Saturday, November 21, 2009

UK - Engaging Managers

Research by the Institute for Employment Studies indicates that engaging managers are made, not born - they learn from their own and other people's mistakes and modify their behaviour accordingly.

Characteristics Of Engaging Managers

UK - Dealing With An Ageing Workforce

A recent report shows that just a half of employing organisations have a formal pro-age recruitment policy. It also shows that many employers are nervous of discussing age issues with workers approaching retirement. But many organizations are willing to make adjustments to the workplace in order to help retain employees when the issue is raised informally.

Dealing With An Ageing Workforce

Thursday, November 19, 2009

USA - Gender Stereotyping

Management stereotypes are likely to evolve as more women assume leadership roles in the workforce.

Gender Stereotyping

Thursday, November 12, 2009

1.7 Million Australians Looked For Work Last Year

Just over 1,700,000 people (10% of Australians aged 15 years or more) were unemployed and looking for work at some time in the twelve months up to February 2009, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

1.7 Million Australians Looked For Work Last Year

Sunday, November 01, 2009

NZ - Hiring Expectations Up Again

The latest report from Hudson, a worldwide staffing company, shows a further improvement from last quarter with a shift towards increasing headcount of 6 percentage points to 21.9%.

NZ Hiring Expectations Up Again

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

USA - Working Longer

The latest 'UnretirementSM Index' published by the US arm of Sun Life International reveals that 65% of American employees expect to delay their retirement by at least a year - 11% more than at the end of 2008. Moreover, 27% of US workers believe that they will have to work at least an extra 5 years past the traditional retirement age of 67 because of the economic climate.

Living Longer, Working Longer

USA - E-Learning

A new report from Ambient Insight shows that the market for Self-paced E-Learning in the US will reach $16.7 billion in 2009.

E-Learning Is Gaining Ground

USA - Mergers and Acquisitions

A recent survey analyzed selected U.S. strategic mergers during the credit crisis.

Mergers And Acquisitions

Monday, October 26, 2009

UK - Recruiters Discriminate According To Name

Research reported last week by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) shows that race discrimination is still present in UK recruitment.

Recruiters Discriminate According To Name

Friday, September 25, 2009

Canada - Saskatchewan Minimum Wage

The Saskatchewan Minimum Wage Board is currently reviewing the province's minimum wage and is inviting views from members of the public. The board is mandated to review Saskatchewan's minimum wage every two years under Section 15 of The Labour Standards Act.

Saskatchewan Minimum Wage Increases

Monday, September 21, 2009

UK - CIPD Attacks Sick Pay Ruling

The CIPD have attacked last week's European Court sick pay ruling for being 'divorced from real world' and possibly forcing employers to implement less generous Statutory Sick Pay schemes.

CIPD Attacks Sick Pay Ruling

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Canada - Time To Recruit Talent

Now is the time to consider upgrading talent and making acquisitions according to a new report from RBC. Businesses can benefit from job market conditions to upgrade their talent and, for smaller companies, recruit new employees who may be the key succession planning.

Time To Recruit Talent

Friday, September 04, 2009

UK - Swine Flu

UK businesses should prepare for staff absence rates of up to 50% for periods of between two and four weeks this autumn and winter in their contingency planning arrangements for the expected second wave of swine flu.

This is the top-line advice in joint guidance published today by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the Business Continuity Institute (BCI) as schools return from the summer – a factor which some health experts believe could help trigger the expected second wave of swine flu.

CIPD Issues Swine Flu Wake-up As Employers Relax Their Guard

USA - Leadership Development Programs

Organizations that offer an HR Leadership Development Program (HRLDP) do so to feed the succession pipeline and/or to make HR more strategic, but few actually offer such a program, according to a recent study by the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp).

Only a Third of Companies Offer Formal HR Leadership Development Programs

UK - Managing References

Unemployment is at its highest for over a decade and still rising fast. One unexpected impact of this trend has been to increase the administrative burden on Human Resource (HR) departments, whose staff are required to provide references for the rising number of former employees who are seeking jobs.

Employers Find An Innovative Way To Escape The Growing Expense Of Providing References

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Australia - Apprenticeships

The CEO of Skill360 Australia has claimed that not only is the country's Vocational Education and Training sector one of the world's best, it prepares Australian apprentices for jobs anywhere in the world.


Australian Apprentices Prepared For Jobs Worldwide

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

USA - Learning In Tough Economic Times

A new report from the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) shows continued commitment to learning in the current tough economy with learning budgets holding up well compared to previous recessions.

Learning In Tough Economic Times

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

USA - Employee Engagement

Kansas State University research has found support for the view that employees who are engaged in their work, including higher levels of vigor, dedication and absorption in daily activities, also have better moods and are more satisfied at home.

Employee Engagement

Thursday, July 30, 2009

UK - Agency Workers Directive

CIPD calls for more clarity around 'equal treatment' in the Agency Workers Directive and argues for the need for clear and simple administrative processes to keep implementation costs down.

Agency Workers Directive

Friday, July 03, 2009

USA - Wellness Programs

With obesity rates making headlines across the US, 22% of organizations offer weight management programs.

Employers Can Help Reduce Obesity

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

UK - Hot Workers

With a heatwave warning in place this week for parts of the UK, and temperatures predicted to soar as high as 32oC, the TUC is today (Wednesday) calling on employers to relax office dress codes and cool down their overheating offices and their wilting employees.

Employers urged to cool down their offices and their staff

Friday, June 26, 2009

UK - Sun Safety

Many of the 2,000 people who die every year as a result of skin cancer will have suffered harmful exposure to the sun whilst at work, says the TUC as it urges employers to do more to protect their staff who have to work outside.

Employers urged to do more to protect staff from the sun

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Australia - Telstra To Negotiate With Unions

Following the departure of belligerent Telstra chief executive Sol Trujillo, the new CEO, David Thodey, apparently signalled a more concilatory approach to employee relations in an email sent to members of Telstra staff.


Telstra To Negotiate With Unions

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

UK - Value of unions to UK business

A joint statement setting out the positive contribution that modern union reps can make to the workplace has been launched by the Department for Business, the TUC and the CBI.

The value of unions to UK business

Saturday, May 09, 2009

Australia - Return to Work

Injured employees and the community are carrying the majority of the costs of work-related injury and disease in Australia, says the report released last month by the Australian Safety & Compensation Council. This report puts the costs of work-related injury and disease at $A57.5 billion, or 5.9% of the country’s gross domestic product, with the burden on workers at 49% and the community at 33%.

Latest figures spur need for Return to Work Code of Ethics - Return to Work Matters

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Time For Mergers And Acquisitions?

The economic meltdown has introduced new factors to consider when we contemplate corporate restructuring - particularly when mergers or acquisitions are involved.

Recessions are not entirely negative. They also offer opportunities to acquire new assets at relatively low prices for companies with the resources (financial and managerial) to take advantage of the circumstances.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

USA - Optimism Required

Global warming. Water shortages. Terrorism. Failing health care system. Wars around the globe. Gas prices. Severe economic downturn. Look at the headlines and it's enough to make you stay in bed.

Today's Economy DEMANDS A Critical Skill: Optimism

USA - Contractor Screening

The Hard Evidence for Contractor Screening and Employment Background Check Searches

Do You Really Know Your Contractors?

Friday, March 13, 2009

UK - Teams At Work

How good team work can increase positivity, performance and productivity.

Three Heads Are Better Than One

Australia - Communicating Change

Whenever we begin to design an employee communication strategy that is focussed on change the most important thing to consider is that the strategies implemented must engage employees, not simply inform. In other words will the employee communication strategy you are implementing cause a change in attitude and therefore behaviour or is it simply information?


Employee Communication: 6 Steps to Communicate Change

Thursday, March 12, 2009

UK - Employee Supported Volunteering

In the economic downturn, advertising budgets are being cut, marketing departments pruned, but organisations still need to be raising their profile, attracting new customers, and differentiating themselves from their competitors. CSR in the form of Employee Supported Volunteering (ESV) can help.

The Bottom Line Benefits of Employee Supported Volunteering

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

USA - IHRM Awards

The International Association for Human Resource Information Management (IHRIM) named Jonathan Hunt as its 2009 Excellence Award winner. The IHRIM Excellence Award is presented to IHRIM members who have made significant contributions to the advancement of IHRIM's mission and goals. It recognizes them for their exemplary association volunteer service and for their leadership of a project that has positively impacted the association.

Award Recognizes IHRIM Members for Outstanding Leadership and Volunteer Service

Australia - International Study Highlights Pay Equity Gap

ACTU President Sharan Burrow says that Australian women are risking loss of pay, skills and access to decent work because of the Global Financial Crisis. Sharan Burrow says that employers should do more to protect jobs and Government should fund a paid maternity leave scheme.

International Study Highlights Pay Equity Gap

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

UK - Corporate Manslaughter

Directors should be aware that any prosecutions under the new health and safety legislation could find the courts examining the entire safety culture of a business, and not just the systems and management processes in place. That was the stark warning from leading health and safety law specialist and barrister with Henderson Chambers, Oliver Campbell and GMB National Health and Safety officer Dan Shears at the British Safety Council’s recent Director’s Duties Conference in London.

Company Culture Will Be At The Centre Of Court Probe Into First Corporate Manslaughter
Prosecution, Say Top Lawyer And Leading Union Officer

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

NZ - HRINZ Awards

The Human Resources Institute of New Zealand (HRINZ) has announced the winners of the 2008/09 HRINZ HR Awards.

HRINZ HR Awards

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

USA - Free Webcasts

Cytiva, developers of talent management solutions, SonicRecruit, SonicPerform and SonicOnboard, announced today the launch of a series of free webcasts designed to help today's practitioners deal with current topics in recruiting and performance management.

Back By Popular Demand: Cytiva Announces Free Talent Management Webcast Series for 2009

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Canada - Workplace Happiness

A report from Strategic Connections Inc. highlights the negative impact on employee morale and engagement associated with the current economic downturn and suggests strategies to help organizations retain the integrity of their workforce in preparation for improved conditions.

Workplace Happiness

USA - Motivating Top Talent

Two recent reports offer guidance on motivating and developing talented employees in the current global economic downturn.

Motivating Top Talent

World - Reacting To The Global Crisis

A survey by Booz & Company of 828 senior managers from 65 countries explored corporate responses to the global economic crisis and the impact on social responsibility agendas. Respondents came from a variety of major industries.

Reacting To The Global Crisis

Saturday, February 07, 2009

Canada - More Women Fill Top Business Jobs

More women fill top executive jobs in Canada's largest publicly-traded businesses than ever before - but this still amounts to a mere 7.2%, according to a report from executive search firm Rosenzweig & Company.

More Women Fill Canada's Top Business Jobs

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

USA - Top Five Mistakes Leaders Make

Eileen McDargh offers alternative action to the top five mistakes leaders made during difficult times.

Top Five Mistakes Leaders Make in These Troubled Times

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Ireland - Absence Management

The Health Service Executive aims to eliminate double-digit absenteeism over the next year.

Absence Management In Ireland

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

UK - Employer Branding

A reputable brand can act like a magnet, drawing top talent to an organisation (updated).


Most Senior Managers Claim To 'Live The Brand'

Sunday, January 04, 2009

UK - 'Go Lean' for the New Year

Consultants and professional services firms are reliant on their people. They are the core of their business, which is why many firms are keen to keep hold of their skilled staff. For many other businesses redundancies are an obvious way to cut costs, but for project based companies it has to be the last resort.

'Go Lean' for the New Year