Astronology

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Astron Solutions’ Statistical Analyst Michael Sohn celebrates his birthday on December 31^st.  We’re sure it will be a festive New Year’s celebration for him!  Happy Birthday, Michael!

New York State Minimum Wage Increases

The New York State Senate has passed a bill that will increase the state’s current $5.15 minimum. The first increase will be January 1, 2005 when the rate will increase to $6.00, followed by a second increase in January 2006 to $6.75. The wage will increase to $7.15 in January 2007.

The minimum wage will also increase for waitresses, bartenders and other New York employees who depend on tips from $3.00 an hour to $4.60.

Do you have employees in New York State paid below $6.00 an hour? If so, you'll need to increase their pay in a little under two weeks. Audit your current payroll now to avoid surprises later!

Welcome to the Family!

Albany Medical Center

Albany Medical Center is the only academic health sciences center in the 25 counties of eastern New York and western New England. The Medical Center incorporates the 631-bed Albany Medical Center Hospital, one of upstate New York’s largest teaching hospitals; the Albany Medical College, which was founded in 1839 as one of the nation’s first private medical schools; the Albany Medical Center Faculty Group Practice, staffed by about 350 full-time clinical faculty members of the Medical College; and the Albany Medical Center Foundation, Inc., one of the largest fund-raising organizations in the region.

Albany Medical Center was looking for an unusually in-depth method of identifying pay inequities within their organization.  Astron Solutions answered their need by developing a customized Pay Compression Analysis that went far beyond the industry standard.  This project has garnered successful, in-depth results for the HR team.

Deck the (Office) Halls... Holiday Sensitivity and Celebration in the Workplace

The holiday season is upon us, and in today’s multicultural workplace environment, it no longer means simply putting a menorah next to the Christmas tree.  Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan, Kwanzaa, and Bodhi Day all occur during the fall/winter season, and while world political tensions rise, religious sensitivity issues can rise too.  It can be challenging for employers to show fairness, employee appreciation and holiday spirit, and it may be tempting to pull the plug on holiday celebrations.  However, there are ways to celebrate the season with sensitivity, understanding and respect.      

Religious diversity is on the rise in today’s workplace according to the results of the Survey on Religion in the Workplace.  The survey conducted by SHRM and the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding reveals that more than one-third (36%) reported that there are more religions represented in their workplace compared to five years ago.  “Religious diversity is an emerging issue in the workplace, driven by powerful demographics,” said Dr. Georgette F. Bennett, Tanenbaum Center President.  “EEOC complaints have risen by 24% over the past five years, so now is the time to be proactive.”

Keeping this in mind, there are a number of religious and cultural holidays that your employees may observe during the season.  In order to encourage understanding of each, they are listed here, with a short description.

Christmas – The most recognized and celebrated holiday occurs on December 25, the day that marks Jesus Christ’s birth.  Over 3 billion Christians worldwide celebrate the holy birth by engaging in various customs and traditions, including singing, gift-giving, and gathering with family and friends, and praying.

Hanukkah – “The Festival of Lights” celebrates the victory of the Maccabees, the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem in 165 BC, and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days.  During the eight nights of Hanukkah, candles are lit in a menorah, which holds nine candles: one for each night, plus an extra used to light the other candles.  Hanukkah celebrations includes performing traditional songs, enjoying fried foods, gift-giving, and praying.

Ramadan – Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which was celebrated this past mid-October, celebrates the first revelations given to the Prophet Muhammad.  Muslims fast during Ramadan, health permitting.  They do not eat, drink, smoke, or engage in sexual activity until sundown each day, using the daytime to concentrate on their faith, rather than on everyday concerns.  The fast concludes with feasting, gift-giving, and praying.

Kwanzaa – Created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor at California State University, Kwanzaa is a cultural, rather than religious, holiday celebrated from December 26 through January 1 by many African-Americans.  The word, Kwanzaa, is Swahili for “first fruits of the harvest” and involves gathering family and friends to discuss and commit to seven guiding principles.  Each day, a candle is lit signifying a principle - unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.  A feast is held on December 31 for remembering, reassessing and rejoicing.

Bodhi Day – Bodhi Day, which is usually observed December 8^th, or the Sunday immediately preceding it.  To celebrate the day, according to Mahayana tradition, of prince Siddhartha Guatama’s realization and presentation to his fellow seekers of the Four Noble Truths.  From that point forward, he was referred to as the Buddha, the enlightened one.  Buddhists celebrate by stringing colored lights which represent the pathways to enlightenment, feast on traditional foods and greet each other with "Budu Saranai!" means loosely "May the serenity of the Buddha's be yours!" 

End-of-the-year company gatherings are a wonderful opportunity to thank your employees, while encouraging religious and cultural sensitivity and understanding.  The following suggestions should be helpful when planning holiday festivities: 

• ·      The Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding’s article “Holiday Celebrations in the Workplace,”  recommends that employees are asked for input during the planning process.  They should also be encouraged to bring in decorations, and to share foods and holiday traditions. 
• ·      Mike Hyter, President and CEO of multicultural consulting company, Novations/J. Howard & Associates, reminds employers to be aware of certain food and drink restrictions, in the HR.com article “Diversity at the Holidays.”   He recommends that employers “be conscious that alcohol at parties may make some people uncomfortable, and offer vegetarian alternatives.”  Employers should also be aware of any fasting, dietary restrictions or scheduling conflicts due to religious observance, prior to planning. 
• ·      Make all holiday activities voluntary.  Not all employees may feel comfortable celebrating, or may not be able to join in according to religious beliefs.  Jehovah’s Witnesses, for example, do not celebrate holidays.  Non-participation should not be penalized or viewed negatively.  

When handled with sensitivity and respect, workplace festivities can result in an uplifting combination of unity, cultural understanding and joy for your team, which is truly a celebration of the spirit of the season.

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