The Jholdas Group

My SEC team (Tenn) just got robbed of a clear victory. Robbed by the rules. Yep. They stopped LSU at the 1 yard line to win the game. As they ran off the field in exultation the referee signaled a penalty–too many UT players on the field. Granted one more play, LSU scored and won. All fair and all heartbreaking. Some times good guys finish last. Sometimes you play by the rules and the rules cost you a win–a sale, a job, a contract, a profit. Nevertheless playing by the rules is the essence of ethics.

Workplace Flexibility Bill Reintroduced in Senate Posted on September 30, 2010 by Ilyse Schuman Email This Print Trackbacks Share Link Last week, Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) reintroduced the Working Families Flexibility Act (S. 3840) in the Senate. This measure, which was introduced in the House of Representatives in March 2009 as H.R. 1274, would provide employees with a statutory right to request flexible work terms and conditions. In a statement, Sen. Casey claimed: “70 percent of households are led by either two employed parents, or a single parent,” adding, “This also means there are increased demands that can put strains on families and also hurt workforce productivity. The legislation I have introduced today can help create flexible work options that can benefit workers and employers.” Specifically, the bill would authorize an employee to request from an employer a change in the terms or conditions of the employee’s employment if the request relates to: (1) the number of hours the employee is required to work; (2) the times when the employee is required to work; or (3) where the employee is required to work. Additionally, the measure sets forth certain duties for the employer with respect to such requests. Upon receiving a request, an employer would be required to hold a meeting with the employee within two weeks to discuss his or her application and provide a written decision regarding the application. If the application is rejected, the employer would be required to provide a reason for the denial. If dissatisfied with the employer’s explanation, the employee would have the right to request reconsideration of the employer’s decision, and the parties would be required to once again meet to discuss the reconsideration. The employer’s final decision would need to be in writing, and, if reconsideration is denied, the employer would be required to state grounds for such denial in writing. The measure provides for civil penalties against employers that discriminate or otherwise retaliate against employees who avail themselves of this process. Under the terms of the bill, employees would be entitled to file a complaint with the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) for any violation of the rights granted under the Act. The agency would have the power to investigate such claims, impose civil penalties or other equitable relief such as reinstatement, promotion, back pay, and a change in the terms or conditions of employment. To be eligible to take advantage of the terms of this bill, an employee would be required to work an average of at least 20 hours per week, or at least 1,000 hours per year. Employers with fewer than 15 employees would be exempt. This is the latest in a number of bills that have been introduced this legislative session that focus on establishing work/family balance. None of these measures have significantly advanced, and their prospects of doing so seems increasingly unlikely given the current makeup of the Senate and political climate. Photo credit: lovleah TAGS: S. 3840, Work-Family Balance, Working Families Flexibility Act

Found this online three.sentenc.es The Problem E-mail takes too long to respond to, resulting in continuous inbox overflow for those who receive a lot of it. The Solution Treat all email responses like SMS text messages, using a set number of letters per response. Since it’s too hard to count letters, we count sentences instead. three.sentenc.es is a personal policy that all email responses regardless of recipient or subject will be three sentences or less. It’s that simple. * See also: two.sentenc.es, four.sentenc.es, and five.sentenc.es. ** To begin using this system, optionally copy this text and paste it into your e-mail signature:

A story worth reading and thinking about: http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/the-u.s.-middle-class-is-being-wiped-out-heres-the-stats-to-prove-it-520657.html?tickers=%5EDJI%2C%5EGSPC%2CSPY%2CMCD%2CWMT%2CXRT%2CDIA

Ronald Reagan (who I truly miss!) asked as he challenged Obama–I mean Carter, “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” The answer was a resounding “NO!” and the Carter economic malaise was thrown out in favor of a free enterprise, pro-business era that lasted from 1980 until 2009 and included Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, and Bush II. As a coach to entrepreneurs and small business owners and an executive in the employment industry, I now look around and believe we need to be asking Reagan’s Question again. In terms of your career, earnings, discretionary money, taxes, security, and freedom to start or grow your business–are you better off than you were 2 years ago when an anti-business President joined forces with an anti-business Congress? We are facing a critical election and the need to elect pro-business, limited government, free enterprise representatives in November or face a decade or more of this Carteresque economic malaise.

So as I watch the President talk and talk about the BP Oil Spill, I am more than ever convinced that rhetoric may be a path to political power or corporate position but it should never be confused with real leadership. Leadership is about action not words, about execution not elocution, about deeds not speeches. Leaders take note: action does speak louder than words. So, talk less and do more

I haven’t even finished it but I am ready to recommend Think Big, Act Small as a great read for business owners. It’s a quick cure for “executivitis” and arrogance. The book chronicles the best practices of a number of market beating companies (yes, they beat the Good to Great companies) and you will be delighted to find very usable ideas for your business regardless of its size. Available on Amazon in print and Kindle format. Amazon

Get ready for major SUTA increases in January–2-4X what your company pays now. Explore external staffing solutions–www.employbridge.net

You can only cut so much before you guarantee your failure; the answer is to focus on increasing revenue.

Why is it that airline customers are friendlier and more efficient than airline personnel? Inquiring minds want to know. Actually, it’s not just airlines (that happens to be the experience du jour). I would posit several reasons: 1. They don’t like people 2. They are bonuses on how many people they can make speak first 3. They are sleep deprived 4. They haven’t been trained since the recession began 2 years ago 5. They were hired because of their introverted personality 6. They are worn out from dealing with rude people day after day 7. They quit caring 8. They have too many things on their mind 9. They can’t wait to get off duty 10. They don’t like bald guys Whatever the reason, I do get tired of paying to be ignored.