Conducting Seasonal Layoffs? Don't Miss This!

October 11, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Many HR professionals and hiring managers would agree that cutting staff is one of their least favorite job responsibilities. Unfortunately, it happens. For even the most experienced managers, conducting layoffs can be a difficult situation. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are conducting a layoff!

1. Show your staff respect and professional courtesy. Whenever possible, a layoff should be communicated in a face to face setting. Sending out a company wide email can come across as insensitive, cause speculations, and disrupt the entire workforce. Conducting an in person meeting can allow for some questions and answers, shows your employees that you share in their concerns, and can eliminate a lot of speculation and rumors in the workplace. Be prepared for a wide range of emotions and responses and understand that you may not be able to provide answers to all of their questions.

2. Be a strong communicator. Make sure that your management team has clear boundaries about what information is being shared and what must remain confidential. Having pieces of information released sporadically can cause additional emotions for your staff and cause larger issues. Set a clear and concise understanding of what information is public and be prepared to comment on only those topics during meetings, staff inquiries, etc. Make sure to communicate any updates or lack there of with your staff regularly. Employees will have a better comfort level if they are aware of what changes and developments are occurring as they happen without having to seek out information.

3. Be honest. While you may not be able to share certain details about the state of the company, business projections, or a specific individual’s future; there is always some information that you can share. If you anticipate further layoffs in the future, avoid denying it to your staff. If you have a clear idea of how many positions may be affected, be honest and upfront.

4. Offer solutions. One of the best ways to show professional courtesy to your staff members during this difficult time is to offer them some solutions. If you are aware of job opportunities in a different location, division, or department that may be viable alternatives for staff that is effected by the layoff, share the information. Do you have a staffing partner? Contact them! Many staffing agencies are industry specialized and would love an opportunity to come meet with those who are being effected and possibly provide future career opportunities. Be as flexible as possible including allowing employees to make interview arrangements during the day.

Maintaining a productive and respectful workplace is essential for any business to continue to move forward. Creating an environment that includes chaos, rumors, and gossip will work against you in the long run. While having these frank conversations is never easy, the alternative is most certainly worse.

Are you a stand out professional, technical professional, driver, or skilled worker seeking contingent, temporary, or long term career opportunities? Visit our job board for more information! Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professionals and skilled workers? Contact us today!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

Hiring For Small Business

October 2, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Operating a small business comes with its own share of benefits and struggles. According to a recent study by Robert Half Inc., finding skilled workers is one of small business owners greatest struggles. The recent study reports that 60% of small business owners and managers listed finding skilled workers as their company’s greatest challenge with hiring and managing staff. What makes this such a difficult struggle in small business?

Most small businesses fall below the average job seeker’s radar. When seeking career opportunities, top talent typically is chasing career opportunities with larger organizations who have a strong employment brand in their line of work. So how does a small business owner compete? Simple. Build an employment environment that top talent wants to work for and market it.

Many small business owners do not invest a lot of money into career marketing, online job boards, and other tools that get their name in front of candidates. Here are a few great ways to gain exposure for your organization in a cost effective manner:

Build group and company pages on social media. Market who you are as an organization and why candidates should desire a career with your company.
Offer referral bonuses to your current staff. No one knows better than a current employee, the benefits of working for your organization.
Network. Participate with your local chamber of commerce and other business networking groups to let others know the great things happening with your company and what type of talent you are in need of.
Partner with a staffing firm. An established staffing firm can market your organization to their existing pool of top talent and do direct recruiting for your positions. They often have their own job board and are experts and marketing the benefits of working for one of their client companies.

Many top level talent candidates are seeking a career with increased flexibility, advancement opportunities, and room for creativity. Small businesses are usually some of the best environments for these types of workplace benefits. Embrace your flexibility as an organization and the limitless growth opportunities, it’s likely candidates will notice and want to join you!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

René Poch Announces Name Change for CES, Inc.

September 30, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

René Poch recently announced the name change of CES, Inc. to Trillium Technical effective October 1, 2013.

René Poch founder and CEO of the Trillium family of companies, acquired CES, Inc. in 1996. Since joining the Trillium family of companies, the group has expanded to include additional offices throughout the country with recruiters specialized in the recruitment and screening of Engineering and IT professionals. As the demand for top level talent in Engineering and IT has remained consistent, the group has seen continued growth and expansion and is proud to be the leading source for talent for several of the nation’s leading employers.

Clients can expect the same great customer service and top level talent that they have been accustomed to from CES, Inc. The move to Trillium Technical does not effect staff, ownership, existing partnerships, or the organization’s commitment to excellence. The change to Trillium Technical will simply allow clients and employees to recognize the group as a member of the Trillium family of companies offering specialized staffing services in several industries since 1984.

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

The Applicant's Investment In The Interview

September 27, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Generally speaking, most hiring managers have a good idea of what they have invested in an interview considering time and resources. Have you considered your applicant’s investment? If your recruiting efforts leave you struggling to book interviews, now may be a good time to reconsider what your applicant is being asked to commit to.

Whether you are overbooking interviews or struggling to book them at all, take a moment to consider what an applicant has invested in the interview. With many hiring managers and recruiters targeting passive candidates or finding that many of their qualified applicants are currently employed, your applicant may be investing more than you have initially considered. Here are just a few of the investments an employed candidate may have made in order to interview with you:

Hourly compensation
Vacation or sick time
Time away from their current workload that they’ll likely have to make up another time
Jeopardized their current employment
Made arrangements to have others assist with their duties in their absence

Even if the applicant is a salaried employee and has been able to use paid time off to participate in the interview they have given you valuable time that they could have used for other occasions. Now consider the likelihood of them landing the position.

If you already have hesitations about their qualifications for the position, you may want to reconsider asking them to commit to the interview considering their investment in doing so. If you are struggling to attract candidates to attend an interview consider alternatives such as phone interviews, off-site interviews, after hours interviews, or video interviews to accommodate their schedules.

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

Have You Mastered Recruiting But Not Hiring?

September 25, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

If you haven’t learned the difference between recruiting and hiring, now is the time. While recruiting involves the process of locating, identifying, screening, attracting, and evaluating talent; hiring involves the conversion of candidate to employee. Unfortunately, many companies are unable to close the deal in time to convert an applicant to an employee before they are recruited away to other opportunities. How can you protect yourself from losing valuable talent?

While the hiring process involves crucial steps and processes, building a smooth system can eliminate costly downtime and turnover. Studies have shown as many as 58% of employees who take part in a structured hiring process are more likely to be with the company three years later. Here are just a few tools that can help you build a structured hiring program!

Online applications
Strong applicant tracking system
A streamlined onboarding process
A structured training program
Regular performance reviews including in the new hire period

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

How To Land A Job At A Job Fair

September 23, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Let’s face it, most job fairs are filled with hundreds to thousands of applicants like yourself that are all chasing the same positions. Standing out against the competition, especially when the hiring managers and recruiters are likely to be overwhelmed by the end of the day can be very difficult. Here are some great tips to help you land a job at a job fair!

1. Come prepared. Sounds simple right? Some simple steps such as dressing professionally, researching which employers will be on hand that you are most interested in meeting with, researching those companies, and having a professionally built resume are the biggest steps to achieving success at a job fair. Many applicants consider a job fair to be a less formal setting and may appear more relaxed in their dress, often run out of a resumes, and can be seen wandering about hitting every booth. Walking with confidence to the locations that you are most interested in pursuing a career with can quickly set the tone for your conversation. Better yet, have a personalized cover letter for each of those employers to demonstrate that you came to the event seeking a career opportunity with them specifically.

2. Have your pitch ready. You’ll likely have 60 seconds or less to speak with a hiring manager or recruiter. Creating a strong first impression is key. Speak confidently, be to the point, and make sure you are express your strongest skills and accomplishments during this time. There is plenty of time in the future to discover what positions they have open currently and what they anticipate for the future. This is your time to convince them of why they need to meet with you formally.

3. Demonstrate professional etiquette. Similar to any job interview you should come dressed professionally, avoid chewing gum, silence your mobile devices, and avoid strong smells such as smoke, coffee, or cologne. Make sure that the employer is focused on your skills and abilities, not something with your presence. Be sure to stand a safe distance behind the candidate ahead of you in line allowing them to speak confidentially with the hiring manager and not making either party feel rushed.

4. Leave with information. After meeting with each employer make any notes from your conversation on the back of their business card. This will allow you to follow up with information that may trigger them to remember your conversation such as “We had spoken in regards to your desire to expand your engineering services into the Phoenix market, that is something that I would have a strong interest in participating with”. Be sure to note any follow up actions that were requested of you such as submitting an electronic version of your resume. Remember to send a personalized thank you card within 24 hours, expressing your continued desire to speak further with them in regards to career opportunities and what you can bring to their organization.

Are Your Employees Job Hunting On The Clock?

September 20, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Are your employees looking to make a career move? A recent study released by Robert Half International Inc. found that as many as 48% of employees between the ages of 18 and 34 said that they are likely to conduct job-search activities at work. Even the most flexible of employers are likely not going to be excited by this statistic. What can you do to prevent your employees from seeking new opportunities, especially while on the job?

Communicate regularly. Do you regularly meet with individual staff members to discuss their careers, ambitions, and frustrations? If not, you should. Many workplace issues and frustrations can be addressed in a simple meeting. You may learn of current team members that would be interested and qualified for other opportunities within the organization.
Recognize regularly. Regularly provide feedback to your employees on their progress, achievements, and contributions to the organization. Sometimes simple forms of recognition such as a thank you card, email, or recognition in front of the team can be the motivation your staff needs to remain engaged with the company.
Reward regularly. How do you motivate your staff to excel? A strong employee recognition program including awards, bonuses, gift cards, or free lunches show your employees that your organization is committed to keeping them happy and rewarding them for their efforts.

As the market remains tight for top level talent, keeping your top performers happy and engaged is critical. Click here for more information on employee retention.

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

Cell Phone Etiquette In The Workplace

September 13, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

With over half of the adults in the United States owning a smartphone, it’s no surprise that their presence in the workplace has created some disruptions. Most companies have policies in place that include guidance on the use of mobile devices in the workplace, that will likely grow to include more specific technology as time progresses. Even if your company does not have a policy against or limiting the use of mobile devices in the workplace, exercising proper etiquette with your mobile phone or device can have an impact on your professional image.

Here are some quick etiquette tips for the use of mobile devices in the workplace:

Don’t allow interruptions. Do not interrupt a conversation with someone either on another line or in person to accept a call or respond to a message. Showing your colleagues and clients that they have your undivided attention is important to rapport and respect building in the workplace.

Make sure your mobile device is appropriately represented in the workplace. Whether it is a personal device or a company issued mobile device, if it is making an appearance in the workplace it should be appropriate for the environment. Make sure that your device has a professional ring tone, neutral case or cover, and your background photo is appropriate for the workplace. Inappropriate covers, background photos, or ring tones may be offensive to those around you and could result in a poor professional image or discipline.

Respect the no phone zones. Even a company issued phone should not be present in all situations. Meetings, lunch appointments, and restrooms are just a few places that your mobile device is likely not welcome. Silence your device and keep it in your bag, briefcase, or pocket.

Be respectful of those around you. Those around you will quickly grow annoyed with the constant ringing or vibrating from your device, especially in a cubicle setting. Be sure to silence your device and step away to take personal calls.

Don’t be an under the table reader. Let’s face it those around you are aware of what you’re doing. Responding to emails, texts, or surfing the internet below the table only draws more attention to you. If you feel the need respond to an urgent message, politely excuse yourself from the group.

Consider adding cell phone etiquette into your next staff training or meeting agenda to help eliminate distractions or disruptions in the workplace. Chances are there are several staff members who are losing productivity due to their cell phone usage and causing disruptions to those around them.

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

The Costs of Delayed Reporting of Workers' Compensation Claims!

September 11, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Does your organization make timely reporting of workers’ compensation claims a priority? Studies have demonstrated the costly effects of delayed reporting for organizations in the United States. The costs of delayed reporting will vary by employer based on the fact that each claim is different, each employee is different, and each injury may involve different circumstances. However, regardless of the nature of your business there is a direct correlation between the reporting time and the cost of the claim.

The faster a workers’ compensation claim is received by the adjuster, the faster and more controlled the process is. The adjuster is able to conduct a thorough investigation while the facts of the claim are still readily available, before the employee and any witnesses may forget key details that are critical to the claim. Prompt reporting can also help to eliminate any delays in providing appropriate medical care and wage benefits to the injured employee.

Recent data released by Sedgwick Claims Management Services Inc. found:

Claims that close within 30 days of occurrence cost an average of $287 and about 90% of those claims will remain medical-only cases.
Claims that remain open 31-90 days jump to an average cost of $722.
Claims that remain open 181-365 days jump to an average cost of $6,875

A recent study completed by NCCI on lag time also found:

Week two after the date of the incident cost an average of 18% more than claims reported during the first week.
Weeks three and four following the date of the incident averaged a 30% increase in claims cost.
After four weeks the costs increased an average of 45% higher.

Making sure your staff is familiar with the importance of quickly reporting any incidents and injuries is key to controlling your costs. Any injury regardless of it’s initial significance should follow the same reporting process that should be clearly outlined in the employee handbook and regularly posted in break rooms and other common areas.

Why Your Business Should Be On LinkedIn!

September 9, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Whether you are just jumping into social media through other sites or have avoided a social media presence for your company altogether, your business needs to be on LinkedIn!

LinkedIn, unlike some other social media sites, was designed to be used for professional networking purposes only. From individual profiles to groups and company pages, the layout and format is intended to connect professionals with common interests. By doing so, LinkedIn has avoided many of the workplace blunders and law suits that other social media sites have become attached to. Almost 3 million companies have created Company Pages on the site and over 5.7 billion professionally oriented searches were conducted on the site in 2012 alone, making LinkedIn a powerhouse for marketing, recruiting, and career development opportunities.

Not sure where to get started? Here are some quick tips!

Create a Company Page. Make sure to include a photo, preferably including your logo for brand recognition.

Build Your Followers. Announce to your staff that your company has joined LinkedIn and invite them to follow you as well as invite additional followers who may have an interest in your line of work, product line, or general industry.

Build Your Content. Provide your followers with informative content on a consistent basis. Post articles of interest, blog posts, company updates, and job postings to keep your company name and page fresh on their mind and their newsfeed.

Be Interactive. Make sure to measure engagement with your followers and learn which topics gain the most engagement from your audience, as well as what content seems to fall through the cracks. Make sure that you respond quickly and professionally to all comments, questions, and inquiries.

As with any network, a social network following can take time to build. The more members of your team that are involved with sharing your page and content to their connections, the faster your engagement will grow. Identifying members of your organization that may have access to articles of interest, industry trends, and general discussions can greatly advance your branding opportunities.

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

Your Partner at Work

Category Archives: IT/Engineering

Conducting Seasonal Layoffs? Don't Miss This!

Hiring For Small Business

René Poch Announces Name Change for CES, Inc.

The Applicant's Investment In The Interview

Have You Mastered Recruiting But Not Hiring?

How To Land A Job At A Job Fair

Are Your Employees Job Hunting On The Clock?

Cell Phone Etiquette In The Workplace

The Costs of Delayed Reporting of Workers' Compensation Claims!