The Valley Staffer
4th Quarter 1998

TEMPORARY SERVICES

Working for a temporary service can be a stepping stone into the full-time job sector. "Temporary work can be a very good bridge to other careers," says Bruce Steinberg, media relations manager for the National Association of Temporary and Staffing Services in Alexandria, VA. "It gives you the opportunity to be exposed to a wide variety of careers, as well as types of different corporate cultures."

Staffing services help businesses attract, recruit, and evaluate employees. "We're actually matchmakers," says David Mueller, President of Valley Staffing Services. "We match the needs of the people we locate." Staffing services provide personnel for technical firms, legal offices, manufacturing plants, and office/clerical services.

When a temporary service receives a request from a client company, a worker whose skills match the company's needs is assigned to the job. The service gives the worker all the necessary information about the job, including the length of the assignment, pay rate, and duties. Assignments vary from hours to weeks or even months.

It's inevitable that managing a career will be trickier for those working outside the standard full-time employment track. But at least today, for the first time in many years, there's room to maneuver.

SOME DO's AND DON'Ts

Do: Make sure that you know exactly where you are going when you start an assignment and who you are going to contact. First impressions are important and being late never looks good.

Do: Remember that doing well at a job not only influences the company to request you again, but gives your service more confidence in sending you for more assignments.

Do: Always be a professional, because no matter whom you are dealing with or in what circumstance, professional behavior will always stand Out.

Do: Ask for more work if you have nothing to do. After finishing a task, asking for more work shows that you are eager and capable.

Don't: Dress inappropriately. On the first day dress conservatively and professionally, afterwards dress as your co-workers do.

Don't: Simply leave assignments that you are not happy with, rather call Valley Staffing Services first. The problem may be fixable and Valley might be able to put you in a more suitable assignment.

Don't: Make personal phone calls without asking. It usually isn't a problem, but asking will show that you are conscientious.

Don't: Take long lunches without mentioning it.  The people you are working with may be relying on you to return at a certain time.

WARNING:  Falling Down On The Job Can Leave You Flat

According to the national safety council, falls kill more people on the job than any other kind of accident except those involving vehicles. In fact, falls cause one of every five work-related injuries and about half of these occur on level ground.

Watch for wet surfaces. It's easy to slip if you walk fast on a wet surface, slow down and take short steps to stay balanced. Please also be courteous if you create a wet surface. Leaving behind a spill even a minor coffee spill, can cause a coworker to slip and fall. When you see water, oil, or any type of spill, clean it up right away or mark it with a sign, paper towels or wastebasket; then report it.

Short cuts can be costly. Because there's so much to get done every day, it's tempting to take short cuts. However, taking a short cut such as carrying a load too big to see over, instead of making two trips can be a costly mistake. Make sure you can see where you're going, even if it means an extra trip.

DRUG POLICY REMINDER

Please remember that we are committed to providing safe and conscientious services to our customers, employees and the public. For this reason we adopted an Alcohol Substance Abuse policy. In addition to pre-employment drug testing for certain positions, we reserve the right to test for the presence of drugs and/or alcohol in the event of an on the job accident or near accident. If you have any questions about this policy or would like a copy of the policy, please call our office. Together we are working toward a drug-fee workplace.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Holiday Hours:

Christmas Day
Friday, December 25, 1998
Office Closed

New Years Day
Friday, January 1, 1999
Office Closed

HOLIDAY SURVIVAL GUIDE

The holiday season is filled with family gatherings and parties. The main ingredient in these fun filled events is FOOD. The average American experienced a 7 pound weight gain during the holiday season, however, with a little planning, you can enjoy the holidays and not have regrets on January 1. Keep in mind that the real reason for holiday gatherings is to visit with friends and family. 

Anticipate problems and make rules for yourself. You'll want to enjoy the season without adding extra pounds. Think about all the holiday parties that you've been invited to, then mark them on your calendar. You'll know when the especially tempting food days will be. Eat lightly before to balance the fat and calories in the party food.

Stay within your daily fat budget. Don't use your fat budget on ordinary foods like chips or other high fat snack, save it for foods you only have during holidays.

Get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day.

This helps reduce holiday stress, depression, and fatigue.

Nancy Smith. MS, RD, LDN Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Education

TEMPORARY HIRING ANTICIPATED.

Of the respondents that use temporary employees, 10% expect their overall need for temporary office workers to increase, 25% anticipate no change, and 3% predict a decrease. The net hiring strength of +7 (percentage planning an increase in hiring minus those planning a decrease) nearly doubles last year's +4 net.

Receptionists (19%) and general clerks (18%) are the most needed temporary employees. Secretaries with word processing skills (11%) place third, followed by assembly packaging staff and warehouse personnel (10% each). Receptionist and general clerical demand will be the greatest in the medical, high tech, and aerospace industries. Business services, banking, finance and insurance industries predict demand for receptionists, general clerks, and secretaries with word processing skills. As in previous years, peak demand periods, vacations, and sick leave will drive the need for temporary office help.

YES, YOU CAN!

No matter what obstacles you face, tell yourself you can do it. Here are some ways to think positively:

1. Talk to people. Call someone and share what's going on.
2. Socialize. Getting out reminds us we're not alone out there.
3. Do things that build self-esteem, such as joining a club or finding a new interest.
4. Treat yourself to a daily walk, a good book, a hot tub, anything that's just for you!
5. Get healthier. Be sure to eat a varied diet.
6. Relax. When things get crazy during the day, find a way to take a break.
7. Keep a list of the things you want to accomplish. Checking them off as you get them done provides a great sense of accomplishment.
8. Smile Today!
9. Find something good to say about everyone.

Source: MEMPSA Letter

IT'S HOLIDAY
HEARTBURN TIME!

Happy Holidays! Bet you're just itching to kick back and enjoy all the great things that the holidays bring. Especially the great food and drinks. But you know all that yummy stuff can sometimes really mess up your body if it's not used to it. And the last thing anyone wants is a gas attack or a bout of constipation n at the company Christmas party. So the S.M.A.R.T. Team is here to help.

The oodles of digestive problems that can plague holiday revelers unfortunately include heartburn. That burning pain that rises in the chest and radiates into the neck, throat or even the face. Written about since Roman times, heartburn is caused by excess acid in the bottom part of the esophagus. The source of this acid is, of course, the stomach, occurring after meals or when someone lies down soon after eating. While many people associate "heartburn" with "hot" or "spicy" foods, it is closely related to the function of the lower esophageal sphincter. There are many diagnostic tests to determine other causes, which may produce "heartburn" like symptoms. It is important to remember that unresolved and unrelenting heartburn symptoms need attention from one's physicians.