Wednesday, July 21, 2010

10 Common Errors That Spell Check Won't Catch

We've all done it! It is easy to make that simple mistake in an email or on a resume that still looks right at a glance. Careless errors can be the kiss of death in any professional correspondence. Here are some easy errors to look out for and make sure you proofread even after click on spell check.

10 Common Errors “Spell Check” Won’t Catch

While we can rely on a spell checker to catch glaring errors, a computer can’t pick up on all careless mistakes, especially if the word could be correct in a different context. Often word misuse is our mistake. The English language is full of homonyms, or words that have different meanings but sound and look similar, which makes it easy to confuse proper usage. For instance, verbally, you might not even notice the difference between "your" and "you’re." But in print, the error can lead the reader to perceive you as less intelligent than you are. For this reason, it's important to spell check and proofread your documents, especially for the following common misuses, which are so easy to make, you might even have to check your document a couple times to catch them.

Its versus It’s (and all other apostrophes):
According to a copy editing instructor for California-based copy editing service provider Edicetera, confusing "its" and "it’s" is the most common error in the English language. That one minuscule apostrophe (or lack thereof) drastically changes the meaning of the entire sentence. "It’s" is a contraction of "it is," whereas "its" refers to possession. Also, watch out for "your" versus "you’re."

Sales versus Sails
Can you imagine writing on your resume that you "increased sails by 20 percent”?! Unless you’re applying to a job for a sail boat manufacturer, this careless mistake will probably get your resume sailing right into the recycling bin.

Affect versus Effect
There is a lot of confusion around this one but here’s the rule: "Affect" is a verb and "effect" is a noun. It’s as simple as that.

Would Have NOT Would of
The subtlety in pronunciation leads to the rampant misuse of this phrase; however "would of" is never correct and may make you appear as if you are not well-read.

Through versus Threw
"He threw the ball through the window." "Threw" is a verb and "through" is a preposition. And speaking of "through," be careful to make sure you don’t actually mean "thorough" or vice versa. The slight variation in spelling will not be picked up by a computer, but writing "I am through" when you mean "I am thorough" is quite ironic, don’t you think?

Then versus Than
Six is more than five; after five then comes six. "Than" refers to a comparison, while "then" refers to a subsequent event.

Supposed To NOT Suppose To
"Suppose" is a verb, meaning to think or to ponder. The correct way to express a duty is to write, "I was supposed to..."

Wonder versus Wander
You can wander around while you wonder why "wander" and "wonder" have such different meanings, yet sound oh so similar.

Their versus There versus They’re
OK, once and for all: "Their" is possessive; "there" refers to distance; and "they’re" is a contraction of "they are."

Farther versus Further
While both words refer to distance, grammarians distinguish "farther" as physical distance and "further" as metaphorical distance. You can dive further into a project, for instance, or you can dive farther into the ocean.


We know we missed many common careless errors. What mistakes do you see most often?

Monday, July 19, 2010

Don't Forget Original Time Sheets

Please be sure to get us your original time cards each week. They are due by 1pm every Monday. We need the white, yellow and pink copies. You can keep the blue and the green is for the client. You may fax a copy on Monday to get the process started, but we need for you to mail or drop off the original each week. Time sheets are in important part of our billing cycle and without them, we may be unable to get our employees paid on time. If we are missing more than one week, we will not be able to process your paycheck until we receive the missing time sheets.

If you do not have any original time sheets, please contact us and we can get them to you. Please do not re-use faxed time sheets.

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Holiday and Vacation Policy

VACATION PAY

Paid vacations are our way of thanking you for your continuous service. You are eligible for one 40 hour vacation check after completing 1800 hours within a 12 month period, including overtime. Pay is based on your average rate of compensation. Please talk to your DISCOVER STAFFING representative for a vacation request form. Vacation pay must be requested within 30 days of eligibility. You must be on an assignment to receive vacation pay.

HOLIDAY PAY

Completion of 1200 career hours, including overtime, will qualify you for paid holiday. You must work a minimum of 24 hours during the holiday work week and work the scheduled day before and day after the holiday. The holiday must fall on a week day. DISCOVER STAFFING recognizes the following Federal Holidays:
• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

*Payrolled Employees are not eligible for DISCOVER STAFFING benefits.