And all of a sudden ... it's the end of February!

Wow, how did we get here so fast? Hope you've been able to hang on and no matter what is going on within your HR world ... that you've been able to maintain your business at a successful level.

The month's newsletter highlights a couple of "news" items plus some general knowledge for you to keep in your memory banks. My main article includes some "tactics for tough times." It gives you some tips for successfully managing part time employees, something that your business may be looking at as budget requirements change.

FIRST, AN ANNOUNCEMENT!
I am now Margaret Jacoby, SPHR. I recently earned certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources and it is an honor for me. Here is a little more detail of what having the SPHR beside my name means:
 

The SPHR certification is awarded by the HR Certification Institute and signifies that I possess the theoretical knowledge and practical experience in human resource management necessary to pass a rigorous examination demonstrating a mastery of the body of knowledge in the field.   "Certification as a human resource professional clearly demonstrates a commitment to personal excellence and to the human resource profession," said Mary Power, CAE, Executive Director of the HR Certification Institute. To become certified, an applicant must pass a comprehensive examination and demonstrate a strong background of professional human resource experience.   The HR Certification Institute is the credentialing body for human resource professionals and is affiliated with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the world's largest organization dedicated exclusively to the human resource profession. The Institute's purpose is to promote the establishment of professional standards and to recognize professionals who meet those standards.

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Also for immediate attention, the yearly OSHA 300-A Posting Deadline is here! :

Beginning February 1 of each year, covered employers with 10 or more employees must post the OSHA-required Form 300A, which summarizes an employer's reportable injuries and illnesses for the prior year.   The Form 300-A posting period is February 1- April 30. An employer subject to this requirement must post the OSHA Form 300-A even if the employer had no reportable injuries/illnesses in the prior year.   In addition to the posting requirement, employees with no fixed work site or no access to posted sites must be provided with a copy of the report.   If you are a covered employer and have not posted this form yet, it is suggested that you do this right away. Click here to go to the OSHA site to get the required forms: Form 300 and 300A and Instructions

As an employer, I am sure you recognize the significant role that "stress" plays in our employees' productivity. With all that is happening in our world right now, stress has risen to the top of the list as something to watch within the workplace. I thought you might like to see the results of a recent poll taken from a majority of US companies:

SEATTLE, Nov 11, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The recent economic downturn has increased stress levels across the country, and U.S. employers are taking notice. According to a new poll by Free & Clear, a national leader in healthy behavior change, 86 percent of companies are concerned about the level of stress among their employees, and 88 percent of employers (nearly nine out of ten) believe the tough economy has had a negative effect on workers' stress levels. "U.S. companies are seeing the impact of the economy reflected in the health and well-being of their employees," said Tim McAfee, Free & Clear's Chief Medical Officer. "Our poll shows that employers are worried about the effects of stress and want to do something about it. While an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for workers having trouble dealing with stress is a good first step, companies may need to consider more intensive measures to address stress and the unhealthy behaviors that accompany it." Most employers Free & Clear surveyed (89 percent) agree that the level of stress among their workforce has increased recently; the impact of stress on a person's health is significant. Between 70 percent and 80 percent of doctor office visits are due to stress-related illnesses, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Stress, which often manifests itself in overeating, smoking and sleeplessness, has been tied to colds, gastrointestinal problems and more serious ailments, including heart disease. "Many Americans turn to unhealthy coping strategies, like smoking and overeating, when they are unable to manage stress," said Dr. Jennifer Lovejoy, Free & Clear's Executive Director of Weight and Nutrition Services. "With tobacco use costing employers up to $5,455 per smoker and obesity costing up to $1,991 per overweight employee in excess costs annually, businesses need to offer help to their employees to manage both stress and the unhealthy behaviors that tend to accompany it." For this poll, Free & Clear surveyed human resources and benefits professionals in 164 companies nationwide. Of the companies surveyed, 80 percent had more than 3,000 employees. source: Chiropractic Economics ©2008

 
And ... here is the monthly quiz! Let's see what you remember from last month?
 

The Internal Revenue Service sets the rate it allows employers to deduct per mile for the reimbursement of employees who use their own cars for company business. What is the IRS standard mileage rate beginning January 1, 2009?

A. 55 cents per mile for business miles driven

B. 58 cents per mile for business miles driven

C. 60 cents per mile for business miles driven

D. 62 cents per mile for business miles driven

 
Answers are found at the end of the main article.

Now to my main article on tactics for tough times - managing part-time employees ..