Well, it's been a while since I've posted and a lot has transpired in those days; some of it not as pleasant as an HR person would like things to be in their workplace.  Last week we had to inform our employees that we would need to implement a wage cut--hopefully for just a brief time, but yet undetermined.  It was a really difficult thing to do.

The economy has been tough on Las Vegas and it's been especially hard for printing companies in general (from the articles read in newsletters and trade publications).  These same publications and many headlines say how the economy appears to be making a modest recovery--but it has yet to feel that way in some places--us being one of them.

But (rose colored glasses back on) we have a really great group of people working here and they seem to have taken our difficult news as well as can be expected.   I think many people here may have felt that things were amiss, but just not sure how much, and I believe that having more information and communication helps a lot!  29 other lives depend on how diligently the one is working and trying, and I hope people realize that!  Hopefully the cutback will be a short one.

They say that insanity is doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results--I hope that those people that need to make changes will see the need and go the extra mile,  follow through and make the necessary improvements and put forth the extra effort.   The first few days after the announcement there was a buzz about this place that felt like a determination-- a "we will get through this" attitude.  I truly want that feeling to continue--we can do this if we work together!

In the meantime, business goes on as usual.  There seem to be a lot of opportunities presenting themselves these past few days, and that's been encouraging.  Perhaps the economy actually IS improving.  It would be a welcome improvement for all of us!  So, we will hang in there and things will work out and get better!

Here's to a great weekend (hopefully not too windy), nice and sunny!  Enjoy!

I read an interesting article today in the RJ.  Seems Dan Ackroyd (dating myself, but I remember him from Saturday Night and Ghost Busters ) is in town promoting his vodka (Crystal Head--really cool bottles BTW)...  He was asked by the person doing the article about his thoughts on 2012 and it being the end of the world.  Part of his response was that he felt it would be the end of the world as we know it and not so much along the  catastrophic or destructive lines, and more constructive.

He also mentioned that we should prepare by opening our minds and being better human beings to each other, be more compassionate, more loving and more positive thinking.  Wouldn't it be so wonderful if that happened??!!  Yeah, I have my rose colored glasses on but it sure does sound better to me than the death and destruction scenario.   I firmly believe that, while there is still goodness and kindness in the world, we could really use a LOT more!  I like that train of thought much better, and from this point on, that's what I'll hope for; can't hurt!

Here's to a good week!

Well, it's Friday and this week that feels like a good thing!    So, I'm back here at the "blog", once again not really knowing what to write, but giving it another go, to stay familiar with the experience.

Speaking of Friday, this one seems rather quiet, so I'll look forward to it being a chance to get caught up on some of the miscellaneous stuff that piles up on the desk!  Perhaps while the efforts are being made to see more of the wood grain on the top of my desk, I will ponder why we let some things drive us crazy ... and try not to get too lacrymose about it!  

OK, still working on this "blogging" thing, pondering what to "blog" about and feeling like a writer, with writer's block.    Hmmm, what would anyone find remotely interesting, or I guess I should say, anyone that might read this and since I don't really know who that might be, therein lies the dilemma.

Obviously there are things I could write about, but keeping it along the HR lines requires the need to be vague or keep things anonymous if I consider mentioning anything about "my" workplace, so we won't go there right now.

I read yesterday and then heard it covered on the local news and radio this morning about the air traffic controller that took his son to work with him and then let him "direct" a few planes with some radioed instructions to pilots.  I can just imagine that the HR person at JFK is pulling their hair out   about that one.  I wonder if there's something in their handbook that can make this a cut and dried situation to handle.

The media coverage and subsequent public response is coming in somewhat mixed (what I've heard so far).  Some feel it's being turned into a huge ordeal and that it really was not a "big deal" that the air traffic controller or the supervisors allowed that sort of thing to take place, asserting that the adults were most likely in charge at all times and simply letting the boy say what they advised him to say.  Others are outraged and indicate that it endangered the lives on airplanes in the vacinity by this lax in judgement and breach of security.  It will be interesting to see how this plays out.  If there are hard and fast rules in a handbook somewhere and/or strict security rules about "visitors" in the control tower and the supervisors and air traffic controllers involved were aware of those rules and blatantly disregarded them, this will probably be a lot easier to "discipline".  It will be the "gray" areas that cause difficulties in dealing with this situation ... and I wonder if public outcry will be a factor--it shouldn't be!

One thing I will say is that I am VERY glad that I'm not in charge of that HR department! 

OK, here's the first real live blog/comentary.

I'll try not to get too political but wanted to comment on a "current event".  Most people know that President Obama visited our fair city today and these thoughts came up.

I was driving to work and listening to the news on the radio.  The news announcer told how Mayor Goodman was still so upset with the President for recent and past remarks that did not seem to speak favorably of our city that he was refusing to attend any of the functions planned while the President was here.

Then I got into work and a couple of c0-workers brought up the subject and the angry rejection on the part of the Mayor to speak with the President.  A lively discussion ensued, and we discussed that perhaps rather than turn his back in anger on President Obama, that Mayor Goodman should use this opportunity to speak with him.  Let him know, in person, of his outrage and what we feel this does to our city when a comment (though well intended when taken in it's whole context--that people should not spend their college education savings on vacations to Las Vegas--and only spend them on college) by someone in a powerful position can be taken in such a negative way and be hurtful to our economy and residents alike.

Mayor Goodman needs to use it as an opportunity to clear the air and strive to convince President Obama to see that Las Vegas is not just Sin City.  Yes, that element is here and we've probably unintentionally brought greater negativity on ourselves with some of our ad campaigns over the years--you know--the old reap what you sow.  But if the President has only seen that side of our town, the casinos, gambling, flamboyant and excessive behavior , instead of the regular people living here who have homes they are struggling to keep, sending their childred to school and yes, college, going to work everyday if they still have their jobs--just like in every other town!  If no one will take the time to reinforce those types of thoughts and instead, simply turn away in anger--nothing positive will be communicated and only the anger will prevail.

HR approaches have to be that way sometimes too.  Communication is essential and you've got to get the positive thoughts and ideas out there to be considered and adopted--so that those will be the ideas that are prevailing--not the anger or misunderstanding.

It's one of those "fluffy" HR and everyday life thingies about seeing things as "opportunities" instead of "obstacles".  It would certainly take more effort to try the positive communication way, but the outcome would more likely be a lot better!