Spring

Spring is forward and bringing time change back again this year!  I hope nobody was too late for work.  Most people tend to use their cell phones as an alarm clock, which fortunately adjust time change automatically.  The cell phone is now taking over many responsibilities both personal and business related.  Not one day goes by where a colleague will say "there's an app for that!"  Take advantage and utilize technology today!

Florida Workers' Compensation

All Florida employers in the construction industry and most employers of 4 or more workers in other industries, as well as state and local governments, must provide employees with workers' compensation coverage.

Would you like to know more?

Feel free to ask us.

10 Tips for Avoiding Computer-caused Eyestrain

With the growing use of computers in the workplace and at home, more employees are spending more time in front of the computer monitor, which puts extra demand on the eyes. If computer workstations are set up incorrectly, it could lead to eyestrain. Here are 10 tips for avoiding computer-caused eyestrain.

1. Look away from the monitor for 30 seconds, every 15 or 20 minutes. Look at or scan things at least 20 feet away to allow the eyes to focus in rest position.
   
2. Position the monitor 20 to 26 inches from your eyes (roughly the distance from your eyes to the end of your index finger with arm outstretched). Otherwise, you'll be forced to sit or lean too close to the screen, or sit too far away. If your eyeglass prescription does not allow clear vision at this range, get it adjusted.
   
3. Set the monitor height so that the top edge is even with your view when looking straight ahead. Then tilt the screen upward so you are not looking at the image at an angle. The optimal screen position is 10 to 20 degrees below eye level.
   
4. Set the monitor screen resolution, Internet browser text size, and the zoom and font default on other applications so that text is easy to read (600x800 for the screen resolution is standard).
   
5. Set the monitor refresh rate to 75 hz or above. 60 hz is too slow and will cause eye strain.
   
6. Remember to blink often (put a sticky note on your monitor!). The average blink rate is 22 times per minute. The rate goes down to 7 per minute when looking at a monitor--this causes the eye lens to dry out. Use an eye moistener if you can't get into the habit of blinking more often.
   
7. Put the palm of your hands over your eyes for a minute or so, once every half hour. This warms the muscles around the eyes, relaxing them.
   
8. Minimize glare. Make sure the background light level around the monitor is about the same as the screen light level. Minimize direct sunlight or bright lights in front of the monitor or directly behind it. Attach a glare shield if a bright background or reflection can't be minimized.
   
9. A bright screen causes eyestrain. Adjust the contrast and brightness to levels you use when reading a book comfortably.
   
10. Place a paper holder at the same level as the monitor, or attach it to the monitor, to hold documents. This prevents repetitive upper body and eye movement from paper to screen.

Just a thought.....

"Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential," — Winston Churchill

Facts on PEO's in Florida

The Florida Association of Professional Employer Organizations (FAPEO) commissioned a survey to determine the size of the PEO industry. In Florida alone, PEO's employ more than 900,000 employees, serve over 60,000 companies, and pay $25 billion in payroll, making the PEO industry one of the largest employers in the state of Florida. http://www.certigy.com/

10 Tips for Maximizing Efficiency and Productivity in 2011

Employers can make 2011 a better year for both the business and the people who work there by understanding—and capitalizing upon—the relationship between people and the design of physical space, says Andrew Laing, Ph.D., North America Director for DEGW.

DEGW is a strategic business consultancy that specializes in helping clients to capitalize on a vital dynamic; the relationship between people and the design of physical place to enhance organizational performance. As an expert in creative and highly effective ways to capitalize on this vital dynamic, Laing says if these tips are followed, it can help create a more enjoyable, productive and cost-effective work environment.

1. Clean desk policy. Either at the end of every day, or before a business trip, create a protocol where everyone must make his or her workspace ready for someone else to use it while they are away. Additionally, monthly cleanups, to reduce office clutter and help individuals adopt sustainable work practices, could coincide with social events that help to reinforce a sense of community.
2. Scheduling practices. Whether it is on Outlook, EMS, AgileQuest®, or simply a whiteboard in the office, make sure employees notifies their team of their whereabouts, when they are travelling, working from home, or at a client’s site.
3. Wireless capability. Build an infrastructure that allows server and email access wherever an individual may be in the office.
4. Cell phone options. Creating a method that individuals may notify teammates of their personal cell phone connections (if they desire) so they may be contacted wherever they may be.
5. Training to share. Implement programs that teach people how to effectively use software that encourages remote sharing—SharePoint®, Skype, WebEx, Live Meeting, GoToMeeting®, or whatever.
6. Reservations protocols. Clearly communicate how to reserve spaces, through personal interface or software, what types of meetings are essential, important or convenient, and what to do if the meeting is cancelled or late. Also, designate some small meeting rooms as “unbookable” and available for team/ individual use on-demand.
7. Concentration indicators. determine as a team or organization how to signal to others that you are not available, either through software, or through physical prompts. A door closed, a chair in the workstation opening, headphones, or a posted banner indicates that you are not to be disturbed, for at least 15 minutes. It is important to develop team protocols to have a common understanding of how team workspace should be used (i.e., is the open workspace quiet and people withdraw to do noisy work or is the workplace noisy and people withdraw to do quiet work—often it is a lack of common understanding on this matter that leads to issues of distraction).
8. Electronic filing standards. Communicating a method of filing information on projects or clients in a consistent way to reduce the need of physical filing. Confidence in finding electronic files will reduce the creation of duplicate stashes of information. Also, centralize printing facilities in strategic locations on the floor to mitigate excessive printing, minimize noise in the open workspace, and encourage communal gathering
9. Daylight! Encourage individuals to let the sun in! Make sure that blinds and doors that obscure the beauty of the surrounding environment are not used when they are not required.
10. Encourage community. Create events where individuals can share their personal experiences or skills. Instigate weekly meetings where the agenda is personal, not business focused. Rotate responsibilities for providing refreshments: happy hours, breakfasts, lunch and learns or show and tells. Make it fun to be a member of the team or organization.

Your Human Resource Partner

Certigy strives to be recognized as the human resources company with the personal touch. We will maintain a flexible relationship with customers and make their success the main priority. We accomplish this by listening and anticipating our customers’ changing needs then delivering superior value and service.