Spotlight on People Development

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Onboarding: 5 tips to get it right so you don't lose new hires
To increase the productivity and effectiveness of new workers -- and make them want to stay -- organizations should ensure onboarding isn't a one-time event but instead an ongoing process. Also, onboarding is more effective if it begins with the interviewing process and managers then personally help new workers learn the ropes. CareerBuilder.com/The Hiring Site blog (11/2)

B-School Management Insight

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10 do's and don'ts to master before your next presentation
To give effective presentations, always start and end on time, eliminate excessive handouts, don't overuse sports analogies and try not to aim humor only at the top brass in the room, Steven Demaio writes. Also, make sure you respond promptly to follow-up questions sent via e-mail, no matter the person's rank. Harvard Business Review online/I Quit -- Now What? blog (11/4)

Best Practices

Human resources may need to don fashion-police badge
Human resources should talk to workers who dress inappropriately at work because their clothes can be distracting to others and damage a company's reputation with clients, Brooke Howell writes. Workers should be given specific examples of the right and wrong thing to wear to work along with some suggestions on where to find appropriate, affordable clothing. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Workforce (11/3)

Paycheck deductions for long-term care included in House bill
A provision in the House version of the health care reform bill would set up a long-term care program that would pay cash to those who become disabled. Premiums would be automatically deducted from the paychecks of employees who work for participating companies, although workers could opt out. The Wall Street Journal (11/4)

Proposed House bill would mandate sick leave
U.S. Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., has introduced legislation that would guarantee employees five paid sick days if they are sent home by companies because they have a contagious illness such as H1N1. The bill would apply to employers with more than 15 workers and expire two years after being signed. Businesses claim such a move is unnecessary and expensive. The New York Times (11/3)

Managing Your Own Career

4 ways to be more productive without the multitasking mania
You might believe multitasking means you get more done, but a Stanford University study shows it can hurt your productivity. To be more efficient, designate time for certain tasks, have a system to collect all incoming "to do" items in writing, have an "in" box on your desk and turn off distracting technology. Web Worker Daily (11/2)

Star step No.1: Drop unnecessary tasks from your to-do list
You have to outwork others if you want to be a star, but if you don't want to put in more hours, then you have to find ways to eliminate the "things you can get away with not doing," Kris Dunn writes. "Then use the hours you gained from elimination to pursue a niche that's going to make you a star to your organization or the world at large." The HR Capitalist (11/3)

SmartPulse

It has been suggested creative professionals need times of idle and nonworking time to come up with the best ideas that will push the business forward. Does your company give idle time to allow better ideas to surface?

No, but I think they should start	66.46%
No, and I don't think they should start	18.77%
Yes, and they should continue	14.46%
Yes, but I think they should stop	0.31%

Poll results
Creative professionals need more space: Discuss these results with Lance Haun, vice president of outreach for MeritBuilder, on our SmartBlog on Workforce.

It's benefit open enrollment season. Are you using online tools to complete the enrollments?
 Open enrollment is all online
 Open enrollment is partially online, partially on paper
 Open enrollment is all on paper
 Open enrollment? What's that?

The Water Cooler

Just what you always wanted: Underpants for your hands
Even as consumers cut back on spending, they are predicted to still buy "wacky" gifts while holiday shopping. This season, you might be the recipient of "Handerpants," which are underpants for your hands, or the "Big Daddy Driver," a combination weed whacker and golf club. ABC News (11/3)

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