Denied Temptation

If you were to Google “excuses for missing work”, you would find more than 13 million results related to the subject.  Shocking?  Not.  At.  All!  In the staffing industry, we hear a great deal of them on a weekly basis. 

                We all know the people whose great aunt in Florida has passed away five times or the guy (or gal) who has somehow managed to catch every known disease to man within the past year.  But what about the person whose fish died?  Seriously.  He needed to stay home to bury the fish.  I will give him kudos for his dedication to his finned friend.

                While it’s easy to laugh at the (ridiculous) excuses, it’s a matter that shouldn’t be taken lightly.  At Flexible Staffing, we have a one-strike-you’re-out “no call, no show” rule.  We’ve been told this is unreasonable, but we respectfully disagree.  We have a commitment to our clients that we will have a worker there when they have requested.  When that employee fails to show up, it is our reputation on the line and our recruiters who must then scramble to find a replacement.

                But let’s put all of that aside and look at things from the standpoint of the employee for a moment.  What defines a good reason to miss work?  Do you feel a bit under the weather…headache? Cough?  Get to work!  I know this sounds harsh, but truly you just have to toughen up sometimes.  We’ve all been there and most of us have survived.  You will do the same.  What about the car that won’t start?  This excuse always makes me scratch my head a bit.  Find a ride!  Use public transportation or beg a friend.  I’m not saying it’s easy and simple, but it’s almost always doable. 

                I know some of you are probably thinking that I’m just wrong and I respect your opinion, but I ask you this…What if you went to work just to find that the boss decided his cough would prevent him from opening the office for the day?  You would have wasted your time getting ready AND you would miss a day’s pay.  How happy would you be?  Would you be a bit appalled that a simple cough had kept him home? 

                There are days when the sun is shining and we would all rather be out playing.  I doubt there is any one of us that could deny that we’ve had the temptation to call in sick, but it’s just that…a temptation.  One that we leap over on our way to work!  In today’s market where jobs can be scarce, you simply cannot take the risk.  That temptation can be even greater if your company happens to have a points system that allows you a certain number of tardies and absences.  Don’t fall into the trap.  You’ll use those points for sunny days and then lose your job when a true emergency arises and you’re suddenly out of points.  Again…it’s not worth it!

We all understand that you get sick, emergencies come up, and relatives truly do pass away and we really are compassionate, warm-hearted people.  All that we ask is that you call both Flexible Staffing and the employer so we know the situation.  It will take less than five minutes and might make the difference in saving your job. 

The bottom line is this: you may not be in your dream job today.  In fact, it may be a job in which you find absolutely no joy.  But it’s a job and it will eventually lead to something greater.  For now, it’s supporting you and cannot be taken for granted.  Treat it as such.  I am a firm believer that great things will come when we respect what we have already received.  So get to work, do the job to your best ability, and remember that your day in the sunshine will arrive!

Have a fabulous weekend,

Kristie

Keep the Faith!

Unemployment can be one of the most terrifying situations in today’s world.  With an unsteady economy and massive healthcare changes looming, the fear of remaining without a job for months is not an unrealistic one.  While it can be easy to get discouraged and frustrated, there are things that can be done to best manage the situation.

                We see people in our offices on a daily basis that want full-time, permanent employment and that is certainly a reasonable request; however, when that’s not immediately available, I encourage you to consider the alternatives.  

It’s not a secret that gaps in employment are questioned by hiring managers during the initial interview process.  They will want to know why you were unemployed and how you spent your time while in that status.  We ask the same questions here at Flexible Staffing, but that doesn’t mean that a gap will knock you out of the running.

Temporary work is one way to fill that void and is especially beneficial if you can land a position that happens to be in your industry.  Not only will it provide a paycheck for a limited time, but it can also provide the opportunity to gain new skills and stay on top of the latest updates and trends within the business. 

Something else to keep in mind is, while it can never be guaranteed, that temp job may turn into something more if you perform at your top level.   According to national statistics, 43% of applicants get hired by the staffing client on a full-time basis and nearly all applicants reported they were able to get permanent work faster by using an agency like Flexible Staffing. 

Specialized training and further education are great additions to that part-time gig, as well.  The initiative it takes to enter a program, complete the work, and have a successful completion will demonstrate your work ethic and determination to potential employers. 

If you have not yet mastered the skill of networking, there is no better time than during a period of unemployment.  The old saying, “It’s not what you know, but who you know” is quite often true.  Reaching out to others, both in-person and online, can open doors to opportunities you never knew existed.  If you haven’t created a LinkedIn account, do so now.  Take the time to complete it fully and highlight what you have done in the past and the areas in which you added value to your past employers.  Once that is complete, begin making connections and exploring the possibilities.

There are a few rules in networking that should be considered:

1.        Do not visit Facebook and post something that resembles “I’m out of work.  What can you do to help me?”  While this may produce a few pity replies,   that’s not what we’re looking for here.  If you happen to have business contacts on Facebook, it would be fine to send a direct message to each contact and let them know you would appreciate them keeping you in mind if they hear of job opportunities. 

2.       Be cautious about “name dropping” when searching for work.  While it can be to your advantage and acceptable to mention a business acquaintance or friend to a potential employer, be sure that you do not abuse the privilege.  Claiming to know someone that will not recognize your name in a casual conversation with a hiring manager, could be detrimental down the road. 

3.       At all times, keep it professional and simple.  If the individual wants more information about your work history, he/she will most certainly ask.  Wait for them to do so when in a networking situation. 

The manner in which you handle your time of unemployment, rather it be one week or multiple months, will speak volumes to potential employers.  Make it count!  As difficult as it may be, keep placing one foot in front of the other and doing all you can to better yourself as both a person and an employee so that when your big opportunity arrives, you will be ready and fully prepared!   

Please feel free to visit our website at www.flexible-staffing.com today or contact me by email at kcross@flexible-staffing.com.

Until Next Time,

Kristie L. Cross