Every day should be a holiday. Yet, at work, only certain days are. At the end of the year, many employees look forward to extra wages, or paid time off, around the holidays. Let’s discuss how employers calculate holiday pay accurately so they can compensate you fairly. Every Day Should Be a Holiday In the United States, employees are not required to be paid during holidays. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employers as a whole provide compensation to their employees for an average of 8 holidays per year: New Year’s Day Easter Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day... view article details

Today's high unemployment rates mean that more people than ever are experiencing joblessness, and for longer periods of time.While being without a job is not ideal, you can use the time for self-discovery, to open doors, to make yourself more marketable, and to expand your experiences.This article shows you how to make the most of unemployment, by illustrating 7 dos and 7 don'ts.Do focus on the present and live in the "now" Think about what you can do today to improve your job situation, whether it's buffing up your resume, reaching out to a contact, or doing research on companies you... view article details

Have you noticed your international friends are always traveling and on the go, while your state-side buddies complain they’ve barely been able to make it to the beach at all this summer? The reason for this may be a lack of paid time off (PTO) for American employees. According to the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), the U.S. is the only advanced economy (and member of the OECD) that doesn’t guarantee workers even a single day of PTO. The CEPR's report also confirmed 25 percent of America's workers in the private sector don’t get any time off at all. The statutory minimum paid l... view article details

Telecommuting Can Increase Employee Satisfaction and Productivity Research conducted by Pennsylvania State University suggests myriad benefits of working from home. Telecommuting can reduce business expenses significantly and increase employee satisfaction. Here are five reasons companies should consider allowing employees to telecommute on a regular basis. 1. Less Wasted Time Employees working from home have more control over their work environments. Working from home can eliminate the headaches and hassles involved with traveling to work, and employees can invest more time in performing... view article details

When it comes to unemployment, the new year is looking a whole lot like the old one.The first unemployment report of the 2013 showed the jobless rate lingering just under 8 percent for the fifth straight month, even as the country's employers add jobs. The national unemployment rate in January was 7.9 percent, representing some 12.3 million jobless, according to numbers just released by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. In September, November, and December, the rate was 7.8 percent; in October it was 7.9 percent.A year ago, in January 2012, 8.3 percent of the workforce was out of  a job.... view article details

Workplace Flexibility is Increasingly Important Flexibility rated as one of the top perks people look for in a job. Whether you're a parent looking for a better work/life balance, or simply someone who wants to cut down on commuting time and costs, more and more jobseekers are actively seeking out workplace flexibility.Here’s a primer of the three most common forms of workplace flexibility that can help you balance family and life demands with your career.3. Compressed Work Weeks Compressed work weeks involve working longer hours each work day, but then earning extra days off... 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

The modern war for talent is marked by competition for highly-skilled workers. Companies know that a robust vacation package, remote work flexibility, and summer Fridays can appeal to all those darn millennials. But perhaps organizations shouldn't draw the line at these common work-life initiatives. Psychological evidence widely shows that shortening the 40-hour workweek altogether will increase productivity and employee engagement. Organizations Breaking with Tradition Earlier this year, New Zealand-based trustee company Perpetual Guardian took the working world by storm when it experimented ... view article details

Typically, the month of December brings a lull to the workplace. With school vacations and holidays resulting in time off for many employees, it sometimes seems futile to try to actually accomplish anything of value. In fact, some see it as a good time to 'resolve to get things done next year.' But it doesn't have to be this way if you use these tips to work smarter, not harder.Just because it seems like a ghost town around the office doesn’t mean you have to play dead. Consider the change of pace and disruption to the workplace routine a golden opportunity to be proactive, p... view article details

Workplace challenges are inevitable. But most challenges we undertake go hand-in-hand with obstacles that interfere with—and sometimes even prevent—our progress.Think of your career as a road complete with twists and turns, bumps and potholes, speed bumps and detours. You can reach your destination. The key lies in recognizing specific barriers, and using time-tested strategies to knock them down.Part I of this article will show you how to recognize six common roadblocks that people face in the workplace. Part II will show you how to move beyond them.Roadblock #1: All talk, no action. ... view article details