Watertown Regional Medical Center’s Post

“As a leader responsible for over 6,000 employees globally, I lead with my heart. But to be honest, I didn’t expect my career to go into Human Resources. I was asked to step in as Chief Human Resources Officer in 2014, just as Suntory Holdings Limited had acquired Beam. I struggled with this career decision at first. Up until that point, my career had always been focused on corporate communications, public relations, advertising and brand development, so HR would be a new world to me. However, I’m always up for a good challenge, and I’m a firm believer that when a door opens you need to seize the opportunity. Once I took on the role, I never looked back. I had so much to learn as I stepped into this executive role, and I also had to find ways to juggle work and home life as a wife and mom to three children. To skill up, I quickly expanded my network and went back to school, attending an executive HR management course at the University of Michigan. As my children have gotten older, they’ve expressed how I’ve been a role model for them – being able to have a successful family, marriage and career. I owe a great deal of that success to the support of my incredible husband, Kurt, of 25 years and the trusting relationships I’ve formed with my colleagues over the last 15 years. My personal experience as a working parent is the reason I’ve passionately championed for our people as the head of our People, Culture and Communications team. One of my proudest accomplishments was rolling out our global parental leave policy, which includes six months paid leave for our primary care givers. Most companies don't offer anything close to that, especially in the US, and I love that this has made such a huge difference for our families. I can't even begin to tell you the amazing notes I get from some of our parents who have tapped into the parental benefits that we offer. It lets me know we’re doing business the right way. I really care about people, and when people work for us, I want that experience to be the best it can be for them. I want them to feel like they're in a place that truly supports them in both life and work. I want them to feel they can be their true, authentic selves every day. As I step into my next personal chapter and retire from the company effective April 1, I’ll be cheering from the sidelines. I’m beyond grateful and humbled for this opportunity to lead at such an incredible time of transformation for this company. If I could leave my leaders with one last piece of advice, I would urge them to lead with intentionality, ensuring our amazing company culture continues to thrive. I know the company is in great hands, and I’m excited to see what my successor, Sarah Langley, will achieve as she brings the best of her Suntory experience to our people and our business around the world.” - Paula Erickson, SVP Chief People, Culture & Communications Officer #PeopleofBeamSuntory #WomensHistoryMonth #womeninleadership #ParentalBenefits

Turns out that the holidays are prime time for employees quitting: A new report shows that 44% of employees think about quitting while on vacation, and of those, 1 in 5 does so within a month. Find out what you can do to mitigate the risk of losing your top talent (I also love this graphic so much!!) #retail #retailers #ceos #leadership #quietquitting

Is long service leave the most underrated reward for loyalty? 🌟 In today's fast-paced job market, it often feels like loyalty is a fading virtue. While past generations dedicated decades to single employers, today's norm is frequent job changes every few years. However, witnessing many of my friends reach the milestone of claiming long service leave has made me reflect deeply on the true value of this often-overlooked reward. Six weeks of fully paid leave isn't just a perk—it's a heartfelt recognition of commitment and dedication. Having grown up in an environment that values loyalty, I've learned to cherish the importance of building long-term relationships and evolving alongside my team. That’s why I see long service leave as a meaningful reminder of the tangible rewards that come with staying dedicated.

Taking paid time off from work. As we celebrate Mothers today, let's rethink how we balance personal and work responsibilities, and remember to prioritize ourselves. Does this sound familiar to you: - Some are hesitant to take time off because ... they are afraid of what it might do to their reputation and chances of getting a promotion. - Others ... don’t want to return to piles of unfinished work and unanswered emails Time away from your job is good for you. It benefits your career, personal life, and overall mental and physical health. https://lnkd.in/gGeE9nbz

The best way to return from annual leave!🌟 I'm buzzing to share a little personal victory with you all – after months of hovering at an engagement score of 9.8, the coveted score of 10 has been hit! 🎉 It's a milestone that's been a long time coming, and one that's got me reflecting on some invaluable lessons learned over the past year as I've grown with my amazing team! I think it's easy for some to talk about how "people matter," but those words ring hollow without the evidence and actions to back it up. Seeing these results, and knowing that the incredible individuals I have the privilege of working with genuinely enjoy their time here – that's what truly brings it home. For anyone looking for ways to drive their own employee engagement, Here are my top 6 values picked up along the way for a positive workplace culture: 1. Have the humility to acknowledge your mistakes: None of us are perfect, and pretending otherwise only erodes trust. Embracing our humanity, flaws and all, is what fosters genuine connections and growth. 2. Be grateful: It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that a pay slip means employee ownership. But the truth is, every member of our team chooses to be here, and that's something I never take for granted. 3. Focus on what you can control: Don't waste energy fretting over things beyond your influence. By zeroing in on what you can change, you empower yourself to make a real difference. 4. Enjoyment over outcome: When people love what they do, magic happens. That's why I'm passionate about creating an environment where everyone can thrive, finding joy in the journey rather than fixating solely on the destination and results. 5. If you say it, live it: Words are cheap unless backed by action. I've learned the hard way that authenticity is non-negotiable – false promises only serve to erode trust and credibility. 6. Show up: Whether it's celebrating successes or supporting through challenges, being there for my team is a priority. Because at the end of the day, we're in this together. I cannot wait to see what the rest of this year brings, already with some record breaking and strong results under our belt, this one felt like a personal big win 🍾

🌟 Employee Spotlight 🌟 Meet Shane, our Human Resources Manager, and a true example of "stick-to-it-iveness"! Shane first joined MNS back in April 2010 and has since held various roles within the company, including Account Representative, Reimbursement Specialist, Customer Service Representative, and Human Resource Assistant. In January 2023, Shane was promoted to his current position. As our Human Resources Manager, Shane has introduced numerous new ideas and programs benefiting our associates. Some of his accomplishments include: ✨ Automatic enrollment for all new associates into the MNS 401k program ✨ Spearheading the new HR/Employee Policy Manual ✨ Implementing the Employee Satisfaction Survey and the Employee Spotlight program ✨ Involvement in our Health Care Benefits reviews ✨ Drafting the Volunteer Time Off policy and PTO donation policy ✨ Establishing Black Friday as a new MNS Holiday ✨ Introducing the Halloween Scavenger Hunt In his downtime, Shane has researched several thousand resumes, helping MNS succeed in hiring and onboarding new associates for our teams. Looking forward, Shane intends to return to school and further his development as a Human Resource Professional. Outside of work, Shane's main focus is on his family and friends. He enjoys home remodeling, spending time with his family, and staying up to date on his "to do" list. Let's get to know Shane a little better: 🌟 Three wishes: For my son to always be happy, financial security for my family, and to lose weight whenever I wanted. 🎵 Music: Anything really, but mainly 50s-70s. 📺 Binge-watching/Reading: Shane enjoys any movie from the early 80s and 90s. 😊 Favorite part of working at MNS: The flexibility and knowing that MNS is very family-oriented. 🤔 Fun Fact: Shane was once a carpenter and spends the majority of his free time doing home remodeling/carpentry. Join us in thanking Shane for his dedication and hard work! #EmployeeSpotlight #MNSManagedCare #MeetTheTeam

Receiving an unexpected gift from my employer today was such a pleasant surprise and it got me thinking about some significant elements that often seem overlooked in many workplaces. This thoughtful gesture wasn’t merely about the gift itself. No, it was much more profound than that. It was about the unmistakable feeling of being considered, appreciated and cherished ... In many instances, employers tend to miss out on the immense power of such simple, sincere gestures. The power to create a working environment that thrives on appreciation, respect, and recognition. They miss out on moments that matters such as: - first day welcome - employee birthdays - employees end of trails, anniversaries and promotions - employees milestones: marriage, moving or buying house, maternities, retirements, leaving the company and deaths ... Acknowledging these moments, or even the mere act of recognising bank holidays and holidays can leave an indelible impression on an employee. It speaks volumes about the company’s values and makes the employee feel seen and valued. What is important to note here is that these gestures do not have to be extravagant or expensive. It's not about the price tag, it's about the sentiment behind the act – the express purpose of making someone feel special and appreciated. I strongly believe that employees treasure genuine appreciation over mere financial incentives. A personalised, heartfelt gesture can foster a sense of belonging and engagement, thereby cultivating a positive and harmonious workplace culture. So, remember, it's not about how much you spend, but rather, it's about the thought and sentiment behind the gesture. The power and impact of a simple, thoughtful act should never be underestimated. #danfossmoment #wearedanfoss #leadership #humanresources #employerbranding

Never Miss an Employee Celebration Again with RosterElf! 🎉 In this quick video, we'll show you how to easily set up automatic reminders for staff birthdays and work anniversaries using RosterElf's anniversary widget. 🎉 Here's a quick sneak peek of what you'll learn:📢 ➡️How to ensure your employees' birthdays and start dates are accurately recorded. ➡️How do you activate the anniversary widget on your RosterElf dashboard? ➡️How to use the widget to monitor upcoming anniversaries. By setting up these reminders, you can:💯 ➡️Foster a culture of appreciation by recognising important milestones ➡️Ensure you have up-to-date information for employee awards ➡️Contribute to a positive and inclusive workplace environment Watch the full video here to learn more! 👉 https://lnkd.in/g7acVJXg As always, our friendly RosterElf team is happy to help if you have any questions! 😊 #anniversary #schedule #celebration

I have a little bit of an update to share: I'm on maternity leave! My wife and I just welcomed our second child (more on that soon!), and I'm so excited to spend some time focusing on our family. If you told me 8 years ago that I'd be able to take maternity leave and not worry about my business while I was gone, I likely would have laughed in your face. However, I developed a system that helped my agency run not just well, but in some ways better, when I was on vacation. Here's how: 1. I assigned a second in command. This position wasn't a new hire or a huge promotion. Instead, I looked for someone who I could trust fully and who I communicated with well and gave them a small pay increase for the additional work they were taking on. I then made sure to tell the team well in advance that this person was my second in command. 2. I gave them training on what to do in specific situations, like utility issues. I provided a list of resources who could help them solve most common issues; that meant that in most cases, I didn't even receive a call. If I did receive a call, it started with my second in command quickly communicating the steps they'd already taken to try to solve the issue on their own. 3. I set clear communication expectations. My second in command had a list of KPIs or other information to send to me via email at the end of every day, and every department knew that my second in command would be checking in with them. Frankly, the report contained more information than I daily when I was in office---which meant that the staff knew that accountability would increase, not decrease, when I was away. All of this (plus the backing of a great team) meant I was able to enjoy my time off. If you're planning a summer vacation this year, have you assigned a second in command yet?

🌟 Attention Employers! 🌟 As we prepare to celebrate the upcoming Easter weekend, don't forget that both Easter Friday and Easter Monday are bank holidays! 🐰 This means it's the perfect time to give your hardworking team a well-deserved break and recharge for the season ahead. At Howard James Recruitment, we understand the importance of work-life balance and the significance of these holidays for your employees. That's why we're here to help you navigate staffing challenges during this time. Whether you need temporary cover or strategic workforce planning, our expert team is on hand to provide tailored solutions that ensure your business runs smoothly, even during the holiday season. Let's make this Easter weekend a time of rejuvenation and reflection for your team. Contact Howard James Recruitment today to discuss how we can support your staffing needs and help you create a positive work environment where employees can thrive. #HowardJamesRecruitment #RecruitmentAgency #HelpingYouDevelopAndGrow #EasterBankHolidays #WorkLifeBalance #StaffingSolutions 🌷🐣