Job Return... But is it a Good Thing?

CNN Money reports jobs are starting to return to the economy; however, is it really a good thing?  The area where job growth seems to be dramatically increasing since the current administration announced the economy was in recovery has been low wage jobs.

Jobs were the wage is $8 to $12 per hour are on the rise, while the higher wage jobs - jobs considered to be a liveable wage - continue to be stagnant.  For more on the article, click HERE>>>

Does Your Name Spell Success?

In an article on AOL online, the proverbial question is asked... "What's in a name?"  It's a question new parents probably ask themselves hundreds of times as they wrestle to find the perfect fit for their newest bundle of joy.  But can names really predict success?  READ this article to find out more....

10 Best Companies to Work For...

Do you consider your company one of the 10 Best Companies to Work For?  Fortune Magazine recently released their list of top companies to work at and decided to feature 10 employees from 10 companies.  So what sets these companies as "top" companies to work at?  According to Fortune magazine, "Interesting assignments, big scholarships, stints abroad..."

Read on for more...

Samples Social Media Policies for Employers

Social media is becoming an increasingly prevalent aspect in people's lives - regardless if it is their personal life or professional life.  And, let's face it... In more cases than not, those lines between personal and professional have been blurred.  Employers need to ensure they have the appropriate policies in place to limit potential vulnerabilities presented by social media.  Here is a list of sample social media policies...

• Electronic Frontier Foundation How to Blog Safely about Work:  http://www.eff.org/wp/blog-safely
• Canadian Broadcasting Corporation:  http://www.insidethecbc.com/bloggingrules
• Harvard Law School Blogs Terms of Use:  http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/terms-of-use/
• Sun Guidelines on Public Discourse:  http://www.sun.com/communities/guidelines.jsp or http://www.sun.com/aboutsun/media/blogs/BloggingGuidelines.pdf
• GM Motors Blogging Policies:  http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/about.html
• Media companies: For Journalists entering into public debate:  http://rhetorica.net/policy.htm
• IOC Olympic Athletes Blogging Policy:  http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_1296.pdf (PDF)
• BBC Staff Editorial Guidelines Personal use of Social Networking and other third party websites:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/editorialguidelines/advice/personalweb/blogging.shtml
• Cisco’s Internet Postings Policy:  http://blogs.cisco.com/news/comments/ciscos_internet_postings_policy/
• IBM’s Social Computing Guidelines:  http://www.ibm.com/blogs/zz/en/guidelines.html
• Dell’s Online Communication Policy:  http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/policy/en/policy?c=us&l=en&s=corp&~section=019
• Yahoo’s Personal Blog Guidelines for staff:  http://jeremy.zawodny.com/yahoo/yahoo-blog-guidelines.pdf
• Intel Social Media Guidelines:  http://www.intel.com/sites/sitewide/en_US/social-media.htm
• Greteman Group Blog Social Media Policy:  http://gretemangroup.com/blog/index.php/2009/01/social-media-policy/
• United States Airforce “new media and the airforce”:  http://www.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-090406-036.pdf (pdf file)
• US Navy very formal PDF:  http://www.doncio.navy.mil/PolicyView.aspx?ID=789
• DePaul University: http://brandresources.depaul.edu/vendor_guidelines/g_socialmedia.aspx
• Hewlett Packard Blogging Code of Conduct:  http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/blogs/codeofconduct.html
• Chartered Institute of Public Relations Social Media Guidelines:  http://www.cipr.co.uk/socialmedia/
• Hill and Knowlton’s Public Relations Pledge for Bloggers:  http://armadgeddon.blogspot.com/2007/09/h-pledge-for-bloggers.html
• Feedster’s Corporate Blogging Policy:  http://feedster.blogs.com/corporate/2005/03/corporate_blogg.html
• UK Public Service I Am A Civil Servant:  http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/work/codes/participation-online.aspx
• Gartner’s PUBLIC WEB PARTICIPATION GUIDELINEShttp://blogs.gartner.com/gartner-public-web-participation-guidelines/.
• Thomas Nelson Blogging Policy:   http://michaelhyatt.blogs.com/workingsmart/2005/03/corporate_blogg_1.html
• Plaxo’s Communication (Blogging) Policies:  http://blog.plaxoed.com/2005/03/29/plaxos-communication-policy/
• About.com generic ones:  http://humanresources.about.com/od/policysamplesb/a/blogging_policy.htm
• LiveWorld Social Media Content Guidelines:  http://socialvoice.liveworld.com/blog-entry/Bryan-Persons-Blog/Creating-Social-Media/1100000608
• The Blogging Church:  http://www.leaveitbehind.com/home/2005/04/fellowship_chur.html
• Walker Art New Media Initiatives wiki:  ttp://newmedia.walkerart.org/nmiwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/WalkerBlogGuidelines
• Telstra 3Rs GuardRail:  http://www.nowwearetalking.com.au/library/pdf/news/social-media-company-policy_final_150409.pdf
• Australian Public Service (Gov) protocols for online media participation:http://www.apsc.gov.au/circulars/circular088.htm
• New Zealand Government Principles for interaction with Social Media:  http://www.ssc.govt.nz/display/document.asp?DocID=7160
• ParticipatoNZ wiki:   http://www.e.govt.nz/policy/participation/guide-to-online-participation.html

7 digital mistakes to avoid in 2011

We've all done it... In this age of technology, we've all stepped over that line and made a digital mistake that we almost instantly regret.  In this article, you'll read about seven (7) that are key ones to avoid in 2011.

Staying Ahead of the Technology Curve

The Mt. Baker Chapter of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) has a monthly luncheon event which features a topic-specific speaker.  January's speaker is HR Balance LLC's own Jack McCallum.  We would love to see you there!  To sign up to attend the luncheon and hear the program, click HERE.

January 12, 2011 - Starts 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Northwood Hall

STAYING AHEAD OF THE TECHNOLOGY CURVE:  Policies and Procedures to Keep Pace with Today's New World

Are your technology policies and procedures up-to-date with the demands made by today’s technologies? What about the demands of tomorrow’s technologies? Sure, you probably have a policy addressing general computer usage, equipment, and email, but there is a lot more to consider.

In this program, we’ll be discussing what your policies should include, the use of smart technology, and the need for social media rules in the workplace. Also on the agenda are suggestions on procedures you should adopt when those policies have been violated, and what employers need to brace for when tomorrow’s technology becomes today’s everyday tools.

As technology makes the world far more accessible, employers must contend with increased privacy, confidentiality, and proprietary concerns. Yesterday’s IT policies and procedures just aren’t useful any longer.

About the Presenter:  Jack McCallum is the President/Principal Consultant for HR Balance LLC – a consulting company specializing in human resources management and leadership coaching.   Jack’s experience includes management roles in both for-profit and non-profit organizations in a variety of industries.  When not consulting, Jack provides continuing education opportunities through workshops, seminars, and on-site training. She also teaches human resources, ethics, leadership, and management at several colleges and universities, has been a keynote speaker for business organizations from Bellingham, Washington to London, England, and has been called upon to share her expertise for magazine and newspaper articles, as well as guest appearances on radio.

Business Seminars

The New Year brings 3 new learning opportunities.  Whatcom Community College is sponsoring three classes focused on personnel management.  These classes will be taught by HR Balance LLC's founder, Jack McCallum, and will offer a good foundation for employers and managers at an affordable price.  Go to Whatcom Community College's Community Education to sign up today.

Personnel Series Bundle: All Three Classes

W8340 / Sessions 3
Cost:  $99
Start Date:  February 24, 2011
End Date: March 10, 2011
Time:  8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Location:  WCC - Foundation Building - Ste 201C

Personnel Series: Record Keeping: Are You Current?
As an employer, do you know which employment records you are required to maintain? Do you know how long to keep personnel records after an employee leaves your employ? This seminar will provide the lowdown on what records you are required to keep, records advisable to keep, how long you should keep them, and why the records are important.

W8343
Cost:  $39
Date:  February 24, 2011
Time:  8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Location:  WCC - Foundation Building - Ste 201C

Personnel Series: Employee Relations: It's Not Just for Unions!
As the economy continues to weigh heavy on businesses, employers are looking for options to retain their employees and increase productivity. Find out how improved employee relations can help you! This seminar will cover the basic principles of good employee relations, how enhanced employee relations can increase communication between employees and management, why improving employee relations actually save employers money, and the key employee relations tactics to increasing productivity.

W8346
Cost:  $39
Date:  March 3, 2011
Time:  8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Location:  WCC - Foundation Building - Ste 201C

Personnel Series: Employment Policies: Get the Scoop!
Thinking about developing a set of policies for your employees to follow? Do you have policies but need to fine-tune them? This class will discuss important policies for small and medium-size employers to implement, the key principles in writing employment policies, and tactics for introducing and enforcing new policies in the workplace. Participants will walk away with sample policies, a completed policy they have written, and a better understanding of why policies are important protections for both the employee and employer.

W8349 / Sessions 1
Cost:  $49
Date:  March 10, 2011
Time:  8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Location:  WCC - Foundation Building - Ste 201C