Don't Let A Slip Cost Your Organization!

January 3, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

With winter in full swing, now is a great time to prevent accidents! Slips, trips, and falls account for the majority of general industry accidents according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Almost a quarter of all reported claims each year fall into this category!

What does this mean for you as an employer?

Loss of productivity and business opportunities
Increased insurance premiums
Costs of injuries, loss time, and possible replacement of employees
Decreased employee morale

What does this mean for your employee?

Lost wages
Pain
Temporary or Permanent Disability
Depression
Death
Changes in lifestyle
Possible inability to return to their career path

The good news is these types of accidents are highly preventable. Simple housekeeping, maintenance, and proper training can greatly decrease the changes of a workplace injury due to slips, trips, and falls.

Here’s what you can do to help!

Keep all surface areas clean and dry. Winter snow, slush, and water can quickly turn floors slippery.
Keep aisles and floors clear and in good repair.
Make sure each stairway has appropriate railing to prevent accidents.
Remind your staff of the importance of reporting and who to notify, in case of a spill, leak, or mess that could be dangerous. Keep these areas clearly marked until the hazard has been removed.
Make sure all entrances are provided with rugs or floor mats to remove water and debris those entering the building.
Keep walking surfaces clear of cords and hoses.
Make sure all working and walking areas have appropriate lighting.
Make sure parking lots are properly maintained, plowed, and salted during the winter months.

While not all slips, trips, and falls are preventable, preventative action can greatly reduce the number of accidents. Encourage your staff to report any unsafe conditions to management immediately and to take pride in their working area for the safety of themselves and others.

Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of top level talent? Contact us today! If you are a stand out in your profession and seeking contingent or long term career opportunities, visit our job seekers section for more information!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

Social Recruiting in 2013

January 2, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Without question if you are in the recruiting or HR field, the topic of recruiting through social media has crossed your mind or desk in the recent months. With steady reported losses for employers in social networking suits due to improper use for screening or evaluation, you may have chosen to avoid the topic. While recruitment through social media does require knowledge of legal ramifications, there are some simple and conservative ways to be involved with little liability to your organization.

The Wall Street Journal reported that social networks accounted for 20% of time spent online in 2011. With the continued growth in 2012, it goes without saying those numbers are only continuing to climb. Their report also shows that social networks reach approximately 82% of the world’s online population, a great audience for those of us who are seeking high demand candidates who are hard to locate.

A recent study from Salary.com gives us some insight to the candidate perspective:

72% reported using social connections to find a job
38% reported that they were successful in finding a job through social networks
24% the largest group, reported that they seek career opportunities on LinkedIn
60% listed lack of response as their least favorite part of social networks
55% of candidates would prefer a mobile friendly process that takes 10 minutes or less to apply

Making your application process accessible to those on social networks, especially on mobile devices could greatly increase your exposure to technical and professional level candidates. If you are considering implementing social networks into your recruiting process, make sure your process is legally compliant with all local, state, and federal laws. Also make sure that your staff is properly trained and educated on how to remain legally compliant in the process. It is always a great idea to make sure your organization’s social media policy is well defined. For more information on integrating social media in your recruiting process, contact your Labor and Employment Law attorney.

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

Do You Use E-Verify? New State Laws May Apply to You!

December 27, 2012Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Does your organization currently use the E-Verify system? The system is an online federal system designed to check information from I-9 forms against records with the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security to ensure eligibility to work in the United States. Currently the federal government only requires employees who are working under federal contracts to be verified in the system, while individual states and local entities may also require use of the program. What does this mean for you?

With Clark Hill’s Immigration Law Update from November 15th, at least four additional states with begin require use of the system as of January 1, 2013. Some individual states have listed requirements based on the number of employees or new hires as well. Here are some highlights:

North Carolina- Use of E-Verify will become mandatory for private employers with 100 or more employees.
Pennsylvania- Use of E-Verify will become mandatory for state public works contractors or subcontractors with contracts worth $25,000 or more.
Tennessee- Use of E-Verify will become mandatory for private employers with between 6-99 employees.

Other states also have new requirements of use with the system next year, read the full report here for more information on your individual state. If you have temporary or contingent workers that are required to be processed through the system please contact your staffing provider to make sure they are aware of the regulations and are in compliance. Staffing agencies well versed in construction and related fields should be aware of the regulations and requirements in their area.

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

75% of Employees Do This- How Do You Protect Yourself?

December 26, 2012Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Let’s face it, a lot happens throughout the year. Hiring and HR Managers are busy with recruiting, screening, hiring, training, and managing all year long. Have there been any changes with your staff over the past year that you are unaware of?

Were you aware that the leading source of fraud is employee theft of personal information? While we all tend to focus on production, productivity in the workplace, and dealing with the day to day operations we may be missing critical information about our staff. While approximately 90% of employers implement a routine background check for new hires, a startling number do not perform background checks on their employees after their hire date for new convictions that are relevant to their position. Implementing a comprehensive background process is a great way to help ensure a safe, secure, and productive environment for staff, visitors, and customers. According to a 2009 report by the US Chamber of Commerce and Infortal Worldwide, as many as 75% of employees in all business sectors steal from the workplace and do so repeatedly.

Prior to completing any background check on a candidate or employee, be sure that you have obtained a signed release allowing your organization to conduct the search. Employees should be notified in the employee handbook if your organization conducts random or annual background screenings as well. Keep in mind that your employees and candidates are also entitled to several rights including:

Employers are prevented by federal law from considering bankruptcy while making employment decisions.
Employers are required to provide the candidate or employee with a copy of any consumer report and a copy of their rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, if information obtained from the said report contributes to dismissal or denial of employment.
Employers must consistently apply the program to all employees and clearly document their results.
Some specific states have laws that limit the employers use of credit reports to be used for dismissal or denial of employment.

While information that may be obtained through employment references, criminal background checks, and credit checks may have a large impact on determining an employer’s level of liability when hiring or maintaining an employee, the risks and liabilities due to employing an illegal background check process can be even greater. Partnering with an established and reputable staffing firm can often greatly assist you in the process. Speak with your staffing provider to determine what their current process is and how they may best assist your company with the screening of potential employees.

Before implementing or continuing a background screening process, it is highly encouraged to research federal, state, and local legislation. Consult with your labor and employment law attorney prior to implementing or making alterations to your background check policy.

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

The Benefits of Plant Maintenance Outsourcing

December 21, 2012Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Regardless of the size of your facilities, plant maintenance can be a daunting process. The skills, experience, and qualifications required to properly maintain your facilities is not only important, it can be critical to your company’s ability to continue to produce. Regulations continue to increase to ensure consumer and employee safety, requiring a qualified maintenance staff that is ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.

The continued tight market to locate skilled technicians and personnel can make it even more difficult to remain in compliance. Downtime and unexpected shutdowns can quickly diminish profits. Ever changing equipment, processes, management systems, and an aging maintenance personnel pool can make remaining in compliance and maintaining an efficient maintenance workforce difficult.

Partnering with an experienced and specialized industrial recruitment firm can often produce the results that you need. A qualified and available workforce can assist in reducing costs, maximizing downtimes, and improving processes. In addition, industrial staffing partners can greatly decrease your labor costs by providing you with skilled talent only during times of need and often provide travelers that can provide skilled technicians and skilled personnel in areas of the country where the talent pool for these qualifications may be slim. With less time focused on managing and recruiting for project or short term personnel, maintenance managers are able to develop alternative processes, programs, and department structure.

Third party plant maintenance services may also be a viable solution. Many offer years of experience, up to date equipment, and have the proven ability to help develop and manage maintenance programs. Providing routine and project assistance, third party service organizations also allow you flexibility similar to those offered by a recruiting or staffing firm.

A well trained and qualified industrial workforce will have less workplace injuries and accidents, are more likely to be able to complete projects efficiently due to experience, and education also impacting bottom line results. Ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, statutes, and codes; securing required permits; and coordinating with appropriate local authorities must be done correctly to prevent costly fines and down times. If you have concerns about your organization’s expertise in the field, it may make sense to contact a third party maintenance service or a recruitment firm to help you locate qualified and experienced talent.

Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professional and skilled industrial maintenance workers? Contact us today! If you are a stand out professional or are skilled in technical manufacturing and seeking contingent or long term career opportunities, visit our job seekers section for more information!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

You have 90 Seconds to Impress a Hiring Manager! Read This!

December 20, 2012Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Even the most experienced candidates can get interview anxiety. Whether it is the excitment of the opportunity or intimidation from the environment, most candidates experience some level of nervousness during the interview process. As with any situation, preparation is the key to remaining calm and collected. Here are some great ways to help you prepare for your interview and land your dream career!

A recent survey of 2,000 hiring managers found that as many as 33% claimed to know within 90 seconds of the interview whether or not they would hire someone. With first impressions having such a large impact on that result of the interview it is crucial to ensure that the hiring manager recognizes your talent and qualifications quickly. Often body language and non vebal communication is the first message that hiring managers receive. Here are some key things to avoid during your interview:

Bright colors, distracting accessories, or unprofessional attire.
Fidgeting, playing with your hair, tapping pens, etc.
Poor posture, crossed arms, or closed off body language.
Strong odors of any kind.

While body language and attire account for up to 55% of the impact a candidate may make in an interview, your confidence and grammar also have a large impact. Here are some great tips to outshine other candidates:

Be confident of and sell your previous experiences that are relevant to the position.
Show genuine interest in the organization, their goals, and the position.
Don’t forget to ask for the job! Make it very clear that you want and are qualified for this opportunity!
Speak professionally of all previous supervisors and employers.
Do not dwell on previoius negative experiences.

Want more information to prepare? Check out this infographic from ClassesandCareers.

Consider partnering with any industry specialized recruiter to help you locate the ideal organizations and positions for you. A recruiter will act as your agent and assist you with interview preparation, resume alterations, and salary negotiations.

Are you a stand out professional or skilled worker seeking contingent, temporary, or long term career opportunities? Visit our job seekers section for more information! Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professionals and skilled workers? Contact us today!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

In Logistics? You Can't Afford to Miss This Information!

December 19, 2012Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

As a logistics organization your new year includes several road blocks including recruiting challenges, new legislation changes to implement, and restrictive safety regulations that will have a direct effect on your capacity and productivity levels while continuing to increase your operation costs. Where can you begin to eliminate or reduce costs?

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Relocation: A Recruitment Must Have

December 18, 2012Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Are you finding qualified talent but struggling to find them where you need them? The practice of localized recruiting is quickly becoming a dated process. Changes in workforce demand and skill set availabilities by location, have made today’s job market a difficult one to find local qualified talent. Where does that leave your organization?

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HS&E And Your Bottom Line

December 17, 2012Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

As any contractor knows, safety practices and training are essential to running a successful business. With employees’ exposure to a wide variety of contaminants, potential injuries, and other dangerous situations; experts have proven prevention and training are key components to reducing liabilities and losses. OSHA estimates that employers are paying almost $1 billion per week for direct workers’ compensation costs alone, a cost that clearly states the need for proper Health, Safety, and Environmental training.

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A New Career for The New Year?

December 12, 2012Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Are you considering a new career for yourself in the next year? Has your current position or lack of, left you seeking a new and exciting opportunity?

That’s where we come in!

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