Glassdoors Guide to Embracing Employer Transparency

Glassdoors Guide to Embracing Employer Transparency Did you realise that the employees of your organisation are writing up reviews about their experience online? Some are happy, others not so much. What can you  do to embrace this transparency and how can you  use  these reviews  as constructive feedback?  To get the inside scoop, Ive had a chat with Diarmuid Russell, Head of International at Glassdoor, the  international workplace  review website. Make sure you never miss and episode, subscribe to the Employer Branding Podcast now! What challenges can Glassdoor help employers tackle? The first one is that sometimes the company might not be known by the people theyre trying to hire. Theyre trying to make a name for themselves, and get known as an employer of choice, but nobody has really heard of them. And so a site like Glassdoor can rapidly give people a sense as to what this company is like and showcase them as a really great employer.  A  site like Glassdoor can also help people understand changes to a company, and whats going on there  right now, and then use that to make a better decision. Theres a really good example of this actually, which is HomeServe.They had a bit of a mis-selling scandal a few years ago, and it was all over the newspapers, and it created a little bit of reputation for them.  Since then, the whole senior management has changed, theyve worked really hard to turn the company around, to build up a new culture, and to make it a great place to work. And that shows through in their reviews on Glassdoor. Theyve got a 4.6 rating, and their CEO was fourth highest rated CEO in the UK on our list last year. And so it really helps companies like that get their message across that things have changed. A bad employer will have already have a bad reputation. Doesnt a site like Glassdoor just amplify their problems? Well, I think the important thing to think about is the mindset that people have in todays day and age. So youre absolutely right that review sites tend to be an amplification for your employer brand. But I think, in todays day and age, people really turn to reviews on the Internet to help them make decisions. If you think about choosing a restaurant, or choosing a holiday, or buying a television, almost nobody will do that nowadays without going and checking it out on TripAdvisor, or on a reviews website for the TV to make sure theyre making a good decision. They want the reassurance of what other people have said. And they always trust those third-party voices more than their own experience. And so I think we really help to reinforce that. Also a company might have a great reputation, but looking underneath that, what are the key things that make that up? How can you ensure that employee reviews on Glassdoor are genuine? The integrity of data on a review website is really, really important. And so we have a multi-tier review process that we take very seriously. It involves both technology and a human touch. So when a review comes in, its always moderated by technology to make sure that it meets our terms of use, and terms of service, and guidelines. And if theres any question marks about that, it goes through to a round of review by our team of human moderators who look at the content and determine if it meets our guidelines. Its interesting people might not realise this, but we actually reject about 5 to 10% of all the content thats submitted to Glassdoor so it never makes it onto the website. How can companies embrace transparency and encourage employee reviews? I think the first thing I would say is if youre a company and you havent claimed your Glassdoor profile, you should absolutely go out and do that. We have a simple free employer account. Its free (the clue is in the name) and what it does is it allows you to get involved in the conversation.  In terms of responding to reviews, Id say, welcome all the feedback that you get, whether its positive or negative. Someone told me at a conference last year, the expression they used was that feedback is a gift, employees just taking the time to tell you how they feel about working at your company. And so you should acknowledge that and thank them for that, whether its good or its a bad, in a way that is respectful and makes sense. Its great to address specific comments. Also, respond quickly, its pretty obvious. And then, like LOréal are doing, request more reviews.  I think when people do that, it really shows engagement. In fact, weve got a thing called Engaged Employer, which is a badge on the site. And that says, This person cares about transparency. Theyre engaged in the Glassdoor community, theyre actively responding to reviews. Whats the number one mistake that you see employers doing? I think the number one mistake is basically being defensive, and essentially not acknowledging that the feedback is valid, and basically leaving a response to a review that says, Youre just wrong. Its not like that, because it comes across as very defensive and very negative, whereas there are better ways to respond to reviews that might not be positive, which is to acknowledge that maybe not everythings perfect, that youre working to change things, and to really then emphasise some of the things that are good about the employer. How do you calculate the ROI for companies using Glassdoor? I think ROI is important, and its important also to recognise the importance of this subject. So amongst millennials, for example, 76% of people say culture and fit is really important when choosing employer, and thats more than career potential, its more than compensation. The other thing that I think is important about employer branding, in general, and at Glassdoor we certainly think we contribute to this, is it basically makes all of your other channels youre advertising in more effective. If youve got a strong employer brand, that people say good things about you, that makes people want to go work there, then when they see an ad for you in whatever channel or medium that might be, theyre going to be more inclined to come and work for you. People who have engaged with us and bought our solutions are reporting that they see a 30% lower cost-per-hire on average than on other channels. And the main reason for that is that candidates come to Glassdoor, they do their research, and they effectively proactively screen themselves in or out of whether or not they want to work with you. Follow Diarmuid on Twitter @diarus  and dont forget to subscribe to the Employer Branding Podcast. Image: Shutterstock.

7 Ways to Save Money on Diabetic Medical Supplies

7 Ways to Save Money on Diabetic Medical Supplies Diabetics can spend thousands on healthcare and medical supplies. This is more than someone who doesnt have diabetes. Medical care can range from medical supplies, prescription medication, and doctors visits. Some diabetics may have to pay for additional health care such as dialysis or a kidney transplant. Being unproductive, unemployed, or ill can also add to the financial burden. Here are some ways you can save money on diabetic medical supplies without visiting a diabetic supply store. Online Shopping The best way to save on diabetic medical supplies is to shop online. Skip the lines at the pharmacy by getting your prescription filled online. The internet has plenty of legitimate and safe online pharmacies and drugstores that sell diabetic supplies. It is important that you do your research into finding one that is reputable. There are plenty of consumer websites that give you the details of each pharmacy and allow you to compare prices. You can also verify the legitimacy of an online pharmacy that fills prescriptions or sells diabetic supplies online at many of these comparison sites. Free Samples If you do not have luck shopping for diabetic supplies online, the next thing you can do is ask for free samples. Plenty of medical suppliers and pharmaceutical companies provide free samples of their products. You can ask for free samples from your doctor or diabetes specialist. The ADA website has a list of upcoming Diabetes Expos in locations throughout the country. There, you can attend classes, health screenings, and samples in your area. You can also contact a diabetic supply store and find out if they give out free samples. Keep in mind that you may have to make a purchase before receiving free diabetic medical supplies. Sales and Coupons Check the weekly ads and sales circulars to see if your local drugstore or pharmacy is having a sale. Some stores may publish a regular health magazine that may contain coupons, discounts, and promotions. Shop around at various stores, including grocery stores, retail chains, and department stores for the best prices on both brand-name and generic diabetic supplies. Dont just compare prices. Also, compare prices to ensure you are getting the best deal. Keep in mind that not all generic or store brands are affordable. It is best to do your research so you get more for your money. Government Assistance Programs Some insurance companies and government programs have prescription assistance programs. Pharmaceutical companies even have their own programs that offer reduced prices on supplies. If your health insurance carrier does not offer drug coverage, government assistance programs like the Partnership for Prescription Assistance or Together Rx Access can help you save money. Non-Profits and Charities Reach out to various non-profits and charities that help people save money on supplies. The Lions Club has several programs that provide free vision screenings and prevent vision loss, the most common cause of diabetes. The Kiwanis International Club offers plenty of healthcare programs for diabetic children. Holistic Healthcare Stores Some holistic healthcare stores offer discounts on alternative medical supplies and prescriptions. Keep in mind that diabetes is not just about controlling your blood sugar levels. It can affect the other organs of your body if you dont monitor it or take care of yourself. Cutting back on sugars, avoiding alcohol, and quitting smoking are some ways to help you save money from buying supplies. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and working out regularly will also provide you with long-term effects on battling this disease. These are just some ways you can save on supplies. This may take a little research and effort, but it will end up saving you money in the long run. Dont be afraid to ask for help, if you need it.

8 Ways to Minimize Legal Risk at Work-related Events

8 Ways to Minimize Legal Risk at Work-related Events Work-related social events are on the rise across most companies and can be a great way to bring all employees together to boost morale and encourage team cohesion. However, whilst you will no doubt want to reward your employees for their hard work and commitment to the business, we have all witnessed compulsory team-building events or social gatherings take a negative turn â€" especially where alcohol is involved. The usual scenarios of staff misbehaving are often entertaining, and in most instances, brushed aside as harmless fun, but the risks posed by work-related events should not be overlooked. From harassment and discrimination to work no-shows and disciplinary issues, employers could be left with more than just a sore head the next morning if an event is not managed properly. Whilst it can be hard to find the right balance when it comes to planning a work event, the best thing to do is to try and mitigate against any potential legal issues from arising in the first place. This checklist will enable everyone to relax and enjoy themselves, whilst protecting against the occurrence of any damaging employment tribunals. CHECK that you are being inclusive â€" Ensure that every single employee is invited to the event, including those on maternity and sick leave â€" this will help to mitigate against any discrimination complaints. However, some employees may not want to attend for personal, religious or health reasons, so make sure their position is taken into consideration and they do not feel under pressure to make an appearance. CHECK that you are catering for everyone â€" From the food and drink on offer to the entertainment provided, it’s important to ensure that your gatherings are welcoming to all. For example, make sure there are non-alcoholic drinks as well as catering for any specific dietary requirements. Employers should also consider reviewing any entertainers or speakers in advance to ensure that their material is appropriate and will not offend anyone present. CHECK that your staff handbook is up to date â€" Regardless of whether you are holding a social event out of hours and offsite, it can be considered an extension of the work environment.   Therefore, it is important to lay out your expectations for employee behavior including your disciplinary, anti-bullying and harassment policies to stop individuals from getting carried away. Sending an email around the week before reminding staff of your HR policies can be particularly useful! CHECK that your staff are aware of your sickness and absence policy â€" A gentle reminder about your policies will help to discourage staff from taking unjustified sick leave, or to suddenly announce they are working from home, following an event. This is particularly important if you are holding a compulsory social function in the middle of the week. CHECK that you have appropriate disciplinary procedures in place â€" In the event that a staff member does behave inappropriately at a work function, it’s important that these issues are addressed using normal disciplinary procedures. However, whilst certain steps may need to be taken at the time to diffuse a situation, its best to wait and deal with any grievances at the first opportunity when back in the office. CHECK that your staff can get home safely â€" Employers have a duty of care to their employees and this extends to ensuring that they can get home safely from any work-related social events. Make sure to advise your staff to plan their journey home in advance or consider organizing taxis or hired transport. You might even want to consider ending the celebrations before public transport stops running. CHECK that there is a limit if there is a free bar â€" Most incidents that occur at work gatherings are alcohol-fuelled. If you are providing a free bar, consider setting a limit beforehand to help mitigate against excessive consumption and hostile situations.   CHECK that you have an adequate social media policy â€" Whilst sharing pictures and videos can seem like a great idea at the time, this can lead to several problems. For example, there could be data protection issues if you do not have employees consent to post photos of them and there is also the risk staff posting messages which could cause offence and damage a company’s reputation. Having a comprehensive social media policy will help to mitigate against any inappropriate use and prevent the need for any disciplinary action. About the author: Claire Woolf is a Managing Editor at Sparqa Legal.  Sparqa Legal is an online platform providing expert legal guidance and autogenerated documents for all businesses. Founded by a team of senior barristers and tech executives, Sparqa Legal is on a mission to make law accessible and empower business to fulfil their own legal needs.

5 Most Popular Office Gift Ideas - Classy Career Girl

5 Most Popular Office Gift Ideas Office gifts  can be one of the hardest purchases  on your shopping list.  You dont want to get the wrong thing and make someone feel bad and you definitely dont want to be too cheap.  Even worse, you never  want to hurt someones feelings because it could mean a harder working relationship in the new year. The usual office gift ideas range from a bottle of wine to a nice, office plant.  These are a little boring so I have some other ideas for you today. What if you could give a gift that actually makes the recipient  think about you positively for the entire next year? What if you give a gift that allows you to have an easier conversation and get to know each other even better. Your gift can have a direct impact on your career success so it really is important to buy the right thing. Heres a roundup of the 5  best office gift ideas: 1. Magazine subscription. You really cant go wrong. A few of my favorites for bosses and co-workers are Forbes, Working Mother, Money, Inc, Real Simple, People Stylewatch or Success. This is a great way for them to remember how thoughtful you are every month for the rest of the year. 2. Starbucks Gift Card.   Who doesn’t  want a peppermint mocha or gingerbread latte this time of year?   3. Chocolate. You usually can’t go wrong with chocolate (unless they are allergic).  The best part is that it’s a gift that you will probably get a taste of when  your co-workers  open up the chocolates  in the office! 4. Books. How many books are on your book shelf?   Why not give your favorites to your co-workers?   If you thought they were great, there is a good chance that those working with you will also. The best part of this gift is that it gives you something to talk about during the year when they read it. If they learn anything from the book it will all be because of you. [Related: My favorite  career and entrepreneurship books] 5. New  Year Planners I am obsessed with sugar paper planners at Target.  Get all your co-workers these with a little bow on top and they will love you. This is another great way for them to remember how thoughtful you are everyday for the entire next year. Photo by @sugarpaperla **This is an update of a previous office gift ideas  article I wrote all the way back in 2010. Back then I thought you should make cookies and bring home-made granola for your office presents.  Who am I, Martha Stewart?! I officially would like to say that I no longer recommend baking presents  for your office. ?? What are your favorite office gift ideas? Any to add to the list above?

Why Healthcare IT Consultancy Pays Better than Most Jobs - CareerMetis.com

Why Healthcare IT Consultancy Pays Better than Most Jobs What is a Healthcare IT Consultancy?evalIt is a question that needs an answer concerning the current medical standards reforms.To be frank, if you are thinking this field is not study-intensive, think again. An excellent healthcare consultancy at least requires a bachelor’s degree with a predisposition to a master’s degree. It rules out the possibility of doing mindless work on your seats.evalThe next question is quite similar to the first one â€" what do healthcare consultants do?Since, we live in an age when the software, hardware, and the people working in an organization depend on Information Technology; healthcare is not so far behind.It also gives birth to the profession of healthcare IT consultants.They are technically sound dealing with healthcare software hardware programs and processes on a daily basis. They suggest improvements, but in some cases, they have to fix the entire system. During the transition to value-based care models, the healthcare IT consultants are v ery much in demand.The healthcare industry is advancing and, therefore, IT is replacing the paper-based mechanism. In that way, the medical professionals need IT consultancy at almost every step. They work closely with the healthcare providers.Medical billing services are an excellent example of health IT consultants. By optimizing the Revenue Cycle Management They provide an alternate route to the students and those looking for employment in this highly competitive job market.Ideally, a bachelor’s degree of 4 years is enough, but a master’s degree adds to your overall charisma. Either Bachelor of Science in healthcare management or Bachelor of Science in healthcare administration gets you there.Courses such as medical ethics, medical terminology, and healthcare information systems along with math, accounting and computers are touched upon the course of study.After the degree comes the hard part â€" getting some hands-on experience under your belt. An entry-level job as a fresh graduate introduces you to the work and the atmosphere you’ll be staying in, for at least 8 hours of the day. With the passage of time, your analytical skills polish up, and you are in a position to excel as a HIT consultant.evalIf you can provide information management solutions to the supervisor, it is highly likely you are promoted to a higher position. Initially, they are looking for people with skills and experience in project management.Given some time, your ability to administer and manage sensitive information improves. Indeed of 2016 reports an average salary of $61,00 per annum for a health IT consultant.A Bright Future Awaits YouHealthcare IT jobs are the most lucrative regarding salaries according to a CNBC report released in 2015. They were the sixth most sought-after jobs back then. Today, we see the demand has only increased.Due to the involvement of IT products within the healthcare industry, there is a constant need for health IT professionals. If you want to choo se this career path, you are, indeed, making a wise decision.Clinicians are busy with the patients, but at every step of the treatment, they have to interact with the IT systems software. At that point, they miss having someone who can help them connect with the government, insurance companies the patients at the same time. And, that is where a consultant jumps in.Integration of software at all the critical stages of the clinical and operational process is what most practices are going for because nothing beats the seamless flow of information between an EHR, Practice Management System As a healthcare provider, it is mandatory to achieve the objectives of EHR technology and report those measures to the CMS. It also earns them favorable payment adjustments. Your job, as a consultant, is to help them communicate those requirements and realize those incentives.If the providers choose to work on their own and do not seek assistance in this regard, they may be downplaying on their ince ntives. The incentives hugely depend on the skills and credibility of the consultants.evalAssisting with the Certified EHR TechnologyThe top EMR consulting firms handsomely pay HIT consultants because the doctors and other medical professionals often face technical and reporting issues with the EHRs.Since the EHR incentive programs are now called Promoting Interoperability Assisting in Enrollment and CredentialingEnrollment in the Medicare program, as a physician, may look easy on paper, but in reality, it can be a daunting task. However, by hiring the services of a health IT consulting firm, the process becomes hiccup-free and quite relieving.You are not only helping the medical professionals but also gaining experience with time. You may be promoted to a better position after some time which has its perks privileges.Enrollment credentialing go hand-in-hand. By undergoing the process of provider credentialing, insurance companies check the authenticity of the providers.Soon after they prove to be legitimate regarding education, training, work experience and reputation, they may start medical billing the company. Medicare credentialing will allow you to bill Medicare.Same goes for the Medicaid program. Healthcare IT consultants execute the processes effectively so that the providers can focus on their work without any distractions.Providers Rely on HIT Consultants for Better MIPS Final ScoreMerit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) is one of the tracks of the Quality Payment Program (QPP), but only Eligible Professionals (EPs) take part in it. The other route is Advanced APMs. By selecting one of these two, the EPs may be eligible for incentive payments.For the performance year 2018, CMS will release payments in the year 2020. To select one of the two tracks is mandatory for eligible clinicians (ECs).Reporting measures for all the performance categories of MIPS through reliable HIT consultants can get you a good MIPS Final Score. In MIPS 2018, if the final score is above 70, the EP is a viable candidate for bonus payments. Nothing beats good reputation and a couple of years’ experience in the field of reporting as a HIT consultant.Reporting measures for quality, promoting interoperability, cost and information activities to the CMS via a MIPS Qualified Registry comes as a highly recommended method.Wrapping UpThe point of all this discussion is to put a word out there for students and people looking for jobs. It adds another field to your list of options. Yes, we see that there is a lot to learn and explore in this profession.Health IT consultancy will only grow in the upcoming years and, hence, will require a larger workforce. For instance, those who can memorize and are good at math, medical billing outsourcing companies can hire you as medical billers coders.By increasing the number of collections, you will pave the way for your professional success and maturity as a medical billing expert. This is just one opportunity, and ther e are several other jobs in the health IT sector that may suit you.

How to Reduce the Risks In Your Business

How to Reduce the Risks In Your Business If you are running any type of business, the last thing you want to do is deal with emergencies regularly. There are so many threats to small and medium sized businesses’ existence; tax issues, legal challenges, and staff retention rates. If you are able to manage the risks in your company successfully, you will have a much better chance of surviving the turmoils. Below you will find a list of areas you should start focusing on now. Take Care of Legal Issues The legality of your business is very important, still overlooked by many managers. You have to check that your current licenses are valid and you are complying with state and national, international regulations. It might be a good idea to employ a legal consultant to review your contracts and company documents regularly, so you don’t have to pay fines or face closure due to some tiny legal issues. Look after Your Employees Next, you will have to make sure that your employees are feeling appreciated, safe, and valued. You might run up your human resource costs if you can’t manage your staff turnover. Put a whs management system in place, so you can look after health and safety in your workplace, and prevent compensation claims being filed against your company by employees. You might also want to create a workplace assessment to tailor your premises to the individual needs of your employees. Keep On Top of Your Finances When running your business, you will have to make sure that you see clearly about your income and outgoings, outstanding payments and bills. If you don’t have an effective accounting system that gives you a snapshot of your situation, it might be time to stop filing your paperwork away and updating your accounts real time. This will help you spot issues and recover payments in a timely manner. Get Insurance The lack of insurance can put your business continuity at risk. Make sure that you are able to get the right insurance cover that will protect your business in case there is an accident, a natural disaster, or a financial problem. Insure your fleet, your premises, and get a cover for unexpected costs you would find hard to pay out of pocket. You will also need to get an indemnity and public liability insurance if you deal with the public on the daily basis. Focus On Continuity Apart from insurance and looking after your staff, you will also have to work on identifying risks that can put the existence of your business at risk. From the threat of competition to new trends in your industry, there are several conditions that can put you out of business. Implement a Lean management system, focusing on continuously making improvements by identifying and eliminating business risks. Running a business is stressful, and we often forget about making sure that we can carry on delivering the products or services to our market. Conduct risk assessments regularly and focus on the above areas to improve your chance of surviving troubled times.

Resume Writing Services in Washington DC

Resume Writing Services in Washington DCWhile researching for the most trustworthy resume writing services in Washington DC, it is important to bear in mind that the company offering such service should be professionally and ethically managed. At times, hiring employees may be a matter of petty politics or a mere game of patronage between a candidate and an employer, but if the resume is written professionally and that employee does not fulfill his promises to deliver quality work, then he cannot be taken seriously. This is because many applicants go through the process of writing their resumes only to find out that the candidate does not match their expectations and as a result, the applicant quits the job offer or the employer tries to sabotage the application by replacing the applicant with someone who does not deliver what he promised.The Government agencies in Washington DC have several professional resume writing services that do not make use of such deceptive practices. Such a resume writing service should be ethical and should be managed with the utmost care and due diligence, especially when hiring the services of a team of professionals to create a resume. This is to ensure that the applicants will be hired on merit and not as a consequence of petty politics.Another good feature of professional resume writing services in Washington DC is that they are aware of the nuances of the language. A professional resume writer knows the rules of grammar and can turn it into a masterpiece, as per the client's expectations. The professionalism of a resume writer is beyond doubt, and this is evident from the fact that some employers even advertise the fact that they employ professional resume writers. Such organizations cannot be ignored and one should go for them if they want to hire a talented writer to turn their resume into a magnificent masterpiece.An applicant may choose a reputable resume writer for many reasons. Most employers who do not deal with clients directly but instead with their agents and consultants hire the services of a reputable resume writer so that they do not end up losing their best employee. They find out about such an organization by reading reviews orby searching for it online, and if they like what they see, they contact the organization. The resume writer in question then takes charge of the project and makes sure that all the data is presented properly and that the requirements of the employer are met before the resume is sent to the client.Resume writing services in Washington DC to give more value to the information provided by the client. The resume of the applicant should be formatted with accuracy and the writing should be accurate and concise. Even if the resume has been prepared by professionals, the applicant should ensure that the information given is accurate and does not need any changes or additions.If the applicant wants to know about a certain service or job position, he can check out websites tha t deal with such resume writing services in Washington DC. The websites can provide information about the companies and even the contact numbers of the employees who are available for the position. Since the information can be easily obtained, it is better to choose the company that provides it.Many applicants would also like to hire professionals to write the resume of their friends and relatives. The resume of a friend might not look very impressive but the professional can make it look perfect. The resume writing service must be contacted and they will be able to send the professional resume written by an expert. When the applicant contacts the resume writing service, he must confirm the authenticity of the resume before sending it to the hiring company and also verify the nature of the career before employing the services of such professionals.To get the best results and avoid job-hopping strategies, the applicant should choose a good resume writing service in Washington DC. The se services must not only be ethical but they must also be able to meet the client's expectations and requirements.