by Evil HR Lady on October 17, 2017
Last week, Tesla terminated hundreds of employees for performance. The actual number has not been released, but estimates range from 400 to 1200 people. Regardless of the actual number, that’s a lot.
Usually, when companies terminate large numbers of people, they do so as part of a reduction in force or a layoff. Tesla is quite emphatic, according to the Mercury News that this is not a layoff. In fact, a Tesla Spokesperson said that they had not reported the terminations to California’s Employment Development Department, which the law requires in cases of layoffs of more than 50 employees.
Layoff or Fired? What’s the Difference?
Typically, when someone is laid off, it’s a recognition of either a business failure or a business reorganization. We say it’s not the person that is being terminated, it’s the position that is being eliminated, and the person is simply the unlucky person who happened to be sitting in that spot. Now, of course, if you have to terminate someone in relationship to a position elimination you pick the lowest performer, but there are certainly situations where a top performer can be the victim of a layoff. Once the person is terminated, the position remains unfilled. (This, of course, is a bit simplified, as there can be bumping rights, and reorganizations, and the like.)
To keep reading, click here: Tesla Fires Hundreds of Workers for Poor Performance
by Evil HR Lady on October 16, 2017
I get lots of questions that begin with “should I….?” Should I get an MBA? Should change my major? Should I quit my job? And I always answer, “I don’t know. What do you want?”
Because people are always searching for that elusive “happiness” or “best job” but they haven’t taken the time to figure out what happiness means them. With all apologies to Charles Schulz, I need more than two kinds of ice cream to reach true joy.
A friend posted on Facebook, asking for help figuring out the best graduate program. Lots of people were giving him ideas, recommending this school and that school. I said, “What did you want to do with the shiny new degree?”
The answer? I have no idea. So I said, “well, then don’t go into debt for it.”
If you’re someone who is always chasing happiness and not quite able to find it in the real world, try figuring out what kind of career would make you happy. Then plan from there.
Over at The Balance, I’m talking about things you need to think over before deciding what job will bring you happiness. Click here: Why Happiest and Unhappiest Jobs are Unique to You
by Evil HR Lady on October 16, 2017
Health coverage is a difficult and expensive part of any business. You can’t attract good employees without good health care, and the evolving legal landscape means that the required coverage may change. That’s difficult for small businesses to navigate. But what happens as your business grows? Some of it’s good, some of it’s bad.
Minimum Number of Employees
Right now, you’re not required under federal law to pay an employer part of health insurance until you reach 50 full-time equivalent employees, according to the IRS. You can offer health care coverage when you have fewer employees, but once you hit 50 people, you’re required by law. That’s a big number for any employer, so keep your eye on that number as your company grows.
To keep reading, click here: How Health Coverage Changes as Your Company Grows
by Evil HR Lady on October 14, 2017
Not less than 10 minutes ago, I blocked someone on LinkedIn.
I actually have an open door LinkedIn policy. If you want to connect with me, I’ll connect with you. The more the merrier, I say! If you want your LinkedIn account to only be people you know in real life, that’s great too and there are some advantages to that system. I support you one hundred percent in that decision.
But, even I, who will connect with anyone will block you for the following reason.
Begging for Help
Look, I help people. That’s actually what I do for a living. These articles are to help you get through your career. I answer hundreds of emails with specific questions, 90 percent of which don’t make it to publication. I live to help people with their careers.
But, the man I blocked today wanted help I couldn’t give him. He’s a recent graduate of a university in a far away country and he wanted my help getting a job in Switzerland. I can’t do that. I told him once, twice, three times, and he kept sending me messages and asking. So, I reiterated that I could not help him and if he asked again, I would block him. Two minutes later he requested help again, so now he’s blocked.
To keep reading, click here: Why I Just Blocked You on LinkedIn
by Evil HR Lady on October 13, 2017
In the wake of the shocking revelations of Harvey Weinstein’s years and years of sexual harassment, another movie executive faces sexual harassment allegations. Roy Price, head of Amazon Movie Studios is currently on a leave of absence after Isa Hackett (sometimes referred to as Isa Hackett Dick) went public with her accusations.
Hackett is a producer on the Amazon shows, The Man in High Castle and Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams. Hackett claims that in 2015 Price approached her sexually by saying, “You will love my dick,” according to a report at The Hollywood Reporter. Hackett said she was not interested, and Price persisted and followed up by saying “Anal sex!” into her ear at a party later that evening.
Hackett immediately reported the incident, and Amazon investigated, but no one informed Hackett of the outcome. She did note, however, that Price didn’t appear at any events for her shows after that.
That’s actually an okay outcome–separating the two employees. Hackett didn’t suffer any career or personal retribution for her accusations. So what did Amazon do wrong and why are they suspending Price now?
To keep reading, click here: Amazon Suspends Studio Head for Sexual Harassment After Sitting on Allegations for 2 Years
by Evil HR Lady on October 13, 2017
It’s that time of year again, All Hallow’s Eve is right around the corner. If you’re thinking about throwing an office Halloween party, you may be wondering: what is (and what is not) appropriate? Consider the following points:
Culture and Industry Matter
If your business is a funeral home, dressing up as a creepy vampire is a terrible idea. However, if your business is an after-school hangout for teens, that might be perfect. You need to consider not only your workplace culture but also your clients.
Real business still needs to be accomplished on Halloween. If your office is completely covered with spooky decorations and everyone is in costumes, will your clients be OK with that? It’s crucial to know your industry.
To keep reading, click here: Hosting an Office Halloween Party: Dos and Don’ts
by Evil HR Lady on October 12, 2017
“Hi! I’m Heidi, your Team Building Trainer! We’re here to do some corporate team building activities! So, everyone pick a partner — someone you don’t know!”
Are you rolling your eyeballs, sighing, and not-so-secretly wishing your kid’s school calls to tell you you have to come pick up your child? Because let’s face it, many team building activities seem to be led by people who don’t actually have any work to do and don’t really understand how to do work with others. Sick kids are preferable to this kind of team building.
But strong teams are a good thing, so here are five corporate team building activities that actually work (and are even fun, for most people).
To read about the activities (including my favorite, PowerPoint Karaoke), click here: Corporate Team Building Activities that Actually Build Teams
by Evil HR Lady on October 11, 2017
Even the best job in the world comes with a few complaints. As soon as you start employing people, you’re going to begin hearing grumblings and grievances.
Here are three steps you need to take in order to handle complaints effectively:
Listen
Whether you institute an open-door policy, hold a formal meeting where you let your employees vent or post an anonymous suggestion box, you need to create a mechanism for employees to share their concerns and complaints. Remember, you actually want to encourage them to air their complaint — otherwise you won’t know something is wrong until it becomes a disaster.
To keep reading, click here: How to Handle Employee Complaints
by Evil HR Lady on October 11, 2017
October 10th was World Mental Health Day. I didn’t write about it yesterday because I was traveling, but I don’t want to skip over such an important day. 18.5 percent of American Adults suffer from some type of mental illness every year. That’s 43.8 million people or almost 1 in five. Take a look around your office. There’s a good chance that there are several people in your office who have some sort of mental illness right now and you’re not even aware. Of those, over 6 million are suffering from depression.
I’m one of those people. I have anxiety and depression which is (thankfully) well managed by medication. The downside? Medication makes me fat. But, since my choices are to be fat and happy or thin and an anxious depressed mess, I’ll take the plus size clothing, thanks. You wouldn’t know that I suffer from depression if you met me, by the way, even before I was on medication because I’m good at putting on a happy face. And chances are, there is someone at your office, or maybe you, who is also good at getting through life when she feels rotten.
If you’re depressed, you still have to go to work and earn money. It’s how it is. Plus, you need that health insurance more than ever! Some of the best tips I’ve ever read on functioning with depression come from Jennifer P, also known as, Captain Awkward in her 2013 article, “How to Tighten Your Game When You’re Depressed.” I strongly recommend reading the whole thing, but here are some of her ideas:
To keep reading, click here: How to Work When You’re Depressed
And if you are depressed and you can only bring yourself to read one article on the topic, click on the Captain Awkward link above. Sure, I love your hits on my article, but the Captain Awkward one is a must-read for anyone with depression and a job and school.
by Evil HR Lady on October 10, 2017
Watermelon, when in season, is available at every grocery store. At many grocery stores, you can buy it whole, quartered, or even cut into rind free, individually wrapped pieces. But, if you show up with one at a certain Detroit firehouse, you’ll be fired. That’s what happened when firefighter trainee Robert Pattison brought a whole watermelon as a present for his new co-workers.
Traditionally, probationary firefighters bring in a gift for the existing group. Donuts are the top choice but are not required. The firefighters at Engine 55 at Joy and Southfield in Detroit are 90 percent African American and some took the watermelon gift as a racist statement. They complained, and Pattison was fired.Fire Commissioner Eric Jones Jones said:\
To keep reading, click here: Man Fired For Bringing a Watermelon to Work
