3 Ways to Improve Your Employees Working Week

3 Ways to Improve Your Employees Working Week Juggling the traditional 9 to 5 in the office can be a struggle for employees in the 21st century, as they try to balance work with childcare, care of elderly parents and the slew of other responsibilities. As employers, we should be looking for ways to make the working week more practical for our workers. A recent study from office suppliers Viking asked 1,677 British full-time office workers how they felt about their working week and what they’d like to see changed. The study revealed that workers have had enough of the classic five-day 38-hour week, with 29% stating that their work-life balance isn’t good enough and they want to see changes to help improve this. But what does this all mean for employers? There are steps that can be taken that might help improve the day-to-day lives of our staff and increase productivity. 1. Let them work from home The survey found that 59% of workers would like the chance to work from home during the week. With the availability of high-speed, secure internet as well as conferencing tools such as Skype, allowing your employees to work from home doesn’t have to be expensive or unproductive for your company. For employers with a younger workforce, this could be even more important, only one-third (32%) of 16-25-year olds want to work in an office full time. Compared to 54% of over 55s who’d rather head into the office each day, it looks like the future of working is moving away from the office. Avoiding that tiresome daily commute could be one of the main driving forces for those wanting to work from home, as 40% stated that they’d like to work from home in the morning. If you have problems with lateness and staff being stuck in rush hour traffic, this could be a great option. Giving your employees the opportunity to work from home is about more than just convenience for them. It shows that you have faith in their work ethic, trusting that they won’t slack off in the comfort of their own four walls, while also giving your business increased productivity. 2. Be flexible with hours Offering flexi-hours in your workplace might send a shiver up the spine of some bosses, but it isn’t as scary as it seems. With 61% of people saying that changing their working hours would make them more productive, thoughts of an empty office and staff being impossible to track down can be banished. We’ve all heard the saying ‘a happy worker is a productive worker’ and achieving employee satisfaction whilst hitting targets is the holy grail of many employers. 70% of workers said that a change in working hours would make them happier, with over half (51%) saying that it would increase their motivation. It will probably come as no surprise to employers that 50% of their workers don’t want to work on Friday’s, instead preferring the idea of shortening their working week to four extended days. This obviously isn’t an option for some industries, education or emergency services for example, but where it can be utilized there should be good results. With 68% of workers saying that they would be better rested if they worked a shorter week with condensed hours, the benefits are far-reaching for employers. It could mean less tired faces staring into coffee mugs on a Monday morning and an end to Friday afternoons with your feet up. 3. Control your own lunch break Employment law in the UK states that your employees are due a break every six hours, however putting the length of this break into their hands could have great results for your business. 65% of people said they would take a lunch break lasting under half an hour if it meant that they could leave early, with 10% saying they’d rather not have a break at all. Letting your staff have control over their lunch break, rather than forcing them to sit in the canteen could be a smart move when it comes to productivity.  Less than 5% (4.29%) of staff asked in the survey said that they wanted to take a full hour for their lunch break. If your employees are given the time to grab some refreshment, take their eyes off their screens and then get back to work as soon as they’re ready, they’ll be raring to go with the incentive of an early finish. Of course, as an employer, the health of your team is an important priority. Working with flexible lunch breaks is a great way to incentivize your team and avoid wasted time in the day, but this should never come at the expense of good health. Staff should always stick to health and safety guidance when it comes to taking breaks. Introducing these ideas in your business could be the perfect way to help keep your staff feeling fresh and motivated, whilst also increasing productivity and workplace harmony. The 21st Century workplace is evolving and, as an employer, ensuring that your approach to the working week remains flexible could make all the difference for you, your employees and your company. About the author:  Mark Wiggins is a Content Executive with Search Laboratory. He spent several years in a management role and has experience writing about a host of HR topics, including people management, staff motivation, and much more.

Questions to Ask Yourself When Writing a Resume

Questions to Ask Yourself When Writing a ResumeDo you wonder what questions to ask yourself when writing a resume? There are many important ones, and one must know the answers if they are going to land a job that fits their skills. There are many questions to ask yourself before submitting your resume, and each one can make or break your chances of landing the job. Some of these are listed below, but it is a good idea to ask yourself some more questions before you submit the resume.Questions to Ask Yourself When Writing a Resume: Have you ever written a resume before? If not, do so now. It is an important first step in the search for a job, and you should use your experiences with resume writing.Writing a resume can be easy, or difficult. Either way, keep in mind that it is a crucial component of the job search. You must have a resume that is attractive, well written, and persuasive. Don't write the resume you would have someone else write, and always follow the professional guidelin es of writing a resume. There are many key skills that make up a well-written resume, and that's where you need to focus your attention if you are serious about your job hunt.Questions to Ask Yourself When Writing a Resume: How will this resume benefit me? You need to be able to tell your future employer why you are qualified for the position that you are applying for. This part of the interview process is critical, and you must ask yourself what you would say to your new boss if he asked you to fill out the form.Writing a resume doesn't mean that you need to write a mass of words that makes you look like a robot. However, most people who are looking for a job are in need of a personal touch. That means that they need to take alot of pride in the resume that they submit. Whether that means customizing the formatting of the resume, or making sure that they include personal information on the cover page, these are all tips to keep in mind when you are writing a resume.Questions to Ask Yourself When Writing a Resume: What is your career objective? When you are looking for a job, you want to define your own career objective. How would you say to your prospective employer that you want to be a copywriter? Decide ahead of time what you want to achieve in the future, and then put your career objectives down on paper.Questions to Ask Yourself When Writing a Resume: What are your future skills? It is important to list your skills in order of preference, and then think about how that would be translated into a resume. Maybe you will need to learn to write a CV, or to research an employer, or perhaps you can use a specific field for your future job.Writing a resume is not as difficult as you might think. There are many tips to help you with this, and it should be fairly simple once you have started. If you aren't sure how to write a resume, or just want to learn some great tips to help you out, there are several articles on my website that talk about exactly that topic.

13 Shocking Facts About Employee Engagement #WisdomWednesday

13 Shocking Facts About Employee Engagement #WisdomWednesday Taking a break from  work is necessary to keep any employee sane. The occasional Facebook browse, the slower-than-necessary trip to the kitchen for a coffee or the sporadic Im-on-a-beach daydream is totally normal. But when does this disengagement become a real issue? This infographic tells us the  disturbing truth about employee engagement and how it can effect your business. Takeaways: 88% of employees dont feel passionate about the work they do. This is a huge statistic. Its  very easy to  notice the difference between employees that are genuinely passionate about the work they do, and employees that are there simply to collect a pay check. 50% of adults work over 40 hours a week are employees feeling burned-out? Following on from the previous point 80% of employees would like to work fewer hours. Would  reduced hours  increase engagement and productivity? Let us know what you think in the comments below! 2/3 of todays employees feel overwhelmed. Do you? This infographic was crafted with love by Officevibe. RELATED: 5 Myths of Employee Engagement…Debunked! [INFOGRAPHIC]

Streamline Processes to Experience Increased Profit - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Streamline Processes to Experience Increased Profit - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Are you monitoring wasted time and money? Salespeople are advised that clients purchase when, in addition to the trust factor, they realize they are able to save time and money. An added element for building trust is to become a business consultant versus pushing to sell something. Leading by asking questions is vital for you to gain insight and for the client to gain trust in you. An added benefit to performing in this manner is that you invite an open dialogue whereby both parties learn from one another. At the same time, it is important to lead by example and to offer a helping hand wherever you are able. In-between client calls, keep an eye on your own business practices to remain efficient, time and money-wise. Backup systems in many forms are essential. As your business grows, consider encouraging your employees to learn the important tasks of their co-workers. The job becomes collaborative plus it gives everyone the feeling of teamwork making for a more positive environment. Likewise, computer and phone systems invariably go down and usually at the time an important contract is coming due. It’s frustrating and highly stressful. Virus protection, firewalls, cloud backup services, and mobile technology have all become essential and cost-effective. Should you be concerned about the investment cost, take a moment to re-think the cost of not having these services in place. Statistically, it is said that of those companies without backup systems in place, 50% go out of business the first two years and 90% go out of business within seven years. Do you have a database management system? Is it the type you take care of yourself and promise that you will back it up weekly but never do? Should this be a tough commitment then consider outside services that backup the records for you and store your information “in the cloud”. Whether or not you sell these types of services doesn’t matter. But, they may be of serious consideration to your clients. As you get to know one another well, it would be beneficial to have the conversation to see how they are handling matters themselves. You just might get a different viewpoint and learn something new for yourself. The more business talking points and insightful discussions you have with your clients, the higher your credibility will rise. You may also wish to discuss with your client how they first envisioned and then implemented their original idea for business. They will be happy to talk about it as they are put into the limelight, and once again you may learn something new. While speaking on these types of issues may seem scary at first, it becomes easier with practice. Just as an athlete, practice perfects your game. The talking points flow easily and your clients will welcome your presence in their office. You will have developed a notable personal brand along with a very loyal clientele. You will have happily arrived at the Smooth Sale! Author: Elinor Stutz, CEO of  Smooth Sale,  (800) 704-1499; authored “INSPIRED Business A New View for Building Business and Communities”; “Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results”, and “HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews“. Elinor was designated as a “Top 25 Sales Influencer for 2012.”

Using an Entry Level Customer Service Resume to Stand Out

Using an Entry Level Customer Service Resume to Stand OutAny person looking for a job or wanting to make the most of their career should consider a lot of things when it comes to an entry level customer service resume. That is because the entry level worker is often overlooked by a lot of hiring managers, as they are put on the back burner until more experienced employees can be brought in to help out with the position.Entry level customer service resumes do not have to be boring and repetitive. One of the best ways to showcase the skills and experience a potential employee needs is through an effective set of skills sections that show them the best ways to present themselves. Being able to complete these skills sections properly will go a long way in winning over the interest of managers.An entry level customer service resume should highlight the core competencies of an employee, and the skills and abilities they need to have. Having this information on the resume will allow the emp loyer to see that the person is what they are looking for. However, if the employers are not interested in the applicant, then it will not matter what the skills section is about. The employer is not going to take the time to look for one.The person who makes up the customer service resume is a great place to find the general skills the employer wants to see on an employee's resume. That includes things like how to be courteous, patience, understanding what an employer wants, and being willing to be a customer representative. In addition, many employers want the applicant to demonstrate a good command of written English and to be able to communicate clearly in written as well as verbal forms.Knowing how to use this type of customer service resume is not difficult to master, however. It is a simple enough skill to learn. A customer service resume should be designed to be easy to use and easy to keep up with, but it should also be eye catching and interesting to read at the same time. An entry level customer service resume should always be organized in a way that makes it easy to use. All of the sections in the resume should be outlined and broken down into different parts so that they are easy to use as well as read. This will keep an employer from having to spend all day searching through their multiple copies of a resume that they have to throw away later.There are some companies that offer the service of customizing an entry level customer service resume. In this case, the person should be able to access their customized resume online, print it out, and email it off to the employer. The person then gets to be updated with any changes to the resume over time as the need arises.An entry level customer service resume should always be used to find the best jobs available for the person looking for a new job. Being on the lookout for every possible opening for a particular company is a great way to get more exposure. Having a good customer service resume can also mean the difference between someone getting the interview call or not.

Sim University - Extra Class Resume Writing

Sim University - Extra Class Resume WritingYou will find Sims 3 University to be a fun experience, especially if you take the time to study it, or get some sims game knowledge. If you are worried about your career in college, you should be able to at least begin to see some of the benefits of Sims 3 University.Sims 3 University is designed with a ton of features. These include telecommuting, making study time into a sleep phase, and the ability to be creative in the way that you choose to learn and study. It may be worth your while to check it out. The three basic classes are Biology, Music, and Literature.You can also take courses from the University's library. You will find some great books on these subjects, as well as books for the library as a whole. It seems like this library may be the place where you will be able to find information regarding the various careers that are available.There are also plenty of other games for Sims 3 University. You will be able to join the Student Government, which may be worth taking a look at. If you have a hard time getting along with other students, this might be worth looking into.Sims is a simple game to play, and there are a lot of great things about it. The Sims games are about simple life and romance. It is up to you whether you want to build relationships, or work towards a relationship in the real world. You will find sims schools, community service, and recreation, all focused on simming around.If you do not want the life simming aspect of the games, you will find the community to be interesting. There are many contests, and games, for simming groups. If you want a true Sims experience, it may be worth checking out.Sims University seems to be a wonderful thing to take advantage of. You can change careers and even do some simming. With the Sims games, you are able to live life, or engage in simming. You can find fun and excitement in this wonderful simming game.If you enjoy the simming aspect of the Sims games, or if you are interested in simming, then you will definitely want to try the University of Sims. You will be able to travel the world with the simming system, or you can just sit on the campus. With so many features, there is sure to be a lot of fun in Sims 3 University.

Monday Tip Send a co-worker an anonymous present - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Monday Tip Send a co-worker an anonymous present - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog First go read this inspiring story from Kenny Moore, a catholic monk who went corporate. My plan was to anonymously send a $40 floral arrangement to two unsuspecting employees every Monday morning Attached to the flowers would be a note: Dont ever think your good efforts go unnoticed. Signed: From someone who cares. Then do the same: Send someone in your organization an anonymous present. Flowers, candy, balloons, a cool gadget. Something fun, happy, cheap and positive. Attach a note similar to Kennys Then watch what happens and tell me about it in a comment. The Chief Happiness Officers Monday tips are simple, easy, fun things you can do to make yourself and others happy at work and get the work-week off to a great start. Something everyone can do in five minutes, tops. When you try it, write a comment here to tell me how it went. Previous monday tips. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

9 Times It Pays to Break the Rules at Work - Career Advice Blog for Millennials

9 Times It Pays to Break the Rules at Work - Career Advice Blog for Millennials Wear a suit. Stay till 8pm. Suck up to your boss. Don’t run in the halls. They may not be laminated and stuck to the classroom door, but the unspoken workplace rules can still feel compulsory to anyone who wishes to shimmy up the greasy pole. But as any good rebel knows, rules are made to be broken. Especially when playing the maverick could be your key to workplace success! 1. Send Informal Emails There’s a reason “formal” is often seen as the antithesis of “fun.” If a colleague emails about bringing brownies into the office and your reply is peppered with “yours sincerely” and “to whom it may concern” you’ll look robotic, if not downright rude. Informal emails, complete with jokes, personal enquiries, or even â€" gasp! â€" emojis make you seem more likeable. And likeability pays â€" not just with colleagues, but with managers and clients too. Human beings are social creatures and we are conditioned to promote, buy from and help the people we have a good rapport with. 2. Refuse to Stay Late You’ve probably heard the maxim that successful people “arrive before their boss and leave after them.” Most bosses, however, would agree that the employees they value most are those who produce the highest quality work, and evidence from the Economist suggests that overtime and productivity are mutually exclusive. When you put in long hours, your brain struggles to cope with the workload. You subsequently become less creative, less productive and more mistake-prone. Cutting away at your personal time has a negative effect on your work output, too: employees with a good work-life balance work 21% harder despite spending less time in the office. 3. Check Social Media at Work To paraphrase Bill Murray, there are two types of people in this world: those who browse Facebook/ASOS/Buzzfeed at work, and liars. Luckily, it turns out that a habit of watching cute pandas tumble over may actually be the mark of a high achiever. According to research from the University of Melbourne, taking time out to aimlessly surf the net gives our brain the rest it needs to refocus on the task at hand. Keep these breaks short and snappy (and under 20% of your workday) and it translates into a 9% productivity boost. 4. Say No Being a Yes-Person can make you seem like an enthusiastic go-getter… right up to the point where you run out of time and energy to complete the mammoth pile of task you’ve committed to, and end up burnt out. Never be afraid to say no if you feel overburdened or out of your depth â€" providing you do it the right way and explain why you’re saying no, it won’t be held against you. Remember that the only person who is fully aware of how much you’re doing is you, so appoint yourself as your own personal time-management ambassador. You’ll be more respected as a worker if you consistently turn in the high-quality work that comes from fully focusing on a task. 5. Chatter with Co-Workers There’s a good reason job applications are stuffed with requests for “people skills” and “team-players” â€" collaboration boosts creativity and sparks new ideas. Luckily for the office chatterboxes, a non-work-related chat is just as effective. Nattering away to colleagues for ten minutes has been shown to boost your brainpower. And having work friends doesn’t just make you like your job more, strong social connections actually make you more productive. So, take the time to get to know your coworkers so you can be happier at work. You’ll be better at your job â€" turns out happy employees are better employees. 6. Don’t Speak Politely Using tentative language might seem more polite and less aggressive, but it will also make your statements lack authority. We listen to people who sound like they know what they’re talking about, so don’t be afraid to be assertive! The same logic should be applied by people (usually women) who are frequently interrupted and spoken over in meetings. If your voice isn’t heard, you won’t be remembered when it comes to implementing a suggestion or doling out promotions. So, if someone cuts you off mid-flow, don’t be afraid to call them out on it. 7. Ignore That Email You might think that ignoring a work email is rude, but there are two very good reasons why you should do it: A typical worker checks their email 36 times an hour. It takes an average of 16 minutes to refocus on a task after interrupting it to check your email. If you keep flicking to your email, in other words, you’re going to struggle to get anything done. Solution? Block out a set time each morning and afternoon in which to reply to all your emails. It’s not unreasonable for colleagues or clients to wait a couple of hours for a response â€" if it’s that urgent, they’ll call or visit you! Sarah’s Tip: Install an extension like Inbox Pause to put new emails on hold until set times. Out of sight, out of mind. 8. Call in Sick Nobody who has ever had a bad cold will be surprised by the finding that sick workers are 20% less productive than well ones. Yet a cult of ‘presenteeism’ sees many unwell employees slogging into work regardless. Stop. Such martyrdom is benefiting no one. Not getting sufficient rest delays the recovery process, so you end up functioning at a lower productivity for longer than if you’d just taken the day off to get well. And if you have something infectious you’ll end up making half the office sick, setting off a low-productivity spiral that won’t clear till the New Year. 9. Disagree with Your Boss Yes, there will always be egomaniacal managers who just want to be brown-nosed. But good bosses know that feedback, cooperation and disagreement are all essential to finding creative solutions, developing ideas and avoiding disasters. Consequently, as long as you approach your objection â€" or correction â€" constructively, they should appreciate your input. Always frame a disagreement as a discussion, not an obstruction. Point out positive aspects of the idea, explain carefully why you digress on the points you do and paint a case for an alternative, better solution. Your manager still may not take up your idea. But by handling the disagreement correctly, you’ll have presented yourself as a thoughtful, engaged and confident employee â€" exactly the sort of person they’ll want to move forward within the business! How many rules at work do you break? Which one is the hardest to break? Tell us in the comments or on social media! And for more unconventional tips for getting ahead at work, subscribe to the Punched Clocks newsletter! About the Author: Beth Leslie writes graduate careers advice for Inspiring Interns, a recruitment agency specialising in finding candidates their dream internship.