Memorial Day, first enacted to honor Union and Confederate soldiers following the American Civil War, was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars. Memorial Day often marks the start of the summer vacation season. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May. Another tradition is to fly the US flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. One of the longest-standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, an auto race which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911. It runs on the Sunday preceding the Memorial Day holiday. The Memorial Tournament golf event has been held on or close to the Memorial Day weekend since 1976. The National Memorial Day Concert takes place on the west lawn of the United States Capitol. Music is performed, and respect is paid to the men and women who died in war. Thank you to all our Veterans. Let freedom ring.

Reminder

Daylight Saving Time starts this weekend.

Please remember to set your clocks

 Ahead  1 hour on

Sunday, March 11, 2012

by David Gee

Most of the posts on the pages of Staffing Talk have to do with hiring people, not firing them. And that is as it should be. But when a member of the editorial staff at this fine site sent me a survey about the Top 10 reasons companies fire people, I thought I would share it. As for the source, we found the write-through on Hub Pages, but their source wasn’t credited. Crazy bloggers.

Speaking of crazy, before I get started on the list, I want to share a funny little story. After I posted the headline and wrote the first paragraph, I did a Google image search of “You’re Fired” to see what was available. Of course, there were the usual Donald Trump pictures featuring his colossal combover and pointing finger. But then I saw a very amateurish stick figure drawing that came from a Chicago law firm’s blog. I did a double take and realized it was a drawing I made myself for Staffing Talk last year. Oh, well, I’m sure I ripped a photo off before. Once anyway. I never dreamed there would be a day when my art work would be in demand though. Take that Mrs. Vail, my 6th grade art teacher who told me I didn’t have a shred of artistic talent.

So anyway, let’s going going with the list, best ways to get fired.

1) Dishonesty

This one is kind of a no brainer, even though it tops the list. Of course if you lie to your boss, share proprietary company information, fudge or fake time sheets or expense reports and the like, this is always potential grounds for firing.

Add some social media wrinkles to this one though now. Doing things like tweeting/blogging/sharing disparaging things about your boss, co-workers and/or company can get you in trouble, as can taking a sick day and then posting Facebook pictures of yourself tubing at your friend’s lake cabin. That last one is hypothetical by the way.

2) Lying on a resume

As you well know, increasing numbers of employers are checking every single reference a job candidate provides, although EEO regulations make this more difficult to complete in recent years. Many employers, including staffing agencies, require a candidate provide copies of high school, vocational school, and/or college transcripts and diplomas, as well as certifications and licenses when applicable.

Some employers are even running regularly credit checks on workers. Vendors who can perform bulk credit and background checks make this cheaper to accomplish these days.

3) Refusing to follow directions and orders

This is another one in the no brainer and self explanatory categories. Employers are paying a worker to be there, performing certain duties and functions. If the worker is unwilling or unable to perform those functions, there is going to be a problem. And probably a dismissal.

4) Too much personal stuff at work

Companies consider computers, telephones and so forth to be their property, and using, or misusing, company property on a continual basis for your personal stuff is frowned upon. Endless surfing on the web, engaging in social media sites, excessive chit chat with coworkers is also a waste of company time and could get you fired.

Companies consider computers, telephones and so forth to be their property, and using, or misusing, company property on a continual basis for your personal stuff is frowned upon. Endless surfing on the web, engaging in social media sites, excessive chit chat with coworkers is also a waste of company time and could get you fired.

5) Inconsistency

We all have bad days, right? That won’t get you fired. Usually. But if your productivity and moods are swinging all over the place in a pendulum-like fashion, that could put you in another category.  The fireable kind. This is often the kind of thing that can be addressed in a regular performance review. If you are an employer, you should be conducting them regularly. There are too many tools available today not to. No excuses. And if you are an employee, you should be receiving reviews on an annual, or even more frequent basis.

6) Inability to get along with others

Can’t we all just get along?! Seems like an easy enough ask, but as we all know, the workplace environment is not always a perfectly harmonious one. Isn’t it great to be the person about whom others others say, “They get along with everybody.” Conversely, the lack of an ability to play well with others can derail your career and advancement opportunities.

7) Can’t do the work

With more and more people desperate for work these days, by the time someone reaches the actual serious interview stage, it’s quite possible they might not answer honestly to specific questions about their skills and experience. For jobs that require certification and/or licenses, this scenario won’t happen. But for less technical or more general positions, it’s possible an employer – or even the employee – may not know someone’s true ability to perform work until they are actually on the job. If someone is hired and shown they simply can’t do the job, they will likely be let go. It’s like a blind date, the true you will emerge eventually, you may as well be honest from the start. On both sides for that matter.

Too slow to adapt

With more and more generations in the workplace than at any time in our history perhaps, a willingness and ability to adapt to different work styles, communication methods, motivations, etc., is essential for success. No doubt we have all seen situations where change is instituted by a new boss, perhaps a younger or less experienced one, and that change is resisted by long-tenured or more experienced employees. With the pace of change in the workplace today, we all must be highly adaptable and willing to evolve.

9) High absenteeism rate

I have a very diligent, serial entrepreneur friend who when discussing the correlation between persistence and success, often talks about the importance of simply “showing up.” Of course, not showing up for work carries with it consequences, which may include firing. With many employers aggregating vacations, mental health days, sick time, holidays, and other personal days into one category called “Paid Time Off” or something similar, detailed explanations about the reasons for not being at work may not matter as much. But showing up regularly still does.

Be sure and look for a subsequent Staffing Talk post about a woman who got hired, got sick (very sick in fact) and got fired. It’s an interesting case study.

10) Drug and/or alcohol abuse

Obviously drug and alcohol issues can leads to all kinds of problems in the workplace, such as inconsistent work, errors, accidents, poor interpersonal relationships, increased absenteeism, low morale and so on. It’s bad for the company and bad for the worker. When these problems come up, they certainly transcend the workplace, and losing a job may not be the biggest problem.

That’s our list. It’s fairly comprehensive, but we wouldn’t assume it’s complete. Did we make any obvious errors or omissions? Let us know your thoughts and comments, including perhaps a difficult firing decision you have had to face.

Is this a good thing? It certainly can be. As a career transition expert, I view temporary work as a perfect chance for a career switcher to try on different hats, work in various types of businesses, even add new skills and experience.

A temporary, “dip in the pool” assignment lets you get a feel firsthand if this is something you really want to do. I always tell people who ask my advice on changing careers–do the job first-moonlight, apprentice, volunteer. If you can get paid for a temporary gig, go for it. That’s the only way you’ll know if the new career is all you dreamed it would be.

But even if you aren’t thinking of career changing, here are other reasons why a  temporary assignment may be worth it.

• Gets you out of bed in the morning. You’ve got something to do.
• Gets you in the door. It may lead to full-time work with an employer eventually. Don’t miss the opportunity.
• Gets you decent pay. You can make your experience a plus. Employers are typically willing to pay you generously, providing you have the chops, if you solve their problem or need quickly. It lets them bypass the hand-holding and learning curve stage that a younger, less experienced, but lower-paid worker, might require.
• Builds your professional network. Nurture relationships with co-workers during your assignment. You never know where a contact may lead you, and who they might be able to refer you to for future jobs.
• Lands you new and au courant references for future employers to contact about what you’ve been up to lately.
• Keeps your resume alive. It’s a bone to stave off the disgrace of those gaping holes of idleness in your resume.
• Keeps your skills sharp. You know the mantra: Use it or lose it.
• Lets  you get psyched about a work project–without the pressure of long-term expectations. No job is forever, anyway. This one just might be shorter than most, and that can be tremendously freeing.

You can’t expect that temporary or contract positions will lead to a full-time or on-going position. I know that. If it is a job or a company that turns you on, though, you can subtly let it be known that you’d love an opportunity to be considered for a full-time position should things change. And, please, don’t take it personally, if it doesn’t. It’s not about you…it’s about them.

Even if it’s just what it claims to be, a temp job, you still win in my experience. First, it might be just the flexible work schedule you’re looking for. Secondly, if it’s a full-time job you really want, it still has your back.

When you’re making money, the truth is you feel better about yourself. You feel valued. It builds confidence. That’s far healthier than shooting out resumes and not getting a single response. And seriously, you never know what might come your way when you back away from the computer screen.

A final tip: Hone your yarn-spinning. Even if the assignment was the pits, and that’s always possible, find a clever to use it in a future job interview. It can be a great example of your work ethic, ability to helicopter in and solve a problem, or fill a professional need for a company. Make the time spent part of your personal career story. Poetic license.

Kerry Hannon, Contributor For

Marina LoAlbo, Manager of our Mountainside Office, is Vice President of the The Ladies Philoptochos of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Westfield.    Recently, The Ladies Philoptochos held their annual Art Show featuring Greek/American artists.   The proceeds were donated to HomeFirst Interfaith Housing and Family Services. The Ladies Philoptochos mission is to help the needy, and HomeFirst is a leader in eradicating homelessness and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the homeless by providing safe, affordable housing  and services to disadvantaged families.

Thank you Marina for your endless hours of volunteer work!

 From left to right:  Irene Panagakos, Church Administrator; Marina LoAlbo, Vice Pres.; Father Peter Delvizis, Priest of Holy Trinity; Rick Porter, Deputy Director of Development and Public Relations HomeFirst; Avi Kiriakatis, Pres.; Helen Hadzitheodorou, Treasurer.

Bryant Staffing is seeking QA Packaging Inspectors for weekend work only.  Hours include:

Saturday: 6:00am-6:00pm and Sunday 6:00am – 2:00pm and/or

Sunday: 6:00am – 6:00pm and Sunday 10:00pm – 6:00am

Responsibilities:

Conducting incoming inspection on packaging components

Use and understanding of sampling plans

Approve and reject product per company criteria

Complete required forms and documentation

Requirements:

Must be able to read, write and speak English

Must be able to pass a criminal background check and drug screen

Previous QA experience in the food, cosmetic or pharmaceutical industry

Salary

$11.00 – $12.00/hr

EOE

Our Piscataway Office at 377 Hoes Lane will be holding an Open House between the hours of 9:00am – 7:30pm on  Wednesday, December 28th and Thursday, December 29th.

Applicants with previous Warehouse, Machine Operator, Pick/Pack Experience needed.

Immediate Openings for WEEKEENDS ONLY

Must be able to pass a criminal background check and drug screen

Must be able to read, write and speak English

Shifts Available:

Saturday:   6:00am – 6:00pm

Saturday:  6:00pm – 6:00am

Sunday:  6:00am – 2:00pm

Sunday:  10:00pm – 6:00am

Compensation:  $9 – $10

Call Piscataway Office at 732-981-0440 for further information

 EOE

LEGAL ALERT

New Mandate for New Jersey Employers Effective December7, 2011

Beginning December 7, 2011 New Jersey employers will be required to provide to all newly hired employees at the time of hiring a copy of the below Appendix.  The appendix must be (1) given at the time of hiring as part of the Hiring Package or (2) delivered via email to the employee.  This notice obligation starts with all new employees hired as of November 7, 2011 going forward.

The following link will take you to the official 6-page notice (MW-400) provided by the New JErsey Department of Labor and Workforce Development to be delivered to newly hired employees:

http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/forms_pdf/EmployerPosterPacket/MW-400.pdf

Note that failure to meet the obligations of this new requirement is “guilty of a disorderly offense and shall, upon conviction, be fined not less than $100 nor more than $1,000.”

This Legal Alert is not legal advice but rather a notification of a new legal requirement for New Jersey employers.  Firms may want to seek the advice and guidance from their own professional advisors on this and other matters as they apply to their own specific circumstances.

NJSA SELECTS 2011 STAFFING

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

October 31, 2011.  The New Jersey Staffing Alliance Board of Directors is pleased to announce the recipient of its Employee of the Year Award is Joseph Scotland, a temporary staffing employee with Bryant Staffing.

Joseph has been a contract employee in a shipping and receiving department in East Rutherford since 1999.  He travels from his home in Bronx, NY to his position each day with a smile and a positive outlook to everybody.  According to his Bryant placement supervisor, Kathy Chapman, “Joseph exemplifies key messages about temporary employment: he works hard at his job; is flexible in his assignments; and always makes the right choice for Bryant and our Clients.

Also recognized as the 2011 runner-up Employee of the Year is Christopher Bahr of Joule, Inc.  Christopher works in the regulatory and standards affairs department at Stryker Orthopedics in Mahwah, NJ where he ensures consistency, completeness and adherence to all standards for their product submissions.  He has been recognized by his supervisors as polished, professional, dedicated, and above all, supportive of his teammates.  His assignment has been extended three times and each time he has fulfilled his duties in an exemplary fashion.

NJSA congratulates both Joseph and Christopher for their excellent work as examples of professional temporary employees in New Jersey.

 NJSA is a statewide association of staffing companies in New Jersey.  NJSA also conducts industry research and provides valuable traning and educations for staffing professionals in New Jersey.  New Jersey staffing companies employ over 300,000 people for temporary or contract work.  new Jersey temporary staffing firms generated more than $1.9 billion in annual payroll while direct hire staffing firms generated $473 million for a total of $2.37 billion in annual payroll.  Threre are 831 direct hire locations in New Jersey for a total of 1,855 staffing firm offices in New Jersey

Here’s some great advice from O’Meara Financial Group

Fall brings the end of daylight savings time and the beginning of flu season.  What can you do to fight against disease?  Medical professionals say that boosting your immune system – your body’s build-in defense against disease – with good food, plentiful exercise, and sufficient sleep can help, too.

 Katherine Tallmadge, national spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, says nutrition profoundly affects our ability to fight disease. If you want to stay healthy this winter, it’s a good idea to eat:

•  Lean protein, like chicken, fish, and fat-free dairy products, because the molecules that help us stay healthy are made of protein.
•  Good fat that is found in olive oil, canola oil, and nuts can help your cells function better and fight disease
•  Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are key players because they contain antioxidants which help us stay healthy.

 Regular exercise also helps boost your immune system and keep illness at bay.  Just don’t overdo it, especially as you get older.  Thirty minutes of light to moderate exercise a day is enough to keep your immune system strong.

•  Walk anywhere and everywhere.  All you need is a comfortable pair of shoes.
•  Take a class at the YMCA, a senior center, or a local gym.  Try water aerobics, yoga, Tai Chi – or all of them.
•  Watch television.  Chances are that your kids or grandkids have a Wii, PlayStation, or Xbox.  Each of these systems offers exercise programs that let you work out at home.

 Studies show that lack of sleep makes us more susceptible to colds and flu viruses. If you don’t sleep like a log every night consider these sleep tips from Helpguide.org:

•  Avoid alcoholic beverages
• Avoid big meals or spicy foods late at night.
• Have a light snack before bedtime.
• Use a relaxation technique to prepare for sleep.

 If all else fails, keep the chicken soup handy.  If you fall ill despite your best efforts, remember the chicken soup.  It’s not a wives tale.  According to the Mayo Clinic, chicken soup has anti-inflammatory and mucus-thinning effects which can soothe when you get sick

 www.omearafinancial.com