6 Ways to Help Line Managers Support Parents-to-be

6 Ways to Help Line Managers Support Parents-to-be A surprising number of line managers are a little daunted by the prospect of having a conversation with an employee who’s announced they are having a child. Even those with children of their own. It can seem like a bit of a minefield, but it doesn’t have to be. There are some simple steps you can take to help equip them and ensure the experience is a positive one all round for the employee, the line manager and your companies retention rates. 1. Keep them informed on policies lAn employee sharing the news they’re becoming a parent can often be better informed than their line manager. They’ve had time to think about it before announcing the news. A line manager doesn’t need to be an expert to handle this well. They just need to know the headlines and where to go to find out more. The key things here are: Understanding the key policies what the maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave policies are, both the legal entitlements and any company specific benefits such as enhanced pay Being aware of any other benefits such as a childcare voucher scheme, the option to add a child to your health insurance or a parent network and any key support it offers (such as workshops to help manage the transition)z 2. Provide guidance for the first meeting The first meeting is key in setting the tone. The employee is likely to be feeling a little daunted so a Line Manager who can confidently guide them through will be hugely appreciated. It’s also likely to make all subsequent conversations a lot easier. At this stage the key things to understand are: Process what the formal process is for requesting leave i.e. what forms and when Ante-natal appointments what the company policy is for ante-natal appointments and how time off will be managed Benefits what the key benefits are and where to go if they have any questions which at this stage typically focus on pay, what happens to pensions and share save schemes whilst on leave and how and when to sign up for voucher schemes, parent networks etc. I also always recommend landing the message that the employee can be open, discuss any concerns and ideally plan together how and when they communicate their news to the rest of the team. 3. Make them aware of any support offered during pregnancy Many firms already have policies or benefits in place and simple things can go a long way in making employees feel their employer is looking out for them. These will be company specific but may include: Workstation assessment â€" which will obviously will vary widely depending on the role and need to be managed sensitively Pregnancy Parking â€" an increasing number of organisations with on site parking are now offering accessible parking spaces at the later stages of pregnancy Pregnancy yoga/massage again many larger firms with on site gyms are now offering pregnancy yoga classes or have massage services 4. Ensure they support the employee as they prepare to go on leave There will be a natural tendency to focus on what tasks need to be completed before an employee goes on extended leave for both the employee and the line manager. It’s worth making sure they are also thinking about: Handover planning creating a handover plan together which includes informing key stakeholders and ensuring any interim cover has all they need Final date agreeing how this will be communicated to the rest of the team Checking in regularly to see how the employee is feeling, particularly in the later months and if appropriate adjusting their leaving plan. Some pregnant mums for example find it helpful to use annual leave to make those final weeks shorter and “ramp down” or change their hours to avoid rush hour. 5. Encourage them to think ahead to the employees absence and return BEFORE they go on leave It’s tempting to just focus on the handover and cover needed however I think of this as a golden time in having open and honest conversations about absence and return. It’s much harder to do this once an employee is on leave, has a small baby to occupy them and is potentially feeling a little isolated. Encourage your line managers to use their judgment and sound out employees on the following: Contact during leave â€" do they want to remain in contact during leave, and if so how? Do they want to know about major developments in the workplace or be involved in team socials? Return date â€" whilst legally there is no requirement for the employee to notify their employee until 8 weeks before they want to come back I always encourage line managers to be ready and open to discussing it if the employee brings it up it’s helpful on both sides. Flexible working â€" the same goes for flexible working and by this I don’t just mean part-time. With very few exceptions parents need some flexibility, even if informal. KIT days â€" employers and employees have the option to agree to up to 10 “Keeping in Touch” days for maternity and adoption leave, and 20 for Shared Parental Leave. They can be a really effective way of ramping back up (and trialling childcare), and making sure the employee doesn’t miss out on key events like team off sites. Annual leave â€" those on Maternity, Adoption and Shared Parental Leave accrue annual leave. Are both the employee and line manager happy with them returning with up to a year’s extra holiday to use or is it better to tag some or all onto their leave? 6. Ensure they are ready for their return It’s easy to assume you don’t need to do anything for a returning employee, they’re not new, but for most returning parents it’s a big event so to ensure it runs smoothly it’s worth encouraging line managers to: Review changes consider anything that could be disruptive or unsettling such as an office move, new team members or structure, or new team objectives Check practicalities is the technology and workstation equipment set up and ready? Will their emails, mobile phone and access rights have been reconnected? Plan their first day / week back consider arranging a 121 on their first day back to talk through their re-integration and any concerns they have, introducing them to new team members and scheduling catch ups with key stakeholders This all sounds great but how do you get these messages across? Leaders in the field now provide dedicated workshops for line managers. If you have the scale to support a programme like this I highly recommend it. Not only for the line managers themselves and the benefit they get from being able to discuss concerns and questions openly with others in the same boat but also because of the impact this has on employees seeing this has been made a priority. However not everyone has the scale to do this and even if they do I always recommend creating a simple “at-a-glance” written guide as well. Given the time sensitivity they may not have to deal with this for years and then suddenly need the information very quickly it can be hugely reassuring to have to hand. Employees will nearly always mention their line manager when being asked about their experiences of going on extended leave when becoming a parent. And the responses tend to be along the lines of either “I was lucky, they got it…” or “They didn’t have a clue..”. By creating some simple pointers you can create a lot more consistency across your organisation and really make a difference all round. About the author: Catherine Oliver is the founder of Parents@Sky and co-founder of Sky’s Women in Leadership initiative. She has recently founded the Bluebell Partnership, a consultancy to help guide businesses through the challenges of setting up their own working parent and women in leadership programmes.

Make a Difference These 6 Work-at-Home Jobs Help Your Community

Make a Difference These 6 Work-at-Home Jobs Help Your Community You don’t have to venture too far to make a real difference in your community. You might not have to leave home at all, in fact. These six work-at-home jobs let you give back to the people and institutions who make your hometown special â€" and earn real money doing it. Grant Writing for Nonprofits If you have a way with words and don’t mind hewing to a tried-and-true formula, look for grant writing opportunities with nonprofits in your area. Many nonprofits rely on government and foundation grants for operating capital, and grant application deadlines are often tight, so they’re always looking for help. Larger organizations may have multiple grant writers on staff; smaller groups tend to use contract or freelance grant writers. Whether you find remote employment with a big nonprofit or string together freelance gigs, take heart in the knowledge that your wordsmithing makes a difference. “Instead of filling corporate pockets, you’ll be helping nonprofit organizations get the money they need for worthy projects like food pantries and youth programs,” writes Joan Axelrod-Contrada in The Writer. Fundraising for Charities and Institutions As an at-home fundraising distributor, you can help schools, churches, and other worthy organizations raise money to fund programs that benefit the broader community. In exchange, you’ll earn commissions when the client organizations use your fundraising products. The experts at ABC Fundraising indicate that motivated, well-organized at-home fundraising distributors can earn as much as $5,000 per month. The exact earning potential depends on their clients’ fundraising totals. Still, with no travel or storage required, at-home fundraisers have very low overhead. Digital Marketing for Social Enterprises Plenty of digital marketing specialists work from home. If you’re serious about doing right by your community, consider setting up a boutique operation specifically for social enterprises and nonprofits in your neck of the woods. Word-of-mouth marketing should be effective for truly localized operations. Social Enterprise Consulting Upstart social enterprises need guidance to navigate the complexities of certification and regulatory compliance. Particularly fruitful areas for social enterprise consultants include triple bottom line alignment and Benefit Corporation certification (or its analogues). If you’re comfortable with these topics, you can make a real difference in the lives and livelihoods of social entrepreneurs near you. Medical Transcription Medical transcriptionists create accurate written records of spoken notes and conversations that medical professionals don’t have time to commit to writing on their own. It’s not a glamorous job, but it’s absolutely necessary for healthcare delivery. You never know when you’ll rely (knowingly or not) on the services of an at-home medical transcriptionist. Tutoring and Mentoring Online platforms like Chegg connect students and lifelong learners with remote tutors versed in specific subjects. If you have a passion for algebra, or chemistry, or foreign languages, you can earn real money.    Up to $20 per hour or more â€" as a tutor. All you need is a webcam, microphone, a reliable Internet connection, and a passion for teaching. Pick Your Passion If you’re not passionate about any of the at-home jobs on this list, don’t lose hope. There are plenty of worthy, potentially lucrative pursuits out there that offer tangible benefits for your friends and neighbors. Your options are limited only by your skills and creativity.

5 Reasons Why You Need a Buddy System - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

5 Reasons Why You Need a Buddy System - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career If you have ever felt: Behind on projects Uncertain how to handle delicate situations Caught in the middle of opposing viewpoints Then you may wish to seriously consider the following 5 reasons why you need a buddy system. Accountability Boring tasks will keep us from accomplishing our important goals. Accountability is a tough one to tackle but when we face needing to report back to our buddy, it’s surprising how quickly we get these essentials out of the way. Your trusted partner does not need to be in your industry, but someone who cares enough about you and, likewise, you care about them. Achievement Each Monday morning advise one another of the status of your bigger projects and what you will commit to completing toward that end. On Friday mornings, have a brief recap of your successes, what still needs to be followed up on, and possibly where you fell short. Given most of us wish to impress our accountability partners with success, it usually only takes once or twice in having to admit shortfalls that will get us past similar hurdles in the future. Arrange to meet in person monthly to share you personal goals, dreams and huge visions. The in-person connection usually serves to drive the motivation further. Miscommunication On occasion, we do not see eye to eye with others and feel as if we are all alone trying to figure out the best route. With a buddy in place, instead of letting emotions run wild, you are able to factually speak to pros and cons, retrace steps, and come to an improved conclusion. Sandwiched in the Middle In the case where several people are involved in a mishap or miscommunication, be certain to begin a documentation trail. Save all correspondence and refer back to it when necessary. Even better is to review the documentation with your buddy. It will be easier to retrace where the missteps began. You will have an easier time offering solutions to fix the problems. Up Your Game Most of us are competitive to some degree. As the reporting in to your buddy appears to be working well, add higher-level goals to your list. This is what makes the difference for getting to the top of your game. Having a Buddy  makes the boring work bearable. And now the more challenging goals serve to motivate us to see them through to completion. It is this frame of mind that empowers your personal brand and the Smooth Sale!

Customer Service is Queen

Customer Service is Queen I learned my lesson. I thought if I hired an assistant, I could free myself from the repetitve tasks of the daily sales job.   For me, that includes returns, website issues, wheres my order? emails, and more.   Man, I would get SO much of my day back if someone handled these issues for me.   That was the thought.   Sure, I got part of my day back but I gained a whole new set of issues.   Here is what I learned: 1.  Small Customer  Service Issues are  More Important  Than  the Big Sale  Whether your clients are inside the walls of your own company or in another country, how we handle the small glitches  are just as important  (if not more) than the biggest sale they give us.    Our customers are thinking, Sure, they are there to take our large order but are they there throughout the entire lifecycle of the project? 2. Personal Attention Cannot be Automated Wouldnt it be incredible if we could give our pissed off clients an automated email with something like, I am so sorry to learn your order was delayed.   Here is a $100 coupon for your next order.   I value our business and look forward to the next time we can partner together.   Um, NO.   That would never work!    Every situation is different and no electronic form can replace the empathy our clients need to feel confident in our partnership, even with ups and downs.  3. Any Sales Person Who Says Its All Roses is a Liar As one of my collegues says, More Money, More Problems.   Its true.   With larger and more complex projects comes more possibility for glitches.   We know they are coming, its how we handle them that makes the difference.   Setting expectations with our clients is most important so if a bottleneck pops up, we are both prepared to take action together. Automating is awesome because it makes us more efficient but when it comes to customer service, the personal touch not only can save your relationship but possibly propel it to the next level of trust.

10 Fastest Growing Jobs By 2020 - CareerMetis.com

10 Fastest Growing Jobs By 2020 Source â€" Pexels.comThe world has transitioned faster than our imagination after the advent of the internet. The demographic changes and the technological advancements combined have given rise to unemployment.It is said that by the end of 2020, there will be a net loss of about 5 million jobs. According to our report, more than 7 million jobs could be lost, a majority of which includes the white collar and administrative jobs.An authentic report surveyed more than 350 employees across 9 industries to predict the evolvement of the future labor markets. Over the next few years, it is expected that job market will go through a radical change where certain occupations will become more in demand.evalLet’s look at the following jobs that will gain popularity in the year 2020.1) Data AnalystsevalAccording to the survey report, the data analysts will acquire more importance than any other occupation in almost all the industries. The data analysts will provide a reliable information to the employers generated by various technological software.The information provided by the data analysts are confidential and also used by several government agencies.2) Programmers and Software DevelopersThe good news for computer programmers and mathematicians is that their careers will be on boost even in the near future. They will be in demand by a majority of sectors where they will work to build communication between humans and machines. Also included in this category are information security analysts, code developers, and many others.3) Sales SpecialistsThe technological advancements have created a technological barrier between the industry and the consumers. Though the companies now aim to make their processes transparent, they still need to make a lot of effort to explain their assets.For this purpose, the companies will be willing to hire specialized sales agents that will connect the customers with the companies and will exchange the information. This includes several sectors such as mainstream businesses, industrial sectors, and government agencies.4) Engineers and ArchitectsThough there seems to be a major decline in engineering jobs over the past decade, our report predicts that by the year 2020 the engineering jobs will increase over time and then develop a stability. The demand will specifically increase in the area of nanotechnology, robotics and biochemical.evalJust like engineering, the demand for architects will also increase. It is said that approximately 2 million jobs will be globally created under the umbrella of computer and mathematics which will result in the rise of jobs for architects as well. As more technological tools will develop, the architects will be able to transform the infrastructures creatively.eval5) Senior ManagersTo keep their game on point, companies would need experienced managers. The managers will not only be needed for the navigation but also to direct the industries keep up to date with the technology.For major tran sformations, these managers will play the lead role and help the companies grow tremendously especially in the sector of information, media, and entertainment.6) Product DesignersA large number of monotonous jobs have been automated since the technological takeover. However, the creative jobs require human touch for better productivity and out of the box ideas. The jobs of the product designers will remain stable, in fact, they will become much more in demand to break clutter in the product market.evalThe employers reveal that people with an amazing skill set will be increasingly in demand especially those belonging to the commercial and industrial field.Since gadgets, appliances, cars and manufacturing goods will continue to grow in the next 5 years, the demand for the product designers will be on the rise.7) Human Resources and Organizational TrainersWhile transformational changes in technological advancements have made several jobs to fade or disappear completely, there are jobs that require human presence as mandatory and to fill that, companies require human resources that would find the right candidate for their company by custom filters and train the employees according to the company’s standards.8) Regulatory and Government Relation ExpertsThe emerging trends require officials that are also well aware of the law and can implement new technologies by keeping in mind the government rules and regulations.For example, automobile companies that embrace technological advancement of marketing driverless cars will consult the professionals that have the insight of legal situation.9) Personal Financial AdvisorsThe rise of money minded people is giving a career boost to the financial advisors who are attributing a chief role in property growth and investment. Personal financial advisors will continue to grow in the next 5 years. The best thing about being10) Medical ExpertsApart from the cosmetologists who will be enjoying career boost, there will be a lot of demand for other medical experts in the upcoming years. Because of the technological advancements in the medical industry, the rise in the medical assistance will continue to upsurge.Specialists like Veterinary technologists and assistants will continue to prosper as they will become much more in demand.In addition, fitness trainers will also enjoy a higher demand in the upcoming years. As the physical diseases are on the rise, people are readily shifting towards a healthier lifestyle and to keep up with the modern life, fitness trainers are gaining more popularity over time.evalThough technology has replaced human resource in numerous fields over the decades, there are certain areas where the expertise of human beings are required extensively.However, Darwin’s theory of “Survival of the Fittest” seems to fit our situation in the job market more than ever before. The individuals need to have the right blend of education and skill set that will make them acquire the job of thei r aspiration.It is highly recommended to gain the expertise in a field that has higher career perspective. People are now focused on attaining diversified skills to get the added advantage of a better-paid job and for decreasing the rate of competitiveness.Many employers claim to hire employees that have the digital knowledge and are adaptive to change because these are the two main ingredients for success.

10 Wrong Ways To Network

10 Wrong Ways To Network Wait, you mean there are wrong ways to network? Yep. But with a few small changes to what you say and do, youll eliminate some missteps and turn the networking experience around. If you are one of those people who hate to network and view it as phony or pretentious, then you are doing it all wrong. Networking is not about building a mammoth list of contacts or passing out business cards like youre dealing poker. Networking means building mutually beneficial relationships. Avoid these wrong ways to network and make it more enjoyable! 1. Only Networking When You Need A  Job The truth is that you cant wait until you need a job to begin networking. Building a network takes time. If you wait until you are in crisis mode to put networking into action, youll be disappointed in the results. Professionals, from small business owners to corporate leaders, realize the importance of word-of-mouth marketing and regularly carve networking into their schedules. Invest time every month to stay in touch with past colleagues and meet new people so your network will be there when you need it. 2. Only Networking During Group Events Networking can occur at any place, any time. Dont limit your networking activity to professional meetings. All you need to do is be open to the possibilities of meeting someone new. The next time you leave your home, consider it a networking experience. Strike up a conversation with the person standing in line or in the elevator, or just say hello to the cashier. If you are an introvert and prefer the intimacy of one-on-one conversations, reach out to someone youve been meaning to meet. 3. Avoiding Social Networking Sites Real relationships can and do result from initial interaction on social media. As a matter of fact, social media is a great way to expand your network and meet people you would never have met otherwise. Begin by adding a comment to a discussion, sharing the persons work or simply tweeting them a question. Here are more tips on how to dip your toe into the social networking waters. 4. Never Following Up If youve been busy building your network but havent followed up with any of your new contacts, it is easy for people to forget you â€" or worse, you may give the impression you are using people. It is up to you to stay in touch. Treat each new person you meet like a potential best friend. Share information with them, offer to be of assistance or invite them to join you at an event. To make sure you follow up, it helps to schedule a date when you will touch base. 5. Taking Without Giving When you dont treat networking like a mutual exchange of information, it may result in a lot of dead ends. Networking isnt all about you. Listen for opportunities to offer help or introduce your new connection to someone you know. When you give the impression that you are only networking to get something â€" a job, an investor or new client â€" people see right through your shallow efforts. 6. Dropping the Ball On Referrals During networking meetings, you may be offered help or receive a name of someone to contact. In either case, you should graciously thank the person and take the recommended action. Once youve taken the steps, loop back with your contact, and provide an update. This shows you value the idea and person. If you have no intention of taking action, politely explain why right then and there. 7. Missing The Hidden Message Unspoken cues come in many forms. A networking contact may suggest you check out an article or new company in town, for example. Rather than ignoring the suggestion or blindly taking action, ask your contact why he or she made that recommendation. You may discover the person has inside information or knows someone you should meet. Keep your ears and mind open. 8. Not Knowing Enough About the Person Youre Meeting Learn everything you can about the new contact before your meeting. Either circle back and ask the person who referred you how he or she knows the referral, review his or her LinkedIn profile or Google the persons name and the company he or she works for. Take notes, and prepare questions to delve further into his or her background, interests and recent publicity. Most people love to talk about themselves; give your networking contact the opportunity to share what interests him or her most. 9. Leaving A Negative Impression Your only mission when meeting a new person is to make him or her feel like he or she is the most important person youve met that day. Be polite, smile, use his or her name and ask lots of questions. This may be the only chance you get to make the right first impression. Be genuine and likable. 10. Thinking  You Already Know Everyone Networking should involve meeting new people. While it certainly makes sense to stay in contact with people you already know, there are benefits to expanding your connections. Meeting new people often results in learning about interesting and unexpected things. Reach out beyond your current circle of colleagues to expand what you know. The Bottom Line: When you view networking through a new lens, youll see the positive results. There truly are wrong ways to network. and hopefully, you see the difference. Originally appeared on US News World Report

How to Highlight Reading and Writing Skills on Resume

How to Highlight Reading and Writing Skills on ResumeTo learn how to highlight reading and writing skills on resume, you must know where to look. It is easy for a resume to look very fancy with all the frills, but a successful resume needs to be the person's first impression. You can get the job you want by writing your resume in a way that makes an employer notice what you are trying to say.The first thing you need to do is get a clear idea of what you are trying to say in the resume. This is very important. If you know what you are trying to say, it is easier to highlight the points that you think are important. It is easier to highlight writing skills when you know what you are trying to say.You must give attention to the main points in the document. While it is true that the formatting may be fancy, the most important thing in a resume is the information on it. In the first paragraph, give emphasis to the most important information about the person. These main points should be bo ld or underlined.Who is the person? This question can be answered with the help of the person's education and the skills that the person has. Write down the educational level. Do not forget to include the subject of the class and the name of the teacher.What type of job does the person have? A person may have different types of jobs, and it is important to write this down. Include the name of the type of job and its start date. Include all the details that will help the employer to get a better idea of the person's skills.What are the people who know the person and what skills did they use to help them get hired for the job? A person must know the qualities that the employer looks for. These are the qualities that should be included in the resume. The resume should tell the employer all the things that the person can bring to the company. The resume should include the skills and the qualifications that the person has, which is always of great use to the employer.The next section in the resume will be the hobbies. They are the things that the person wants to accomplish during his career. It is very important to emphasize these hobbies in the resume. When the resume looks nice and neat, the employer will be impressed by the person's hobbies.These are the areas that you need to put emphasis on while creating a resume. To make the resume stand out, these are the areas that you need to concentrate on. Learn how to highlight reading and writing skills on resume.