Still have no idea on what you want to be when you grow up? Here’s how.

There is never going to be a moment when you decided who you want to be when you grow up – or so that is what I thought. We always have wild ideas who you want to be, and growing up in a society where people are quick to judge you, we all want to appear successful. I’m sure several of us have wanted to be a doctor, a lawyer, a manager or a successful businessman, because each of these are deemed as success. 

However, put that thought aside and think about what do you really want to do. What are you passionate about and how do you go about finding that out? Here are several tips

Do temporary assignments

This advice only applies to those who are still studying in the meantime, not to those middle-aged adults. I would not recommend this if you are a middle age adult because this would make your profile seem unstable. 

You can only know what you are passionate about by doing – whether is it a temporary assignment in the retail, Food and Beverage, Logistics industry. If you do not try the role out, you would not know whether you love, or loathe the specific job. Even if you might deem the title of “service crew” to be too embarrassing for you, you’ll get to know whether you have an interest in the industry. 
The more you do, the more you will get to find out about how suited you are in the role. 

Research

We are already in the 21st century era, and chances are – You should know how to use the Internet. You could always google about the different occupations, to better understand what they do and the daily routine responsibilities for the occupation you might think you are interested in.
Personally, for me I always wanted to be a doctor – until I realized you must conduct operations frequently, and you will get too see a lot of bloods and organs. That changed my mind immediately. 

Ask Around

This is for the middle-aged adults who are already during permanent employment. Being in a department do not necessarily mean you should restrict your interaction within the department. You can also be communicating with your non-related department. This helps you to gain knowledge, and the roles that the other departments are doing might trigger your interest and passion.

Emphasis on Getting Employment Terms and Payslips Documented!

Get the year started with everything in place, especially matters related to Human Resources which are things that can and may be easily neglected. Have you come across arguments and disagreement rising because it was not written on papers, and you have your employees coming to you with another set of information? It is, then again, words against words – which we commonly said there is no “black and white”.

Avoid such arguments and disagreement as this will create an unhappiness environment and distrusting employees. Never get yourself caught in between legality issues and later having to pay a higher price.

So, what exactly is needed in an employment contract so that it not only safe guard the employees but yourself as employers too?

1.    Name of employer
2.    Name of employee
3.    Job title and main duties and responsibilities
4.    Date of commencing employment
5.    Duration of employment (Only for employees on fixed-term contract)
6.    Daily working hours, number of working days per week and rest day(s)
7.    Salary period
8.    Basic salary per salary period
9.    Fixed allowances per salary period
10.    Fixed deductions per salary period
11.    Overtime payment period
12.    Overtime rate of pay
13.    Other salary-related components (e.g. bonuses, incentives)
14.    Statutory Leave entitlements (e.g. annual leave, outpatient sick leave)
15.    Other medical benefits (e.g. insurance, medical, dental benefits)
16.    Probation period
17.    Notice period for termination of employment initiated by either party

How about the details that are required in a payslip?
1.    Full name of employer.
2.    Full name of employee.
3.    Date of payment (or dates, if the pay slips consolidates multiple payments).
4.    Basic salary
       For hourly, daily or piece-rated workers, indicate all the following:
                  •    Basic rate of pay, e.g. $X per hour. 
                  •    Total number of hours or days worked or pieces produced
5.    Start and end date of salary period
6.    Allowances paid for salary period, such as:
                  •    All fixed allowances, e.g. transport.
                  •    All ad-hoc allowances, e.g. one-off uniform allowance.
7.    Any other additional payment for each salary period, such as: Bonuses, Rest day pay, Public holiday pay
8.    Deductions made for each salary period, such as: All fixed deductions (e.g. employee’s CPF contribution), All ad-hoc deductions (e.g. deductions for no-pay leave, absence from work).
9.    Overtime hours worked.
10.   Overtime pay
11.    Start and end date of overtime payment period (if different from item 5 start and end date of salary period).
12.    Net salary paid in total.

Start 2017 by getting the above 2 components correct!
You may also download a sample of the Payslip from MOM website: Click here
You may also download a sample of the Key Employment Terms from MOM website Click here

Desk Revamping - Go Go Power New Year!

One of the ways to kickstart the new year in the office is to create a new space for yourself. Everyone has a plain desk and cubicle space, but what really differentiates one from the other is who resides within it.

A revamp introduces room for new goals and motivations to come into the picture, and keeps the spirit afresh in the company. It can start with the simple decision to revamp the desk area, since this is the place where most of the ideas originate. While it may seem like a challenging or troublesome task, it will ultimately improve productivity, as well as encourage creativity.

BRING FLOWERS TO SPICE UP THE AREA

Unless the company has a policy against floral decorations, consider investing in one or two low maintenance pots to keep around the desk area. Multi-coloured plants, such as sunflowers or daisies, will be sure to encourage a bloom in ideas, as well as function as a calming outlet for stressful periods. It is also very good for personal health, as studies show that it can reduce depression.

UPGRADE YOUR STORAGE SPACES

There is no harm in jazzing up storage spaces meant for stationery and papers, especially if it helps to brighten the desk and increase workflow. Swap out traditional metal containers for minimalistic drawers from Muji, or treat yourself to colourful wall pockets from Typo. Not only do they add a dash of colour, but they also keep your desk clutter-free.

ADD A CRYSTAL OR TWO

For those who aren’t confident of keeping plants, crystals make for good alternatives. They are said to have natural healing properties, so keep one or two around to enjoy its benefits. It brings positive energy not only to you, but also the company space. They come in many shapes and sizes, and can also be used as luxe paperweights.

CREATE A PERSONAL MOOD BOARD

From music to pets, creating a personal mood board may reveal, or remind, yourself of what is important at the end of the day. It can be an inexpensive DIY project as lots of materials can be gathered from everyday items, such as old magazines or keepsakes. It becomes a prime space for creativity to flourish, and allow your desk to have some of your personality.

INVEST IN CUSHIONS OR TABLE MATS

Your body will thank you for this. Treat your body to the attention it lacks during periods of high workload with one or two high quality cushions fitted for your back or shoulders. Long periods of hunching over your desk means a sore back afterwards. Otherwise, long term laptop users can also consider recycling old rugs as table mats. It can cushion your hands from extensive periods of computer use, and reduce the friction between the skin and desktop.

How to Give Feedback to your Management?

There will come a day where feedback needs to be translated back to the higher management to maintain the quality of work done in the office. A place where it is feedback-friendly allows for transparency among everyone, and happier working relations to thrive throughout the company.

Whether the actual feedback is kind or not, the situation calls for a sensitive and tactful approach since it can involve a lot of external workplace politics. From employee-to-boss, what are some of the challenges to avoid stepping on another toes? It can damage relationships, ruin chances of promotions, and even make the workplace toxic – however, here are some advice on giving constructive feedback to the boss/manager:

TAKE TIME TO WRITE IT DOWN

Never go head in without a plan or structure to guide what exactly is being discussed – especially when concerning upper management. Start by jotting down the prominent issues and the consequences of any actions that need to be commented on, and work out a comfortable discussion pace from that point. The main goal of giving the boss/manager feedback is because their actions can have a drastic effect on the company, so they will be looking for concrete evidence that supports the feedback.

Allow them to suggest improvements before insisting on ones that are previously decided on by the employees. There is a reason why they retain their positions in the company, so this discussion requires strategic give and take for it to be constructive all around.

ASK QUESTIONS INSTEAD OF SEEKING ANSWERS

Sometimes, to lead the boss/manager into giving the correct answers or coming to the ideal conclusion, just plan a set of appropriate questions ahead. It may seem like a long and complicated way of proving your point, but it is significantly better to give the boss the reins to hold when it comes to big decisions.

If there is a concern with some areas at work, highlight it out with some questions instead of bluntly flagging it out. The latter will seem like a personal attack, while the first may reveal to the boss/manager some areas of concern that were previously hidden.

ALWAYS BE SPECIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL

After all, it is the boss/manager that the feedback is given to, and their positions in the company give them a sense of authority that can seem intimidating. Aim to be as specific as possible, without delaying the topic or beating around the bush when getting to the point. If the feedback can be succinctly delivered in 2 minutes, it will have more impact than a 20 minute conversation.

This will also allow the boss/manager space to be more receptive to the feedback, instead of feeling pressured to entertain or act on the comments. They might also have their own bosses to report to, so at times like this, do them a favour and cut them a break.

3 Signs That Your Work-Life Balance Is Working Out

There is a lot of stress on the importance of achieving work-life balance, especially for those who are in hectic office hour jobs, required at their desks from 9 to 5, and on their phones around the clock. Technology not only made it easier for work to be completed, it also opened up modes of communication that currently allow employers to reach their employees instantly, on a 24 hour basis.

What is a good work-life balance?

It is when work is contained during specific working hours, in the right environment at a comfortable, manageable pace, and other aspects of life — such as family, friends and personal well being – are paid attention to and properly prioritized. While it may be getting harder to maintain such an ideal lifestyle, here are some markers to see if the current work-life balance arrangement is working out:

NO EMAILS, CALLS AND MESSAGES AFTER

Step away from the constant bombardment of emails, calls and messages from work. If this step is hard for you, then there is still a lot more to be done in order to maintain a proper balance between work and life. Leave work at work, and learn to let go of your availability around the clock.

Yes, it feels really good to be indispensable. But time is something that cannot be earned back, no matter how much work you try to fit into it. Do not make the mistake of giving it all up for a speedy email reply or a 4am Whatsapp message from your boss. Instead, make the intelligent choice of investing a significant portion of it on yourself in order to better your quality of living for better work productivity.

MAKE YOUR OWN RULES

Following the rules may be crucial in the society’s guidebook, but sometimes, breaking out of these rigid standards are a good way to measure how much you rely on them previously. There is a shift in the way things are being done in the workforce today, and one of the ways to adapt to them are to make your own set of rules and go ahead with it.

For example, working at home is a great way to maintain a healthy work-life balance. On one hand, you are able to maximize the time spent between work and home and/or family, and on the other, increase the time divided among the two to ensure that nothing is left behind on the schedule. Instead of worrying about showing up at the office, concentrate on producing quality work.

RETIREMENT IS ALREADY ON YOUR MIND

It is important to have a backup plan, and a plan worked on from young is one that is bound to repay at a later date.

This will also help to determine what exactly is the goal of the everyday work. There is no point in working everyday when it is just to survive, instead, concentrate on what makes you special, such as hobbies and quirks, and find a way to infuse it into work. People who have set hobbies or pastimes will also be able to release stress better, ensuring a better work-life balance overall.

How should you handle favouritism?

The interesting thing about this article, is that it is for the one that is shown favouritism as well as for the others affected by it. How bad can it hurt right if you are the one receiving the compliments? At the very least, you know you are performing in your manager’s eyes.  However, do you want your career progression to be based on how well you are performing in the role or would you rather it be because of how good of the relationship you share with your managers?

Think about your co-workers. How would they credit your promotion? Would they have been given equal growth opportunities for career advancement? Would they have thought that performance is linked to career advancement?

Give the benefit of the doubt

Understand if this is a usual practice, by your managers. Try to understand if the treatment is specially for you, or do your managers encourage the others in their little ways as well. Is the manager showing you more interest compared to your colleagues? Do your other colleagues perceive your treatment as unfair as you deem it to be?

It is of this stage that you should also distinguish Favoritism from performance recognition. Have you been given the extra attention because of the overtime you have put into the company, or that you have went beyond what was expected to earn the confidence of your managers?   

Talk to them, Tactfully

Being the one that your manager would be more receptive to, you could have the power to recommend an objective approach. You could probably recommend justifying who should be the one who should be taken the role, or even the key client to the rest.

You could also encourage a more inclusive team, whereby you could propose names on taking up certain responsibilities, as well as be the one sharing positive reviews of other colleagues, whose effort could not have been realized by your managers

Are you transparent enough?

Transparency is the trend these days. Every healthy workplace culture will have a good level of transparency between bosses and colleagues, but how can it be maintained through the constantly changing working environment? Transparency usually encourages open feedback and exchanges between different levels of managements and employees, and allows one to have a clear look at how the company works at a whole.

Depending on how it is handled, it can be both beneficial and encouraging to not just consumers and/or customers, but also the people in the company. Here is a quick checklist for colleagues to see if basic transparency is practiced in the workplace:

TREAT EACH OTHER LIKE ADULTS

If any problem arises, do the management and/or colleagues involved get each other looped into the matter like adults? The old corporate hierarchy will see the problem being solved behind closed doors, with a few discrete decisions handled by upper management, but that system is flawed and therefore outdated now. Transparency will encourage all the involved parties to take an active stand in the problem and talk it out face-to-face, ensuring that no one is misunderstood or unheard when trying to reach a mutually agreeable conclusion.

SOMETIMES IT IS BETTER TO NOT SAY IT OUT!

If there are some sensitive information that will be harmful once it reaches a larger pool of audience, then consider keeping it to a few chosen individuals. Although transparency encourages the same level of knowledge to reach all to be considered transparent, there are times where knowing all is not in the best interest for the company. After all, transparency also includes the public. When it comes to delivering information, consider if it is good or bad before becoming a messenger with no backups left in his pockets at the end of the day.

TAKE TIME TO EXPLAIN AND BE PREPARED FOR IT!

In the workplace, people will have questions about the decisions being made, so transparency will allow a forum for others to question why things work a certain way (or not). Be prepared to explain to others the processes behind such choices. Honesty is the best policy when it comes to explanations, so even if it is information regarding a bad or unwise decision, or bad news, deliver it with honesty and clarity for the rest of the company to learn and appreciate the direct exchange.

3 Ways to show appreciation for your colleagues!

Getting along with colleagues can sometimes be problematic, especially when no one knows each other prior to the working environment, creating an awkward gap in social interactions. In order to promote a healthy working space for everyone, there are times when people need an extra boost of confidence that they are doing things right, and that they are ultimately appreciated. This does not just concern the boss or upper management.

Appreciation from fellow colleagues is equally important to strengthen company loyalty and job satisfaction, especially since people are working along side with each other. It can be tricky, but there is a multitude of ways to show colleagues that they are being appreciated without directly confronting them.

BRING IN A DELICIOUS TREAT FOR EVERYONE

Almost everyone appreciates food, especially free food. For special occasions or a colleague’s birthday, consider taking the initiative to order in pizza or tacos for everyone as a treat. This gesture does not have to be repeated everyday, but a little sweet treat goes a long way to make everyone feel better about being at work, and around people who care about them.

As the adage goes, the best way to get people is through their stomachs, so show some care with a thoughtful homemade treat or some delicious perks in the middle of the working day.

OFFER TO COVER THEIR SHIFTS OR EXCHANGE SCHEDULES

Sometimes the best way to show that colleagues are being care for is to offer to cover them or exchange schedules when they have something important in their personal lives. For example, taking over a project when the person in charge has a family birthday or medical appointment that they cannot miss — this will be repaid when personal obligations crop up on your plate.

Be aware of what is happening and be the first to offer as a form of communal gratitude for a more balanced lifestyle culture in the office.

REMEMBER TO SAY THANK YOU WHEN IT MATTERS

Learning and remembering to say our P’s and Q’s may sound quite elementary, but people often to say it after a matter cools and everything blows over. It doesn’t take much for a quick handwritten note to reach a helpful colleague to say, “Hey, thanks again for your help on the project on Tuesday! I really appreciate it.”

Small gestures like these matter and go a long way to ensure that the same help is returned in the future.