Rise Ventures Provides Air Purifying Technology to Promote a Healthy Environment

 The World as we know it has changed forever and Rise Ventures have been tasked with helping to solve part of the problem.  They have joined with ActivePure Technology to make available units that pull fee oxygen and water molecules in the air through ActivePure’s patented honeycomb matrix.  The technology creates powerful oxidizers, known as ActivePure Molecules that are then released back into the room, where they seek and destroy DNA and RNA viruses including SARS-CoV2 (novel coronavirus), Swine Flu (H1N1), Avian Bird Flu (H5N8), Hepatitis A (HAV) and MS2 bacteriophage, regardless of their size, on surfaces and in the air.

Almost overnight, everyone has become concerned about the safety of their environment whether it is at home, work, or school.  Rise Ventures is here to help with making available the most powerful and proven air and surface purification technology ever discovered.  Everyone will be able to protect their family from contaminants hidden in plain sight.

Rise Venture is more than just a business, they are a movement.  Rise Ventures seeks to provide viable solutions or governmental institutions, private sector entities, and organizations across civil society facing extreme shortages in necessary medical supplies.  Rise leverages the existing supply chain by streamlining access to manufactured goods and commodities alike.  Its political capital and policy expertise is well matched to the current public health challenge, as Rise ensures a seamless, fully controlled end-to-end solution for its clients. Critical PPE supplies and equipment are dispatched to medical professionals without delay as they strive to restore public health.  Rise, an active player in the PPE sector, serves the global economy by getting Americans back to work and back to school safely.

For more information contact Rise Ventures at (888) 440-0092 or email info@riseventures.net.

Rise Ventures Distributes Innovative Product Giving Instant Feedback on Health

 Rise Ventures, a leading worldwide distributor of innovative products promoting positive well-being has become an authorized distributor for Sticky Temp USA.

Recently the Biden Administration announced new actions to help schools reopen safely meeting students’ needs when it comes to educational opportunities.  Sticky Temp is dedicated in helping give more peace of mind with the reopening of schools.  The product is a simple temperature monitoring system and has become a symbol of safety.  In addition to letting customers and patrons know that extra precautions have been taken to ensure safety, the state-of-art technology also gives peace of mind to the users themselves.

Sticky Temp is especially great for children and elderly that require constant temperature monitoring, group gatherings, public venues, service industry employees and guests and general monitoring during day-to-day activities.  They are true FDA registered medical device that medical professionals can trust.  Suggested sticker locations for the users are inside the wrist, forehead, behind the ear or the neck area.  There are multiple sticker options to meet everyone’s needs.

Rise Venture is more than just a business, they are a movement.  Rise Ventures seeks to provide viable solutions or governmental institutions, private sector entities and organizations across civil society facing extreme shortages in necessary medical supplies.  Rise leverages the existing supply chain by streamlining access to manufactured goods and commodities alike.  Its political capital and policy expertise is well matched to the current public health challenge, as Rise ensures a seamless, fully controlled end-to-end solution for its clients. Critical PPE supplies and equipment are dispatched to medical professionals without delay as they strive to restore the public health.  Rise, an active player in the PPE sector, serves the global economy by getting Americans back to work and back to school safely.

For more information contact Rise Ventures at (888) 440-0092 or email info@riseventures.net.

Rise Ventures Selected As Worldwide Distributor of Mooni NG-5 Medical Gloves

Houston, Texas: March 9, 2021, RISE Ventures with home offices in Sheridan, Wyoming and Baytown, Texas has been selected by the Mooni Group to become a worldwide distributor for Mooni Gloves.  The Mooni NG-5 Blue gloves is a powder free, non-sterile Medical examination glove (Class I), designed for single use and is suitable for handling fatty and aqueous foods.  Each glove is manufactured with ISO 9001 documentation and contains a CE Declaration of Conformity and meets both EU Regulations and US FDA Standards.

The Mooni Group, founded in Sweden in 2004, is a world leader in product development, manufacturing and sourcing focusing on three major areas in consumer electronics, health care products and OEM production.  Understanding quality, lead time and the importance of transparency with suppliers and customers they are able to provide the best prices and information for every project.

At its core, Rise Ventures is the amalgamation of strategic thinking and experience in business, products and brands revitalization.  With more than five decades of combined experience at the highest levels of business from start-ups, restructuring, mergers and acquisition the Rise team excels at the combined art of message development, advocacy, and engagement - the keys to any successful effort.

“We are excited about this partnership with the Mooni Group and look forward to putting these gloves into the hands of companies, governments and their entities, non-profits and other organizations who are in need.  The coronavirus pandemic has put a huge demand on personal protective equipment limiting the production capacity and raw material thus hindering obligations to fulfill the global market.  This partnership is a utopian match allowing RISE Ventures to meet this need” states Charlie Reeves, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of RISE Ventures.

Official distributors for the Mooni Group have been tested and vetted to assure the upmost security and fraud protection for the end user.  The market has been flooded by counterfeit products, false certificates, forged stamps and signatures even going to the extent of impersonating distribution agents, authorized companies and partners.  “RISE Ventures has been thoroughly examined and with their unparalleled track record of success understanding the dynamics of supply chain forces, staying up-to-date with market happenings such as emerging new sales channels, trending end-user preferences, impact of technology and emergence of smart and connected PPE; we have found a perfect worldwide distributor” says Staffan Bern, CEO of Mooni Group.

For more information about RISE Ventures visit https://www.riseventures.net or call (888) 440-0092.

The New Year will bring New Opportunities for Businesses

Make no mistake, for many businesses, 2021 will start the long road of recovery.  With the uncertainty of the elections, racial tensions and talks of additional shutdowns; many businesses can’t seem to catch a break.  The year 2020 has been a punch in the gut for organizations large and small.  We’ve seen unexpected and unprecedented revenue and profit loss and staggering numbers of layoffs, furloughs and salary reductions. Midway through the year, many businesses, like many individuals, have written 2020 off as a complete loss, turning attention, energy and creativity toward preparing for a better, brighter 2021.

The hope and desire for smooth sailing will drive enhanced expectations and increased pressure for businesses and employees to get back to pre-pandemic levels of performance and profitability. This charge will fall on the shoulders of a significantly reduced workforce because hiring often lags behind economic recovery, and experts project as many as 42% of pandemic-related job losses becoming permanent. It’s hard to conceive, but the already stressed workforce of 2020 may not get much relief in the year ahead.

A big question for business leaders will be: As markets rebound and companies demand better results, will the increased emphasis on employee well-being and support services during this time of pandemic and social unrest regress once economic recovery is in full swing?  Human resource professionals are the corporate world’s eyes, ears and conscience. Acting as the organization’s moral barometer, they focus on the welfare and well-being of their employees. Even if the pandemic subsides toward the end of 2020, HR leadership will be just as critical in 2021 because it will be up to us to ensure that as companies aim for blue skies, they don’t create darker clouds for their workforce.

It comes as no surprise that without the right talent, organizations will be hard-pressed to excel in 2021. The challenge instead becomes better understanding who this talent is in your organization and how to support them.  In looking to rebound as quickly as possible, business leaders may be inclined to push team members harder than ever before. It is imperative that your employees can thrive in new, high-pressure environments while delivering results. Being resilient, agile and dynamic and having a high EQ throughout the organization will make this possible.

Even those who previously excelled in a high-pressure environment are weary from the personal and professional stresses that the pandemic and social unrest have brought about. Elevated attention and resources to support flexible work schedules and mental health — made commonplace earlier in 2020 — will continue to be essential into 2021.

Organizations should not wait to prepare themselves for next year. As HR leaders, you need to gather teams and start planning, strategizing and working now on how you will position your organization in the future. Focusing on the right values and cultivating crucial talent will be key to preparing your organization for the year ahead. After facing the unthinkable in 2020, you can help your organization avoid an unwelcome surprise of a more stressful 2021, and thrive instead.

It is good to have a partner that is an expert in utilizing the most advance resources available today.  Questco is there to help you inspire your labor force through a plethora of HR Services such as: Payroll Services, Benefit Plans, Benefits Administration, HR Technology and Workers’ Comp & Safety Services.  Utilizing Questco’s vast experience, your company can thrive in today’s environment.

Charlie Reeves, Senior Business Development Manager, has decades of experience in Human Resource Solutions.  He is one of the most senior members at Questco and recognized for helping clients of all sizes save money, improve labor efficiency and provide the strongest support for HR Services.  As an entrepreneurs himself, he has lived the long days and sleepless nights on the road to success.  He brings the skill and scale to support you in the pursuit of your goals.  For more information on payroll services, benefit plans, benefits administration, HR technology, workers’ comp and safety services email Charlie.Reeves@questco.net or contact him directly at 936.521.5841.

Raising Employee Morale in the Workplace

Employee morale has a direct effect on employee engagement, productivity, and retention and is determined by your people’s views and opinions towards their work environment and their overall level of satisfaction towards serving as an ambassador of your company.

As employee morale elevates, satisfaction and productivity rise. When employee morale is low, progress sinks, and it’s time for employers to reevaluate how they can better connect with and motivate their teams. Communication, collaboration, feedback exchange, recognition, and social bonds are all crucial features of a company culture that values its people and can move them to achieve their best work.

 

 

Important criteria for a Human Resource leader to do are as follows:

·         Streamline work responsibilities by your people’s talents and skills

·         Give them room to grow through professional development opportunities

·         Recognize employee achievements with genuine appreciation

·         Be transparent with your company’s vision and goals

·         Open the floor for feedback and listen to your people

·         Create and promote a lunch culture at the office

·         Build a strong team by giving back together

·         Promote an atmosphere of celebration and team spirit

The year 2020 cannot end fast enough for many businesses, and focusing on the foundation and morale of your company is vital to having success in 2021 and beyond.

It is good to have a partner that is an expert in utilizing the most advance resources available today.  Questco is there to help you inspire your labor force through a plethora of HR Services such as: Payroll Services, Benefit Plans, Benefits Administration, HR Technology and Workers’ Comp & Safety Services.  Utilizing Questco’s vast experience, your company can thrive in today’s environment.

Charlie Reeves, Senior Business Development Manager, has decades of experience in Human Resource Solutions.  He is one of the most senior members at Questco and recognized for helping clients of all sizes save money, improve labor efficiency and provide the strongest support for HR Services.  As an entrepreneurs himself, he has lived the long days and sleepless nights on the road to success.  He brings the skill and scale to support you in the pursuit of your goals.  For more information on payroll services, benefit plans, benefits administration, HR technology, workers’ comp and safety services email Charlie.Reeves@questco.net or contact him directly at 936.521.5841.

Inclusion in the Workplace during Holidays

Some would say that the year 2020 has seemed like an eternity.  However, the holiday season have now arrived and for employees, this has many implications both in and out of the workplace.  It will be important to be strategic with holiday workplace happenings.

Human resources departments need to keep a pulse on diversity and inclusion initiatives throughout the year, but especially during the holiday season.  Many people enjoy the holidays, and everything surrounding them. However, the holiday season is not a joyous time for all. For some, the holidays bring about thoughts of hustle and bustle, expenses, and hardship. Some families struggle to buy gifts for their children, and others struggle to put food on the table. Be aware of this when having company-sponsored gift exchanges, potluck meals, and holiday parties. Furthermore, family dynamics are another stressor for some employees during this time of year, and for others, the holiday season brings on feelings of loneliness and loss. Some see the approaching New Year with an optimistic lens, yet others see it as daunting, stressful, and a continuation of their hardship.

HR can help by encouraging managers and employees to be gentle with each other during this time of heightened emotion. It’s also vital that if your company provides an EAP, employees are aware and know how to easily access its benefits.

Company culture and traditions dictate how holidays are recognized, however keeping an inclusive mindset while maintaining those unique company norms remains possible. Company leaders and employees can celebrate the holidays while still being inclusive and respectful to all cultures, and HR can—and should, educate them on how to do that.

It is good to have a partner that is an expert in utilizing the most advance resources available today.  Questco is there to help you inspire your labor force through a plethora of HR Services such as: Payroll Services, Benefit Plans, Benefits Administration, HR Technology and Workers’ Comp & Safety Services.  Utilizing Questco’s vast experience, your company can thrive in today’s environment.

Charlie Reeves, Senior Business Development Manager, has decades of experience in Human Resource Solutions.  He is one of the most senior members at Questco and recognized for helping clients of all sizes save money, improve labor efficiency and provide the strongest support for HR Services.  As an entrepreneurs himself, he has lived the long days and sleepless nights on the road to success.  He brings the skill and scale to support you in the pursuit of your goals.  For more information on payroll services, benefit plans, benefits administration, HR technology, workers’ comp and safety services email Charlie.Reeves@questco.net or contact him directly at 936.521.5841.

Increase Workplace Morale with Recognition Programs

Employee recognition allows companies to express their appreciation for their employee’s contributions to their organization, but it has an added affect of increasing workplace morale to an entire team.  Employee recognition supports an employee’s feeling of belongingness and self-esteem at work.

40% of Americans say they would increase their effort at work if they were recognized more often.  Increased morale also leads to better productivity, quality, and performance.  Recognizing your top performers helps your company retain workers as well, companies which rank highly in a ‘recognition-rich culture’ see 31% lower turnover rates compared to peers.  Recognition programs also allow you to quickly identify who your low performers are and support them through professional development.

When implementing an employee recognition program remember it is important to give recognition in a way that is timely, frequent, specific, inclusive, and in-line with your company’s values.  Do not recognize an employee’s work long after it is performed during a review, recognition should come shortly after the work is completed.

Recognition can be a catalyst leading to widespread positive organization change, connecting your workforce, engaging employees, and fostering a positive culture.  Every company can benefit from improving their existing recognition practices.

Charlie Reeves, Senior Business Development Manager, has decades of experience in Human Resource Solutions.  He is one of the most senior members at Questco and recognized for helping clients of all sizes save money, improve labor efficiency and provide the strongest support for HR Services.  As an entrepreneurs himself, he has lived the long days and sleepless nights on the road to success.  He brings the skill and scale to support you in the pursuit of your goals.  For more information on payroll services, benefit plans, benefits administration, HR technology, workers’ comp and safety services email Charlie.Reeves@questco.net or contact him directly at 936.521.5841.

Keeping Politics out of the Workplace

The 2020 Presidential Election is proving to be one of the most divisive elections in modern history.  CNN, FOX News, MSNBC and most social media platforms continue this divide which sills over to the dinner table and into the workplace.  It will be difficult to eliminate opinions to be spoken in the workplace, but there are some things you can do to keep politics from lowering the morale in the workplace.

From a federal perspective, you cannot prohibit employees from discussing politics as it would infringe upon their right to free speech. However, there is a bit of a loophole in that conversations deemed detrimental to your company’s culture can be banned without it being viewed as infringement. Further, some states have their own rules about the right to free speech in the workplace and have made various attempts to regulate what can be discussed and under what circumstances.

One of the best ways to limit political chit-chat in the workplace is to prohibit employees from campaigning for particular candidates or parties, including passing out literature, promotional items, or anything else intended to show support or sway support for a candidate or candidates during regular work hours. If your employee manual has an existing non-solicitation policy, such as preventing workers from asking coworkers to buy Girl Scout cookies or support a fundraiser, you can tack political solicitation into that. However, you can’t prohibit them from soliciting during breaks or lunch hours, so be mindful that any policy update is worded accordingly.

These days, one of the easiest ways to show support for a candidate is to wear a t-shirt, hat, or even a snarky button declaring your affiliation, but this is actually one of the easiest ones to fix! Your employee handbook should already include a brief section on the dress code for the office and, if you haven’t already, it’s very simple to add a clause that states that clothing cannot bear slogans of any type. With regard to pins, you can ask employees not to wear them in the office, but there are a few exceptions: workers can wear them during non-work hours and they can also wear pins if they are political slogans associated with union representation. We should also note that this dress code policy must be acknowledged and enforced for all employees or else it could be viewed as discrimination.

While controlling the free speech of your employees is not allowed, you can control what they say about politics in reference to your company. A good, all-encompassing policy is to simply state that your company’s name cannot be used in any political activity without prior written approval. Further, while a little less cut and dry, you can request that employee participation in political activities does not reflect unfavorably on your company, such as asking that they not wear items with your company logo when campaigning or declare an affiliation with your company if being quoted in the media or for promotional purposes.

When the political debates are heating up, chances are so will the conversations! After a particular heated debate, pre-empt any issues by sending a quick reminder email to your staff to let them know that with the election in full swing, it is important to remember the company’s core principles and values, as well as their commitment to embrace the diversity of their peers and treat their co-workers with professionalism and respect. You can also reiterate that while conversations are not forbidden, HR will step in should they violate these policies and will be forced to take action.

At the end of the day, political discussions, while part of our current climate, are areas ripe for hurt feelings and even bullying and discrimination. Being proactive and letting employees know that while you value each employees’ opinions, it should not overshadow the respectful and collaborative corporate culture that employees have grown to know and love.

It is good to have a partner that is an expert in utilizing the most advance resources available today.  Questco is there to help you inspire your labor force through a plethora of HR Services such as: Payroll Services, Benefit Plans, Benefits Administration, HR Technology and Workers’ Comp & Safety Services.  Utilizing Questco’s vast experience, your company can thrive in today’s environment.

Charlie Reeves, Senior Business Development Manager, has decades of experience in Human Resource Solutions.  He is one of the most senior members at Questco and recognized for helping clients of all sizes save money, improve labor efficiency and provide the strongest support for HR Services.  As an entrepreneurs himself, he has lived the long days and sleepless nights on the road to success.  He brings the skill and scale to support you in the pursuit of your goals.  For more information on payroll services, benefit plans, benefits administration, HR technology, workers’ comp and safety services email Charlie.Reeves@questco.net or contact him directly at 936.521.5841.

Benefits of a Payroll System in Human Resource

Every company will have different departments like marketing, finance, information technology, research and development, human resources. Human Resources department is the crucial part of any organization because employees are considered as the real assets and also the HR department needs to look after the employee welfare and make the facilities easier.

With the increase in competition among business enterprises. Human Resources are considered to be the most important part of any company. It is said that if any company has a Human Resource then it will definitely have many advantages. This is the reason, why the importance of the HR Department is increasing day-by-day. With the continuous advancement in the latest technologies, the management of employees and their records have become tough to handle. To prevent this, many companies have linked their payroll system with the HR activities which is called as Payroll Management Software.

An HR Payroll Management Software is beneficial for any kind of business enterprise. Human Resource department performs various activities such as payroll processing, maintaining salary details of every employee in the organization, keeping track of deductions, loans, allowances, and bonuses. Human Resources department collectively works together to calculate the available leaves, encashment of leaves and loss of pay for all the employees and then process their salaries.

Companies can benefit from a Payroll System for a better future realizing the following results:

·         Easy to Process – HR Payroll Management System makes the tasks easier. As it requires very less input because it has software in which one has to feed all the information of employee to get the data of calculating wages, finding taxes, paying taxes to the government, financial records which also includes the bonuses, deductions and net pay. These records need to be maintained and recorded by the employer for future references or verification.

·         Performance Management – Performance management records the performance information of each and every employee. Hence, it helps the employers to get a clear view related to the performance and skills of their employees which further helps the management in scheduling training according to the needs and requirement of each employee. This type of employee performance review can be highly beneficial when it comes to planning and overall productivity improvement.

·         Optimized Process – HR Payroll System helps companies to reduce the number of employees who are manually working in the maintenance of the attendance, salary, working hours, income taxes etc... Frequently repeating the payroll tasks sometimes lead to boredom and results in the error. So, it is always advisable to optimize the process so that accurate information is available.

·         Accuracy – HR Management System help business enterprises to reduce or rather eliminate the errors in the process of payroll. Payroll process is used to get more accurate data. The inconsistency can be easily tackled. It will provide only appropriate and reliable payroll information which minimizes the inefficiency.

It is good to have a partner that is an expert in utilizing the most advance resources available today.  Questco is there to help you inspire your labor force through a plethora of HR Services such as: Payroll Services, Benefit Plans, Benefits Administration, HR Technology and Workers’ Comp & Safety Services.  Utilizing Questco’s vast experience, your company can thrive in today’s environment.

Charlie Reeves, Senior Business Development Manager, has decades of experience in Human Resource Solutions.  He is one of the most senior members at Questco and recognized for helping clients of all sizes save money, improve labor efficiency and provide the strongest support for HR Services.  As an entrepreneurs himself, he has lived the long days and sleepless nights on the road to success.  He brings the skill and scale to support you in the pursuit of your goals.  For more information on payroll services, benefit plans, benefits administration, HR technology, workers’ comp and safety services email Charlie.Reeves@questco.net or contact him directly at 936.521.5841.

Protecting your Employees will allow Innovation

Innovation is a must in today’s environment.  However, all too often companies will stifle the creativity of their employees out of fear.  Therefore, there are some things that a company can adhere to in order to get the best out of their team.

The best bosses are committed to letting their workers work.  Whether on creative tasks such as inventing new products or on routine things such as assembling computers, making McDonald’s burgers, or flying planes. They take pride in being human shields, absorbing or deflecting heat from inside and outside the company, doing all manner of boring and silly tasks, and battling idiots and slights that make life harder than necessary on their people.

As a manager or boss, protecting your team’s back is important.  You must try to resist your worst instincts.  Meetings are necessary at times; however, they can also be huge time wasters.  Often, many bosses set on self-glorification often run these meetings and it can cause a morale deficiency.

Arguments over ideas are productive and creative.  The best bosses allow for constructive battles enabling their team to feel safe to speak their minds.  This goes across the board all the way to the leaders.  Actually, good fights or battles will be built on mutual trust.

Some companies are implementing programs to reduce interruptions and distractions.  Good bosses also relieve people of burdensome organizational practices.  Unnecessary paperwork or processes should be limited.  Sometimes good bosses face senior leaders and powerful groups that cram bad ideas down everyone’s throat. When your people’s performance or well-being is threatened by idiocy from on high, you need to decide whether to comply or resist, depending on what will help them—and you—most. Sometimes the political costs of defiance are too high, and sometimes seemingly idiotic directives turn out to be useful.  That said, defiance can occasionally be the best strategy.

Good bosses focus their people’s effort on what matters most. When relatively trivial demands can’t be ignored, the best option is sometimes to do a quick, crummy job and move on to more-crucial issues.  Also, good bosses also protect their people from demeaning, overly demanding, and frustrating clients and customers.  In short, they will take the heat.  Good bosses shield their employees from distress and distraction in diverse ways, whether behind the scenes or publicly. They work day after day to enhance their self-awareness; stay in tune with followers’ worries, hot buttons, and quirks; and foster a climate of comfort and safety. They also learn to identify which battles their people consider crucial to fight, and which they see as unimportant. When bosses can’t protect people—for example, from layoffs, pay cuts, or tough assignments—the best ones convey compassion, do small things to allay fears, and find ways to blunt negative consequences. Operating in this way helps bolster your people’s performance and well-being. And a nice by-product is that they will have your back, too.

It is good to have a partner that is an expert in utilizing the most advance resources available today.  Questco is there to help you inspire your labor force through a plethora of HR Services such as: Payroll Services, Benefit Plans, Benefits Administration, HR Technology and Workers’ Comp & Safety Services.  Utilizing Questco’s vast experience, your company can thrive in today’s environment.

Charlie Reeves, Senior Business Development Manager, has decades of experience in Human Resource Solutions.  He is one of the most senior members at Questco and recognized for helping clients of all sizes save money, improve labor efficiency and provide the strongest support for HR Services.  As an entrepreneurs himself, he has lived the long days and sleepless nights on the road to success.  He brings the skill and scale to support you in the pursuit of your goals.  For more information on payroll services, benefit plans, benefits administration, HR technology, workers’ comp and safety services email Charlie.Reeves@questco.net or contact him directly at 936.521.5841.

Outsourcing HR can save you Time and Money while Allowing you to Grow your Business

The year 2020 is a time that many businesses would like to forget.  However, just because there have been many challenges and obstacles; leaders cannot just shut down.  The world must go on, and so does your business.

Administrative responsibilities can tax any company, but for smaller businesses in particular managing human resources can be a heavy burden. When you run a small company with limited time and resources, the last thing you want to do is divert your attention from the core business that's your bread and butter. Outsourcing human resources functions can reduce your administrative workload and free up your time so you can focus on your business objectives.

An HR outsourcing company can manage a whole range of human resources functions that you might otherwise outsource to multiple providers - these functions include everything from payroll processing and benefit plan management and administration to recruiting, training and more. With one provider to take responsibility for a range of HR functions, you'll not only spend less time on administration, but less time managing vendor relationships as well.

Outsourcing is a term that means different things to different companies and those who manage it.  The real value is only realized when employees internally are bought into the service and use these resources as they were designed to be utilized.  Because managing human resources efficiently and intelligently is critical to your company's success, it's vital to find a service provider who can offer the right mix of services.

Whether you want a bundled package or you prefer to pick and choose the services you need, it is important to identify which options are best for you.

It is good to have a partner that is an expert in utilizing the most advance resources available today.  Questco is there to help you inspire your labor force through a plethora of HR Services such as: Payroll Services, Benefit Plans, Benefits Administration, HR Technology and Workers’ Comp & Safety Services.  Utilizing Questco’s vast experience, your company can thrive in today’s environment.

Charlie Reeves, Senior Business Development Manager, has decades of experience in Human Resource Solutions.  He is one of the most senior members at Questco and recognized for helping clients of all sizes save money, improve labor efficiency and provide the strongest support for HR Services.  As an entrepreneurs himself, he has lived the long days and sleepless nights on the road to success.  He brings the skill and scale to support you in the pursuit of your goals.  For more information on payroll services, benefit plans, benefits administration, HR technology, workers’ comp and safety services email Charlie.Reeves@questco.net or contact him directly at 936.521.5841.

Ramping up your Workforce

COVID-19 has had a dramatic impact on businesses large and small.  Adaptation is a must for all operations to ensure they are safe and productive as possible.  As states are relaxing the stay-at-home restrictions, entering into a post-COVID-19 “new normal” will have companies visiting their readiness, new safety protocols, business continuity and more.

Clearly, the health and well-being of your people are the highest priority as you restart or ramp up your operation. You’ll need to review and implement new human resource policies, processes, procedures, and infrastructure in rapid response to changing circumstances and regulations.

Whether you’re restarting or ramping up your facility, start by considering the flow of people. This includes implementing new processes for entering and leaving the facility and for keeping people and workspaces clean throughout the day. Whenever and wherever people congregate, identify ways to change the flow to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Common areas and activities include entry and exit, time entry, meetings, and lunch breaks, all of which need to be reengineered. You may need to establish new shift schedules, work arrangements, or work zones that keep people separated. And all staff will need education and training on the procedures in order to keep themselves and their coworkers safe.

To safely operate in a COVID-19 environment, it will be critical to make your operating model compliant with new practices and requirements.  If your business has continued to operate, you’ll need to identify gaps in your existing processes, procedures, and infrastructure to determine the appropriate steps to address the potential vulnerabilities.  Roles will need to be define and modified as needed over time to ensure your workforce adheres to the new processes and to carry out escalation procedures in cases where they don’t.

It is good to have a partner that is an expert in utilizing the most advance resources available today.  Questco is there to help you inspire your labor force through a plethora of HR Services such as: Payroll Services, Benefit Plans, Benefits Administration, HR Technology and Workers’ Comp & Safety Services.  Utilizing Questco’s vast experience, your company can thrive in today’s environment.

Charlie Reeves, Senior Business Development Manager, has decades of experience in Human Resource Solutions.  He is one of the most senior members at Questco and recognized for helping clients of all sizes save money, improve labor efficiency and provide the strongest support for HR Services.  As an entrepreneurs himself, he has lived the long days and sleepless nights on the road to success.  He brings the skill and scale to support you in the pursuit of your goals.  For more information on payroll services, benefit plans, benefits administration, HR technology, workers’ comp and safety services email Charlie.Reeves@questco.net or contact him directly at 936.521.5841.

What to know Terminating an Employee during COVID

There are many articles giving advice on how to build up a workforce, manage teams remotely and even celebrate successes.  However, the coronavirus pandemic has created additional challenges around the difficult task of terminating employees.  Already a difficult situation, if handled poorly, termination can precipitate incidents that otherwise would be avoidable.

Any termination has the potential to amplify an employee’s sense of uncertainty, shock, and even hostility towards you and your organization especially if handled poorly.  The government reaction to the pandemic continues to stretch on and put the economy under pressure which many employees are experiencing these stresses.  Employees who are terminated might have feelings of betrayal, abandonment, or aggression and could even become stimulants for workplace violence in severe cases.

With this new reality as a backdrop, many organizations facing financial challenges arising from COVID-19 may be confronted with the terrible prospect of required reductions in force or even mass layoffs. The notification of termination – already a difficult and challenging task – is complicated by the fact that many employees are currently working remotely during social distancing lockdowns. While most agree that terminations are best handled in personal, face-to-face settings, such meetings are untenable during a world-wide pandemic with quarantine or “safer-at-home” practices in place.

The following are important things to know when a manager is faced with the difficult task of remotely parting ways with a team member:

1.       Be sure that both you and the employee know how to use the video teleconference platform?  The meeting will already be stressful enough, so complications in running a smooth meeting will cause you to lose control.

2.       Identify who will attend the video call.  It is always good to have two people participating in the meeting.  More than two is not recommended.  Usually it should be the Human Resource professional and the employee’s immediate supervisor.

3.       All materials including out-processing, severance pay, benefits and other documents should be organized and ready to be delivered to the employee before the call ends.

4.       Knowing where the employee is physically located is important in the event of a worst-case scenario of the employee spiraling out of control.

5.       Coordinate who all needs to be informed such as IT, Media Relations and Legal Counsel.

6.       Have an agenda, so you remain in complete control of the meeting.  Be sure to allow the employee to share their feelings.  Be firm, but compassionate.  Do not allow the employee to turn the script around, but allow them to express their emotion within reason to help part ways amicably. 

7.       Review the call with your counterpart to go over best practices of the meeting.

It is good to have a partner that is an expert in utilizing the most advance resources available today.  Questco is there to help you inspire your labor force through a plethora of HR Services such as: Payroll Services, Benefit Plans, Benefits Administration, HR Technology and Workers’ Comp & Safety Services.  Utilizing Questco’s vast experience, your company can thrive in today’s environment.

Charlie Reeves, Senior Business Development Manager, has decades of experience in Human Resource Solutions.  He is one of the most senior members at Questco and recognized for helping clients of all sizes save money, improve labor efficiency and provide the strongest support for HR Services.  As an entrepreneurs himself, he has lived the long days and sleepless nights on the road to success.  He brings the skill and scale to support you in the pursuit of your goals.  For more information on payroll services, benefit plans, benefits administration, HR technology, workers’ comp and safety services email Charlie.Reeves@questco.net or contact him directly at 936.521.5841.

Hiring in the Digital Age

It wasn’t really that long ago that online applications became the norm.  However, today, managers can make use of current technology that will ease the burden on the company as well as potential employees.

It is well documented that a company is only as good as its hires, and a great Human Resource team is the backbone of a successful company.  Hiring is a process that takes a lot of skill, effort and tie.  Finding the right or ideal candidate for the job involves looking at attitude, allowing for flexibility, encouraging diversity, and asking thoughtful questions. These and many other factors are involved in selecting the right candidate, but the downside of being thorough is that it can lead to the hiring process bogging down productivity.

Luckily, living in the digital age means that hiring managers can take advantage of technology to streamline their processes and make hiring faster and more efficient.  Sifting through hundreds of applications can take up a lot of time, so it’s beneficial for managers to make use of current technology and ease the burden on both the HR team and the applicant.

Digital Technology can be used to find the right people to fit your needs.  In addition, with a complete digital network, companies can reach more potential candidates than ever before.  Utilizing AI Assistance which can be used for talent engagement of potential candidates as well as automating communication and making coordination with applicants faster and easier.  An applicant tracking system will save your teams both time and money.  Social Media can be used to seek out candidates.

It is good to have a partner that is an expert in utilizing the most advance resources available today.  Questco is there to help you inspire your labor force through a plethora of HR Services such as: Payroll Services, Benefit Plans, Benefits Administration, HR Technology and Workers’ Comp & Safety Services.  Utilizing Questco’s vast experience, your company can thrive in today’s environment.

Charlie Reeves, Senior Business Development Manager, has decades of experience in Human Resource Solutions.  He is one of the most senior members at Questco and recognized for helping clients of all sizes save money, improve labor efficiency and provide the strongest support for HR Services.  As an entrepreneurs himself, he has lived the long days and sleepless nights on the road to success.  He brings the skill and scale to support you in the pursuit of your goals.  For more information on payroll services, benefit plans, benefits administration, HR technology, workers’ comp and safety services email Charlie.Reeves@questco.net or contact him directly at 936.521.5841.

Finding Employees during a Pandemic

 With all of the new regulations companies face and additional responsibilities HR professionals have added to their plate; hiring new employees might seem like the last thing that is on the to do list.  Even though many companies have temporarily shut down and many others have put hiring on hold, for some organizations it will be business as usual.  For those companies that are finding themselves needing new employees must find new ways to recruit and hire which will comply with legal and safety guidelines.

Most areas of the United States are practicing social distancing therefore bringing candidates into the workplace might not be a good idea.   The Coronavirus pandemic has forced many employers to conduct interviews virtually using Zoom, Skype and other media instead of face-to-face.  Before doing this; employers should make sure that the interviewer and the job applicant have the correct information to connect to the video or remote interview and that they are comfortable with the technology.  Being able to offer video interviews will be important. It’s quicker and more efficient, and after months of remote work or video conferencing, recruits will expect that to be an option. But managing a remote workforce requires more than just installing Zoom.

If you wait until your company comes back online to start trying to fill empty roles, you’ll lose valuable time (and talent). Until the economy allows people to get back to work in offices, you should be actively working to fill the roles you’ll need in the future.  You may have a lot of spots to fill when the economy starts running again, and that’s a daunting to-do at a time when you’re trying to get back up to speed as quickly as possible. You may need to fill some positions on a temp or interim basis.

It is good to have a partner that you can utilize to help you navigate these types of issues.  Questco is there to help you inspire your labor force through a plethora of HR Services such as: Payroll Services, Benefit Plans, Benefits Administration, HR Technology and Workers’ Comp & Safety Services.  Utilizing Questco’s vast experience, your company can thrive in today’s environment.

Charlie Reeves, Senior Business Development Manager, has decades of experience in Human Resource Solutions.  He is one of the most senior members at Questco and recognized for helping clients of all sizes save money, improve labor efficiency and provide the strongest support for HR Services.  As an entrepreneurs himself, he has lived the long days and sleepless nights on the road to success.  He brings the skill and scale to support you in the pursuit of your goals.  For more information on payroll services, benefit plans, benefits administration, HR technology, workers’ comp and safety services email Charlie.Reeves@questco.net or contact him directly at 936.521.5841.

The New World HR is facing concerning Office Politics

Every time one opens Facebook, turns on the TV or even listens to the radio someone is passionate about their ideas.  With COVID dominating the news cycle and many companies implementing a remote working environment; politics in the workplace doesn’t seem like it should be much of an issue.  However, with today’s technology, people can be divided more than ever.  Therefore, businesses should have clear guidelines about how to deal with the country’s stark political polarization that seeps into the workplace.

It has gone far beyond setting rules about whether employees should be permitted to wear T-shirts or buttons supporting political candidates. It’s much more personal, with people feeling threatened about not just their choice of candidate but their very value systems. The impeachment of the president by the House of Representatives and his ensuing acquittal by the Senate has served only to deepen the schism, with the country divided almost entirely along party lines.

People’s political views, especially after the 2016 election are so entrenched. The impeachment hearings, COVID, antifa and BLM protest and now the 2020 presidential campaign are a perfect storm to create chaos among employees.  A lot of individuals don’t respect people who don’t share their beliefs.

Avoiding the creation of a toxic work environment should be HR’s primary goal, say workplace culture experts, and that can be tough.  And if it feels like political divisions have gotten wider and behavior nastier and more personal, that’s because they have.  A Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) study from 2019 found that 82 percent of Republicans believe the Democratic Party has been taken over by socialists. (By a similar margin, Democrats think their party is just trying to make capitalism work.) Meanwhile, 80 percent of Democrats believe the Republican Party is being controlled by racists. (But 94 percent of Republicans disagree, saying their party is just trying to protect America’s values.)

Not only do many Americans dislike a person who identifies with the other political party, but they wouldn’t want their kids to marry one, either. An earlier PRRI study found that 45 percent of Democrats would be unhappy if their son or daughter married a Republican, and 35 percent of Republicans wouldn’t be happy if their child married a Democrat.

The following are some good advice to build respect in the workplace:

·         Establish office policies and hold training sessions on showing respect to co-workers, but don’t focus specifically on politics, which can have the effect of fueling conflict.

·         Make what constitutes an “opinion” and what rises to the level of harassing another worker clear—admittedly a tough task, given that some of the rhetoric and social media postings of elected officials would run afoul of anti-discrimination laws.

·         Set an example at the top. If the boss talks openly about supporting one candidate or another, employees can feel intimidated or worry they’ll be treated differently if they disagree. So managers should stay mum. Don’t use social media to discuss politics. Period.

·         Consider keeping political programs off the televisions in the office, including those in the break room.

·         Steer conversations in meetings away from politics or keep discussion to the more generic aspects of an issue.

·         Limit or ban visual displays in the office, such as campaign buttons, bumper stickers and posters.

·         Be careful not to run afoul of federal and state laws that protect certain types of speech. The National Labor Relations Board protects workers discussing unionization and workplace conditions, for example, so it’s not realistic to outright ban talk of politics at the office, experts say.

It is good to have a partner that you can utilize to help you navigate these types of issues.  Questco is there to help you inspire your labor force through a plethora of HR Services such as: Payroll Services, Benefit Plans, Benefits Administration, HR Technology and Workers’ Comp & Safety Services.  Utilizing Questco’s vast experience, your company can thrive in today’s environment.

Charlie Reeves, Senior Business Development Manager, has decades of experience in Human Resource Solutions.  He is one of the most senior members at Questco and recognized for helping clients of all sizes save money, improve labor efficiency and provide the strongest support for HR Services.  As an entrepreneurs himself, he has lived the long days and sleepless nights on the road to success.  He brings the skill and scale to support you in the pursuit of your goals.  For more information on payroll services, benefit plans, benefits administration, HR technology, workers’ comp and safety services email Charlie.Reeves@questco.net or contact him directly at 936.521.5841.

Helping Your Employees Work from Home

 In the middle of March 2020, a flu-like virus started making headlines.  The COVID-19 lockdown was supposed to only last a couple of weeks and maybe a month at the most just to flatten the curve.  However, the narrative of today is causing many organizations to tell their employees they can stay home for the rest of the year, potentially changing the work environment forever.

Therefore it is important for businesses and organizations to help their employees create the right workspace which will help them be more productive.  It would be advantageous to create a manual to share best practices for a home office setup.

1.        A good chair!  Sitting for hours in an uncomfortable chair is the worst and it doesn’t help anyone do their best work.  It doesn’t have to be the most expensive chair, but keeping your back and neck properly supportive will keep an employees’ neck and back happy.

2.       Computer monitors.  Everyone’s taste in computer monitors is different.  Some people want on big monitor and others may desire a dual monitor.  Regardless, if you are not traveling then having a larger monitor is great for your eyes and neck.

3.       Lighting.  It can be nice for employees’ eyes and even mental health to have a workspace near natural lighting.  Seeing outside and enjoying a view of sunshine can lead to increased productivity.

4.       Storage.  In the workplace, we have access to supply cabinets with all of the things we need like ink cartridges, pens, paper, staples, etc.

5.       Ample desk space.  Having the proper desk space will be important to create an environment that allows employees to separate working from sitting at the kitchen or dining room.  It will create a barrier for other family members to understand that they are at work.

Every situation is different.  Having a home office space can create a huge difference in work productivity.  It is good to have a partner that you can utilize to help you navigate these types of issues.  Questco is there to help you inspire your labor force through a plethora of HR Services such as: Payroll Services, Benefit Plans, Benefits Administration, HR Technology and Workers’ Comp & Safety Services.  Utilizing Questco’s vast experience, your company can thrive in today’s environment.

Charlie Reeves, Senior Business Development Manager, has decades of experience in Human Resource Solutions.  He is one of the most senior members at Questco and recognized for helping clients of all sizes save money, improve labor efficiency and provide the strongest support for HR Services.  As an entrepreneurs himself, he has lived the long days and sleepless nights on the road to success.  He brings the skill and scale to support you in the pursuit of your goals.  For more information on payroll services, benefit plans, benefits administration, HR technology, workers’ comp and safety services email Charlie.Reeves@questco.net or contact him directly at 936.521.5841.

Does Your Workplace Have Something in Common with the WWE?

In the 1980’s, many Texas families gathered around the television set to watch the Von Erich Family battle their villainous foe’s across the wrestling ring.  Preceded by patriarch, Fritz; David, Mike, Chris and Kerry would take on the muscle bound maniac jumping from the ropes in usually ended the night with a come from behind victory.  Of course; the night’s festivities were scripted and if one were to look behind the cameras they would see the adversaries enjoying each other’s company in the locker room.

Today’s workplace tension caused by current events is much worse than Saturday Night Wrestling.  Current events, such as political concerns, racial issues, protests and pay inequality, can cause tension and prompt employees to lose focus, get discouraged, act out, or insult or bully co-workers.

When you add a 24-hour news cycle that constantly stirs everyone up and we see public figures from politicians, celebrities to sports stars duke it out daily; there is a recipe for a very distracted and unproductive workforce.  However, there are a few things that an employer can do to keep the collective focus on work and not allow the outside world to cause problems in your place of business.

It is very important to be proactive which can prevent many issues.  If potential problems can be prevented before they begin, you will be ahead of the game.  To do this; you must set a good example.  Avoid discussions of politics and religion.  Model the behavior you want your employees to have.  Avoid discussions and comments, including jokes about controversial current topics.  This helps keep people on task and can avoid possible claims of harassment, discrimination or bullying.

If employees try to engage you in a controversial topic, remind them calmly that such a discussion doesn’t belong in the workplace. Use a light touch, but be clear. Maybe you could say, “There are some valid points on each side, but that’s really not something that we should be focusing on here at work.”

At a regularly scheduled group meeting, take the opportunity to remind employees that the company’s core values include mutual respect.  Basically, remind everyone of the rules.  Discrimination, harassment or retaliation against any protected class, including national origin and religion, are not tolerated.  Political discussions belong outside the workplace.  If anyone is feeling overwhelmed or stressed over current events, remind them of your open-door policy or other process for employees to report concerns.  Suggest to your employees that they respond firmly but calmly if another employee tries to engage them in a heated discussion. Usually a light statement does the trick, like, “Sorry, but I’ve got too much work to do right now to talk about politics.”

Finally, resolve problems quickly.  If you find there is tension caused by discussion of current events among team members, or an employee is acting in an aggressive, disrespectful or threatening way, you must act swiftly and consistently. If you ignore early rumblings of discord, they may grow into something ugly.  The best first step is to talk individually to the parties involved. This is particularly useful if the problem is a low-key interpersonal issue or in its early stages.

You might start by saying something like, “I know there has been some tension in the office lately about what’s going on in the world. Remember we are here to work and move the business forward. Not everyone shares the same beliefs, and it’s OK to disagree. However, heated exchanges alter our productivity, so it’s best to keep talk about politics to your time outside the office.”

Much like wrestling; the workplace can have many different plots.  Sometimes it is good to have a partner that you can tag in to help you navigate these types of issues.  Questco is there to help you inspire your labor force through a plethora of HR Services such as: Payroll Services, Benefit Plans, Benefits Administration, HR Technology and Workers’ Comp & Safety Services.  Utilizing Questco’s vast experience, your company can thrive in today’s environment.

Charlie Reeves, Senior Business Development Manager, has decades of experience in Human Resource Solutions.  He is one of the most senior members at Questco and recognized for helping clients of all sizes save money, improve labor efficiency and provide the strongest support for HR Services.  As an entrepreneurs himself, he has lived the long days and sleepless nights on the road to success.  He brings the skill and scale to support you in the pursuit of your goals.  For more information on payroll services, benefit plans, benefits administration, HR technology, workers’ comp and safety services email Charlie.Reeves@questco.net or contact him directly at 936.521.5841.

A Workplace Divided

In less than 100 days, Americans will take to the polls to choose between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden.  Now more than ever, our country is divided ideology and with social media; differing opinions are just a click away.  With the additional topics of discussion like race relations, severity of COVID-19, sex and gender equality; celebrated diversity in the workplace can be a toxic cultural recipe if not handled correctly.

Companies cannot and should not try to quash these conversations because contrary to popular belief, these conversations already happening.  However, what companies can do is create an inclusive culture of civility where difference is not a disruption.

Although humans naturally bond with those in their own groups, this tendency can foster unhealthy mindsets against those with political, religious and cultural differences.  For many of us, the workplace has become the most diverse setting in our lives. Our work relationships tend to cut across race, gender, religion, sexual orientation and political persuasion. Because of this, workplace environments have the potential to orient us toward working across differences more than anyplace else.

Allowing the tribalism that has infected our society to undermine work environments is contrary to successfully meeting company goals and objectives. For this reason, companies need to take up the important work of addressing issues of diversity and culture and finding common ground. While many organizations provide skills training, it's just as important that they provide training in interpersonal areas, such as communication, inclusion and unconscious bias.

It's incredibly valuable to engage with people with different points of view, but it's essential that this happen as dialogue rather than debate. Create a safe space for the conversations, set ground rules and ask everyone to override their individual biases. Learning to listen actively to points of view you may not agree with, while resisting the tendency to convince others or win the argument, can translate to better employee-to-employee relations as well as employee-to-customer relations.  Sharing personal stories is a way of belonging—of being heard and seen. Inviting the sharing of stories enables people to feel known, and also to know one another. It does, however, require time, attention and active listening. Invite employees to share their stories in meetings, in employee resource groups, in diversity education or anyplace it may fit into the employee experience. Sharing stories is a way to learn not only about one another personally but also about other worldviews.

It's important that every employee understands how his or her role serves the greater good. Does the person at the front desk understand how welcoming people can affect the mood of what follows? Are the people who do administrative work and never see the customer acknowledged for the way they contribute to the customer experience? The acknowledgment of everyone's contribution to the mission gives people a sense of being part of a team.  An organizational mission that provides a clear vision for what the company is trying to accomplish is essential. Having a powerful and positive organizational narrative around belonging and the value of diversity, and frequently communicating and reinforcing that narrative, produces a story that employees can repeat, reflect on and internalize. It allows everyone to see himself or herself as part of a team and helps to override polarities from individual viewpoints.

Bridging divides in our organizational lives creates greater harmony and cooperation. Not only does engaging with different groups promote new insights, it validates the humanity of people on all sides of an issue.

Questco is there to help you inspire your labor force through a plethora of HR Services such as: Payroll Services, Benefit Plans, Benefits Administration, HR Technology and Workers’ Comp & Safety Services.  Utilizing Questco’s vast experience, your company can thrive in today’s environment.

Charlie Reeves, Senior Business Development Manager, has decades of experience in Human Resource Solutions.  He is one of the most senior members at Questco and recognized for helping clients of all sizes save money, improve labor efficiency and provide the strongest support for HR Services.  As an entrepreneurs himself, he has lived the long days and sleepless nights on the road to success.  He brings the skill and scale to support you in the pursuit of your goals.  For more information on payroll services, benefit plans, benefits administration, HR technology, workers’ comp and safety services email Charlie.Reeves@questco.net or contact him directly at 936.521.5841.