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

Why Introverts can be Great Leaders

A fantastic article on why the more commonly identified leadership traits of an extrovert may actually be overshadowed by what introverts can bring to a leadership role.

Number of Uninsured Adults Climbs

Not surprisingly, it was reported on the website Workforce Management that the number of uninsured adults is climbing.  According to the website, 59 million adults did not have insurance for a portion of 2010, while 30 million adults did not have health insurance for at least a year.  While the numbers are staggering, they are not surprising.

With the number of unemployed, those uninsured adults will continue to stay steady.  Additionally, employers are looking at the high costs of health care premiums in this difficult economy.  No longer able to afford to pay all or even a portion of those premium costs, employers are either passing the cost into employees or eliminating their health care insurance completely.  And for those employees who find the stiff premium price tag too much to bare on their pocket books - especially with what appears to be commonplace wage/salary freezes - employees are dropping their coverage all together.