Multiple Sclerosis affects someone every hour of everyday.  And like any disease it is our responsibility as responsible citizens to join together to find a cure.  MS can impair ones vision and memory.  My good friend, Sylvia Minaird-Gooden, was diagnosed with MS in 1991.  She has dedicated her life to helping medical researchers find a cure.  She is asking all of us to help join the fight by making a donation, of any size, for the Walk for Cure. 

We realize that the broken down economy has impacted a lot of people.  Many have lost their jobs and homes.  However, if you can find it in your heart to make a donation-even a dollar, it brings us closer to possibly finding a cure.

To learn more about MS and how to make a donation on behalf of the Walk for Cure, click on the link below.  Be a responsible citizen and make a difference.

Click here: 

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Walk/GAAWalkEvents?px=1787257&pg=personal&fr_id=11350&s_tafId=107105

Throughout the remainder of this week, you will be provided with an online resume workshop through this blog.  This workshop will focus on four phases that will be presented to you four parts. 

1.       Discovery Phase I

2.       Discovery Phase 2

3.       Marketing Phase

4.       Interview Phase

Resume Writing – Discovery Phase I:

Before creating your resume you need to have pen and paper in hand.  You will need quiet time to brainstorm.  You want to brainstorm about the following:

·         Determine where you want this resume to lead you.  What is your purpose, focus or direction? What type of position do you want with an employer?  What industry do you want to work?  Do you want to work in a new industry?

·         Determine your skills and abilities.  Once you determine your skills and abilities try to narrow it down to your top three. 

·         Identify key words.  You want to identify key words relate to you to your skills, abilities, and knowledge.  Key words are what employers/recruiters look for during key word searches. Keywords are action verbs and nouns that are related to your area of interest.  A key word can be industry-related terminology, position titles (job title), etc. 

·         Where to find key words.  You can find keys words during your job search.  You can lift key words from job descriptions, job postings, etc. 

After you have determined your purpose and direction, skills and abilities and key words, you need to change hats and put on your “employer/recruiter” hat.  You need to think like the people who will hire you.  Basically, is your resume specific to the person who will read it?  Does it have the specific key words the potential employer is searching for? 

Spend some quality time focusing on this phase of developing your resume.  Over the next few days, more information will be provided regarding the other phases to help you create a best-selling resume.  Remember your resume is the best marketing tool you have to get you in front of an employer.

Step 1:  The Discussion:   Have a heart-to-heart to discussion with your boss or the Human Resources Manager in regards to any payments you will receive.  You want to know if you will be receiving severance pay, unused vacation.  Also, at this time you may request a reference.  Furthermore, if you are enrolled in a FSA (Flexible Spending Account) make sure you use all of the money right away.  Stock up on prescriptions, etc. 

Step 2:  File for Unemployment:  Once you are laid off from your job there is no need for you to wait to file for unemployment.  You are eligible for unemployment the day after you were let go from your job.  You want to make sure you do this right away, because it does take several weeks before you receive any entitlement benefits.  Once you file your unemployment claim, make sure you have a clear understanding on the amount of money you will receive.  To learn more about unemployment benefits, visit the Department of Labor’s website at www.dol.gov/dol/topic/unemployment-insurance/.  This will help you with the next step.

Step 3:  Review Finances:  It is imperative that you review your current finances.  Determine how much money you have in your checking and savings account.  Review all of your expenses.  Determine how the amount you will receive from unemployment will help with your finances during your job loss.  If you need to file for any state or government assistance then do so.  Remember set your pride aside so that you and your family can survive.

Step 4:  Revise your Resume:  Make sure you resume is up-to-date.  Make sure you tailor your resume to the specific job you are seeking.  Submit your jobs to all of the job search engines.  Some of the top job sites are listed below for your reference.

Searching for a job may prove to be difficult.  However, PATMAN HR Consulting and Benefits Communication Services, is committed to making the job search a smooth process for you by providing resources and tips to help you gain favor in your job search. 

Listed below are some of the top job search sites available to the public.  Hopefully, this will prove to be an asset to you in your search for a new job/career.  Best of luck!!

This experience may have turned your safe and steady world upside down, but this is the time to have faith.  If you have lost your job and experiencing financial difficulties, don’t become influenced by the negative energy creeping into your life.  Of course the tragedy you are experiencing is real and should not be taken lightly, but there are some positive steps you can take to help your situation and remove the madness:

1.       Remove negative energy from your world.  If you have a pessimistic person in your mist, take a step back from them.  This is the time to be surrounded by positive reinforcement.  If watching the news makes you feel ill or depressed, stop watching it!  Focus on positive energy and reinforcement.  Laugh a little.  Find something joyous to smile about.  Take a moment to laugh and play.  The laughter will do you some good.  You need positive reinforcement to help you transition through a period of adjustment such as losing your job or home.

2.       Review your strengths.  If you cannot find a job in your field and/or industry, take time to review your other strengths and dreams.  The job market is unstable but competitive and you need to be at your best.  Find Human Resources/Employment specialist to review your resume and provide you with constructive feedback.

3.       Focus on your faith.  If you believe in God, then pray and try to create an action plan to help you get out of your troubled situation.  If you don’t believe in God and have another belief or faith, utilize it.  Stay focused and centered.  This is difficult to due during a crisis, but is feasible. 

4.       Put Pride Aside:  If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask.  Sometimes pride is a wonderful characteristic to have, but can also be hindrance.  If someone can help you improve your situation then don’t be afraid to ask.

5.       Love Yourself.  Always love yourself.  You are very important.  If you have fallen on hard times it very important for you to love and respect yourself.  If you have loss your job or income, don’t be hard on yourself.  Love yourself everyday it will help you get through these difficult times. 

These are just a few steps to help keep you centered and focused.  But try not to focus on the depressing madness that has surrounded your life.  Yes!  We are living in rough time in this era, but it is not dooms day.  Find a moment to laugh and shun out the craziness. 

Laugh and live! Cry if necessary!  But don’t give up.  Make the necessary changes in your life to succeed and overcome any and all obstacles.  Madness or Laughter…You Choose!

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace……Don’t Tolerate It!

There is no place for sexual harassment in the workplace and it should not be tolerated.  The best way for employers to prevent sexual harassment from occurring in the workplace, is to provide training and education to its employees.  It is imperative that all guidelines established by an employer to prevent sexual harassment are clearly communicated to all employees.  The Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) has reported that 62% of companies now provide some type of sexual harassment prevention training programs and 97% have written policy.

The EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) defines sexual harassment as form of gender discrimination that is in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.  The EEOC has also reported that the number of grievances filed for sexual harassment have declined over the past decade.  In 1997 approximate 16,000 grievances were filed and in 2007 this number declined to 12,510. Let’s explore more exactly what is sexual harassment.

·         Unwelcome sexual advances

·         Requests for sexual favors

·         Verbal or physical conduct of sexual natures that affects an individual’s employment, interferes with his/her work performance or creates an hostile offensive work environment

The best preventive measure an employee can take to stop sexual harassment is to report it.  An employee should follow the proper complaint and grievance process the employer has established.  If you are an employee being harassed and have followed all of the proper guidelines established by your employer to report your complaint and find nothing has been done, then there are other measures and resources available to you.  The EEOC is valuable resource to utilize.  Also, you may file a complaint with the EEOC if needed.  For more information regarding sexual harassment discrimination visit the EEOC website at www.eeoc.gov/types/sexual_harassment.html.

If you are an employer make sure you put in place the proper guidelines, complaint and grievance process.  Make sure you provide educational training to all employees regardless of title, position, etc.  If you are an employee don’t tolerate sexual harassment.  Report the problem immediately.  Don’t allow anyone to make you feel uncomfortable.

If you have a problem with sexual harassment and need someone to talk to, send us an email.  Also, if you are an employer and need guidelines and sexual harassment training for your employees, contact us at www.patmanhrconsulting.com.  You may also call us directly at 678-495-1570.

1. Review and analyze the health insurance options. This is very important since most employers are placing the burden of health education back on the employee. It can be confusing and you can get lost in the alphabet soup of health insurance terminology. Employers offer everything from HMO, PPO, POS, CDH and much more. (To learn more about these acronyms and what they mean, review the resource center page.) During your interview make sure you ask what portion/percentage the company pays towards the premiums. If you and your family members have special health needs, you may want to think twice before selecting an HMO or any health plan that restricts you to in-network doctors only. Make sure you review the prescription benefit closely. Also, make sure you don’t select a health insurance plan based solely on the premium. Although you may select a health plan where the payroll deductions are affordable and/or low, the plan may not meet the needs for you or your family members.

2. Review the short and long term disability plan options. These are two options you definitely need and are highly recommended. Disability options provide you with income replacement when you are out of work due to some illness and/or disability. During these economic hardships, you want to have some income replacement benefit.

3. Review the Retirement Plan Benefits: 401(k), 403(b), etc: Make sure the company has a retirement benefit plan. If so, review the information to see if the company provides a matching contribution. If you accept the job, and the company does not provide a match, don’t allow this to deter you from contributing to the plan. Remember, this benefit is for your retirement. And although some investors are hesitant about contributing due to the financial destruction on Wall Street, this should not prevent you from participating in an employer sponsored Plan.

This law reverses a decision made by the Supreme Court a year and half ago where Lily Ledbetter was denied her lawsuit for pay discrimination. She worked for 20 years at a Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Gadsden, Alabama. One day she received a letter stating that she had received less pay than the men who did the same job. The Supreme Court ruled against her stating she did not file her claim within 180 days of experiencing discrimination. The new law now eliminates the 180 day restriction.

The bottom line employers make sure that you have fair, firm and consistent policies in place. When your policies are fair, firm and consistent you can reduce potential litigation suits. If you don’t have the proper HR policies and procedures in place that are government compliant make sure you do! And whatever you do, never deviate from your policies and procedures. Once you make an exception for one worker, it opens up the door for unfair practices.
At the end of the day the Ledbetter case pay discrepancy may or may not have been a large amount. However, dollars and cents defiantly add up over a 20 year timeframe.

Create a fair work environment for your workers. It increases employee and customer satisfaction.