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.

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.

Computer Ergonomics And The Workplace

September 6, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Have you ever considered the effects of your workstation on your health or your organization’s bottom line? If not, you should. According to the U.S. Department of Labor repetitive stress injuries have cost employers over $20 billion in workers’ compensation claims; factor in the pain, loss time, and loss of productivity and the numbers become astounding. While many work stations are built and assembled to a standard size, employee height, comfort, and position vary greatly. Here are some great tips on computer ergonomics that may decrease potential for injuries, increase physical energy, and increase productivity in the workplace!

Keep the top of the computer screen at or just below eye level and approximately 20 inches away from you.
Make sure your chair is adjusted for you. Your back should remain supported, your feet should rest flat on the floor or foot rest, and your knees should be at approximately a 90 degree angle when seated.
Position your keyboard so that your wrists are straight and your elbows rest at a 90 degree angle. Consider a keyboard tray or wrist rest to provide additional support if needed.
To avoid strains on your neck and eyes, place a document holder at screen level.
Change positions frequently to release tension on your body. Consider standing and stretching every hour briefly.
Keep your most frequently used items within easy reach.

Some simple adjustments can quickly make your workplace more comfortable, safe, and productive. Speak with your employees about additional available equipment such as foot rests, wrist rests, and document holders to reduce strain and pain in the workplace.

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 Importance of Job Descriptions

August 30, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Does your organization maintain and regularly update their job descriptions? If not, you may want to re-consider your current process. While employers are not legally required to maintain job descriptions, there are several proven benefits and legal advantages to doing so.

Formal, well maintained job descriptions, are one of the most effective tools to determine the essential job functions and requirements for each position within the organization. The job description should serve as the foundation for qualifying and interviewing of candidates for each role.

What should be included in the job description?

Job title
Pay range
Hours/shifts, overtime expectations, weekend work expectations
Exempt/non-exempt status
General responsibilities including descriptions of key tasks and their purpose
Qualifications including the experience, education, training, and technical skills necessary for the role
Additional demands including extraordinary conditions such heavy lifting, travel, prolonged standing, and exposure to extreme temperatures
Job duties and responsibilities including tasks that comprise a majority of the work to be done

A thorough job description can support an employer’s stance on a hiring decision, address exempt/non-exempt status under the Fair Labor Standards Act for wage and hour purposes, and provide hiring managers with a clear understanding of who may best be suited for a position. They also provide documentation of the mental, physical, and environmental factors necessary to complete the requirements of the position.

Having an employee sign an employment agreement upon hiring including a language that the employee has received a copy of the job description, has reviewed it, and understands the expectations of them in this role can assist employers in training, performance evaluations, and disciplinary manners. As with any working relationship both parties often are better protected and informed when there is a clear and concise understanding of the expectations of 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.

Job Postings That Work!

August 28, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Are you frustrated with the number of job postings that you’ve posted only to find you still don’t have qualified candidates? Are your monthly charges to job boards beginning to look like they need a P&L of their own? Now’s the time to fix it!

With online job boards including millions of job postings each year, standing out among the competition is essential. The days of simply putting an ad in the newspaper resulting in stacks of resumes are gone. Today’s job postings must include several key components including:

SEO Value: If you aren’t familiar with SEO, you’re already behind in the game. SEO or Search Engine Optimization, refers to the content or structure of online content so that it will be prominently displayed by a search engine. Making sure that your job posting is rich in SEO value is the key to making sure that your job posting is even located by candidates. SEO value can be gained through strong and prominent keywords, exact location matches, and relevance between the content in your posting and what the job seeker is searching for. The more you have in common with their search statement, the more likely they are to find your posting.
Content is the key. No matter how great your SEO value is or how many candidates land on your posting, if the content in your posting doesn’t sell the position it won’t matter. The posting should include industry buzz words, specific qualifications, and enough information for a candidate to determine whether or not they are qualified for the position.
Is your job posting visually pleasing? According to HireRight, 75% of job seekers say the look and feel of a job posting influences their decision to apply. Make sure that your job posting visually appeals to the audience. Is it free of errors, includes important details, and is it easy to read through quickly? Most job seekers will not take the time to read a full length job description, make sure your posting includes the important details and nothing more.
Sell your job! Why would someone want to work for you? What sets a career with your organization apart from your competitors? This may be your only chance to sell a career with your company to the candidate, make sure you do it well! Include valuable information about your benefits, employment brand, and enough information about your organization that a candidate can see why a career opportunity with your organization is something they should be interested in.

The battle for top talent is becoming increasingly harder in most industries. Maintaining a strong employment brand, a great employee retention program, and a proactive recruiting strategy are all great ways to stay ahead of your competition in the recruiting field.

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.

Social Media and The Workplace

August 26, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

The topic of social media and its effects on the workplace have likely come up in your organization. As a relatively new topic in case-law, social media and its place in the workplace is still unsettled. What can you do to protect yourself as an individual and as an organization?

Continue reading →

Job Hunting? Clean Up Your Online Presence First!

August 23, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Are you ready to begin a job search? Before spending hours completing the perfect resume, locating interview attire, and searching the countless job boards, take some time to clean up your online presence first. According to behiring.com, as many as 68% of employers will locate you on Facebook alone. Does your Facebook profile resemble the same person you are trying to portray in an interview?

About 1 in 3 employers have rejected a candidate based upon what they learned about them online. Often times your professional strengths, accomplishments, and skill set can be overshadowed by content or photographs located online; quickly costing you your dream job. So what can you do to protect yourself?

· Make your non-professional profiles private. Create separate profiles for your professional and non-professional social networks and keep non-professional profiles private.
Make sure your professional profiles sell you. Do you have a LinkedIn profile? Make sure it is complete with endorsements, a professional photo, detailed information about your duties and accomplishments, and is connected to others in your field.

Network. Network. Network. Take advantage of social networks. Connect and more importantly interact with others in your line of work. Participating in groups, answering questions, and posting content that is relevant to your line of business will all help you gain professional rapport and be seen as a knowledgeable in your field. Let those around you know that you are open to career opportunities and let your social networks work for you.

Check and re-check your online presence. Before you make the assumption that you have cleaned up your social profiles, test it. Have others search for you and see what they are able to view on your profile. Don’t forget about profiles that may exist on sites that you no longer use such as Myspace. Lastly, don’t forget to run an online search including an image search for yourself. This is a great way to locate any forgotten profiles, tagged photos, etc.

While companies are struggling nationwide to obtain the top talent in their industry, most are not willing to take a chance on someone with an online presence that could damage their professional image. Taking a few moments to prepare before marketing yourself could make the difference between yourself and another candidate landing your dream job.

Are you a stand out professional, skilled trades person, or technical professional seeking contingent, temporary, or long term career opportunities? Visit our job seekers section 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.

Finding A Recruiter Who Works For You!

August 19, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Whether you are seeking a new career path or are seeking to hire the newest talent for your organization, finding a recruiter who works for you, not with you will make or break your experience. A recruiter should work as your agent and should exhibit the same qualities that a sports agent provides their talent.

Not sure how to qualify your recruiter?

Here are some simple steps to get you started.

Determine their qualifications. The recruiting industry has the highest turnover rate of any industry with approximately 90% turnover within the first year. Recruiters makeup a large majority of the profiles on LinkedIn, if your recruiter does not have an active and complete profile with a large number of connections take caution. A recruiter’s LinkedIn profile is an excellent place to pre-qualify them. Do you they specialize in your line of work? How long have they been in the industry? The longer they have been in their role the larger the network and career opportunities or top level talent they can connect you with.

Conduct a mutual interview. A proven recruiter should be confident, almost arrogant about their abilities. If they aren’t able to sell themselves how can they sell your qualifications as a candidate or sell your position and organization to the industry’s top performers? Simple, they can’t. Be perfectly clear about what your priorities are and what items would make or break the perfect match for you. Inquire as to what their network in your industry looks like and what types of similar positions they have filled in the past.

Make sure their greatest strength is listening. If the recruiter is more focused on talking than listening, they’ll likely miss important details that are crucial to making the right fit for you. Make sure they ask you great questions, take notes, and have an attention to detail. Finding the perfect match can’t be done if they don’t have the details needed to make the match.

They should be busy. Especially with the recent surge in staffing, if your recruiter is available to take your every call that may not be a good sign. The staffing industry has seen a consistent surge since the economic recovery, if your recruiter excels in their field they should be extremely busy balancing candidates and clients. While they should be busy, they should also set clear expectations of when they are available and how best to reach them.

As with any business partner, if you feel that you are not connecting well with your recruiter it may be time to look at other options. Often times the best way to locate a top notch recruiter is to seek referrals from others in your line of business. As many as 90% of companies have partnered with a staffing agency in the past for recruiting support, therefore it’s very likely that you know someone who has hired a recruiter in the past for recruiting services or that you know someone who has located a position through a recruiter.

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.

Job Demands Increase with ACA

August 7, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Have the changes coming forth with the Affordable Care Act impacted your career? If so, you are not alone. Here are a few careers in which job demands have and will continue to increase, as a result of the ACA.

Human Resources
Payroll
Legal Professionals
Nurses
Occupational Therapists
Personal Trainers
Customer Service Professionals
Insurance Consultants
Medical Billers
Medical Coders
Computer Programmers

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.

Trillium Staffing Awarded By 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For

August 5, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Trillium Staffing is proud to announce their repeated recognition with West Michigan’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies To Work For, in 2013. The awards competition provides the regional business community with the opportunity to showcase their best practices and demonstrate why they are an ideal place for employees to work. The awards are presented to organizations based on nominations and direct feedback from employees of each organization.

“We have the same commitments to each and every one of our employees as we do our clients. We have high expectations and our requirements are stringent. Once you become an employee of Trillium, we’ll do everything in our power to help you succeed and meet your career goals. When our employees are successful, we’ve done our job,” stated René Poch, CEO.

Trillium Staffing was founded in 1984 in Battle Creek, Michigan by CEO René Poch and has expanded to include six companies and over eighty offices nationwide. Trillium has gained national recognition including recent awards from Staffing Industry Analysts for achieving top 25 placement in the Largest U.S. Industrial Staffing Firms and top 70 placement in the Largest U.S. Staffing Firms.

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 Employees and Social Media Engagement

July 26, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Do you think that your social media policy is preventing the unauthorized use of social media during the workday? While implementing a social media policy is a great step in the right direction, most social networkers will continue to engage during the workday regardless.

According to a recent release from the Ethics Resource Center, as many as 72% of social networkers spent a portion of their workday on social networks, with a third of those reporting their activity as not work related. With access through company computers, tablets, and their mobile devices your employees have a variety of ways to access their social networks with or without being tracked. As many as 39% of those categorized as active social networks reported remaining connected the entire day! What does this mean for your organization?

As with any distraction, social media engagement for non-work related purposes will have an effect on productivity and eventually your bottom line. For those who remain connected for larger portions of the day, the likelihood of information about their work day, clients, projects, co-workers, and other work related information is likely to surface in their posts and engagements. Posts including derogatory statements, proprietary information, and other sensitive information could cause great loss and damages to your company. So what can you do?

With 38% of social networkers reporting use of personal devices exclusively, management and vigilance are an employer’s best chance of controlling unauthorized social media engagement in the workplace. Having policies in place and enforced that clearly define the expectations for social media and the use of personal devices during the workday are a great starting point. Work with your managers and supervisors to identify signs of social media misuse such as loss of productivity, loss of engagement, sensitive information going public before formally announced, and employees glued to their mobile devices. Most often, those who are engaged in social media for non-work related purposes during the work day will show signs of poor performance or productivity over time.

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: Medical

Cell Phone Etiquette In The Workplace

Computer Ergonomics And The Workplace

The Importance of Job Descriptions

Job Postings That Work!

Finding A Recruiter Who Works For You!

Job Demands Increase with ACA

Trillium Staffing Awarded By 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For