The Right Way to Share Bad News with Your Staff

May 29th, 2015

Sometimes there is no way to avoid bad news that impacts your company and your staff. No matter the nature of the information, it is important to share it as soon as possible with your employees. How you go about doing it ultimately affects your organization’s ability to properly react and recovery.

Let’s take a look at some ideas on the right way to share bad news with the team at your office.

Never Delay the Delivery of Bad News

It is important not to put off the delivery of bad news. Maybe you think things will improve or the situation will simply go away? Don’t fall into that trap, as your employees might react in a worse manner if they realize your company delayed letting them know the truth — no matter how bad.

Always be Upfront and never hide the Truth

Never be less than upfront when relaying bad news to your staff. Don’t hide any bit of information, unless there are extenuating circumstances requiring you to keep some things under wraps. Once again, expect your staff to have a worse reaction if they ever realize you weren’t completely upfront with them.

Leverage both Verbal and Written Forms of Communication

You need to let your employees know any adverse news in person during a company meeting. Also make it a point to issue an internal press release so that same information is documented in writing. This gives your staff something to refer to if they have any questions, as well as providing legal cover depending on the nature of the issue.

Always treat your Employees with Respect

Ultimately, no matter the level of bad news, you need to treat your staff in a professional manner while delivering it. Simply sending an email with no face-to-face meeting won’t suffice. Give your staff the respect they deserve and your company morale will stay strong despite the news.

If you need any additional insight on building a winning team in the medical industry, talk to the experts at Pinnacle Workforce. As one of the top healthcare staffing agencies in the country, we can help your organization’s ultimate success. Schedule a meeting with us today!

How to (Discreetly) Look for a New Job

May 22nd, 2015

Whatever the reason, there are times you might want to look for a new job in a discreet fashion. Maybe your current position isn’t challenging enough, but you don’t want to risk anyone finding out you are looking, as you still need a regular paycheck. Don’t fret, as your situation isn’t unique, but it takes some work considering the social-media driven nature of today’s job search.

Here are a few tips on how to search for a new position while keeping your current bosses in the dark.

Keep Everything a Secret at your Current Office

Once you’ve begun a new job search, it is vital not to tell anyone at your current office about your plans, unless they are absolutely trustworthy. “Loose lips sink ships” is the old cliché, but it definitely applies in this case. No matter your wishes, expect word about your clandestine activities to get around and that your bosses will end up finding out.

Watch your Social Media Activity

When on a secret quest for a job, you need to pay close attention to your social media activity. Obviously, advertising your availability for a new position on your LinkedIn account isn’t the wisest action to take, but make sure you don’t inadvertently spill the beans on Facebook or Twitter. Facebook, especially with its confusing array of security settings bears watching, as one of your bosses might be a “friend of a friend” and possibly see your posts.

Schedule Interviews during the Evening

Make it a point to schedule any interviews during the evening or maybe on your lunch hour, although the latter period doesn’t give you too much time. Showing up for work fully arrayed in a professional dress code might blow your cover, so to speak.

Use References from earlier in your Career

Another obvious point, perhaps, but make sure your references are from earlier in your career. If there is a trustworthy colleague in your current office, use them, but older references will probably have to suffice.

If you need any additional advice on your job search, talk to the experts at Pinnacle Workforce. As one of the nation’s top healthcare industry staffing agencies, we can help further your career. Schedule some time with us today!

Graduating? Three Tips to use Alumni to land a Medical Job Fresh out of School

May 15th, 2015

So you just graduated from school and are hoping to find a worthwhile position in the medical industry. The job market can be tough for a new graduate, especially since your professional network has yet to take shape. Don’t fret, because even in a challenging hiring scene, the previous graduates from your school are a useful resource to make your search an easier task.

With that in mind, here are three tips for leveraging alumni to help you land a great healthcare job soon after graduation.

Leverage the Alumni Database at your School’s Career Center

Most good colleges or medical technical schools provide a career center to assist new graduates in their job search. Take advantage of these resources! There is probably an online alumni database full of potential resources willing to help you on your quest.

Use the database to create your own spreadsheet of contact information. Send polite introductory notes explaining your situation while asking for advice on your search. Most alumni are quite happy to provide you information and potentially other professional contacts.

Use LinkedIn to help build your Professional Network

One of the first things you should do after graduation is create your own LinkedIn profile. The preeminent social network for professionals, LinkedIn also provides another method for reaching out to alumni from your school. Peruse their connections to see if there are any contacts working in the medical industry in your area.

Join your School’s Alumni Association

While it seems like an obvious step, make it a point to become an active member of your school’s alumni association. This is another great way to grow your professional network with people that share a common alma mater. Most alumni associations also offer job search assistance to help you throughout your career.

A partnership with a top notch staffing agency also helps your fledgling medical career. As one of the top healthcare staffing agencies in the country, Pinnacle Workforce can make sure your résumé and cover letter template are ready for the job market. Schedule some time with us at your earliest convenience.

 

Four Must-Have Documents in Your New Hire Packet

May 8th, 2015

The onboarding process takes valuable time and resources from any organization’s HR staff, especially considering the extremely busy nature of the healthcare industry. On the other hand, it is vital to get new hires up and running as quickly as possible so they can start making a positive difference for the team.

This is one area of human resources role that stands to benefit from streamlining procedures. For example, it makes sense for your HR team to provide a standardized new hire packet ready to go on an employee’s first day. With that in mind, here are four must-have documents for a new employee’s welcome packet.

Employee Information Form

It’s a good idea to provide a new hire with an employee data form to collect any relevant information like their address, home and mobile phone numbers, emergency contact data, and their birth date. An electronic version of this form delivered over the company intranet also suffices.

Tax and Direct Deposit Forms

An obvious requirement is any federal tax forms, including the W-4 used to set an employee’s tax withholding allowance. Additionally, include the I-9 form that verifies an employee’s eligibility to work in the United States. Finally, make sure any direct deposit forms to help set up the employee’s payroll deposit info are part of the packet.

Don’t forget the Employee Handbook

Your organization needs to author a robust employee handbook detailing all rules and procedures as well as information for accessing the intranet, company email, and other relevant software applications. Have someone in HR take the time to review the handbook with the new hire, and have them sign a sheet acknowledging they’ve reviewed the content.

Insurance Information is a Must

Finally, include application forms for the company’s health, life, and any other insurance offered in the corporate benefits package. This includes beneficiary information for life insurance, as well as the data for any partner and dependents that are to be covered by the organization’s heath insurance provider.

If your organization needs any additional input on developing an easily managed onboarding process, talk to the staffing experts at Pinnacle Workforce. As one of the nation’s top healthcare staffing agencies, we offer the business insight and the quality candidates to help ensure your organization’s success. Schedule some time with us today!

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