HR Soapbox - Clutter Trumps Neatness? Not If I Can Help It!

May 17, 2007

Volume 6, Number 13

In This Issue... CLUTTER TRUMPS NEATNESS? NOT IF I CAN HELP IT!

CAN ANY OF YOUR HR POLICIES & PROCEDURES LAND YOU IN LEGAL PERIL?

With so many changing rules and regulations, it's likely that one or more of your human resources practices and procedures may be in violation of a state or federal employment law. The only true way to ensure your organization is conducting its operations in full compliance with the law is to regularly conduct an HR audit.

That's where we can help. During AHI's web conference: Conducting An HR Audit: Ensuring Your Policies And Procedures Are In Full Compliance With The Law, Robert Brody, Esq., will walk you through the questions you should be asking yourself to uncover potential legal liability in your organization. He will also review the most common errors in policies and procedures that trip up employers like yourself.

Don't wait until an expensive lawsuit or government investigation forces you to learn about your obligations...register today for:

CONDUCTING A HUMAN RESOURCES AUDIT:
Ensuring Your Policies And Procedures Are In Full Compliance With The Law

90-Minute Live Web Conference
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
1:00 PM Eastern Time
Robert Brody, Esq.

Sign Up For AHI's Free E-Mail Newsletters:

• Employment Law Today
• Benefits Alert
• HR Soapbox

Use This Link To Sign Up.

Share The Knowledge:

Forward this newsletter to a colleague.

CLUTTER TRUMPS NEATNESS? NOT IF I CAN HELP IT!

When I read an article that concluded neatness is overrated and clutter is king, I nearly fell off my chair. Has the world gone mad? (By the way, I really didn't nearly fall off my chair. I was just a little surprised, actually.)

According to the authors of A Perfect Mess: The Hidden Benefits of Disorder, neatness is overrated, expensive, and zaps time and creativity. "Mess" is described as being robust, adaptable, and complete; tells a story (think: what you know about your friends because of their clutter); and is natural.

The authors' claims caused the National Association of Professional Organizers to speak up and defend neatness and order. According to members of that organization, disorganization and chaos apparently can send the average person into a tailspin.

As far as what both groups claim, I definitely fall into the disorganization-causes-tailspin category. That "tailspin" being feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and maybe a little confused.

I disagree with the authors' claims that neatness costs time and money. Being neat has never made me late for work or for an appointment. And I've never spent money on overpriced containers from a store that specializes in selling containers, either. Neat is natural for me, just like clutter is natural for others.

Whether you're naturally neat or made to be messy, here are some of my suggestions for turning disorder into order at work that won't cost you (or your company) any valuable time or money.

Use a day planner. Doesn't have to be anything fancy. A simple notepad will do. Use it to write down and keep track of daily tasks, sappointments, meetings, etc.
Spend a little time each day, even just five minutes, putting papers in order, putting files away, putting manuals back on shelves, etc.
Make distinct, labeled piles. (And by "labeled," I mean a sticky note will suffice.) For example, documents that need follow-up — "Follow-Up"; documents to be filed away (but you don't have the time right now) — "To Be Filed"; documents you no longer need — "Recycle" or "Shred" (whichever may apply).
Write down important questions and items you definitely need to discuss before making phone calls. (For this, you can use that notepad I mentioned earlier.) That way, you avoid the post-hang-up "oops I forgot to ask about..." realization, and then have to call back.
Sort e-mails. Again, five minutes should be enough time. Create folders for certain topics and then sort them according to those topics. Keep it simple if you want, such as one folder for e-mails that need follow-up, one for messages you must save but don't need a reply or any action, and one for miscellaneous messages (company announcements, memos). Or, label e-mail folders according to your paper filing system for easy sorting.

Good luck, stay neat, or clutter away!

Melissa McKeown
Editor

TOP 5 RESOURCES FOR HUMAN RESOURCES PROFESSIONALS

1.
AHI's Complete Employee Termination Kit

Covers all the steps, tips, and tools you need to: audit the termination decision; break the news to employees; interview exiting employees; properly document your actions; and comply with federal and state employment laws (including payment of final wages). It also includes customizable versions of all of the termination forms, notices, and documents you’ll need.

2.
Complete Personnel
Documentation Library

Gives you a complete collection of Human Resources documents for every situation... customizable with the click of your mouse. We have designed all the forms based on legal specifications to protect you and your organization from costly fines and lawsuits.

3.
The Complete Policy Handbook

Shows you how to safeguard against the damage that loopholes in your employee handbook can cause. You'll get a CD-ROM containing a complete set of ready-to-print policies for a foolproof manual of your own...policies that have stood up to courtroom challenges...with language that has worked in defending other employers.

4.
Employer's Guide To Record- Keeping Requirements

Covers all the records, files, and documents demands made on employers by state and federal laws and agencies; as well as what you must post on company property to stay on the right side of employment laws.

5.
Employee Problem Solver

Gives you a solid mix of practical advice seasoned with legal experience for attacking the problem, not the personality, in difficult situations that you and your managers face every day. Each general problem area is designed to offer immediate practical steps for preventing, attacking, and solving tough personnel problems.