10 Things HR Departments Do for Employees

10 Things HR Departments Do for Employees10 Things HR Departments Do for EmployeesYou know your HR department as the people who hired you, the people who give you gobs of paperwork to fill out, and the people who might fire you if you become a slacker or the business needs a change. As such, many people feel like avoiding HR is the best path to success- stay off their radar and all will be good. But, did you know that theres a lot of career help available in your HR department? HR staff may not specialize in your job, but they are specialists in helping with careers, and they are there to help. Here are ten reasons why you might want to stop by your HR managers office today. Career Planning You may have heard that HR is focused on helping the business succeed, and not on career help for individual employees. This is true. But, the business wont succeed if there arent good employees, andgood employees want to move forwardin their careers.Your HR manager can often help you map out the path to your ultimate goal. If you want to be the CFO, she can help you identify areas where you are weak and areas where you are strong, and help direct you down career paths. Bonus- when the senior leadership gruppe says, we need someone to do X, if youve told her thats something youre interested in, your name is more likely to come up. Managing Your Manager Not every manager is awesome. And not every awesome manager is awesome for every employee. Whether youve got a manager you just dont click with or a micro-managing jerk, your HR department can help.zu gunsten von tip Dont complain about your manager, just ask what you can do to make it better. Heres a suggested opening phrase Jane and I seem to clash a lot. Can you give me some tips on how to get along better?Continuing Education Does your company offer tuition reimbursement? If you dont know the answer to that question, head to HR and ask. Lots of companies offer this perk- especially if the degree or certification youre seek ing is something to help the company directly.If youre an accountant, asking the company to pay for your masters degree in Art History probably wont fly except at companies that provide assistance for any college coursework. But, if you want to ask for tuition assistance for review classes for your CPA, theres a good chance theres money available.If youre not in need of a new degree, but want to improve skills, ask about certification classes or even MOOCsthat can help you fill your knowledge gaps. Changing a Performance Rating Was your belastung performance appraisal accurate? Now, most of the time, HR is going to side with your manager- your manager sees your day to day work and HR oversees numerous employees. But, if you feel there was a genuine mistake in your rating, talk to HR.Your HR manager will look over your review and compare it with your peers and your prior reviews. If she feels there is a case, shell talk with your manager. Pro Tip Come with solid evidence of your perf ormance, not just a complaint that the review is not fair. Resume Help This may seem counter-intuitive Your HR department doesnt want you to leave and leavingis the only reason whyyou might need your resume up to date, right? Wrong. If youre applying for membership in a professional society, looking at an internal promotion, or want to be accepted to graduate school your resume is a helpful tool.Additionally, if you are laid off, sometimes your former HR department will provide help with your resume. Ask The worst they will say is no.Personal Problems HR managers are not therapists, priests, or lawyers, so dont expect free therapy or confidential advice from them. (Although, do ask to keep things confidential if its important to you. Your HR manager should say, I cant keep this confidential if she cant. if you complain that your boss is sexually harassing you, shes required by law to investigate.)But, if youre struggling in your marriage or drowning in a sea of debt, she can helpdir ect you towards an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). If your ex-boyfriend is stalking you, she can help notify security and reception to keep an eye out for him and to help make a plan to keep you safe. Pro Tip The EAP number is probably on the company website, but feel free to ask HR. Medical Problems Do you or a family member have health problems? Are you or your spouse pregnant? Head to HR. If you start missing work because of migraines but dont say anything, you could get fired for violating attendance policies, but if you come to HR, you can fill out the paperwork for legal protection.Your problem might fall under the Americans With Disabilities Act or the Family Medical Leave Act. With both, you need to ask for help. Dont assume your manager will automatically know the reason for your absences qualifies you for protection. Remember, these laws often protect your family members as well- if you need time to take care of a seriously ill family member. Whistle Blowing of Any Kind Some big companies have anonymous tip lines for any violations you may see others have a designated person with whom you can talk. But you can always walk in and talk to Human Resources about this as well. You can report anything from safety violations to securities violations to your HR department.Theyll set an investigation in motion.Managing Your Employees If you manage employees, your career success depends on their career success. If you want help knowing how to manage without being overbearing, how to discipline fairly, and how to get the best results from your team, ask your HR manager.Your HR manager may provide coaching to managers directly, or she may refer you to a management class or consultant. Take the referral. The class or consulting are worth your time. Help You Navigate the Law You dont want to confuse HR managers with employment law attorneys, but they should have a good grasp on basic employment law. If a co-worker complains that her boss is acting creepy, you c an go to HR for advice and report sexual harassment.If you have an employee threatens to sue you, report it immediately- even if youre sure hes just blowing off steam. Dont let legal problems build. HR has the resources to help guide you, and they know when to call in the big guns- the attorneys. While HR will always have paperwork for you to fill out, dont forget that they are there to help the company succeed. That means that HR knows that the individual employees also need to succeed. Have a chat and see if they can help you help your career soar. - - - - - - - - - - - - Suzanne Lucas is a freelance journalist specializing in Human Resources. Suzannes work has been featured on notes publications including Forbes, CBS, Business Insider and Yahoo.

Understanding the Big Decisions of Open Enrollment

Understanding the Big Decisions of Open EnrollmentUnderstanding the Big Decisions of Open EnrollmentAs youre ticking off the many good things that roll around each year in the fall- crisp air, leaf peeping, pumpkin lattes- theres a pretty good chance open enrollment doesnt make the list. Nearly 3 in 4 respondents to Aflacs Open Enrollment Survey say reading about their benefits is long, complicated or stressful. And almost half would rather do something truly unpleasant- like talking to an ex or walking over hot coals- than complete this years benefits enrollment. The upshot? Most punt. Four out of five say they spend less than an hour on their benefits decisions, and even more just choose the saatkorn benefits year after year. The Price of Inaction That can getexpensive if you choose wrong. Say you opt for a plan where a doctor you see once a year is out of network. That may be a cost youre willing to bear. But if you end up needing that doctors services for an unexpected additi onal procedure? You could end up paying 300% of what it would cost if youd found an in-network doc from the get-go, according to a 2015 study by the AHIP Center for Policy and Research. Likewise, if you opt to pay the higher premiums that come with plans that have lower deductibles, but rarely see a doctor or fill prescriptions because youre healthy as a horse, you could end up paying more in up-front costs than need be. And the price of sticking your head in the sand is only heading higher. The total cost of healthcare in the US is about $3 trillion a year, of which consumers pay out of pocket about $400 to $500 billion- and our share is rising about 10 percent a year. Im willing to bet that our share is just going to go up, says Thomas Torre of Copatient, a company that helps consumers negotiate their doctor and hospital bills. That trend is unstoppable. Making the right benefits decisions, therefore, depends on arming yourself with a real understanding of the first having a basic understanding of the terms you see when you read about todays health plans. (Aflac tested this, too. Most people dont.) And second, being able to answer a couple of questions that will tell you which kind of plan is likely to be best for your wallet. Making the right benefits decisions, therefore, depends on arming yourself with knowledge and understanding of the fundamental insurance concepts at work. Speak the Language First, you need to have a firm grasp on common health insurance terms. In its survey, AFLAC found most people dont have a grip on a basic healthcare vocabulary. Its hard to make a decision if you dont know the following terms PPO A preferred provider organization. This is a health plan that doesnt typically limit you to in-network healthcare providers (or make you get referrals for specialists) but will require you to pay higher out-of-pocket costs for out-of-network healthcare providers High Deductible PlanA plan that requires you to pay for most of your care (doctors and prescriptions) until you meet your deductible. Qualifies you to open an HSA or Health Savings Account. HSA To help defray the costs of your higher deductible, youll have a health savings account into which you and your employer can deposit pre-tax money that can be invested and grow tax-free. If you use the money to pay for qualified healthcare expenditures, you generally wont have to pay any taxes on it when you use it. PremiumThe amount you pay- typically monthly- to purchase health insurance. Deductible The amount you pay out of pocket for healthcare before the inayar starts to pay its share. Co-pay The amount you pay for an office visit or prescription that supplements what the insurer pays (until you meet your out-of-pocket maximum). Coinsurance The percentage of a healthcare service you are required to pay until you meet your out-of-pocket maximum. The Big Decisions Now you can move on to picking the right plan for you. Here are the big decisions youll need to make. PPO vs. high deductible plan with HSA. If youre getting a plan through your employer, these are likely your choices. To make the call, look back at your medical usage over the past year.How many times did you see a doctor? How many prescriptions did you fill? If youre healthy and dont take a lot of medications, youre generally better off with a high deductible plan. If you have high expected medical expenses, including pharmaceuticals, youre generally better off with a PPO. Compare the deductibles against those premiums. Notice, I said generally better off. It is possible to follow those guidelines and make mistakes. Pick a health plan based on premiums alone, according to the Copatient survey. Premiums are important, but theyre not the only element to consider, says Justin Sydnor, Associate Professor at the Wisconsin School of Business. Add up your yearly premiums and compare what youre paying on a higher-priced policy to what youre saving on the deductible. If your employer is making a contribution to a Health Savings Account to defray a high deductible, make sure to take that into account. Consider the doctors, formularies and other costs. Make sure you take into account the variables that dont have a price tag attached. Are the doctors that you want to see on your plan? Are the drugs youre likely to take? How much will you pay- in the form of a copay or coinsurance- every time you go for medical care? Look at last years health history, and assume your behavior will be largely the same. And if you cant afford the pricier plan?Remember A cheaper plan is better than no plan at all. With Kelly Hultgren

How to get smarter every day

How to get smarter every dayHow to get smarter every dayIntelligence is a work in progress. Everything a smart person knows, they learned from somewhere at one point or another. Getting smarter doesnt necessarily mean a huge commitment of time and energy every day.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreIf you can consistently train your brain to adapt to new situations and information?- ?you will get smarter with time.Work on your personal prioritiesIn five minutes, you could decide what to do next week. Track what have you learned so far to avoid getting complacent and help learn new things.Planning in a few fun anchor events gives you something to look forward to. Make a list of things you want to learn in the upcoming days.Dont over-plan and under-act though. A decision alone changes nothing. Action is the greatest giftstoff that only you can give to yourself, so get started.Reading is insanely essentialOpinions vary on whats the best brain-boosting reading material, with suggestions ranging from developing a daily reading habit to picking up a variety of fiction and nonfiction books.I have recommended a few books in the pastherehere, andhere.Charlie Munger once said, I constantly see people rise in life who are not the smartest, sometimes not even the most diligent, but they are learning machines. They go to bed every night a little wiser than they were when they got up and boy does that help, particularly when you have a long run ahead of youEmbrace life longlearningUse theFeynman Techniqueto make sure you understand things. This is perhaps the single most effective studying tool that you can use to focus.Learning is best when you connect it to things that youve already learned. The more you know the more you can connect.Dont stop looking for answers. If something doesnt make sense to you, look for ways to expand your knowledge so that you do understand it.S ubscribe to insightful newslettersA smarter you is just a few newsletters away.Barking Up The Wrong Tree,Farnam street,Brain Pickings, andThe Longreadsare a few newsletters you should subscribe to.These newsletters share ideas on how to be awesome at life.It pays to have a knowledge source from where you can learn something new daily. Use Pocket to save insightful pieces you come across for later reading. Before going to sleep at night try to finish those.Give yourself something topursueDo something. Create something of value. Share your works. Start a passion project. You will learn more in the process even if you failure. You will be a better person than you were before you gave it a shot.No matter what you do create value.Every online break doesnt have to be about checking social feeds. Replace hours of social browsing with something more mentally nourishing activities.Challenge yourself to do something original.Start reflecting inwritingWrite down what you learn. It doesnt have to be pretty or long, but taking a few minutes each day to reflect in writing about what you learned is sure to boost your brainpower.Write a few hundred words a day on things that you learned. Always take notes. Records brilliant thoughts you get through the day for later use. Be willing to try new things?- ?even if they dont seem immediately useful or productive.You never know what will be useful ahead of time. You just need to try new things and wait to see how they connect with the rest of your experiences later on.Share what youlearnOne of the best ways to learn something is to teach it. If you really want to learn something, find a way to teach it to others.Share your thoughts with others via a blog, podcast or vlog. Answer a question on Quora. Teach what you know on Udemy.Explain what you learn. It might help others and it will definitely help you, just for the sake of learning.The person who says he knows what he thinks but cannot express it usually does not know what he thi nks, says Mortimer AdlerWhen you share, you remember better. It challenges your understanding and forces you to think.Publish what you learn. It will help you organize your thoughts.Take time to sit insilenceTake purposeful breaks. Giving yourself space for your brain to process what its learned.A growing body of evidence shows that taking regular breaks from mental tasks improves creativity and that skipping breaks can lead to stress, exhaustion, and creative block.Idleness is not a vice, it is indispensable for making those unexpected connections in the brain you crave and necessary to getting creative work done.Spend some time tothinkThere is one activity that will have a tremendously beneficial impact on your results thinking.Unless you schedule a time to think, to really do nothing else but think, you wont do it.Dont just read for other peoples opinions, read for facts and then think. This requires time and effort. Youll have to learn how to focus.That space needs to be free fr om distractions. Your mind is a novelty-seeking device. It evolved to pay attention to things that are new and interesting.Evaluate your ideas. Ponder them. Thinking is asking yourself questions about ideas.AOL CEO Tim Armstrong, for instance, makes his executives spend 10 percent of their day, or four hours per week, just thinking. Jeff Weiner, CEO of LinkedIn, schedules two hours of uninterrupted thinking time per day.Increase mental intensityDeveloping mental strength is a work in progress. Mental strength requires that you continue building new neural pathways by learning new things.Mental strength involves more than just willpower it requires hard work and commitment.Force yourself to use your brain more.The more regularly you pick up a new skill, or study a new subject, the stronger your mind becomes. Try to pick up one new thing every week, then continue working on it as you learn new things.Focus, strategy, logic, and creativity are just a few of the mental muscles you shoul d be exercising more regularly.Cultivate self-awarenessAwareness is a powerful tool.The power of being self-aware is that it helps you become conscious of your own habits and decide if you need to change them.Self-awareness keeps you in touch with your emotions and the underlying feelings that influence your actions and thoughts.Self-awareness is a tremendous tool for helping us understand ourselves and be at peace with who we are. It leads to self-confidence by building on the knowledge of who you are.Create a daily habit of self-reflection.Observe your mind when you are immersed in emotion.Compete withyourselfGet one percent better every day. Focus on tiny consistent improvements every day.Learn to beat your expectations of yourself. You will learn how to handle your limits and challenges in the process.If everything is too good, youre probably stuck not being awesome.Calvin Coolidge says All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually withou t effort, and effort means work.If you want long-term success, stop avoiding whats hard.Stay hungryBefore yougoIf you enjoyed this post, you will lovePostanly Weekly(my free digest of the best productivity and self-improvement posts).Subscribeand get a free copy of my new eBook, The Power of One Percent Better Small Gains, Maximum Results.Join over 24,000 people who are on a mission to build a better life.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people