Category: job

Further training in the home office: what advantages and opportunities it offers companies and employees

Why further training in the home office is so important

Employees appreciate the flexible working hours and the newly gained freedom in the home office. Many of them – representative studies assume around 10 million employees – even work exclusively within their own four walls. Nevertheless, a number of employees complain that they are working from home receiving no or insufficient support from the supervisor.

This includes in-house training courses for which there is often either no financial means or the technical know-how. But especially in times of digital change, industry-specific training is the key to success. Digital knowledge and foreign language skills are becoming increasingly important, which is why employers are already using relevant training opportunities counteract the internal shortage of skilled workers. For companies, this means actively supporting their employees so that they learn independently and effectively in the home office. Even small changes such as learning tandems are a first step in motivating employees who work from home to undertake further training.

Diverse offers for home office training

Generally it is Wide range of digital training opportunities. For example, the database of the central office for distance learning (ZFU) lists more than 3,700 study and training courses. Inexpensive digital courses that employees can access without much effort are of particular interest to employers. In this regard, they stand the test location- and time-independent online courses as well as video-based online seminarsthat take place at fixed times. E-books, learning videos, podcasts and expert talks on innovative topics are increasingly establishing themselves as supporting options. Furthermore, free e-learning courses for employees and applicants are becoming increasingly important. In addition to industry-specific knowledge, these also impart relevant soft skills. Topics that are in high demand are, for example, stress management or the correct use of digital online tools.

Benefits for employers and employees

Regardless of the industry, companies benefit when they invest in further training for their employees. The educational offers, which impart new knowledge independently, bring the following advantages:

• Despite the physical distance, further training is offered in the home office the opportunity for social exchange. During the courses, employees are in contact with colleagues, trainers and supervisors. On the one hand, this increases the learning effect, on the other hand, the social contacts increase the motivation of the individual.
• A major advantage of the online courses in the home office is the flexibility in terms of time and location. In principle, employees can learn anywhere to acquire new skills.
• Webinars enable sustainable learning in which a lot of content can be conveyed within a very short time. There are also recordings of many courses that can be viewed again in the company if required.
• Uniform training opportunities ensure that all employees are on the same level despite physical separation. If the team learns in a motivated and disciplined manner, success measurements are comprehensible.
• Another important benefit is reduced cost. While the classic frontal teaching requires organizational effort, are Further training in the home office can be planned and carried out decentrally. This reduces the planning time for companies.

In order for further training to be successful, companies should also take the wishes of their employees into account. For example, surveys help to find out in which areas the individual specialists need or want to expand their skills.

Find suitable offers for further training in the home office

Companies should be on the lookout for serious offers in order to enable their own employees to undertake lifelong learning on the job. Consequently, employers should carefully review offers from external providers. If the information about the course schedule is not sufficient, supervisors should actively ask about their structure beforehand. Of course, it is also important not to ignore the teachers. In order to guarantee operational success, external teachers should be appropriately qualified. Further training with verifiable learning success and certificates of completion are often the most promising option for companies.

However, before employers accept a training offer, they should read the fine print. Because every contract contains different conditions relevant to companies and their employees are. An important point here are the cancellation and withdrawal conditions as well as the payment modalities. For supervisors, in addition to the usual course costs, other ancillary costs such as registration or examination fees must be taken into account.

How employees achieve their personal learning goals in the home office

For employees, too, further training in the home office is anything but a sure-fire success. With a lot of distractions waiting between the workplace and the couch, it’s important not to lose your focus. In order to achieve personal learning goals within your own four walls, it is important to keep your own goals in mind:

• Professional training in the home office only progresses with appropriate learning goals. To that end, it is important that to record the resolutions that you have set yourself in writing and in a clearly visible manner.
• “Established routines” from the office should definitely be maintained at home. If employees use a time slot for further training before the lunch break or before the end of the day, for example, they should continue to plan for this.
• In the case of further training in the home office, short-term agreements, changes or updates are inevitable. Nevertheless, employees should, especially with flexible online courses enough time to study undisturbed. It is advisable to set fixed times within the team when everyone can be easily reached. Outside of these time windows, it should be allowed to complete the training in a calm and concentrated manner without distraction.
• A nice working environment with a “feel good factor” contributes significantly to learning success. It also makes sense to spatially separate the workplace for learning from the “leisure area”.
• Learning together with teammates motivates and helps to stay on the ball. Common learning goals are an enormous incentive, as is the shared joy about the successes that have already been achieved.
• In order to stay up to date, employees should also use mobile courses. As far as possible, online communities or short videos help with interactive training.

Companies should document how successful the training in the home office is. In this way, the workflow can be improved. As soon as it is clear which content the employees can put into practice in a meaningful way, it can be assessed whether the qualification measure was effective.

Career aspiration detective: What distinguishes a good detective?

This is what a budding detective needs as a tool

Every job profile requires its very special aptitude. Manual dexterity, creativity and the ability to deal with people characterize a hairdresser. A kindergarten teacher has to know how to deal with the little ones and needs a lot of patience. But what are the basic personal requirements that a detective needs to be able to do well in his job?

The answer might surprise many, because a detective does not need a dominant, conspicuous appearance, but rather should be inconspicuous. He must be able to observe very closely and have an eye for detail. A great deal of mental flexibility is required to be able to combine – sometimes also to be able to interpret what is observed correctly. If character traits are added, such as patience, combination skills and accuracy, there is a good chance of becoming a good detective. Good knowledge of German, mathematics and economics must be brought along to school. In addition, physical fitness is absolutely necessary in order to be successful at work.

A certificate of good conduct, a tax clearance declaration and proof of expertise must also be submitted for the start of training and the practice of the profession. You must also be of legal age and have a class B driver’s license.

Important quality features of professional detectives

The professional title of detective is not legally protected. This also means that it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish a well-trained professional from a layman – at least as a client. If you are looking for a well-trained detective, you should make sure that the detective agency works with TÜV-certified detectives and, in the best case, is a member of the Federal Association of International Detectives, such as the detectives of the Lentz Group, which has numerous branches in Düsseldorf and throughout Germany converse.

This training is possible for a prospective detective

Even without a highly official, legally protected job title, there is training to become a “ZAD-certified private investigator”, which ends with an IHK exam. The training, which lasts a total of two years, is reminiscent of the well-known dual training with theory and practice units. The final exam is written, practical and oral. In addition, an extensive thesis must be prepared.

Ideally, prospective detectives learn the content of the exam directly in practice, while following a so-called mentor, as well as by attending special seminars and training courses. Regular further training is just as important in the detective trade as in other areas. The basis of the vocational training plan for prospective detectives is what has been developed by the industry-relevant professional associations. The ZAD, the central office for training in the detective trade, is a leader in training.

The ZAD shows three training options online:

1. the intensive course, which prepares you for the exam within ten months
2. the combined course, which lasts 22 months
3. the special course, which teaches the skills required for a security guard in retail within six months

This learning load is behind the ZAD-certified courses

The intensive course has a total of 60 topics on the curriculum, which are bundled on around 2,800 informative pages. The intensive course is designed as a distance learning course, for which at least nine hours of study are to be spent per week. There is also a face-to-face seminar. The same content must also be learned in the combination training. However, more time is available for the learning content. The course module was designed to enable internships in a detective agency at the same time. This ensures the timely, direct implementation of what has been learned in practice.

Well equipped – for these practical assignments

Although the training measures are not state-recognized, they are precisely tailored to enable you to work successfully as a detective. For example, these knowledge and skills are imparted:

• surveillance There are different types of observation, such as the observation cauldron, the ABC system, the observation bell and line observation, the theoretical basics of which are taught and practiced. This involves setting up and conducting an observation as well as legally impeccable behavior during an observation.
• investigations. In order to obtain valid information, research and determination must be carried out. Which contact points there are for detectives and how the information is obtained legally (!) so that it can also be used in court, if necessary, falls within the scope of the investigations.

Right. A large part of the training is concerned with imparting knowledge about various rights to prospective detectives. The list of rights that must be learned in the course of detective training is somewhat reminiscent of a law degree, and yet it forms the necessary basis for acting and researching in accordance with the law. Protecting the personal rights of third parties is particularly important for detectives on the job. In addition, the pitfalls are usually in the details, as can be seen in the difference between iA and iV.

• Practice. The use of what has been learned in practice and practical knowledge are particularly important in the detective trade. This means, among other things, that it is conveyed how a detective behaves as inconspicuously and safely as possible on the road when he is observing. However, this also means that a detective knows how to use technical aids, such as a radio or a camera, safely and correctly.

From bare walls to the workplace – this is how you set up an office space

Why is the facility so important?

It is certainly sufficient to set up ergonomic chairs, tables, office utensils and technology. The office is ready. Nevertheless, it is important not to save at the wrong end when furnishing the office. The furnishing of the office space has a strong influence on the output that is generated. Because the more comfortable you and your employees feel, the better the work will go. Decorations play a crucial role in this. They transform the bare, cool climate of a study into a personalized space.

Decorations make the room friendly

Decorations are not only inviting, personalizing and conducive to well-being in your own home. You should also try to settle in and feel comfortable in an office. It is important for employers to give their employees a little freedom in setting up their own workplace. Because you offer the opportunity to optimize the working atmosphere in a positive way. It is important that every change, decoration and optimization is subject to the fire protection regulations of the company.

Plants enliven the room

Plants work wonders. On the one hand, they filter the air in the room so that the room climate is enriched with more oxygen. Plants filter pollutants from the air through their leaves, improving air quality. Likewise, people associate plants with freedom, nature and balance. They help to positively influence the subconscious and reduce stress. So that the plants can be optimally integrated into the room, it is important to choose beautiful flower pots. The dimensions of these should be adapted to the space available in the office. If you choose a large plant for the room, it is important to keep escape routes free and not to limit the freedom of movement of employees too much. At Pflanzenwerk.de you will find the right flower pots for every plant. From the robust ivy to the sophisticated orchid.

The light is crucial

In the European regulation for ergonomic workplaces, not only the office chair or the table is precisely defined. The lighting conditions in an office must also meet a certain brightness value. Otherwise you face high penalties. For this reason, you should use a room that receives sufficient sunlight. It is also important to make the room attractive with light sources. Bright rooms are not only required, but also promote productivity. Because natural daylight makes people blossom, so that they become more productive and benefit from increased well-being.

Shielding against environmental influences is just as important as the incident light. Disturbing sources of noise in the vicinity of the office should be avoided at all costs. For example, if you are located directly on a busy main road, you should prefer adequate insulation for the office space.

Expand your own home office: tips and tricks

Can an attic be used as a home office?

The attic is not always necessarily intended for a study, except possibly as a stopgap. However, the expansion would be possible, for this woodwork or work in sheet metal processing (such as with a T-slot plate) is necessary. If the expansion has taken place, then there are usually these advantages:

• Bright study room through large windows, this lifts the mood and productivity.
• Quiet work environment with little noise pollution, ideal for phone calls.
• No common room, no time management has to be done in the family.
• If only used as a study, this also has advantages for tax purposes.

When is an adjoining room suitable as a home office?

Adjoining rooms are particularly problematic in a family environment, since children could well be a nuisance. This is not a problem in itself, but it could lead to a disruption during important phone calls or video calls, which we would like to avoid. Therefore, in turn, the attic is a great advantage.

However, an adjoining room has the advantage that it does not have to be expanded like an attic and in summer there is also no heat. Depending on the structural approach, the internet connection could also be better.

What steps are important when converting the attic?

In winter it could be cold, in summer clearly too warm. When expanding, insulation is therefore crucial, which means that pleasant temperatures can prevail throughout the year. On the other hand, air conditioning and heating are required, these would be additional costs that are also reflected in the electricity bill.

During the first expansion stage, it should also be checked whether the windows are big enough and whether they can be opened. It is crucial for the indoor climate that these can be opened. In addition, indoor plants should be set up, because depending on the species, they can also have a positive effect on the indoor climate.

However, to prevent overheating in summer, sun protection could also be installed. A sunshade repels strong sunlight, which means that there is no glare at work. Roller blinds, for example, are ideal.

Depending on the activity, soundproofing should also be considered. After all, streamers on YouTube and Twitch do not want to be disturbed by the neighbors due to the volume at work, so proper sound insulation on the floor and walls helps with this.

Are there any building regulations?

The building law requirements are determined differently by the federal states, but a building permit is usually required. It should be checked whether this is necessary for the current expansion stage. If you live in rented accommodation, this should also be clarified with the landlord.

However, a building permit is always necessary if the work affects the statics. If the external appearance should also be changed, this must also be confirmed with an approval. The state building regulations provide a certain orientation, if necessary, you can also ask the local building authority at any time. When it comes to video surveillance methods, it should also be taken into account that only your own property is filmed.

Educational leave – entitlement, applications and course determination

Different regulations at state level

If you would like to develop professionally or personally, you can choose from many further education offers. But how can continuing education and professional activity be reconciled? Educational leave is intended for exactly such situations. During this period, the employer must grant employees paid leave. This means that you have the opportunity to attend a course or seminar without having to use your regular vacation days for this. Instead, employees get additional free days on which they can continue their education. The further training does not necessarily have to be related to the job.

Whether and how many days you are entitled to educational leave depends on the respective federal state. In 14 of the 16 federal states there is a legal entitlement to further education leave. The only exceptions are Bavaria and Saxony. Under which circumstances you can still take paid leave for further training can be found in the valid collective bargaining and employment contracts.

The following list shows you how many days of educational leave you are entitled to in your federal state:

• Baden-Württemberg: 5 working days per calendar year
• Berlin: 10 working days per two calendar years
• Brandenburg: 10 working days per two calendar years
• Bremen: 10 working days per two calendar years
• Hamburg: 10 working days per two calendar years
• Hessen: 10 working days per two calendar years
• Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: 5 working days per calendar year
• Lower Saxony: 10 working days per two calendar years
• North Rhine-Westphalia: 10 working days per two calendar years
• Rhineland-Palatinate: 10 working days per two calendar years
• Saarland: 6 working days per calendar year
• Saxony-Anhalt: 14 working days per two calendar years
• Schleswig-Holstein: 10 working days per two calendar years
• Thuringia: 5 working days per calendar year

The decisive factor is usually the state in which you work – and not the one in which you live. Important: For part-time employees, the entitlement to educational leave is reduced depending on their weekly working hours. Separate regulations also apply to civil servants and trainees.

These requirements must be met

In order to be able to assert your legal entitlement to educational leave, you must be employed by your employer. Students, housewives and pensioners are not entitled to educational leave. This regulation is independent of the federal state. Otherwise, you should find out about everything important in good time so that you can apply for educational leave in good time.

In addition, you must find out whether the selected course is recognized for educational leave. Typically, one can attend language courses, complete a computer course, enroll in a course on digitization in the workplace, or enroll in a course on a current or political issue. Rhetoric courses, relaxation training or courses on stress management are also possible. To what extent the selected seminar is permissible for the application for educational leave can be inquired directly from the training provider.

Which training is right for me?

The greater the range of further training opportunities, the faster you feel overwhelmed. In order to find the right training, you should ask yourself where you currently stand professionally and where you want to go. For example, there are seminars and courses that give you a recognized qualification. You can also score points in the next application with a certificate from an IT or rhetoric course. In principle, a distinction must be made between further training in which hard skills are acquired and offers in which soft skills such as leadership qualities are promoted.

Who can I turn to to find individually suitable educational offers? Finding a suitable training course at Kursnet is very easy. The database of the employment agency enables a regional search using relevant search terms. As the largest training and further education database, it is a great help for many.

In 3 simple steps to educational leave

According to statistics, only a few employers take educational leave. Only one to three percent of employees who are entitled to educational leave actually submit an application. Many shy away from the bureaucratic effort. It is not that difficult to apply for further training leave. We show step by step how to do it.

Before you can start submitting your application, you must of course know whether and how much educational leave you are entitled to. With this knowledge in mind, you can choose a seminar you would like to attend. It is important that this is recognized in the respective federal state as part of educational leave.

It is best to start looking for a further education offer early on. After all, the application for vacation is linked to certain deadlines. In Lower Saxony and Bremen there is a 4-week period before the start of further training, in Berlin, Brandenburg, Hamburg, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony-Anhalt and Schleswig-Holstein it is 6 weeks, for Baden- Württemberg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Thuringia, the application must be submitted 8 weeks in advance.

Those who register for further training receive the documents they need to apply for educational leave from the training provider. In some companies there are official application forms that you only have to fill out. Alternatively, you can also write an informal letter. This should include a request for leave for educational leave and the time period. It is advisable to submit the further training documents at the same time.

If you are legally entitled to educational leave, the employer may not reject the application without reason. If he does not want to grant the exemption, he must justify this correctly and comprehensibly. A valid reason is, for example, a staff shortage if too many colleagues have submitted vacation days in the selected period.

Important: The rejection should be given in writing. Together with the works council or staff council, it can then be checked whether the rejection is legal.

If the employer agrees to the educational leave, nothing stands in the way of further training. You will receive all the necessary documents in good time from the seminar provider. There you will later receive a confirmation of participation, which you must then submit to your employer.

In addition to educational leave, there are many other funding options for further education that you can take advantage of – such as the education voucher. The responsible employment agency will advise interested parties individually about all the options.

Divide the workload in the home office sensibly

Working from home is not vacation time

Setting up your own home office and working from there sounds like a dream come true at first. Stay at home and get paid for it? Insanity! But working from home is anything but a walk. Because here it is much more about personal responsibility. If you don’t work out a plan yourself, you will quickly fail because of your own workload and choke on work.

It is therefore important that regular working hours are also observed at home. This also includes break times, which must not be filled with work. Anything relaxing is allowed during the break. A relaxing game in the online casino, such as Hyperino, or a walk around the block: if you have a break, you shouldn’t work.

Pajamas are not work clothes

It’s tempting: from bed to desk. No colleagues to check out the outfit, so why even dress up in the morning? The answer is very simple: For your own motivation to work. Anyone who sits in their home office in their pajamas, not showered and unkempt, will automatically start the day less motivated than someone who has previously showered and got ready for work.

Incidentally, the same applies to setting up the home office. Lying on the couch with your laptop and phone is taboo! Those who work at home should take this just as seriously as going to the office every day.

In summary, this means: get up in the morning, have breakfast, take a shower, dress appropriately for everyday life and then sit down in your own home office. Fixed working hours are just as much a part of this as availability for colleagues and superiors. Even if the boss allows the times to be broken down, they should be kept continuous to develop a rhythm.

The office at home

It’s tempting: take a little break from work and quickly make some sandwiches for the kids for dinner. Maybe just drive through the living room with the vacuum cleaner or give the cat a little fun. All such tasks should be done after work. After all, if you’re away from home in the office, you won’t go home during your lunch break to vacuum.

The boundaries between private life and working life must not be blurred, even when working from home. On the one hand, this means that private pleasure can be experienced at home during breaks or outside of working hours, but on the other hand that no extra shifts are carried out in the office after working hours.

Ideally, the home office is closed at the end of the working day, just like the office in the company. Access is only permitted again the next day, when working hours begin again. This is the only way to really master the balancing act between private life and working from home.

How important are foreign languages ​​in the working world?

Worldwide communication

Mankind is better connected than ever before and globalization is constantly being pushed forward. An important point when it comes to networking and communication are the different languages. Because mutual understanding is the basic requirement for all treatises, contracts and discussions.
Being able to specify one or even more foreign languages ​​when looking for a new job has always been a big plus. Nowadays it is often even a requirement to have at least a good command of the English language.

language as a profession

Many people are now studying subjects such as German, linguistics or Romance studies. All of these subjects are related to learning, understanding and analyzing languages. A degree in this area is often smiled at and dismissed as useless. But you shouldn’t let that unsettle you.
If you are well versed in languages ​​and ideally have a degree in the same field, you can go in many different directions professionally. For example, graduates of German studies often go into the cultural sector or journalism. Magazines are always looking for good writers. But the possibilities go far beyond that. You can also work as a translator, become an author or go into marketing.

Getting started in the world of work

Languages ​​are not only important if you want to work directly with them. For many other professions, especially in the business sector, companies require trainees and new employees to have good and wide-ranging language skills. There are a few reasons for this. Large companies have customers and partners all over the world. If meetings or similar events take place, in most cases they will not be held in German. You can get help for this in the form of commercial translations. English is the standard here. Sometimes they switch to French or Spanish. Depending on which partner you are working with, additional languages ​​may be required. In general, you usually have a better chance of being accepted into a company if you can show more than just German and English in your personal profile.

Other tasks in everyday working life

Not only meetings await you in other languages. There are many other things that one is confronted with in everyday working life. Telephone calls often have to be made and lectures given. This means that you can quickly switch between different languages ​​and have to respond to questions spontaneously.
E-mails or letters that go abroad usually have to be written in English. When working with websites or developing them, you also have to adapt to foreign languages.

How to learn new languages ​​fast?

German and English are usually taught at school. Most of the time you can choose another foreign language from a certain age. French, Spanish and Latin are usually offered here. Sometimes offers like Greek are added.
If you want to expand your skills or repeat what you have forgotten, language courses are a good idea. These can be attended at universities and night schools. Language courses can also be provided directly by employers.
The best option is a stay abroad in an area where the language to be learned is spoken.

Designing the home office for little money? That’s how it works!

Working from home is the absolute dream of many people, but it also comes with a few problems. How are you supposed to motivate yourself every day? How can you be as productive as possible when working from home? Our home office also plays an important role here. We would like to explain to you here how you can get this going again with the help of a small budget.

Why is the look of the home office so important?

Especially when we want to take on tasks that aren’t our favorite pastimes, it’s easy to find ourselves looking for every possible distraction. We tidy up our office, start decluttering our drawers and look for any chores that aren’t part of our job. At the same time, drab offices do not encourage people to work. We enter the room and the motivation vanishes in a seemingly magical way. However, when we enter our office, where we feel comfortable and which spreads a good mood, then the work almost works as if by magic. The best thing is that we don’t have to constantly invest huge amounts of money to design a beautiful home office. We explain exactly how this works here!

The 5 best tips for designing your own home office

Would you like to spruce up your home office again, but don’t feel like investing a lot of money for it? Then we have the 5 best tips for you here on how you can set up your home office beautifully and on a small budget.

“From old to new!”

It’s a misconception that we have to keep buying new things just to keep our home office modern and beautiful. Just cleaning our furniture and carpet can work wonders. Hard to believe, but with a professional cleaning of the carpet, it will look as if it were brand new in no time! Try it yourself, for example with the help of https://jl-clean.de/ and you will be amazed at how quickly and easily your home office will shine in new splendor!

DIY is the key

Ever heard of DIY? No? This abbreviation stands for “Do it Yourself”, which should encourage you to get creative and simply make decorative items and furniture yourself. So you not only get very individual pieces of jewelery for your home office, but you can also save a lot. There are many guides out there on how to recycle and decorate everyday items that would normally be thrown away. Do you collect plenty of empty bean jars in everyday life? Then make beautiful tea lights out of them! DIY really knows no bounds!

Go for colour!

A fresh coat of paint is cheap and can also be easily implemented. A new color and maybe even a new color choice can make the home office appear like a whole new office. Just try it yourself and coordinate your decoration with the wall color.

Second hand is also an option

Is your desk almost falling apart or has your lamp been a thorn in your side for a long time? Then you don’t have to buy these pieces of furniture for expensive money here either, but can help yourself to “new” furniture thanks to second hand. Sometimes small repairs have to be carried out, but you save money either way.

fresh flowers

Would you like to bring a little freshness to your home office without a lot of budget or effort? Then plan a little visit to the florist and buy yourself a beautiful bouquet. Put it next to you on the desk and enjoy the beautiful colors and the fresh smell.