How to Deal with an Employee Absence Surge on Mondays and Fridays

How to Deal with an Employee Absence Surge on Mondays and Fridays Apart from those of us that actually come to work for a rest, no employee could deny that they would enjoy more long weekends. However, some workers take having extended weekends off to an extreme. So much so that certain HR Managers and organisations have systems set up to highlight employees who are repeatedly absent from work on a Friday or a Monday, an ailment now referred to as “Mondayitus” and “Fridayitus”! “Fridayitus” is usually a result of an individual wanting a day off to extend their weekend, whereas “Mondayitus” is usually a consequence of burning the candle at both ends. However, regardless of the reasons for “Fridayitus” and “Mondayitus”, it costs organisations in the UK millions of pounds each year. Ways to reduce Monday and Friday absences:   So how do you put a stop to the virus? First of all it is important to identify that it is simply “Fridayitus” and “Mondayitus” and not related to other issues the employee may be having or experiencing outside of work. The best way of addressing this is through your existing sickness absence procedures and policies. Even if you don’t have specific policies and procedures in place, you can still follow simple steps to try and eliminate unwarranted absences. It is crucial to record absences so that you can pick up on any patterns. Once identified, employers should ensure that they have return to work interviews after each absence. Having an employee fill out an Absence Return Form may not be sufficient to eliminate the serial Friday and Monday absence offenders. There is no reason why an employee cannot be called in and asked why they have been absent, and told that it has come to your attention that their absences are always on a Friday or a Monday or a combination of both. Some employers hold a return to work interview for every absence no matter how short. Meanwhile, others only hold them in cases of longer absences of a week or more. However, the interviews, which only have to be informal and last a few minutes, could ultimately help reduce short term absences. Whichever way you decide to proceed, you should ensure that you are consistent in your approach and treat all employees the same, so that no individual feels that they are being singled out. This will also eliminate any potential discrimination. If employees know that they are going to be called in after each absence, during which they would have to explain the reason for their absence face to face with a Manager, there is evidence that it acts as a disincentive to take the sickness leave in the first place. The discomfort of having to sit and explain themselves and know that they are being monitored could break their pattern of sick leave. What steps should you take next? If employees don’t heed to this process, then employers may have to take matters further and instigate a formal procedure under their disciplinary or capability policies on a formal basis.   Most employers will have a threshold whereby a specific number of absences on Fridays and Mondays become unacceptable due to the disruption it causes their business. Having trigger points in your policies and procedures which leads to a formal procedure is always helpful and should be encouraged. At the formal meetings you should always start out by investigating whether there are any underlying health issues,  regardless of discussions that have been held previously with the individual in return to work interviews. Managers should also be mindful that absences may not always relate to somebody’s medical health or home life, it could be as a result of what is happening in the workplace. It is also advisable to explain to the employee the affect their absences have on the business, the people they work with, or the department they are in. If there are no serious issues then a warning should be given following a fair procedure, setting out time scales and suggestions for improvement in attendance. This should also be accompanied with a clear explanation as to what the consequences are, if no improvement is achieved within the specified period of time. If no improvement is then made, employers can proceed through their internal procedures by giving written warnings and final written warnings, leading up to dismissal if necessary. Alternatively you can introduce “duvet days”! Author:  Shiva Shadi is Head of Employment at dbf-law.co.uk, where she is able to use her experience in handling a broad range of employment matters to advice and guide businesses through any issues that they face.

8 Strict Rules to Abide By When You Quit Your Job

8 Strict Rules to Abide By When You Quit Your Job So, you’ve decided to quit your job. You’ve done all the research, carefully weighed your options, and have accepted a new job offer (nearly 32% of Americans are actively looking for a new job at one time). Fingers crossed,  youre hoping it’s the job of your dreams.  Congratulations! But before you break out the champagne, it’s worth planning on how to leave your present job with a bit of class. After all, you don’t want to burn any bridges with your current employers or colleagues. That could come back to bite you in the future. To ensure a smooth transition,  here are a few things to do before departing. Make It Official When You Quit Your Job Very often when leaving a job there is a lot of paperwork to be completed. Or official forms to be filled out. It would help your boss or HR department if you did as much as you could to complete the required documents promptly and correctly. Every company is different, so I won’t attempt to go through any specifics here. But the more you assist in this effort, the better off youll be. Saying that, there is one area in which I will give you some more specific guidance; handing in your notice. As with everything else, handing in your notice varies from company to company. Some companies will be very laidback about it and may even accept a verbal agreement (it is wise to submit a written confirmation just in case). But most will insist on written confirmation of your resignation. Whatever your company policy is, ensure you know it and abide by it. That means going back over your contract to find out how long your notice period is. If you know that your current company is going to have trouble finding someone to replace you in that time perhaps offer to extend the period by a week or two as an act of goodwill, provided that time frame doesnt affect your new employer negatively. Many people I know have found it difficult to strike the right tone in their letter of resignation. It probably isn’t wise to lay out the reasons for your departure especially if it is down to personal issues with colleagues. Generally it is recommended that you keep the letter short and formal like this one. One last point: don’t be a coward. You don’t want to find yourself waiting for your boss to leave their office for a meeting, before sneaking in to leave your notice in a sealed envelope on their desk. Not only can that potentially be embarrassing, it also leaves a sour taste in your employer’s mouth. And, again, your aim is not to burn any bridges. Gather up your courage and approach them in person. Prepare for the Counteroffer If you’ve been good at your job, don’t be surprised if your employer attempts to persuade you to stay by offering you an improved salary or a promotion. So before your final meeting with management, consider whether or not youd be willing to accept a counteroffer what would it take to make you stay?  Be warned, though, that if the sole reason you’ve handed in your notice is to try and get an improved salary at your current position, beware of getting burned. If your heart is set on leaving, and youre faced with a counteroffer,  be sure to thank your boss but politely decline. Back to the not burning bridges thing â€" don’t allow yourself to be lead into dialogue about what you dislike about your current job. And certainly don’t insult the employer by scoffing at the counteroffer. Either of those could end up with you doing more harm than good, no matter how constructive you think your comments are. Try to Leave All Bridges Intact Even if you werent exactly employee-of-the-year, you still have a chance to leave your boss and co-workers behind with a positive impression overall. You definitely don’t want to leave by stabbing everyone in back on your way out the door. No matter how much you hate your job, or colleagues, (31% of people in the USA leave their job because they dislike their boss) it really isn’t worth lowering yourself to cheap shots, gossip and/or gloating. At the end of the day it helps no one if you spend your notice period saying, “I can’t wait to leave because my new job pays more, has more talented staff…” etc.  Or to just sit around twiddling your thumbs until your last day. You’ll only annoy your current co-workers, and ruin your chance of a good reference later on. If you are leaving because you have serious concerns about how the company conducts itself, its best to resist the urge to criticize openly. If you’re that concerned, ask for a private meeting with your boss to talk through your issues and to bring them to his attention. If you really like your colleagues, and are genuinely sad about leaving make sure you provide your contact info. Or add them on Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. You’ll may lose touch eventually, but it’s the thought that counts, right? Inform Any Clients You Manage Clients are probably the most important aspect of your company, after all, they basically pay your salary! When leaving a client-facing role, it is courteous to inform them that you are changing jobs. If possible, you may be required to act as a go between while your replacement learns their new role. Ask your manager how to handle the transition; you may be instructed to utilize a company template letter, or you may need to construct your own personalized email. Whether or not you’ve worked with a client for some time, a sudden change in their contact person may cause anxiety. Assure them that they will continue to receive the same degree of attention and quality as before. No matter what, do not ignore any company contract clauses that prohibit you taking client lists or proprietary information with you. This could land you in serious hot water, it could potentially end up in court, making it difficult for you to get hired in the same field. Collect Important Documents The following is a list of items you will want to consider collecting before your departure. Youd be surprised how difficult these can be to obtain once you leave your company. Performance appraisals and feedback Non-proprietary reference materials Emails phone numbers of people you want to continue networking with Internal directories and organizational charts Your current job description and tasks Non-proprietary samples of your work Any processes that you’ve created for particular tasks Once again, I can’t emphasise this enough. You’d be surprised how many people forget this step! And make sure anything you take is within the bounds of company policy (and/or the law). Ask for References Yes, it seems downright awkward to ask a manager for a reference just as you are about to leave. But imagine how much harder it will be down the road after not seeing them for years! Ask your current supervisor if they would be willing to serve as a future reference for you, or perhaps even write a letter for you now while you are still fresh in their minds. The hallmark of an excellent supervisor or co-worker is one who is supportive of your career aspirations. So keep that in mind as you work up the courage to approach them. Tie Up Any Loose Ends Get as much of your “to-do” list done as possible before leaving so your replacement doesn’t have to pick up the pieces. If that isnt feasible, leave clear and detailed written instructions and status information. Make sure your work space both digitally and physically is organized so there won’t be any issue finding information once you’ve left. Nobody enjoys cleaning up someone else’s mess! One last act of goodwill is to let your manager know that you are willing to be contacted, over a reasonable period of time, if there are urgent questions that you can answer. Also offer to coach your successor if your tenure overlaps to ensure they can slot into the ‘you’ sized gap once you’ve left. Alternatively… If you really do hate your job and you can’t be doing with following these eight tips, you could just do what this disaffected journalist did when she decided to quit her job: About the Author: Josh Hansen writes on a wide range of career and employment topics for a variety of online publications. He also has a special interest in all things digital, which youll notice if you read a few of his other pieces. Image courtesy of alexskopje.

How to ace an assessment centre group discussion

How to ace an assessment centre group discussion Group discussions are a really common assessment exercise as they allow the recruiter to see how you interact with others and work as part of a team â€" essential skills in pretty much any job. You are not in direct competition with your fellow candidates, so aim for a collaborative, not competitive, approach in  group discussions. What’s involved? Usually you’ll be put into a group with several other candidates and given a subject to discuss.   This might be something related to the job you’re applying for, or it might be something completely unrelated, such as ‘your group is stranded on a desert island â€" which three items would you want to have with you?’  Either way, the purpose is to get you talking to each other. You’ll be asked to come to some sort of conclusion as a group, within a set time limit, and you might have to present your conclusions at the end of the discussion.    You will be observed throughout your discussion â€" often one assessor per candidate. There is no right or wrong answer, and in any case the assessors are more interested in how you get to your conclusion than they are in the conclusion itself (which is why they observe the whole exercise, rather than just show up for the presentation!) How to prepare These exercises are deliberately difficult to prepare for, as recruiters want to see the ‘real you’, so there is a limit to what you can do in advance.   Any research you have done into the company will help you to contribute knowledgeably to the discussion, but the exercise is very much dependent on the dynamics of the group on the day. Taking the opportunity to chat to the other candidates at lunchtime, or over coffee at the start of the day, can really help.   It allows you to get to know the people you’ll be working with in the group discussion and build rapport, which makes working together much easier. How to stand out on the day Keep your eye firmly on the ball throughout the group task, and give yourself every opportunity to make a strong impression on the various assessors. To do this you need to: 1. Manage the information Use the available resources.   Usually there will be white-boards / flipcharts available they are a great way to show the assessors what you’re thinking Be clear about what you’re trying to achieve.   Start by identifying what the objective of your discussion is and what the limitations of the task are (eg:   time, budget, etc) â€" this will help keep your discussion on track Structure!   Think about how you can go through the information logically and make it clear to the whole group.   This might be a SWOT analysis, or a comparison table â€" whatever works for the information you have. 2. Manage the time Keep track of time.   It can help to set out a plan or milestones in advance (for instance, allocating an amount of time to each question), as the conversation can sometimes become bogged down, wasting time Be flexible.   You might find your time is cut short by the assessors, or extra information is added halfway through, so be prepared to adapt under pressure. Your presentation will always take longer to write than you expect.   Give yourself plenty of time! 3. Manage the relationships Work with your team.   You don’t have to be the group leader to make an impression. In fact, groups rarely have one official leader and the role of ‘leader’ passes between different people in the group throughout the discussion. If you have quiet people in your group, try to get them involved and invite their opinions.   If they really don’t want to talk after a couple of attempts to get them involved, leave them to it you are not responsible for their performance, after all. If you have someone very dominant and overbearing, try to dilute their influence by thanking them for their contribution and then suggesting you hear from the rest of the group. Final tips: Remember, you are competing against a standard, not against the other candidates, so working together will help you all look good.   Recruiters may offer jobs to everyone from one assessment centre and nobody from another, and you’re more likely to meet the required level  if you’re all collaborating and supporting each other. And finally, it sounds cheesy but try to enjoy it!   The assessment centre exercises are intended to simulate what you would be doing if you got the job, so if you look like you’re having a  torrid  time, it’s a fair assumption that you might not enjoy the job much either.   Most recruiters are keen for their assessment centres to be a positive experience for candidates rather than an ordeal and you’ll perform better if you throw yourself into it and enjoy it.

Experiencing A Major Work Transition 3 Ways To Stay Ahead Of The Game

Experiencing A Major Work Transition 3 Ways To Stay Ahead Of The Game As you gain momentum in your career and develop yourself professionally, it is inevitable that at some point you will find yourself  navigating  a major  work transition. Whether its becoming a boss, acquiring a new boss, undergoing department restructuring, or  making a fresh start with a new company entirely- you will have to learn how to survive the transition period. This is undoubtedly an extremely challenging time no matter the circumstances, but  a savvy career woman has a few tricks up her sleeve in order to stay ahead of the game. Just remember to stay positive, remain  engaged,  and to  keep the following 3 things in mind 1. Get cozy with your team. It is important to familiarize yourself with the dynamic of your new surroundings. First and foremost, make an effort to establish an open dialog with your coworkers. In order to do this, you simply have to be friendly and interested. Acquaint yourself with the philosophies around you. Does your new company/boss/department place a strong emphasis on teamwork? What are some of your common goals? Identify  shared areas of interest  and use them as icebreakers. Effective communication is much easier when you are all on the same page. 2. Learn the language. Every industry has  its own lingo and every  individual has their own unique way of getting their  message across.  The  method that you use to  communicate can  bolster, or  botch, your transition period. Pay attention to your head honchos managing style; do they adopt a directing, team-oriented,  or participatory attitude? Perhaps they prefer a more informal interaction with their employees in order to break down barriers and  encourage teamwork. Effectively interpreting the style in which your team is led can save you lots of frustration. For some great tips on how to take the lead and  manage your boss, check out this Forbes article. and when the going gets tough, remember this fun yet effective saying 3. Not my monkeys, not my circus. You are not responsible for the dysfunctional dynamic of a department, the poor habits of certain coworkers, or the tyrannical behavior of a controlling boss. Sometimes we have to deal with difficult situations in the best way we can, and that is made easier by remembering to keep out of the drama. Keep your mind sharp and your focus clear.  Check out The Drama-Haters Guide to Dealing With Office Politics for some  no-nonsense advice on how to get this done effectively. Do you have any tips on how to survive a difficult  workplace transition? Tweet them to me  @sncueto or  @MsCareerGirl! Want to read more? Heres a book recommendation:  [amazon template=productasin=1412952816]

How to Write a Resume For Highschool Students - Tips to Help You Out

How to Write a Resume For Highschool Students - Tips to Help You OutWhen you want to learn how to write a resume for high school students, there are a few tips that will help you along the way. This job interview is probably one of the most important and stressful times in their life, and they need to make sure they have the best possible chance of being hired. This is why you need to follow these tips to ensure that your resume is well constructed and persuasive. They will help you create a resume that stands out from the rest.One of the first things that you need to do when you want to learn how to write a resume for high school students is to keep it simple. One of the main reasons why this is a good idea is because high school students are used to writing and not reading. You may be tempted to use keywords or a lot of colorful or fancy words when you write a resume, but this will only make the reader lose interest faster.The only way to make your resume stand out is to make it as easy to read as possible, so avoid using a lot of flashy words and pictures. Instead, use the basics and then go a little bit further. You want your information to be clear and direct.Another thing that you need to remember when you want to learn how to write a resume for high school students is to keep it short and to the point. Highschool students don't have the length of memory that adults do, so try not to include anything that is too complex. If you do, they will lose interest more quickly. At the same time, don't just tell them what you have accomplished; also show them where you have excelled in school.Just like an adult, a student needs to know how much they have accomplished. There is nothing worse than reading a resume and seeing nothing but a list of achievements. Make sure you include accomplishments. Don't leave out any detail or qualifications.When you want to learn how to write a resume for high school students, you will want to include your contact information. This is important because if someone calls you, you want to be able to give them the information that they need. This can be done easily by including your telephone number, email address, and physical address.Finally, when you want to learn how to write a resume for high school students, you should include your extracurricular activities. This can be fun information to include in your resume. It doesn't need to be huge, but something that will attract the attention of the employer.Anyone who call you would want to be able to tell what your enthusiasm is, but you want to create a good impression with your prospective employer. Make sure that you follow these tips to learn how to write a resume for high school students. These simple tips will help you write a resume that is memorable and well constructed.

Summary Sunday Job Search Spring Cleaning

Summary Sunday Job Search Spring Cleaning Spring is the time of year you either start searching for a new job or discover your job search isnt working. Its time for a little spring cleaning. This weeks summary provides ideas and advice to help you refresh your job search. Youll also find networking guidelines, tips to improve your online visibility and why its important to have a robust LinkedIn profile. Plus find out ways to solve the problem of the working poor. If you like any of the articles, please share them with your network and follow the author! Happy Easter! JOB SEARCH Beyond The Resume: 14 Strategies To Get Hired In 2019 by Mark Anthony Dyson | Payscale Instead of sharing your resume with everyone and anyone, try some of these 14 strategies to help draw attention to your unique skills, talents and abilities! Most importantly, pay attention to number 3 on the list! What Pre-Sourcing Is â€" and How It Will Make Hiring the Right Candidate Easier by Lou Adler | LinkedIn Talent Blog While this is written for recruiters, read and understand how recruiters are being instructed to find talent. This will help you understand the importance of keywords, job titles and many other pieces of information recruiters are likely to search for! These ideas can put you in the right place at the right time! When Experience Is Not Enough Recruiters Reveal Why Qualified Candidates Do Not Get The Job by Caroline Ceniza-Levin | Forbes You may think you had exactly the right experience for a job you recently interviewed forso why didnt they offer you the job? See three reasons why the best candidate gets passed over. NETWORKING A Five-Step Guide To Effective Networking by Monisha Toteja | Forbes There are lots of misconceptions about networking. One is that you have to talk to lots of people. But its not a race. Networking is about making a connection with people. Learn step by step what you need to do to network effectively! 7 Better Ways to Answer What Do You Do? by Amanda Berlin | The Muse Yes, you will be asked what you doare you providing the best answer? Try some of these ideas to answer the question and get the conversation flowing! ONLINE VISIBILITY Social Proof Required for Successful Job Search by Susan P. Joyce | Job-Hunt.org Social proof is your public Internet activities your public profiles and contributions reviewed by recruiters, potential employers, and others. Without knowing you, those activities are proof of who you really are. But dont think being invisible is the answer because according to Joyce a  2018 CareerBuilder survey found that nearly half of employers (47%) say that if they cant find a job candidate online, they are  less likely to call that person in for an interview. LINKEDIN Job Applicants With a Comprehensive LinkedIn Profile 71% More Likely to Get Interviews, Study Says by Laura Stampler | Fortune A barebones LinkedIn profile isnt going to help you get a job. See the results of this interesting study and youll probably want to to go complete the information in your LinkedIn profile. CAREER/WORKFORCE Raising Wages Is the Right Thing to Do, and Doesn’t Have to Be Bad for Your Bottom Line by Zeynep Ton | Harvard Business Review The US has a problemthe working poor. There are many ways to fix this that wont hurt companies. DID YOU MISS THESE? WHY USE PICTURES, IMAGES AND VIDEO? KNOWING AND DOING ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS HOW TO POST ENGAGING COMMENTS ON LINKEDIN

Never Look Past Health And Safety - CareerAlley

Never Look Past Health And Safety - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. We all want the best from our careers, right? Itd be crazy to think otherwise. Our career path and choices are one thing we have to nail when we want to think about a good life. A good life? It has a foundation of happiness, and nothing can make one more happy than being in a good and rewarding line of work whether it is a temporary path for yourself, or one of many steps on the career ladder being happy and feeling fulfilled in your job can add a lot to your life, no matter the earnings of the role. Theres a lot that can add to happiness in a role. If youre happy with your current role, it could be because of a number of valid reasons. We could be very happy with our role due to its location it might be in a big city that provides us with a bunch of opportunities for ourselves outside of the workplace and our career the same goes for our family. A job with a good location could give our family a lot of opportunities. Good location also means that you may not have to commute for hours upon hours to get to your job, it could be on your doorstep. We could be happy with our current role as it might compensate well we all get into work for one reason, really, above all and that is to get paid. If we are getting paid what we think we are worth, it means we will be a lot happier than we would be in a role where we thought we were being underpaid! Being underpaid can cause a huge drop in morale, and even if its a dream role, the thought of being underpaid can ensure that a worker is not happy in what would be, under other circumstances, a dream role. Being paid what you think you are worth can make almost any role, a great role. You could also be happy with a role at work if you believe it is one of the rungs in a career ladder if you know that by excelling in your current role, that youll grow and there will be room within the company (or externally) for upward growth, it can make a role worth the time and effort. In some circumstances like an internship it can make up for the lack of compensation sometimes. However, one thing we need in any role in life is safety. You might not consider it in life, but if we arent safe at work we could be in grave danger yet it doesnt really cross our minds. It doesnt cross our minds because most companies and workplaces in the world choose to educate employees and enforce safety in the workplace however, that doesnt mean personal responsibility can be discounted in anyway shape or form. Just because its easier than ever to be safe at work doesnt mean you can neglect yourself or your actions in the workplace. Health and safety legislation is well known but it differs from country to country, so check for guidance in your area, pay attention and ensure you are happy at work by not injuring yourself or others in the workplace. Health and safety at work is incredibly serious. When companies breach health and safety laws in the workplace, there can be huge consequences when a case is brought to court regarding health and safety violations. One company was fined 7,760 for a number of offenses. That is nearly $10,000! Health and safety visitations are an important part of enforcing health and safety in the workplace so when inspectors identify clear breaches of health and safety policy, they do come down hard. For the 7,760 fine, a company was using a faulty mechanism to create produce that could have caused serious injury. They had also failed in training staff in the use of equipment, failing to provide protective equipment, failing to implement basic health and safety procedures and failing to complete risk assessments. These are all basic areas of health and safety, and even though the issues were rectified by the time an inspector returned, it was too late to avoid a huge fine. With health and safety, th ere can be no excuses not for you, or your employer. However, the employer has the responsibility to educate, train and protect its staff. That burden is on them, so highlight any issues with your employer! (source) There is a strong argument that health and safety in the workplace has been taken too far. That argument mostly stems from business owners but still its worth examining. One case of health and safety law saw a deaf worker becoming banned from feeding their hearing dog as it was assumed that this would spread germs through the office. One employee searched for a band-aid only to find that they had been removed from a first-aid kit for allergy reasons. A lot of stories emerge from the tabloids and show children being banned from playing at school for health and safety reasons but no law exists for this to be enforced en masse. As ridiculous as some circumstances might be the consequences of flaunting health and safety law are not worth taking on. We know the fines are high, but serious cases can come with suspended jail sentences or worse. These laws and regulations act as a massive catch-all to ensure companies are doing their best to protect their employees. Thats why some pretty insane and silly situations occur simply because a company doesnt want to get in trouble! It might be more of a case of avoiding sanctions than protecting employees though Weve already discussed the fact that health and safety in the workplace is mainly the responsibility of the employer, but as an employee, you cant afford to be ignorant. Safety in a role lends itself well to happiness in the role so if you arent safe, you arent going to be happy and at the end of the day safety in the workplace is going to center around your actions mostly. You can voice concerns, but you can also do your best to educate yourself about possible dangers in the workplace to ensure you are safe you should also equip yourself with the right gear to ensure safety in your line of work. What gear? Well it depends on your job, but every single role will need certain equipment to ensure not just your safety, but comfort in the role. Discomfort over a sustained period of time can lead to muscular pain and other injuries. If youre leading an office role or your line of work will mainly revolve around sitting down you need to be comfortable. A bad chair, or terrible arm support will lead to difficulty working and some issues like carpal tunnel syndrome and back problems. Gelled supports and a supportive, mobile office will go a long way to working safely in an office. An office is a safe place to work though. What about if you have a role in construction? You might need the best shoes for walking on concrete to keep your feet safe from cold hard floors, but you might also need steel-toe capped boots to give you grip in mud and to protect your feet from heavy goods and tools. Youll need a hi-vis jacket to ensure you can be seen when you are on site to avoid any mishaps that might come via visibility issues. Of course, youll need a hard hat to protect your head as well. All of these pieces of equipment go a long way to ensuring your safety in the workplace. There are more specialized pieces of equipme nt for different roles to ensure workers are safe electricians will have rubberized gloves and grounding materials to prevent shocks for example. (source) If you want to be happy in a role, you need to be safe and secure and that means a lot more than being protected from danger you need to be physically and emotionally comfortable in the role so that you can be productive and feel good. A huge part of this is ensuring that your employer is a responsible employer who fosters a safe, secure and happy workplace but its also on you as well what will you do each day to ensure that you and your colleagues are safe? Will you raise issues when they need to be raised, will you ensure that your actions go towards making your working life a safer time? Workplace safety? It falls on your shoulders and the shoulders of your employer. When you are looking for your next role youll certainly consider the location of the job youll also be thinking of compensation and of course, youll consider career progression but what about safety. If youre not safe in a role, can you be happy? Truly? Of course you cannot meaning safety should be on our minds as we search for a better role in this life! We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+