Six Ways People Get Employment Rights Wrong

by Caroline Levchuck, Yahoo! HotJobs


Most people who have jobs may be a little unclear about what rights they have and don't have on the job and in the workplace.

Attorney Margarita Ramos, an employment law expert and founder of Human Capital Consulting in New York, agrees. "Most employees naively believe that their own individual sense of fairness is what controls a work environment. But fairness has nothing to do with it. Just because something is unfair doesn't mean it's unlawful," she says.

Read on for six common misconceptions about employee rights.

You think: Your employer can't fire you without good cause.

Ramos says, "If you're employed in an at-will employment state, you can be fired for just about anything. The reason I hear most often is that a person is not a team player. That's a gray area, but it gets used all the time. Unless you find that it's really discrimination, there's not a lot you can do about it."

You think: You have a right to earn the same as a coworker who does the same job.

It's true that there are laws guaranteeing equal pay, but another person may have more experience or more seniority and thus may legally earn a higher salary. States Ramos, "I've managed people, and I've had some doing the 'same' job. However, what an employee may not realize is that the other person may be doing the same job but she may have more complex clients, handle a more complex region, or be taking on more responsibilities."

"Keep the focus on you and your value," she says.

You think: Your employer can't cut your pay.

Your employer may cut your pay at any time unless you're a member of a labor union, are part of a collective bargaining agreement, or have an employment contract.

Ramos explains, "Most of the cases involving a pay reduction are driven by the financial performance of a business. A good employer will manage your expectations before taking any actions. You'll know it's coming so you can take care of your finances."

You think: Your emails are your private property.

Emails you send using company servers or equipment are company property. Ramos reveals, "Today, most employers have policies around that issue. Unfortunately, most employees don't read through their handbooks when they start a job."

To safeguard your career, exercise extreme caution when sending and receiving emails and surfing the Internet.

You think: You're entitled to unemployment if you're fired.

It depends on the state in which you live, but if you are fired for misconduct you may not be eligible for unemployment. Ramos says, "If you've been fired for cause, most employers will contest your application for unemployment. And even if your employer doesn't contest it, the state still may decide to based on the information your employer provides when responding to your claim."

If you want to know what your employer considers misconduct, read your employee manual.

You think: Your employer can't snoop in your desk or office.

Your desk and your office are company -- not personal -- property. Ramos relates, "You should really assume that you have no privacy in the workplace."

Treat your desk, office, computer, and mobile device with extreme caution, she says, and keep them free of anything that could be considered even vaguely offensive or unsuitable for the workplace.

Ramos concludes, "People really should read their employee handbooks. As boring as they may seem, handbooks contain a lot of information. It used to be that they were vague and not well written, but that's changed. And ask questions if something is unclear."

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Everybody Loves the Office!

The Workplace Is Popular in Entertainment Media
by Alan Krauss, Porfolio.com


Content provided by Portfolio.com: The workplace, once a mere backdrop for popular entertainment, has taken center stage.

The popular comedy "The Office" begins its fourth season on NBC on September 27, while a new ABC series, "Carpoolers," will premiere on October 2. But the two TV shows are just the tip of the iceberg. Books, movies, Web series, comics -- all offer windows into the mundane realities, management crises, and emotional interplay of characters busy earning their daily bread.

Office romances, comedies, and dramas have been a staple of popular entertainment for decades, going back to cultural touchstones like "The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit," "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." More recently, a slew of novels ("The Office of Desire," "Then We Came to the End" by Joshua Ferris, "Company" by Max Barry, and many more), movies ("The Devil Wears Prada"), and TV shows ("The Apprentice," "The West Wing") have revolved around tyrannical or incompetent bosses, annoying or amusing co-workers, and the business of work.

Meanwhile, "The No A**hole Rule," "Made to Stick," and a shelf's worth of other nonfiction business books that aim to show readers how to be more effective and thus happier at work (and away from the office as well) are also riding high on bestseller lists.

And of course at 19 years and counting, Scott Adams's Dilbert brand is going strong in print, online, and in the merchandising arena.

A Reflection of Life?

There are several reasons for the enduring appeal of office-related entertainment, according to critics and other culture watchers. For one thing, many people spend more time at work these days than they do with their families.

And in the 1950s and '60s, women started to enter the workforce in greater numbers, a shift that gave new potential to the office as a setting, says Jeff Kloske, publisher of Riverhead Books, which released Martha Moody's novel "The Office of Desire" last month. "Now, the thing is that people's entire lives are defined by their office relationships," he says. "That's why the office as setting for all these different forms of entertainment is so successful."

But although a growing proportion of Americans have white-collar jobs, that doesn't mean they feel a greater sense of empowerment when they're at their desks than an assembly-line worker does.

"There's a certain amount of cynicism," says David Halle, a sociology professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. "There are a lot of mergers, companies being bought and sold. People are sitting in their offices, and for the vast majority, there's not much they can do about it."

Sitcoms about office life, he says, are an opportunity for viewers to have a little fun at the expense of what can be the unfunny reality of their lives. "The situation in offices is kind of grim a lot of times. These kinds of shows are opportunities to present a satirical, fun look at what is often not a fun situation," he says.

The Family Feeling Is Strong

At the same time, tales of office life let people see that they are not alone with their problems. "It makes people realize that their complaints are universal," says David Thorburn, a professor of literature and comparative media at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Lately, there has been a subtle shift in the setup: Instead of using the workplace as simply a backdrop, it is now the main point of the story.

Books, movies, and TV are still focused on what the experts refer to as workplace families, where outsiders (and viewers) can find companionship and fulfillment -- the "Mary Tyler Moore Show" model. But a growing number of shows, like "The Office" and the Internet series "Floaters" (www.phoebeworks.com), go beyond the family dynamic, with its sibling rivalries and fatherly authority figures, to actually dramatize the work that employees do.

"We never even saw Ward Cleaver at work," says Michael Abernethy, a columnist for PopMatters.com, a cultural news web site. "Now we have characters whom we never see at home."

A Cultural Shift at Work

Abernethy says a broad shift in cultural priorities may account for the change. "Work used to be the thing we did so we could have a nice home life," he said. Now, "if we have a family and time with the spouse and kids, it's a bonus."

The Internet and the always-on connectivity of cell phones and email are also important factors, says Fred Turner, an assistant professor of communication at Stanford University. "Everywhere is the office now," he says.

But a coherent story requires boundaries. "By limiting the scene to an office," he adds, "a TV show or book can create a limited narrative space in which to explore the diffusion of work into everyday life and the entangling of work and interpersonal relations."

Lofty analyses of cultural trends aside, though, the fundamental reason for the appeal of the latest spate of office-related books and shows is no different than in decades past: They are entertaining.

Everyone can relate to being stuck with a boss who is bumbling, insensitive, or outright evil, Abernethy says. And everyone has had co-workers who were shy or gossipy, loud or tactless. "Invariably," he says, "the setup for these office-related works -- whether they be blogs, films, series, or books -- contains an everyman or -woman, some average person trying to survive the insanity. A person we can point to and say, 'That's me!'"

Portfolio.com. Copyright 2007 Conde Nast Inc. All rights reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy.

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Recruiter Roundtable: Fashion, Grooming Tips

by Yahoo! HotJobs


The Recruiter Roundtable is a monthly feature that collects career and job-seeking advice from a group of recruiting experts throughout the United States. The question we put before our panel this month is:

What is the one piece of fashion and/or grooming advice you wish more candidates would heed before going on an interview?

Get the Details Right
The night before the interview, lay out your wardrobe to make sure everything fits, is free of wrinkles and is current with today's styles. Also take the time to polish your shoes. While this may sound minor, showing up with scuffed shoes may signal to the employer you lack attention to detail. Finally, remember that the interview is not your time to make a fashion statement, so avoid tight clothing, limit your jewelry, and go easy on fragrances.

The interview is your opportunity to show hiring managers how talented you are, and maintaining proper appearance will ensure they focus on your abilities rather than your attire.
-- DeLynn Senna, executive director of North American permanent placement services, Robert Half International

Accessorize With Mints
I wish more candidates would take a strong breath mint before their interviews. It may sound silly, but you would be surprised how distracting bad breath can be during an interview! Gum also works, but remember to discard your gum BEFORE the interview.
-- Bob Hancock, independent staffing consultant

What Are Your Revealing?
Look in the mirror: If too much is showing, don't wear it! While low-cut blouses or shirts are in fashion, most are inappropriate for the workplace, including the initial interview. The interviewer could possibly be distracted by the inappropriateness of the candidate's attire and therefore not focused 100% on the interview. This is unfortunate for both parties; the candidate may not be getting the positive reaction to answers they want, and the interviewer may be less apt to probe for the information they need to make a solid hiring decision.
-- Joelle Thies, staffing specialist recruiter, Wells Fargo

The Smell of Success Is Scent-Free
If your perfume or cologne enters the room before you do, chances are your scent may be interfering with your chances of landing the job. You'll see subtle signs from the interviewer -- he'll lean away from you, she'll wrinkle her nose or open a window. If someone on the interview team has allergies or asthma, and if you're meeting with them in a small room, your strong scent will be just the excuse they need to leave the room quickly, without them getting a chance to hear the details about the brilliant marketing campaign you developed at your last company.

The focus during the interview -- and afterward when the interview team gets together to discuss your interview -- should be on your accomplishments, abilities, and why you're the right person for the job. So keep it scent-free.
-- Cheryl Ferguson, recruiter, The Recruiter's Studio

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Dealing With Credit History on a Job Application

When filling out a job application you may have noticed the trend of employers asking for your credit history information. You may feel outraged at the personal intrusion, how does your credit history affect your ability to perform at a job? However, hiring managers see the credit issue from another point of view and believe that your score can be used as an indicator of job performance.

According to the Society of Human Resource Management, 60 percent of employers conduct credit checks on at least some of their new hires. This represents a significant increase from the last decade when only 25 percent of employers scratched this deep. So, if you are looking to get hiring, you may want to check out your credit score and start fixing any problems that may be on it.

Companies that use credit history as a qualifier for getting the job report that this data can show discrepancies or confirm information found on the resume and also uncover any distractions or personal management problems that may interfere with getting the job done. Some problems with checking a potential hire's credit score is that it sometimes doesn't provide enough information to explain any problems that may be on the report. In this economy, there are many reasons that a person may acquire bad credit that are beyond his control - from unexpected health problems, frivolous lawsuits, divorce and other reasons.

If your credit score is not as great as it should be, this is the time to start turning it around. Correct any mistakes that have shown up on your report and take the steps needed to raise your number. If you know you have credit problems, take the initiative to proactively discuss this with your potential employer instead of waiting for them to dig it up - problems will inevitably be discovered if you've given them permission to investigate. Show your future employer that you've taken steps to improve your financial status and are a responsible and dependable person - get plenty of references on your resume to back this up.

Todd Denning

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Job Hunt Blues - Fighting Job Search Depression

It is common to feel discouraged, even hopeless, during a job hunt that runs longer than you would like. In this financial environment, some people's job searches run for months, others' for years. So here are some tips to keep in mind when the job hunt has you feeling low.

1. As they say, a job hunt is easily a full-time job. Don't make it more than that. Put in your time job-hunting, then be sure to take some time for yourself.

Don't give yourself a hard time for taking time off. If you don't take down-time, the stress will wear away at your mental health, leaving you in no shape for interviews.

2. No stewing over your termination from your last job. Layoffs are ongoing, and these days, you haven't had much of a career, if you haven't been laid off at least once.

Take whatever lessons you can from your last position, looking for areas of improvement, and then move on. Period. You are human, you make mistakes, just like everyone else. Forgive yourself for any mistakes, then work on them.

(And your ex-boss? She's human, too.)

3. If you're really stuck in a rut, take some time to do work around the house that you'd never had time to get around to. Schedule those doctor appointments that you've been missing due to your busy schedule. Think of this as an unplanned leave of absence, and see the benefit in the time that you've been given.

4. Make up a new plan of attack. Plans can be invigorating, and with the time that you've had to reflect, you may come upon new plans of attack. Now may be a great time to head your career in a new direction. With your last job, you gained experience that you didn't have previously.

Really search the market and see what's out there. Look for areas of growth and opportunity, and really try hard to see your skills and abilities as freshly as if you'd never seen them before.

5. Take a class, read a book, expand skills that will aid you in your job search. Take the time to get a certification if it's likely to pay off.

6.When the stress is overwhelming, take a mental health day, and just soak in the tub with a good book and some merlot. Go for a walk. Rediscover the world as it is when you aren't wearing stress blinders.

7. Get out there and meet people. Join clubs, especially those associated with work interests, go to university lectures. Even a hiking club might well provide you with the contact who gets you that next job. Remember, who you know is at least as important as your training. The main thing a boss is looking for is reliability, and they get that assurance from acquaintance, however slight or second-hand, with your character.

8. Don't take it personally when you don't get the job. It's not a personal rejection, you just aren't what they need today

Erin Kennedy, CPRW, CERW, BS/HR,

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

Fall Is 'Back-to-Search' Time!

by Caroline Levchuck, Yahoo! HotJobs


Even if you're not heading to school, you can take a lesson from kids everywhere as they prepare to resume their education. Use these back-to-school inspired tips to resume your quest for a better job.

1. Get some new "back-to-search" clothes.

Even though you may be sad to leave summer behind, a new fall wardrobe can help you feel more confident around the office and on interviews. Pick up a new suit or two so that you're always stylishly prepared when a potential employer calls. Also, if you begin dressing up when you're at your current job, you won't look suspicious when you don a suit for an interview elsewhere.

2. Buy new "back-to-search" supplies.

It wouldn't be September without some fun new supplies to make getting back to your job search speedier and easier.

Have you been dying to upgrade to a new mobile device? Treat yourself to a Treo. Impress your fellow Mac addicts with an iPhone. Boost your spirits with a BlackBerry.

Is your computer completely out of date? Upgrade to a newer, faster machine. If you don't have a laptop, consider getting one to use for your search and in interviews. You'll never have to worry about which platform a potential employer uses if you bring your own.

3. Increase your popularity.

There's no better time to expand your network than September. Everyone is back from vacation and there are no holidays distracting folks. So, instead of eating lunch with the same people every day, reach out to different coworkers at least once a week.

Also, take a fresh stab at online networking. Find out which sites the people you work with are on and join them all. If you already belong to a number of sites, update your profile and start connecting with other members.

4. Join a club.

You may not be able to join the debate team or the audio-visual club, but you can always join a professional (or personal-interest) group. Consider a networking association for your profession or a group that reflects your personal likes, whether it be related to a local political party, an animal rights organization, or a classic car club. Everyone you meet is a member of your network -- which is why clubs are a great way to expand your circle of personal and professional friends.

Job Info , Career Sources , Employment

Job Search Tips - Group Job Hunting

What is Group Job Hunting?

Many of you may be asking, "What is group job hunting anyway?" No, it is not like group therapy where you want to share as little as possible with a bunch of people you don't really know. It is also not anything like group interviewing, where a prospective employer grills a whole group of job candidates at the same time so that they can compete with one another head to head.

Group job hunting is an alternative channel for conducting a job search that connect job seekers with one another and allow them to share contacts, resources, leads, and other advice.

Does Group Job Hunting Work?

OK. Connecting with other job seekers sounds nice, but does it really help? Simply put, yes! Group job hunting has demonstrated a success rate of 84%. Compare those types of results with the success rates of candidates using job posting sites. That avenue is successful only about 4% of the time. Consider the millions who post their resume to the various sites available today. If this describes you, now you know why you probably have not gotten a response to your resume post. The old tried-and-true method of sending a hard copy of your resume in response to an advertisement in the classifieds of your local newspaper has a better chance of getting you in the door than posting to a job site.

Why Does it Work?

Group job hunting is successful because it combines elements of networking with target marketing and strategy development. Think about it. You know people, even if they are not able to help you in your job search. Many other job seekers our there are in the same predicament. By connecting with them, you are essentially tapping into their contact base. And oftentimes, it comes down to you interacting with the brother of a friend of a co-worker of a neighbour of someone you used to go to school (you get the picture).

Like many things in life, it's who you know, not what you know. So what are you waiting for? Start building your network of job seekers today. Happy hunting!

So who am I anyway? Why do I think my advice is so valuable?

My name is Stephen Van Vreede. My company is called No Stone Unturned, and I have spent 15 years on both sides of the corporate hiring experience.

The short story is that I have an MBA in Marketing from Villanova University and a dual B.S. degree in Finance & Logistics from the University of Maryland. I am a certified professional résumé writer (CPRW) and a member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers and Career Coaches (PARW/CC). As I mentioned, I paid my dues in the corporate world eventually running a large-scale call center for a major truck rental company, and I have spent the past 7 years with No Stone Unturned, assisting job seekers in achieving their goals.

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