Best Corporate Practices 2008

businessweek.com: "Sometimes the difference between the best and worst company policies comes down to one thing: trust. Learn how to use it..."

This is an interesting article. The best stuff is in the 'slideshow' that covers "The 10 Best Corporate Practices, 2008 - A lot of these good ideas have been around for a while. It's time for employers to put them into practice before they lose their best workers..." Here's a summary of the 10 trends:

1. A Real Vacation Policy
2. Spot Bonuses
3. Instant Seniority
4. Community at Work
5. Pooled Sick-Time Banks
6. Customized Benefit Plans
7. Peer Mentoring
8. A Room of Her Own
9. Flex Time and Flex Place
10. Word of Mouth Recruiting

Read the full article...

Background Checks: What You Need to Know

businessweek.com: "With background screening now the norm, employers and employees should be aware of how checks are done and how to protect themselves..."

This article offers practical advice on some things applicants AND employers need to know:

JOB APPLICANTS

• Check prior background reports
• Know who's checking your past
• Act fast if something is wrong

EMPLOYERS

• Know what you're getting from a background check
• There's no national database of all criminal records
• Know how reference checks are done

Read the full article...

Why Your Google Reputation Can Hurt Your Career

"More and more recruiters are turning to Google as part of their due diligence efforts for hiring decisions. The article quotes a couple of incidents where potential employers backed away from offering a job, once they Googled the candidate.

Fortunately, it’s not all bad news. Hiring managers might find something positive about you..."

Read the rest at marketingpilgrim.com