Latest HR News - December 10, 2009

Avoiding Interview Killers

A new study focused on ways in which people can derail a job interview according to employers. 67% of hiring managers said dressing provocatively is a major deal breaker. 58% perceive having a typo in your application materials to be an interview killer. In addition, 39% of hiring managers say applicants should not bring up salary at all during the interview -- unless the interview brings it up first.

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David Lewis
CEO
Operations Inc - Stamford, CT
Human Resources Outsourcing and Consulting

AKA -- Mister HR

http://www.OperationsInc.com/

Reader Question of the Week - December 9, 2009

Straight from the mouths of Mr. HR's readers

What are the challenges we should expect to face when setting up the first payroll of any new year? --- President - Marketing Services Co.

The first payroll of the year is always unique in that you typically have to implement changes to each payroll record. Depending on what you offer your employees your changes will be varied. Specifically you may need to be prepared for implementing raises to base salary, changes to 401k/Pension contribution amounts, changes to Section 125 contribution levels, updating benefit deduction amounts, updating vacation time availability, and even updating tax withholding information. If you typically prepare Payroll 4 days prior to the payroll date for the first payroll of the year, give a minimum of 7 days.

David Lewis

CEO

Operations Inc - Stamford, CT

Human Resources Outsourcing and Consulting

AKA -- Mister HR

http://www.OperationsInc.com/

Interview Question of the Week - December 8, 2009

Tips from Mister HR on questions to ask and how to interpret the responses

Tell me about a situation in which others within your organization depended on you.

Ideally a question to be posed to staff vs. management, this will give you some insight on the aspects of leadership that the candidate has demonstrated in the past. We're looking for a success story here that shows their criticality within the organization. That being said you can also reverse this and ask about ways they may have failed to meet the call in the past, maybe making it easier by couching it on the basis that we all fail to get things done for a variety of good reasons from time to time, then asking them to explain how, when and why.

David Lewis

CEO

Operations Inc - Stamford, CT

Human Resources Outsourcing and Consulting

AKA -- Mister HR

http://www.OperationsInc.com/

Handbook Tip of the Week - December 7, 2009

Tips from Mister HR on key components of a good employee handbook

Protecting employees confidential information

A multitude of factors from compliance to best practices have driven a wave of mandates to the employer's door when it comes to confidentiality. In short you need to exercise extreme care when it comes to how you handle information about your employees, particularly their personal information on matters of health, family status, and even sexuality. Discretion is not only key, it may be the mandate. Failure to administer proper and compliant practices here could have huge impact.

David Lewis

CEO

Operations Inc - Stamford, CT

Human Resources Outsourcing and Consulting

AKA -- Mister HR

http://www.OperationsInc.com/

Latest HR News - December 3, 2009

More Companies Turn To Financial Rewards To Tackle Soaring Employee Healthcare Costs

A new survey revealed that 89% of employees said financial rewards (e.g., cash, healthcare premium discounts) are important motivators for participating in wellness programs. When asked what workplace wellness programs they were likely to participate in if offered by their employer, 70% of respondents indicated they were "very likely" to participate in programs designed to increase daily physical activity.

Read the full story...

David Lewis
CEO
Operations Inc - Stamford, CT
Human Resources Outsourcing and Consulting

AKA -- Mister HR

http://www.OperationsInc.com/