking. This is nothing new and hinges on the adage “Practice makes perfect”.
How can we keep verbal communication skills alive? Try this….. instead of sending a co-worker an e-mail or text message to ask a question, just take a walk to their office and ask in person.
By the way, I typed this article on my lap top with a wireless connection, e-mailed it to my manager who is one office over, and received feedback via e-mail which I read on my Blackberry while out of the office and then I texted back “THX” and put a reminder on my Outlook calendar to finish and print the final copy ☺
JMH
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Recruiting & Social Networking
A member of my staff forwarded me the link below. Recruiting talented candidates has changed, is changing now, and will continue to change rapidly.
Here's a quote from the post (emphasis added):
"...I spent the first half of the day researching the agency, their client list, their process and services. I appreciated the work and the thinking behind it. It got really interesting when I discovered and perused their Facebook page. I applied for a job via e-mail shortly thereafter."
If you recruit and don't use these tools - the bus has left. At my company we have shifted recruiting resources from traditional print media and other sources to social media. Yup - we have a Facebook page -( http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Lancaster-PA/TriStarr-Staffing/44211390059?sid=e1d24f81767fddce12486e8894138f2a&ref=search ). It 's amazing how inexpensive setting one up can be. We have Facebook and LinkedIn Groups, and I encourage my staff to actively recruit on Social Networking sites - they do and it works! Our mission is to help our clients find, hire, and maximize talent and social networking will be key in making this happen. That is of course until the next big thing comes around - if only I had the time to dream that up!!!
Here's the link to the full post: http://adage.com/gennext/post?article_id=135957
Scott
Here's a quote from the post (emphasis added):
"...I spent the first half of the day researching the agency, their client list, their process and services. I appreciated the work and the thinking behind it. It got really interesting when I discovered and perused their Facebook page. I applied for a job via e-mail shortly thereafter."
If you recruit and don't use these tools - the bus has left. At my company we have shifted recruiting resources from traditional print media and other sources to social media. Yup - we have a Facebook page -( http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Lancaster-PA/TriStarr-Staffing/44211390059?sid=e1d24f81767fddce12486e8894138f2a&ref=search ). It 's amazing how inexpensive setting one up can be. We have Facebook and LinkedIn Groups, and I encourage my staff to actively recruit on Social Networking sites - they do and it works! Our mission is to help our clients find, hire, and maximize talent and social networking will be key in making this happen. That is of course until the next big thing comes around - if only I had the time to dream that up!!!
Here's the link to the full post: http://adage.com/gennext/post?article_id=135957
Scott
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Progressive Discipline - Warning!
Progressive Discipline – Warning!
by Jeannine Hohmann, Human Resources Strategist - TriStarr Staffing
Progressive discipline is intended to provide a tool for dealing with job-related behaviors that don’t meet the organization’s expected and communicated performance standards. The main purpose is to assist the affected employee in understanding that a performance problem exists and allow an opportunity for improvement. Progressive discipline that is well documented can lay a strong paper trail that may mitigate exposure to such legal problems as discrimination suits. We’ve been told over and over that documentation is critical and without it, a suspension or termination can be reversed, lead to a wrongful termination or a discrimination claim.
So the thought of not having documentation, especially in a progressive discipline situation, seems absurd! But believe it or not, there are some legal risks. According to an article in HR Magazine, “Progressive discipline may, in part, be challenged as unlawful retaliation.” In 2007, this particular charge rose to the second most common claim – it even outnumbered gender discrimination claims. The risk of unlawful retaliation doesn’t lie in the progressive discipline process itself, but instead as an outcome or consequence to how the process is handled and communicated. Take the following as an example:
You have an employee whose performance has been deteriorating over time and the supervisor wants to terminate the individual; however, no previous warnings have been issued. To avoid problems, you advise the supervisor to give this employee a written warning and allow them a chance to succeed. The supervisor does as you ask and puts a copy of the written warning in the employee’s file – two weeks later you receive notice that your organization is being sued for gender discrimination. Great! After researching the situation, the discrimination claim is unfounded. Yet, suddenly you receive another notice, but this time it is for unlawful retaliation because the employee is being excluded from regular meetings and training sessions since the discrimination claim.
The consequence of the discrimination claim caused the supervisor to ignore the employee in an attempt to avoid the problem. But in doing so caused what the U.S. Supreme Court has labeled as a type of retaliation through adverse actions. Adverse actions that can lead to an unlawful retaliation claim can be such things as: singling out the employee for more dangerous assignments; taking away a teacher’s resources or refusing to authorize funds for repairs; or excluding the individual from a training lunch that contributes to the advancement of the employee.
Though an employer can’t avoid retaliation claims, below are a few tips to help prevent such claims:
Have an Equal Employment Opportunity policy that is visible and communicated to the entire workforce
Include a separate retaliation provision in your EEO policy – this will help employees and supervisors understand what exactly constitutes retaliation.
Train all of your employees on the EEO policy making non-retaliation a critical part.
by Jeannine Hohmann, Human Resources Strategist - TriStarr Staffing
Progressive discipline is intended to provide a tool for dealing with job-related behaviors that don’t meet the organization’s expected and communicated performance standards. The main purpose is to assist the affected employee in understanding that a performance problem exists and allow an opportunity for improvement. Progressive discipline that is well documented can lay a strong paper trail that may mitigate exposure to such legal problems as discrimination suits. We’ve been told over and over that documentation is critical and without it, a suspension or termination can be reversed, lead to a wrongful termination or a discrimination claim.
So the thought of not having documentation, especially in a progressive discipline situation, seems absurd! But believe it or not, there are some legal risks. According to an article in HR Magazine, “Progressive discipline may, in part, be challenged as unlawful retaliation.” In 2007, this particular charge rose to the second most common claim – it even outnumbered gender discrimination claims. The risk of unlawful retaliation doesn’t lie in the progressive discipline process itself, but instead as an outcome or consequence to how the process is handled and communicated. Take the following as an example:
You have an employee whose performance has been deteriorating over time and the supervisor wants to terminate the individual; however, no previous warnings have been issued. To avoid problems, you advise the supervisor to give this employee a written warning and allow them a chance to succeed. The supervisor does as you ask and puts a copy of the written warning in the employee’s file – two weeks later you receive notice that your organization is being sued for gender discrimination. Great! After researching the situation, the discrimination claim is unfounded. Yet, suddenly you receive another notice, but this time it is for unlawful retaliation because the employee is being excluded from regular meetings and training sessions since the discrimination claim.
The consequence of the discrimination claim caused the supervisor to ignore the employee in an attempt to avoid the problem. But in doing so caused what the U.S. Supreme Court has labeled as a type of retaliation through adverse actions. Adverse actions that can lead to an unlawful retaliation claim can be such things as: singling out the employee for more dangerous assignments; taking away a teacher’s resources or refusing to authorize funds for repairs; or excluding the individual from a training lunch that contributes to the advancement of the employee.
Though an employer can’t avoid retaliation claims, below are a few tips to help prevent such claims:
Have an Equal Employment Opportunity policy that is visible and communicated to the entire workforce
Include a separate retaliation provision in your EEO policy – this will help employees and supervisors understand what exactly constitutes retaliation.
Train all of your employees on the EEO policy making non-retaliation a critical part.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Cover Letters - More Important Than Ever
by Scott Fiore, TriStarr Staffing
While it may seem that in this age of electronic resumes and online applications, cover letters have lost their luster, I disagree. I believe quite the contrary, that they are more important than ever - if they are done correctly.
First - let's redefine cover letter a bit. In most cases today, resumes are submitted via email, or through an online job board. In the case of email - I recommend using the body of the email as your "cover letter". Attaching a more "traditional" cover letter to the email separately gives you less of a chance of having it seen. When submitting for a position through an online job board (CareerBuilder, etc.) you are generally provided the option to attach a "cover letter" or note to the hiring manager. Take advantage of these options.
Now let's move on to making the cover letter work for you.
First, do your homework and find out to whom to letter should be addressed. There are too many resources available today to help you find this information. So at least try. If you cannot find the contact - please address the letter / note "Dear Hiring Manager", or "Dear Sir/Madam". Stay away from gender specific language, or too casual an introduction like "Hi" or "Hey there". These are immediate turn offs.
Next, make the note short. Why are you writing? Show you have some knowledge of the company or position and have done your homework. Follow that with a short synopsis of your career - highlighting those areas that apply specifically to the position you are applying for. Finish by, again, noting your interest in the position and taking the next step, and sign off professionally.
Please, please, please make sure there are no typos, or grammatical errors. Have someone look at the note for you. Errors here (and in your resume) are the kiss of death. Also - don't ramble. A few short paragraphs is best. Remember you goal to to get the hiring manager to open your resume, and get you in the "yes / next round" pile. Often candidates include too much information a cover letter. Hiring managers in today's environment are looking for ways to exclude candidates to narrow their search - sometimes too much information can make it easy to move you to the "no" pile.
Finally - if an advertisement asks for specifics like salary requirements, willingness to relocate, etc - please answer these questions in the cover letter. The hiring manager wants to know for a reason, and omitting information when it's requested just simply shows you don't follow instructions, and odds are you'll move to the "no" pile fairly quickly.
I believe that cover letters are as important as ever. Make sure to include them when applying for a position no matter how you are doing so. Make sure that the letter lack errors, is relevant, and to the point, and sells your abilities and experience as they relate to the position. Remember the goal of the cover letter and resume are to get you an interview, not necessarily get you the job. Sell your strengths honestly. Good luck!
While it may seem that in this age of electronic resumes and online applications, cover letters have lost their luster, I disagree. I believe quite the contrary, that they are more important than ever - if they are done correctly.
First - let's redefine cover letter a bit. In most cases today, resumes are submitted via email, or through an online job board. In the case of email - I recommend using the body of the email as your "cover letter". Attaching a more "traditional" cover letter to the email separately gives you less of a chance of having it seen. When submitting for a position through an online job board (CareerBuilder, etc.) you are generally provided the option to attach a "cover letter" or note to the hiring manager. Take advantage of these options.
Now let's move on to making the cover letter work for you.
First, do your homework and find out to whom to letter should be addressed. There are too many resources available today to help you find this information. So at least try. If you cannot find the contact - please address the letter / note "Dear Hiring Manager", or "Dear Sir/Madam". Stay away from gender specific language, or too casual an introduction like "Hi" or "Hey there". These are immediate turn offs.
Next, make the note short. Why are you writing? Show you have some knowledge of the company or position and have done your homework. Follow that with a short synopsis of your career - highlighting those areas that apply specifically to the position you are applying for. Finish by, again, noting your interest in the position and taking the next step, and sign off professionally.
Please, please, please make sure there are no typos, or grammatical errors. Have someone look at the note for you. Errors here (and in your resume) are the kiss of death. Also - don't ramble. A few short paragraphs is best. Remember you goal to to get the hiring manager to open your resume, and get you in the "yes / next round" pile. Often candidates include too much information a cover letter. Hiring managers in today's environment are looking for ways to exclude candidates to narrow their search - sometimes too much information can make it easy to move you to the "no" pile.
Finally - if an advertisement asks for specifics like salary requirements, willingness to relocate, etc - please answer these questions in the cover letter. The hiring manager wants to know for a reason, and omitting information when it's requested just simply shows you don't follow instructions, and odds are you'll move to the "no" pile fairly quickly.
I believe that cover letters are as important as ever. Make sure to include them when applying for a position no matter how you are doing so. Make sure that the letter lack errors, is relevant, and to the point, and sells your abilities and experience as they relate to the position. Remember the goal of the cover letter and resume are to get you an interview, not necessarily get you the job. Sell your strengths honestly. Good luck!
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