Make my crap your treasure

For the past two days we have been outside. Neighbors, people from other localities and anyone who read an add came buy our home. This weekend our street had a neighborhood yard sale. People came by offering nickels and dimes and other small bills from the things we no longer want. I am happy to say that most of the ‘stuff’ we were able to get rid of. However, today is Sunday and we have some things left over.

Cleaning House

Before the culmination of the last two days there had to be decisions on what was valuable and what others would want. What could be kept and thrown away. That process took weeks. Yet, starting to go through the junk for a simple garage sale wasn’t so simple. At the same time it allowed me to find other things. Clean out parts of the house and garage that needed to be cleaned.

Spring Cleaning

To compare this to work is very easy. Maybe there are some things in your office, at your work station that you need to remove, box up or maybe give to a co-worker that could really use it.

For those that are “location-neutral,” working out of your home, remotely, traveling to and from – from city to city or driving your car from appointment to appointment – maybe you could stand to get rid of some things that no longer belong or add value to your space.

Letting it go

It will be hard to get rid of some things. Especially if what you hold in your hand, when trying to make a decision, has been with you for a few years or more. That planted geranium that you bought and placed in the corner when you first started. The old picture of your anniversary and employee of the month certificate. Maybe it is a desk calendar that holds the writing of some important project or  number (while the date is from 3 years ago or older). Regardless maybe it is time for you to clean it all out, make a decision on what you need to keep and what needs to go.

Not always easy

When I was laid off from my last job, I knew a year out that it would possibly happen. I could see the affect of the economy on the business. I saw my budget and P&L lines decrease slowly. I prepared. But even though I knew and had time, it was still not easy to decide between what I would put in a box to take with me or what I could leave.

Start off the week with some Spring Cleaning

Monday, when you get back to your space and begin the week, take about an hour to do some spring cleaning.

Are you doing anything now to clean house? How will you put things in order?

Yeaaah/Booooo the Health care Bill has passed… Now what?

While the ink on bill H.R. 3962, “the Affordable Health Care for America Act” has yet to completely dry and the fact that there may still be some changes (due to rants, raves, agreements and disagreements), many questions are evident for employers (small and large) and the average person. So in thinking about this, I decided to do a search of current information that lists the potential impact this bill may have on both the employee and the employer. Enjoy and as I find more I will add to the list.

Read the House bill (PDF)

You might also want to check out FactCheck.org just to review anything and everything on the political claims to separate the crap from the gravy.
Employer Resources:
Connecticut Employment Law Blog – What Passage of the Health Care Bill Means for Employers
NY Times, What Obama’s New Health Care Plan Means for Small Businesses

Employee Resources:
Washington Post, What the health bill means for you

Entrepreneur Resources:
What the New Health Bill Means For Entrepreneurs

General Perspectives (Publica, etc.):
What Health Care Reform Means For: Small Businesses
CNN – Health Care Bill Would Force Employers to Provide Coverage or Pay a Fee (while this is a CNN news article, I found it on SHRM’s site under the listed title)

If you happen to come across good resources that will help employers and employees understand the outcomes of the bill – please feel free to send them to so they can be posted.

Doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from or what economic status you fall under; the Health care argument is a topic that none of us can ignore. Today, a historic vote is about to take place. Will it end with this vote? Does any piece of legislation ever end with one vote, of course not!

One Argument For

No one is an expert. Guess what, if you are a person, politician…a republican, democrat, independent or even Regina M. Benjamin… you are not an expert on Health care. You may have more practice and information than others but you are not an expert. I say this because the basics of health care in this country, the business of it, and the policies that are amended change. This machine continues to evolve. Your opinion and fact, while true at the moment, could be obsolete within 6 months.

The Problem with Health Care & Politics:

One Argument Against

The fundamental problem with politics is that people are behind it. We as humans have differences in philosophy, understanding and information. Those factors are then framed within a silo of our own opinions. We then use those opinions to argue, push or influence what we believe to be right.

“The belief that there is only one truth, and that oneself
is in possession of it, is the root of all evil in the world”

The thing about an opinion is that everyone has one, which is why politicians in the house, the senate, congress and the executive branch will not be able to come up with one plan, one approach, one bill that will solve everything. Should that stop us from gaining progress to fix the system?

The Problem with Business & Politics:

The fundamentals of business do not at all coincide with the thoughts and approaches of “Health Care (caring for a person) & Politics.” The politics of business is to make the business money. Yes we hope that a business will have what we all believe are morals. We hope that the business will do what is in the best interest of the customers, employees, clients and patients. However we must not ignore that if the business behind the machine that is providing Health care does not make money then they can no longer provide care.

Cost versus Consequences: The estimated cost to either fix or overhaul the system is close to 1 trillion dollars. I am not an expert but I believe that if any decision is to be made, then you first have to know the facts that are presented (most recent versions I found):

Health care Bill (Summary) and Health care Bill (Full Version)

While the cost to take care of things now may be large, how much will it be if we don’t? In August of last year CBS News had a report of How Much Health Care Reform will cost. Here is one Doctor’s opinion of why Health care Reform Needs to Pass Now. Whether you agree with it or not, don’t just have an opinion (they are a nickel a dozen) have an opinion based off valid information (yeah, that’s easy huh).

Synopsis – Take a stance:

I have referenced to many aspects of the argument. The thing that matters to me the most is that we, our representatives (whether you agree that they represent you or not) and business take a stance. No more waiting, no more political maneuvering. Any politician that is fearful of losing their job based on a vote, probably should have never had the job in the first place. Regardless, do what you feel is best. Not for politics, not for your employer, but what you feel deep down in your gut should be done.

What are your heartfelt opinions? Have you even given any thought to it?

Stay informed – more thoughts on the topic:

“Healthcare – US Bureau of Labor Statistics”

“HR Bloggers Silence on Health Care Reform” by Krista Ogburn Francis

“Death, Health care, and the employer albatross” by Mark Stelzner

“The Vote on Healthcare and the Future of Work” by Sharlyn Lauby

“Lessons from Health Care: The Semantics of Power” by Jason Seiden

“Healthcare Reform Blog” by Alan Katz

“The Healthcare Blog”

So about the title… umm you just got laid off, through no fault of your own. It can be difficult to sit on the other end of a desk. The supervisor or person who you feel might as well be holding a gun to your head to keep you from reaching over and slapping them for saying, “this is nothing personal.” Well guess what, they are wrong. While dissolving of a position or reduction of workforce may be a business decision, it is very personal, for the people giving the news and the individual receiving it. It is easy to list a few of the many disadvantages; the packing of personal or company items (for you thieves) with or without security, the walk to the car, the oh so long drive on the way home to think about what has just happened, the breaking of news to the family and then the subtle but daunting task of searching for a new position.

So what could possibly be the benefit that comes from losing, for what many of us is, our only source of income? What great things could be hidden in this process for the HR person delivering the news? Few would agree that there are any benefits, yet believe it or not there are. There are even more benefits now then there were even a few years ago. Having a good breakfast and calling other unemployed friends are not among the reasons I am discussing, although pretty damn good and funny!

For HR:

• It’s a chance for HR to make the company look Humane. Being in the room for a lay-off with the manager and employee is not something any of us wants to be apart of often but it is one task that can come with the job. You have a chance to show what gratitude there may be for the employees service and help in retaining the brand of your company. The last thing you want is for the person to have a bad experience, echo it out to the world through twitter and the blogosphere and set you up as a bad guy, ultimately leaving a bad impression on any future candidate that you want to hire for that same position after the righteous company comeback (did I just say “that same position” oops). We, HR, can be perceived as the good people for a change!
• Performance issues. Have to be careful here but, let’s face it, not all supervisors do a good job in effectively giving performance reviews. The good and bad  is not always outlined. But regardless of who is at fault, if there were issues with the employee/employer relationship, reduction in workforce is an easier argument to have and a much quicker conversation. Especially in this economy.
• More quiet time. Fewer employees mean fewer grievances, reduced visits to your office and request for the “private talk” about ones supervisor and/or boss. OK, this is not really a good argument, but you have all thought about it haven’t you? Why be afraid, admit it.

For the Unemployed:

• Family Time. The maximum benefit would be the time you spend with your family and friends. You can become even closer with the extra time you are spending together. Let’s face it, your kids, significant other and people who are most important to you will never say, “Dang you should have spent more time at work.”
• Regenerate/Reflection. If you are like me, there is never enough time in the day. If you are currently not working, you often feel like you have more work to do then you did when you were working. In this time away, you can now take the time to get to know another side of yourself that you have not experienced in awhile. You take the time to discover what that side is.
• Reevaluate life and career goals. Why Not Re-Evaluate Your Career Path Choices? Nuff said.
• Unemployment Benefits. No longer are there long lines at the unemployment office. The unemployed can now handle everything online (that is if they can still afford internet access). Don’t quote me but the max you can receive on an unemployment claim is around $452, given you make more than $900, give or take. There has been talk of an added benefit under the new administration prolonging benefits for an added 13 months as well as an increase in benefits for up to $25 to those who qualify. You scoff, “Ooh a whole $25 extra.” Yeah you are laughing now but an extra $25 can go a long way in tough times.
• Retraining. Yes, if you need an upgrade in certifications, knowledge or skills; there is potential to receive added funds. Only to those who quality and ask.
• Other possible benefits: Refinance or Modification of a Mortgage Loan (check with your bank), Return the school, etc.
• Excuses to be cheap. When people ask for change, asking to cover the tab, or donations; you actually have a good excuse to be cheap!

This is a simple and brief list. Some of these were meant to help you laugh to keep from crying but there are real ways to deal and even recover from reduction in force. While difficult, a lay-off can end up being the bridge between the move from a potentially bad situation to better one, for both the employee and/or the employer.