Things HR Knows That Nobody Tells New Hires

More from me: Conductor Tells All:    / @conductortellsall   We Know Where The Files Are:    / @weknowwherethefilesare   Some Random Conductor:    / @somerandomconductor   Stickman Rules:    / @stickmanrulestv   Your first day at a new job feels like the safest day of your life. It is also the day the most expensive mistakes get made — in a quiet room, with a pen in your hand and a stack of forms nobody explains. The 401(k) match you never switched on. The FSA money that evaporates on New Year's Eve. The raise that was decided in a room you will never enter. Ten things HR knows that nobody tells new hires — because most of them save the company money precisely when you never learn them. 10. The match is part of your pay 9. Probation is a one-way mirror 8. Your file is thinner than you think 7. Free money with an expiration date 6. PTO is pay wearing a costume 5. The offer is an opening bid 4. Raises are decided in a room you're not in 3. References are a whisper network 2. COBRA is a 60-day time machine 1. HR works for the house 0:00 Intro 0:42 Number 10 — The match is part of your pay 1:29 Number 9 — Probation is a one-way mirror 2:16 Number 8 — Your file is thinner than you think 3:01 Number 7 — Free money with an expiration date 3:54 Number 6 — PTO is pay wearing a costume 4:41 Number 5 — The offer is an opening bid 5:26 Number 4 — Raises are decided in a room you're not in 6:19 Number 3 — References are a whisper network 7:05 Number 2 — COBRA is a 60-day time machine 8:00 Number 1 — HR works for the house 8:58 Wrap-Up New countdowns every week — subscribe. Sources: This episode explains, in plain language, standard U.S. workplace practices and benefits rules. Employer 401(k) matching contributions and vesting are set by each plan's own document; the IRS overview of how 401(k) plans work: https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/... — Health FSAs are generally use-it-or-lose-it (with a limited carryover or grace period where the plan allows one), HSAs are individually owned and portable, and HSA/FSA funds can be spent mid-treatment at in-network rates; IRS Publication 969 covers both: https://www.irs.gov/publications/p969 — COBRA continuation coverage: federal law gives most departing employees at least 60 days to elect coverage, coverage is retroactive to the day the old plan ended when elected and paid, and the premium can run to the full cost plus a small administrative charge; U.S. Department of Labor COBRA pages: https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/hea... and https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/law... — Whether unused PTO must be paid out at separation depends on state law and company policy. Personnel-file access rights also vary by state. Check your own plan documents and state rules for the exact terms that apply to you. (All links checked live on release day.) #HRSecrets #NewJob #CareerTips