The Pros and Cons of a Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy

The Pros and Cons of a Paid Time Off (PTO) PolicyThe Pros and Cons of a Paid Time Off (PTO) PolicyApaid time off (PTO) policy combines vacation, sick time and personal time into a single bank of days for employees to use to take paid time off from work. A PTO policy creates a pool of days that an employee may use at his or her discretion. When an employee needs to take time off from work, the PTO policy enables a certain amount of the time off to be paid time off. The employee may use the PTO at his or her discretion. Whether they need the time for doctors appointments, kids school conferences, to pick Johnny up at the bus stop, to wait for a furnace repairman, or to recover from the flu, the time use is no longer the business of the employer. So, employees who may have lied or made up stories about how they were using their time in the past, have the right to take PTO at their discretion to support work-life balance and flexibility. This has allowed employers and employees to stop t he practice of adult employees needing permission from their manager to miss work. To protect the company workload and customer tafelgeschirr, youll want to require that employees request PTO with at least two days prior noticeunless the employee is truly sick. Establish other guidelines, as needed, for employee sickness, vacation, and personal time before you adopt a PTO policy. (Employees tend to react unfavorably when a new system is adopted and the rules and guidelines dribble out later after the policy is in use. So, think carefully about the ramifications of the decision and make every effort to fully inform employees of all related policies and guidelines prior to its adoption.) To help you think about whether a PTO policy will work in your organization, here are the advantages and disadvantages of adopting PTO over traditional paid time off days. Advantages of a Paid Time Off Policy You treat employees as adults who are entitled to use PTO at their discretion without ove rsight. Managers are not put in the position of having to police their reporting employees use of their benefit, paid time off.PTO gives the employer some control over unscheduled absences, a serious problem, and cost for many. Employees can schedule time off in advance which assists with work coverage.Employees value the flexibility that PTO provides. It gives them the option of using the paid time off when they most need it- whether to care for a sick child who cant go to daycare or to take a vacation with the family at the beach. In the past, employees may have been untruthful about why they needed to take time off from work because they wanted their manager to think positively of them. PTO, in allowing them to make adult decisions, provides no reason for employees not to tell the truth.Employers can address employee attendance only with people who are gaming the system or having attendance problems, rather than having to impose a lot of rules and guidelines for your average empl oyee who attends work regularly with no problems. Disadvantages of Paid Time Off Policies Some research shows that employers who adopt PTO may give employees fewer overall days than they had previously, and/or new employees accumulate PTO more slowly than longer-term employees.Employees tend to view PTO as a benefit and use all of the time off, whereas they may not have in the past. when they had time off for personal days, sick days, and vacation. Americans, especially, are notorious for not taking paid vacations and other paid time off of work.Employees tend to view all PTO time as vacation time and come to work when they are sick. Employers can discourage this practice with absenteeism management practices.Managers in the organization need to set the pace and expectations and model appropriate behavior foremployees. Coaching can also help address the issue of employees coming into work sick. Paid Time Off Policy Averages In a 2016survey conducted by the Society for Huma n Resource Management (SHRM), The majority of organizations offered PTO plans (87%) and paid vacation plans (91%) to employees based on their length of service at the organization. For PTO plans, the average leave days awarded per year based on employees length of service ranged from 13 to 26days and eight to 22 days for paid vacation plans. If you are a member of SHRM, you can download the complete report from the above reference link. In a study conducted by the WorldatWork Association in September 2014, the average number of PTO days offered by employers was Less than one year of service 16 days1-2 years of service 18 days3-4 years of service 19 days5-6 years of service 22 days7-8 years of service 23 days9-10 years of service 24 days11-15 years of service 26 days16-19 years of service 27 days20 years of service 28 days Youll want to take a look at the whole survey report about paid time off. In addition to the range of paid time off days that employers offer, the rest of the empl oyee benefit, paid time off, is explored. In several of the service periods of time, the number of days of paid time off dropped between their 2010 survey and the 2014 survey.

Writing a Letter of Appreciation for a Job Well Done

Writing a Letter of Appreciation for a Job Well DoneWriting a Letter of Appreciation for a Job Well DoneEvery employee wants to be recognized for a job well done. While acknowledgements of an employees contributions should be offered regularly, once in a while a letter of appreciation for a job well done may be the right way to go. This can be used to recognize an exceptional performance on a project or simply to note long-term dedication and loyalty.Reasons for Writing a Letter of Appreciation for a Job Well DoneCommissions, bonuses, and other incentives are all well and good, but letters of appreciation personalize accomplishments. Letting an employee know theyre doing great is not only polite, its a way to build on relationships, motivate employees to continue excelling, and show a high level of leadership. The letter lets staff know that management is paying attention to their efforts.Writing a Letter of Appreciation for a Job Well DoneIdeally, the letter should get out quickly, no more than two days after the accomplishment you are thanking the employee for.While there are certainly many modes of communication these days, long-time etiquette source the Emily Post Institute says that a handwritten or typed letter is still the best way to send appreciation letters. Emily Post does add a caveat emaille is acceptable if (a) that is how you normally communicate and (b) the letter has to get out quickly. Otherwise, the experts in the business say that a well-formatted, neatly printed, high-quality sheet of paper will always look better than an email.While being sincere, polite, and enthusiastic, the letter should be composed with all the tenets of business etiquette in mind. The salutation should be formal unless youre on a first name basis with the recipient. Open with a statement about the event or project in question. If this is a general notice of long term work, let the employee know how well theyve been doing. Provide specifics to show youre paying attenti on. Note the traits that you believe contributed to the success. Close out with a final appreciation of their efforts and mention how you look forward to future collaborations and successes. As an extra boost, note at the bottom of the appreciation letter for a job well done that youre CC-ing HR and other interested parties.Besides all types of business documentation, LiveCareer knows resumes. Its Resume Builder is the centerpiece of a library filled with FAQs, samples, templates, and articles about putting together professional credentials. Related Articles Writing a Proper Retirement Letter for Your EmployerWriting a Solicited Application LetterWriting a Waiter or Server Cover Letter

Dont Just Quit your Job

Dont Just Quit your Job Dont Just Quit your Job Before you go too far on that one-way street, have you evaluated the social, financial and other domino effects of being unemployed? Yes, being unemployed isnt easy, especially when the next round of bills are slipped under the door. You might also find it socially challenging to go out and explain to everyone why you quit your job. Moreover, if youre in a long-term relationship or have children, theres even more reason for you to think twice.While you may have reasons for your decision, there are practical alternatives to quitting your job. Have you considered them?Given below are some you should contemplate1. Have you considered an internal transfer? If you dont get along with a coworker or a newly appointed manager or have other serious reasons, an internal transfer is a healthy alternative. Look around and see if theres another department within your company that may have a place for you.According to some career counselors and lea dership gurus, contemporary professionals embark on alternative career paths every 5 to 10 years. This takes away the monotony from a particular job and provides you with a fresh challenge.Moving to another department with experience of working in your previous one may give you better understanding of the new job. There is no nix to having varied experiences. In fact, one can only supplement the other.2. Join a cross-functional team to add variety to your work. Creating such a team, if there isnt one in your present company already, may make you stand out as a creative genius. In case your office already has one, join in and voice your ideas. If you have an idea or two that sell, you could strike gold and find the motivation to roll your sleeves up every morning.3. Consider asking for additional or new responsibilities. Talking candidly to your supervisor about diversification is another idea that works for many people. Besides, your anfhrer may be trying to get a few things off his or her plate so they can focus on bigger things. Additionally, by taking on new responsibilities, you might earn yourself a favor with the person who matters most- your boss.4. Ask for a raise or promotion if youre feeling the economic pinch or if you feel like youre stuck in a rut. If you do it right, you might not only solve a few problems for your boss but also augment your income. Thats a win-win situation.5. As a last resort, you may ask for a short unpaid leave. This period will allow you to cool down, change your settings, consider your options and think more clearly.In certain end-of-the-world scenarios, leaving the company may be a good choice, but knowing that you considered all your options before walking away may make you feel better in the end.Final piece of advice It might be better if you already had an offer before you resign.Simply put, you must ask and look for alternatives within the company otherwise you might miss out on opportunities that could lead to a resol ution for whatever predicament youre faced with. The biggest long-term benefit for you is that you stay where you are while you improve your job satisfaction.

Good news Pay packages are growing

Good news Pay packages are growingGood news Pay packages are growingEmployers have recently been having a hard time recruitingapplicants with the right qualifications, but according to The Wall Street Journal, theres a bright spot Workers pay packages are growing.While salary has been growing modestly,the publication reports that other fringe benefits are expanding more quickly. Employers are doling out more money to cover the costs of vacation perks and retirement contributions, leading to overall compensation-package growth increasing at the quickest rate in two years,based on recent data from the Labor Departement.Private-sector workers average hourly total compensation, which went up by 4% from Q3 last year, is the best gain in total compensation since the same quarter in 2015.Benefits are doing more of the heavy lifting than wages are in terms of growth - the former have gone up by 4.6% since last year, the best gain in more than two years, with increases in paid leave and reti rement benefits contributing more to the uptick than another mentioned factor.The breakdown of rising benefits looks like this, according to WSJ Retirement benefits, measured at an hourly rate, rose 11.2% from a year earlier. Paid leave improved by 5%. Insurance costs, which includes health insurance premium paid by employers, rose 3.5% from a year earlier.Wages in the private sector, meanwhile, are up 3.7% from last year, which WSJ says is the highest growth in two years.Explaining the gap between salary and benefit growth, WSJ offers thisThe data suggests that as the labor market tightensthe unemployment rate is trending at a 17-year lowemployers might be stepping up fringe benefits as part of a compensation package. That could help explain why wages are advancing at a relatively subdued rate. Employers and workers could favor improving benefits and flexibility to take time off over bigger paychecks.Job seekers, this tight job market may be good news for you - so long as you look at total compensation, not just the headline salary number. Chances are, you might be in for attractive benefits at your next employer.More from LaddersThese companies let employees work from the comfort of their homesThese are the 15 highest-paying jobs in the nation, LinkedIn foundWatch out for this disturbing new trend in job interviews

Resume Folders Tips & Guide

Resume Folders Tips & Guide Resume Folders Secrets The dark blue color coupled with the appearance of leather will provide the expert appearance we are completely aiming for when seeking to land our dream job. Should they look too worn, then purchase a new pair. The finishing touches Its wonderful how important its simply to be sure your clothing is dry cleaned, states Oakley. Have a hair tie alongside you. This isnt only an excess step for the employer, additionally, it leaves room for error that can be avoided entirely by doing so yourself. We understand how to deal with the writing process easily. Nobody knows your business just like you do. Recruiters cant manipulate contact info or adjust information in accordance with their requirements. RememberKeep in mind your very first job doesnt need to define what you will do for the remainder of your career. It will be difficult that you compete if you arent as prepared as your job seeking peers. LinkedIn can also help you get to understand the interviewer and learn regarding their credentials. Learning the best method to supply the portfolio is crucial to your successful job search. Its the task of the interviewer to ask the questions that will make it possible for them to judge if you you have the most suitable experience, attitude, aptitude or temperament for the job but in addition, it is critical that you ascertain whether the provider is an excellent fit for you. At the start of your first interview, state that youve got a resume portfolio to leave with the employer for mora review. You would like your employer to understand what you did in your prior jobs, but you dont will need to include things like the kitchen sink. You dont know when a prospective employer might ask you to supply a reference list or a salary history, and therefore dont be caught off-guard. The Tried and True Method for Resume Folders in Step by Step Detail Frank was ready to go anywhere for his very first job. Tak ing a few notes during your interview can be helpful for a couple reasons. You will appear more prepared and prepared for the interview too, which gives off a terrific impression to employers. By then, youll have used Big Interview to prepare and practice so which you can speak about your reasons in a constructive and professional way. What You Need to Know About Resume Folders Professional folders and style portfolios in bold colors with an array of pocket styles that are created from sturdy materials are readily available to suit an assortment of project requirements. You will require a totally free hand to produce the introduction. The plan is still organized and simple to read a good illustration of balancing creativity with readability. Thus, without making a complete bunch of efforts youre ready with really fascinating visuals. What You Should Do to Find Out About Resume Folders Before Youre Left Behind In case you go to an office supply store you will have the ability to buy a matching resume folder. Have a look at the ready-made templates for purchase over on GraphicRiver if youre searching for something new. Its always preferable to have a couple of handy, just in case. If youre using mobile phone, you may also utilize menu drawer from browser. The use of bullets may also ensure far better reader comprehension when visually scanned. In most instances, we recommend using a Professional Summary rather than an Objective. Leave comfortable margins on the webpage and be certain that everything is neatly aligned. The Second Step Have your Personal advertising Tools prepared to go. In any event youre prepared and do not need to think about who youd use and what their correct contact details. Confirm all that information once you prepare the interview, thus you arent fumbling in the lobby before your huge meeting. Its always preferable to make a new email address thats somewhat professional. Also, ensure youve got a professional-sounding emai l address. The issue with the majority of curriculum vitaes is they are hard to read due to tons of content. The colors within this curriculum vitae brochure are great Our site is reader-supported. Receive a customized prozentanteil today

This Flowchart Will Show You What Kind of Learner You Are

This Flowchart Will Show You What Kind of Learner You Are Like many professionals, you probably crave opportunities for development. While training sessions and courses of all kinds can be valuable to your career progress, the most beneficial resources will be those that align with your particular style of learning.You see, not everyone learns the same way. Some of us love to soak up info from a well-delivered lecture, while others prefer a more hands-on approach. Theres no wrong way to learn Whatever works for you is right.However, few of us know what our learning styles are. We may be vaguely aware that we enjoy reading over watching a presentation, but were not necessarily sure of the specific avenues by which we most efficiently process new information.If youd like to better understand what kind of learner you are, check out this flowchart from personal lenders Pounds to Pocket, which can help you determine your learning style and give you an in-d epth look at how to best approach professional development opportunities based on where you thema

Job Interview Question Why Should I Hire You

Job Interview Question Why Should I Hire YouJob Interview Question Why Should I Hire YouSometimes bewerbungsgesprch questions can reach a surprising level of boldness, which is definitely the case when an vorstellungsgesprcher asks you point blank, Why should I hire you?For those of us who tend to avoid any pretense of being egotistical, this question can feel abrasive. After all, people who speak forcefully about what others should or shouldnt do tend to be hard to work with, and telling someone about how awesome you are can feel downright awkward. Whether or not you look forward to an opportunity to address why the company should hire you its important to prepare for this question in advance. That way you are prepared to provide an answer that will speak to your ability to do the job that youre there to win. Reframe the QuestionThe key to answer this question without feeling uncomfortable is to reframe what the interviewer is asking. So when you sit down to an interview for a new p osition and the hiring manager asks why she should hire you, answer in a way that restates what she is looking for and how you align with that desire.For example, in an interview for a management position in the 3-D printing industry, your answer might look something like thisYoure looking for someone who can use mechanical design tools to design and modify materials for 3-D printing products in the aeronautical space. But not just that, youre also looking for someone who can be a team player within a large company that services a wide range of clients. From our discussion about your project management style and your five-year goals as a company, I can see that I am a strong fit for what youre looking for because of my proven skills in aeronautical applications for 3-D printing and my experience working with clients as an account manager within this industry. Focus on the BenefitsAnother way to answer this question is to focus on what the company will receive if it decides to hire y ou. This response answers the question of, Why should I hire you? by detailing how hiring you will benefit the company. For example, in an interview for a retail position in the clothing industry, your answer might sound something like this The kind of praise Ive received most at my former jobs revolved around how polite I was to the customers who then became recurring customers and how reliable I was when it came to creating the work schedule for the team. By hiring me youll be able to focus on achieving your goals as a manager rather than wondering if your staff will show up on time or if your team members will treat the customers with special care.As you can see, both of these responses take away the pressure of telling someone to do something while also highlighting how you meet the needs of the company in a unique way. Have you ever been asked this question within an interview? How did you respond?

Police Courtesy in Law Enforcement

Police Courtesy in Law EnforcementPolice Courtesy in Law EnforcementIn law enforcement circles across the United States, a quiet debate continues to take place about the brotherhood of the thin blue line and professional courtesy among police officers. At the heart of the discussion is the question of whether police officers should receive leniency if they commit besucherzahlen violations and even some misdemeanors, particularly in light of the tough job they have and the importance of sticking together. Professional Courtesy Professional courtesy is elend unique to law enforcement a certain kindred spirit certainly exists across nearly all professions. Waiters, for example, often tip fellow waiters better when dining out. Hospitality industry workers may often take care of their fellow workers by giving them free drinks or enhanced service. Historically, doctors have offered free services to fellow physicians and their family members. The fact is, people who perform the saatkorn or similar jobs have a certain appreciation and understanding of what they deal with from day to day, and they have a natural inclination toward empathy and a desire to help each other out. Considering how tough a day in the life of a police officer can be, its no small wonder that fellow officers may be inclined to look the other way when their brothers and sisters in blue commit minor violations and infractions. Higher Standards for Police Officers In law enforcement, though, the public expects their officers to be held to a high ethical standard. In order to perform their jobs and accomplish their mission of improving public safety, officers rely on the publics trust. Part of that trust entails an expectation that officers will follow the law and lead by example. Get Out of Jail Free? Most often, professional courtesy for police officers is given- or at least expected- in traffic stops. Youve no doubt seen the thin blue line stickers on the rear windows of cars in traffi c. Many officers and public safety professionals display the seemingly innocuous sticker as a symbol to other officers that theyre on the job, a phrase applied to those who work in law enforcement. The expectation is that other officers will be lenient because were all in it together. In most circumstances, officers are granted broad discretion in what laws they enforce and how they enforce them. Citations, arrests, notices to appearand written or verbal warnings are all on the table in most instances. Knowing that a violator is a police officer can often influence another officers decision on how to use his or her discretion. Leniency for Cops - Right or Wrong? But is it right? Should police officers receive special consideration? Or should they be expected to follow the law - all laws - just like everyone else and to receive the same consequences as everyone else? For those who fall on the side of leniency and professional courtesy, the argument is that no one else knows what officers face from day to day. Many say that fellow officers are going to be the ones to back you up when you need help, and so you need to keep that in mind when you have one stopped. In some cases, a ticket or an arrest may mean someones job, which makes the decision to take enforcement action that much more difficult. Officers, some say, should take care of each other.? Whos the Rat? While it may be reasonable for officers to expect some consideration, some law enforcement professionals get downright angry when they or a member of their family receives a traffic ticket or even a written warning. Officers who write tickets to other officers are sometimes called rats or worse, and there are some who strongly believe that under almost no circumstances should an officer take enforcement action against another, whether on or off duty. Accomplishing the Mission In truth, this notion flies in the face of why officers choose to work in law enforcement, to begin with. It also unde rmines the trust the public has placed in the profession. The fact is, officers are expected to be exemplary in following the law so that they can have credibility when they enforce it. Failing to adhere to the law, or be held to the same or higher standard that we hold the public to, takes away from the ability of officers to effectively enforce laws and thus takes away their ability to safeguard lives and property. Real Professional Courtesy Rather than express anger at another officer for failing to provide aprofessional courtesy to another, the outrage is better directed toward the person who placed the officer in that position, to begin with. In short, regardless of your profession, if someone does not want to be accountable to the law, then the best course of action is to not break it in the first place. Police officers understand that their profession is unique and that officers need to stick together if they are to be successful and stay safe. But they also are all too a ware of the consequences of breaking laws- even traffic laws. Besides the legal consequences and the inconvenience of the out-of-pocket expense of a traffic ticket, there are real-world consequences when things go wrong. Laws are in place to keep people safe from harm. When officers fail to follow them, or fail to own up to their mistakes and refuseto accept the responsibility and consequences of their own actions, they cease to be part of the solution and start becoming part of the problem.

Get to Know the Career Center

Get to Know the Career Center Get to Know the Career Center The career information center has a variety of resources you can use to find the right career. Most have computers that you can use to update or to write your resume. If you need a fax machine or a copy machine in order to send out your applications, the career services center is likely to have these available for your use. The career services center also has information about local job fairs as well as contacts in local businesses who may be hiring. Frequently you can also find a reference library at a local job center with books that can help you to find the right career.The most valuable resource at the career center is probably the career counselor. He or she can help guide you in the right direction as you begin your career search. Career counselors can also help you learn how to answer interview questions appropriately and can help you write your resume. Your local career services center may require that you have an appointment to meet with a career counselor, so be sure to verify that ahead of time.If you have been unemployed for quite some time, you may find that you socialize less with your peers. A career center can give you the opportunity to network with other people who are looking to change their career as well. These other job seekers you meet at your local career services center may be able to give you information about career opportunities that are not the right fit for them, but perfect for you.Besides networking opportunities, the career center offers other social opportunities. Others at the center may be feeling the same way you are. As you communicate with other people who are in the same situation as you, you realize that you are not alone in your quest to find the right job.Your local career services center can open the doors to many opportunities for you. Besides simply gathering information about career opportunities, you can also socialize and hone your skills. Call the car eer center in your area to platzdeckchen up an appointment and find the right career for you.