Astronology - Social Media in the Workforce...Enhancement or Interruption?

Astronology Volume XII Issue 15 October 18, 2011 Dear Andrew, Astron Solutions provides high-quality, low-cost, innovative human resources consulting services to organizations like yours. Call us for advice, innovative program design, and user-friendly Web/PC based software.   Astron Road Show The calendar year may be coming to a close, but the 2011 Astron Road Show continues on!  On October 28th, National Director Mike Maciekowich will present on trends in executive compensation to the Vision Serve Alliance Conference (New York, NY).  The conference is hosted by Astron Solutions' client Lighthouse International.   Fact or Fiction? The iLoo, a Microsoft powered, wi-fi internet capable portable toilet, was a hoax.   FICTION     The iLoo was a real project for Microsoft's MSN UK division. However, the project was cancelled shortly after the project was leaked to the public and garnered negative reaction.        Social Media in the Workforce...Enhancement or Interruption? Blogging, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter. These are various forms of social media that have infiltrated lives across the globe and have also entered many organizations' workspaces. This technology is changing the way workers interact with each other. As great as a gift social media has been for some organizations, there is also criticism over its usage. In light of the pros and cons of social media, organizations worldwide have to decide whether social media will hinder or support their organizational cultures..... more      Have a Question? If you have a topic you would like addressed in Astronology, or some feedback on a past article, don't hesitate to tell us!  Simply reply to this e-mail.  See your question answered, or comments addressed, in an upcoming issue of Astronology. Looking for a top-notch presenter for your human resource organization's meeting?  Both Jennifer Loftus and Michael Maciekowich present highly-rated sessions on a variety of compensation and employee retention issues.  For more information, send an e-mail to info@astronsolutions.com.   The Fine Print We hold your e-mail address in trust.  Astron Solutions promises never to share or rent your personal information.  We also promise never to send you frivolous e-mails and will allow you to leave our list, at your option, at any time. To remove yourself from this list, please follow your personalized subscriber link at the bottom of your Astronology alert e-mail. Copyright 2011, Astron Solutions, LLC ISSN Number 1549-0467 Quick Links Client List Meet the Astron Team Contact Us   World of HR Blog Bringing you Human Resource news from around the globe...compliments of Astron Solutions. More

 

The Time Off Conundrum

In January I started a new job. There are a lot of challenges with starting a new job including getting acclimated with the new company, the people you work with and making sure you have a handle on the position. One of the other challenges is to figure out when it is okay to start taking your vacation time. Many companies have vesting periods for that time, but once it vests, is it all right to just start taking it? Or is there really a "waiting period" until it's okay to start taking time off?

I'm taking my first vacation in a few days. I have been at the job for 9 months now so I figured that the initial "probation" period has started to lift and that I can freely take off without being seen as a "slacker". I am still a little nervous to go away without access to phone or e-mail on my BlackBerry or my computer. I'm always nervous that something will come in and a question will need to be answered that only I can provide the correct answer to. But in the end, I've come to the realization that I need to be able to take off this time and to unwind from the job with faith in my co-workers that they'll find a satisfactory way to answer those questions until I return.

But my "time off conundrum" isn't a new thing for me with a new job. In my last position, I too felt like taking time off was at times "taboo". In high school I had one teacher who never took one day off for any reason--he was the "Ironman". When I got into the working world, I saw people eating lunch at their desks and then the recession hit with may co-workers losing their jobs. In that climate, how could I possibly take a day off to enjoy myself knowing that not being there could end up costing me in the end?

Then I realized that the time off companies give you are for a reason. Sure, you don't have to take all of it. But those of us who work hard everyday deserve some time to ourselves away from the office. We deserve to turn off that Blackberry for a day or two and just relax. We deserve to unplug, recharge, and relax. In the end, we become healthier, happier, and more productive employees. And, realizing that, I've come to the realization that my time off later this week is not just for my own good, but it's for the good of the company as a whole. So while I still have some trepidation, I know that it's okay for me to take this time off and relax.

Astronology - Salary Budget Projections for 2012

Astronology Volume XII Issue 14 October 4, 2011 Dear Andrew, Astron Solutions provides high-quality, low-cost, innovative human resources consulting services to organizations like yours. Call us for advice, innovative program design, and user-friendly Web/PC based software.   Astron Road Show The Astron Road Show continues to roll this fall!  Where will we see you in the next two weeks?   On October 10th, National Director Jennifer Loftus presents at the Nonprofit Human Resources Conference, in Washington, D.C.  Her topic?  Nonprofit Executive Compensation: What is Fair?   Later that week, National Director Mike Maciekowich will be at the Wisconsin State SHRM conference, October 12 - 14 in Madison.  Please be sure to look for him in the exhibit hall in booth 256!   On October 15th, Jennifer will be part of a panel discussion at the New York State SHRM Leadership Conference (Albany, NY) on the topic of growing association / chapter membership in challenging economic times.   We look forward to seeing you on the road!         Fact or Fiction? Over 50% of organizations do not budget for promotional increases.   FACT!   According to the 2011-2012 World at Work Salary Budget Survey, 54.3% of the organizations surveyed DO NOT budget for promotional increases.       Salary Budget Projections for 2012 It's that time of the year when Human Resource professionals are asked by senior management to provide compensation program budget projections for the upcoming fiscal year. Two authoritative sources are now available:  the  WorldatWork 2011-2012 Salary Budget Survey and the  Mercer 2011/2012 Compensation Planning Survey..... more      Have a Question? If you have a topic you would like addressed in Astronology, or some feedback on a past article, don't hesitate to tell us!  Simply reply to this e-mail.  See your question answered, or comments addressed, in an upcoming issue of Astronology. Looking for a top-notch presenter for your human resource organization's meeting?  Both Jennifer Loftus and Michael Maciekowich present highly-rated sessions on a variety of compensation and employee retention issues.  For more information, send an e-mail to info@astronsolutions.com.   The Fine Print We hold your e-mail address in trust.  Astron Solutions promises never to share or rent your personal information.  We also promise never to send you frivolous e-mails and will allow you to leave our list, at your option, at any time. To remove yourself from this list, please follow your personalized subscriber link at the bottom of your Astronology alert e-mail. Copyright 2011, Astron Solutions, LLC ISSN Number 1549-0467 Quick Links Client List Meet the Astron Team Contact Us   World of HR Blog Bringing you Human Resource news from around the globe...compliments of Astron Solutions. More