Panic Buttons & HR

After my first week on the job, I sat at an Executive Committee meeting and asked about whether or not there had been a panic button installed in my office. The incredulous looks on their faces and the laughter that ensued informed me that, no, there were no panic buttons in the office and why in the world would I ask such a stupid question.

I did a brief survey of some of my colleagues in the local area who confirmed that they did indeed have panic buttons in their offices too.

If you’ve every been in a hotel and tried to find HR – you’ll notice that we’re usually put down in some basement or back area. We’re usually located near the dumpster or security office or both. The walls in hotels are pretty strong and made with steel and other things that make cell phone reception impossible. So - my screaming for help will probably go unnoticed if there were an emergency.

Finally, an alarm system was installed in the two offices located within HR. They also made sure to test the buttons at the front desk – where most robberies happen at a hotel. (like it did to me way back in 1994 when a 9mm gun was pointed and cocked in my direction – so, admittedly, I’m a wee-bit sensitive to these issues.)

I will say that I have never had to pull my panic button in HR. I have accidentally bumped into it – but I like to think of those moments as “dry runs.”

Over the years in HR, I’ve been tempted to pull that button… like, when you have an applicant who constantly insists that they should be hired & starts to get all in your face & aggressive. Or when you have to terminate the person who is about three times the size of you and who is known to have quite the temper… and I think I’ve had all of those things happen to me at every hotel I’ve ever worked at – including this one.

There have been plenty of stories on the news about employees coming to their job and seeking revenge on those who have done them wrong. It’s scary.

I’m sure people don’t usually think of these things during the course of their day. I do. I try my best to maintain a respectful dialogue with all applicants, employees, and ex-employees..not only because I believe it’s the right thing to do… but because I want it to help prevent things like that from happening to my employees.

Even with that you still have people who think that it’s *my* fault they don’t work there anymore. Just this week I’ve been called ‘racist’ and that I’m preventing this person from getting another job… (I’m not doing any such thing & I’m certainly not, nor ever will be, a racist) I’ve also been told that a former manager would like to run me over with her car if she ever sees me again.

Nice, right? What other job offers those kinds of perks?

 

 

The end of a long weekend.

At the end of the weekend I start to think about what the next day at work will be like. For some reason, I’m starting to get anxious and I have no idea why. I will say that I’ve been having that feeling of anxiety more and more often latey… not sure what to attribute that to. And that means that there are SO many things to attribute it to I can’t pick just one.

Anywho… it was a nice weekend. I’m sad that its ending. My sister Jamie was here with her brood Wednesday – Saturday & that was fun. Then Saturday my SIL’s kids spent the night. I thought that maybe we turned the house into a daycare until yesterday morning when it was relatively quiet again. (quiet as in only my own kids were yelling at each other)

A lot of the weekend was spent in here – at the kitchen table:

I did do some scrapping. Like, a teensy bit. Nothing I’m overly excited about. Blah.

Here are a couple of things I did a few weeks ago but never posted:

I thought it was a cool and really unique idea – until I saw other ones posted on other sites. Darn it. I guess we can’t always be inventive. Oh well. It matches my kitchen – so that’s where its staying for now.

I also did this:

Here’s a close-up:

I had to do it and then put it right in the album. I love looking at it – but it hurts to look at it all at the same time. It brings back all sorts of images and sounds and heartache.

Yeesh – way to bring a blog down, Jen.

Okay, how about something a bit cheerier?

There, that’s better.

Something you never want to hear during dinner.

From my 10 year old son:

“Hey Mommy, guess what? In 362 days I’m going to know how to make a baby!”

Um, what? (choking)

(he’s on his way to fifth grade where apparently they give the kids that educational “health” *cough* lesson)

Great, just great.  

If he’s already that enthusiastic about it, I’m in BIG trouble.

Sneaky

The weekend is about to end – much too soon. This weekend was filled with:

• Greek Festival
• Super Heroes
• Napping
• Chinese Food
• Laundry
• ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ marathon
• Scrapbooking

Not bad. Here’s a sneak of the scrapbooking:

Just a sneak.

If you want to see the whole thing – you’ll have to head over to Serendipity Scrapbook Designs (& log in). Here’s the link. I used the awesome kit that Milissa puts together. She asked me to be a member of her permanent Design Team!

Woo Hoo!

Next on the weekend agenda:

• Dinner
• Showers
• Pajamas
• And maybe more scrapbooking.

Happy Sunday!

Green Envy

There is some serious lawn envy going on around my neighborhood. 

Well, to be fair, the only envious people are the ones who are paying the mortgage at my house. So… that narrows it down a smidge.

Here’s the reason why:

Lawn on the left: My lawn.

Lawn on the right: NOT my lawn.

Every day I have to wipe drool from the kitchen window because of the longing glances I give the lucsious green fertile and oh-so-welcoming-I-want-to-roll-around-in-it lawn next door.

Apparently, up here in the North, you have to first rid the lawn of nasty weeds (and I’m hoping I can do that with sarcastic comments & maybe a few “yo mamma” insults), aerate your lawn, seed your lawn, fertilize your lawn, cover it with hay, sprinkle fairy dust on it, do a little grass-growing dance while burning sage and chanting positive messages (in tune) to the grass-growing gods.

Oh – and you can only doing this a certain time during the year or else the seeds will burn in little seedling infernoes and even the tears you weep over them won’t help them grow.

I’m not 100% sure when the right time of year is… but I have a feeling it might have something to do with the moon, the tides, the distance of the Earth from the Sun and the outcome of the American Idol finale.  All of this is a tad bit frustrating for me… our front lawn is sooo beautiful – why can’t our back yard be too? Now?! I have no patience for growing grass. None.

I’m tempted to cover the entire lawn with rocks. But… that may make a Slip-n-Slide a little uncomfortable. 

She’s right.

Last night at dinner the boy asked, “What’s a subordinate?”

I explained that subordinate is someone who has a boss. They are subordinate. Like, my assistant, she is my subordinate… and I have a boss so I am his subordinate.

He says, “Oh, like on Meerkat Manor… Flower is the leader and Mozart is the subordinate female.”

“Yes, exactly,” I replied, “Everyone has a boss. Everyone has someone they have to report what they do.”

That’s when the little one chimed in…

“Except hobos.” She said.

Um, yeah… except hobos.

Can’t argue with that.

Could HR *be* any cooler?

I know what you were thinking… “Hey Jen, could there be more discussions about HR and employment law on your blog?”

I could try… but I don’t like to talk too much about workon here, except for the occasional crazy-ass hotel/HR story.

(and I’m saving most of those for my screenplay)

But – I found this blog which should satisfy all your compensation, benefits and HR cravings!

You’re welcome.

My eyes have been opened to a whole new world of HR blogs. Who knew?! The discovery has made this HR Geek feel a bit giddy. (or maybe it’s just the rum)

I want to call my Mom.

And I want to wish her a Happy Mother’s Day. I’m sad today, but I’m trying hard not to be. The family is being very sweet with homemade cards and some very thoughtful gifts. (like this)

Cute, right? Even my husband picked out some scrappy stuff - which he rarely does. (because he knows how particular I am)

I opted for a quiet weekend with the fam. No celebrating – just some quiet and introspective time for me. (which is always a ton of laughs for everyone else – coughnotcough) 

I did get out for a bit yesterday. I went to a few shops including a ginormous thrift store where I picked up this loot for whopping $7.00.

All items are for the guest scrap room.

I called the kids in to see the typewriter and my son says, “What is that?” I explained that this is what we used before computers… you know, back in the “old days” where we lived in caves and ran from dinosaurs.

Pardon me while I take a sip of Geritol. Has anyone seen my teeth?

I wish all my lovely girls a Happy Mom’s Day. You all help me & inspire me every day to be a better Mom. (the roses are for you!)

Mom… I love you and miss you. So much. xoxo

The Best News.

Here: Team Matt

(if the news isn’t posted yet – it will be soon – keep checking, its worth it)

Tag, I’m it.

The lovely and talented Cynthia tagged me a while back. Its my very first tag!

The rules are as follows:

1. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
2. At the end of the post, the player then tags five people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves a comment letting them know they’ve been tagged and to ask them to play along and to read your blog.

What I was doing 10 years ago – 1998
1 – Raising a 1 year old little boy
2 – Working part-time in HR
3 – Living in Boynton Beach, FL
4 – Started scrapbooking
5 – Had three cats

Five things on my to-do list today
1 – Clean the bathrooms at home
2 – Call back some employees
3 – Complete some room inspections
4 – Don’t stay at work too late
5 – Watch American Idol

Snacks I enjoy
1 – Wasabi Peas
2 – Popcorn
3 – M&Ms
4 – Homemade Salsa
5 – Lime tortilla chips (they go perfectly with #4)

Things I would do if I were a billionaire
1 – Buy everyone in my family a house (and some friends too)
2 – Pay for my kids’ college education
3 – Hire a maid, cook, chauffeur, masseuse, personal trainer
4 – Give to charity
5 – Travel

Five of my bad habits
1 – Nail Biter
2 – Procrastinate
3 – Addicted to Howard Stern
4 – Impatient
5 – Easily bored (see #4)

Five places I have lived
1 – New York
2 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
3 – Palm Beach Gardens, FL
4 – Orlando, FL
5 – Marietta, GA

Five jobs I’ve had
1 – Movie theater concession
2 – Candle carver
3 – Bus Greeter
4 – Reservation Agent
5 – Human Resources Director

Now for the tagging…..I choose……

Okay – maybe I should’ve added that I’m not always such a rule follower… I’m going to tag a few girls, we’ll see if they join in the fun.