#offboarding process

[ahalts]

From Onboarding to Offboarding: How HRMS Enhances the Employee Experience

In today’s fast-paced business world, the employee experience is crucial for retaining top talent and maintaining a productive workforce. Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS) have transformed traditional HR practices by streamlining processes from onboarding to offboarding. This journey, often referred to as the employee lifecycle, is now more seamless and engaging, thanks to advanced HRMS solutions.

Onboarding is one of the first interactions new employees have with the company, and an efficient, welcoming experience sets a positive tone. With HRMS, onboarding processes such as document submission, role-specific training, and task allocations are automated and customized, reducing paperwork and enabling new hires to start their roles smoothly. Digital onboarding workflows ensure employees feel supported from day one, which is key to enhancing retention and satisfaction.

As employees progress within the company, HRMS continues to add value by streamlining performance reviews, enabling continuous feedback, and offering opportunities for learning and development. With easy access to self-service portals, employees can manage their own HR-related tasks, such as requesting time off or updating personal information, which not only saves time but also enhances autonomy and trust within the organization.

Finally, HRMS simplifies the often-overlooked offboarding process. From conducting exit interviews to ensuring all company assets are returned, HRMS makes it easier to follow standardized procedures, gather insights from departing employees, and create a positive last impression, preserving goodwill and potential future rehiring.

By covering every stage of the employee lifecycle, HRMS significantly enhances the employee experience, fostering a work environment where employees feel valued and engaged. For companies looking to attract and retain talent, HRMS solutions are a valuable investment, ensuring a cohesive and supportive employee experience.

More info: https://ahalts.com/products/hr-management

[algrolo]

The "isnt there someone you forgot to ask consent" meme except its a picture of me instead of jesus because I was contracted by the Greater Portland Polycule to manage its sprawling web of relationships as a consultant in order to streamline compatability, organization, efficiency, and the general administrative agency requirements

[useitcomputersblog]

Comprehensive Guide to Employee Offboarding

Ensure a smooth transition when employees leave your company with our comprehensive offboarding checklist. This essential guide covers all the necessary steps and best practices for HR professionals to manage employee exits effectively. From handling paperwork to securing company data, this checklist ensures nothing is overlooked, protecting your business and maintaining productivity. Learn how to offboard employees efficiently and securely.

Read more on Use It Computers

[bludragongal]

re https://www.tumblr.com/bludragongal/764153953743142912 I thought maybe I should let you know that https://www.daughterofthelilies.com/dotl/rss is currently sending me a 500 Internal Server Error

I have been subscribed to your comic via RSS for a long time and I hope it can be fixed

Oho! That's no good!

I will look into that for you, but my skills are limited. I'll ask around for help and/or hope @hiveworks is able to get back to me and finish the offboarding process!

Thanks for letting me know! Please don't hesitate to point me to anything else that needs to be addressed!

[yamujiburo]

OK SO I HAVE TO ASK

I play competitive Pokemon TCG and I loved path to the peak. Lot of competitive players do! I've come up with tons of jokes imagining our Pokemon on a battle field like the cartoon, like a bidoof knocking out a Charizard ex (or trying to).

But my main question here is if you can answer, did they tell you cards before release? The oddish promo for league is a given sure, but I noticed some of the cards wouldn't be out by the time you likely started the process. I realized this when I thought of the fact animation (another thing I love) takes a long time from A to B! And if they did let you see cards early what did that feel like?

Idk why but I've been following a while and it's been itching my brain! I realized I could try and ask!

We had a TCG consultant who laid out decks and existing cards for us to use that would make sense but there were a few where we could just make up our own cards! But they didn’t tell us any of the new releases while we were working on it in 2022

I’m sure the design teams were more involved with that stuff after we (the boarding teams) were offboarded tho!

[nolita-fairytale]

call sign: tennessee whiskey | rooster x fem!reader & hangman x phoenix | chapter five

summary: to celebrate a job well done, the dagger squads skips the hard deck for the night and goes dancing.

warnings: fluff, enemies to lovers, swearing, mentions of death, military & aircraft carrier inaccuracies, second person pov

wc: 4.9k

listen to: un ratito - bad bunny | la bachata - manuel turizo |the playlist

a/n: this chapter was inspired by a night out i once spent salsa dancing in san diego, monica barbaro in 'at midnight', and that video of monica barbaro & greg tarzan davis dancing in the space cowboy suits that seems to now be deleted lol. if you're not familiar with bachata, 10/10 recommend checking this video out to get an idea of just how sensual of a dance it is. rooster x reader smut coming next!! who's ready to find out how she got her callsign?

chapter four | masterlist | chapter six

The USS Theodore Roosevelt docks mid morning, and everyone aboard is eager to sleep in a proper bed tonight. You’d take the XL Twin sized beds over sleeping on an aircraft carrier any day, especially if there’s a Rooster Bradshaw in one with you. You’ve been so preoccupied with Rooster post-mission, having stayed the entire night with him. You’d fallen asleep with him in the hospital bed and, despite protocol, the medics onboard didn’t have the heart to ask you to leave. 

It’s not until you return to your sleeping quarters to pack up your things while everyone else is at breakfast that you come up for air. You’ve been totally wrapped up in your own world post-mission, that it’s almost time to offboard. After packing up your things, you meet Rooster, recently released from the carrier’s infirmary. 

“You ready?” he asks, a smile on his face as soon as he sees you. 

“I’m ready,” you agree, taking his hand in yours. 

As the two of you walk down the ramp, the familiar faces and bright shine of the San Diego sun make you realize that you really have been in your own world with Rooster – one where only you and he exist. You spot Coyote walking down the ramp with Halo, but what you see next catches you off guard. It’s Hangman and Phoenix walking together in stride. You tug on Rooster’s arm, since you’re not too far behind them, signaling to him that you want to get closer. 

They’re not arguing… they’re not killing each other. 

They’re… civil. Nice, almost. 

And was that a smile? Did Phoenix just… smile at something the blonde had said?!

“Oh my god!” you blurt out. The gasp escaping your lips causes both Hangman and Phoenix to turn around to look at you. The rest of the crew that are also in process of offboard walk around the four of you, shooting disgruntled looks as you block the walkway. 

“Sorry,” Rooster mutters to a passerby, before motioning for the four of you to at least step to the side. 

You look from Hangman to Phoenix, and suddenly, you can’t stop laughing. 

An innocent bystander would have no idea, but you know the both of them like the back of your hand. 

And it’s written all over their faces. 

“Oh my god!” you repeat yourself, your voice higher pitched as your jaw practically drops onto the ramp. “You guys totally did it!”

Rooster snorts, thinking that this must be a joke. But when you continue laughing, when neither Hangman nor Phoenix fire back with some snarky remark or exclamation of denial, Rooster thinks you might be right. 

“Wait, what?!” he exclaims, looking from you, then to Jake and Natasha. “Seriously?!”

“Whiskey,” Jake groans, shaking his head. He exchanges glances with Phoenix before continuing with, “I swear to God, she's like a truffle pig but for hookups.”

His smartass comment only confirms your suspicions, and Nat is turning bright red, unable to make eye contact with you right now. Rooster’s jaw practically drops as you squeal with delight, ready to brag about your special skill. 

“It’s a talent,” you shrug, proudly. “That's how I knew all through the Naval Academy that Jake was a wh-.”

“Hoooooookay. You’re done Whiskey,” Jake cuts you off, practically dragging you away from Rooster’s grasp along with him so that he can give you a talkin’ to about what’s appropriate to say when. 

Rooster laughs again, watching as you and Jake bicker like siblings, before turning his attention over to Phoenix. 

“You wanna talk about it?” he asks, doubtful that she’ll say yes.

“Nope,” she answers, popping the ‘p’ sound at the end of the word. 

“Fair enough,” Rooster accepts with a nod. 

“What I do want to talk about…. is you two,” Nat redirects, nodding her head towards where you and Jake have moved to. “Don’t think I didn’t notice she never came back to her bunk last night.”

The way that Rooster smiles is all she needs to know, and she considers this a huge win, exchanging a look with her best friend. 

“That good, huh?” she smirks, raising an eyebrow. 

“No! We haven’t even-, you know,” Bradley blushes, suddenly shy. 

“Damn. You really are ready to settle down, huh?” Nat responds, as she reads his expression. 

Rooster nods, returning his attention back to you again. He watches you playfully punch Jake in the chest, causing him to double over. 

“She’s great, Nat. She’s… I don’t know. She’s really fucking great,” he sighs, completely and totally infatuated with you. 

By the time Rooster and Phoenix catch up with you and Jake, you and Jake have finished your conversation – one where you mostly congratulated him and told him that she was the best he’d ever get so he better not fuck up. 

“Breakfast, anyone?” Nat asks, her eyes moving from you to Rooster. 

“Not you,” she adds, by the time her eyes make it to Jake. 

He rolls his eyes at her comment, but inside, he loves the fire she has within her. 

“Uh… yeah. Give me a second?” you request, shooting Rooster a look. 

“Yeah, we’ll give you guys a second,” Nat says, practically tugging Jake along with her. 

You watch as they go, a few strides ahead of you and Rooster so you can talk. 

“So… that’s kind of wild,” Rooster mentions, in reference to Nat and Jake. 

“Yes and also sort of… not surprising?” you suggest, earning a quizzical look from Rooster. 

Instead of continuing the conversation about Nat and Jake, you’d much rather talk about what could happen when you get back to the barracks. You take a beat, ready to shift the conversation.

“You wanna get out here? I could… tell Nat no.  Skip breakfast…. We could catch up to Hangman and Phoenix… considering they beat us to the punch?” you propose, raising an eyebrow. 

Normally, you’d never cancel on a friend for a guy, but after two weeks and a near-deadly mission, the sexual tension between the two of you is palpable. 

“As tempting as that offer sounds, I gotta go to the medical center on base for a second check up. Make sure I get a clean bill of health on land too,” Rooster replies, unable to hide how disappointed he is that he has to do this first. 

“Ugh, leave it to me to get cockblocked by the US Navy… again,” you groan, eliciting a laugh from Rooster. “You want me to go with you? 

“No it’s okay. Go to breakfast with Nat,” he says, nodding his head towards her and Jake.  

You smirk, “You just want the hot gossip don’t you, Badshaw?”

“Fuck yeah. And you better send me live updates,” he begs, earning a laugh from you too.  

You reach out, placing a gentle kiss on his lips, before Rooster’s wrapping an arm around your shoulders and you’re heading back to the barracks. Nat’s already got a place picked out that she texts you with a message suggesting you invite Halo too. After changing into your civvies, you and Nat decide to head out together to the beachside diner only a few blocks from the Hard Deck. 

Hangman: So I make you cum twice and still don’t get invited to breakfast? What’s a guy gotta do?

Phoenix: Try for three next time and I might consider extending the invitation.

Hangman: So you're saying there’s a next time? ;)

Natasha rolls her eyes at the last text, putting her phone away as the waitress approaches your table with the drip coffees you’ve just ordered. You both mutter a quick, polite thank you before taking them, fixing your coffee just the way you like it. 

“Halo didn’t want to come?” Nat asks, curiously.  

“Said she’s FaceTiming with her girlfriend but will join us in a little bit when she’s done,” you answer. “But it’s good because it gives us time to catch up! You can’t keep me waiting like this and don’t even think you’re getting away with not telling me everything.”

“Everything?” she asks, raising an eyebrow. 

“Okay, maybe not… everything,” you reply with a chuckle. “But enough is enough! Spill, bitch. What the hell happened between you and Hangman on that carrier?!”

She sighs, “I-, I have no fucking idea.” Taking a drink from her coffee mug, she leans back, cradling the hot cup of coffee in her hands as she racks her brain for any kind of explanation. “Maybe it was the high of the mission… or something… but we were both looking for you… and then we ran into each other. And… I don’t know. I was going to take a shower and he wouldn’t move out of my way… and then one thing led to another and suddenly we’re fucking in on the bathroom sink!”

“Oh my god!” you squeal, covering your mouth with your hand as you do. 

“I mean… it’s Hangman. I-, I think it was just a heat of the moment thing. Nothing serious,” she says, brushing it off as if there’s no possible way it could be anything more than that. 

“So… just a one time thing?” you ask, eyeing her curiously. You’re trying your best to get a read on her, but you’re not sure if she even knows how she feels about it. 

“Well. Technically a two time thing if you count the shower after,” she smirks, taking another sip of her coffee. 

“Natasha!” you gasp, a devilish smile on her face. 

“So… do you think it’s going to happen again? Do you want it to happen again?” you gush, excitedly. 

“I-,” she starts, before letting out a big sigh. “I don’t know.” You watch as she places her coffee mug down on the table, her eyes fixed to the ceramic mug. “Does that make sense?”

“Definitely,” you empathize with her, considering you’d probably find yourself confused in that situation too. “It’s Jake. I-. Definitely.”

“Let’s go dancing tonight,” she changes the subject, not wanting to talk more about Hagman. “What was that place we went to last time we’re in San Diego? Tango Del Rey? I know Rooster’s dying to see how you move.”

“Oh my god,” you groan with a playful eye roll. 

“But yes!” you agree. “Dancing sounds great. See if the rest of the Dagger Squad want to come with. Maybe end the night at the Hard Deck?” 

“Yeah,” Natasha replies. 

“Hi! Sorry I’m late,” Callie interrupts, as soon as she enters the diner in search of both you and Nat. “Unlike the two of you, I have a civilian partner that doesn’t understand half of what we do, and just needs to hear that I’m okay at the end of every mission. 

“The two of us?” Nat asks, thrown by what Halo has said. 

“Yeah, because you and Hangman are together, right?” she asks Phoenix, and you almost spit out your coffee. 

There’s such a genuine innocence in how she asks the question that you know she’s not trying to fuck with either of you. 

Nat’s face blushes a few shades darker while you try your best to get your coffee down without any of it coming out of your nose. You wait for your fit of laughter to pass before swallowing, giving you the freedom to now laugh out loud. 

“What? Did I say something wrong?” Halo asks looking from you to Nat, then back to you again. 

“No, Halo. No, you said everything right,” you manage to get out, as your laughter continues to grow. 

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to assume. I just thought you guys were together. I mean… he stayed with you overnight in the hospital after the bird strike and he’s so clearly into you,” she apologizes, explaining why she had come to the conclusion in the first place. 

Nat is glaring at you as you continue to laugh, like she hates the fact that you’re not the only one who sees this thing between the two of them. 

“Callie, you have nothing to apologize for,” you reassure her. You shoot Nat a glance, knowing that you’re stirring the pot as you continue with, “And you’d only have been wrong if you’d said something twenty four hours ago.”

“Whiskey!” Phoenix exclaims, shooting daggers at you for airing her dirty laundry. 

You snicker, on a power trip from the sweet, sweet feeling of being right. 

Natasha shakes her head, eager to change the subject. She stops paying attention to you, putting all of her attention on Halo as she says:

“Hey, Callie. What do you think about going dancing tonight? Think the Dagger Squad would be up for it?” she proposes, signifying that she’s done with this conversation about her and Jake. 

“I love dancing! Sounds like a great way to celebrate,” Callie agrees, eagerly. 

As the waitress comes back around, the three of you order stacks of pancakes and plates of eggs, potatoes, and bacon, decompressing in the beachside diner. It’s nice to take a breath, now that the mission is over – now that you have a whole week off, due to the mission being moved up. It’s not till the end of breakfast that you realize your heart and your belly are both now full. 

Your phone buzzes, signaling that you have a new text, unable to hide the smile on your face as you realize it’s from Rooster. 

“Uh oh. I know that look,” Nat teases, instantly knowing who it’s from. Halo’s eyes light up, catching on as well. 

“Ask him if he wants to go dancing!” Halo encourages, as you open up your phone to read the texts. 

Rooster: Looks like we got the greenlight. 

You: For all activities? ;)

Bradley: Yes ma’am. Anything in particular you have in mind?

You: How does dancing sound?

Bradley: … Dancing?

And that’s how Rooster Bradshaw ends up here, spinning someone’s abuela in a circle as the salsa band plays on. While most of the other aviators have found a dance partner in each other, or another attendee at the club, Bradley has, of course, found himself taken under the wings a group of older ladies made up of abuelas and tias who are teaching him how to salsa properly. 

You giggle, unable to take your eyes off of him, even though you’re technically dancing with Jake. You find it incredibly endearing that he’s managed to find himself adopted by the regulars – all of which continue to make comments like que guapo about him, his mustache and his printed shirts. 

Rooster’s eyes meet yours from across the room, practically beaming in your direction as the ladies cheer him on for mastering the three step dance. You smile back, grinning ear to ear. 

You cannot wait to get him alone tonight, but salsa is a social dance, so the stolen glances, the smiles from across the room, and all the sexy build up will have to do for now. 

Jake picks up on the fact that your attention is elsewhere, and he wouldn’t be himself if he didn’t have something smart to say about it. 

“You’re not even paying attention to me,” Jake complains, twirling you around the dance floor as best as he can. 

“Awwww… who knew you were such a softie, Hangman?” you tease him, followed by a loud “ow!” when Jake steps on your feet… again. 

“Well, that’s what you get, kid,” he fires back, grumpily.  

“I’m trying to help you here, Seresin! But you’re not letting me,” you point out, an annoyed tone in your voice as you try to teach him the steps. “If you’d learn to follow for once, damn it!”

“I’m just saying… think these guys need to come down to Texas… we can show ‘em how it’s really done,” Jake grumbles, as you try to coach him into being better at this. 

“Hate to break it to you, bud, but two steppin’ isn’t nearly as sexy as salsa,” you point out. “And you can’t always just do things you’re good at, y’know?”

“Who says?” Jake asks, playfully. 

“Oh my god,” you groan, rolling your eyes at your best friend’s comment. 

Jake steals a glance in Nat’s direction. He knows you’re only trying to help – only trying to give him a little bit of a head start considering Natasha seems to be a pro at this. You know enough to get by, but Nat grew up competitive ballroom dancing, and she’s practically dancing circles around every single person in the dancehall. Turns out, Coyote is an incredible salsa dancer as well, the two of them taking the dance floor by storm like they’re a part of the competition team. They glide, spin, and shake their hips to the music in ways that you can’t even imagine, captivating anyone and everyone that watches. 

At the end of each song, Coyote and Phoenix have switched partners, sometimes dancing together for a few more songs, and other times sharing their gifts with other people here on the dance floor. It’s usually how it goes at these kinds of things. 

The song ends and Jake releases you. You can see that the band has finished their set, switching over to a DJ. Of course, in a place like this, the transitions are smooth, going right from the band to the stereo system seamlessly. You’re practically shoving Jake in Nat’s direction, partnering up with Fanboy before Jake can chicken out. He stands behind her, watching her thank her last dance partner, a man who seems to be on the competition team here at Tango Del Rey. 

Natasha Trace wears a white floral dress, with a long slit up the front, exposing her long legs – the ones he had his mouth on just yesterday. Her hair, softly curled, falls just above her shoulders, and her hair is parted, pinned back on only one side makes her look like an old Hollywood movie star. 

“Phoenix. What do you say we have that dance now?” Jake drawls, his voice causing her to turn around. 

“I should warn you,” she parrots, mimicking his language on the carrier as she takes a few steps forward in her heels. “I'm an incredible dancer.”

“I’ve noticed,” he replies, the corner of his lips curling into a crooked smile. 

“You think you’re ready for me, Bagman?” she challenges, holding her hand out to him. 

“Only one way to find out,” he smirks, grabbing her hand and pulling her in close. 

As the song begins, the DJ set starting off strong with a Bad Bunny hit, Nat finds herself surprised that Jake does pretty well for himself, leading her in the three step salsa. The way his hands feel against her feel like they’re burning her skin in the most delicious of ways. She feels him lift their conjoined hands so that he can spin her around, smiling as he does. She knows this one – listens to the lyrics as they move together, taking note of how appropriate the feel:

“It's just for a little while / Mami, don't get used to it / Because love can be so beautiful / But there's always somеthing that interrupts it.”

Because what the hell were they doing anyways? And how could Hangman of all people make her feel this way? And there was no possible way that this wasn’t just temporary. Was she even willing to take the risk on him?

Instead of saying something, overthinking it, fucking this up before it could even begin, Nat decides that tonight, she’ll just dance with him. 

Across the room, as the song ends, you thank Fanboy (also an incredible dancer), before going to find Bradley. You can’t hide the grin on your face as you see him thanking the ladies that seem to have taken him under their wing. 

“Ladies, I hope you don’t mind,” you begin, nodding towards Bradley.  

“Are you the girlfriend? La novia? He’s been talking about you all night,” one of the women exclaims, gleefully. 

“Not yet, Daniela. But I’m working on it,” Bradley replies, following his words up with a playful, ‘shhh!’ 

You giggle, “You wanna dance, Bradshaw?” 

You offer out your hand, and he takes it, earning cheers and smiles from Bradley’s new friends. You can’t take your eyes off of his chocolate brown ones as you lead him across the dance floor. You feel one of Bradley’s hands slide against your low back, pulling you in closer to him as you begin to move to the music. 

“Looks like you made some new friends,” you say, batting your eyes at him. 

“And you’re gonna thank me later because I learned a lot,” he replies, earning a flirtatious giggle from you. 

“This your thing? You make new friends everywhere you go?” you continue to banter with him. 

“Guilty,” he admits, a light blush running across his cheeks. “The supermarket. The gas station…” 

“Oh God, I bet you were popular in high school too,” you groan, jokingly.  

As he spins you around, taking you into his arms, you’re all smiles. You move your hips in perfect time with his. You can feel your heart pounding in your chest with every step – and it’s not the few beers you’ve already had. You’ve been waiting for this moment all night – not that dancing with the rest of the aviators hasn’t been fun – but you have to admit that Bradley Bradshaw makes your heart flutter. 

After a few songs spent in Bradley’s arms, he slows you down, leaning close, his lips just grazing the top of your ear lobe. You can feel both of his large hands on the small of your back, pulling you into him a little closer. 

“I know we just got started here but… what do you say we get out of here?” he whispers in your ear, the raspiness of his voice sending chills down your spine.

“What’d you have in mind?” you ask, unable to find the smile that spreads across your lips. 

“Maybe… one more drink at the Hard Deck… then how about we go back to my room?”

“Please,” you practically beg him, nodding along as encouragement. . 

And in that moment, you don’t care that everyone is watching, that you and Bradley have yet to begin, you kiss him right then and there in the middle of the dance floor. Your passionate lip lock earns a few looks from other dancers, and you can hear a few of the other aviators point it out with a few whoops, hollers, and catcalls in response. As you pull away from the kiss, his face still cradled in your hands, you ask him:

“Cool if I go find Jake and Nat? Say goodbye?”

“Totally. But I’d be careful if I were you. They were practically fucking on the dance floor a minute ago,” he replies with a groan. 

“Gross,” you scoff, even though you could care less. 

But you don’t find Jake with Nat, spotting her on the dance floor doing all kinds of tricks with Coyote again. You wonder where Jake went, pushing through a crowd of people before you spot him upstairs. You hurry up the flight of stairs that leads to the balcony, finding him perched there, leaning up against the railing and nursing a Lonestar. 

“Hey! Rooster said you and Nat were practically fucking on the dance floor. Anything I should know?” you comment, as you approach the blonde. 

He smirks, taking another drink of his tallboy. 

“So you and Rooster, huh?” Jake asks back so that he doesn’t have to answer your question.

And because, of course his best friend would fall for fuckin’ Bradshaw. 

“Yeah, me and Rooster,” you answer, truthfully, sliding into the space next to him. “We’re actually going to head out. That’s why I was looking for you. Didn’t want to go without saying goodbye.”

Jake searches your face. There’s nothing but genuine admiration and honesty, and it’s given you a glow. He can see how happy you are, and he’s not going to rain on your parade just because he and the guy have some kind of unspoken rivalry. Playfully, he bumps his shoulder against you, earning a giggle from you. You return the shoulder bump before returning to your previous question. 

You watch Jake, following his gaze out over the dancehall. Nat’s finally taken a break, crowded around the bar as Bob tells some wild story to her, Fanboy, and Payback. It’s so freaking obvious that it’s painful: he can’t take his eyes off of Natasha Trace. 

“You should tell her how you feel,” you chime in, bumping his shoulder with yours again 

Jake shoots you a glance from the side – the kind that says, ‘what the hell are you talking about?’

“You forget that I’ve known you since you were twenty, Seresin. And I've spent the last two weeks watching you pine after her,” you point out. 

“I do not pine!” he protests. 

“Yes you do!” you push back. 

He waits a few beats, thinking it over, weighing his options. 

“What if… she’s not into it?” he finally asks, dragging out each word like they’re heavy on his lips. 

“Why don’t you go find out?” you encourage. You give his shoulder a friendly squeeze before turning to go. 

“Be safe, kid!” Jake calls after you. 

“Thanks, Dad,” you scowl, your feet hitting the top of the stairs as you do. 

Jake enjoys the view and his beer on the balcony for a little longer, taking a few moments to himself. The DJ set is about halfway through, and he notices that the aviators, previously crowded around the bar, seem to have returned to the dance floor. 

It’s now or never, Seresin, he thinks to himself. 

He’s practically working himself up as his feet carry himself down the stairs and back onto the dance floor. He’s surprised to find Phoenix without a partner, just moving to the music as the song playing ends. He watches as her face changes, her lips curling into a smile as the new song begins. She throws her head back with a laugh, her eyes settling on Jake as he stands there in front of her. 

“This one’s not a salsa. Think you can keep up, Bagman?” she asks, holding her hand out, beckoning for him to join her. 

“Can’t be that difficult,” he says, looking around the room. 

“It won’t be. As long as you let me lead,” she fires back. 

“Ha!” he lets out an arrogant laugh, as he takes her hand. 

“You let me lead, and I’ll make you look really good,” she replies, almost as if it’s a challenge. 

“Deal,” Jake agrees. 

“So it’s kinda like salsa: three steps left, then three right,” she coaches him, lowering her voice so that she’s practically purring in his ear. Nat wraps an arm around his waist, pulling him close into her. The edges of their faces are pressed together, and Jake mimicks her, sliding an arm around her waist too.

“Only bachata…” she says, beginning to walk in a circle. She steps forward, so that they’re practically chest to chest, keeping the rhythm with her feet as she adjusts their positioning. “... is danced from here.”

Jake gulps, realizing that she’s practically straddling one of his legs, her forehead now pressed against his. He lets her lead, watching as she moves around him from this fucking close: a sway of her hips in perfect time, a circle with her shoulders till she’s body rolling against the front of him, and then they’re taking three steps right, and three steps left. 

“Jeez, Tash…” he groans, earning a wicked smile from her. 

He’s not sure where that came from. He’s never called her that before. But then again, they’d never let the tension between them go this far. 

There’s no way this is actually the dance. She’s totally fucking with me. Testing my patience, right? Jake thinks to himself, feeling his pants becoming a little bit tighter as she moves against him. 

But Jake looks around the room, shocked to see everyone on the dance floor moving this sensually too. Hell, she’s practically riding his thigh in front of everyone and he’s just letting her. 

“The hell’d you learn how to dance like this?” he asks, biting back a moan. 

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” she smirks cockily. 

She holds up an arm for him to spin, creating distance so they both can. When she returns to Jake, this time, she presses her back against him, swaying her hips against his in perfect time. 

It’s pure fucking torture. 

“I-, I would,” he mumbles into her ear, ever sarcastic bone in his body giving way to the growing erection he’s got in his pants. 

She chuckles, spinning herself out, then back into his arms in their original position. 

“That’s not the question you should be asking, Bagman,” she says, glancing down at his zipper. 

He’s trying his best to focus on the steps – and not stepping on her feet – but his concentration is getting incredibly blurry with how she’s moving against him. With how close she is. With how fucking hot he finds this. As they move, three steps right, three steps left, his hands begin traveling lower, pressing her against him from her low back, from the top of her ass, and Natasha Trace knows exactly what she’s doing. 

“Fuck,” Jake groans, feeling as she rolls against him, the song beginning to end. He’s frozen in a moment in time and he can’t let go of her – not yet. 

“Can I take you home?” he finally asks. 

“I thought you’d never ask,” she replies, dragging her arm across his chest as she begins to walk in a circle behind him. Once she reaches his back, she pulls him in close, leaning in to whisper:

“Meet me in the car in five.”

read: chapter six

*

a/n: someone has to say it. halo is the hero of this chapter with her line: you and hangman are together right? now who's ready for some rooster smut!?

taglist: @not-two-shrimp @wishfulwithwine @hangmanscoming @thefourrealms@hlkwrites @dlea203 @translatemunson @starlightstories @genius2050

[daletcouch]

Top 10 Exit Interview Questions for Student Workers

We will help you with sample questions for an exit interview for a student workers. Moreover, we can help you discover insightful queries to glean valuable feedback and improve retention strategies effectively. Enhance your offboarding process with these top 10 questions today.

[barovianchickenandwaffles]

Retaking BCnW: A Barovian Tale

(Recovered from Twitter with minor editorial updates, also dedicated @bluetspur-brain)

So, here I was in the village of Barovia after being gone for so long on a business trip to Sithicus that went south. The streets of Barovia were empty, rain came down in sheets, and it was silent as a grave. Then, I heard a brief yelp coming from inside my old shop. Nothing but darkness in there waiting for me.

The dead corpse lying in my parking lot was nothing new, but part of his skull was missing and I knew who was responsible. Gary. The High Master Illithid.

A voice invaded my mind. “Back so soon, Oleksii?”

So much for the element of surprise. A showdown was inevitable. I clutched my silvered spatula, and then my hand felt for the loaded crossbow. I’d only get one shot at this.

I am a pretty quick shot, but Gary … anticipates things somehow.

I stepped from the light outside into the shadowy interior. A couple peasants sat by one table chewing their food slowly, their blank stares never registering my presence. A body was slumped over another booth, lifeless.

Okay, so the shop wasn’t in complete disarray.

Behind the counter was Gary, tentacles gripping another peasant by the skull firmly. A terrible slurping sound, another agonized yelp, and then it was over. Gary dropped the body like a ragdoll.

“Welcome back,” I heard a calm voice in my mind.

Gary’s face was slick with cerebral fluid, facial tentacles writhing greedily in the eerie lighting. “I’ve been minding the store as you can see.”

It was then that I noticed that Gary hadn’t updated the seasonal menu in weeks.

“Gary, where is my Mordorhubu delivery team?”

The Illithid flinched. “Ah yes, the elf, human and halfling. They resisted my management style and I had to put them on write up. When they threatened to form a union, I made short work of them. The elf was quite tasty.”

“You ate all three?” I growled as I whirled behind a pillar, and stealthily drew the crossbow.

“No, I fired the human and werewolves got to him later. The halfling is washing dishes. I was going to save him for later,” came a casual reply.

“You fool, you have no idea what you’ve done,” It’d take weeks to hire more gullible adventures.

“On the contrary,” said the haughty voice in my mind, “I’ve been restructuring this ailing franchise. You should thank me.”

My mind was flooded with strange eldritch imagery: supply chain management, strategic planning, market segmentation, and the most blasphemous word of all: benchmarking.

“Enough!” I begged. I whirled around and took my shot.

Gary was ready. The Illithid’s beady eyes locked onto me from behind the counter, while the bulbous head shifted out of the way just in time as the shot zipped past and ricocheted off a hanging pot in the kitchen.

Miss.

I dove toward the near side of the counter and drew the kitchen knife with the old Barovian runes on it. The ones that drink the darkness and sate for blood.

I leapt up to attack but Gary had been ready. A rainbow colored cone of energy blasted my mind.

I collapsed to the ground, knife clattering to the floor, my mind seized with pain.

“Allow me to present my business strategy, Oleksii,” Gary chuckled eagerly.

Unfortunate for Gary, I rolled a nat20 on my next INT save.

I dashed for the knife, snatched it, and whirled around. The blow was deflected and the Illithid lunged at me. I blocked tentacles with my free arm just in time.

“Your babusya can’t save you, Oleksii,” the voice gloated, “I want a raise, a 401k, and paid time off.”

“Fine.”

Gary got his benefits, profits increased by 8%, and the halfling stuck around until he got caught stealing from the till to feed his ragweed habit. I let Gary take care of the offboarding process.

And then we all learned the True Meaning of Strahdmas or something. The end.

End credits scene: As the fight rages on, a kender, who stowed away on the cart all the way from Sithicus, emerges from under the covers. Surveying this new land it grins curiously, leaps off the cart and runs into the night.

[smartstaffbluecollars]

How HR Software Solutions Simplify Payroll and Compliance

Payroll management and maintaining compliance with labor rules can be difficult and time-consuming tasks in the fast-paced business environment of today. The laborious recording of employee hours, deductions, and tax filings is a burden for many businesses. Thankfully, HR software programs like Smartstaff are revolutionizing how companies manage these crucial duties, expediting payroll procedures and guaranteeing complete adherence to legal requirements.

The Challenges of Payroll and Compliance

Careful precision is necessary for compliance and payroll management. Penalties, legal issues, and employee discontent can result from even minor mistakes. Errors are unavoidable in traditional payroll systems because they frequently rely on manual data entry and antiquated software. Keeping track of individual employee payments, tax obligations, and perks across many regions or nations becomes an even bigger headache when organizations expand.

HR software solutions like Smartstaff provide a seamless way to address these challenges. By automating payroll calculations, tracking real-time data, and staying updated with regulatory changes, HR software simplifies payroll processing and ensures that companies meet compliance standards without the constant worry of falling behind.

Key benefits of HR software in payroll and compliance

Automated payroll calculations Smartstaff’s HR software automates complex payroll calculations, such as overtime pay, bonuses, and tax deductions. Instead of relying on spreadsheets or manual checks, the system handles everything automatically, significantly reducing the chance of errors. Automated payroll reduces administrative workload and provides employees with accurate, timely payments, boosting overall morale.

Real-Time Tax Updates and Compliance Management Compliance is one of the most challenging aspects of payroll, especially for companies operating across multiple regions. With Smartstaff, the software automatically updates tax codes and other regulatory changes. This ensures that all deductions and contributions are in line with current legal standards, keeping businesses compliant and reducing the risk of costly fines.

Secure recordkeeping and data storage With increased regulations around data privacy, secure recordkeeping is a necessity. Smartstaff’s HR software offers secure cloud-based data storage, ensuring that employee records, payroll information, and compliance documents are safe from unauthorized access. This also makes retrieval simple in case of audits, providing a comprehensive, secure history of payroll and compliance data.

Improved transparency and employee self-service Transparency in payroll is essential for maintaining trust within the organization. With HR software like Smartstaff, employees can access a self-service portal where they can view their payroll details, tax deductions, and benefits information. This reduces inquiries to HR and gives employees’ confidence that their payroll details are accurate and transparent.

Customizable Reporting and Analytics HR software provides powerful analytics tools that allow companies to generate payroll reports with just a few clicks. For example, Smartstaff’s reporting feature enables HR managers to track payroll costs, monitor compliance metrics, and even forecast future payroll expenses. This data-driven approach allows companies to make strategic financial decisions and stay ahead of potential compliance issues.

Simplified Onboarding and offboarding Efficient onboarding and offboarding are essential for accurate payroll and compliance management. The software of Smartstaff guarantees the correct setup of new employees in the payroll system and the timely and correct distribution of final payments to departing employees. This feature minimizes errors during these transitions, ensuring smooth and compliant operations.

How Smartstaff Stands Out

Smartstaff offers an all-in-one HR software solution that combines payroll, compliance, and employee management in one platform. Its user-friendly interface and intuitive design mean that even small HR teams can easily manage payroll and compliance without extensive training or technical knowledge. Smartstaff is ideal for businesses of all sizes, helping them focus on growth while taking the stress out of payroll and compliance.

Wrapping Up: The Smart Choice for Payroll and Compliance

For companies trying to simplify payroll and compliance, implementing HR software such as Smartstaff can have a revolutionary effect. Smartstaff enables companies to effectively and legally manage their labor by automating repetitive operations, guaranteeing data correctness, and offering current regulatory compliance. Investing in an HR solution that streamlines payroll and compliance can ultimately save time, cut expenses, and create a more robust and transparent workplace culture, regardless of the size of your company.

If you’re ready to simplify payroll and compliance, consider Smartstaff—an HR software solution that combines technology with expertise to keep your business running smoothly.

[websyn]

Microsoft SharePoint and Dynamics 365 for Human Resources: Transforming Team Collaboration and HR Efficiency

In today's digital workplace, effective collaboration and streamlined HR processes are essential for maintaining productivity and a positive employee experience. Microsoft SharePoint and Dynamics 365 for Human Resources provide an integrated approach to address these needs, offering powerful tools to enhance team collaboration, automate HR functions, and empower employees with self-service capabilities. Here’s how these solutions work together to transform HR and teamwork efficiency:

1. Centralised Document Management and Team Collaboration with SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint serves as a centralised platform where teams can securely store, share, and collaborate on documents in real time. This is especially beneficial for HR departments, as it enables them to:

Organise Key HR Documents: HR can store important files—such as policies, training materials, and onboarding documents—in a secure, searchable location, ensuring that employees have access to up-to-date information at all times.

Enable Cross-Department Collaboration: SharePoint’s collaboration features allow HR teams to work closely with other departments, such as IT and legal, to ensure compliance, update policies, and coordinate onboarding.

Enhance Remote Teamwork: With remote and hybrid work becoming more common, SharePoint offers easy access to resources from anywhere, supporting flexible work arrangements and keeping teams connected.

2. Automating HR Processes with Dynamics 365 for HR

Dynamics 365 for Human Resources is a powerful solution that automates repetitive HR tasks, enabling HR teams to focus on strategic activities that add value. Dynamics 365 for HR helps by:

Automating Employee Lifecycle Management: From onboarding to performance tracking and offboarding, Dynamics 365 helps streamline each stage of the employee journey, reducing administrative burdens and minimising errors.

Providing Self-Service Capabilities: Employees can use self-service tools to access their personal information, submit leave requests, and view benefits, reducing the need for HR intervention and empowering employees to manage their own data.

Tracking Performance and Goals: Dynamics 365 enables managers and HR teams to set goals, track progress, and provide feedback, fostering a culture of continuous development and aligning employee goals with company objectives.

3. Enhancing Employee Onboarding and Training

The onboarding experience can set the tone for an employee's entire tenure with the company. Using SharePoint and Dynamics 365 together provides a seamless onboarding process that includes:

Interactive Onboarding Portals: SharePoint allows HR teams to create customised onboarding portals where new hires can find resources, fill out paperwork, and complete orientation tasks in one place.

Automated Onboarding Workflows: Dynamics 365 enables HR to automate workflows for onboarding, assigning tasks to various departments to ensure a smooth transition. This might include IT setting up equipment, finance managing payroll, and supervisors scheduling orientation sessions.

Training and Development Tracking: HR can use Dynamics 365 to assign training modules and monitor completion, while SharePoint hosts training materials for easy access. This streamlined process improves onboarding consistency and enhances new hires’ engagement from day one.

4. Centralising Communication and Announcements

Keeping employees informed is key to building a cohesive organisational culture. SharePoint can act as a central communication hub for company news, HR announcements, and policy updates. Here’s how it benefits HR and teams:

Company-Wide Announcements: HR can use SharePoint to publish news and updates, ensuring that all employees receive timely information, from policy changes to wellness initiatives.

Departmental Communication: Specific departments can use SharePoint to share updates relevant to their teams, keeping communications organised and accessible based on user permissions.

Employee Feedback Channels: SharePoint’s collaboration tools can include feedback channels, allowing employees to share their thoughts on HR initiatives or participate in surveys, helping HR tailor policies and programs to meet employee needs.

5. Advanced Analytics for Data-Driven HR Decisions

Both SharePoint and Dynamics 365 offer data analytics capabilities that HR can leverage to make more informed decisions:

Employee Engagement Insights: Dynamics 365 can track data on employee satisfaction, engagement levels, and retention, providing HR with insights to improve workplace culture.

Performance Metrics: HR can analyse employee performance data to identify high performers, areas for development, and trends in team productivity.

Optimising HR Processes: By analysing HR process data, HR teams can identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies in workflows, making improvements to streamline operations further.

6. Enhanced Security and Compliance

Managing sensitive employee data requires strict security and compliance protocols. Microsoft SharePoint and Dynamics 365 are built with enterprise-grade security features that protect data integrity and ensure compliance:

Role-Based Access Controls: Both platforms allow HR to set access permissions, ensuring that only authorised personnel can access sensitive data, maintaining confidentiality.

Compliance with Regulations: Dynamics 365 for HR helps maintain compliance with employment laws, GDPR, and other regulations by centralising data, tracking consent, and automating compliance tasks.

Audit Trails and Reporting: Both SharePoint and Dynamics 365 provide audit trails, helping HR departments track data usage and monitor any changes for increased accountability and compliance.

7. Integrating Other Microsoft 365 Tools

The seamless integration of SharePoint and Dynamics 365 with other Microsoft 365 tools (such as Teams, Outlook, and Power BI) further boosts HR efficiency and collaboration:

Microsoft Teams Integration: HR can use Teams to communicate instantly with employees and managers, integrating with SharePoint to share documents and with Dynamics 365 to monitor HR tasks within the same ecosystem.

Power BI for Enhanced Reporting: Dynamics 365 and SharePoint data can be visualised with Power BI, allowing HR leaders to create detailed reports and gain insights to guide HR strategy.

Outlook for Scheduling and Reminders: HR teams can set reminders and manage schedules using Outlook integration, improving coordination and ensuring tasks are completed on time.

Conclusion

Microsoft SharePoint and Dynamics 365 for Human Resources bring powerful collaboration and automation capabilities that transform HR departments and team dynamics. By centralising document management, automating workflows, enhancing security, and enabling data-driven decision-making, these solutions empower HR to work more efficiently and foster a more engaged, informed, and connected workforce. Embracing these technologies enables organisations to remain agile, improve employee experience, and ultimately drive business success.

[govindhtech]

How Google Cloud Workstations Reshape Federal Development

Teams are continuously challenged to provide creative solutions while maintaining the highest security standards in the difficult field of federal software development. It is easy to become overwhelmed by the intricacy of maintaining consistent development environments, scaling teams, and managing infrastructure. Devin Dickerson, Principal Analyst at Forrester, highlighted the findings of a commissioned TEI study on the effects of Google Cloud Workstations on the software development lifecycle in a recent webinar hosted by Forrester. The study focused on how these workstations can improve security, consistency, and agility while lowering expenses and risks.

The Numbers: A Forrester Total Economic Impact (TEI) Study

According to a TEI study that Forrester Consulting commissioned for Google Cloud in April 2024, cloud workstations have a big influence on development teams:

Executive Synopsis

Complex onboarding procedures, erratic workflow settings, and local code storage policies are common obstacles faced by organizations trying to grow their development teams. These issues hinder productivity and jeopardize business security. As a result, businesses are looking for a solution that gives developers a reliable and safe toolkit without requiring expensive on-premises resources.

Google Cloud Workstations give developers access to a safe, supervised development environment that streamlines onboarding and boosts workflow efficiency. Administrators and platform teams make preset workstations available to developers via browser or local IDE, allowing them to perform customisation as needed. To help developers solve code problems and create apps more quickly, Google Cloud Workstations come with a built-in interface with Gemini Code Assist, an AI-powered collaborator.

Forrester Consulting was hired by Google to carry out a Total Economic Impact (TEI) research to investigate the possible return on investment (ROI) that businesses could achieve through the use of Google Cloud Workstations. One This study aims to give readers a methodology for assessing the possible financial impact that cloud workstations may have on their companies.

Productivity gains for developers of 30%: Bottlenecks are removed via AI-powered solutions like Gemini Code Assist, pre-configured environments, and simplified onboarding.

Three-year 293% ROI: Cost savings and increased productivity make the investment in cloud workstations pay for itself quickly.

Department of Defense Experience

The industry expert described a concerning event that occurred while he was in the Navy: a contract developer lost his laptop while on the road, which may have exposed private data and put national security at risk. This warning story emphasizes how important it is to have safe cloud-based solutions, such as Google Cloud Workstations. Workstations reduce the possibility of lost or stolen devices and safeguard sensitive data by centralizing development environments and doing away with the requirement for local code storage. They also improve security and operational efficiency by streamlining onboarding procedures and guaranteeing that new developers have immediate access to safe, standardized environments.

Streamlining Government IT Modernization with Google Cloud Workstations

Google Cloud Workstations provide a powerful solution made especially to ease the difficulties government organizations encounter when developing software today:

Simplified Cloud-Native Development: Reduce the overhead of maintaining several development environments by managing and integrating complicated toolchains, dependencies, and cloud-native architectures with ease.

Decreased Platform Team Overhead: Simplify the processes for infrastructure provisioning, developer onboarding and offboarding, and maintenance to free up important resources for critical projects.

Standardized development environments reduce the infamous “works on my machine” issue and promote smooth teamwork by guaranteeing uniformity and repeatability across teams.

Enhanced Security & Compliance: Use FedRAMP to meet and surpass the strict federal security and compliance requirements. Comprehensive data protection is achieved by centralized administration, high authorization, and integrated security controls.

The Way Forward

Now FedRAMP High Authorized, Google Cloud Workstations are more than just a technical advancement they are a calculated investment in the creativity, security, and productivity of teams. Government agencies may save money, simplify processes, and free up developers to concentrate on what they do best creating innovative solutions that benefit the country by adopting this cloud-native solution.

Read more on Govindhtech.com

[iromtechnologies]

The Essential Benefits of Identity Management for Modern Organizations

Identity management (IdM) is crucial in today’s digital landscape, providing organizations with the means to manage user access to systems and data efficiently and securely. With the increasing complexity of digital ecosystems, organizations need robust identity management systems to authenticate users, authorize actions, and track user activity across applications and devices. Here, we’ll explore the key benefits of identity management and why it's essential for modern organizations.

1. Enhanced Security

The primary benefit of identity management is the enhanced security it provides. With IdM, organizations can enforce strong authentication protocols like multi-factor authentication (MFA) and single sign-on (SSO). This helps protect against unauthorized access, especially as the risk of cyber threats continues to grow. Identity management solutions ensure that only authenticated and authorized users gain access to sensitive information, which significantly reduces the potential for security breaches.

IdM systems also enable centralized control over access rights. Administrators can set permissions based on roles, ensuring users only access what they need for their role—reducing the chances of accidental or malicious data misuse. Additionally, identity management can integrate with various security solutions, providing a comprehensive security framework that helps in quickly detecting and mitigating threats.

2. Improved User Experience

A key component of identity management is single sign-on (SSO), which allows users to access multiple applications and systems with one set of login credentials. SSO simplifies the login process, making it more convenient for users, as they no longer need to remember multiple passwords. This ease of access enhances the overall user experience and increases productivity, as employees can access the tools they need without delays.

Password fatigue is a real issue, where users may struggle to keep track of numerous passwords, often leading to risky behaviors such as reusing passwords or storing them insecurely. IdM solutions address this by enabling SSO, reducing password fatigue and allowing users to focus on their work rather than security hurdles.

3. Regulatory Compliance

Organizations today are subject to various regulatory frameworks such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. These regulations mandate strict controls on data access and require that organizations maintain comprehensive records of who accesses sensitive information, when, and for what purpose.

Identity management systems facilitate regulatory compliance by providing centralized visibility and detailed logging of user activity. Organizations can audit user access and generate compliance reports, which are essential for regulatory bodies. Additionally, with identity management, companies can implement policies to control data access in real-time, ensuring that they are always in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

4. Increased Productivity and Operational Efficiency

Identity management also enhances productivity by streamlining access to resources. With automated user provisioning, organizations can set up new employees’ access to required resources swiftly, reducing the onboarding time significantly. Similarly, when an employee leaves, IdM systems can automate the deactivation of their access, ensuring a streamlined offboarding process.

Moreover, self-service features in identity management systems, such as password reset capabilities, reduce the dependency on IT support, freeing up IT resources to focus on more strategic tasks. This operational efficiency not only improves productivity but also leads to cost savings, as fewer resources are required for identity-related tasks.

5. Reduced Risk of Data Breaches and Insider Threats

Data breaches often result from unauthorized access to sensitive information. Identity management systems provide robust mechanisms for controlling access, reducing the risk of both external attacks and insider threats. By implementing policies such as least-privilege access and monitoring user activity, organizations can mitigate the risk of sensitive data exposure.

IdM systems also support threat detection by enabling administrators to monitor for unusual activity patterns. This proactive approach helps in identifying potential security issues before they lead to significant damage. For example, if a user attempts to access files outside of their job scope, the system can flag this activity for review, preventing potential insider threats.

6. Scalability and Flexibility

Modern identity management solutions are built to scale, accommodating organizational growth and changes. Whether an organization adds new employees, adopts additional applications, or expands into new geographic locations, IdM systems can adapt to these changes seamlessly. Cloud-based identity management solutions, in particular, offer flexibility, enabling remote and mobile access without compromising security.

With the rise of cloud and mobile workforces, flexible identity management has become essential for securing remote access. This flexibility also extends to integration capabilities, as identity management systems often integrate with a wide range of applications, enhancing their utility and adaptability across various business environments.

7. Better Access Control through Role-Based Access Management

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is a core feature of most identity management solutions. RBAC allows administrators to assign access rights based on user roles, streamlining permission management and reducing the chance of errors. For example, employees in human resources can be given access to personnel files, while IT staff might have access to infrastructure systems.

By categorizing users according to their roles, organizations can ensure that only the appropriate personnel have access to specific resources. This structured access control improves security and reduces the administrative burden on IT teams who no longer need to assign access permissions on an individual basis.

8. Cost Savings

Identity management systems provide a clear return on investment by lowering operational costs associated with managing user identities and access rights. For instance, automating access requests, password resets, and user provisioning saves time and reduces dependency on IT support. Self-service portals in IdM solutions empower users to handle routine tasks independently, further reducing administrative expenses.

Additionally, the prevention of security incidents—such as data breaches or insider threats—saves organizations from potentially severe financial losses, including regulatory fines, legal fees, and reputational damage. The cumulative cost savings from streamlined operations, reduced support requests, and improved security contribute significantly to an organization’s bottom line.

9. Enhanced Visibility and Reporting

Identity management solutions offer enhanced visibility into user activity across the organization. Administrators can monitor access logs, audit trails, and system usage in real time, allowing them to detect and respond to unusual patterns of behavior that may indicate a security issue.

Comprehensive reporting features also assist in generating insights into usage patterns, compliance adherence, and resource access trends. These insights are valuable for strategic decision-making, as they help identify areas for process improvement and potential security vulnerabilities. Detailed reports are also beneficial for auditing purposes, providing documented evidence of compliance with regulatory standards.

10. Future-Proofing Against Emerging Technologies and Threats

As technology evolves, so do the challenges associated with managing identities. Modern identity management systems are designed to adapt to new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, which can enhance security through advanced anomaly detection. Furthermore, IdM systems are increasingly leveraging biometrics and other innovative authentication methods, which are more secure than traditional passwords.

Identity management solutions are also built to defend against emerging cyber threats. With features like adaptive authentication and continuous monitoring, IdM systems can respond dynamically to new threat vectors, helping organizations stay ahead in the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape.

Conclusion

Identity management offers a wide array of benefits that are vital for organizations operating in today’s digital-first world. From enhanced security and compliance to improved productivity and cost savings, identity management systems empower organizations to protect their resources and data while providing seamless access for their users. As organizations continue to expand their digital footprints, the importance of a strong identity management strategy becomes even more critical, helping them not only address current security challenges but also adapt to future technological advancements.

[simplifyworkforce]

Contingent Workforce Solutions: Driving Efficiency through Effective Vendor Relationship Management 

The modern workforce is undergoing a fundamental shift. Organizations are increasingly relying on contingent workers—freelancers, contractors, and temporary employees—to meet project needs, fill skill gaps, and maintain operational flexibility. This trend has made contingent workforce solutions an essential part of business strategy, allowing companies to scale efficiently without the long-term commitments associated with traditional hiring. However, the rise of the contingent workforce also brings challenges, particularly in managing multiple vendors who supply these workers. Vendor relationship management (VRM) is now critical to ensuring that organizations not only meet their workforce needs but also maintain operational efficiency and quality. 

Understanding Contingent Workforce Solutions 

Contingent workforce solutions refer to the strategies, technologies, and processes used by organizations to manage their non-permanent workers. This workforce category includes freelancers, independent contractors, temporary workers, and consultants who are employed for specific tasks or projects. Unlike full-time employees, contingent workers are often hired for short-term assignments or to fill specialized roles that are difficult to staff internally. 

Companies benefit from contingent workforce solutions by gaining flexibility. They can scale up during peak times and down when demand slows, without the financial and administrative burden of onboarding and offboarding full-time employees. Moreover, these solutions allow access to a global talent pool, enabling businesses to find the right skills at the right time, regardless of geographic location. 

However, this growing reliance on contingent labor has created a new layer of complexity, particularly in managing relationships with vendors who provide these workers. As companies scale their contingent workforce, they often engage with multiple staffing agencies or freelance platforms, creating a complex web of relationships that needs to be managed effectively to ensure cost efficiency, compliance, and quality. 

The Role of Vendor Relationship Management 

Vendor relationship management (VRM) plays a crucial role in the success of contingent workforce solutions. VRM is the systematic approach of building and managing effective, long-term relationships with vendors who provide contingent workers. It ensures that organizations not only get the right talent but also maintain consistency in service quality, cost management, and compliance. 

In the context of contingent workforce management, VRM involves several key components: 

Vendor Selection and Onboarding: Choosing the right vendors is critical to the success of any contingent workforce strategy. Companies must evaluate potential partners based on their ability to provide skilled talent, their reputation in the industry, and their compliance with local and international labor laws. Once selected, vendors need to be onboarded efficiently, ensuring clear communication of expectations and requirements. 

Performance Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of vendor performance is essential. Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as quality of talent, timeliness of delivery, and cost efficiency should be tracked regularly. Effective VRM includes setting up a framework for vendor evaluations and performance reviews. 

Contract Management: Managing contracts with multiple vendors can be complicated. Organizations must ensure that contracts are up-to-date, reflect the latest terms and conditions, and comply with local regulations. VRM software can help streamline this process by automating contract management and flagging any inconsistencies or compliance issues. 

Risk Management and Compliance: Engaging with contingent workers across different geographies introduces compliance risks. Organizations must ensure that their vendors comply with local labor laws, tax regulations, and other legal requirements. Vendor management systems (VMS) play a vital role in managing this risk, providing transparency and helping organizations track compliance across multiple vendors. 

The Synergy Between VRM and Contingent Workforce Solutions 

Vendor relationship management is not just a support function; it is a strategic component of effective contingent workforce solutions. By ensuring that the right vendors are selected, contracts are managed effectively, and performance is regularly evaluated, organizations can maximize the value of their contingent workforce. Furthermore, by integrating advanced vendor management systems, companies can automate and streamline many of these processes, ensuring better efficiency and higher returns on investment. 

In conclusion, as the reliance on contingent workers continues to grow, so does the need for robust vendor relationship management. Companies that prioritize VRM within their contingent workforce strategy will be better positioned to achieve flexibility, efficiency, and compliance, ultimately driving better business outcomes. 

If you like reading this, please check out other resources as well: 

Top 50 Good Leadership Interview Questions to Ask Candidates 

Top 15 Key Trends Shaping the Future of Contingent Workforce Management    

How to Build and Manage a High-Quality Talent Pool?