Editor's Note
There are employees who come to work every day. Just like the
children who get perfect attendance certificates at school,
these employees never take time off for relaxation, family,
travel, and yes, even illness. They share their stress and
their germs, and they stand to remind us that there is more to
life than work. While an employer might feel resentful on some
level at having to pay employees to not come to work, there is
a purpose to vacation and sick leave. Allowing employees to
prioritize their personal needs makes for a happier and
healthier workforce and, in the end, the job gets done and it
gets done better. The articles presented in this Bi-Weekly
Business Bullet shed some insight into the issues surrounding
vacation and sick leave. As always, we encourage readers to
click the Post Comment option at the bottom of our articles,
add your own ideas and share your experiences.
Gail Perry, CPA
Managing Editor
AccountingWEB, Inc.
editor@accountingweb.com
Hot Topics
Survey results show many companies are unprepared for XBRL
Like it or not, momentum is building for IFRS
Top 10 ways to motivate your employees this summer
Debit cards are new option for Social Security recipients
IRS changes extension rules for K-1 business taxpayers
More Hot Topics
Next issue's theme: Accounting Software - Large Companies
|
|
|
Taking time off from work, whether you're sick or just need
some vacation time, is no longer a given. While many employees
can call in sick and still get paid, even if a family member is
ill and needs care, that's not true for all workers. According
to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 43 percent of
Americans get a smaller paycheck if they can't go to work due
to illness. A bill in Congress would mandate that businesses
with 15 or more workers to provide at least seven paid sick
days per year.
more
As temperatures begin to rise, so may unscheduled absences in
the workplace. The Workforce Institute has announced the
findings of a survey conducted by Harris Interactive and
sponsored by Kronos Incorporated. According to the "Summer
Absenteeism" survey, an overwhelming 39 percent of employees
working full time have called in sick to work to enjoy a day
off during the summer vacation season.
more
Although many small business owners take "working" vacations,
the American Small Business Travelers Alliance has five simple
rules small businesses can follow to achieve an effective work-
vacation balance. By following a few simple rules, small
business owners can enjoy their vacation time and keep an eye
on business.
more
A survey suggests that U.S. workers may need more flexible work
arrangements, as they are using their sick time to handle
family emergencies or personal issues. While 34 percent of
people who call in sick to work at the last minute do so
because of illness, 66 percent are taking time for other
reasons.
more
More than 44 million Americans are caring for an aging relative
and 29 million of these are employed, according to the
nonprofit National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and AARP. The
U.S. Department of Labor estimates that in 2008, "54 percent of
the work force will be involved in caring for an older person,"
the AARP Bulletin says. Turnover is high among these workers,
many of whom are sandwiched between two generations who need
care - their young children and their aging parents.
more
Elevator speeches. 60 Second Commercials. 30 Second
Commercials. Personal Introductions. Networking Introductions.
Defining Statements. Positioning Statements. Which networking
introduction do you use? And when? And with whom?
more
Marketers Unite!
The first Association for Accounting Marketing (AAM) annual
conference I attended was in 2001 in Toronto. Last week's
gathering in San Diego was a stark contrast. Oh, sure, some
things haven't changed, such as few CPAs in the mix. These
conferences are outstanding opportunities for a firm's managing
partner to accompany the marketing director they are sending.
Hopefully, someday that will be the norm rather than the
exception.
more
|