Month: December 2019

As workplaces across the nation focus on employee engagement, attraction and retention, workplace trends such as flexible scheduling and various ancillary offerings have become commonplace.

One emerging trend is designed to help employees who have been out of the workforce for a few years. These types of programs are called returnships, and they essentially operate as paid internships for adults re-entering the workforce after putting their career on hold.

What is a returnship?

While returnship specifics vary by company, the general goal remains the same. A returnship is typically a paid period of time for adults to acclimate to the workforce through developing relevant skills, building professional experience and expanding networks. Returnships can last between a few weeks to a few months, depending on the company and industry.

How popular are returnships?

According to Deloitte, about 160 companies worldwide offer some sort of returnship initiative. In the United States specifically, 38 programs were launched between 2016 and 2018, according to iRelaunch, a firm that specializes in returnship program implementation.

As experts predict that the tight labor market in the United States will persist, companies may view returnships as an attractive way to attract new and unique talent.

Benefits of Returnships for Employers

Employers that offer returnships can benefit in a few different ways. First, returnships entice workers who may already have niche industry experience to come back to the workforce. Often, finding entry-level or new employees with this depth of industry knowledge is difficult. Attracting workers who have already developed such knowledge can greatly benefit various industries.

Returnships are also a way to onboard employees at an organization with minimal risk for both parties. Because returnships typically involve acclimating an employee at a slower pace than a traditional new hire, employees generally demonstrate a better understanding of company expectations and culture.

Moreover, if program participants find that returning to work isn’t right for them, or if a company finds that hiring a participant isn’t the best option, they don’t have to accept or be offered a full-time position. This can potentially save employers the cost of trying to fill a full-time position, which can be as high as six to nine months of a full-time position’s salary.

Benefits of Returnships for Employees

In addition to providing employers with benefits, there are also employee advantages with returnships. These initiatives are designed to help employees slowly acclimate to the workforce, regardless of their reasons for stepping away from it for some time.

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What is the best part of the Holidays? Most would probably say being with family, but we think a majority would have to agree, it is definitely the FOOD!! We know it is easy to say that the new year is coming and you can resolve to loose the Holiday food pounds then, but what if you could prevent having to work it all back off by just following a few simple tips? That would be amazing, right? Well you’re in luck because we have some tips for sticking to your diet during the Holidays!!

The holidays bring to mind thoughts of family, friends, fun and food. However, each year, millions of Americans struggle to maintain their waistlines during the holidays while surrounded by tempting holiday treats.

With so many social gatherings during this time, it can be difficult to avoid treating yourself when you’re offered good food and drinks. Whether you’re dieting or just trying to maintain your healthy lifestyle, fear not—you can survive the holidays and wake up on Jan. 1 without feeling remorse or guilt.

Consider the following tips:

• Don’t go to a party hungry—Eat before attending a party so you don’t arrive on an empty stomach and devour everything in sight.
• Eat slowly—Be mindful of every chew. It takes your body 20 minutes to realize when it’s full.
• Pace yourself when drinking—Alcohol can be dangerous at holiday parties, as overindulgence cannot only cause embarrassment, but also pack on the pounds.
• Make socializing your top priority—If you’re distracted with conversation, you’ll be occupied and less likely to indulge in food or drinks.
• Don’t feel pressured to eat leftovers—If you have an abundance of leftovers after hosting a party, don’t feel like you have to eat them just because you don’t want them to go to waste.
• Practice self-control—For example, allow yourself one plate of food at a party, and promise yourself that you won’t go back for seconds.

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It’s that time of the year when businesses want to celebrate a year of hard work and success with their employees who have made it all possible! While cutting loose and having a wild night sounds like a great time, it can also be a liability to the business. Lucky enough we know a thing or two about liability and have some great tips to ensure you have a safe and spectacular holiday company event!

Workplace-sponsored holiday parties present a host of liabilities for organizations each year. Factors like choice of venue and employees’ religious affiliations can create friction even before alcohol is thrown into the mix. Below are some best practices for hosting a successful holiday party.

1. Update Your Employee Handbook

Prior to the event, make sure your employee handbook is up to date regarding applicable holiday party topics, including the following:

• Outlining anti-harassment policies
• Enforcing a dress code
• Forbidding alcohol consumption while conducting business
• Expressing consequences for inappropriate behavior, like overt drunkenness

2. Make it Optional

Generally, if a workplace function is mandatory, employees must be compensated for their time. Depending on the number of employees, enforcing and tracking attendance may be difficult. With this in mind, it can simply be easier to make the party optional.

3. Keep it Festive

There are many arguments concerning the appropriateness of observing one holiday over another. For instance, some workplaces may favor a “Christmas party” over a more inclusive celebration. However, focusing on the holiday spirit—and avoiding religious celebrations—can help avoid unwanted employee divisions or discrimination suits.

4. Control or Limit Alcohol

Many organizations offer alcohol at holiday parties, but that comes with additional risks. Consider some of the following methods to help control employee consumption:

• Offer drink tickets (with a maximum limit)
• Charge for drinks
• Only offer lower-alcohol drinks, like beer, wine or hard cider

5. Designate a Monitor

If you decide to offer alcohol, make sure there is a company-designated person to flag inappropriate behavior and ensure everyone leaves the party safely.

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