5 Reasons its YOUR Fault Employees Waste Time

5 Reasons its YOUR Fault Employees Waste Time To paraphrase the comedian Louis CK, there are two types of people in this world: people who say they waste time at work and dirty liars. According to Salary.com, 9 in 10 employees admit to goofing off during work hours, with over a quarter confessing they do so for more than two hours each day. Cue horror from bosses up and down the country, as they visualise company dollars being pocketed by unscrupulous employees spending their workdays browsing Facebook or bidding for items on eBay. Bad luck bosses; the news gets worse. If all your employees are consistently slacking off, it’s almost certainly your own fault. Here’s why: 1. You prioritise presenteeism over productivity Presenteeism â€" where employees are valued solely by how much time they physically spend in the office â€" is a widespread phenomenon amongst companies. Consequently, the average UK employee now works an extra seven and a half hours of unpaid overtime every week. Take a peek at the nation’s productivity, however, and it becomes clear that all this extra work is worse than useless: the UK’s productivity gap with the rest of the G7 (a group of rich democracies) is currently the worse it’s been since records began. It has long been known to scientists, and long ignored by employers, that neither the human brain nor the human body is capable of sustaining consistent, high-quality output for eight to ten hours every day. Managers who promote presenteeism, therefore, incentivise employees to spend hours twiddling their thumbs. In an extra twist, employees who work shorter hours produce more than their desk-squatting peers. 2. You treat all workdays the same In the Salary.com survey, employees were asked when during the week they wasted the most time. 44% of respondents picked the same time slot. Can you guess what it was? If you knew the answer was “Friday afternoon” but don’t give your employees an early home-time on that day, you should look into the Pareto Principle (also called the 80-20 rule). Synopsis: focus on the most valuable aspects of a business for the greatest payoffs. Good bosses know the importance of boosting staff morale; it’s a key factor in an employee’s overall productivity. Starting the weekend early is a great way to do this at little to no cost to your business (because employees aren’t working well then anyway). 3. You haven’t established a break culture When asked why they waste time at work, over half of the surveyed workers cited the need to take occasional breaks to stay productive. If you think that sounds reasonable, it’s because it is. Taking frequent short breaks is the only way we can maintain our focus, ability and interest in a task. Establishing a break culture requires more than not firing people for making a cup of coffee, however. A designated, comfortable break room, provided drinks and snacks, and managers who lead by example are all important. Your employees will take breaks regardless. Why not encourage them to take the sort of breaks that will fully  reinvigorate  and energize them, such as taking a walk outside or having a power nap? 4. Your meetings are too long Time wasting in the workplace isn’t just employees sending each other emojis on WhatsApp. For almost a quarter of workers, the biggest time sucker is unnecessary meetings. For a further 12%, it’s returning excessive amounts of email. (In comparison, just 4% cited social media as their biggest time-waster.) Tackling these issues requires a change to company culture. Senior hires need to lead the charge, only calling meetings when they have a clear agenda, and being strict about them running over the allotted time. Another good policy would be to encourage employees to only respond to emails within set time slots every day. After all, if a request is important enough that it cannot wait half a day for a response, the parties should be speaking to each other in person. 5. You’re not incentivising people properly As a manager, you may be reading this article with a good deal of scepticism. Sure, some employees are high-fliers who could benefit from being encouraged to occasionally recharge. But most time-wasters are just lazy, or bored, or disgruntled. They’re leeching on the company, and need to be stopped. Well, you’re kind of right. One-fifth of employees in the Salary.com survey did indeed say that they wasted time at work just because they just don’t care that much about their job. But if such attitudes are prevalent amongst your team, you’ll still need to take the blame. Why? Because either your workplace sucks, or your hiring policy does. Assuming you hire competent workers, you need to accept that any de-motivation among them can most likely be attributed to workplace policies. Solicit feedback on how morale and productivity could be improved, and implement it! What’s the alternative? Bosses who feel they’re being held hostage by workers demanding ever-shorter workdays and ever- longer breaks are missing the point. Your employees are hired to do a job, and those that do not adequately do that job should be reprimanded and eventually let go. But shift your focus from how they work to how well they work. Agree KPIs, targets and other performance measures with your employees, and then trust them to manage their own time and approach in getting those tasks done. Reward people for their dedication, creativity and ideas, not whether they can be found at their desk from 8-6pm. About the author: Beth Leslie is a professional career advice and lifestyle writer. She is currently a writer and blog editor for Inspiring Interns.

The Difference Between a CV and a Resume - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

The Difference Between a CV and a Resume - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Have you ever wondered the difference between a CV and a resume or when to use which one? They both serve the same purpose which is to get you a job. However, it is good to know which one to use in which part of the world to ease your job search process. CV stands for Curriculum Vitae and it means ‘courses of life’ in Latin. It is a document which is two pages or longer and includes a summary of your educational and professional backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, memberships and other details. A CV should be in chronological order and should list both your academic and professional career. In some countries, it is expected to list your birthdate, gender and marital status on your CV. CV is used mainly in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia for all types of job applications. However, in the US and Canada, it is only used when applying for academic, education, scientific or research positions. Some of the EU countries also have a different CV format called Europass. If you are looking for a job in Europe, you should list your professional and academic experiences according to the Europass CV template. A resume is, on the other hand, a much shorter document compared to a CV. A good resume is preferably a one page document that summarizes your education and professional experience. The aim of the resume is to make you stand out from the rest of the competition. Generally, the resume reader spends approximately a minute on each resume. Therefore, unlike a CV which is very detailed and long, the resume should be brief and concise and list all of your details in a very high level. Resume is primarily used in the US and Canada for applying jobs and internships. Since resume is only a page long document, it would be wise to adapt your resume according to different positions you apply, especially if you have a longer work history. Also, there is no strict format rule in resume so you can list your information in whichever format best suits you. I personally recommend a one paragraph summary, educational details and then, professional experience starting from your newest position. Nevertheless, if there is a different format which suits your experience better, you can follow that as well. As a result, the main difference between a CV and a resume is their length and their format. A CV is a much longer and detailed document compared to a resume and it has a stricter format. Also, in different geographies, they get used for different reasons. Therefore, you should know which one to use where before applying to any positions.

Tips for A Safe Spa Experience

Tips for A Safe Spa Experience I remember when I was a teenager and had my first (and only!) cavity.  The dental assistant was friendly, but I froze when I saw her put her bare fingers on the needle just before it was plunged into my gums.  Id hesitated too long, and the deed was done that resulted in a month of treating an infection that could have been avoided. More recently, the place I used to visit for hair services had gradually become less attentive to cleanliness.  I really liked the people there, so I endured it until I couldnt stick my head in the shampoo bowl one more time.  I havent been back, and fortunately I avoided any unwanted effects. How many times have you gone to the nail salon, spa, or other personal services place and noticed hygiene that just wasnt up to par?  You wanted to be polite so you didnt say anything. Worse, you just let it slide and went on with the services you came for.  Like Russian Roulette, sooner or later youll be the one that pays the consequences.  Believe me, its not worth it! What Can Happen? Nails:  According to Patient.com  often the infection is just in one nail but several may be affected. At first the infection is usually painless. The nail may look thickened and discoloured (often a greeny-yellow colour).  Guess youll be using that dark polish for a while, huh? Skin: Various skin conditions can be acquired from foot spas more easily than you might imagine.  The results are not pretty.  Open wounds can appear on the skin of feet and legs. Initially they may look like insect bites, but they increase in size and severity over time, and sometimes result in pus and scarring. Scalp: With all that shampoo, the hair salon is super clean, right?  Wrong.  Unless proper cleaning is done, all kinds of nasty bugs are lurking.  Today.com says Everyone has bacteria on their skin (including staph), but you and your body live in harmony with it. Transfer this to another person with an open sore, and it may not be such a harmonious relationship. The infection can be as simple as a little irritation around a hair follicle, or as severe as an infection that could lead to serious illness. What To Look For There are lots of tell tale signs.  Glance at the top and sides of the sink basins.  Are they shiny and free of haze or spots?  Or does it look like it got the kind of cleaning you gave the bathroom when you were six years old?  Are there used towels visible anywhere?  What about general appearance of the facility?  Is it tidy and fresh looking? Remember, youre risking your own well being here, so its okay to be a bit picky.  If the place doesnt measure, skip the nice girl routine and be nice to yourself by finding another provider. How To Avoid Nasty Results Dr. Kally Papantoniou, a Cosmetic Dermatologist suggests the following guidelines for protecting yourself from unpleasant experiences with all providers of personal services: Seek out a salon or spa that uses a heat autoclave to sterilize their instruments. Don’t soak your feet in the foot-bath in the nail salon . Bring your own nail filers/emery boards, and/or other nail tools if you desire. Do not permit the use of any reusable instruments that are not sterilized. Seek care quickly! If you do pick up what appears to be a wart, nail fungus, or another skin infection, do not delay seeking dermatological care. A Safe Spa Experience is A Happy One It wont matter if your nails or hair look great, or if you feel yummy after that massage.  If you have to deal with infections or rashes or who knows what later, the whole experience is pretty much ruined.  Do yourself a favor and insist on hygiene standards that protect you. Images: Salon  Frederic Bisson Main image: Kevin Dooley

5 reasons why so many working parents are struggling financially -

5 reasons why so many working parents are struggling financially - Becoming a parent can be life-changing. Whilst it is said by many to be their greatest achievement, it also brings financial challenges and logistical issues. Here are just a few of the reasons why so many working parents are struggling financially. Mortgages According to Habito, first-time buyer mortgage completions were recently at their highest in over a decade so owning your own home is still something that most strive for.   It can have its drawbacks, however. Whilst low-income working families can apply for government assistance to help pay with rental costs, there is little to no help available with mortgage interest payments. This can leave some families struggling month to month should their working situation change or they fall upon hard times. Childcare costs Childcare costs can be one of the biggest burdens on a working family with many paying a four-figure sum every month just to have their children looked after. Many have had to decide that one parent will give up their job because they are worse off overall once childcare costs are accounted for. This can also have long term effects because the longer someone is out of work, the harder it is to get back in. Many mothers, in particular, are giving up their careers because childcare costs are simply not affordable. Whilst some families are entitled to benefits that can assist with a portion of the costs, it still doesnt fully alleviate the issue. The cost of extra-curricular activities Whist not essential, most parents want their children to get regular exercise, develop social skills or have some form of activity to look forward to each week. Costs can mount, particularly if you have a large family. Even group swimming lessons can cost as much as £40 per month just for one child. Clothing There are many supermarkets and more affordable shopping outlets stocking a range of children’s clothes and shoes which is a welcomed relief for many working parents nowadays. Children’s clothing and footwear are charged at zero rate VAT which makes a big difference to the overall cost. However, many older children these days are wearing adult size shoes. These are subject to VAT. Many parents are paying astronomical amounts because they are effectively buying adult-sized shoes for their children. Various petitions are being shared across social media in a bid to have this reviewed. School uniform policies School uniforms can be another huge stress inducer for many parents. Several council-run schools insist that parents buy logoed clothing for every child. This can prove crippling for parents regardless of income. One jumper with a logo, for example, can cost anything up to around £16, sometimes more. Many schools even ask that children wear polo shirts, trousers and skirts bearing a logo. If they don’t, children may be sent home. Blazers are also considered essential in some schools.   It is important for children to dress appropriately in school.   But these policies are viewed by many as extreme and unnecessary.  

The Impact Of Microlearning On HR Training CareerMetis.com

The Impact Of Microlearning On HR Training â€" CareerMetis.com Photo Credit â€" Pexels.comMicrolearning as a tool for employee training has been around for a few years now. But it’s only since in the last four or five years has the concept taken off in a big way.A few years back, Domino’s launched a gamified micro-course for franchise owners to quickly and interactively train their workers on making pizzas faster and more accurately. Similarly, Walmart Logistics, the distribution arm of the retail giant deployed gamified microlearning methods to train over 75,000 workers on safety awareness.The Growth In Microlearning PopularityevalSo why exactly is microlearning making news so frequently of late? It is being argued that microlearning is highly adapted to the modern lifestyle which requires accelerated learning methods. This need is pinned on the attention deficit of the millennial work crowd who do not prefer traditional learning techniques. But as some researches have shown, such claims are only partially true.evalThe growth in popularity of microlearning has got more to do with the benefits that this pedagogical approach offers rather than anything to do with the learners’ ability. One of the biggest reasons for the rise in microlearning adoption is its productive use of time.This is especially true in the case of training programs that hone up an employee’s skills rather than train them from scratch. That is, micro-learning is ideally suited for the knowledgeable and experienced employee who may not have the time to go through a complete course. It helps them brush up on topics that they are already familiar with.This is the reason why some organizations are relying on microlearning to reskill and upskill their employees. Besides the fact that you must identify the skill gaps of each of your thousands of employees, and train them appropriately, you must also create a training schedule that does not hinder daily operations. Establishing a training program for thousands of employees is no easy task.Another big re ason for its popularity is capacity utilization. One study found that modern-day employee only has about 20 minutes a week to focus on training and development.Microlearning makes it possible to train employees with minimal operational impact. The average microlearning session extends for not more than 3 to 5 minutes. Also, most microlearning courses are self-taught. That is, the learners are not expected to attend a classroom session.This makes it possible for organizations to allow their employees to learn and complete courses at their own pace; at their schedule. When your employees do not need extended breaks to upgrade their skills, organizations can manage training programs without much impact on worker schedules.Where Microlearning Is Best SuitedAlthough microlearning is also used in a lot of organizations for employee induction and onboarding, it is better suited for upskilling and occasionally reskilling. A lot of employee induction programs focus on acclimatizing the learn er to the industry and ecosystem of the business. Also, such induction programs are only aimed at a small fraction of the workforce and hence do not have a significant impact on the operations.evalReskilling programs, on the other hand, are targeted at entire departments within an organization. Also, unlike induction programs that have tight deadlines, such training programs do not have short deadlines. This makes it possible for organizations to allow learners to train at their own pace.The impact of microlearning on your HR training practices can be measured regarding the pedagogical ROI. The Kirkpatrick model of training evaluation suggests four levels to evaluate a training program. They are Reaction, Learning, Behavior, and Results.In the first level, the training program is assessed based on the learners’ reaction to the module. Highly engaging and relevant programs are thus rated highly at this level. This is followed by an assessment of the degree to which the learner has acquired the intended lessons. But the theoretical acquisition of knowledge is only one part.The Kirkpatrick model also assesses the practical application Microlearning performs well on the Kirkpatrick model. From a learner’s perspective, microlearning finds huge favor thanks to the dramatically lower time it takes for them to get through the content. When combined with quick assessments, microlearning directly fulfills the first two levels of Kirkpatrick’s training evaluation framework.Microlearning is seldom used as a standalone system but is often integrated with gamification and personalization techniques. These techniques tend to assist towards the greater application of learning and thereby have a demonstrable impact on business. In a way then, microlearning tends to help meet the top tiers of the Kirkpatrick evaluation framework.In addition to this, microlearning also has a proven impact on the engagement of the learners. A study published in the Journal of Applied Psycho logy noted that bite-sized learning techniques made transmission of information from the trainer to the learner more efficient by 17%. Not surprisingly then, an overwhelming number of learners to prefer microlearning over other forms of training.It is worth noting that the ROI of a training process includes not only the learner productivity but also the cost of producing the training materials. Learning architect Ray Jiminez claims that microlearning courses can be created in 300% less time than traditional classes and also cost 50% less. Given these cost benefits, organizations are at a much better position to tweak and experiment with content to measure effectiveness and thus embark on continually improving the efficiency of the training materials.Microlearning training techniques may have started making a mark in enterprise organizations only in the past few years, but trainers and educators across the world have long realized their potential impact. It is time more organizations switched from traditional learning methods to microlearning â€" not only does it improve learner efficiency, but also has an overall positive effect on the ROI of the entire training process.

10 Tips for Starting Your Online Business - CareerAlley

10 Tips for Starting Your Online Business - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Starting your own business online is a great opportunity to not only work for yourself but to also build your own job security. There are a lot of benefits to owning and running an online business (like an almost unlimited list of potential customers for one) but theres also a lot of work in planning your product roll-out, building your marketing plan, creating your website and initiating your businesss launch. Starting your own business online is a great opportunity to not only work for yourself but to also build your own job security. Tweet This Much of your success will depend on the strength of your initial build-out and your marketing plan. So you want to start an online business? Here are 15 things you should consider while building your online business. 1. Develop and Build Your Online Name First and foremost is picking your online name. Most select a dot com domain (you can also consider one or more of the many alternatives. All single-word names (those existing in the dictionary) are taken, so your choices are to make to a new word or use a phrase. Whatever your choice, the name you select should reflect you and your product or service. Do a search for available names associated with your online business. 2. Choose and Build Your Social Media Presence Social media sites are great networking tools and you will need to build yours so that you can establish relationships and build the network that will ultimately make your business successful. But networking and social media is a two-way street. Along with following friends, family and business associates, make sure you follow those within the industries and companies that will best represent your business. 3. Get Professional Help Where Needed You cant run a successful business on your own. You need to surround yourself with people who are experts in the parts of your business where you are not. As an example, getting the right advice regarding accounting, tax and legal matters is crucial. Depending on your area of expertise, you may also need help with some of the technical stuff like hosting and web design. 4. Create a Business Plan According to Bloomberg, 80% of all businesses fail in the first 18 months. A business plan will help you mitigate some of the risks. Your business plan should include your marketing plan as well as your budget. You need to know how much money you will need to launch your business and how much you will need to run your business until building your revenue stream (your burn rate). The Secrets to Writing a Successful Business Plan: A Pro Shares A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Plan That Gets Results Price: $19.95 Secrets to Writing a Successful Business Plan: A Pro Shares a Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Plan that Gets Results by Hal Shelton will open your eyes to insider tips, hints, and techniques for creating a winning business plan. Buy Now from Amazon We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Last Updated: March 2, 2020 5. Differentiate Your Business Whatever business youve decided to start, theres a pretty good chance that someone has a similar business. You need to define what makes your business different from your competitors. There are many ways you can do this. Special discounts, free gifts for signing up (maybe a free book). Find something your competitors dont do and offer it as part of your plan. 6. Learn from Your Mistakes No one is perfect and you are likely to make some mistakes as you build your business. Some can be fatal (like creating a website name that no one can remember) while some can be annoying (such as not building out your entire site before launching). 7. Balance Your Expectations Its rare to start off as an instant success and that is certainly true of an online business. It will take time to build your client and user base. Your marketing plan and social networking plan will play a big role in how quickly you build your audience. While there are things you can do to fast-track your growth, balance your expectations so that you stay motivated in achieving your end goal. Branding Yourself: How to Use Social Media to Invent or Reinvent Yourself (2nd Edition) (Que Biz- Price: $15.99 Buy Now from Amazon We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Last Updated: March 2, 2020 8. Build Your Brand Your brand defines who you (or your product) are. Its what allows people to identify with you and, as you build your brand, becomes an additional driver of business. Your brand is tied closely to tip # 5 above (differentiate your business). 9. Find and Leverage Advisers While it sounds similar, this tip is different from tip #3. Advisers are individuals who can take an objective view of you and your business and give you someadvice to help you make changes and improvements. They can be experts on SEO or maybe they are business strategists. If you dont know individuals like this, find them and leverage their advice. 10. Spread The Word! This is executing on many of the tips above. The more people that know about you and your product/service, the quicker you will build your business. Leveraging your network, finding some type of advertising, building a partner network where your service compliments what they do. All of these things will help you build your successful business. What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

How to Write a Resume in Six Steps

How to Write a Resume in Six StepsThe most common question among today's job applicants is, 'How to write a resume in six steps.' While there are many different answers for this question, the truth is that if you are seeking employment in this industry, then you will need to understand and follow the six steps. The purpose of this article is to explain the process.First, when it comes to resumes, you will need to contact the human resource department in the company you are applying for a job at. They will want to see what your past work history is and will be able to provide you with sample resumes that can show you the format. However, make sure that you do not attempt to copy any information from their samples.Second, you will need to create a cover letter as well as a resume. This should outline why you are qualified for the position that you are applying for. Also, you will need to explain the requirements of the position that you are applying for and how you are going to meet th em.Third, you will need to attach your resume to your cover letter. Do not forget to enclose a resume attachment as well. Remember that many companies ask for this when they review your application. You should be able to find a number of free resume attachments online.Fourth, you will need to make sure that you have completed these steps. This means that you should have a sample of writing resumes as well as sample cover letters. You should also have sent them both of these to several different people.Fifth, you will need to take the final step. This is to send them both of these to the appropriate people. This could be your current employer, a potential employer, or even your previous employer. Make sure that you submit the application and samples in an appropriate manner and submit all of your materials on time.Sixth, you will need to apply for the job that you are applying for. Remember that you do not have to submit a resume just because you are qualified for the job. The best w ay to apply for a job is to create an application for the job that you are applying for, which you can then send in.The job you will be applying for can be very high profile, or it can be a low profile position. The important thing is that you apply for the job and do not be ashamed to send in an application or letter that is as professional as possible.