The Looming Black Hole in Canada’s Aging Workforce. Are We Ready?

Let’s take a look at some projections made by Statistics Canada in 2008 (Some facts about the demographic and ethnocultural composition of the population-Aging-Figure 24 & 25, 2008) -

• There are potentially more people aged 55 to 64 years, who are leaving the workforce than people aged 15 to 24 years entering it.

• By the mid-2010s, people aged 45 to 64 years will comprise approximately more than 42% of the working-age population.

Proportion of persons aged 45 to 64 years in the working-age population (15 to 64 years) in Canada, 1956 to 2056

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/91-003-x/2007001/4129904-eng.htm

It’s apparent that the millennials need to build up on the work experience front, having acquired the education in their chosen fields, in order to take over from the baby boomer work force.

So how are they doing so far? These YouTube videos tell the story of some graduates’ plight with getting a foot in the door and how they've used social media to better their situation. 

Video 1: "Millennials plug away in their chosen field and look for that ideal job online using email, Facebook and job search websites." A networking event requiring face-to-face interaction, the old school way, helped with building a network that kept this struggling graduate connected digitally leading up to an interview and a full time job in Public Relations. While a college degree is a best defence against a recession, President Barak Obama urged graduates to keep gaining new skills and new degrees, and to be prepared to adapt and take risks. 

Another Architecture graduate lost his job due to the recession. His version of 'thinking outside the box' involved signing up for the military. While serving in Iraq, he took online courses towards a Masters in Exercise Science, to be a trainer, once his tour of duty was up. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLlrn3_G1ZQ

(NEED TO KNOW | Generation jobless: 'Millennials' struggle with unemployment | PBS, 2010)

Videos 2 & 3:
A 25 year old Master’s Degree in Environmental Science created a vblog expressing what she has been facing in finding the job that in her field. She has since found employment the following year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIVAj5LW7QA

(I Am Over-Educated and Unemployed, 2011) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DI6sd9Ahzk

(I Am No Longer Over-educated and Unemployed, 2012)

Videos 4, 5 & 6:

• Straddled with student debt for expensive university tuition 

• Low credit scores

• Moving back home to manage poor cash flow

• Lower standard of living than their parents

• Less career satisfaction than that of their parents

These are the ingredients that make up the millennials recipe for a future that sets them back economically, thanks mainly due to high debt and a poor job market, as explained in the next three videos. 

Video 4:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ealPpxAV9zA

(Student fears in 'jobless America', 2010)

Video 5: This graduate, in addition to being straddled with student loan debt, spends hours everyday filling applications and browsing the internet (job websites) for a job.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDqboEt1tx0

(American college grads can't buy a job, 2010)

Video 6: When credit scores fall, getting a job becomes harder. Companies looking to hire Millennials check their credit scores online. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAQBMRhVedI 

(Student debt bubble about to explode, 2010)

It is evident that the plight of the youth unemployment is escalating and something needs to be done to keep their degrees effective while they are seeking employment, and skill set (those that have it) current.

Here, the Government of Ontario, along with the Ontario Public Service (OPS) has, as recent as January 2014, re-launched their 2013 campaign to help people under 30 with employment opportunities, building skills or starting their own business. It’s called “Ready.Set.Work.” (Ready.Set.Work, 2014). 

The service specifically offers paid internships with the government, to gain hands-on experience in the field, gain mentorships and networking connections that would bode well in their future, career development and coaching.

The program also includes partnering with industries, institutions and not-for-profits with an impactful strategic plan (Making an Impact: Youths Job Strategy, 2013).

They can be followed via their Facebook page, Twitter account and YouTube channel.

So, circling back, it is a known fact that our aging workforce will be retiring within the next 2-3 decades. In this economic turmoil and uncertainty, the millennials' employment scene is bleak, but will improve with time as jobs become available with retiring Baby Boomers. Not expecting them to while away the time waiting, the unemployed Generation Y can avail OPS plans to successfully connect them with their aspiring career jobs.

Updated March 24, 2014

References:

Some facts about the demographic and ethnocultural composition of the population-Aging-Figure 24 & 25. (2008, January 25). Retrieved from Statistics Canada: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/91-003-x/2007001/4129904-eng.htm

American college grads can't buy a job. (2010, January 15). Retrieved from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDqboEt1tx0

NEED TO KNOW | Generation jobless: 'Millennials' struggle with unemployment | PBS. (2010, October 12). Retrieved from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLlrn3_G1ZQ

Student debt bubble about to explode. (2010, September 3). Retrieved from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAQBMRhVedI

Student fears in 'jobless America'. (2010, April 2). Retrieved from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ealPpxAV9zA

I Am Over-Educated and Unemployed. (2011, October 1). Retrieved from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIVAj5LW7QA

I Am No Longer Over-educated and Unemployed. (2012, May 16). Retrieved from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DI6sd9Ahzk

Making an Impact: Youths Job Strategy. (2013, October). Retrieved from Government of Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/jobs-and-employment/making-impact-youth-jobs-strategy

Ready.Set.Work. (2014, January 13). Retrieved from Government of Ontario: http://www.ontario.ca/jobs-and-employment/employment-programs-people-under-30

Social Media and the World Leaders/ Presidents

http://images.socialnewsdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/TopCom-and-World-Leaders.jpg

http://d.fastcompany.net/multisite_files/fastcompany/imagecache/620x350/fc_files

/2011/1753640-how-world-leaders-use-social-media-why-whitehouse-doesnt-follow-barackobama-and-other-idiosyncrasies-thumb.jpg

When we talk about social media and work place, we are not talking only about a pacific size company or enerprize. But  workers in any work place any size such as a small home office a  medium size office  or a big organization with channels all over the world, they  all have policies and they all experience changes in the way work is conducted from past to present. Most of the changes are here as a result of the emergence of new technology and new social media.

In my previous blogs I already talked about the use of social media and the changes it has brought to organizations and what employers and employees should consider when they use social media at work place. Here I want to think big and talk about the importance of social medial in a much bigger and crucial workplace which is the presidency and leadership or conducting a whole country and working for the people of the whole country.

If running an organization can benefit the use of social media, for sure running a country also needs use of social media and can benefit from it in different aspects and different ways.

 Traditional media has lost its popularity and use it once had in terms of campaigns and public relations. The new  outlets of social  media have  created a two way active connection between the two sides of senders  and receivers  and it is no longer a one way media as it was in past when people had TV or radio to listen to and to be connected to the world. It is now a two way conversation tool. People get the chance to read and comment and send their message and their voice to the other side.

 Using social media is beneficial for any job in any field. Leading a country is not an easy job and that is why I thought if I am talking about organizations and CEOs and managers using social media at work place, it is good to talk about the use of social media in presidential elections

In traditional campaigns TV, radio, newspapers, advertisement and mail had big role in presidential elections. The presidents and leaders advertised their positions, gave speeches, and went to different towns to talk to people and the reports for all these were sent to people through the basic social media outlets that we mentioned. But today things are very different. Today candidates are expected to know the use of social media outlets such as face book, twitter, blog, text messaging and many others to reach targeted audience and to be connected to public and to increase the rate of participation among different age groups from different distances. Use of social media for presidential campaigns is a very effective and efficient way saving time and money for both sides for voters and for the parties. Making advertisements and to pay for TV or radio air time for broadcasting the campaigns have been very costly. However, today even though these advertisements are still part of a campaign and awareness programs. There are so many other types of social media that facilitates the process and saves money.

People of different age can take part in the elections and be updated about the news anytime and anywhere they are.

TheNew York Times on its Media and Advertisement page published an article about the power of social networks in presidential campaigns. I found the following paragraph interesting to share here in my blog. 

“Thomas Jefferson used newspapers to win the presidency, F.D.R. used radio to change the way he governed, J.F.K. was the first president to understand television, and Howard Dean saw the value of the Web for raising money.  But Barack Obama understood that you could use the Web to lower the cost of building a political brand, create a sense of connection and engagement, and dispense with the command and control method of governing to allow people to self-organize to do the work.” (The New York Times)

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS7ZUo7ev-AkJNw9sPJszendgugIkl31xRNy3YABFKR3Ig9Tl4t

Looking at all these changes social media has brought to different aspects of work and life, we can predict how things are going to be in future with the way social media is growing.

 According  to MATTHIAS LÜFKENS from the Atlantic “In the near future, no one will be able to become a leader without digital followers, and no diplomat will be well-positioned to represent his or her country if he or she does not personally engage on social networks. And it is not the size of the followership that matters, but the quality of the conversations.  (MATTHIAS LÜFKENS, 2012)

Here is a you tube video from Good Day New York talking about Social media's impact on the presidential election.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iqsthA2Jbg

How can social media help leaders of a country

·         Build awareness
·         Build a personal brand
·         Helps with presidency campaigns
·         Create a sense of engagement and connection with public
·         Get connected to public  in different parts of the country in real time
·         Lower the cost of campaigns
·         An opportunity for citizen feedback and deliberation
·         Gather a big pool of ideas on candidates and policies that would otherwise have been hard to get
·         Efficiently  and effectively gather ideas, get advice, convince and persuade people

http://cribsuite.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Screen-Shot-2013-09-06-at-11.21.14-AM.png

Do presidents of the different countries use social media?

As I mentioned earlier, today the leaders and presidents of different countries use social media not only for their presidential campaigns but also for different other purposes on daily basis.

Here are some interesting facts about a few presidents out of the many presidents that use social media. 

1    1- Barak Obama and social media- Based on some data gathered from (twitaholic .com and twitter counter.com) “as of June 12, 2012, Obama's account had 16,505,044 followers, followed with 677,188 accounts and had posted 4,239 tweets. Well into 2011, it was following the most people of any account on the network and was the third to achieve ten million followers. It is one of only two accounts in the world to be in the top ten in both followers and followees. As of June 12, 2012, the White House account is also among the two-hundred most followed with nearly three million followers. (Wikipedia)

2- Latin American presidents have taken to tweeting with gusto. Seven of the 25 most-followed world leaders hail from the region, according to Twiplomacy, a website. Among the most active is Argentina’s Cristina Fernández. She frequently tweets out verbose diatribes split across dozens of messages; she once tweeted 34 times in 32 minutes. Although she has over 2m followers, she herself follows only 54, with not a single non-Latin American leader among them” (The Economist, 2013).

      3- “Hugo Chávez was second only to Mr Obama as the most-followed leader before his death earlier this year. He has been replaced as the Twitteratus maximus of Latin America by the Argentine Pope Francis, who has 4m followers of his Spanish- and Portuguese-language account”. (Follow the leader, 2013)

       4-   Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez used Twitter to rally his 3.6 million followers and secure re-election on October 7, 2012.

5     5- “Twiplomacy study found that;

•          E.U. President Herman van Rompuy (@euHvR) is the best-connected world leader, mutually following 11 peer
•            Australia's prime minister (@JuliaGillard) is the second-best-connected leader, with 10 mutual connections, followed by the Korean presidency (@BlueHouseKorea), the U.K. government ( @Number10gov), and the Russian prime minister (@MedvedevRussia), all of whom follow (and are followed by) nine other world leaders”. (Twiplomacy study , 2012)

Bibliography

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/news/americas/21583263-how-presidents-tweet-follow-leader

(MATTHIAS LÜFKENS, 2012). Retrieved from http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/10/tweet-me-to-your-leader-how-the-worlds-big-shots-use-social-media/263752/

(n.d.). Retrieved from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama_on_social_media

 (Follow the leader) (2013, Aug 10). Retrieved from Follow the leader: http://www.economist.com/news/americas/21583263-how-presidents-tweet-follow-leader

The New York Times. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/10/business/media/10carr.html?_r=0

Twiplomacy study 2012. (2012). Retrieved from Twiplomacy: http://twiplomacy.com/twiplomacy-study-2012/

The Impact of Social Media on Postal Services

The mainstream use of social media for communications has had a big impact on postal services and mailing system and on the employment of the people who work there.

http://superiorprintingcentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/BlogPostMar05-13.jpg  (superiorprintingcentre.com)

In past mailing was the only way through which people sent each other messages.  People also used mailing services to send their payments and to receive their monthly statements and their bills. Even though It was time consuming and had some cost involved in it, it was still used very widely. There weren’t any of the social media outlets that we have now for communications . Therefore, postal services were in demand and were in good economic conditions.

One of the first mediums of social media that came to use and had a big negative impact on posting system was email. People started using email for work and for personal communications. In past most of the communications at workplace between different offices and organizations took place via mail. The number of mails sent out on daily basis was much bigger compared to the ones sent out now. Here is the link to a site showing the progress of email. (Josh Wolford, 2011)

  It is true that mail and courier services still have some use at workplace and still are considered good ways of sending documents. However, for the purpose of fast decision making and quick communications, email is used more than mail now.

http://www.marketingtango.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/directmail-or-email-both.jpg (Email vs Mail)

Email is no longer the only type of social medium that affected posting system. There are so many other social media outlets such as instant messaging, blogs, Face book, twitter and many others that are used at different work places today and are replacing mail.

Sending a message in real world is so much different from sending a message to someone in virtual world. We use mailing system to send a letter to people whom we know or to people we do business with. If we ever receive a letter from someone whom we do not know and the letter updated us on the status of a total stranger sender, we would definitely find that very odd and irrelevant. While now if we see a post on a social networking site about someone whom we do not even know, we still take interest and read it and most of the time we even comment on their post and write them back.

Posting system has experienced some changes due to the evolution of social media and its use. Some of the changes are change of 7 day service to 5 day service, Canada post ending door to door delivery in urban areas and some other cut backs.

http://www.nzpost.co.nz/sites/default/files/uploads/shared/images/mail-volumes.jpg (NZ posts)

National post published an article on Canada post and its cut services on December 11, 2013 where we can see some data about changes Canada post brought in the last few years. Here are a few facts from that publication copied here. (Hill, Lee Berthiaume and Andrea, 2013).

·         2000: Post Office launches ePost, a digital mailbox for bills.
·         2007: First decline in domestic lettermail delivered in Canada
·         2012: Canada Post notes decrease of one billion pieces of lettermail compared to 2006.
·         2013: Canada Post begins charging developers $200 per address for the set up of community mail boxes in new neighbourhoods

Well, looking at these  cut backs and changes,  we can imagine how they must have affected the workers who work for postal services. A lot of layoffs and cut backs, salary issues and  other financial issues  for workers at postal services. The post office services and their economic issues are seen in most of the countries around the world.  Here is a youtube video on “Social media reacts to Post Office Announcement in the States” 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Mi2Wuimva4 (WP TV News Channel 5)

However, social media has brought some good changes to postal services as well. Postal services use more social media to better communicate with customers, other businesses as well as with stake holders.

In summary, social media has had big impact on different types of work places. The impact has mostly been positive. However, postal system is one of the work places that has experienced the negative impact of social media more than its positive impact.

Bibliography

 (Email vs Mail) Retrieved from http://www.marketingtango.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/directmail-or-email-both.jpg

Hill, Lee Berthiaume and Andrea. (2013, December 11). Canadian Politics. Retrieved from National post: http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/12/11/lisa-raitt-defends-canada-post-cuts-as-modernizing-while-olivia-chow-decries-government-destroying-mail-services/

 (superiorprintingcentre.com). Retrieved from https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTTeOP4e8LjIyLcaCTIjWWyN9gyFCK9rjVFTrvtM6dAXs1Z8XU1tQ

Josh Wolford. (2011, May 5). Web Pro News. Retrieved from Social: http://www.webpronews.com/email-social-media-communication-increases-im-use-decreases-2011-05

mail Vs email image. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.marketingtango.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/directmail-or-email-both.jpg

NZ posts. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nzpost.co.nz/sites/default/files/uploads/shared/images/mail-volumes.jpg

WP TV News Channel 5. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Mi2Wuimva4

Social Media & Work Place Policies

 In my first blog I already discussed the importance of social media at workplace and its use interdepartmentally and globally.  Here in my second blog I want to talk about the consequences of using social media at work place and what should both employers and employees know about the use of social media at work place.

http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/navigate.jpg(fast company)

During different time periods from past to present and  in the future employers have always had some responsibilities to assure the implementation of  all rules and regulations on labour laws, employment discrimination laws, employees’ rights, vacations laws and many other laws that exist in regards to employment. An employer always has to make sure that the employees work in a safe and secure environment free from bias, discrimination, assault and any unethical actions.   The only difference an employer would experience from past to present is that in past the concern was more on issues happening in real world while now there is the addition of issues in virtual world and  use of so many different channels of social media. Today use of social media especially at workplace does not only have pros that I already discussed in my first blog, but it also has some cons such as decreased productivity, unwanted and sometimes excessive publicity, release of confidential information, discriminatory posts, unethical use of work time and work devices for personal communications, and many other legal claims and issues related to use of social media at work place.

According to research from Silk Road; “75 Percent of employees access social media from personal mobile devices at work (silkroad news and media)

Here is a you tube video from Work span TV on “Social Media in the Workplace: Legal, Policy and Productivity” (workspan TV)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLG9jwgAios( WorkSpan TV)

Today with the fast growth of social media and its users, so many unique and different legal cases come up every day.  Legal system and courts face many new cases on use of social media at work place. Making decision on those cases is not very easy even though courts keep consulting electronic communication laws such as communications and telecommunications Act.

Accessiblity of social media everywhere including work place makes it easier for many workers who are having a bad day at work to make inconsiderate and spontaneous postings and comments and create issues for themselves and for their employers.

http://marketingstrategyexpert.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/facebook-cartoon-7.gif?w=300&h=222(Marketers blog)

 Daily news on newspapers and websites are full of stories related to employees’ use of social media and its legal consequences.

 On Aug 2011Mcmillanpublished an interesting news on its "employment and labour bulletin" that was as follows;

“Two employees employed by West Coast Mazda, an automotive detailing and accessory shop in Pitt Meadows, B.C., were terminated as a result of a series of Facebook postings described as "offensive, insulting and disrespectful." Both employees were strong supporters of a union drive, and both were Facebook friends with a manager at the company. The manager was disturbed to find that the employees' Facebook postings targeted management, the business and the products sold by the business. The employer conducted an investigation and met with each employee. In the meetings, the employees were provided copies of their Facebook postings. Both employees denied making the postings. Following the meetings, both employees were terminated”  (George Waggott, 2011)

Well, knowing that social media at workplace can be useful as well as harmful, then what should employers and employers know about the use of social media to make them cautious and inform them of the right use of social media at work place.

Here are two awareness point sheets one for employer and employee each on use of social media at workplace;

 Employers' To Do,  in regareds to employees’ use of social media at work place

•       Have a clear policy and guideline on use of social media at work. In the policy clarify the terms of service and use of social media and the legal consequences related to misuse of social media
•  Educate  employees to use social media within rules and regulations , especially  when staff is allowed   to use their own devices at work
•    Ensure the employees are familiar with privacy and confidentiality policies.  
•    Review and update employees regularly on following the recent rules and knowing the legal consequences.

http://www.klugerkaplan.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dos-and-donts-for-employees.jpg (google images)

Employees' To Do,  in regards to use of social media at work place

•       Make yourself familiar with privacy, confidentiality and use of social media policies.
•           Always be aware that any posts you make from work, your company can see that
•           Do not post something that you would not want your boss or police to see it because chances are that they might see your post very soon
•          Do not post any personal information or comments on employer or other employees
•          Make sure to keep  personal and professional communications separate at work place
•           Do not use social media to harass, intimidate, or bully other employees.
•          Use social media respectfully and effectively
•          Use social media within the rules and regulations of your employer

Watch this YouTube video on “Social Media and the Workplace” (Common Craft)  that talks about the power and the responsiblities of Social media for organizations and for employees.

In summary, having clear work place rules on the use of social media is very vital both in present and future times when we are dealing with many new technology and social media outlets at  work place.

Clear rules and policies can protect the employers from legal claims and extra costs and help them maintain a positive work environment. And for employees abiding by the workplace rules on use of social media is one of the factors in maintaining job security and productivity at work place. And it is vital for any period of time in present and future when we have to deal with use of many new technology and social media outlets.

Well, the best is to have fun with a safe use of social media. Here at the end of this blog we,for sure,  want to have some fun after all this serious talk about the consequences and legal issues of improper use of social media at work place. So let's read some jokes on social media and have some laugh.

I will come with new topics on social media at work place in my next blogs. So check back here for new blogs on social media & work place. 

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ1D0Ex9oheMlc44aorN7fXrX0mAmbDqH_KL9PqfNOwgW07gg4I (community relations)

      Social media jokes (Facebook jokes, 2014)

•         20 years ago we had Johnny Cash, Bob Hope and Steve Jobs. Now we have no Cash, no Hope and no Jobs. 
•        Q: What happened after Miss New Jersey, Amy Polumbo, lost her crown due to racy pics being leaked from her Facebook Account?

     A: Amy Polumbo received a million friend requests! 

•       "Dammit im mad" Back-Wards is still "DAMMIT IM MAD!" 
•          I'm going to change my name on Facebook to 'Benefits', so that when you add me, it will say, "You are now friends with benefits." 
•        In a recent interview Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated, "The only meat I'm eating is from things I've killed myself." It was reported that for lunch this afternoon he ate "Tom" from MySpace
•             Oh Grandma! A dying grandma tells her grandchild, "I want to leave you my farm. That includes the barn, livestock, the harvest, the tractor, and other equipment, the farmhouse and $24,548,750.45 in cash." The grandchild absolutely floored and about to become rich says, "Oh grandma, you are SO generous! I didn't even know you had a farm. Where is it?" With her last breath, Grandma whispered, "Facebook..."

Bibliography

(silkroad news and media). Retrieved from silk Road: http://www.silkroad.com/Company/News-and-Media/Press_Releases/2012/10/Social_Survey_Report_Press_Release.html

(fast company). Retrieved from Amzon.com: http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/navigate.jpg

Common Craft. (n.d.). Retrieved from You tube.com: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sfs5P3VN0Ho

Community relations. (n.d.). Retrieved from Devianart: https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ1D0Ex9oheMlc44aorN7fXrX0mAmbDqH_KL9PqfNOwgW07gg4I

Facebook jokes. (2014). Retrieved from jokes for us.com: http://www.jokes4us.com/miscellaneousjokes/corporatejokes/facebookjokes.html

google images. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.klugerkaplan.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dos-and-donts-for-employees.jpg

Marketers blog. (n.d.). Retrieved from Blog Notions:http://marketingstrategyexpert.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/facebook-cartoon-7.gif?w=300&h=222
George Waggott. (2011, Aug). social media policies in the workplace. Retrieved from Mcmillan: http://www.mcmillan.ca/social-media-policies-in-the-workplace

workspan TV. (n.d.). Retrieved from you tube. com: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLG9jwgAios