Just in time for the holidays, Whitman Associates alum Donna Escorpeso has just dropped her newest single, Christmas With You. Donna was an integral part of the Whitman staffing team, and the office’s reigning karaoke champion. Now she’s pursuing her singing career in Los Angeles. Congratulations!
Be sure to add her on Instagram and Spotify and keep an eye on what’s next from this amazing artist!
Chris and his family have recently relocated to Andrews AFB, Maryland after living in Las Vegas, NV for the past 10 years. His wife is in the US Air Force and received a Change of Duty Station Orders to relocate to Maryland.
Chris has a background in Market Research and Customer Service. He worked for CBS Television City for 10 years in Las Vegas. He connected with Whitman Associates in September 2022 and was quickly placed in a role as a Property Administrator. Though a bit overwhelmed initially, he was was able to adapt to this new role and looks forward to learning and taking on more job functions and responsibilities in the future.
Chris also has three children, the oldest is 18 years old and a recent high school graduate, his middle child is 16 years old, and the youngest is 15 years old. In his spare time Chris spends time with his family; they like to do a variety of things such as hiking, antique shopping, going to the beach, streaming movies, and playing video games. Chris loves collecting anything Star Wars related and comic books.
He is thankful to be working with and representing Whitman and Associates, and looks forward to all the potential opportunities that may be offered in the future.
Romona is a senior administrative professional with over 27 years of experience providing executive level operational, strategic, and program support to C-level executives, their teams, and the organizations they lead. She has been affiliated with Whitman Associates for 20+ years.
One of Romona’s winning work philosophies is that she brings her whole self to work with a spirit of fulfillment, service and authenticity. This has not only allowed her to find purpose in her work assignments, but to fully engage, continue to learn, inspire others, and thrive.
She is a proud mother, a board member of the non-profit Yet Stand, Inc., advocates for mental health for urban youth, enjoys competitive writing, and has authored several short stories.
Allison Gartner is a recent graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in Wildlife Conservation. She has enjoyed working with Whitman Associates because it has given her the opportunity to participate in different professional assignments that have helped her personal and professional growth.
She loves to do anything outdoors and spend time with family and friends during her free time. Her favorite color is purple, favorite animal is an owl, and loves anything chocolate. She enjoys staying active and trying new things. She hopes to visit all the National Parks and travel the world in the future.
PTO (paid time off) days are a perk most companies offer , but be strategic on how you use your time and how you ask. When requesting time off from work, be aware of your supervisor and coworkers schedules, and keep in mind how it impacts your responsibilities when someone else is out on vacation. Being upfront and conscientious about requesting time off ensures that you and your colleagues are able to be comfortable with the time taken away from the office. Check out our top tips for what to do and what not to do when requesting time off from work.
Give your employer plenty of notice before taking time off. How much notice to give for PTO? That’s going to depend on your workplace, but a good rule of thumb is a minimum of 2 weeks notice if you’re taking 1-2 days and a minimum of 1-2 months for 3+ days. If you try to request off without much notice, chances are your request will be declined.
Speak with your manager first any time you are interested in taking time off. One you’ve had that conversation, be sure to formally submit your time-off request in writing or via email – a verbal request can easily be forgotten. At some organizations, employees can request time off via their payroll portal (ie. ADP or Paycom). Follow the protocols of your organization, but be sure to keep a copy of your approval in writing.
Try to plan your vacations, trips, etc. taking into account your supervisors and coworkers’ schedules to avoid taking time off at the same time as the rest of the office. No one wants to be at the office holding down the fort when multiple people are out on vacation. If at all possible, try not to overlap your vacations with those of your coworkers.
Another great way to make your time away go smoothly when requesting time off work is to provide a plan for how your responsibilities can be covered. Helping set your colleagues up for success while you’re away will make everyone’s lives easier and will give you the confidence that your work is being handled appropriately.
Try to schedule any doctor’s appointments, etc. during your lunch break, or at the beginning or end of the day, so that you don’t need to miss much work. No one wants to use their precious vacation time for appointments if you can help it.
If your sick days are separate from your PTO days, try to save your sick days for when you are actually sick – you never know when/if you will need them. If you have all of your PTO days combined, try to reserve a couple in case you get sick, so you won’t have to take leave without pay.
Don’t request a lot of time off within the first 3 months of a new job. If you have previously planned trips that fall within that time span, let your employer know when you are going over your offer. Also, it’s a good idea to review the company’s PTO policy since some companies have a waiting period before benefits such as PTO kick in.
Don’t assume that you have all federal holidays off. Review the PTO policy and clarify which holidays are observed, and which are not. All companies are different and outside of the federal government, companies observe different holidays.
Below are some examples of an in person and emailed time off request.
Time off request conversation example:
Hi [Supervisor], would you have a moment to discuss a time off request? I have [number] PTO days, and am hoping to take [number] of days off for [reason for request] in [month]. Let me know what might be a good time to discuss this further and to get something on the calendar. Thank you.
Time off request email example:
Hi [Supervisor],
As previously discussed, I would like to request to use my PTO to take off from [Date] through [Date].
I have prepared some notes regarding any active projects, and would be happy to go through them with the team in preparation for my departure.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to ensure everything is covered in my absence.
Sincerely,
[Name]
A career coach is designed to help you move your career forward, whether you’re just starting out, or you need a career pick-me-up. While the level of engagement offered by career coaching professionals may vary, there are some basic services that all career coaches offer, such as resume drafting assistance, interview tips, career mapping, and employment assistance. Here are answers to the most common career coaching questions, with a specific focus on career coaches in Washington DC.
The most common question related to career coaching is “Do I actually need a career coach?”
If you are in Washington, DC and are looking for a job, looking for a better job, or simply curious about whether you are on the right track, career coaching will likely help. According to Harvard Business Review, “Career coaches can help you figure out what you want to do, understand what’s preventing you from advancing in your professional goals, and endure the ups and downs of job hunting.”
A career coach can help you:
Most people in the DC area only consider career coaches if they are unemployed or wholly dissatisfied with the position they are currently in. However, limiting your use of a career coach to times of greater desperation may be unwise. When you’re under pressure to land a new job, career coaching will likely be more difficult and less effective. The adage “it’s easier to find a job when you have a job” is equally applicable to career coaching, especially in the competitive and fast paced DC market.
So consider hiring a coach when you’re not looking in order to get the most out of their advice without the stress of having to immediately implement it. By working with a coach when it’s not an emergency, you will be better able to take advantage of programs and benefits they offer.
However, don’t let this advice stop you from using a coach when you are job hunting. There are several key times in your career that you may need advice as you are looking. For example, new graduates frequently need advice on how to choose the right career. A career counselor can be incredibly beneficial in making this decision.
In the DC area, career coaching is almost a necessity. Jobs go quickly here, and if you aren’t standing out of the crowd, you’re likely to get lost. Here’s some key benefits that career coaches can provide:
Finding a good career coach can be tough and take time since you want to find a professional that will do more than just give advice. Make sure you look for coaches that understand the Washington, DC market, and look for organizations that represent both employers and potential employees. Those that do are frequently more in touch with what employers really want and can teach you the inside information on what recruiters and employers look for in cover letters, resumes, and interviews. Finally, make sure your career coach is a good personality fit for you. If you don’t get along well with them, they won’t be effective at helping you help yourself.
It depends. Career coaches can cost as much as $500 an hour, far more than most people can afford. However, there are less experienced coaches that cost less. Many agencies and businesses, such as Whitman Associates, provide career coaching benefits at no cost. If you are just starting out in your career, or you are not looking for a position requiring extensive experience or education, programs such as those offered by Whitman Associates are likely just what you need.
Whitman Associates has an amazing team of associates committed to ensuring that our clients and our candidates get the best care.
Beyond the essential resume writing assistance and interview tips, we focus on the importance of developing critical skills, including communication and strategic thinking based on industry requirements as well as your professional goals. Moreover, we offer helpful advice on how to adjust your job search and resume to better fit certain fields and employers. Because we know the DC job market better than anyone, we offer insight that other career coaching organizations just can’t provide.
Whether you opt for the amazing benefits of Whitman Associates or another career coaching program in DC, you will likely find the process beneficial in advancing your career. Reach out to Whitman to see how we can help you take your career to the next level!
Every business needs clear guidelines, such as an employee dress code, so your employees dress for success in the workplace.
Employers want workers to dress in a way that encourages productivity and makes a good impression. Consider the following factors:
Some employers hesitate to institute a formal employee dress code policy. You might wonder if it’s better to keep things less formal. Do you need an employee handbook dress code section? The fact is, how employees dress is sufficiently important to justify a formal policy.
If your employees deal directly with customers, they must make a good impression. Even if they aren’t public-facing, they still represent your organization as they come to work every day. You want quality employees who help you build your company’s reputation.
Every business has its own company culture. The way others dress is one of the first things people notice about each other. That’s why defining what it means to dress for success in the workplace is so crucial.
You want a consistent policy that lets everyone know what’s expected. You can communicate this via sending a dress code reminder email to employees. Without a dress code, people will simply dress according to their preferences, which might be disruptive to a cohesive company culture.
A clear dress code clarifies expectations and is conducive to better teamwork and harmony in the workplace. When policies are clear and laid out, as in an employee handbook dress code policy, there’s less room for doubt.
You want your employees to dress for success in the workplace. What does this mean, exactly?
The dress code may be influenced by safety concerns. For example, if employees are working in hazardous conditions, they may need safety gear such as work boots and protective gear. In some cases, these precautions may be legal requirements.
You may prohibit shorts, t-shirts (or muscle tees, or t-shirts with graphic messages or logos), running shoes, or flip flops. In a business environment, ties, shirts with collars, and dress shoes may be required.
Even remote workers should have a dress code if they attempt video meetings where they are seen by others. Similarly, temporary workers should have a clear idea of how to dress.
You may decide to modify requirements based on changing workplace trends. For example, some businesses that traditionally demand formal attire may find it necessary to move their dress code to business casual.
When looking at how to ensure employees dress for success in the workplace, address issues beyond clothing in the employee handbook dress code guidelines. Some issues may reflect company culture, others may be relevant to sensitive co-workers. This includes:
When sending out dress code reminder emails to employees, be sure to mention the above issues as well as guidelines for attire.
“Casual Fridays” are a popular practice for many businesses. Setting aside certain days for more casual attire is a way to maintain a dress code while giving employees a chance to express their personal style and get creative with their work wardrobes, while still following the basic dress code rules.
Companies must be careful not to violate people’s personal, religious, or civil rights. In some cases, these rights may not sync with strict dress codes. For example, before sending a dress code reminder email to employees, it’s wise to leave open the possibility of exceptions such as the following:
Consider having a meeting to review expectations and allow questions, particularly with new policy implementation. During the meeting, explain the dress code in detail and make sure your employees fully understand the reason for its implementation. Also, clearly articulate the consequences for failing to adhere to the policy.
To maintain consistency with the dress code, you should also communicate the dress code for interviews. Be sure to include the dress code within the employee handbook, so that employees have access to the information at all times.
While employee dress codes vary from one business to another, they generally fall into one of the following categories.
This is the familiar business type of attire, such as suits and ties, skirts, and pantsuits. These guidelines are common in formal environments where to dress for success in the workplace means donning traditional business apparel.
This category is a little trickier, as it’s reconciling two contradictory ideas: essentially formal attire with some leeway (for example, ties and dress shoes may be optional). Business casual is common in creative fields such as entertainment, advertising, and publishing. Other professions where business casual is encouraged include teachers, secretaries, and receptionists.
Casual dress codes are common in retail, jobs that are not public-facing, and jobs requiring physical labor. In such places, to dress for success in the workplace often means simply being comfortable. While t-shirts, jeans, and running shoes may be acceptable, there are still guidelines. For example, tees should not exhibit profanity or offensive messages. Casual clothing should not be ripped or revealing.
When a job requires a uniform, much of the dress code is very straightforward. However, employee dress codes still need to clarify certain points, such as the condition of the uniform.
At times, employees may not live up to your standards of dressing for success in the workplace. There can also be gray areas. For example, today’s footwear includes many hybrid items such as shoes that are also sneakers. It’s up to you how to interpret such issues, but it’s important to be consistent in how you enforce rules.
If an employee is not complying with the dress code, a supervisor should discuss it with them as soon as possible. If other employees see that the rules are not strictly enforced, others will likely do the same.
Creating and enforcing a dress code can be tricky, since society has become more complex as standards evolve. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t create an efficient and consistent dress code that supports your needs and helps build better employee relationships. When you send a dress code reminder email to employees, keep in mind that you may need to be flexible regarding employee handbook dress code guidelines.
Idea-driven, artist, and a communications professional, Clarice Bhattacharya is an urban vagabond, lover of all things chocolate and holds a Masters degree in Strategic Communication from George Washington University.
Clarice has lived in Washington D.C. for three years where she has been exposed to exciting new people, interesting perceptions, and opportunities that have helped shape the person she is today. Clarice loves working with Whitman because of how lovely everyone at Whitman is and the quality of professional assignments that are offered. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, reading and lying on the grass on sunny mornings.
While a full-time, permanent position is ideal for most professionals in the workforce, temporary positions can be a great option for many people who find themselves looking for additional income and/or experience while pursuing that permanent job. Below, we have listed several situations where a short term job could be beneficial to your search for a permanent position. Although, our list is definitely not comprehensive; temporary work can be a great option for just about anyone.
Staffing agencies like Whitman Associates help job seekers to transition into the workforce. Working temporary positions is definitely a positive step in the right direction and will help to find the right role for anyone out of work.
Lesleyan Jackson is a native Washingtonian with a love for education, health and wellness. Lesleyan holds a bachelors degree in Health Policy and Administration from Penn State University and a Masters degree in Public and Community Health from Trinity Washington University. Lesleyan’s passion for health advocacy has afforded her a wealth of professional experience throughout Washington, D.C.
Lesleyan loves working with Whitman because of the wide range of quality professional assignments offered. In her spare time Lesleyan enjoys traveling the United States and abroad, reading and spending time with family and friends.
