Seasonal

Treat Your Coworkers to an Italian Feast

Meaghan Smith

August 27, 2018

You spend 40 hours a week with your co-workers, which could be more than you spend with certain family members in a week. So why not treat your co-workers like family – hopefully you like them that much (if you don’t, check out our job board)! The TGHR team recently had a staff retreat and as one of our team building challenges, we collectively prepared an Italian feast. Have you ever wondered if there can be too many cooks in the kitchen? Well, we can confidently tell you YES!

To create your own Italian feast, here are a couple suggested recipes. Serve these dishes alongside of a salad, roasted vegetables, or even make your own antipasto skewers!

Bruschetta Bread

6 roma tomatoes
1 tsp minced garlic (recommend roasted garlic)
2 tsp olive oil
6 basil leaves
1 loaf French bread, sliced
½ cup butter, softened
3 tsp garlic powder

Quarter tomatoes and remove juicy centers. Dice into small pieces and place in a bowl. Roll and slice basil leaves into small strands and add to tomatoes. Add olive oil and minced garlic to mixture and stir. Place mixture in refrigerator while preparing bread. Slice bread into 12 slices (or more). Combine butter and garlic powder together in a small bowl. Spread the butter over each slice of bread. Place bread on a cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes in a pre-heated oven set at 375 degrees or until golden brown. Remove from oven and top each piece with tomato mixture. For a special touch, the TGHR team recommends adding shredded Parmesan cheese.

Pasta Cavateni

1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 box pasta (cooked and drained, recommend rigatoni)
8 oz pepperoni (cut)
2 peppers (any color cut and diced)
1 cup mushrooms sliced
1 pound ground Italian sausage cooked and drained
2 cups shredded cheese (any kind, but we recommend Colby Jack)

Cook the pasta and drain. Brown the Italian sausage and then drain the grease. Place pasta, spaghetti sauce, Italian sausage, pepperoni, peppers and mushrooms into a 9×13 pan. Mix all together. Then add cheese and mix well. Place pan in a 350-degree pre-heated oven for 20-30 minutes until the cheese is melted.

Bon Appetit!

Seasonal

Did You Take a Summer Vacation?

Mary Springer

Partner

August 16, 2018

As the dog days of summer begin to wrap up, more and more vacation days will go unused. According to a study conducted by Glassdoor, the average employee has only taken about half of their eligible vacation in the past 12 months. This could be because more Americans (66 percent) report working on vacation more than three years ago.

The average number of vacation days employees take has been steadily declining over the years. Thirty years ago, the average was around 20 days, but that has dwindled to just 16 days in recent years. The study also indicated that in 2016, 662 million vacation days went unused and if those had been taken, it would have contributed $236 billion in spending for our economy.

The study also revealed that forfeiting vacation time can have an impact on an employee’s performance, proving that a little R&R benefits both the employee and company. In addition, 47 percent felt shame at work for taking their vacation. There’s a simple solution to combat this shame. Book a temporary employee to cover during your worker’s vacation time. That’s Good HR has temps ready to go at a moment’s notice. You keep productivity up, your employee returns refreshed and guilt free – it’s a win-win.

So how do you get started? Easy – call us and describe your employee’s responsibilities. We’ll send you resumes to review of available temporary employees and you’ll be meeting them in no time. Then everyone can sit back, relax and take a well-deserved vacation without worrying about the company’s bottom line. Take advantage of summer before it’s too late!

Customer Experiences

Candidate Spotlight: Shatalya Fields

July 26, 2018

When Shatalya Fields and her entire department got laid off, she did not know where her next job would be. She had served in the Air Force for five years and after leaving the military she had worked in several positions – from leasing agent to cashier – but was eager to start a career. She had dabbled in healthcare, accounting and insurance positions and thought that one of those avenues would be the best fit for her talents.

While job searching she talked with one of her former coworkers, who also had been laid off. Her friend suggested she call That’s Good HR. Shatalya reached out and was introduced to one of our staffing specialists, Kate Stephens. Kate immediately recognized Shatalya’s skills and great attitude and sent her resume to one of That’s Good HR’s clients.

Shatalya was hired for a cash applications position and after her temporary assignment ended, she was hired on full time. She continued in that position for a bit and then started to look for a different position in order to grow in her career. Seeing a position that peaked her interest with another staffing agency, Shatalya applied. She got the job but after working at the company she did not feel it was a good fit for her – the energy was all wrong. Realizing her error, she quickly contacted Kate again to see what jobs were currently available with That’s Good HR.

Kate placed her at a client around the corner from the That’s Good HR office in an accounting role. Shatalya now plays a key role handling ACH payments, making adjustments, and balancing the general ledger for a major Indianapolis company. She has an amazing, supportive boss who supports Shatalya’s career goals. She is on a management track now and in two to three years is poised to take over her department.

As an employee on track for management, Shatalya is now sitting in on interviews for new employees. Her best advice for interviewees? Ask questions at the end of the interview. She recommends asking at least two questions (make sure to prepare ahead of time). Asking questions shows the hiring manager how interested you are in the job. She also recommends being truthful and open in your interview. Being honest about her past experience of being laid off is one of the many reasons she has the job she does today. Shatalya is now learning so much and is on the path to become an incredible manager at her current company.

So, what are you waiting for? Start your career today by calling That’s Good HR. Whether it’s Kate or one of our other awesome recruiters that helps you out you’ll be on the path to success in no time!

TGHR News

Staffing Stats – All Time Low

Greta Cline

Partner, CFO/COO

June 6, 2018

On June 1, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced the latest unemployment stats. Last month, the rate reached an 18-year low and that trend is continuing. The unemployment rate is currently at the lowest rate in nearly half a century – that’s truly remarkable!

The unemployment rate dipped to 3.8 percent in the U.S. in May. Good news if you hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, the unemployment rate is even lower at 2.1 percent. In addition, total employment increased by 223,000 and the number of unemployed people fell to 6.1 million.

In our home state of Indiana, the unemployment rate is also extremely low. The state unemployment rate has been below the national rate for the past four years, with one small exception. For one month in 2014, the rates were equal. Not bad, right? The total labor force in Indiana is 3.3 million workers.

According to the American Staffing Association, staffing job growth has risen an average of 3.6 percent per month, which is significantly higher than the average of 2.2% for all of 2017.

With unemployment at this historic low, finding qualified candidates is more difficult than ever. But not to worry, That’s Good HR is up for the challenge. What sets us apart from others is our daily process of sourcing quality employees and meeting with our candidates face-to-face. When we schedule candidates out for client consideration, we know that they are vetted and well-suited to each unique client’s needs.

Whether you are looking to make a change from your current gig or have open positions we’re ready to help today and every day. Recruiting times are tough, but we’re tougher!

Job Advice

How the Royal Family Can Help Your Job Search

May 16, 2018

The Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is set for Saturday, May 19, 2018. Prince William and Catherine (Kate) Middleton wed not too long ago on April 29, 2011. Did you know that the Royals have a set of rules they are expected to follow? Some of these odd mandates apply to job searching too.

Bowing or curtsying is a requirement when greeting the Queen. While bowing or curtsying may be a bit much on a job interview, a firm handshake is a must. A solid greeting sets the tone for the interview and can convey to the interviewer that you are a professional ready for a new gig. Try out your handshake with three people to ensure you’re ready with a good grip.
The Royal Family has a dress code and is never seen in casual clothes. Pants are reserved for adults, so Prince George must wear tailored shorts until age 8. Hats are expected, but after 6 p.m. married women exchange their hats for tiaras. For a job interview, casual clothes should be avoided as you’ll want to dress to impress – hat optional. Skip the tiara.
Members of the Royal Family are expected to learn another language. Language skills, computer program expertise or other unique skills should be highlighted on your resume and mentioned in an interview. Review your resume with your TGHR staffing specialist to make sure everything is listed.
The Queen is not required to have a driver’s license and can even drive without a license plate. You’ll need a license, or other form of acceptable identification to complete our on-boarding process, so we do not recommend driving without it – or plates!
Royal children do not have a last name. If they need one, they use their title. Prince George uses Cambridge as his last name at school. We recommend putting both your first and last name on your resume!
When the Queen moves her purse to her right arm it signals that she is finished talking and is ready to leave. When in an interview, watch for non-verbal cues to wrap up your answer or when the interview is over – most likely they will be subtler than moving a purse from one arm to another.

The wedding may be taking place across the pond, but you can take a page from the Royal Family’s playbook!

About TGHR

What Do Employees Value?

Mary Springer

Partner

May 10, 2018

Recently, That’s Good HR was recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Indiana. In fact, in the small business category That’s Good HR took home the fourth-place spot. To say we were thrilled to be in the Top 5 the first time we applied for the award is an understatement. But we don’t share our accolade to brag, but rather to share how to build a corporate culture that matters to your employees.

That’s where it starts – with your employees. And the number one thing you can do to make a difference in your corporate culture is to ask your employees what matters to them. Multiple industry studies cite better health/dental/vision insurance as the number one benefit an employee looks at when choosing a job. Can you make changes to your health benefit package that would help your employees?

Or perhaps your employees would rather a benefit that helps them achieve a better work-life balance like flexible hours or the ability to work remotely. Once again, you won’t know until you ask them. Is unlimited vacation time the answer? According to the Society of Human Resources (SHRM) only 1 – 2% of companies offer unlimited vacation time, therefore this may be a way to stand out from other companies in your industry.

Other benefits that employees value include tuition assistance, free/paid gym membership, employee outings such as lunches and team building events. For us at That’s Good HR, there’s a combination of benefits that our employees value – the key is finding out what works for your company. One of the advantages of participating in a program like the Best Places to Work, is participating companies, no matter what their rank, get a detailed report of what their employees value and what areas need some work. This can provide company leadership with a road map for future policies and updates.

Want to know more about our company culture and how we can help you find great employees who will love working for you? Contact us today, we are happy to share our experience with you.

Job Advice

The Art of the Thank You Note

Madison Schacht

April 26, 2018

You don’t have to be an Emily Post etiquette expert to know it’s a great idea to send a thank you note after an interview. Whether your interview was face-to-face or via phone, sending a thank you note as soon as you can is a best practice.

Sending a note gives you another opportunity to emphasize what most excites you about the position, including details that you learned in the interview. It also shows initiative and can demonstrate that you are good with details and follow through (especially important if that’s key to the position).

So, what should it say? For starters, address the thank you note – or thank you email – to the name of the person who interviewed you. If you were interviewed by more than one person then send a note to each person. Emailing the note is acceptable, especially since jobs in this tight labor market are moving quickly.

Next, express your gratitude for the interviewer taking their time to get to know you. Then, include some details of your conversation, which shows you were being attentive and gives you a chance to showcase some of your strong skills that would be a benefit in the position.

Finally, close out the note with a final word of thanks and sign your name. If it’s an email, consider adding your phone number under your name for quick reference.

It is best to send the note as soon as possible, in the same day as your interview occurs if possible. That way the interviewer knows that you are interested in the position and hopefully it will help them come to a decision sooner.

A thank you note is the perfect way to communicate to the hiring manager that you are a solid applicant and that you are enthusiastic about the potential opportunity.

Sample thank you note:

Dear Jan,

Thank you so much for taking the time to discuss your opening for a customer service representative today. I am very interested in this opportunity.

I really enjoyed what you shared about your company culture and I can see myself contributing to the team. My database experience would be a real asset in this position.

Thank you again for your time, please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide to help in your decision.

Warmest Regards,

Madison

TGHR News

Employee on unexpected leave…now what?

Tiffany Moore

March 29, 2018

Having employees out, even it’s just for one day, can lead to undue stress on other employees. Not to mention, leave work unfinished and business unattended. Research shows that more than 10% of the workforce is on a qualified FMLA leave at any given time. Since it was signed into law more than two decades ago, 100 million employees have used this benefit.

There’s a simple solution if you find yourself with an employee unexpectedly out. Hire a temp through TGHR! Using temporary employees is a common solution. According to the American Staffing Association (ASA), staffing companies nationwide employed an average of 3.19 million temporary and contract workers per week in 2017. This is the third highest number of temp employees since right before the recession (2006). Temporary employees worked an average assignment of 10.7 weeks in 2017.

Temporary workers can work for as little as one day to cover your front desk or for a few months to run your payroll due to an extended leave of absence. At That’s Good HR, we’ve helped provide temporary workers for a one-day absence in a mail room or for a receptionist to cover a front desk for a day. We have provided temporary accountants for one week to three months and more. If you need HR support, a medical verification specialist or a customer service representative we have temps for those positions too.

Didn’t plan ahead? Not a problem. That’s why we are interviewing people daily so we can be ready for your call. We see this all the time and are happy to help in these times of need. Need a temp? Call us today!

Seasonal

Celebrating International Women’s Day

March 8, 2018

Today, March 8, marks International Women’s Day. But for us at TGHR, every day is women’s day as we come into the office and do our best to propel both men and women forward in their careers.

International Women’s Day has been celebrated since the early 1900s and is observed globally, not just in the United States. Some say it started in 1908 when 15,000 women marched in New York City demanding equal pay and shorter working hours. Other say it began in 1913 stemming from a declaration from the Socialist Party. Either way, it’s been around for more than 100 years and it’s here to stay. The United Nations officially recognized International Women’s Day in 1975.

The day was created to bring awareness to the gender pay gap – a gap that is still prevalent today. According to the 2017 Global Gender Gap Report, published by the World Economic Forum, the global gender gap will take 100 years to close. Countries that have the smallest gap, in order, are Iceland, Norway, Finland, Rwanda and Sweden. The United States ranks 49^th, while our North America neighbor, Canada ranks 16^th. Iceland has been the world’s most gender equal country for nine years running. The country recently made headlines for passing a law that went into effect on January 1, 2018 that makes it mandatory for companies to demonstrate that they pay men and women fairly.

International Women’s Day is celebrated with talks, lectures, conferences, performances, and demonstrations occurring world-wide. Here’s some suggestions on how you can mark the occasion, regardless of gender:

Be informed. Use part of your day to become informed. Research gender equality issues, health issues or other issues that create this inequity.
Thank the women in your life. Take a moment today and write a thank you note to a woman who has helped you, encouraged you, or influenced your life in a positive way. This is an activity that you can do no matter what gender you identify with and will only take moments out of your day.
Read or Watch. Take time to read a great book by a female author. Plan a brown bag book discussion over lunch with friends or co-workers. No time to read? Take in a movie with a strong female lead or director. Better yet – make it documentary on women’s issues. Another option – take in a TED Talk.
Show your support. Post on social media why International Women’s Day matters to you. There are selfie cards online that echo this year’s theme, #PressforProgress, to help you. Want to make your own? There’s an option for that too.

We are proud to be a women-owned business every day – but especially today. And we’ll keep working to advance our fellow females (and all our other candidates too)!

TGHR News

Our Key to Success = Company Culture

Mary Springer

Partner

March 5, 2018

People before profits. That’s our company motto. Whether we’re placing a temporary employee out in the workforce, catering to one of our clients, or talking to our internal staff, we put people first.

This October That’s Good HR will celebrate 20 years in business and over the years That’s Good HR has never lost focus on what matters most – people. Ten out of our 15 employees have been at That’s Good HR for 5+ years and four team members can celebrate 10+ years with the company.

What’s our secret, you ask? Cultivating a positive company culture. We’ve never bragged about this before, but recently were honored as a Best Places to Work in Indiana. How did we achieve this honor? By creating a supportive, family-friendly environment by providing flexible schedules, including part-time options and work-from-home when needed options. TGHR employees like to come in the office too for employee appreciation lunches, pop-up smoothie bars, chili cook-offs and more.

We are always looking for innovative ways to appreciate our employees. So last year, after reading an insightful article, we introduced a new concept for TGHR – bonus days. Each employee, full and part-time employee alike, receives one bonus day per quarter. This day is designed to be used to do something for yourself like take time to pamper yourself, go shopping or take a long weekend. Bonus days are scattered through the quarter ensuring that not the entire office is off at once.

TGHR does many standard practices for employees, including offering great health benefits available from your first day of work, to having an employee of the quarter, complete with a comically large trophy, and a swinging holiday party celebrated in January with spouses.

Twenty years ago, That’s Good HR was founded out of a desire to do staffing better. This includes treating people better too – our candidates, our clients and our internal employees. Want to work with us and see why we’re one of the Best Places to Work in Indiana? Reach out and our team would be happy to show you.