Unemployment finally coming to a close

I am finally in receipt of a job offer and will be starting next Monday as the HRIS Manager at Williams College in Williamstown, MA.  This is basically a dream job, close to home, at a great (and beautiful) institution, doing what I really love (heavy on the technology, light on the employee relations beyond training and program development).  I'm glad that it will be worth the seven month wait. 

Being unemployed for the first time in my life has been a challenge that I hope to learn from.  The only thing I will miss is being at home with a cat or two on my lap all day.  Perhaps we can have Bring Your Cat to Work Day.

Officially 'Independent' and Relocated

I am feeling liberated, for the first time ever without a new position or knowing when I'll be starting a new job. It's pretty disconcerting, but also strangely great (if only it weren't for concerns about having a steady income, I'd really be able to enjoy the time at home with Will and the cats). I'm in 100% job search mode now and finalizing the contract for some independent consulting work. I'm so glad to be free of KBACE, and the constraints of corporate HR, at least for now.

The Downfall of HR

This is the most depressingly true article I've read in a long time: http://www.glassdoor.com/blog/downfall-hr-hr-saved/

Best Quotes: “I got tired of explaining to my leadership team that people require at least as much care as photocopiers.” and "When fear rules the workplace, only toadies thrive."

Is it possible to have an early life career crisis? I am no toady (which interestingly, in addition to meaning sycophant, means parasite and sounds an awful lot like a Toad).

Who needs Benefits?

I've been sampling what Harvard Pilgrim Health Care has to offer for Wellness coaching. It's an interesting start, but from a practical standpoint just another part of the self-delusion of self-improvement.

My road to wellness - HPHC style:
1. Filled out the online Health Assessment. I've learned that I need to exercise more and eat healthier. Also, is it wrong that the questions about stress and hating my job/co-workers made me laugh out loud?
2. Got a call from the Health Coach to see if I'd like further information or phone coaching. For informational purposes only... sounds like the disclaimer on an herbal remedy.
3. Had my first coaching call, where I set one goal to start - exercise 3-5 times per week on my tread mill or home gym in the mornings. I am actually thinking about doing this more, because he's going to call me again in a few weeks to check on my progress.
4. I have actually been working out some days, and doing a lot of sanding/painting on the weekends (which counts officially).

I'm not feeling any healthier yet, but I am thinking about feeling healthier. I guess that's baby steps.

I hate the alphabet

The summer is almost over here in the Northeast, and it's that time of year again for burning eyes and strained shoulders. Back to school, touch football? Not in HR. No, it's time to make all of the policy and compliance updates to the Employee Handbook that have been put off for the past year (or more...), so we can get them approved for January 1st. So they can then change them again and we're no longer up to date. I'm going blind from alphabet soup.

Here are some overviews of areas we've all been putting off:

• New FMLA Rules: 10 Important Revisions
• New FMLA Rules: More Important Changes
• ADA Amendments Act (ADAA) of 2008 and EEOC Issues New ADA Guidance
• Unscrambling the New Legislative Requirements of 2009
• Gallagher Benefits Services Webinars (some require registration but good content for HRA/HSA, HIPAA, COBRA, etc.)
  

Technology = Productivity and other Myths

I've been feeling very cynical (more than usual) this summer, bored at work and trying to find things to be productive. My current fix - my new Blackberry Curve 8900. My productivity has gone through the roof, although I don't seem to be getting much more done. More updates on how I'm using my permanent internet IV in future posts. It's the beginning of the end when you send BB messenger messages back and forth to your husband when you're in the same room (and no one else is there).

Recession Fatigue - the new Workplace Fad

Now that Swine Flu isn't so exciting anymore for the unscrupulous media and business hysterics, we need to move onto the NEXT THING (unless you're that poor kid (life=ruined)).

Recession Fatigue has my vote. You know it's real when Forbes says it is.

Found a funnier posts about this topic from Well Heeled, with a Mission. I also cringe when I hear "in this economy" - same reaction that I used to get to hearing "sea change" during the late 90's.

I have fad fatigue. That's a real thing too, but there is seemingly no cure.