Q:   I am in negotiation with an employer for a higher position than the one I currently hold. They are asking that I send them a pay stub. I told them you can't really compare both positions, as the responsibilities and duties are so different. However, they keep insisting. I am trying to hold my ground. Please help. A:  You know, an employer-employee relationship is based on trust and good faith. When a company asks you to produce a pay stub, it means they don't believe you are making the amount of money you claim you are making; or they are trying to validate what someone in your position a... view article details

'I'll get to it later.'Who among us hasn't uttered those fateful words? It could be a daily occurrence or perhaps it only happens on big projects or the weekly task you despise most. But however procrastination finds its way into our lives, it can be a destructive force if you let it take up permanent residence. Especially in the workplace.Dr. Piers Steel, author of 'The Procrastination Equation: How to Stop Putting Things Off and Start Getting Stuff Done,' is this week's Salary Talk guest and he's laying some hard truths on Aaron and Wendy. Dr. Steel maps out the characteristics of a serial p... view article details

Q.I was recently interviewed for a position of senior network analyst in Chicago. My current position is network administrator (MCSE W2K). The position I was offered was network analyst, reporting to a senior network analyst. They offered $69,000. Initially I had said I wanted $70,000, but I countered their offer with $73,000. The hiring manager rejected my counter. Basically they told me, 'Thanks, but no thanks' and took the original offer off the table. Did I make a mistake, and if so, what should I have done to correct it?A. Let me make sure I understand this correctly. You interviewed for ... view article details

Welcome to the World of Sleep Disorders Not everybody is cut out for the 9-to-5 workaday world.Mounting evidence demonstrates half a million Americans have biological reasons for needing to work alternative shifts. In this fourth story (read Part I, Part II, and Part III here) about delayed sleep phase syndrome (also DSPS, or delayed sleep), you’ll meet Julie Peggar, an ethnographer who suffers from this type of circadian rhythm disorder. Peggar, the president and chief storyteller at Gaze Ethnographic Consulting, Inc., shares insights from her world as a highly functional night owl w... view article details

Ensure Proper Job MatchThere are a number of reasons your current pay could fall in the bottom quartile range. Be sure to verify that your benchmark job title is at least a 75 percent match to the responsibilities of your current position. The closer the match, the better your analysis will be. If your actual role includes lesser responsibilities, then you should adjust the benchmark salary range down accordingly. Also, be sure that the company and personal factors are as accurate as possible.Performance and ProficiencyIf you've correctly matched all factors, assess your performance and profic... view article details

How to Handle Giving an Employee a Poor Performance Review Having a positive employee review is easy. You applaud your employee’s accomplishments, discuss plans for the future, and (hopefully) give them a handsome raise. Sadly, the same does not apply when you have to give a poor performance review to an employee whose efforts have been iffy at best. Here’s how to handle a negative employee review so that both you and your employee both feel positive and motivated at the end of it. 1. Most likely, your employee already knows his work has not been up to par. But there is a chance that yo... view article details

Let Common Sense Dictate Your Sick Leave Policy Depending on the philosophy your company takes, the issue of sick leave can be pretty contentious. Do you keep your sick days separate from other time off? Do you hire someone specifically to track it? Or do you lump sick leave and vacation days into one big bucket labeled “paid time off?" Do you allow workers to bank sick time and get paid for it, or is it “use it or lose it?” And that’s not even considering short- and long-term disability for workers with chronic illness. Sounds complicated, doesn’t it? But the good news is there’s a solu... view article details

You May Hate Your Boss, But You Still Have to Get Along to Succeed How to Deal With A Boss You Hate And Still Keep Your Job Maybe your boss is a militant micromanager. Or maybe he’s like Dabney Coleman’s character in the hit movie 9-5 and he’s simply a sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot. In short, you have a boss from hell. Thing is, while you loathe your boss, you still love your job — and would like to keep it. Here is how to deal with a boss you hate: 5. Take a Look in the Mirror The first step toward improving a relationship always starts with accountability. So take a goo... view article details

How to Hire Good Employees: Save Time During the Hiring Process by Spotting Red Flags Early Today's job market is very tough; there are many more job hunters than available jobs. The good news for businesses is that it's a buyer's market. But at the same time, it can be overwhelming to sift through a mountain of resumes flooding your inbox or the resume repository. That's why you need to have an eagle eye for scoping out the best candidates. Here are some things to look for when embarking on your employee selection process: 1. Quality Cover Letter A quality cover letter can tell you a lo... view article details

Get the Most Out of Your Employees Without Breaking the Bank Many employers lose good employees, thinking a pay raise or bonus will keep them going. Of course, money is always a solid motivator, as is a strong compensation plan, but a bigger paycheck is not always the better answer. Gas, groceries and daily necessities can eat up a bonus; rather than something employees can enjoy, it is quickly gone with nothing tangible to remember. Here are six ways to motivate your employees, achieve higher productivity and a happier business culture -- without buying it. Work isn't supposed to be Romper Ro... view article details