Cool Product

Here's another product that is so neat you wonder why it hasn't been everywhere:

A transparent canoe-kayak.

Now you can really see the local wildlife.

FMLA Answers

Q: When, if ever, does taking time off under the FMLA legally affect promotions? If an employer always takes length of experience into account when deciding which employees to promote, what if two people end up with the "exact" same length of experience, with the exception of one having been on FMLA leave for 12 weeks?

In that situation, the person who wasn't on FMLA leave would have more experience and generally would be the one to promote. Is that illegal under the FMLA, and if so, what do you do about it?

Get the answer to this and other FMLA questions from this essay from the West Virginia Employment Law Letter.

Demotivation Book

Despair, Inc., long noted for its "inspirational" posters, has released an usual book:

The Art of Demotivation by Dr. E. L. Kersten.

Note the pricing:

Manager's edition: $24.95
Executive's edition: $39.95
Chairman's edition: $1,195

Personnel Selection

George F. Will on management:

In spring training, a baseball manager will tell you his team is just two players away from the World Series. Unfortunately, they are Ruth and Gehrig.

Home Office in a Box

A company that built spa enclosures and gazebos is now selling a kit for a home office that you can assemble in your yard:

Cedarsheds' basic kits run $13,000 and include prefab materials to construct a sturdy 10-foot-by-12-foot office with a 9-foot-by-9-foot deck.

Although he admits the kits are a little pricey, Cheng argues they cost less than a room addition, don’t require contractors and can be assembled and ready for use in one to four days.

Read the entire article here.

Why People Leave Jobs

Gregory P. Smith, a retention consultant, has compiled what he believes are the top ten reasons why people leave jobs.

Much of it can be boiled down to lack of appreciation and lack of respect although note also how overwork plays a part.

[HT: Newsvine ]

Pre-Employment Testing

This CareerJournal article on pre-employment tests notes their rising popularity.

I can underscore the fact that scoring one way or another on the personality tests means that you're simply perceived as not being a good fit and does not reflect on your abilities. I've seen that with clients as they review applicants.

Cars in China

China is now the second largest auto market. Within a relatively few years, that market will double.

Read the rest of the Business Week article here.

Schwarzkopf on Leadership

Give yourself a clear agenda. Every morning write down the five most important things for you to accomplish that day. Whatever else you do, get those five things done. Insist that the people who report to you operate the same way.

Let people know where they stand. Everyone knows you do a disservice to a B student when you give him or her an A. That applies not just to schools. The grades you give the people who report to you must reflect reality.

What's broken, fix now. Don't put it off. Problems that aren't dealt with lead to other problems. Besides, something else will break and need fixing tomorrow.

No repainting the flagpole. Make sure all the work your people are doing is essential to the organization.

From this 1992 interview with General Norman Schwarzkopf.

Quote of the Day

Happiness does not depend on outward things, but on the way we see them.

- Leo Tolstoy