HR Archives - Pacific Edge Magazine

Build a Stronger Workforce One Vacation at a Time

Aug 2, 2017

Shani Silva is the manager of ALTRES Industrial and has over 20 years of service and experience with staffing in Hawai‘i.
altres.com

Ah, vacation! Whether you prefer an elaborate, activity-filled getaway or spending the day on your lanai with coffee and a good book, vacation time is essential to replenish the body and mind. Corporate wellness programs often focus on nutrition and exercise, but sometimes the best way to build a happy, healthy workforce starts with encouraging employees to take a break!

It sounds counterintuitive for most business owners, but well-rested, reenergized people are more productive, take fewer sick days and stay longer with a company. Even if you already believe in the benefits of time off, it may not be easy to convince your workers to feel the same. Some people are reluctant to take time away from the office because they don’t want to appear uncommitted, while others just don’t think they need a vacation. Here are a few ways you can encourage workers to use their vacation benefits.

Communicate benefits.
If you want your employees to use their benefits, it’s important to ensure that they understand what perks they’re entitled to. Communicating company benefits not only shows that you value your employees, but also helps control costs around employee benefits.

Define company values.
A work culture that supports employee well-being and work-life balance will naturally encourage employees to take their vacation. As such, treat time off as a normal, expected part of business. Absolutely avoid dumping last-minute projects on employees as they’re headed out the door.

Consider a use-it-or-lose-it policy.

This is one way to ensure that employees make it a priority to take time off. Allowing employees to carry over unlimited vacation hours means that some individuals could go several years without taking a vacation.

Practice what you preach.
If managers never take vacations or are constantly working even when they’re not in the office, employees will think they’re expected to do the same. Set an example by taking a few days off to recharge and, on the flip side, pitch in when an employee is away on vacation.

Encouraging employee vacation time has so many benefits for individuals and businesses, what are you waiting for? Happy vacationing!

Hiring Takeaways from the 2016 Presidential Election

Feb 14, 2017

REGARDLESS OF YOUR POLITICAL PREFERENCES, THE ELECTION HAS PROVED AT LEAST ONE THING WITH CERTAINTY—BRINGING IN THE RIGHT CANDIDATE FOR THE JOB ISN’T EASY. WHETHER YOUR BUSINESS IS HIRING AN ENTRY-LEVEL ADMIN OR AN EXPERIENCED MANAGER, HERE ARE A FEW TAKEAWAYS TO HELP SHAPE YOUR HIRING POLICY AND LIMIT UNNECESSARY TURNOVER.

CANDIDATE POTENTIAL

Experience is typically the first thing that hiring managers look for in a job candidate. Unfortunately, a candidate’s experience and what the role requires rarely align perfectly. Without an incumbent running in this year’s election, America was left to make a hiring decision based on each candidate’s potential. In an age of strategic HR, it may seem counterintuitive to make a hiring decision based on potential, but on-the-job experience isn’t the only consideration. Instead, when reviewing resumes or conducting interviews, ask candidates to explain how their experience—or lack thereof—could translate well into the role and benefit your company.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Politicians understand the importance of social media. Your business would be remiss not to have a digital strategy for hiring as well. Social media can be a valuable part of your business’ recruitment strategy, whether to establish an open line of communication with jobseekers or to advertise available positions.

GROUP INTERVIEWS

Seeing candidates in the context of a heated debate revealed a great deal this election season. Hiring managers may want to consider this same strategy as a way to get to know job candidates. Holding a group interview can give hiring managers the opportunity to see how well candidates work with others. This type of forum can also reveal behavior that wouldn’t have come up in a one-on- one interview. One-on- one interviews are important, but putting a few candidates in the same room can help hiring managers make a better decision about which person is best for the job.

Finding the right candidate for your open position can be difficult. In Hawai‘i, the price of paradise tends to be an even longer and more frustrating hiring process. By staying abreast of new and unique hiring strategies, businesses can ensure they are not only reaching a breadth of candidates but are also hiring the right candidates and positioning them to succeed.

SHANI SILVA is the manager of ALTRES Industrial and has over 20 years of service and experience with staffing in Hawai‘i.

ALTRES.COM

Retaining your best employees

Dec 30, 2016

WITH A STATEWIDE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF JUST 3.2 PERCENT AS OF DECEMBER 2015 (LOWER THAN THE FIVE PERCENT NATIONAL AVERAGE),

IT’S A JOB-SEEKER’S MARKET. Hawai‘i businesses are finding it difficult to recruit and retain qualified workers for their myriad needs. This lack of available and qualified workers provides a fertile environment for employee poaching and opportunities for your team members to job hop to greener pastures.

Now more than ever, it’s critical to invest in your employees and your organizational climate to ensure that your best employees stay. While a meaningful retention program takes time to build, it’s never too late to start.

The following are immediate steps you can take to retain your best employees.

FIRST, REVIEW YOUR COMPANY’S VALUES AND CULTURE. Are the values and goals of your business clearly defined?

Without clear direction and leadership from the top, it’s hard to guide your business into the future.

NEXT, ASSESS YOUR CURRENT STAFFING CAPABILITY.

Ask yourself, as a company, are we achieving our business goals with our current staff? Are we retaining employees? Are we providing employees the resources they need to be effective and succeed? Take an honest look at the abilities of the people you have, not those you wish you had, and ensure that you’re capitalizing and maximizing on these abilities.

FINALLY, EXAMINE YOUR CURRENT LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE FROM THE TOP DOWN.

Does your current chain of command work?

If not, what can you improve? Having strong, capable leaders and managers supporting the goals and values of your business is critical to success. Conversely, bad managers can cause high turnover and cost you good employees.

After conducting this internal evaluation of your current capacity and operations, look at your employee benefits. Aside from salary, do the perks and benefits make your business an attractive place to work? Offering rewards to your employees for meeting a high standard of performance will make them more satisfied and productive. In return, a motivated workforce means better business performance.

Mastering these basics in retaining your best employees will build a strong foundation for success and open up your workforce for expansion. Although Hawai‘i is currently considered a job- seeker’s market, providing an organizational climate where your current employees are happy and fulfilled by their jobs will help you retain your best workers and make your company appear that much more attractive to future employees.

SHANI SILVA is the manager of ALTRES

Industrial and has over 20 years of service and experience with staffing in Hawai‘i.

ALTRES.COM

Millennials in the Workplace

Dec 30, 2016

MILLENNIALS CURRENTLY REPRESENT THE LARGEST SEGMENT OF TODAY’S WORKFORCE.

Your boss is probably not a millennial and it’s likely that your colleagues span various generations. As your values are very different than those of previous generations, it’s important to be mindful of such differences. As you get your foot in the door and work toward a rewarding career ascending the corporate ladder, here are some tips to assist in your career development.

SHARE YOUR COMPANY’S VALUES.

When looking to start your career, look for a company that shares your values. Whether it’s investment in sustainability practices or placing a priority on charitable causes, seek out a workplace environment that allows you to grow professionally and personally. You’ll be surprised how much you can glean from a company’s mission statement and the bios of its leadership. As an employee, it’s important your workplace actions reflect the company values. For example, if your company values community service through monthly service projects, be sure to plan ahead and participate in these projects with your coworkers.

FIND A MENTOR.

Finding someone to be your mentor will pay huge dividends in the long run. Ask a senior employee or supervisor to advise you. This mentor can provide you with company history and additional insight to help you advance in your career. Mentors can also be found outside of the workplace—look to successful colleagues or past employers you find inspiring. You’ll find many experienced and capable individuals who would love to share their knowledge and experience with you.

INVEST IN YOUR CAREER.

Look foropportunities for professional development. Employers often have training programs or provide resources that help employees increase their skill set. Consider asking your employer to pay for membership dues or expenses for your participation in a professional organization. Actively look for opportunities that will help you strengthen your abilities or possibly learn a new skill or two. Also, consider planning for your future. Invest in your retirement, and make sure your healthcare insurance is adequate to cover your medical needs.

BE MINDFUL OF SOCIAL MEDIA

USE. Different social media sites have different purposes. It’s okay to have an active presence on social media, but be mindful of what you post on these sites. Invest in LinkedIn for networking with colleagues and like-minded professionals, and keep your Facebook private for friends and family.

As you strive for work-life balance, it’s important to never lose sight of your professional goals. Whether you’re happy with your current position or looking to advance, it’s always important to be mindful of how you can enrich your own professional experience and plan for the future.

SHANI SILVA is the manager of ALTRES Industrial and has over 20 years of service and experience with staffing in Hawai‘i.

altres.com

Hawaii Minimum Wage Hike

Dec 29, 2016

Hawai‘i is positioned to become a state with one of the highest minimum wages in the country. On January 1, 2017, Hawai‘i’s minimum wage increases to $9.25 an hour. This is the second increase in the past two years as part of an incremental minimum wage increase until 2018, when it will reach $10.10.

Understand your costs

You should understand your cash flow before preparing for any sort of wage increase. A strong understanding of your revenue, expenses and profits is the only way to adequately budget for increased wages. Accordingly, you’ll need to budget for increased payroll taxes, including increased social security, unemployment, workers’ compensation and disability insurance expenses. If possible, consult with your lawyer or human resources consultant to review your current wage and hour policies to determine how your business can remain flexible with increased wages.

Invest in your employees

With Hawai‘i’s continued low unemployment rate, making sure you hire and retain the best employees is paramount to ensuring your business remains competitive and successful. Instituting a company-wide retention program that values your existing employees’ commitment to your business while placing an emphasis on well-defined company values and culture is important in retaining your current staff and attracting new talent.

Get help from an expert

Historically, minimum wage increases tend to have a ripple effect. This minimum wage increase is compounded by changes and new mandates from the federal government. Most notably, the Department of Labor’s white-collar overtime rule that goes into effect December 1st may also impact your business operations. Given the continuing landscape of labor law, you don’t have to be alone. If you’re not already working with a professional to help you navigate through these changes, it may be worthwhile to consider consulting one.

As you prepare for the minimum wage increase that’ll take place on January 1, 2017, it’s always great to take a look at the larger business landscape and be mindful of other labor law changes that may affect your business.

Shani Silva is the manager of ALTRES Industrial and has over 20 years of service and experience with staffing in Hawai‘i.

altres.com

Load More Posts

Build a Stronger Workforce One Vacation at a Time

Hiring Takeaways from the 2016 Presidential Election

SHANI SILVA is the manager of ALTRES Industrial and has over 20 years of service and experience with staffing in Hawai‘i.

ALTRES.COM

Retaining your best employees

SHANI SILVA is the manager of ALTRES

Industrial and has over 20 years of service and experience with staffing in Hawai‘i.

ALTRES.COM

Hawaii Minimum Wage Hike

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SHANI SILVA is the manager of ALTRES Industrial and has over 20 years of service and experience with staffing in Hawai‘i. ALTRES.COM

SHANI SILVA is the manager of ALTRES Industrial and has over 20 years of service and experience with staffing in Hawai‘i. ALTRES.COM

SHANI SILVA is the manager of ALTRES Industrial and has over 20 years of service and experience with staffing in Hawai‘i. altres.com

Pin It on Pinterest

SHANI SILVA is the manager of ALTRES Industrial and has over 20 years of service and experience with staffing in Hawai‘i.

ALTRES.COM

SHANI SILVA is the manager of ALTRES

Industrial and has over 20 years of service and experience with staffing in Hawai‘i.

ALTRES.COM

SHANI SILVA is the manager of ALTRES Industrial and has over 20 years of service and experience with staffing in Hawai‘i.

altres.com