Staffing

Are You Taking a Spring Break?

Mary Springer

Partner

March 27, 2019

Many employees across the U.S. are getting ready for Spring Break. Did you know that this time off from work may actually extend your tenure at your job? A recent IBJ infographic noted for every week that employees took off, it extended their stay at their company by eight months. We at TGHR know how important tenure is since our entire client services staff has been with the company for 10 years or more! In addition, as a result of every 10 vacation hours an employee took, their performance review was 8 percent higher.

Vacation is good for the soul as reported by the American Psychological Association in their annual Work and Well-Being Study. Sixty-eight percent of workers claimed they were more positive after returning from taking vacation time and 66 percent claimed to have more energy. This translated to 57 percent of employees feeling more motivated and 58 percent of workers saying they were more productive.

But does everyone use all their vacation time? In 2018 there were 212 million unused vacation days and only 41 percent of US workers said they felt encouraged by their companies to take their vacation. But companies who encouraged their employees to go on a vacation like Spring Break had employees that felt more valued and who were satisfied with their job. One of the most important statistics? The employees who worked at places who encouraged taking vacation said they were likely to recommend their employer as a good place to work, 81 percent versus 39 percent.

But having workers out on vacation can cause added stress on a company, but there’s no need to fret. That’s Good HR places people on temporary assignments for as short as one day. If you have someone headed out on Spring Break or if you are prepping for a summer vacation give us a call. We are ready to help so vacation can be stress-free for you and your employees!

About TGHR

That’s Good HR Named to Best of Staffing

Mary Springer

Partner

February 11, 2019

We are thrilled to announce that That’s Good HR has earned ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing® Client Award for providing superior service to our clients. That’s Good HR received scores of 9 or 10 out of 10 from 95.8 percent of clients, which was our highest NPS score to date. This satisfaction percentage is also significantly higher than the industry’s average of 35 percent. Less than 2 percent of all staffing agencies in the U.S. and Canada have earned the Best of Staffing Award for service excellence. On average, clients of winning agencies are 2.2 times more likely to be completely satisfied with the services provided compared to those working with non-winning agencies. We can’t thank our clients enough.

One of the best things about participating in the annual survey, is we receive direct feedback from our clients. This feedback validates the work that we do daily for our clients and candidates. Here’s a sample of our feedback:

TGHR does a great job at providing quality candidates and our company has been able to retain the majority of those candidates!
That’s Good HR, Inc. has been a solid provider of candidates when we’ve needed additional support. They have a lovely team that is communicative and helpful, and they are very knowledgeable about their industry and location.
They really care about their clients and their candidates and it shows. I love working with That’s Good HR!
Always a good experience working with TGHR to fill either short or long-term staffing needs.
The staff is very responsive, helpful, friendly and enjoyable to work with.
Read more testimonials here.

The survey was conducted in December 2018 and was sent to all hiring managers and companies we had worked with in a three-month period. The results are tabulated and were released in February 2019. The awards are presented by ClearlyRated in partnership with CareerBuilder. ClearlyRated (formerly known as Inavero) is an independent, international company that administers more staffing agency client and talent satisfaction surveys than any other firm in the world, reporting on more than 1.2 million satisfaction surveys from staffing agency clients and job seekers each year.

So, thanks. Thanks to our clients who let us help them find the best talent for their open positions. We are grateful for your support and your feedback. We share this honor with you!

Taxes

Tax Changes are in Effect

Greta Cline

Partner, CFO/COO

January 14, 2019

Please note, this content was written for informational purposes only, consult your own tax or accounting professional before filing your taxes.

Our tax blog summarizing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was one of the most read blogs of 2018. The new laws that were passed in late 2017, will go into effect with your 2018 tax return that is due April 15,2019. As a reminder, one thing that will make an impact is the change in the dollar amounts and percentages of the 7 different tax brackets. Here’s the breakdown so you can see which bracket you fall into.

A new W-4 form was also released in February of 2018. A W-4, simply put, is the form you fill out when you start a new job. The W-4 determines your withholding from your paycheck. You can update this at any time even if you haven’t recently changed jobs. A copy of this form can be found here. Give your updated form to your payroll department. They will ensure the changes are recorded properly in your payroll record.

Next, there are new amounts for a standard deduction. As a taxpayer you can chose to take the standard deduction or itemize your deductions. For a single filer (or if you are married but filing separately), the deduction has increased from $6,350 to $12,000. For Head of Household, the deduction has increased from $9,350 to $18,000. For married couples, the standard deduction has increased from $12,700 to $24,000.

Normally about 30% of taxpayers file their returns utilizing itemized deductions. Because of the increase in the standard deduction amounts, be sure to compare your total itemized amounts to the new standard deduction. It could make sense to claim the standard deduction this year.

Also, educate yourself on the itemized deductions that have new limits, or if you are no longer eligible to deduct that item at all. A $10,000 limit was added to SALT (State and Local Tax itemized deduction). Property taxes are local taxes that would be included in the new limit. Some common deductions – like your tax preparer fees – are no longer deductible starting with this filing. Other deductions that have gone by the wayside include un-reimbursed employee costs, moving expenses, employer-subsidized parking, loses due to theft, and union dues.

This is a high-level glimpse of some of the inaugural changes our 2018 tax returns will experience. We hope this inspires you to meet with your own tax/accounting professional before filing your 2018 return.

About TGHR

Best Blogs of 2018

December 20, 2018

Tips

How to be a Good Partner

Tiffany Moore

VP, Client Partnerships

December 3, 2018

On a recent visit with one of my longtime clients, he asked me a question that I appreciate more than any other – “how can I as a hiring manager be a better partner to you?”. I truly value each one of my clients and do not look at the work I do daily as transactions. I believe my relationships are partnerships that I value deeply. Client interactions are a two-way street where both parties benefit. So, how can you help best?

First, time is of the essence in today’s job market. Giving me feedback quickly will help secure the best candidates for your positions. We have seen that candidates with accounting experience such as accounts receivable/payable move incredibly fast – as do most other positions as well.

Next, don’t be shy! Tell me the specific job skills and experiences you require (or do not) require for a potential employee after you review resumes. When we learn your specific preferences, it helps us to screen candidates more accurately before sending them for your review. Be honest as the more information you give, the better.

Then, once you have received resumes, it is best to schedule interviews within a day or two. This ensures the candidates that you want are still available in this fast-paced, competitive job market.

Once a candidate interviews, one way we can be a good partner to you is by providing 360-degree feedback. This could include how your company and employees presented themselves during the interview and the candidates overall impressions of your company. This information can help you stay competitive with future employees.

In the end, That’s Good HR, Inc. has built our business in Indianapolis by creating client partnerships for 20 years. And I am proud to say that I am fortunate enough to be hitting my 11-year anniversary in January. The amazing partnerships I have built over the last 11 years with clients like the one mentioned above is the reason I still love my job today!

Seasonal

TGHR Thanksgiving Traditions

November 19, 2018

Thanksgiving means traditions! Approximately, 88% of Americans eat turkey as part of their Thanksgiving dinner, amounting to 46 million turkeys eaten in the US on Thanksgiving. Here are some favorite traditions from our TGHR family.

Our VP, Client Partnerships Tiffany enjoys sweet potato casserole every year, but she puts brown sugar on top – not marshmallows. She pairs that up with broccoli casserole and pumpkin cheesecake for the perfect family feast. After eating, it’s time to strategize for Black Friday deals!

You’ll find Account Manager Amber enjoying these apple dumplings on the big day. There’s a surprise secret ingredient that you’ll never guess. You can take the girl out of Kentucky but can’t take Kentucky out of the girl!

It’s no surprise that the always active Staffing Specialist, Kate starts her Thanksgiving by running the Drumstick Dash in Broad Ripple with her family and friends. After the race, she enjoys a mimosa brunch before hosting Thanksgiving dinner.

Greta, our CFO and Co-Owner, is starting a new tradition this year by running the ZGravy Chase in Zionsville with her family. To keep the healthy vibes going, here’s one of her favorite side dishes to bring to the table to compliment the turkey. To make this oh-so-pretty Thanksgiving salad, use kitchen shears to cut 1 ½ bags of spring mix salad. Then dice one orange pepper and one yellow pepper into bite sized chunks. Roast one cup of pine nuts for two to three minutes (don’t forget to salt the nuts right before placing them in the oven). Grab a glass salad bowl and layer the salad in the following order: Spring mix, peppers, goat cheese, pine nuts. Repeat this pattern until you bowl is full!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Staffing Specialist Staci is starting a new tradition. She will be baking and decorating cookies with the women in her family. Everyone will bring their recipe and container to take home a sample of everyone’s goodies. The day includes a fun festival cocktail as well!

We at That’s Good HR hope you day is filled with traditions both new and old! Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

Tips

Not a Morning Person? Here’s How to Become One in 5 Easy Steps

Ashley Paramoure

October 24, 2018

When you wake up, what are the consistent things you do every morning before work? Wake up, take a shower, get dressed, eat breakfast, brush your teeth and other simple tasks, right? Adding a less than 15-minute routine, can help you be more productive during the day and give you an added boost to make you into a morning person in no time. Here are five suggestions for you to create your new morning routine from:

Breathe. Start simple by adding a breathing technique. Inhale while counting to four then exhale while counting to three. This will help you feel energized and is also a good trick to use if you feel stressed later in the day. You can also up your game with this 1-minute breathing routine once you get the hang of it.
Drink Water. Continuing with the “start simple” trend, here’s another easy idea to begin with. Drink a glass of cold water first thing in the morning. It will help wake you up and hydrate your body for the day ahead.
Get Moving! Starting your day with a quick round of exercises can lead to increased productivity later in the day. Just 2 minutes of simple push-ups, sit-ups or a wall sit can do the trick. Research has shown that substituting exercise for caffeine makes a significant daily difference. Try it!
Practice Gratitude. A daily practice of gratitude, whether you do it in the morning or before bed, has been known to improve your physical and mental health. Just writing down three to five things you are thankful for does the trick. Jot them down in a notebook or on the notes app on your phone – establish whatever method works best for you.
Generate Ideas. Author James Altucher (he’s written 18 successful books) claims that if you generate 10 ideas a day for six months, you will be able to offer ideas on any subject at any time. The ideas can be for anything – ideas for work, ideas for businesses, ideas for your family, ideas for things to do – the sky is the limit! Ten ideas may seem like a lot at first, but you’ll be humming along in no time.

So, what will you start doing tomorrow?

Customer Experiences

From Candidate to Client

September 20, 2018

When Erin McLennan was about to graduate college, she wasn’t sure where she would land a job. She was no stranger to working, since she had been employed at a local hospital while balancing her studies. Erin majored in Psychology but was unsure if she wanted to head to graduate school or seek full time employment upon graduation.

Some of her friends from the hospital had used That’s Good HR (TGHR) to find a job, so Erin decided to reach out to a recruiter at our office. She made an interview appointment and met staffing manager Kate Stephens. Shortly after interviewing with TGHR, Erin was offered a position at an innovative company in Carmel as a lending associate on a temporary basis. After a few short months, her role converted to a permanent position and six months after that, based on her performance, she was made a supervisor.

After just two years at the company, Erin had gone from being a TGHR candidate to a TGHR client responsible for her own team. She was confident in the quality of TGHR temporary employees and knew it would make hiring employees a breeze.

Erin is now a product manager in the technology field working with software engineers. She credits TGHR for finding a career field that she is not only passionate about, but also excelling in. Erin never would have guessed she would be in the technology field after college. She is thankful she found a position where she can use her knowledge and creativity at the same time.

Erin’s favorite thing about working with TGHR could be credited to her psychology background. She loved having someone to go to as a mentor to counsel her through her job seeking journey. Erin felt supported by Kate right after college and found it helpful to know she had someone in her corner.

As a client, Erin appreciated TGHR’s high-level of customer service. When Erin was busy supervising 20 people, she was grateful that there was always a live person picking up the phone at TGHR if she had an issue or needed additional employees. When hiring, Erin looks for someone with a good personality and willingness to learn, just the type of candidates TGHR likes to work with – a perfect fit!

When she’s not working, Erin enjoys the outdoors with her black lab, Charlie, and is keeping busy planning her upcoming wedding. Wedding details can be stressful, but hiring decisions are not thanks to That’s Good HR!

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!