Employment

Injury at Work? Know Your Rights to Compensation and FMLA

September 2, 2019 by Tim McMahon

Workers in the American workplace have certain protections under the law. Two of the most important are the right to a safe workplace and the right to leave for medical conditions. It’s your job as a worker, though, to know your rights to compensation and under the FMLA.

Know When an Injury Counts

One of the most important things you’ll need to know is if an injury counts as happening at work. Generally speaking, an injury that occurs during the regular commission of your job – whether on-site or off will count as a work-related injury. So long as you are on the clock or doing something as part of your duties, your injuries should be covered.

Who is Eligible for FMLA

Not every employee is eligible for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). You must be employed by a company that is not exempt (that is, has fifty or more employees) and you must have worked for the company for at least a year before you become eligible. There is also an hourly requirement – you must have worked for at least 1,250 hours during the course of those twelve months. If you meet all of these criteria, you are covered under the FMLA.

What to Do If You Don’t Get What You are Owed

How Those With Autism Can Strengthen Their Odds in Applying for Jobs

August 14, 2019 by Tim McMahon

Diagnoses of autism have become more prevalent over the last several years, as has the awareness of the condition. There are many adults on the autism spectrum who are more than capable of holding down jobs and participating in business activities, but many still have problems with the application process. Below are four of the ways that adults with autism can strengthen their chances when it comes to applying for a job.

Work Within Areas of Strength

The next logical step to take is to look at those areas that speak to an individual’s areas of strengths. If you have issues with significant social interactions, for example, it might make sense to look for positions that require less team-based work. If certain physical stimuli are an issue, on the other hand, you may want to seek out fields that don’t tend to regularly feature those problems. Finding a workplace that allows you to embrace your strengths is always a good idea, and it’s usually the best way to put your own unique skills to their best use. In the following video, we can see that some companies are actually looking for people with the special skills Autistic people have. The problem, of course, is the interview. But now companies are finding alternative ways to screen autistic candidates.

The Interview

The best solution would be to [Read more…] about How Those With Autism Can Strengthen Their Odds in Applying for Jobs

How to Handle Your Pay Being Withheld at Work

August 14, 2019 by Guest Contributor

It’s payday, but your check is missing. Instead of your hard-earned wages, you get a letter stating that your paycheck is being withheld. While there are many reasons that your company might withhold your pay, only a handful are fair and legal. Here are four strategies to deal with your pay being withheld at work.

Discuss the Issue With Your Supervisor

The first step to resolve your withheld wages and get the pay you’re owed is speaking with your supervisor. He or she can inform you of why your wages are being withheld, let you know when you can expect to be paid and address your grievances with the higher-ups. Your supervisor may have little or no control over the situation, so try to be polite and understanding in your conversation with him or her.

Keep Track of Everything

When you’re involved in any type of workplace dispute, it’s important to keep track of all the details and evidence. Make a log of all the money owed to you and the reasons your supervisor provided as to why it’s being withheld. Save or print any relevant emails in case they get deleted. Consider asking permission to record relevant conversations with your supervisor, human relations or the finance department.

Obtain Legal Counsel

If your efforts to get your withheld wages through company channels have been unsuccessful, you may need to seek legal counsel. Experts from local law firm services can help inform you of your rights, attempt to reach a settlement with your employer or take the company to court if necessary. Employers will often back down and agree to pay your withheld wages in a prompt manner once you have a lawyer on your side. [Read more…] about How to Handle Your Pay Being Withheld at Work

Jobs that Don’t Require a 4 Year Degree

July 30, 2019 by Guest Contributor

Even though you might be willing to go to school so that you can launch a great new career, you might not be able to spend years getting an education. You might have bills and responsibilities that have to be taken care of right now, so you might need to start bringing in an income relatively quickly. Luckily, there are some career options that don’t require a lot of schooling but that can still provide you with a nice income. These are some of the options that you can explore.

CNA or Home Health Aide

If you would like to help others but can’t dedicate the time that is required to earn a nursing degree, then you can consider becoming a CNA or home health aide. People often lump CNAs, Orderlies, and Medical Assistants together but their roles are slightly different. All these jobs are medical-related and involve assisting Doctors, Nurses and patients but CNAs have more specific duties. CNAs must complete 75 hours of state-approved training and pass a competency test. Nursing assistants only need to complete a brief on the job training period. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Nursing Assistants and Orderlies earn about $28,530/yr. or $13.72/hr. and job growth is expected to be faster than average.

Dental Hygienist

Taking good care of your teeth is very important. If you would like to help others with having healthy mouths and smiles that they can be proud of, you can try pursuing a career as a dental hygienist. You can get a specialized associate’s degree and secure a job as a dental hygienist, allowing you to make a good income. The median annual wage for dental hygienists was $74,820 in May 2018 or $35.97/ hour.

4 Tips for Job Searching with Little Work Experience

July 23, 2019 by Tim McMahon

Much like the Hunger Games, corporate America is a dog-eat-dog world. so you must prove your merit in order to get ahead. Without a lot of job experience, demonstrating your value to a company can prove difficult. If you’re new to the world of business, here are some tips on how to get started.

Network, Network, Network

Whether you’re pursuing a lifeguard job for summer break, a warehouse job once out of high school, or your first job out of college, networking is the backbone of good business. According to Payscale.com between 70 and 85 percent of all jobs are found through networking.

Not only does networking help cultivate social skills, but it helps you get your foot in the proverbial door as well. Search online for events happening in your area. You’re bound to meet an assortment of like-minded individuals who match your enthusiasm. After all, it’s not what you know but rather who you know that’ll take you far in business.

Being Unemployed Is Tough… Doing These 8 Things Can Make Your Life Better

July 18, 2019 by Tim McMahon

We hear all the time how good unemployment rates are looking. As of right now, they’re hovering around record lows of just 3.7%. What you don’t hear much about are the people that comprise that 3.7%.

That percentage represents millions of Americans that want to be working right now but can’t find a job that they feel suits their unique talents and sensibilities. If you’re one of the people that are in the midst of searching for a good gig, we want you to know that you shouldn’t treat being unemployed like it’s a permanent problem.

There are a number of things that you can do right now to make the most out of your situation. Here are 8 of the top things that we recommend.

1. Stay on a Schedule

Being unemployed shouldn’t be an excuse for you to stay awake until 3 am and stay sleep until 3 pm. Not only does that schedule make it so you’re not able to fully maximize your time but it also will be hard to transition out of when you do get a job again.

Do everything in your power to manage your schedule the same way that you would if you were working a full-time job. Get up at a reasonable hour, be productive during the day and go to sleep before midnight.

2. Engage With Temp Agencies

If being unemployed is causing you financial stress and you need to earn cash ASAP, head over to a temp agency. Temp agencies are groups that have connections with a variety of companies. When the companies that they work with need jobs filled for limited periods of time, temp agencies send people to fill the need.

That person that gets sent in could be you. Many temp jobs pay rather well. Furthermore, temp jobs have been known to serve as excellent gateways into full-time employment. [Read more…] about Being Unemployed Is Tough… Doing These 8 Things Can Make Your Life Better

4 Degrees to Consider if You Want a Job Right out of College

July 16, 2019 by Tim McMahon

Choosing a major isn’t always about launching a high-income career, but job prospects are an integral part of the degree decision for many students. While there are hundreds of programs in dozens of academic fields that can lead to a rewarding career, there are a few particularly promising paths that degree seekers should consider.

Accounting

Accounting has been a go-to degree for many career-minded college students over the last few decades and it’s still a strong choice. There is unparalleled opportunity for specialization and advancement without a high barrier to entry. A bachelor’s degree is sufficient for many entry-level positions, while a master’s degree and industry experience can qualify accountants for more advanced certifications. There is a high demand for accountants of all skill levels in both government and private sector positions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “The median annual wage for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks was $40,240 in May 2018.” A Certified Public Accountant would earn more. Typical Entry-Level Education is Some college, no degree required to become a bookkeeper but is preferred for a career in Accounting.

Information Systems and Technology

Computer science is another strong degree choice for students who want to get a job right out of college. Programming and software design are core skills for almost any profession in the industry, but there are also plenty of opportunities to branch out into other areas. Information systems administration and database management are both useful skills for landing jobs, as is cybersecurity and mobile application development. The following table from the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a variety of Computer related jobs and their median salaries.

The median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations was $86,320 in May 2018, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $38,640.

5 Best Resume Software Programs to Create the Perfect Resume

July 1, 2019 by Guest Contributor

Looking for a new job? Let’s say you’ve researched the companies and now you know exactly where to send your resume. The best resume software can customize your resume to help you finally land that position.

Job markets today are competitive and hiring managers may eliminate the generic resumes from the pile. So you can’t afford to miss out on opportunities because of a poor resume. Here are five best resume software programs you should consider before applying for your next job.

1. Adobe Spark

Adobe Spark allows you to create a single-page interactive resume for free! You can choose from over a dozen prebuilt themes to control the style of your page. You can then add text, photos, videos, and links through its easy interface. You can upload an existing resume and use Adobe’s interactive features to spice up your resume.

Surprisingly, there aren’t any templates included in the software for you to choose from. However, there are free resume templates from Adobe Spark that you can download to get you started! [Read more…] about 5 Best Resume Software Programs to Create the Perfect Resume

How to Get a Good Job Fast When Unemployed

June 18, 2019 by Guest Contributor

With unemployment at the lowest level since 1969 it should be easier to find a job than at any point in recent history. But if you have little business experience, are fresh out of college or have poor interviewing skills you might still be having difficulty finding a job.

Unemployment can be a difficult period in any life. Not having a job can lead to all sorts of financial concerns. It can make you feel like you don’t have a sense of purpose in your day-to-day life, too. If you’re unemployed and wish to change that rapidly, then you can try these things out right away.

Attend Job Fairs

Going to career fairs can be helpful to people who are interested in rapid employment. If you attend these events, you get the rare opportunity to meet employers face-to-face. This is your chance to shine. You can hand our your resume, talk about your educational background, and even discuss your strong suits and career aspirations.

Tell People You Know that You Need a Job

Don’t keep your employment status a mystery. Secrecy won’t help your cause in any way. If you’re keen on getting a job quickly, you should make sure everyone you encounter knows that you’re looking around. Tell your neighbor who works at a marketing agency that you need a position. Tell the postman that you’re trying to find a new job as well. You never know what people may be able to do to help you out. A friend may tell you about paid truck driver training opportunities that you might want to look into further. Or you might hear that Mike Rowe testified before congress about the lack of workers available for blue collar jobs.

“Right now, American manufacturing is struggling to fill 200,000 vacant positions. There are 450,000 openings in trades, transportation and utilities. The skills gap is real, and it’s getting wider. In Alabama, a third of all skilled tradesmen are over 55. They’re retiring fast, and no one is there to replace them. Alabama’s not alone.”

Rather than paying for college you can get paid to train as an electrician. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricians earn an average of $55,190 but many earn much more.

Could Landscape Architecture Be the Career for You?

May 28, 2019 by Tim McMahon

Landscaping is more than glorified lawn care. It is an artistic occupation that balances beauty with function in a home’s outside property area. This can range from a small section of land that can be cultivated into a garden, to a large yard in the front, side, or back of a home. With numerous styles to offer, landscaping is an exciting career that provides opportunities for creative design and purposeful lawn management. Here are four reasons you may want to consider this career.

Landscaping Exercises the Imagination

While some people may consider physical labor to be mind-numbing or boring, the opposite is closer to the truth. Viewing natural resources like land, water, and woodlands as the tools of an artist, and the lawn or garden as the expectant canvas, a landscaper can unleash creativity to design stylistic elements that fulfill the homeowner’s style preferences. From elegant to fun-loving, there are countless lawn themes to be developed and implemented that will suit anyone’s taste.

Landscape Architects

If you want a career that is high tech but gets you out of the office part of the time you might enjoy being a landscape architect. It involves creativity, computer design work and some onsite activity so you get the best of both worlds.

Meaningful Outdoor Work Enriches Body and Soul

Working in fresh air and sunshine, surrounded by grass, trees, shrubs, and flowers, a landscaper’s work often [Read more…] about Could Landscape Architecture Be the Career for You?