Common Staffing Agency Myths

A staffing agency can be really helpful when you’re looking for a job. But many people people hesitate to use staffing agencies to find employment because they’ve either had a negative experience or heard some questionable things through the grapevine – like these 5 myths.

Continue reading

6 Reasons to Attend WSI Battle Creek’s Hiring Event

wsi job fair bc

It’s like a job fair, but better. Join us at our Battle Creek Office on August 5th, 11 am – 6 pm for our huge summer hiring event! 


Here are 6 reasons why you should attend: 

  1. Meet Sara and Jenessa
    If you haven’t met Sara or Jenessa yet (pictured above), be sure to come out and meet them and the rest of our Battle Creek team. We’ll be going live on Facebook to answer questions, give advice, and spread the word about our available opportunities. 
  2. Free Food
    Come hungry because we’ll have complimentary food, snacks, and beverages all day long. Plus, we hear a full belly makes for better job hunting.
  3. Safety Precautions
    Just because we’ll be having fun doesn’t mean we’ll forget to be safe. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available for all who attend.
  4. Spanish Speaking Coordinators
    Si se siente mejor hablando español, no se preocupe! Estamos aqui para ayudarlo con lo que necesite!
  5. Win Cool Stuff
    All day long, we’ll be giving away swag. Plus, you can enter the raffle for a chance to win one of several gift cards. And have you heard of our WIN FREE RENT program? 
  6. Jobs!
    Last, but certainly not least – jobs! Get first pick of your preferred job while it’s still available. Choose from more than 200 hundreds of immediate, full-time openings in industries ranging from auto manufacturing, light industrial, uniform services, marketing material/board game packaging, and more:

  • Machine Operators
  • General Laborers
  • Material Handlers
  • Warehouse Associates
  • Order Processors
  • Assembly & Production
  • And more!

Gross pay rates range from $386 – $740/week.

Can’t make it? No problem – learn more about us and apply online.

Wednesday, August 5
WSI Battle Creek
201 Fritz Keiper Blvd, Battle Creek, MI 49037
11 am – 6 pm | (269) 968-1008

WSI Hiring Event | Battle Creek, MI

wsi job fair bc

Mark your calendars for our upcoming job fair on August 5th, 2020.

Grab two forms of ID and come meet the Battle Creek WSI team for open interviews on Wednesday, August 5th from 11 am – 6 pm. Can’t make it? No problem – learn more about us and apply online at www.wsitalent.com.


This outdoor event will offer complimentary food, snacks, and beverages, raffles for gift cards, and most importantly – jobs!

Workforce Strategies, Inc. works with various companies throughout Battle Creek in industries ranging from auto manufacturing, light industrial, uniform services, warehouse, marketing material/board game packaging, and more. We have more than 200 jobs available:

  • Machine Operators
  • General Laborers
  • Material Handlers
  • Warehouse Associates
  • Order Processors
  • Assembly & Production
  • And more!

Gross pay rates range from $386 – $740/week. 

Additionally, WSI is currently conducting two lucrative referral programs where job seekers can earn money referring others to work for WSI. Referees have the chance to win $200 per referral, plus a chance to win free rent (up to $1,000).

Wednesday, August 5th
WSI Battle Creek
201 Fritz Keiper Blvd., Battle Creek, MI 49037
11 am – 6 pm | 269-968-1008

Please contact the Battle Creek WSI Office with any questions.

Going Back to Work if you Make More on Unemployment

WSI Staffing Blog - GOING BACK TO WORK IF YOU MAKE MORE ON UNEMPLOYMENT

With businesses starting to reopen, many Americans are receiving phone calls from their employers that it’s time to go back to work. For many, the decision seems easy (thanks to the CARES Act enhanced unemployment benefits).

“Why would I go back to work when I make more on unemployment?” 

It may not even be about the money – quite frankly, the fear of being exposed to COVID-19 or having a lack of child care are very real concerns as well. We understand. However, the decision might be a little more difficult than that. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind when you get that call to go back to work: 

Expanded Unemployment Benefits Only Last So Long

More than 33 million Americans have filed for unemployment since mid-march. These workers receive an additional $600 per week under the coronavirus stimulus bill for now, as the benefit will end July 31st. As of August 1st, benefits will return to the normal amount, which is around 40-45% of your previous income. 

According to Forbes, “Many experts predict the labor market to be tight through the end of the summer and potentially into the fall and winter quarters.” This makes it even more crucial to plan ahead and take advantage of employment opportunities before the expanded unemployment benefits run out. 

You May Disqualify Yourself From Unemployment

If your previous job is offered, you’re required to accept to avoid being disqualified from unemployment. The exceptions? If there are major changes to your previous job, or you decline because of a reason related to coronavirus. (For example, you need to care for a sick family member at home.) Beyond those reasons, declining a job offer could result in a loss of unemployment benefits. 

You May Lose Employer Benefits

Employees who are furloughed still have access to their healthcare and retirement benefits, however, if an employee declines their offer to go back – those benefits will end. Alternatively, employees would have to extend their health insurance through COBRA or purchase a plan on the healthcare marketplace under a special enrollment period.

Something to keep in mind: 

Employees who are working part-time are still eligible to receive the $600 federal benefit through July. To learn more, head here.

At the end of the day, it’s understandable to question whether or not you should return to work. As Catherine Brock from The Motley Fool says in her article, “While there’s no way to predict how the economy will respond in the next three or six months, it’s highly likely that the employment picture will be unpleasant for the rest of the year. If going back to work now insulates you from a dreary job market later, it may just be worth it — assuming you take the appropriate steps to stay safe and healthy.” 

With all this being said, we’re not here to scare or shame, as we understand every individual needs to make the best decision for themselves and their family. But, we do want you to know that we’re here for you through any decision you make. 

Community Resources You Can Use Today

WSI Staffing Blog - COMMUNITY RESOURCES YOU CAN USE TODAY

We’ve all heard the adage “Look for the helpers” during times of crisis. Now more than ever, community resources offer the help many of us need thanks to the aftershocks of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you’ve experienced job and income loss, are behind on your rent or utilities, or have been otherwise adversely affected, there are several organizations that can help sustain you and your family in the weeks and months to come.

Large organizations like United Way and Salvation Army are great places to start, and partner with other organizations to help meet basic human needs. Here are other resources available in the communities we serve, and beyond.

MICHIGAN

Michigan 2-1-1 Find assistance with food, housing, rent and utility payments, mental health resources, and more.

Public School Meal Distribution Sites (if you don’t see your school listed, contact the school directly for more information):

Feeding West Michigan Where to find food through Michigan when you need it.

WMU Invisible Needs Project Assists college students with food and other necessities.

MI Bridges State assistance for healthcare, food, child care, cash assistance, and more.

Michigan Unemployment All the information you need about filing for unemployment in Michigan.

OHIO (UNION & LOGAN COUNTIES)

Ohio 2-1-1 Find assistance with food, housing, rent and utility payments, mental health resources, and more.

United Way of Union County

United Way of Logan County

Public School Meal Distribution Sites (if you don’t see your school listed, contact the school directly for more information):

Ohio.gov  State assistance for healthcare, food, child care, cash assistance, and more.

Ohio Unemployment All the information you need about filing for unemployment in Ohio.

INDIANA (TIPTON COUNTY)

Indiana 2-1-1 Find assistance with food, housing, rent and utility payments, mental health resources, and more.

United Way of Howard & Tipton Counties Housing and food assistance, services for veterans, and more.

Tipton Public Schools Meal Distribution Sites

Indiana Unemployment All the information you need about filing for unemployment in Indiana.

Family and Social Services Administration State assistance for healthcare, food, child care, cash assistance, and more.

Our Role and Responsibility: Navigating Through Covid-19

WSI Staffing Blog - our role responsibility covid19

We believe it is our role and responsibility during this time to prioritize two things: the health and well-being of our employees and client partners while also playing a constructive role in supporting local health officials and government leaders as they work to contain the virus. 

Through that lens, we will continue to make decisions based on the latest information provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

We wanted to personally reach out to you and provide an update on the actions that WSI is taking to help prevent the spread of the virus and support the health and well-being of our employees, our client partners, and our communities.

What WSI Is Doing:

  1. Constant communication with client partners:  WSI teams are in regular and constant communication with our clients to ensure they are following the recommended strategies for employers in the guidance outlined by the CDC to help prevent workplace exposures to COVID-19. We are also asking clients to inform us immediately of any confirmed cases of COVID-19 at their work site locations so that we can effectively communicate to our employees.
  2. Asking employees to stay home if sick: We are asking that all WSI employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4° F [37.8° C]), signs of fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants). Please see guidance outlined below as to what you should do if you cannot go to work.
  3. Communicating cough and sneeze etiquette and providing access to hand sanitization: We are encouraging all WSI employees to follow the CDC- recommended cough and sneeze etiquettehand hygiene, and asking clients to promote this via signage or other means in their workplace.   
  4. Frequent environmental cleaning: WSI and its clients are frequently cleaning and sanitizing all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs. 

What Employees Can Do:

  1. Communication: If you are well but have a sick family member at home with COVID-19, please notify your supervisor immediately.
  2. If you are confirmed to have COVID-19: please notify WSI immediately. WSI will then inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace but maintain confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 
  3. Follow the CDC-recommended cough and sneeze etiquette and hand hygiene.

What to do if you can’t make it into work:

If you are sick or need to care for a family member at home with COVID-19, we ask that you contact both your WSI office (see contact info below), as well as your worksite supervisor. 

When calling WSI, please provide:

  • Your name
  • Worksite location and shift
  • Worksite supervisor
  • Reason why you cannot come to work
  • The date you anticipate returning to work

Should you have any questions about our policies or practices, please feel free to contact WSI 24/7 via phone, text, or email.

Kalamazoo

Battle Creek

Grand Rapids

Sturgis

Ohio

Tipton

Thank you for helping prevent the spread of the virus and supporting the health and well-being of our communities.

How to Dress for a WSI Interview

At WSI, we like to keep things casual. When it comes time to interview, we want you to feel confident in whatever outfit you choose. That being said, we do get many questions from applicants about what they should wear when coming into the office.

To make things easy, we’ve outlined a few general rules of thumb of what to wear for an interview with WSI.

DO WEAR: 

  • Khakis/Jeans

We’re a-okay with khakis and jeans. When deciding between your favorite distressed jeans with perfectly-placed-holes and your plain ol’ blue jeans, we suggest choosing the pair without holes (though it won’t count against you if your jeans are holey).

  • Nice Shoes

We’ve never met a shoe we didn’t like (except for the ones that rhyme with Shrocs). However, when it comes time to interview, we recommend sticking to close-toed shoes. 

  • A Neat Shirt

Leave the tank tops for the beach! Basically, any button-down, sweater, or blouse is your best bet when it comes to proper interview-wear. 

  • Reading Glasses (if applicable) 

Not only will you need to fill out paperwork, but some of our clients require eye tests. Avoid the headache that comes from straining and squinting and remember to wear your contacts or glasses. 

  • A Smile

Nerves get the best of us sometimes, but nothing says “I’ve got this” like a confident smile. 

DON’T WEAR:

  • Suits

No need to borrow or buy a suit! As we mentioned before, we like to keep it casual around here. Because we staff for manufacturing and industrial work environments, you won’t be working in a suit, so why interview in one?

  • Sunglasses

Although we recommend wearing sunglasses on your way to WSI, don’t forget to take them off during the actual interview. This isn’t the World Championship Poker tournament, after all. Trying to ask important questions and not being able to see your eyes is just…awkward. 

In conclusion, we’re not the fashion police – we’re in the business of putting qualified people to work. Throw on your favorite casual outfit, head to our office, and present your best self. We can’t wait to meet you!

5 Ways to Enjoy Your Referral Bonus

WSI Staffing Blog - 5 ways to enjoy referral bonus

Referral Bonus

/rəˈfərəl/ /ˈbōnəs/

(noun)

An easy way to make $100 dollars. 

It’s a simple concept and one of our favorites here at WSI – refer a friend, get $100. 

If you have a friend who would be a good fit for our positions – have them apply! If hired, once they hit 80 working hours you’ll receive $100 – all they have to do is fill out a referral card when they apply. 

FAQ:

Can I refer a friend if I don’t work for WSI?

Yes! Anyone is eligible for the bonus, even if you’re not employed through WSI what-so-ever. 

How do I receive the $100?

If you’re hired-in through our clients or not working for WSI, you’ll receive the $100 through a gift card. If you’re on WSI payroll, you’ll receive the $100 in your paycheck. 

Do I have to keep track of my referrals’ hours?

Nope! We’ll reach out to you once your referral reaches 80 hours to make sure you get paid. 

Is there a limit to how many referrals I can submit?

Nope! Submit as many referrals as you want. 

So, what could you do with that extra cash? Don’t worry, we’ve made a list for you. 

GAS

GROCERIES

SHOPPING SPREE

DINNER

DATE NIGHT

Easiest $100 ever made. To print a referral card, head here.