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HR & Training Good Behavior by Decree? How a Simple Contract Can Motivate Employees Consider the things your employees do that you wish they wouldn't. Allison, for instance, chews gum—loudly—when she's on the phone with customers. Calvin consistently forgets to turn off his cell phone at critical times. (Last week it burst into a rousing chorus of It's a Small World during an important meeting with potential investors from China.) And Joshua's tendency to aggressively share his religious and political views creates a palpable tension in the office, particularly during election season... Yes, you can legislate good behavior. Author Quint Studer explains how to create and use a Standards of Behavior contract that boosts morale, customer satisfaction, and profitability. Accounting & Finance Careers Newsletter   Sign up for Career updates

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Federal Minimum Wage Increases to $7.25 Millions of workers across 30 states will see more money in their paychecks effective today. Companies Must Resist Temptations to Cut Corners Current economic challenges have forced companies to take cost-cutting measures to protect the bottom line but these measures could lead to violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). 15 Tips for Ordinary Greatness If you've ever longed for greatness, it's not too late. Pam Bilbrey and Brian Jones, coauthors of Ordinary Greatness, share secrets for propelling yourself out of a life of mediocrity -- and they're not what you think they are. Still Happy Together: Workers and Supervisors Lean economic times do not appear to have harmed work relationships, a new survey suggests. Planned Pay Increases Lowest in 36 Years According to a new survey, at least 40% of salary budgets at U.S. companies are frozen for officers and executives. Summer Forecast: Work/life Balance is Valued, but Most Will Likely Continue Working on Vacation New study finds that Generation Y and those without dependents are less likely to work during time off. Do Employees Need a Vacation from Their Vacation? The economy isn't the only source of workplace strain these days. A new Randstad Work Watch survey of full-time employed adults reveals an unexpected, perhaps surprising, cause of employee stress - taking time off for a vacation. Downsized and No Training Budget? Why It's the Best Time to Develop a Mentoring Culture Despite budget woes, now is the best time to develop a mentoring culture to improve your bottom line. Stress Management for Managers For some managers, a little stress can be a good thing. When the pressure is on, they tend to do their best work. However, when demands are unrelenting with no clear end in sight, even those who thrive on stress can be at risk for burnout. Are You a Bad Boss? Are you a bad boss? "Of course not," is likely your first response. Yet, the reality is that bad bosses do exist and most do not realize that they are perceived in this way. Better Time Management for the Overly Tasked Many busy financial professionals struggle with time management; in fact, keeping a handle on one's to-do list can seem more daunting at times than simply completing the project at hand. Economic Uncertainty Forcing Retirees to Re-enter the Workforce AARP speaker Captain Karen Kahn offers advice to workers considering delaying retirement or re-entering the workforce after retirement. Advancing Your Career through Nonverbal Communication Those who excel at both verbal and nonverbal aspects of communication are likely to have an edge in rising to positions of greater responsibility and visibility within their organizations. The Layoff Survivor's Action Plan Layoffs don't just impact the people who've been let go; those who've kept their jobs are also affected. If the recession has forced your company to eliminate positions, you're likely shouldering more work and worrying that you'll be the next one to receive a pink slip. How to Recession-Proof Your Resume With more accounting and finance job candidates vying for fewer and fewer open positions, it's critical that your resume packs a punch. Maintaining an Age-Neutral Presence in the Job Market In an increasingly tough job market, accounting professionals need to give themselves every advantage they can. If you're an experienced job seeker, this means making sure your record of accomplishments is correctly seen as an asset to your candidacy, not an obstacle. Developing a Mentoring Culture to Benefit Your Bottom Line How would you like to have someone to help you in a difficult situation or with a certain skill? Or someone just listen to you without criticizing or telling you what to do? Now, how would like that same culture to drive your business forward? Free Access to Federal, State Rules on Layoffs, Plant Closings Because of the crisis in the global economy, employers are being forced to reduce staffing levels or cease operations. Employers who are not careful will face multiple legal compliance issues. Maintaining Employee Productivity During Challenging Times With today's hiring freezes, budget cuts and workforce reductions, managers are often left with the complex task of meeting performance objectives with fewer resources. R-E-S-P-E-C-T: No Matter the Generation, Employees Want It New study on multigenerational workforces finds more similarities than differences. All that employees of all age groups are asking for at work is a little respect. The Best Companies for Leaders Demonstrate How to Weather Economic Storms and Prepare for the Upturn The world's Best Companies for Leaders - among the world's most respected - are focused on developing leaders who will not only survive and thrive in the current financial crisis but will be well positioned for growth once the economy improves. Best-Practices in Building the Leadership Pipeline Succession management is always critical, but now more important than ever, according to a new study. Flexible Work Arrangements Ride US Economic Tides While flexible work arrangements are nothing new, in tough economic times some companies use telecommuting or job sharing to attract, keep and encourage employees, experts say. Dissatisfaction With Management Top Reason Good Employees Quit When top performers decide to jump ship, managers may want to consider a little self-reflection, a recent survey suggests. Most Business Schools Not Preparing Students for IFRS Transition Accounting firms and corporations are watching with great interest how quickly the Obama administration will move to adopt International Financial Reporting Standards for U.S.-listed companies, according to an international accounting expert.

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