Ten Interview Questions that Could Get You into Hot Water:
By: Lisa Reddick, Human Resource Manager, The Goodman Group
1. What’s your maiden name so that I can check your references?
o Instead, ask about any names used in the past that will allow the company to verify work experience and education.
2. How old are you? When did you graduate from high school?
o Instead, ask about college graduation, since it isn’t pegged to a particular age.
3. Where were you born? Are you a US citizen? Where did you learn to speak Spanish?
o Instead, ask if a candidate can submit verification of their legal right to work in the United States.
4. Are you married? Can you have adequate childcare?
o State the standard working hours, any overtime demands, and company travel expectations. Then ask whether candidates would have any reason why they couldn’t meet those requirements.
5. Would your religion prevent you from working weekends?
o Instead, state that weekend and holiday work is required and ask if that is acceptable.
6. Are you disabled? Have you ever filed a workers comp claim? How many days were you sick last year? Do you have AIDS?
o Companies can’t exclude a qualified candidate from a job if that candidate can perform the “essential functions” of the job, either unaided or with a “reasonable accommodation.”
7. Have you ever been arrested?
o The application asks about criminal background. Only ask questions directly related to what they state on the application.
8. What kind of discharge did you get from the military?
o Military service questions must be limited to relevant skills acquired during service.
9. Have you ever declared bankruptcy or had your wages garnished?
o Employment offers can be contingent upon a credit check if applicable state and federal laws are followed and good credit is necessary to perform the essential functions of the job.
10. Who is the nearest relative we should contact in case of emergency?
o It’s fine to ask for an emergency contact, but asking for the “nearest relative” could border on discrimination by national origin, race, or marital status.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
At The Commons on Marice "Wii Have Fun"
Wii Have Fun…yes, that’s the name of our Wii program here at The Commons on Marice.
This program has turned out to be a HUGE hit!!! However, there were some challenges getting it started and are still challenges keeping it up and running. Let me tell you about our experience with this program. When we first started our Wii program it was pretty intimidating to many of the residents here. Who wouldn’t be intimidated by a computer system that they have never seen before and most likely have never heard of??? Getting residents to the program has been difficult but we often find success in persuading participation when we say things like “It’ll be great. You can see what your grandkids play with their friends. You’ll have something to talk to them about next time you see them.” And so on.
Actually family members have taken an active roll in “selling” the program. Once they hear that we offer the program, it seems as though they put a bug in the resident’s ear about how successful they’ve heard it has been with seniors. One resident even had a bowling tournament with her family over the holidays and that got her stuck on the program! We still have to, on a weekly basis, remind residents what it’s all about…but they seem to catch on quicker every week. It takes much less convincing now to get them to the program.
We get pretty wild during the program with cheering and lots of ooohs and aaaaahs which attract more players. I think the residents thoroughly enjoy playing now and it has turned into one of those programs that some residents look forward to all week!!!
Games that work great for our community include: target shooting, cow racing (which works well for players that have troubles pushing buttons), and bowling. Bowling is definitely the game of choice and seems to work the best with larger groups (Up to about 10 people). Depending on the size of the group, sometimes we play competitively with teams or we will just go around the room and let everyone have a turn or two. If we choose the two player option at the beginning of the game, it usually takes us between 30 – 45 minutes. There is a lot of standing and trading places involved when we play, therefore we usually try to put the less mobile people in front so they don’t have as far to go to get all geared up for their turn.
We really do have fun during Wii Have Fun…corny, I know. J
Anna Steffel
Director of Therapeutic Recreation
The Commons on Marice
1380 Marice Drive
Eagan, MN 55121
Phone: 651.365.3047
Fax: 651.688.7888
This program has turned out to be a HUGE hit!!! However, there were some challenges getting it started and are still challenges keeping it up and running. Let me tell you about our experience with this program. When we first started our Wii program it was pretty intimidating to many of the residents here. Who wouldn’t be intimidated by a computer system that they have never seen before and most likely have never heard of??? Getting residents to the program has been difficult but we often find success in persuading participation when we say things like “It’ll be great. You can see what your grandkids play with their friends. You’ll have something to talk to them about next time you see them.” And so on.
Actually family members have taken an active roll in “selling” the program. Once they hear that we offer the program, it seems as though they put a bug in the resident’s ear about how successful they’ve heard it has been with seniors. One resident even had a bowling tournament with her family over the holidays and that got her stuck on the program! We still have to, on a weekly basis, remind residents what it’s all about…but they seem to catch on quicker every week. It takes much less convincing now to get them to the program.
We get pretty wild during the program with cheering and lots of ooohs and aaaaahs which attract more players. I think the residents thoroughly enjoy playing now and it has turned into one of those programs that some residents look forward to all week!!!
Games that work great for our community include: target shooting, cow racing (which works well for players that have troubles pushing buttons), and bowling. Bowling is definitely the game of choice and seems to work the best with larger groups (Up to about 10 people). Depending on the size of the group, sometimes we play competitively with teams or we will just go around the room and let everyone have a turn or two. If we choose the two player option at the beginning of the game, it usually takes us between 30 – 45 minutes. There is a lot of standing and trading places involved when we play, therefore we usually try to put the less mobile people in front so they don’t have as far to go to get all geared up for their turn.
We really do have fun during Wii Have Fun…corny, I know. J
Anna Steffel
Director of Therapeutic Recreation
The Commons on Marice
1380 Marice Drive
Eagan, MN 55121
Phone: 651.365.3047
Fax: 651.688.7888
Nintendo Wiis: a Surprise HIT for Seniors!
Nintendo's Wii a surprise hit with seniors
By: Christian Science Monitor
Video-game versions of bowling, boxing or tennis can offer an adrenaline rush that older players haven't experienced in years.
Six seniors at the Sedgebrook retirement community gathered in the lounge after dinner last year as the holiday season was getting under way. The center's residents were an unlikely test audience for the season's hottest toys. The plan: determine which toys their grandchildren might like.
The assumption was that they'd give their grandchildren the toys they approved. But it didn't quite turn out that way. The Nintendo Wii was so popular that the residents clamored for their own.
Today, each of the Erickson chain's retirement communities, including Sedgebrook, outside Chicago, owns at least one Wii.
Other retirement communities and municipal senior centers in recent months have followed, many using wellness grants and public funds to pay for the video-game system. The Wii retails for about $250.
Proponents say the Wii offers a welcome reprieve from a sedentary lifestyle and boosts hand-eye coordination among the over-60 set in a way that bingo and mah-jongg can't.
But it can be a challenge to get residents comfortable with the video games. Many retirement communities are encouraging hesitant seniors with tournaments, trophies and cash prizes. Some centers are placing their Wiis in high-traffic areas where seniors congregate or, for the bashful, behind a movable privacy screen.
By: Christian Science Monitor
Video-game versions of bowling, boxing or tennis can offer an adrenaline rush that older players haven't experienced in years.
Six seniors at the Sedgebrook retirement community gathered in the lounge after dinner last year as the holiday season was getting under way. The center's residents were an unlikely test audience for the season's hottest toys. The plan: determine which toys their grandchildren might like.
The assumption was that they'd give their grandchildren the toys they approved. But it didn't quite turn out that way. The Nintendo Wii was so popular that the residents clamored for their own.
Today, each of the Erickson chain's retirement communities, including Sedgebrook, outside Chicago, owns at least one Wii.
Other retirement communities and municipal senior centers in recent months have followed, many using wellness grants and public funds to pay for the video-game system. The Wii retails for about $250.
Proponents say the Wii offers a welcome reprieve from a sedentary lifestyle and boosts hand-eye coordination among the over-60 set in a way that bingo and mah-jongg can't.
But it can be a challenge to get residents comfortable with the video games. Many retirement communities are encouraging hesitant seniors with tournaments, trophies and cash prizes. Some centers are placing their Wiis in high-traffic areas where seniors congregate or, for the bashful, behind a movable privacy screen.
Grow your Resources....
As spring quickly approaches I wanted to pass on a gardening resource you may want to check out:
"Gardening with Kids"
www.KidsGardeningStore.com
Affliated with the National Gardening Association
Great resources which include: program ideas, tools, gardening games, RAISED BEDS, and much more!!
"Gardening with Kids"
www.KidsGardeningStore.com
Affliated with the National Gardening Association
Great resources which include: program ideas, tools, gardening games, RAISED BEDS, and much more!!
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