Measuring the Costs of Employee Turnover in Illinois Public Park and Recreation Agencies: An Exploratory Study

Employee turnover is an unavoidable part of most public park and recreation agencies. Agencies must become increasingly concerned with understanding the repercussions of an employee leaving an agency as they attempt to strategically assess current and future economic and human resource plans. This exploratory study considers the issue of turnover within a cost analytical framework and proposes a model for park and recreation agencies to accurately quantify their employee turnover costs. Specifically, the study incorporates Cascio’s (2000) costing model of turnover to explore the costs associated with the departing employee and the placement of a new employee. Building upon Cascio’s (2000) model we include variables to examine the potential drop in performance and overtime payment required as a result of turnover. Using the proposed model, an exploratory study was conducted within the public park and recreation profession. Turnover data was collected from park and recreation professionals within the state of Illinois. Findings suggest that the separation costs are about two to three times larger than replacement costs making it increasingly important for managers to control unused vacation and sick pay, losses in production and overtime paid to existing staff. Significant differences in pre-employment testing and training costs were found between recreation staff and operations/support staff. The findings and application of the costing model are discussed with suggestions made for further development of turnover cost models that can be applied in public park and recreation settings

Measuring the Costs of Employee Turnover in Illinois Public Park and Recreation Agencies: An Exploratory Study

Employee turnover is an unavoidable part of most public park and recreation agencies. Agencies must become increasingly concerned with understanding the repercussions of an employee leaving an agency as they attempt to strategically assess current and future economic and human resource plans. This exploratory study considers the issue of turnover within a cost analytical framework and proposes a model for park and recreation agencies to accurately quantify their employee turnover costs. Specifically, the study incorporates Cascio’s (2000) costing model of turnover to explore the costs associated with the departing employee and the placement of a new employee. Building upon Cascio’s (2000) model we include variables to examine the potential drop in performance and overtime payment required as a result of turnover. Using the proposed model, an exploratory study was conducted within the public park and recreation profession. Turnover data was collected from park and recreation professionals within the state of Illinois. Findings suggest that the separation costs are about two to three times larger than replacement costs making it increasingly important for managers to control unused vacation and sick pay, losses in production and overtime paid to existing staff. Significant differences in pre-employment testing and training costs were found between recreation staff and operations/support staff. The findings and application of the costing model are discussed with suggestions made for further development of turnover cost models that can be applied in public park and recreation settings

The Development of a Pay-for-Performance Appraisal System for Municipal Agencies: A Case Study

Well-designed employee performance appraisal instruments assume great importance by providing agencies with information that can guide administrative and developmental decision-making about their most important asset—their human resources. Administratively, performance appraisals serve as the formal evaluation tool used by managers when making decisions about the distribution of pay increases and the promotion and demotion of an employee. Developmentally, performance appraisals assist agencies in identifying issues such as employee training needs and cross training opportunities.1 Despite its importance, both employees and management often view the performance appraisal process as frustrating and unfair. These frustrations are largely attributed to a reliance on performance appraisal instruments that: are not job related; have confusing or unclear rating levels, and; are viewed as subjective and biased by staff.2 This study was undertaken to identify steps for creating a more effective pay-for-performance system for public agencies. Specifically, this case study: (1) identified a systematic procedure for creating performance appraisal instruments; (2) described the appropriate training for those conducting an appraisal interview; (3) implemented performance reviews using the developed instruments and appraisal interview/review training, and; (4) evaluated employee attitudes toward the newly developed system. Survey results identified significant mean differences between employee attitude toward the original pay-forperformance instrument and appraisal interview process and the newly developed system. Results of the case study are analyzed and discussed

The Development of a Pay-for-Performance Appraisal System for Municipal Agencies: A Case Study

Well-designed employee performance appraisal instruments assume great importance by providing agencies with information that can guide administrative and developmental decision-making about their most important asset—their human resources. Administratively, performance appraisals serve as the formal evaluation tool used by managers when making decisions about the distribution of pay increases and the promotion and demotion of an employee. Developmentally, performance appraisals assist agencies in identifying issues such as employee training needs and cross training opportunities.1 Despite its importance, both employees and management often view the performance appraisal process as frustrating and unfair. These frustrations are largely attributed to a reliance on performance appraisal instruments that: are not job related; have confusing or unclear rating levels, and; are viewed as subjective and biased by staff.2 This study was undertaken to identify steps for creating a more effective pay-for-performance system for public agencies. Specifically, this case study: (1) identified a systematic procedure for creating performance appraisal instruments; (2) described the appropriate training for those conducting an appraisal interview; (3) implemented performance reviews using the developed instruments and appraisal interview/review training, and; (4) evaluated employee attitudes toward the newly developed system. Survey results identified significant mean differences between employee attitude toward the original pay-forperformance instrument and appraisal interview process and the newly developed system. Results of the case study are analyzed and discussed

Online learning: Examining instructional design strategies in leisure curriculum

An assessment of the park and recreation-related educational programs and departments within the United States indicates an increasing presence of web-based distance learning (WBDL) environments. According to a voluntary listing posted on NRPA’s official website, over 35 courses are offered within a WBDL environment with almost 20 U.S. colleges and universities participating. In addition, some programs currently offer a 100% WBDL baccalaureate and/or master degree. These numbers are also somewhat conservative as additional programs offered by universities continue to emerge as evident by the dialogue and postings on the online discussion forum of the Society of Park and Recreation Educators (SPREnet). With this increase in instructional technologies there has been a growing concern in the educational community regarding the effectiveness of these tools to meet the needs of the learners (Lukow & Ross, 2003; Van Dusen & Worthen, 1995). Despite this concern, many of the issues surrounding the effective implementation of WBDL programs have not been explored sufficiently. Grounded within social cognitive theory, this study examined the instructional design of a WBDL about pay-for-performance systems in parks and recreation. The effects of two instructional methods, online discussion groups and multiple formats, are assessed on cognitive outcomes. The moderating role of experience with technology, technology selfefficacy, and several individual characteristic variables were also examined

Automation and robotics considerations for a lunar base

An envisioned lunar outpost shares with other NASA missions many of the same criteria that have prompted the development of intelligent automation techniques with NASA. Because of increased radiation hazards, crew surface activities will probably be even more restricted than current extravehicular activity in low Earth orbit. Crew availability for routine and repetitive tasks will be at least as limited as that envisioned for the space station, particularly in the early phases of lunar development. Certain tasks are better suited to the untiring watchfulness of computers, such as the monitoring and diagnosis of multiple complex systems, and the perception and analysis of slowly developing faults in such systems. In addition, mounting costs and constrained budgets require that human resource requirements for ground control be minimized. This paper provides a glimpse of certain lunar base tasks as seen through the lens of automation and robotic (A&R) considerations. This can allow a more efficient focusing of research and development not only in A&R, but also in those technologies that will depend on A&R in the lunar environment

Antimicrobial point prevalence surveys in two Ghanaian hospitals : opportunities for antimicrobial stewardship

Background: Improved knowledge regarding antimicrobial use in Ghana is urgently needed to reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This includes point prevalence studies (PPS) in hospitals. Objectives were: (i) provide baseline data in two hospitals (Keta Municipal Hospital – KMH and Ghana Police Hospital – GPH) and identify priorities for improvement; (ii) assess the feasibility of conducting PPS; (iii) compare results with others. Methods: Standard PPS design using the Global PPS paper forms, subsequently transferred to their template. Training undertaken by the Scottish team. Quality indicators included rationale for use; stop and review dates, and guideline compliance. Results: Prevalence of antibiotic use was 65.0% in GPH and 82.0% in KMH. Penicillins and other beta-lactam antibiotics were the most prescribed in both hospitals, with third generation cephalosporins mainly used in GPH. Antibiotic treatment was mainly empirical and commonly administered intravenously (IV), duration was generally short with timely oral switching, and infections were mainly community acquired. Encouragingly, good documentation of the indications for antibiotic use in both hospitals and 50.0-66.0% guideline compliance (although for many indications no guideline existed). In addition, almost all prescribed antibiotics had stop dates and there appeared no missed doses. The duration of use for surgical prophylaxis was generally more than one day (69.0% in GPH and 77.0% in KMH). Conclusions: These two hospitals were the first in Ghana to use the Global PPS system. We found the PPS was feasible and relatively rapid, achieved with limited training. Targets for improvement identified included broad-spectrum antibiotics, duration of treatment and high empiric use

Seasonal Occurrence, Horizontal Movements, and Habitat Use Patterns of Whale Sharks (\u3ci\u3eRhincodon typus\u3c/i\u3e) in the Gulf of Mexico

In the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM), whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) form large aggregations at continental shelf-edge banks during summer; however, knowledge of movements once they leave aggregation sites is limited. Here we report on the seasonal occurrence of whale sharks in the northern GOM based on over 800 whale shark sightings from 1989 to 2016, as well as the movements of 42 whale sharks tagged with satellite-linked and popup satellite archival transmitting tags from 2008 to 2015. Sightings data were most numerous during summer and fall often with aggregations of individuals reported along the continental shelf break. Most sharks (66%) were tagged during this time at Ewing Bank, a known aggregation site off the coast of Louisiana. Whale shark track duration ranged from three to 366 days and all tagged individuals, which ranged from 4.5 to 12.0 m in total length, remained within the GOM. Sightings data revealed that whale sharks occurred primarily in continental shelf and shelf-edge waters (81%) whereas tag data revealed the sharks primarily inhabited continental slope and open ocean waters (91%) of the GOM. Much of their time spent in open ocean waters was associated with the edge of the Loop Current and associated mesoscale eddies. During cooler months, there was a net movement southward, corresponding with the time of reduced sighting reports. Several sharks migrated to the southwest GOM during fall and winter, suggesting this region could be important overwintering habitat and possibly represents another seasonal aggregation site. The three long-term tracked whale sharks exhibited interannual site fidelity, returning one year later to the vicinity where they were originally tagged. The increased habitat use of north central GOM waters by whale sharks as summer foraging grounds and potential interannual site fidelity to Ewing Bank demonstrate the importance of this region for this species

Characterization of Postoperative Changes in Nasal Airflow Using a Cadaveric Computational Fluid Dynamics Model: Supporting the Internal Nasal Valve

Collapse or compromise of the internal nasal valve (INV) results in symptomatic nasal obstruction; thus, various surgical maneuvers are designed to support the INV

The Vehicle, Fall 1970

Vol. 13, No. 1 Table of Contents A Thought Written in a Locked RoomJudy Huntpage 1 The Eggshell MoonWilliam Probeckpage 2 PoemBarb Parkerpage 3 4/5, May, 1970J. Michael Sainpage 5 A TreeRichard Stickannpage 6 both or noneMichelle Hallpage 6 The TrainSteve Sestinapage 8 Attempted DiscoveryDonald R. Johnsonpage 16 Island of SmokeVerna L. Jonespage 18 AwakeRobert Bladepage 19 PoemMary Klinkerpage 19 In ChurchMuriel Poolpage 21 PoemBarb Parkerpage 21 PoemMichelle Hallpage 22 Pod\u27nerVerna L. Jonespage 23 Rain and Other ThingsCarol Staniecpage 24 PoemAnn Graffpage 24 Examination of StudentdomMelvin Zaloudekpage 26 Women\u27s LiberationTonya Mortonpage 27 Morning Reflections on the Evening NewsPrudence Herberpage 29 Art and Photography Credits Jim Diaspage 4 Mike Dorseypages 7, 20 David Griffithpages 8, 17, 25 Cover PhotographyMark McKinneyhttps://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1024/thumbnail.jp