USA - Hiring and Orientation Programs Neglected

A study of human resources practices at 50 large US companies by Watson Wyatt Worldwide, a leading global consulting firm, has found that the importance of hiring and orientation programs is often neglected in the achievement of corporate goals and employee motivation.

Hiring and Orientation Programs Neglected

More UK Jobs Created Than Destroyed

New research from the Globalisation and Economic Policy Centre at The University of Nottingham has found that 1 in 7 private sector jobs are lost in the UK each year but more are created than destroyed. Based on 1997–2005 data from Customs and Excise (VAT registered businesses) and the Inland Revenue (PAYE registered businesses), the first comprehensive survey into this topic found that 2.65 million British private sector jobs are destroyed annually, and 2.76 million created (the equivalent of 51 000 lost and 53 000 created each week).

More UK Jobs Created Than Destroyed

USA - 'Bad Apples' at Work

A study from the University of Washington Business School published in Research in Organizational Behavior examines how negative behaviour by one person in an organization can impact on teams and groups. Researchers describe these individuals as "bad apples" acting like a virus within teams, with the capacity to “upset or spoil the whole apple cart”.

'Bad Apples' at Work

UK - HR Systems Still Disappointing

A survey by PMP Research commissioned by the Evaluation Centre found that one-third of companies feel that their HR and payroll IT systems either do not meet their requirements adequately or fail to do so completely.

HR Systems Still Disappointing

UK - Intranet Policy Management Could Lead to Litigation

Research by NETconsent has found that nearly 50 per cent of UK organizations could be vulnerable to litigation by primarily using the intranet to manage corporate policies.

Intranet Policy Management Could Lead to Litigation

UK - Alarming Performance Gap at Middle Management Level

A survey by management consultancy Hay Group has concluded that underperforming middle managers are costing British business £220 billion a year in lost productivity.

Alarming Performance Gap at Middle Management Level

Latin America - New Hewitt Study

Hewitt Associates Study Reveals Salary Increases Are on Pace With Inflation, But Many Companies Favor Variable Pay to Reward and Retain in Latin American countries.

Latin American Companies Starting to Identify Top Employees and Differentiate Pay as Competition for Talent Increases

USA - Paid Leave Comparisons

A comparison of public policies for working families in 173 countries shows that while the US performs well in protecting individual employees from workplace discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age, and disability it is less effective in supporting family life.

Paid Leave Comparisons

USA - Affirmative Action

New research finds that affirmative action is still a highly contentious issue in American society with people typically opposing it either because they regard it as inherently unfair or simply because they are racist.

Affirmative Action

NZ - Outsourcing About More Than Cost

A report from IT services company Unisys predicts that the predominant trend in outsourcing for 2007 will be the expectation that service providers can deliver more than improved processes and cost limitation.

Outsourcing About More Than Cost

UK - Staff Fraud Guidance

CIFAS, the UK's Fraud Prevention Service, and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) have launched free guidance to help employers understand the threats
associated with fraud and help HR professionals manage the risks.

Growth in staff fraud prompts new guidance from CIPD and CIFAS to help businesses

UK - Winter pay outcome in the balance as recruitment difficulties worsen

The latest CIPD/KPMG quarterly Labour Market Outlook survey finds that a majority of employers expect to award staff pay rises of less than 3.5% in the busy winter pay round. But with recruitment difficulties expected to worsen at a time when employees are looking to match the recent spike in price inflation, at least 1 in 5 employers appear to be keeping their pay options open.

Winter pay outcome in the balance as recruitment difficulties worsen

Canada - Manage Workers Individually

A recent study from The Canadian Council of Human Resources Associations (CCHRA) argues against categorizing employees by age stereotypes while acknowledging the need for different HR approaches to managing Boomers and Gen Xers in some areas.


Manage Workers Individually

UK - More Women Studying Engineering - But Not For Career

Although the number of women studying engineering has increased, many use it as a route to other careers.

More Women Studying Engineering - But Not For Career

USA - Advantages of Working for Small Businesses

Despite Perceived Pay Differential, Employees Cite Work/Life Balance, Lack of Politics and Culture as Reasons to Stay at Small Companies

Survey Reveals Advantages of Working for Small Businesses Outweigh Smaller Paychecks

Asia-Pacific Talent Crisis

A survey by ISR, a global employee research and consultancy firm, has found that organizations across Asia-Pacific risk losing their most talented people.

Asia-Pacific Talent Crisis

USA - Maximize Earning Potential with a Strong Resume

A good resume can make a world of difference when it comes to negotiating salary with a new employer.

Maximize Earning Potential with a Strong Resume

USA - Managing Time Off

US companies are potentially losing millions of dollars in payroll expenses and productivity because they fail to effectively manage employees' time off.

Managing Time Off

USA - Leadership and Assertiveness

Being perceived as having too much or too little assertiveness may be the most common weakness in aspiring business leaders, resulting in them appearing less effective than those with an optimal mid-range level.

Leadership and Assertiveness

New Zealand Leads on Incentive-Based Pay

A survey by global recruitment firm Robert Half International has found that New Zealand employers are leading the way in incentive-based pay for finance professionals.

New Zealand Leads on Incentive-Based Pay

NZ - Recruitment in 2007

A report from specialist recruiter Hays anticipates that the 2007 New Zealand recruitment market will be characterized by tighter conditions, customization of careers to suit individual employees and a more positive attitude towards mature candidates.


Recruitment in 2007

UK - Women Missing From Top Jobs

Sex and Power: Who Runs Britain? 2007 is the last annual survey of senior women in the public and private sectors before the EOC is disbanded in autumn 2007 after 30 years.

Women Missing From Top Jobs

UK - Equal Pay Case

Bridget Bodman, a former accountant at manufacturing company API Group received £25 000 compensation in November 2006 in an equal pay case supported by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC).

Equal Pay Case

NZ - Strong Annual Wage Growth Continues

The Labour Cost Index (LCI) recorded an increase of 3.2 percent in salary and wage rates (including overtime) in the year to the December 2006 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today.

Strong Annual Wage Growth Continues

UK - HR and technology

Research shows that integrated IT systems enable HR professionals to show true contribution to business and allow them more time to focus on strategic business issues. A new report, HR and technology: impact and advantages, launched today from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Cranfield School of Management gives practical advice on how employers can successfully develop an integrated information technology system that will add value to business.

Well implemented IT systems enable HR to drive business performance

USA - Job Satisfaction Among Males and Females

Recent research indicates that Overall Job Satisfaction scores between male and female employees vary by dimension. Learn which factors affect which gender most strongly, and gather tips for how best to leverage these differences in the workplace.

Mars and Venus Get Engaged: Overall Job Satisfaction Among Males and Females

E-mail: Way to Gossip and Waste Time

A survey by MessageGate, Inc. has found that e-mail continues to be the most popular corporate workflow tool but that employees exercise poor judgment in its use, increasing costs and business or legal risks.

E-mail: Way to Gossip and Waste Time