Company Wellness Programs Could Be Hurting Employees Health, According to New Research

Company Wellness Programs Could Be Hurting Employees Health, According to New Research Workplace wohlbefinden programs are growing in popularity. About fur-fifths of U.S. employers with more than 1,000 employees offer these types of programs, according to a RAND Coporation analysis, which means that improving employee health has become a $6 billion industry.After all, we spend about two-thirds of our waking hours (which adds up to about one-third of our a lives) at work, and employer health care costs are 15.3 percent lower for physically active workers than inactive ones, according to a 2012 Rand report so implementing workplace wohlbefinden programs makes logical sense. Thats why in 2010, the World Health Organization suggested that workplaces form the primary settings for health promotion and, in the last 30 years, theres been a steady increase in wellness programs.According to the 2012 Employer Health Benefits Survey, 94 percent of large and 63 percent of small employers offered a wellness program targeting a variety of health concerns such as disease prevention, employee wellbeing or lifestyle and health education with the expectation to benefit both employers and employees.But while workplace wellness programs might sound like a good idea, new research finds that some common workplace health promotion practices can actually take a toll on employees health and tip the scales against them.The research collected in the new Frontiers in Psychology study finds that workplace health promotion programs that make employees responsible for their weight can lead to adverse effects including increasing stigmas surrounding weight, which can in turn lead to weight gain and, ultimately, decreased well-being. Heres how these programs, when not thoughtfully and strategically implemented, can be harmful.1. Increased weight-based discrimination.Whilst there are benefits to employee wellness programs, we propose that the current focus on weight that emphasizes employees re sponsibility can inadvertently elicit weight stigma, the report reads, defining weight stigma as the negative attitudes toward a person because of their weight status. People with overweight or obesity are negatively stereotyped as being weak willeuchtdiode, lazy, unintelligent and gluttonous. Indeed, although a link between prejudice and discrimination is not always evident, negative attitudes toward people with overweight and obesity have been associated with biased treatment.The researchers warn that negative stereotypes about people with obesity can also lead to discrimination in the workplace.Suitability judgements of applicants in the hiring process or employees for promotion are lower for applicants with obesity people with overweight or obesity, on average, earn less and are more often unemployed, the researchers write. Further, it has been shown that people with obesity are perceived as possessing less leadership qualities compared to normal weight counterparts. In addition , research has reported that employees with obesity have lower starting salaries, are assessed as being less qualified, and work longer hours than normal weight employees.According to the research team, programs the put the responsibility on employees to eat healthier (vs. having a cafeteria that sells mostly healthy foods), especially led to increased weight-based discrimination and stigmas. The same couldnt be said for employers that took a share of the responsibility.And lest it be forgotten, weight isnt always directly correlated to ones health. So employees who may weigh more arent necessarily more unhealthy (or at all unhealthy) than those who weigh less. But stigmas exist nonetheless.2. Increased weight gain.The researchers found that when obese workers were involved in employee health and wellness programs felt even more responsible for their weight, they actually felt that they had even less control over it. In turn, their lack of control lead to increased obesity, exacerba ting their health.From a motivational perspective, people with obesity are thus likely to be caught in a Catch-22 like situation, which can result in maladaptive responses, the report explains. After all, insights from learned helplessness theory show that, when people feel responsible for uncontrollable events, this harms their self-esteem and potentially results in diet-breaking behavior and weight gain.The findings suggest that the mere presence of an employee wellness program in organizations was associated with employees perceptions that being overweight is more controllable than it actually may be.This association was not evident for burnout, and the marginally significant relation between presence of a program and controllability of cancer and non-health related events was fully explained by employees own involvement in implementing a health program thus, the association between program presence and health-related events was unique for weight, the research suggests.3. Decreas ed mental wellness.Not surprisingly, experiences of weightstigma and discrimination also may have serious adverse effects on mental health, including compromised psychosocial wellbeing, social isolation, healthcare avoidance, binge eating, body-related shame and guilt, and weight gain and development of obesity, which can contribute to sickness absence, the research reports.If not implemented carefully, these programs might have negative rather than the expected positive effects, the researchers warn.--AnnaMarie Houlis is a feminist, a freelance journalist and an adventure aficionado with an affinity for impulsive solo travel. She spends her days writing about womens empowerment from around the world. You can follow her work on her blog, HerReport.org, and follow her journeys on Instagram her_report, Twitterherreport and Facebook.

Writing a Resume for Returning to Work - Is it a Scam?

Writing a Resume for Returning to Work - Is it a Scam? Professional Resume Writers will operate to educate you on the changes in resumes since youve left the workforce and the info that employers are currently searching for now. Resumes are available in all shapes and sizes. Otherwise, it will appear to a reader your faculty experience is the most necessary to you-that shouldnt be the situation. Look at a functional format only as long as youve been out of work for several years and you will need to emphasize your functional skill collection. For tools that youve used, binnensee whether you can discover a refresher training course. Concentrate on transferable abilities and select the resume format which best highlights your strongest points. Getting the Best Writing a Resume for Returning to Work If you left work on a fantastic note its a fantastic notion to stay in contact with your former boss and co-workers. When youre prepared to return to work, you will need a person to send the resume to. No matter the length of time youve been away from work, your very first port of call when searching for references is always your prior employer. Set the word out that you will be going into the work marketplace. You could do it a couple of years before you believe youd begin searching for a job a terrific method to prepare your resume Maybe you were fired or couldnt locate a job for more than a year. The important issue is to identify how you have continued to utilize your business skills in the moment you have been out of the workforce. The perfect way to get back on track for your job search is to begin your work search, even when youre not prepared to start your work search. Whispered Writing a Resume for Returning to Work Secrets In the time which you were not formally employed in your field, you could have still gained additional experience which may be included on your resume. Youre in a strong fleck your previous experience is going to be t o your advantage though youve taken a little bit of time off. If youve got minimum work experience, you may consider leading off with your education, especially if its pertinent to the position youre applying to. Now, your resume doesnt need to be the sole place to speak about the employment gap. Ideas, Formulas and Shortcuts for Writing a Resume for Returning to Work Volunteer work you have finished in your free time is essential, especially when you held an officer position, however has to be listed as such. Tell the date you want to resume back or if theres any change of plans and you want to resume earlier. Your resume can continue to be riveting. The End of Writing a Resume for Returning to Work While writing a resume objective might continue to be acceptable, its more beneficial to incorporate a resume summary statement when you start constructing your resume. Its fast and simple to use. You may be surprised how many resumes are submitted without contact info. Writ ing a Resume for Returning to Work Ideas A career gap isnt the conclusion of the worldits just a phase. Your resume writer will get in touch with you to clarify details. Whether you wish to get straight back into the exact saatkorn career, or are searching for a totally new direction, getting your CV right is important to getting a foot in the door. Utilize your cover letter to briefly explain your latest gap, but emphasize youve kept your skills current and are energized to come back to the workforce.

A Guide to Word Resume Templates

A Guide to Word Resume Templates An important consideration to bear in mind is to not leave gaps in the overview of work experience. It is possible to mention all of your academic timeline or you could only mention the latest degree or qualification youve received. Theres no specific length for a resume, and theres no standard to it. Your knowledge can address some large administrative issues. The Tried and True Method for Word Resume Templates in Step by Step Detail For additional emphasis, a background color may be used. 1 tip Id like to offer you is that if youre using hard copies of your resume, be aya that the paper is of the best quality and the paper suits your resume entwurf. Then it may be time to bring some style to your resume There are lots of beautiful resume templates out there, but nevertheless, it can be simple to feel as a lot of the greatest cost a ridiculous quantity of money, require special design programs in order to edit, or both. When youre in work hunt, nothing can help you more than an impressive resume. People seeking jobs need to have a professional resume to boost their odds of employment over others. Submit the same resume for each and every job. If you wish to secure your fantasy job, then youll require a resume that showcases your abilities and experience quickly. LinkedIn plays a critical part in Job hiring procedure and frequently the job seekers will appreciate if its provided. So now employers arent much affected by your private statement. You may say thats quite opposite of functional resumes that are very traditional. Both may be used to create chronological or functional resumes. The Number One Question You Must Ask for Word Resume Templates Utilizing a template can lower the quantity of time youve got to spend formatting your document, which permits you to concentrate on adding content and polishing your resume. The template has a range of color schemes that enhance every individual photo or youll be able to choose certain colours and graphics that pull together the full page. Light blue is utilised to accentuate headings for improved content hierarchy.A basic resume may be the correct format and tool for you once you are trying to transition into work from freelancing or self-employment. When replacing text, its far better highlight and delete modest portions at a moment, even just single lines, in order to keep the original formatting. The dark colors look really cool but you have to make sure you dont send it anywhere they must receive a print out of it. Double check to be sure that everything on the last version of the resume is about you. Your Instagram profile is the initial bit of real estate a prospective follower sees. If youre asking for an executive position, then you likely require a resume that allows for many of details. As a way to post everyday, you want to plan ahead. Possessing a resume template gets rid of the impulse to clutter and the structure mak es it feasible for the user to distinguish which information needs to be put on paper and that needs to be left for the interview part of the application practice. The Hidden Truth About Word Resume Templates Basic doesnt need to be boring. Chronological resumes are the ideal place to highlight your accomplishments. At times, youve got to send a brief resume. To show yourself comprehensively, you will need to earn a proper resume. Basic doesnt need to mean boring, as you will notice in the wide range of free basic resume templates we offer. Employing a resume template is getting an acceptable and smart practice for quite a few reasons.As with several other templates, you can incorporate an objective or remove that section if you would like. The freebie welches made by Mats-Peter Forss. Our creative templates make it possible for you to stick out from the crowd.

5 steps to spring clean your office for a fresh start

5 steps to spring clean your arbeitszimmer for a fresh start5 steps to spring clean your office for a fresh startSpring is in the air and Im feeling motivated to get organized for the busy season ahead. Its a good time of year to ensure that your workspace is an inviting, calm, and productive space for you to focus.Whether you work from a home office like I do, or youre in a more formal office space with coworkers, here are 5 easy steps to create a beautiful office space that actually inspires you to get to workDeclutterBefore you add pretty elements to any workspace, you have to clear the clutter. I went into fullMarie Kondomode this January after binging her Netflix series, and it feels SO good to have a place for every single thing in my home office. Make sure youve got drawers, folders, or boxes to store things in and keep everything out of sight and out of mind during the workday unless youre actively using them.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard co vering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreGretchen Rubins newest book,Outer Order, Inner Calm,provides over 150 short, concrete, clutter-clearing ideas to bring peace of mind to your workspace. Im a big groupie of many of her former books, which I often find myself recommending on this blog, too. So if youre looking for more ideas for kicking clutter to the curb, I highly recommend you check hernew bookout.Go GreenGet yourself a plant baby, girl Bringing a real, living plant into your workspacehas been shownto significantly reduce stress, anxiety, fatigue, and hostility among coworkers.As someone who personally had a black thumb for as long as I can remember, let me tell you its worth figuring out how to keep a plant alive.Plus, at this time of year home improvement stores are practically overflowing with great plant options that are easy to keep alive. If you have lots of natural light in your workspace, try a succulent or cactus, which only need a lit tle bit of water once a week and thrive in lots of sun. Better yet, an air plant is even easier, and just requires a spritz of water once a week- not even soilDont have too much natural light in your office? Not to worry there are plenty of low-light options that can work for your space, too. Im a big fan of ivy since theyre hardy plants and also grow in a beautiful cascading vine. There are lots of ivy varieties, and my favorite are devils ivy or common ivy, both of which I have in my home.Set yourself a weekly alarm to be sure you water them, and every other week, mix in a little plant food to keep them growing strong.Let There Be lightThere is nothing more depressing than an overhead fluorescent office space lighting. Its no good for midday selfies, and its certainly not good for your mood, either. So think carefully about brightening up your lighting situation in your office.I shared my newdesk lamp I got at Target for only $24.99and still absolutely love that thing. The brilli ant move was shopping in the kids decor section, where lighting options were just as cute, but half the price from the grown-up office supplies sectionYou might also look into incorporating string lights,fairy lights, or even a nice candle for your desk, where a little extra flicker can set a warm and inviting mood.Word Art That InspiresBradTheBoo always teases me for my love of word art, but I dont care if it makes me basic. I love a good inspiring quote, dang it Especially when the inspiring phrase or wording is truly meaningful to you.The Bossed Up Manifestois always on display in my office, reminding me of the core values of this community, and motivating me to be the boss of my life and career.Personal PhotosAdding a personal touch to your office through the use of photos isnotcliche. Rather, photos can serve as a powerful reminder of why youre working so hard each and every day and truly, whats most important in life.I recently arranged some of my favorite wedding photos snap ped by our guests themselves using theFujifilm Instax camerawe had out throughout our celebration into a framed collage. I love looking at them and thinking back on whata fun, love-filled wedding we hadand seeing so many beloved friends and family members in one frame together.How might you spring clean your workspace this season?Id love to hear what strategies work best for you or better yet, Id love to see them Tag me atemilieariesorbossedup.orgonFacebook,Twitter, orInstagramto show me your spring cleaning office inspiration nowThis article first appeared on BossedUp.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

By 35, you need to have twice your salary saved for retirement

By 35, you need to have twice yur salary saved for retirementBy 35, you need to have twice your salary saved for retirementYour thirties are when you and your friends reach important milestones. There are the big life markers of marriage and kids, but there are also money milestones financial experts say you need to reach to live comfortably.According to financial experts cited by a recent MarketWatch report, you will need a lot of money to be financially secure for your eventual retirement.Hope youve been saving since your nascent twenties because the number listed is not pocket change.Fidelity Investments experts said you need to have a years worth of your salary saved by 30. By 35, that number needs to jump to double your salary.How many of us can save even a years salary?This number produced sticker shock from thirty-somethings on Twitter that questioned how realistic this goal could be.They are not alone in feeling like this goal is insurmountable. Too many of us are just one pa ycheck away from living on the streets.More than half of Americanshave less than $1,000 in savings. Poverty is just one inconvenient life emergency away from throwing our lives into complete upheaval. Approximately 63% of Americans have no emergency savings for a $1,000 emergency room visit or a $500 car repair, one survey found.Looking for an inspiring way to start your day? Sign up forMorning MotivationIts our friendly Facebook robot that will send you a quick note every weekday morning to help you start strong. Sign up here by clicking Get StartedFollowing the heated reaction from social media users, MarketWatch followed up with Fidelity Investment on why they listed that alarmingly high number. They answered that the number is meant to be more of a wake-up call than an exact number you need to reach. Its hard to make up for lost time, Fidelitys senior vice president Jeanne Thompson said.So if you dont have a years worth of your salary saved for rainy days, dont panic. Just start by developing a relationship with your money. Keep track of whats going in and out of checkings account. Notice whats the biggest drain on your money, so you can see what can be trimmed. The point is to start saving now, even when the long-term goal seems intimidating.Not everyone can hit this perfect ideal practice but if you can take small steps closer to this guideline - as opposed to farther away - that is good, personal finance blogger Desirae Odjick said. You dont have to go all in to be a perfect example.

What You Need to Know and Do if You Get a Warning at Work

What You Need to Know and Do if You Get a Warning at WorkWhat You Need to Know and Do if You Get a Warning at WorkWhen you receive a warning at work- whether its a verbal or written- you should take it very seriously. A warning is a sign that your teamberater is deeply displeased with your work (or, sometimes, your attitude). Typically, warnings ratchet up. First, your anfhrer may informally tell you that theres a problem. The next step is either a verbal or written warning, both of which are documented. This is a more formal action, and can involve human resources. If the behavior is elend addressed, termination of employment is typically the next step after verbal and/or written warnings. Heres what you need to know about what it means to receive a warning at work, and how to respond when you receive one, whether its verbal or written. What It Means to Get a Warning Many people work under at-will employment, which means theyre free to resign at any point. It also means the comp any can also terminate employment for any reason. Still, even when companies have the freedom to terminate an employee without providing a reason, few opt to do so. For one thing, companies can potentially open themselves up to a lawsuit if an employee believes there was discrimination behind the termination. And, perhaps just as importantly, morale throughout a company can suffer if people are let go for no reason. Instead, most companies have a policy in place to govern how poor behavior or work will be dealt with. Often, this is referred to as progressive discipline- the idea is that warnings will escalate from a conversation to verbal or written warnings. For both verbal and written warnings, there is typically a formal meeting and written documentation that is added to your employee folder. Often, both your supervisor and human resources will attend. Warnings are serious business, not to be mistaken with being chewed out by your supervisor. You can think of a warning as an earl y step in the termination process. If you receive a warning, does it mean you will be fired or let go? Not necessarily. Its possible you will change your behavior or work in a way that satisfies your manager. Still, it is a very serious action for your manager to take, and one that shows deep dissatisfaction with your performance. Even if you are resolved to rectify any errors and stay with the company, it may be wise to consider updating your resume and LinkedIn and preparing for a job search. How to Respond to a Warning Receiving a warning can feel surprising, devastating, and often unfair. How should you respond? There is no one correct answer, of course, but here are some guidelines to follow Stay calm During the meeting to discuss your warning, and afterwards, do your very best to avoid crying, raising your voice, or showing extreme distress. This may, of course, be easier said than done. Take notes It can help that first goal- keeping calm- to take notes during any meeting about the warning. Also, this will help you remember precisely what was said. Important points to get down are why you are receiving the warning and what actions you can take going forward to rectify the situation. Make your case Do you disagree with your warning? If you feel comfortable doing so, you can speak up during the meeting to make your case and defend yourself. This is a tricky situation- you want to defend yourself, but not seem defensive. Thats not easy Avoid getting personal or comparing yourself to other employees in heated tones, which can seem childish. Do defend yourself on the spot if you feel comfortable doing so, but know you can also remain quiet in the moment and give yourself time to assemble your thoughts and respond later. Ask what you can do differently Before you leave the meeting or sign any acknowledgment of a warning, youll want to be sure you understand a) precisely what you did wrong, and b) the correct behavior going forward. Sometimes this can be v ery straight-forward. For instance, if you are receiving a warning for being late to work 10 times in a one-month period, and your boss says you cannot be late for the next four weeks. Other times, a warning may be about something a bit more nebulous. For example, you may be faulted for having a bad attitude or not being engaged with a project. In those situations, youll want to make sure that a plan is clearly laid out for what would constitute improving in those areas. Follow up with a written rebuttal Do you feel your warning is unmerited? As well as making a case in your meeting, you can also write a written rebuttal letter. In your letter, you should make a case to defend yourself. For instance, if you were late to work, but youd requested and received permission to do so, print out those emails from your supervisor. Again, for less clear-cut infractions, defending yourself is trickier. Take some time to reflect Its only human to respond to criticism by defending yourself. But do take some time to think about the facts and comments in the warning. Are any of them justified? Consider what you could possibly do differently. Try to figure out if the warning is the last step, or a turnaround point Sometimes warnings are issued as a way for the employer to protect themselves from a lawsuit prior to a termination. But thats not always the case. Sometimes, your supervisor or human resources department genuinely believe the situation can be fixed. Do your best to figure out the spirit in which your warning was given. Follow up with your manager During meetings with your manager, ask for feedback. This will help give you a sense of your next steps. Ideally, youll have concrete goals or steps to improve your work/behavior. Start a job search Finally, its wise to start making moves to kick off your job search. Again, a warning does not necessarily mean you will be terminated. But it is a possibility. Consider networking, reaching out to former co-workers to see if t hey know of any job openings, updating your resume, and applying to jobs.

6 Secrets of Great Resumes Backed by Psychology

6 Secrets of Great Resumes Backed by Psychology6 Secrets of Great Resumes Backed by PsychologyHow do you go from having a good resume to a great resume? There are a few key tricks of the trade to be sure to use.First, make sure you are using resume keywords/trigger words. Many applicant tracking systems actually filter out the less qualified candidates before their resume is even seen by a recruiter. So youll want to make sure youre using trigger words plenty of times throughout your resume, ensuring that these words fit well with the job description, to give you the best chances of being ranked high enough for your resume to actually be seen by a human being.Second, I always suggest quantifying your successes and contributions. Numbers are very important to showing what youve actually done Saying youve increased sale simply doesnt sound as useful as saying youve increased sales by 42%.I find the two rules listed above are by far the most crucial, that said, 6 Secrets of Great Resu mes Backed by Psychology has some other tips that you might find useful as well.Interview Tips Advice Trigger Words