I am planning to take up online course because I don’t really like going to class room or campus. My question is would employers really recognize the degree earned at online colleges?

Employers do recognize online degrees while selecting the applicants if earned from an accredited university. Only such degrees worth and prove to be beneficial in your career growth. Even some view online graduates as more qualified because of the self-initiative required completing an online degree. So, look here http://www.thedegreeexperts.com/online-college.aspx for accredited online colleges to choose from and move ahead in your career.

My friend is returning to work after maternity leave soon, we work in care and my employers have told her that she has to do a sleep in every week, she cant do this as she has no one to look after her child, they have told her that if she wants to work in care she must do this, otherwise they will just give her part time hours in the kitchen, can they do this? She’s really worried and I feel sorry for her.

If this is a normal part of her job, they can certainly require it. If she is not able to fulfill the full job requirement, they do not have to treat her in any special way, they have the right to terminate her and hire someone who CAN do the full job.

I have to comment to jaydey: Yes, if a person becomes pregnant, in 99.9% of cases, it IS their fault, their choice. People have known for hundreds of years how to avoid pregnancy, if they choose to do so it IS their own responsibility (both parents)

Do employers usually have any time to speak about potential applicants on weekends, especially holidays? When would they get back to me?

Depends on the industry. Food, entertainment, not too much time. Construction, they are off having a beer. Wait till Tuesday and call them.

I’ve been told it’s an expensive hassle for employers to organise a Z-Visa for their foreign employees. What exactly does the process involve & how much does it cost?

There is some information here.
http://www.cn-visa.com/zvisa_application.asp

Nowadays in Beijing, original Bachelor degree (or above) certificate and 2-year work experience after graduation are required, too.

Both the company and the employee should be qualified, i.e. the company should not be small and the employee should provide necessary documents including the original degree certificate.

The company can do it by its own staff or outsource it to an agent.
It is time-consuming, but not expensive.

When searching for employment, you will find that most employers will at some point ask you to provide a list of your references. This may seem like a simple request to fulfill, but in actuality, choosing references is something that should be done with care. So before you throw your own list out there to employers, let’s take a look at some ideas to keep in mind.

Why Provide References

Employers usually ask for references during the course of an application process for two reasons: 1) they want to verify previous employment, and 2) they want to know what they’re getting themselves into. Most likely, they have determined that you’re a great candidate based on your resume, cover letter and interview, but it always helps to have some additional sources step in to confirm your qualifications.

So when should you disclose your references? This can vary depending on who you’re applying for. Some may request a list of references in the job posting while others may have you list three or four while filling out their application. A good rule of thumb, however, is to hold on to your list until you’re asked for it. Just be sure to choose wisely the references you disclose, because while some employers may simply want to verify your employment, others may go further to ask specifics about the type of employee you were.

Choosing Your References

One of the most important ideas to remember when choosing your references is making sure they will say good things about you. If you’re not sure what they might say, then you can have a friend call on your behalf and get a reference, asking simple, professional questions just to gauge the responses he or she might give.

Typically, the best people from which to request references include past or present supervisors, co-workers, professors, customers, vendors, and even coaches and friends. However, when the references are more of a personal nature and they were not specifically requested, you may want to list them after the most highly-regarded professional references. This is because, for the most part, the employee is more interested in your work ethic than your personal behaviors. And with additional resources available like social networking sites, many can do more “realistic” research without needing to gauge your characteristics from a personal friend.

Asking for Permission

One of the biggest rules of thumb when selecting references is to make sure that you ask their permission before submitting their names to employers. Failing to complete this task can offer unfavorable results all the way around. Think about it, if you don’t tell your references you’ve offered their names, when the employer calls they may be thrown completely off-guard, having to come up with specific details on the spur of the moment. This could result in you not receiving the thorough recommendation you’d hoped for. So to ensure that it goes your way, make sure ask your references if you can use them in this way.

Choosing the right references to offer to prospective employers can mean the difference in you being hired for a position. So choose carefully, making sure each reference is someone you have a good relationship with and who truly has your best interest at heart.

Heather Eagar
http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/making-the-most-of-your-references-732528.html

Today many businesses are downsizing or what used to be called “rightsizing”. Scaling back or down, with the loss of much needed essential manpower with irreplaceable skills can be seen as almost unforgivable.

Experienced staffs not only have “time put in” but also skills that are virtually impossible to find or hire. These skills may have been obtained through specialized training either not available in the U.S. or may indeed have been obtained by multitudes of years of experience and interaction with people and other skilled workers in your chosen industry. What may well set you apart in your marketplace may be either unique products or a service , or a job done up to certain standards set at a higher bar than other in your workplace industry community or indeed overseas outsourced origin work.

It may be the situation that these workers are set for retirement shortly and all that is being done is moving up the date slightly through “early retirement “offers.

In that case these workers could well use the spent before the standard date to train replacement workers, as they will soon be retiring always and newer workers with their skills are no threat as a replacement to them. Most workers with a professional attitude will view this as a major compliment of their skillet and a major compliment to their contributions both individually and to the firm for time and efforts spent. . Have these experienced workers train new staff. If possible the date set for retirement of these experienced workers could even be set forward.

Downsizing and rightsizing through attrition , financial inducement and downright firing often seems a quick and easy answer to both cost reduction and better financial statements for year end to please both the bank and stockholders and the stock market if the company is publicly listed. This is a complete and utter fallacy for both the health of any corporation, organization or business enterprise and to any authorities or shareholders that the firm or organization has to answer to. Look at the American auto industry and its current state as a good example of this. You would think by all appearances and concerns that the business at hand of the American auto industry is to provide for great pensions and benefits to its workers, and providing extensive bonus packages to its executives. In effect a shell of a company is being left that is neither the health nor scope of the previous size and may not be in a position to pay any of these previous obligations. Indeed not only is the health of the company reduced, its profitability and in the long run the benefits promised to workers who were of long standing.

Indeed by offering hefty retirements as well as inducements to retire management is shortchanging all involved and the productivity and profitability of the firm to all involved. It is much better to keep experienced staff on hand rather than offer them retirement early. All lose.

In summary it can be said that reduction of staff levels whether by firing or early retirement packages serves neither the firm nor the employees well. It is a short sited rather than a progressive approach. Staffing levels should be maintained and experienced workers kept on.

S. Z. Stevens
http://www.articlesbase.com/management-articles/employers-retain-experienced-employees-maintain-staffing-levels-685329.html

My brother in law said that if you want to better your life, then it’s best to go to a four-year state university.

He said that most employers laugh at online schools, such as the University of Phoenix.

I didn’t have time to ask him why, so I’m asking it on here.

For several reasons.

1) Online schools are relatively new. They haven’t had time to build a good reputation. Plus, the internet in general has a poor reputation.
2) There are virtually no criteria to get into the school. You have to have a GED/high school diploma and your check has to clear. That’s it. More traditional universities require good grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, etc.
3) There’s something to be said about interacting with your professor and fellow students in person, as well as taking exams in class without the benefit of notes or books. These are all valuable experiences to prepare you for the real world.