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Work / Life Issues

Ask managers to set a good example … by going on vacation

06/06/2008
Your organization’s employees no doubt believe they’re entitled to take all the vacation days they earn. So why do they leave so many on the table? A new survey from travel site Expedia says 92% of employees embrace their rights to take their vacations, yet one of every three is “vacation deprived” …

Contractor’s employees rave about wellness program

06/06/2008
One year after Herndon, Va.-based government contractor GTSI started its wellness program, half of its 665 employees participate. And on a company survey, almost 100% of them described the organization as “more than just a place to work.” …

Backup care: It’s not just for kids anymore

06/06/2008

Unscheduled absences can throw production into a tailspin. Often, those absences occur when an employee’s child care arrangements fall through. But increasingly, workers also must stay home to care for spouses or parents who need help after surgery or because a regular caregiver is unavailable …

Soaring gas prices offer opportunity for smart employers

05/27/2008
With gas prices shooting past $4 a gallon, employees with long commutes may be rethinking their job choices. You can help ease their pain (and collect some tax breaks) by introducing commuter-assistance benefits and programs. We offer tips and case studies that explain how to do it.

Keeping employee’s performance up during a divorce

05/22/2008

Q. “One of our employees is going through a divorce. She’s making more mistakes at work and is overly sensitive to constructive criticism. I think she needs a vacation—can we require it? Any suggestions on how to help her without sacrificing job performance?” …

Soaring gas prices boost interest in commuting assistance

05/22/2008
With gas prices climbing toward $4 a gallon, there’s more interest—among employers and employees—in commuter-assistance benefits and programs. Expect to become more involved in getting your employees to work …

Job conflicts are major cause of lost sleep

05/22/2008
Common job-related problems—such as conflicts with bosses or co-workers—are more likely to cause poor sleep than even long hours, night shifts or job insecurity. That’s the conclusion of a new University of Michigan study of 2,300 adults who were followed for a decade …

Of MySpace & Money: Don’t try to muzzle millennials’ salary talk

05/13/2008

You’d never discuss how much money you make, right? Dude, that attitude is so 20th century! The 20-somethings you work with eagerly dish about salaries, bonuses and other work topics you might consider taboo. Managers tempted to forbid such talk? Don’t let them! Here’s why.

Feeling poor? It could be worse: At least you’re not a reporter

05/02/2008
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown has expressed support for a union of editorial workers seeking a new contract at the Dayton Daily News. Union members took to the streets in April after the newspaper announced plans to deny part-time workers affordable health care and freeze wages …

Tailor benefits messages to employees’ ages, circumstances

05/02/2008
When it comes to effectively communicating benefits messages, one size does not fit all. Employees have different benefits needs at different stages of their lives. Make sure your print and web-based benefits communications efforts take those differences into account …