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I’ll Have What She’s Having

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The supposed ‘Sunday Fear’ is something which has inspired countless jokes, memes and GIFs in recent years. As social media has become more of an inherent part of every day in much the same way as our morning dose of caffeine, the way in which we communicate our levels of stress, discomfort and job dissatisfaction in general has changed. Rather than being something we might bring up in general lunch time conversation, we have taken to posting memes about the dreaded Sunday Blues and what level of Monday we are currently at, while tagging friends and family members who may feel similarly. On the surface, these may seem like mere funny photos and videos and a coincidence as the thousands of shares rack up, recent findings suggest that not only is the ‘Sunday Fear’ a real phenomenon, but that employees are actively doing something about it.

According to data released recently by popular jobs search website Indeed, the current most popular time for a job search in Ireland is 1pm on a Monday, and this time seems to be similar across Europe, signifying that the dissatisfaction people feel going from Sunday into another week is something that is being dealt with at the earliest possible availability. Researchers for Indeed analysed the search patterns of jobseekers across five European countries to reveal this Monday trend.

Ireland                                     1pm Monday

United Kingdom                     1pm Monday

Germany                                 12pm Monday

France                                     11am Monday

Belgium                                   11am Monday

Whilst, France and Belgium might be the early birds, this is an interesting trend for Irish jobseekers, and the data is compiled from all searches whether they be via phone or desktop. The research also found that searches are not limited to these times by any means, with many also searching during weeknight evenings.

According to Mariano Mamertino, EMEA economist with Indeed:

“The power of the internet has transformed the way all of us look for a job. With just a few keystrokes or taps on our mobile device, we can view millions of vacancies whenever and wherever we want. […]”This reveals perhaps the emotional side of looking for a new job. Just as the start of January is a very popular time for people to consider a job change, so too the start of the working week.”

So our mobile devices aren’t just useful for scrolling through those Sunday and Monday memes, but can actually have an immense transformative effect on how we advertise for and gain employment, and social media is certainly an excellent tool to be harnessed in business.

As always we are available for any advice or guidance you may require on business or finance matters.

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~ DCA PARTNERS, DECLAN DOLAN & EAMONN GARVEY

TaxSaver TaxSaver, They Know how to Save you

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There is no denying that we live in quite expensive times with the general cost of living continuing to increase steadily. As a result, both business owners and employees alike are as always looking to where costs can be cut or savings can be made. Travel and food are often the biggest savings downfalls for employees. When hoping to cut costs these are often the first avenues to be explored, which is often exploited by advertisers insisting on informing of us of the many varied other things we could do with the cost of our morning cappuccino.

For those of us who simply cannot function in the morning without that well needed caffeine fix and the knowing glance from our local barista, the good news is that there are many available ways to save without sacrificing the sacred morning routine. For both business owners and employees alike, the travel Taxsaver could be a fantastic solution which can save the company money whilst also ensuring a happy workforce by saving the employees money on their daily commute.

This scheme has proven its worth as over 3500 companies currently purchasing travel tickets for their employees. The system allows companies to save up to 10.75% in PRSI whilst employees can save between 31 and 52% in tax on the cost of their travel.

The taxsaver travel ticket is purchased through the company and can be paid for by the employee through salary sacrifice, in place of a bonus or as an additional perk as part to their salary. Companies can register to take part in this service via www.taxsaver.ie and can now order employee tickets via an online service to be delivered directly to the company saving time as well as money, which none of us will ever complain about these days.

Employees hoping to save up to 52% on their commute can contact taxsaver on 1850211777 to see if their company is registered or direct their employer to the website in order to register. Once organised the company will purchase the ticket on your behalf (payment method to be agreed upon) and this will be delivered direct to your workplace so you can start saving for those cappuccinos or rainy days.

Additionally, there is a choice of travel options available as you can choose bus, rail or a combination of the two depending on your most used mode of transport.

With such large savings at the fingertips of both employers and employees, it is no surprise that this has already proven to be a popular choice, and is sure to grow.

Should you have any concerns, queries or require further information on these or any other business and financial matters please don’t hesitate to contact us we are always available to help.

 

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~ DCA PARTNERS, DECLAN DOLAN & EAMONN GARVEY

R.E.S.P.E.C.T – FIND OUT WHAT IT MEANS TO MANAGEMENT

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Earning the respect of our colleagues can be a daunting task in any new role, but ultimately it is the respect of management which the majority of employees crave. With the usual ‘new year, new me’ ethos in mind, we will today focus on ways you can implement small changes to your working day in order to earn the much coveted respect of management. Whether you have taken on a new role for 2017 or are still working hard in your current role, there are small changes which can be made in order to get yourself noticed by management and earn their respect as an employee.

You have already started the New Year by turning up to work, on time no less so you have instantly earned our respect for what it’s worth! Recent studies show that one of the most vital things employees want from their managers is respect. Feeling respected in the workplace leads to happier and more efficient employees as employees feel as though their effort is valued. Here are some handy tips to get you started on this road to respect.

Communication

Communication is key in all relationships and this is evident in the workplace. We all have our shrinking violet moments but one can’t bemoan a lack of respect in the workplace if you daily goal is to remain invisible. Disagree and agree where appropriate and allow your voice to be heard. Another key component of communicating efficiently in the workplace is feedback. Giving and receiving feedback is vital in the establishing of work relationships. Requesting feedback is an ideal way to show your employer that you care about your place in the company.

Clarification

This is possibly one of the most difficult skills to master in the workplace. We all want to impress our boss and do as much as we can, but when the boundaries between our roles and others become blurred we become less capable of doing our own roles to the best of our ability. Despite how long you have been in your role, it is wise to regularly clarify your role so that your focus will be accurate.

Relationships

Building relationships with other employees may not seem like an important way to earn the respect of management, but these relationships show that you intend to be in the role long term and that this isn’t just a stop-gap role for you and shows you to be a trustworthy team-player. Offering support to others in the workplace will also show how vital you are within the team.

Honesty

This is a difficult one for anyone who craves the respect of management. If you feel that there is a lack of respect or you are being overlooked, it might be time to raise the issue with management in order to ascertain if there is a solvable issue or if the issue is a miscommunication. This also gives the opportunity for both parties to explain the difficulties they are facing and get on the same page.

2017 is a new year with many opportunities for you to show your worth. As always, we are here to provide any help or guidance we can and together, we can conquer 2017.

 

Should you require any help, assistance or guidance on these or any other tax or business matters, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

 

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~ DCA PARTNERS, DECLAN DOLAN & EAMONN GARVEY

WORKPLACE FLEXIBILITY

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We have spoken in the past about the importance of maintaining a feasible work/life balance and how important a reasonable balance is for the mental health and wellbeing of both employees and employers alike. Whether you are still working your way up the career ladder or have reached the peak already, the maintenance of a healthy work/life balance is what ultimately helps you to reach your goals. With a busy season for business and customers alike fast approaching, we thought it wise to discuss the modern day phenomenon crucial to a happy and healthy workplace: workplace flexibility. Now, don’t panic, we aren’t going to ask you to unroll that dusty yoga mat before January 1st. Rather, we will be speaking of ways in which the workplace itself can contribute to a healthier and happier home life.

 

As both our working and our home lives become increasingly busy and filled with integral conflict it is important to create flexibility where possible. In these modern times, maintaining flexibility is becoming increasingly easy as it is possible to be connected 24-7 (which is, of course an issue for another day).

 

From a business point of view, it is beneficial to the company to ensure that its employees are satisfied and happy on a daily basis which, as we have previously discovered is essential to maintaining a functional workplace. The inclusion of alternative working styles is important to maintain a good balance. Working remotely has become one of the most popular methods of gaining flexibility in the workplace and one which has seeped into most modern lives as few among us are innocent of checking our working email from home on our phones.

 

Maintaining flexibility in the workplace has been proven to increase productivity as the interconnectedness of our modern offices can combine differing work types or schedules at once whilst working from home reduces time and effort spent battling the daily traffic. Meanwhile skype and other video call platforms have allowed for meetings and hiring interview processes to become more immediate as we no longer need wait for a face to face meeting. Technology has now begun to redefine the workplace as well as how we communicate, and Irish companies are beginning to harness this new power through video and instant messaging as well as file sharing.

 

To conclude, a happy workforce is a productive one, and modern life allows for greater flexibility in the manner in which we work. A work/life balance has never been more important to the Irish workplace as our busy schedules create a time-poor workforce, the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs have been quoted as saying that

“Family-friendly working arrangements can play an important role in any overall pay and benefits package.”

 

This can be easily harnessed by employers to create a new working environment which will be increasingly productive as a result.

 

Should you require any help, advice or guidance on any business or financial matters, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at DCA Accountants where we will be happy to help.

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~ DCA PARTNERS, DECLAN DOLAN & EAMONN GARVEY