January 09 Newsletter

Temp of the month

We have received a record number of nominations for temp of the month in December! And after much deliberation the winner is…………… Sandra Bravin!!

Well done Sandra, we know from speaking to you how hard you have worked and you genuinely deserve December’s title! Here is why Stephen nominated you:

"To date Sandra has saved our company large amounts of money, she has cleaned up our accounts, reduced our debtors and has now made our accounts very efficient.

Sandra has meticulous attention to detail; she goes way and above the call of duty, putting in an amazing amount of hours – without putting those on her timesheet! She has streamlined the accounts department and has done all this with a smile and good humour!

Considering she is only employed as a temporary member of staff, Sandra has given 170% in everything she does. Without a doubt she has been a great asset to the business!"

A very special mention goes to the following:

Emma Kane “Emma displays a positive and enthusiastic approach to her role and has in turn influenced other members of the team ….and has been an asset to the team during this busy Christmas Period”

Kala Bostrom “Without a doubt an absolute gem we’d love to keep!”

Jon Sullivan “A very clever guy who takes on and picks up things very easily”

Suzi Dojcinovski “Suzi’s attendance has been fantastic….I recommend Suzi for the overall quality in her calls and the dedication she has brought to the team

Well done to everyone!

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Making New Year resolutions that stick

Every New Year people make resolutions. We pledge to lose weight, exercise more, quit smoking, we decide to save more, spend less, or pay off debt. But how do we stick to our resolutions?

Psychologists say these resolutions usually don’t work. That's because they're often based more on wishful thinking than commitment. We may have very good intentions to keep our resolutions, but it is only our actions that can realise them. For example, the most effective way to stop smoking is simply to stop. Studies show that abrupt cessation is more likely to be effective than setting a particular date in advance, January 1st. for instance. There's also the problem that if we make a resolution and then break it, we've set ourselves up for failure which will weaken our initial resolve.

This doesn’t mean though that we should forget about New Year's resolutions altogether. The New Year allows some time ahead to mentally prepare for setting resolutions, knowing we're going to have to make them sooner or later. The holiday season is also a good time to objectively view the past year to see what does and doesn't need to change. So if you want to make some changes take action, make a commitment, not a wish. There’s a huge difference between intention and action.

To maximise your chances of keeping to your resolutions, here's some strategies:

● Try something different. If your New Years’ resolutions usually dissipate by February, take a different approach. Step out of your comfort zone, and give something new a try. Sign up for boot camp, visit a life coach, or start up a programme with a personal trainer, to get you going.

● Write down your goals. If they're in writing you have something to regularly refer to and it confirms your goals to see them written down in black and white.

● Keep it simple. Start off gradually, and don’t try to do too much at once, that way you won’t feel too overwhelmed, and you’ll be much more likely to stick with it. It would be good to quit smoking, lose weight and get fit all at once; but if you take on too much you're more likely to fail on all counts.

● Set realistic expectations. You goals must be achievable; while you can take important steps to improve your health, you can’t look like an athlete if don’t have the time or desire to train like an athlete. Changing habits takes time, so look at the big picture. Think about your progress in terms of months, not days.

● Be specific. Rather than; “I want to lose weight”, specify something you can achieve like 'I will lose 15 kilos”.

● Decide on some practical details. Work out how you will actually implement your goals, for example; “To lose 15 kilos, I will swim three times a week and cut 1000 kilojoules a day from my food intake”.

● Set a time frame with deadlines to reach your goals. But be prepared for the lull, in case your initial enthusiasm to the task gives way to the drudgery of doing it.

● Keep a diary of your progress. Psychologists say that keeping a record of what you've done makes it more likely you'll stick to your regimen.

● Rebound from setbacks. Challenges and setbacks are a part of life, and you will face some along the way. It’s how you bounce back from a setback that makes the difference. Learn to anticipate them and prepare for them, and don’t give up if things go astray, adjust your plans, but don’t abandon them.

● Foster motivational support. It helps to talk to someone about your goals, your partner, friends, family, or a psychologist or counsellor. If others are aware of your goals, they're likely to support you and help you stay on track. It also helps to have a friend who's made the same resolution, you can quit smoking, lose weight together, or exercise together.

If you don't succeed, don't despair, you can try again, and there's always another New Year coming up. tips

Redundancy - trauma or positive experience?

Redundancy has different shades of meaning. For some it can say “I’ve been dumped’’, for others it means “Yes, finally, bring on the money!’’

Regardless of the meaning, with the current economic uncertainty we could be hearing a lot more of this word in the coming months. Technically though, a business makes positions redundant, not people. Yet few people will talk about their redundancy in that way.

Redundancies can result from cost reduction, where businesses slash whole departments, or employers can apply the “last on, first off’’ rule. Such decisions are in many ways impersonal, and may not account for the actual performance of an individual.

People respond in a variety of ways. It depends on a range of things, including the stage in their career and how well the redundancy fits in with their goals and plans. Psychologists say that the classic response is often similar to the “grief cycle’’. First there is denial, then anger, followed by bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance. Many people struggle to break the cycle. People may move around these stages, and there is a real problem if people get stuck in anger and depression.

Reactions may also depend on how much someone has attached themselves to their organisation, and how secure they are about their career prospects. Some people see their career as a series of jobs, and others who identify with working for the one employer. If they have a long-term personal investment in their work, and this source of identity is taken away against their will, they will feel let down.

The way an employer manages the process is important. If the employee has some say in the process and can negotiate their exit quickly, then they are likely to react more positively.

People will cope better if they always keep an eye on their future and keep asking themselves, if their job wasn’t there tomorrow, what would they do? It’s a truth that there are no secure jobs, just secure people. Recognise that you will react, and that you may well be reacting to events beyond your control. Use the term retrenched, not `made redundant’. Positions are made redundant. People are retrenched. Recognising this important distinction can help you move on.

Take advantage of support your company offers: outplacement services, counselling and employee assistance programs. Even if you feel you don’t need this help, you have nothing to lose by taking them up.

Ten tips for surviving redundancy

1 - Don't take it personally
Redundancy is not about you not doing well, it is about your company or industry not doing well. Or, as is the case at present, it's about the global economy not doing well. It may feel personal but it's not. Career experts have said that the average person would be made redundant at least once if not twice in their professional life. You are not alone.

2 - Move through it as quickly as possible
It is a shock and there will be anger and grieving but don't get stuck in that mode. Share with colleagues, get the support of family and friends and if you are really sinking, then talk to your GP. Beware of colleagues who don’t want you to move on, you might need to move away from such friendships if they threaten to bring you down. Also, there is only so many times your spouse, family and friends can hear a re-enactment of the moment of your retrenchment, or of all the things that should have been done to save your job. It is time to move on.

3 - Make the most of outplacement services
Another reason for trying to process your feelings quickly is to make the most of any outplacement services offered to you. If you are still in shock or stuck in anger mode, then you will not be fully attuned to learning how to market yourself for job searching. Some people are cynical about outplacement, but it is free and the providers are dedicated experts, so make the most of your time with them.

4 - Consider up-skilling
As you will have some time on your hands and hopefully some money as well, look at ways to up-skill. Many people teach themselves how to use a variety of software programs. Post redundancy is a good time to seek proper certification for these skills to allow you to market yourself better.

5 - Don't just jump at the next job
Take a breath and think about what you really want to do next. Don't just rush to take any job. This is an opportunity to re-group and look at all the possibilities.

6 - Flexibility is the key
Be prepared to take on a different style of work than what you’re used to. Often after a redundancy people will turn down a great temporary role and stay out of work hoping to land the perfect permanent role. In this market, finding the right permanent job could take some time. While some employers are holding back on listing their permanent jobs right now, the number of casual and part-time work has increased.

7 - Review your skill-set
Make a list of all your skills, attributes, education and training. See yourself in these terms rather than as a particular job role. This will further help you take advantage of a fast changing and more casual employment market.

8 - Focus on your own race
Do not let headlines about other redundancies stop you looking for jobs online and in your local and metropolitan papers. The day you don't look might be the day the right job is listed.

9 - Information is power
There is a lot of information out there on redundancies and job hunting, so there is no need to go through redundancy alone. It is vital you let your network of friends, family, former colleagues, ex bosses and key information conduits in your neighbourhood know that you are back on the market. Some people feel shame attached to redundancy and withdraw socially just at a time when they need to do the opposite. Job leads can come from places such as local merchants, the family doctor's receptionist, a previous boss, anywhere.

10 - Check your baggage
When the employment market slows, competition for jobs increases and the number of applications increases. The result is that too many employers and recruiters fail to maintain good communication. The fact a person was made redundant coupled with not hearing back from employers about job applications can make people furious, even bitter. Be careful not to take this anger into job interviews. There really is nothing wrong with saying you were made redundant when asked at a job interview why you left your last job. Just make sure you don’t say it through gritted teeth.

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Laughter in the workplace is a positive sign

There is a growing body of opinion that says happy workplaces are also more productive workplaces.

The Chief Executive of an organisation is making his way to his office when his attention turns to a group of employees laughing uproariously. The CEO, suspecting skylarking and time-wasting, turns toward the group with a frown. The laughter stops abruptly as the employees register his reaction and turn back to their work.

The boss should be happy that his employees are laughing, because it is a healthy sign, not only for their wellbeing but for his company's bottom line. The fact that people are laughing when you walk through the office means they are going to be working better, not worse. It's a sign of an innovative workplace. When people are happy, their cognitive skills are better and they take a broader view of things.

Fostering a happy workplace comes down to good behaviour and good values, treating people fairly and honestly, treating them the way you would want to be treated yourself. Workplace happiness is essential to retaining good staff, especially in the current climate of relatively low unemployment and shortages in the professions, and that has a clear impact on productivity.

Leading human resources surveys conclude that there is a correlation between high engagement and high performance. A study of 40 multinationals by a global consultancy has found that companies with high employee-engagement scores had better profits and operating margins than those whose staff were deemed to be less engaged.

The link between engagement and positive business outcomes is a given. Happiness and engagement is not necessarily the same thing but what is of interest is what constitutes engagement. When individuals say great things about their organisation, if they are happy to stay there and they strive at work then they are engaged. Basically, if people are treated well and are engaged then they feel happy.

Keys to wellbeing and how to make a workplace happy:
● Foster good relationships between workers, starting from the top. Make sure everyone's views are sought and respected.
● Positive feedback. In a high-performing workplace the ratio of positive to negative comments is about 6:1.
● Identify strengths and allow employees to use them every day. If you can't move an employee to a job that suits them better, at least make sure they are doing something they are good at once a day.
● Encourage laughter and humour, but not at anyone's expense.
● Give people a say in what is going on. Give them ownership of a job and real influence in how it is done.
● Know your employees, their names and what they do. Walk through the office every day and acknowledge them.

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Whats On

Medibank International – A week of international tennis as well as daily live entertainment. 11 – 17 Jan

Sydney Festival 2009 – For three weeks each January, Sydney Festival offers a rich program of around 80 events involving upwards of 500 artists from Australia and abroad covering dance, theatre, music, visual arts, cross media and forums. 10 – 31 Jan

Chinese New Year - Sydney celebrates the Chinese New Year with over 50 events. 23 Jan – 15 Feb

Australia Day – Join in the celebrations of everything Australian. 26 Jan

St George Open Air Cinema – Grab a picnic and watch a movie under the stars. 12 Jan – 21 Feb