One of the perennially favorite topics on this Web site deals with team work, team building, and how to lead teams. I get a lot of email asking about team building ideas as well. I realized, when asked the question, in one of my client companies, that I needed to create some basic knowledge about the team building process on this site.
So, I developed team FAQs that address the most fundamental team building concepts like what is a team and the stages of team development In my work with managers about team building, these basic ideas are critical.
Recently, I worked with a group of managers on team building ideas. I covered forming, storming, norming, and performing, which are the traditional stages of team development. To these I have added transforming to indicate high performance, rarely found teams. And, I have added ending to give weight to the fact that teams end and teams must mark their ending with celebration and analysis.
But, the most important reminder I rediscovered, in working with this group, and in working with most groups over the years, was the critical role that executives or team sponsors play during each stage. And, my suspicion is that the role of the team sponsor is foundational when teams succeed.
Yesterday, I cited research that indicated women who work as Human Resources managers earn 67.9% of what their male counterparts make. I'm wondering if this statistic holds true for site visitors?
Please take my poll so we can find out. This poll presents response options randomly and you can add your own answers. I'm looking for your feedback. Do you like it?
Leaving Money on the Table? Women in HR Are Underpaid
Thursday July 9, 2009
The highest paying jobs for women caught my attention this morning. Reporting at Forbes.com, Jenna Goudreau says that Human Resources, a field in which two out of every three employees are women, pays the eighth best salaries. Women Human Resources Managers' median earnings were $59,124 per year which is just 67.9% of what their male counterparts make.
Based on a U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau 2008 analysis, women make about 80% of what men make across occupations. What other jobs made the best paid list for women? Pharmacist, computer engineer, computer science and system analyst, physician, management analyst, lawyer, chief executive, and more. Women need to stay out of female-dominated professions like administrative assistant and elementary teaching if a woman wants to make money.
Yes, I know that many women value non-monetary items such as flexible work schedules. I also recognize that women tend to move in and out of the workforce for family-related reasons. What's obvious here, even when you take these kinds of issues into consideration, is that women are paid less than their male counterparts - shockingly so in Human Resources.
And, it's time to do something about it. Who but you is better prepared to understand the job market and know what others in the field are making? Take time to do your homework. Make your job measurable and make where you spend your time matter to your company's business success. Make your success visible. Come to meetings with recommendations and a plan. Speak up for yourself and prepare to negotiate. No, with that discrepancy, 4% isn't going to cut it. Are you riled yet? Here's the best advice for women I have on the site.
When you’re interviewing potential employees, their responses to interview questions and the questions they ask during the interview, are crucial bits of information. A potential employee who asks you about two week’s notice, because they’ve been fired from every job they’ve ever had, sets your red flags flying – and rightly so. Asking whether you will pick her up for work when it’s raining so she doesn’t have to walk, is another prime example of an interview red flag.
I am fascinated by the questions potential employees ask when they are concerned about the information the employer’s background check will yield. Aren't I the last person they should want to answer their question? One applicant asked me, as he filled out the application, if he had to reveal a felony conviction from nine years earlier or had the conviction expired.
Another asked, I am a recovering alcoholic. Will that affect whether you hire me? (Ummm, no – but the fact that I asked you one question and you talked for thirty straight minutes might affect whether I want to hire you for a customer-centric sales position.) If you tell me you can’t get up in the morning and so are often late to work, why would I hire you over an applicant with a stellar attendance record?
Candidates do say the darndest things and they ask the darndest questions, too. Over at Jobs.AOL Rachel Zupek has collected: 43 Things Actually Said in Job Interviews. Read them and weep.
Then, come back over here to share the funniest, saddest, most hysterical, off-putting, right on target, and weirdest candidate remarks and questions you've heard over the years. If you've ever done interviews, you've probably heard it all. Share your favorite job interview answers and questions.
Image Copyright Phil Date
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