News Media Contacts

City of Durham Communications Department: CommsMedia@DurhamNC.gov

Durham County Public Information Office: PublicInformationOffice@dconc.gov



###

In the last article, I talked about the fact that we were “designed” to create.  Construction, automotive, manufacturing & hairdressing – these are just a few of the skillsets we can acquire that allow many the opportunity for creation, and the satisfaction that comes with it.  Is this a path more of us should be taking to satisfy our desire to create?

I love this topic because I was a rebellious teenager that was not ready to go to college straight out of high school – even though I was valedictorian of my class.  If I had not been fortunate enough to attend a presentation at my school about becoming a toolmaker apprentice in manufacturing, my life may have taken a very different path!

Tradesmen from across the Triangle have been sounding the alarm for more than a decade that our schools were not doing enough to promote the trades as a career option.  In my experience at local career fairs, I would say this was a shared problem – given that we rarely, if ever, saw the trades represented.  I’m not sure if they weren’t invited, or they just didn’t take the time to attend.

We recently had the opportunity to survey a sample of about 45 students at a Raleigh high school and here is what we found:

• About 1/3 of them were planning on college
• About 1/3 of them wanted to start their own business
• The remainder had no idea what they wanted to do

Of the 15 or so students that had no clue, we asked them if they knew much about or had any interest in learning about the trades.  Most felt that they knew very little about the opportunities that exist in the trades, and all said they would like to learn more.

Let’s also look briefly at learning styles.  Estimates have held that 30-40% of us are kinesthetic learners, which simply means we learn more effectively by doing.  Given that many companies engaged in the trades teach through apprenticeships, does it make sense that as many as 30-40% of our students would benefit from a trades-oriented career path, rather than one based on college?

We know that in the past 2 years, students and adults alike have had the opportunity to rethink what their career paths should ultimately look like.  CNBC reported that 1 in 4 people have resigned from their jobs this year, with 4.4 million in September alone!  With average salaries ranging from the $40’s to the $60’s, and more available for those who become true artisans, or even business owners, it would appear the trades deserve a bit more attention from all age groups as we move into post-pandemic America.  

If the human brain is truly happiest when we are creating, why not create in the trades?

However, your financial worth is based on your job responsibilities, not just your credentials, so make sure you know exactly what is expected of you before attempting to negotiate. The more you’re helping the company, the more you are worth to them, and usually they know that, so you should, too. If you don’t feel like they know that, you should show them, especially if you’re asking for a raise, by presenting the information to them in an organized, respectful, professional manner.

When planning this presentation, it is important to consider how your employer (or prospective employer) measures performance in this particular company. Use that information to display your worth. It is helpful to keep a journal of your achievements when you begin a job, so that if you feel your performance deserves rewarding, you can express that concretely to your employer.

Before entering an interview or meeting, there are a few things that are important to remember in order to keep your composure and come out of the meeting successfully. First, be honest with yourself about what you truly deserve. Be realistic with your requests.

Secondly, be confident, positive and patient. This will display your professionalism and show that you know what you’re asking for. It will give you an upper-hand from the start. Also, remember that benefits factor into the equation.

If you’re receiving a company phone, car, computer, health insurance, etc., then you need to deduct that from a typical salary that doesn’t include these things.

Lastly, focus on your tone of voice, ensuring it is not too demanding or too passive. Speak persuasively. If you succeed in your attempt, make sure to get it in writing so that there are no discrepancies later with what you agreed on. An understanding employer should accept this as professional and organized.

If you do not succeed, evaluate the meeting fairly and maturely. Try to determine the work performance that does merit salary increase. Ask your employer directly. He or she will respect your drive to succeed. Most importantly, realize that no salary is set in stone, and the likelihood of you getting what you deserve is good as long as you follow these important steps.

“Sticks and Stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.”

This is what I whispered to myself as a middle-schooler. Little did I know I would be saying this to myself at the peak of my career as an adult.

Why you ask would I say this?

I was a victim of workplace bullying. Now, I know some of you, may think “how can you possibly be bullied as an adult?” This is how…

We all believe that when we leave school, bullying will no longer exist. That is so untrue! I have listened to several of my family and friends express their frustration about the unfair treatments they’ve experienced from a coworker, supervisor or superior.

A 2017 survey by the Workplace Bullying Institute estimated that 61 percent of U.S. employees are aware of abusive conduct in the workplace; 19 percent have experienced it and another 19 percent have witnessed it.

So I know you are thinking… What is Workplace Bullying?

Bullying is legally defined as unwanted behavior that occurs over a period of time and is meant to harm someone who feels powerless to respond.  However, since there is not a legal definition for Workplace bullying, workplace bullying is defined as “offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behavior, an abuse or misuse of power through means that undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure the person being bullied.”

For example, if your boss and/or coworker demonstrates:

• Overbearing supervision;
• Constant criticism;
• Blocking promotion;
• Exclusion, for example from lunches and drinks, relevant meetings, and important emails;
• Being overworked and expecting unreasonable response times;
• Making threats or comments about job security without foundation;
• Such as Threaten you by saying “If you report me, you will be fired!”;
• Yelling or humiliating you;
• Belittles your character or spread rumors about you;
• Sabotages your work.

If this is something you have been experiencing; then you should seek help.

In situation such as this, you should speak to someone that you can trust such as a friend or a family member.; even a coworker that you can trust.

You should first decide if you can speak directly to the one who is bullying you. Believe it or not, sometimes they are unaware of how they are coming off to their team. However, if that does not work, you should report them to Human Resources (HR) and file for a formal grievance.

A formal grievance should force your employer to investigate the matter. An employer should have a grievance policy that explains how the process works. Usually, the grievance is lodged with HR or your manager (unless your manager is the bully, in which case, if possible, you should lodge it with someone who holds more seniority).  To help the case, you must document everything. The more proof the better the chance to solve the case.

If the grievance is not upheld, you have the right to lodge an appeal. If it is upheld, the person bullying you could be disciplined or even dismissed.

As the old saying goes, “Stick and Stone may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” That statement is totally false!  Words do hurt!  In fact, it can cause people stress, PTSD and other issues such as:

• Hypertension;
• Auto-immune disorders;
• Depression;
• Anxiety;
• Suicide.

According to the 1974 Health and Safety Act, it is the employer’s responsibility to protect the well-being of their employees. An unhealthy work environment stresses all employees; not just the target, and increases the rate of physical and emotional illnesses.

If you are witnessing someone being bullied at work, please do your part and report it. If you don’t, then you become part of the problem.

“Grayson joined the company a year ago and immediately became an integral part of our team,” shared Hand. “Like all our bankers, Grayson is not just a numbers guy. He’s a people person. He’s in this business to help customers get where they want to go. His personality and background, including being a Raleigh native, make him an ideal fit to meet the needs of our homebuilders.”

Before joining North State, Merrill worked at CresCom Bank (previously First South Bank) and Teneo Media. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a bachelor’s of science in business management with a concentration in finance.

“I am excited to grow relationships with customers in this new position,” commented Merrill. “My passion is serving the needs of businesses, so they can in-turn serve the needs of their customers. For home builders and their buyers, having a lender who shares in the spirit of ‘being in it together’ is essential.”

Founded in 2000, North State Bank is an independent, full-service community bank serving Wake and New Hanover counties through seven full-service offices, and is the parent company of North State Bank Mortgage and CommunityPLUS.

Right Choice Solutions, Inc. has a commitment to hire qualified professionals and is committed to producing great employees. This staffing agency will maintain and continue to support their professionals with a combination of adjusting to changes in the industry while staying focused on their goal, which is to provide quality services to their clients. They are successful in placing individuals and businesses together so that the clients and professionals can benefit from each other to reach success  

Right Choice Solutions, Inc. provides a variety of services to help support the needs of a business. They can provide the most qualified and reliable administrative services in the industry. Their staffing services provide short term, long term, and permanent direct hire positions. As a job seeker looking for project work, contract to full time positions or full time administrative jobs, this is the company to seek. The skills of their professionals are evaluated to provide the highest level of service. Right Choice Solutions, Inc. also provides professional and administrative staffing from entry level to management. Their service is designed to meet their client’s unique needs which cater to the fields of Business Administration, Medical/Dental Administration and Hospitality.

There are multiple advantages once clients partner up with Right Choice Solutions, Inc. As one of the leading providers of administrative and customer staffing services, they offer over 20 years of professional experience. As part of the recruitment process, they will assure the professionals that are assigned to a client’s facility are carefully screened, reference checked, and oriented. The screening process includes a phone/face-to-face interview, skills assessment, certificate verification, reference validation, background check, performance evaluation, and drug screens.

Right Choice Solutions, Inc. offers many resources to strive to meet the staffing needs and hiring objectives for clients. CEO, Eric Ellis says, “we want to continue the success of our company by increasing credibility and influence, which in turn will establish connections and profitability, which will stem from our strategic planning”. Their goal is to provide empowering solutions for staffing needs, to partner with customers to develop strategies that will improve performance, manageability, and availability. Not only is Right Choice Solutions, Inc. excelling in their business, they are also there to help their clients succeed.

The owner, Jamie Hyman, has a strategic goal to provide development, training, and preparation for students to pass the State of North Carolina’s Barbering exam. This Institute is not only just for barbering, but it is also designed to build a stronger community while operating with expectations of students having the ability to obtain leadership, social, and interpersonal skills to function professionally.

D&D Barber Institute was founded by a friend of Mr. Hyman,who named the business after his parents. Mr. Hyman decided to become a partner on the business because he could relate to his friend in many ways; they both did not have their fathers in their lives while growing up. The barbering business was an escape to take their minds off of things. D&D Barber Institute is on the rise to expand on the variety of services that are provided for their clients and students, men and women. Mr. Hyman shares that he is “allowing the Institute to have beauty school at night within the next two months”. The institute partners with a company that gives free screenings, including free HIV screenings.

D&D Barber Institute strives to contribute to economic development to create a better community. Not only does this Institute perform generous acts such as give free hair cuts to kids, veterans, etc., but they also plan to reach out to Durham’s police department to collaborate together on making a positive difference within the city of Durham. He says, “we are looking for community help in raising funds to fix the facility being that it is an older school”. In addition, they are looking for volunteers to help create a better economy. They are doing as much they can in making a difference in the community. The goal is to build stronger communities through the implementation of technical educational programming and grooming services to individuals. Their mission is to enhance the development and talent in each student by providing knowledge and training in the arts and skills in barbering. Additionally, D&D Institute has held a Barbering Professional Development Workshop with Wake Technical Community College for those in the workforce in Continuing Education.

The Institute excels in helping others in any way possible, whether it is helping a student to develop into becoming a successful Barber or in helping the community. The organization successfully provides services to those who face difficult obstacles in life when meeting needs regarding employment, education, and access to business opportunities in low socioeconomic areas in Durham, North Carolina and in counties in close proximity. D&D Barber Institute will continue to serve the community while developing the city of Durham into a better place. For more information on D&D Barber Institute, visit www.danddbarberinstitute.info .