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Leaving Your Job? Know Your Rights!

Raza Rauf on April 13, 2015

It’s not uncommon for working adults to decide to switch careers or quit one job for another opportunity. Turnover is a hard fact in the working world, but it is a fact all employers have to come to terms with. The problem with an employee leaving their job, however, can stem from leaving suddenly, and without  an understanding of the repercussions they could face – on things like paychecks, benefits, project results, credentials, and other aspects of employment.

Before you leave your job, here’s what you need to know so that this can be a smooth transition.

Your Work

When you leave a job behind, you also leave behind all projects you completed while holding that position. You were in a work-for-hire role, and that means all your work is the property of the company. This also includes the relationships you developed with clients of the company during that employment. Don’t even think about stealing an idea, a process, or a client from your former employer. Also, be sure to note any non-compete agreements you may have signed as part of the terms of your employment, because you may be limited in what types of jobs you can take on for up to two years after you leave your job.

Your Benefits

When leaving a job, you are generally entitled to retain many of your employment benefits. COBRA is a law that allows you to continue your health benefits for up to 18 months following your departure from a job, however you must pay the group rate out of your own pocket. Additionally, if you were eligible and paid into a Health Savings Account, you can take this money with you when you leave a job. If you are leaving a job because of a work-related injury or illness, then you could also be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits or disability benefits.

Your Paycheck

In most cases, you will be getting a final paycheck sometime in the two weeks after you leave your position. If you owe the company any money, such as for equipment, uniforms, or paid tuition, you could end up having to write a check to the company when you leave. Be sure to settle up with the company and talk with the payroll department before you leave the job. Your final paycheck may include all final hours worked, including overtime, and remaining paid-time-off not used. If you are being laid off or fired from your job, you may also be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.

Your References

It is within your rights to ask for a professional letter of reference when leaving a job. Ask for this as soon as possible and request that it be put on company letterhead. Also, future employers have the right to check your work references and they can only ask for your dates of employment, your job title, and if you are eligible for rehire. Anything else is considered illegal when checking work references.

 

If you have questions about what your legal rights are when leaving a job on your own accord, you are welcome to speak with an employment attorney or head for your local workforce development office. For any and all help with your job search needs, contact Advance Staffing Solutions today!

 

 

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Simple and Free Ways to Motivate Your Workforce

Raza Rauf on February 23, 2015

Simple and Free Ways to Motivate Your Workforce

 

Let’s get motivated! You hear this phrase among a lot of work teams, but it can mean different things to different people. From an HR perspective, finding ways to motivate and inspire employees often affects the company’s ability to generate revenues. Therefore, it’s critical to find ways to incentivize the workplace so that employees are continually working at their highest capacity and staying motivated on the job.

 

The good news is that there are some simple and even free ways to motivate even the toughest workforce. Read on to learn more.

 

It goes without saying, thanks that is

 

Too often, employee efforts go unseen and unrecognized in the workplace. How about motivating employees by saying “thanks” for a job well done? This simple tip can help transform grumbling employees into highly engaged and happy ones. Teach your management team to offer thanks as often as possible and share this in a public way so that all employees understand their value to the company.

 

Make the workplace fun

 

Going to work daily doesn’t have to be dull or impressive. In fact, any company can change the workplace into a fun and inviting environment where employees can feel inspired. Remove cubicle jungles and replace them with open collaborate workspaces. Replace stuffy meeting rooms with open conversational areas with comfortable chairs and great lighting. Institute a more casual dress code (if possible). Take the time to celebrate achievements more and focus on the positive.

 

Offer performance-based incentives

 

Take the stress out of annual reviews that make employees nervous and instead set up progressive salary increases and incentives that are doled out year-round for employees who demonstrate a commitment to excellence. Get rid of the status quo and get your managers out on the floor observing and recognizing employees with regular bonuses, gift cards, and cash incentives based on their performance — not popularity.

 

Give employees the chance to learn

 

One of the ways to create a stronger workforce is to develop a learning program that enables everyone to boost their knowledge and skills. Make sure you have a mentoring program in place to transfer information from one generation to another. Create a variety of learning programs to inspire everyone who works for you to be their best, rewarding for participation with certificates of achievement and incremental salary increases for those who complete them.

As you begin adding these cheap and free incentives to your workplace, you will start to see a boost in employee morale, team building and better performance over time. Keep adding to these campaigns and make sure your people know how much they mean to your organization with regular celebrations and recognition efforts.

 

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4 Things to Remember When Negotiating Your Salary

Raza Rauf on June 13, 2014

Negotiating a salary after being offered a new job (or during performance review/promotion time) can be scary for some people, especially if they have never had to do this in the past. This should be a process that is satisfying, especially since you were offered a new position at a different company or a promotion at your current employer. If you follow the advice we have in this post, you will find it easy to negotiate a salary with your new or current employer.

#1 Provide a Hard Number

When you reach the negotiation stage of a new job offer, be sure you provide the hiring manager or human resource executive with a hard number. You never want to give a range for expected salary. This allows the employer to take the lower end of the range all the time, no matter how skilled or talented you are. When you offer a salary range, you are giving the company too much leverage in the negotiation process. When you stick with the hard number, you have decent control of the negotiations. Come up with an amount you can live with, then tack on $5K more.

#2 Give Precise Numbers

During the negotiation process, make sure you provide the employer with precise numbers instead of rounding off the figure. When you tell a hiring manager precise numbers instead of rounded numbers you display confidence in yourself and that you understand what the value of the position is at the company. This shows the hiring manager that you are committed to accepting the job and that you want to make the most of your career.

#3 Employers Don’t Like Negotiating

After receiving a job offer, you are asked to come into the office to discuss the salary. You are nervous and dreading the negotiation because you do not want to make a bad impression and lose out on the position, but you also do not want to leave money on the table. Well, you should know that employers do not like negotiating either. Try to make the process more of a persuasive discussion than a battle for who can win.

#4 Remember Money Isn’t the Sole Factor

One of the most important tips in negotiating salary is that money should not always be the lone factor in the process. Employees want more than money from their employers. They also want health benefits, stock options, flexible schedules, a 401k, paid time-off and other perks. During the negotiations, you can ask the employer for telecommuting options, paid-for training, flex-time and much more. All of these can help items can help you negotiate a salary that helps you earn a living while also enjoying life.
When you use the four tips discussed in this post during salary negotiations, you will find that the process will be much easier to deal with for both you and the employer.

Advance Staffing Solutions, a great source of Detroit MI Jobs, can support your goals of being a better manager and retaining the bedt employees. Find out more by visiting our website today. 

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