UK - Geoff Armstrong to Retire

Geoff Armstrong to stand down as Director General of the CIPD in June 2008

Geoff Armstrong will have held the post for 16 years, having seen membership more than double to almost 130,000 members including 47,000 fully chartered members.

USA - Recruitment Outsourcing

According to a recent survey conducted by the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp - formerly HRI), more than a third (34.4%) of companies surveyed have outsourced portions of their recruiting function, compared with 15.4% in 2005. The positions leading the way in third-party sourcing are executives (56.5%) and experienced professionals (43.5%). The least-outsourced function is supervisors, at 14.5%.


More than one-third of organizations today report outsourcing portions of the recruitment function, compared with slightly more than 15% two years ago.

Australia - Council workers face loss of penalty rates, overtime pay

Thousands of Council workers are facing the loss of weekend penalty rates, overtime pay and public holidays as their employers launch a concerted bid to bring Council employees under the Howard Government’s new IR laws it has been revealed today.

Council workers face loss of penalty rates, overtime pay

USA - HRsmart Announces Significant First Quarter Revenue Growth

HRsmart, a leading global provider of talent management technology solutions and one of the fastest growing and most profitable firms in the industry, announced today a more than 70-percent increase in revenue for the first quarter 2007 in year-over-year sales.

HRsmart Announces Significant First Quarter Revenue Growth

UK - Racism spirals out of control in UK

In light of the recent Celebrity Big Brother race row it's no surprise that 8 out of 10 of us think racism is a problem in British society. Yet in an age where the UK is striving for multiculturalism, over half of us think racism is getting worse, not better.

Racism spirals out of control in UK

UK - Holiday Entitlement

Several million of the UK's hard-working employees should soon be enjoying more leisure time with their family and friends thanks to Government plans to increase the legal minimum holiday entitlement for all UK workers, says the TUC today (Wednesday).

Don't make workers wait too long for extra holiday, says TUC

Australia - Workplace Health

With up to 50% of workers claiming that occupational stress leads to absenteeism, and 41% saying it causes poor work performance, employers are beginning to recognise the need for a workplace which is mentally as well as physically healthy, and goes beyond the basic OH&S requirements.

Do you have a mentally and physically healthy workplace?

UK Facing Skills Crisis

55% of employers in a new survey are finding it more difficult to recruit skilled workers now compared to five years ago.

UK Facing Skills Crisis

UK - National Minimum Wage

The Government has announced that the adult minimum wage rate will rise to £5.52 from £5.35 an hour in October.

National Minimum Wage Increases

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

Japan - Public workers' rights denied

The ITUC released a new report on core labour standards in Japan.

New ITUC report: Public workers' rights denied in Japan

UK - Enough Employment Legislation

Effective enforcement of employment legislation is less important than encouraging employers to see the organizational benefits of promoting a just workplace.

'Provocation Paper' Argues Against More Employment Legislation

USA - New Hampshire’s Aging Workforce

New England’s aging workforce could stall economic development and job growth in the future, according to a report prepared by Northeastern University’s Center for Labor Market Studies. The report was released today as part of The New England Council’s Older Worker Initiative. The numbers are significant in New Hampshire, which the report indicates has a larger and more rapidly growing share of the older population.

The New England Council Releases Studies on New Hampshire’s Aging Workforce

UK - EOC Advocates More Flexibility

A recent report from the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has found that half the working population would like more flexibility at work.

EOC Advocates More Flexibility

Canada - New centre on Prince Edward Island

Ceridian Canada, a leading human resources services company, will establish a centre of excellence on Prince Edward Island to meet its growing customer requirements for talent acquisition, payroll and other human resources services.

Human Resources Firm Ceridian Canada to Establish Centre of Excellence on Prince Edward Island

USA - ADA Does Not Protect Employees With Psychiatric Disabilities

A new study findsthat sixteen years after enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), people with psychiatric disabilities have less favourable outcomes in claims of employment discrimination than those with physical disabilities.

ADA Does Not Protect Employees With Psychiatric Disabilities

New Zealand - Strikes

Forty-nine work stoppages ended in the September 2006 year, Statistics New Zealand said today. This compares with 52 stoppages for the September 2005 year. Stoppages in the September 2006 year also involved fewer employees (12,508) than in the previous September year, but had a larger economic impact.


Fewer Work Stoppages but Greater Impact

New Zealand - Annual Leave

With 1 April fast approaching, it's time for employers to start their final planning to prepare for the move to four weeks' annual holiday, says Minister of Labour Ruth Dyson.

4 weeks annual leave fast approaching

UK - Work-life Balance and the Public Sector

Public sector employers may 'talk the talk' on work-life balance, but in practice have limited commitment to changing standard working patterns.

Work-life Balance and the Public Sector

UK - Poor Leadership Affecting Business Performance

A new survey indicates that UK bosses' lack of leadership skills in setting objectives, motivating employees and dealing with poor performers is having an adverse effect on business performance.

Poor Leadership Affecting Business Performance

USA - The Carrot Principle

In 'The Carrot Principle - How the Best Managers Use Recognition to Engage Their People, Retain Talent, and Accelerate Performance' management consultants Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton explain how organizations and managers can use praise and recognition to motivate their workforces.

The Carrot Principle

USA - Performance Management - Key Practices

Survey indicates that there is significant scope for improvement in the performance management systems of many companies.

Performance Management - Key Practices

Canada - Directors' Average Pay Nearly CDN$120,000

Survey finds average Canadian director compensation was CDN$118 026 in 2006 - an increase of 15 per cent. Equity accounted for 87 per cent of that growth.

Directors' Average Pay Nearly CDN$120,000

Boardroom Pay and the Risk Myth

FTSE 100 CEOs have little more risk of being fired or made redundant than the average employee. However, they tend to live longer and have the advantage of large pensions and sizeable pay offs.


Boardroom Pay and the Risk Myth

USA - Utility Salaries Standing Still

The Compensation Data 2006 survey of more than 5300 employers reveals that salaries within utilities have largely stood still over the last three years.

Utility Salaries Standing Still

Canada - Public and Private Pensions

New research by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) shows a widening gap between the public and private sector in terms of retirement trends and pension plans.

Pensions: Widening Gap Between Public and Private

Fast-Food Management

Jerry Newman, a college professor who has taught business courses for nearly 30 years, went undercover as a bottom-rung worker for the biggest names in fast food, including McDonald's and Burger King. Newman found that fast-food chains were the perfect petri dishes for covert research: High-pressure, high-volume businesses with high-employee turnover. The pecking order was also crystal clear, from fry cook all the way up to store manager.

Fast-Food Management

Canada - Growing Poverty Casts Shadow

A recent report by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) shows that a growing number of Canadians are trapped in jobs that don't earn enough to cover the cost of rent and food. More Canadians are employed and some are paid a little more than last year, but the number working for poverty wages has also increased.

Growing Poverty Casts Shadow

Hong Kong Lacking Fundamental Employee Rights

A recent report by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) is critical of Hong Kong's continuing failure to ensure fundamental employment rights. It highlights lack of legal recognition for trade unions, absence of collective bargaining, and insufficient protection against various forms of discrimination.

Hong Kong Lacking Fundamental Employee Rights

UK - The Changing Pattern of Benefits

Watson Wyatt's Benefit Provider Research Report 2006 looks at changing patterns of benefits offered by 142 UK employers.

The Changing Pattern of Benefits

UK - Age and City Law Firms

Recent research considers the impact on senior and managing partners in leading UK law firms of the Age Discrimination Act which came into force on October 1, 2006.

Age and City Law Firms

USA - HR Ripe For Outsourcing

A recent survey has found that organizations are ripe for HR outsourcing as they increasingly seek standardization as part of a re-emphasis on strategic business initiatives.

HR Ripe for Outsourcing

New Zealand - Job Hunting

Every January there is a huge surge in the number of people searching for a new job as employees come back to work after Christmas looking for a fresh start for the New Year.

New Year The Most Popular Time To Look For A New Job

UK - Unemployment remains at 5.5%

The unemployment rate remains at 5.5% - up over the previous year but flat over the quarter. 29.03 million people were in work in the period September to November according to the labour force survey (LFS). This remains one of the highest figures on record, up by 14,000 in the last quarter and 274,000 over the last year.

Employment Statistics

UK - Vurv Acquires People Business Network

Addition of Industry's Leading Offboarding, Business Analytics and Workforce Planning Software Creates Deepest and Broadest Talent Management Suite

Vurv Acquires People Business Network

UK - Trainers Conflict With Senior Management

A recent survey survey of in-house training professionals by The Ken Blanchard Companies finds that senior managers are undermining the training programmes they have asked for.

Trainers Conflict With Senior Management

USA - Managers Prefer Long Weekends Over Vacations

A recent survey found that workers below management grade are more likely to make full use of their holiday entitlement compared to executive and middle-level employees, who tend to take long weekend vacations. While employees value time away many feel obliged to work and stay in touch with their organizations on their days off.

Managers Prefer Long Weekends Over Vacations

USA - Wonderlic Announces Release of Revised Wonderlic Personnel Test (WPT-R)

Update incorporates the latest advances in test development and scoring, accurately measuring intelligence and predicting success on the job.

Wonderlic Announces Release of Revised Wonderlic Personnel Test (WPT-R)

Australia - Unemployment remains at 4.6%

Seasonally adjusted, the number of people in employment also rose by 44,600 to 10,337,300 in December.

Unemployment at 4.6%

Canada - 50 Best Employers

The 2007 survey by Hewitt Associates of the 50 Best Employers in Canada found that the Best Employers have lower turnover, receive more applications and experience better business results.

50 Best Employers in Canada

USA - Unemployment at 4.5%

Payroll employment rose by 167,000 in December, and the
unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.5 percent

US Unemployment at 4.5%

Canada - Unemployment

Statistics Canada reports that the unemployment rate fell by 0.2% to 6.1% in December, accompanied by an increase of 62,000 in the number of people employed. This is a return to the 30-year historic low and reflects the 2.1% increase in employment during 2006.


Unemployment Falls By 0.2% to 6.1%

UK - CIPD Predictions for 2007

The year to come will be another good one for job creation, but the overall economic outlook hinges on the crucial winter pay round that is now upon us, according to Dr John Philpott , Chief Economist at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

CIPD forecasts warn of rising pay threat to employment prospects

New Zealand - Minimum Wage

Workers earning the minimum wage will receive a 9.8% pay rise from April 2007, Labour Minister Ruth Dyson announced today.

Largest increase to minimum wage since 1999

New Zealand - Two out of three workers happy in jobs - bosses rated highly

A new international workplace survey has found that the overwhelming majority of New Zealand’s employees are happy in their work, while they also believe that their bosses are doing a good job.

Two out of three workers happy in jobs - bosses rated highly

UK - Britons Keen on Overseas Work - But Not the Languages

The Institute for Public Policy Research has published a report, featured on the BBC website, showing that up to 6 million British people live or work abroad for at least part of the year. The most popular location is Australia, where there are 1.3 million resident Britons, followed by Spain (761,000), the USA (678,000) and Canada (603,000). Many of these have retired overseas, encouraged to seek cheaper accommodation and better weather by TV programmes such as Place in the Sun, but large numbers are also seeking work.

Britons Keen on Overseas Work - But Not the Languages

UK - Graduate Training in Northern Ireland

Invest Northern Ireland has recently appointed business and IT technology services organization Parity, in partnership with Envision, to deliver a new graduate export development programme.

Graduate Training in Northern Ireland

UK - HR Books From Amazon.co.uk

A new selection of bestselling human resource books available from Amazon.co.uk

HR Books

North Americans Stay Productive in the Holiday Season

A recent survey suggests worker productivity will be maintained as the holiday season approaches. The Adecco North America 2006 Holiday Survey, part of the Workplace Insights Series, found two-thirds (67 per cent) of 1023 workers questioned (511 men; 512 women) said they will not be spending any time shopping online during business hours. Of the remainder, 26 per cent estimated that they would spend less than six hours online. The majority of respondents (79 per cent) were not planning to take a personal or sick day to shop during the holidays.

North Americans Stay Productive in the Holiday Season

USA - Lack of After-School Care Affects Parent Productivity

New research has found that millions of American parents are less productive at work because they are worried about what their children are doing after school. The report, entitled After-School Worries: Tough on Parents, Bad for Business, was prepared by Catalyst, a leading non profit organization working to improve conditions for women in employment, in cooperation with the Women's Studies Research Center at Brandeis University.

Lack of After-School Care Affects Parent Productivity

Global - Time Management Produces Results

A recent survey by Watson Wyatt Worldwide, a leading global consulting firm, has found that when it comes to delivering revenue growth, it is not how many hours a sales force works, it is how they allocate their time. Rewarding salespeople with more incentive- and stock-based pay can also make a big difference.

Time Management Produces Results

USA - Streamlining Makes Meetings Meaningful

A few simple guidelines can make office meetings productive instead of a source of boredom or dread, according to Taggart Smith, professor of organizational leadership and supervision in the College of Technology, Purdue University. One of the key factors to running a good meeting is to make sure it's needed in the first place.

Streamlining Makes Meetings Meaningful

UK - Recruiting Older Employees

A new report from Taleo Research and The Age and Employment Network (TAEN), urges UK companies to address the looming skills shortage and capitalize on the ageing workforce by changing their approach to recruitment.

Recruiting Older Employees

UK - Civil Engineers Back Flexible Working

A new survey to identify challenges faced by today's civil engineers found that they require tools to increase flexibility and efficiency if they are to maximize opportunities presented by a buoyant market.

Civil Engineers Back Flexible Working

UK - Employees and Employers: 'A Marriage Breakdown in Progress?'

Survey shows that relationships between employers and employees in many workplaces are characterized by poor communication and low levels of trust resulting in underperformance, low productivity and high staff turnover.

Employees and Employers: 'A Marriage Breakdown in Progress?'

USA - Few Women in California's Top Decision-Making Roles

New research conducted at the University of California, Davis shows that women still hold only one in 10 top decision-making positions at California's 400 largest publicly traded companies.

Few Women in California's Top Decision-Making Roles

Australia - Commonwealth Bank and ACTU Disagree on Job Contracts

The Commonwealth Bank strongly refutes what it describes as the 'misleading allegations made by the ACTU'.


Commonwealth Bank and ACTU Disagree on Job Contracts

UK - Office Parties

Two new articles on this subject:

Preliminary findings from the CIPD annual Reward Management survey suggest that manufacturing firms are half as likely to provide a Christmas gift in 2006 and the number throwing a Christmas party has dropped from 71 per cent in 2005 to 60 per cent this year.


Employers Cut Back on Christmas Rewards

A new survey of almost 5000 managers by law firm Peninsula suggests that the majority are concerned that this year's office Christmas parties will lead to employment tribunal claims because of bad staff behaviour.

Office Party Warnings

Canada - 'Toxic' Communication

North American companies are suffering from "toxic communication," say experts at Juice Inc., a consulting firm for leaders who want to boost their organizational energy levels and employee engagement. They suggest that if a hall of shame for corporate communications existed, the true stories in this article would be solid contenders for a display case.


How to Avoid 'Toxic Communication'

UK - Apprenticeships

A new report from the CIPD finds that despite Government efforts, take-up of apprenticeships by large employers remains limited.

Combined Effort Needed For Apprentice Training

USA - Offshoring Could Save $58 Billion a Year

New research from The Hackett Group, a strategic advisory firm and an Answerthink company, estimates that Fortune 500 companies could potentially save US$58 billion annually, or over US$116 million on average, by off-shoring many of their back office activities.

Offshoring Could Save $58 Billion a Year

UK - Eastern European Migration Falling

Recent Home Office figures show that the rate of migration from central and eastern Europe is falling.


Migrants Boost Labour Market

Australia - NSW wages going backwards, say ACTU

New research by ACTU appears to show that workers in New South Wales are being hard hit by the Government's industrial relations laws with average wages for full time employees falling by AS$33 a week in real terms over the last year.

NSW wages going backwards, say ACTU

UK - FTSE 100 executives pull ahead

A new survey has found that the strong performance of many FTSE 100 companies is reflected in significant increases in the total direct compensation for CEOs and other board directors, mostly in the form of bonuses and other elements of 'at risk' pay.

FTSE 100 executives pull ahead

UK - Work and Families

A new survey by CIPD/KPMG finds that many employers believe that the implementation
of new legal rights for working mothers and fathers will cause them difficulty.

Most employers anticipate difficulties coping with new rights for workers with family responsibilities

UK - Age Discrimination

A new report in the journal Hazards indicates that over one-third of UK workers believe they will be unable to do their current job by the time they are sixty. In the last six years the UK has slipped from first to sixth in the European league table in this respect. The report argues that employers should stop using bogus health and safety excuses to get rid of older staff or avoid recruiting from this age group. Instead they should make more effort to keep the ageing UK population in work and off benefits.

One third of UK workers fear they will be unfit for work by 60

USA - AMA Change Survey

More than 80% of executives say that the pace of change is speeding up in organizations all over the world. And seven out of 10 say that their organizations experienced disruptive change during the last year. That’s according to a new global survey released today commissioned by American Management Association (AMA) and conducted by the Human Resource Institute (HRI).

AMA's Agility and Resilience Survey Reveals Effects of Change on Business

UK - Acas advises on Christmas parties

Christmas is a happy time - or is it? People can get overexcited and may act out of character. We've all heard the story about employees photocopying certain parts of their anatomy on the office photocopier. But what can an employer do about it?

Acas gives companies free 'Happy Christmas Party' advice

UK - Employment Situation

Unemployment rises to 5.6%

Employment Statistics

USA - The Job Journey

Sacramento-based The Job Journey is changing the employment outlook for Generation Y students and employers across the U.S. Still in its first year as a nationwide offering, the soft-skills development program is in use by Intel Corporation, Gates Foundation-funded Sacramento New Technology High School, PECO Energy Corporation, public, private and federally-funded schools, and by youth advocacy groups in nine states across the U.S., including California, Washington, Arizona, Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Alabama, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

Innovative Program Takes on Generation Y Employment Issues, Changing Education and Employment Paradigms Across the Nation

NZ - Youth Pay Rates Discriminatory

Youth pay rates for 16 and 17-year-olds are discriminatory and breach the basic concept of equal pay for work of equal value, says EEO Commissioner, Dr Judy McGregor.

Commission backs abolishing minimum wage discrimination

NZ - Employment Situation

In seasonally adjusted terms, the labour market eased slightly in the September 2006 quarter, with a small fall in the number of employed, Statistics New Zealand said today.

High Employment but Labour Market Eases

USA - Effects of the Brain Drain on Health Care

Baby boomers are nearing retirement, which has caused concern over the potential for workforce shortages, particularly in the health care industry. As analysts make their predictions for the future, Compdata Surveys reviewed salary trends over the last few years for four positions: radiology director, licensed physical therapist, staff pharmacist and registered nurse. According to the Compensation Data annual survey of more than 5,300 employers, salaries have grown rapidly for radiology directors, licensed physical therapists and staff pharmacists over the last three years in the United States, while registered nurses have seen increases in supplemental pay and benefits.

Effects of the Brain Drain on Health Care

UK - Working Time Opt-out Not Necessary, say TUC

As European ministers meet to discuss the future of the UK's opt-out from the Working Time Directive's 48 hour limit on the average working week, the TUC has today (Tuesday) published a new analysis of official figures showing that the UK 'does not need an opt-out' any longer.

UK 'doesn't need long hours opt-out'

UK - Recruitment Industry Booms

Turnover in the UK’s recruitment industry, which has hit the highest levels on record, is a strong indicator of the current growth within the UK economy, the annual industry report has revealed.

Record High in Recruitment Industry Turnover Reflects Strong Growth in UK Economy, Annual Report Reveals

UK - Management Jargon

A survey for Investors in People finds that 54% of employees in the UK regard management jargon as a source of communication problems.


Management Jargon Baffles Employees

NZ - Asians, Cultural Attitudes and Sexual Identity

A recent New Zealand study finds that lesbians, gays and bisexuals of Asian origin are less open than other New Zealanders about their sexuality because of differing cultural attitudes. This has significant implications for professionals, especially those in health and social work.

Asians, Cultural Attitudes and Sexual Identity

Canada - Employment Situation

Statistics Canada reports that the unemployment rate fell by 0.2% to 6.2% in October, accompanied by an increase of 51,000 in the number of people employed.


Canadian Unemployment Falls By 0.2% to 6.2%

USA - Employment Situation

Bureau of Labor Statistics reports payroll employment increase of 92,000 in October and fall in unemployment rate to 4.4 percent.

US unemployment falls to 4.4%

USA - Human Capital Institute Launches New Education Program

The Human Capital Institute (HCI), a global professional association and educator in talent management strategies, announced today that it has launched a new education program aimed at providing key executives, line managers, and human capital professionals with the newest ideas, most effective tools, and best practices in talent acquisition, alignment, engagement, deployment, measurement, retention, and other strategic practices.

Human Capital Institute Launches New Education Program

USA - A Passion for Diversity

Some people work at their jobs because they have to make a living, and they get to express themselves after work. Some people have careers that they love, and have a hard time not taking home their work with them when they go home. And then there are successful people in the diversity field. They have a passion for diversity and they live their work. Whether or not they take their work home with them, their work is always driven by the values they live every day, and their lives are driven by the values they promote at work.

Full article at:


A Passion for Diversity

UK - CIPD changes 2007 events

Harrogate and HRD 2007 - CIPD announces significant changes to its two flagship events for people management and development professionals

USA - Listening to Employees

Companies spend millions of dollars each year for programs designed to improve the
competitiveness of their organizations. Yet, many of them do not take the time and effort to understand the concerns of the people whose behavior must change to achieve the desired business results.

Listening to Employees Vital to Successful Change, Says RHR International

This item includes a really good list of key components that affect employees' readiness for change.

N. America - Talent Acquisition Software

SonicRecruit’s service, OFCCP compliance, ease of use and flexibility are key factors in signing the second-largest lighting and materials enterprise in the world.

OSRAM SYLVANIA Selects SonicRecruit to Brighten Up Its Hiring Efforts

Australia - TAFE system underfunded, say ACTU

The ACTU is calling on the Federal Government to stop ducking its responsibility to fix Australia's under-funded TAFE system following a new report that shows young Australians are missing out on a high quality technical education.

Young Australians Deprived of Technical Education & Skills: New Research

Locating Unrecognized Talent

Succession planners can locate unknown talent, like the TV show American Idol, by using 360-degree feedback. Users of Panoramic Feedback have found that aggregate reports from 360 are valuable for identifying skilled individuals who are invisible to succession plans because they are outside the inner circles.

"American Idol" And 360-Degree Feedback Teach Effective Succession Planning

UK - Employment situation

The unemployment rate stands at 5.5% - up on the previous month and the quarter - however, 29.02 million people were in work in the period June to August according to the labour force survey (LFS). This remains the highest figure on record, up by 120,000 in the last quarter and 255,000 over the last year.


Employment Statistics

UK - Workplace Dispute Resolutions

Rita Donaghy, Acas Chair, has called on employers and employees to work together to resolve disagreements as early as possible, arguing that unresolved disputes damage workplace relationships and lead to reduced business efficiency.

Acas Chair advocates early dispute resolution

UK - TUC goes to Poland

A TUC delegation is heading for Poland to advise prospective migrant workers on British employment law and union membership before they set off for the UK.

TUC goes to Poland

USA - Executive Perks Survey

The Compensation Data annual survey of more than 5,300 employers shows that almost two-thirds (64.6%) provided cell phones as an executive perk and 43.6% offered laptops or home PCs.

Executive Perk Survey

UK - Scottish smoking ban produces rapid health improvement

A Dundee study shows significant improvements in bar workers' lung function and a reduction in reported respiratory symptoms within the first few months of the ban on smoking in confined public places in Scotland.

Scottish smoking ban produces rapid health improvement

Australia - Employment Situation

Unemployment falls back to 4.8%

Seasonally adjusted, the number of people in employment also rose by 23,400 to 10,265,500 in September.

USA - Employment Situation

Bureau of Labor Statistics reports unemployment rate and the number of unemployed persons were little changed at 4.6 percent and 6.9 million, respectively.

US unemployment falls marginally to 4.6%

Canada - Employment Situation

Statistics Canada reports that the unemployment rate fell by 0.1% to 6.4% in September, accompanied by an increase of 16,200 in the number of people employed.


Unemployment Falls By 0.1% to 6.4%

Australia - Risk-taking CEOs

A comparison of Australian and U.S. CEOs shows American business leaders to be more conservative and reserved while Australians are more fun-loving and risk-taking.

Australian CEOs Greater Risk-Takers Than Americans

USA - Scot achieves Senior VP at Papa John

McCue, a native of Scotland who recently became a US citizen, has nearly 30 years of global human resources experience with leading companies in a broad range of industries.

Papa John’s Hires Peter McCue as Senior Vice President, Human Resources

UK - TUC welcomes minimum wage increase

The TUC has today (Sunday) welcomed the seventh annual increase in the national minimum wage, hailing the 30p rise in the adult rate as a significant boost to the pay packets of over a million low-paid workers, the majority of them women working part-time.

TUC hails October minimum wage rise

Australia - IR laws hitting take-home pay, say ACTU

Analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data by the ACTU appears to show that employees' that average earnings have failed to keep pace with inflation for the first time in 5 years.

New IR Laws Reducing Take-Home Pay, say ACTU

USA - Powerful CEOs pay employees more

New research has analyzed perceptions of fairness in executive pay and how CEO over- or underpayment cascades down to lower organizational levels.

Powerful CEOs pay employees more

USA - Citygroup attracts law graduates

Citigroup Global Wealth Management has recently has teamed up with a number of top law firms and law schools to introduce CitiSelect, described as an innovative recruitment programme aimed at providing graduating law students with a new way to fast track their careers.

Citigroup attracts law graduates

USA - Six Sigma and Lean

As courtships go, none has been more contested and anticipated than the evolving
relationship between Six Sigma and Lean. According to a recent study by The Avery Point Group, a leading national executive search firm specializing in Lean and Six Sigma,
there are increasing signs that these two corporate initiatives are headed down the aisle of eternal matrimony.

Six Sigma and Lean: A Marriage in the Making

USA - Peak Performances in Hospitality Industry

Coyle Hospitality Group (CHG) has announced the successful launch and implementation of Peak Performances, an interactive online tool that allows hoteliers, spa directors and restaurateurs to identify, cull, and share Best Practices with their entire team; all with just a few mouse clicks.

Coyle Hospitality Group Launches 'Peak Performances Module' Interactive Online Tool Helps Hype Hospitality Heroes

USA - Directors' Pay

Median annual compensation for Directors of major U.S. companies surged 12% to $204,000, marking the third year of double-digit growth in Board pay, according to a new report from compensation consultancy Pearl Meyer & Partners. The findings are based on 2006 public filings by the 200 largest U.S. industrial and services companies and were announced at the Conference Board’s 12th annual Pay at the Top conference on executive and Board compensation.

Director Pay Up 12%, Topping $200,000 at Largest U.S. Companies

UK - Communication Handbook

Two of the UK's most experienced internal communicators have teamed up to write a practical communication and engagement handbook for managers.

New handbook aims to make managers better communicators

UK - Coaching Supervision

New research by the CIPD finds that despite a dramatic growth in the use of coaching in organizations in recent years, very few are using supervision to support their coaches and to get the best value from their coaching services.

Coaching Supervision

USA - Employee Survey Case Study

A case study of Best Practices on using employee opinion survey results to affect change and increase employee retention.

Turning Data Into Action: How The Breakers Palm Beach Resort Maximized Employee Survey Results

UK - Ramadan

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins in the next few days. Millions of people from London to Lahore will fast everyday from sunrise to sunset for 30 days. Among these will be significant numbers of Muslims working in offices in Europe and North America where Ramadan slips past unnoticed. A lack of awareness about the holy month can and does cause inconvenience, stress and unhappiness to practicing Muslims in the workplace. Kwintessential, a leading intercultural communication and diversity training provider, is now offering free consultation plus a guide for employers with Muslim staff to help them better understand the month and what it means to Islam’s adherents.

Intercultural Training and Diversity Company Offer Free Consultation to HR During Ramadan

USA - Identity Theft Tips

The common notion is that identity theft is a crime committed by computer hackers who
steal information via the Internet. The reality is that a lot of information is stolen from unsecured files and paperwork. The source of the crime is often corporations, small businesses, and other organizations that hold sensitive data on file. The perpetrators are often company employees.

Security Expert's Top 5 Tips to Combat Identity Theft

USA - Higher Compensation Levels for Senior Living Positions in Massachusetts

WageWatch, Inc., (http://www.WageWatch.com), the leading online compensation and benefits survey company, announced today that jobs in the senior living industry in Massachusetts pay from 15% to 30% higher than the national average. WageWatch’s Senior Living Industry report for Massachusetts contains data on 10,500 employees from over 111 facilities in the area.

New Survey Reveals Higher Compensation Levels for Senior Living Positions in Massachusetts

USA - Are Big Companies Better at Producing Talent? Not in Sales

Survey reveals major disconnect in hiring philosophy between corporate recruiters and line managers.

Are Big Companies Better at Producing Talent? Not in Sales

USA - Nurses suffer work-life conflict

A recent national survey of American registered nurses found that half reported that work chronically interfered with their home lives.


Nurses suffer work-life conflict

UK - TUC on minimum wage

The TUC argues that it is wrong to blame recent problems in the retail sector on the minimum wage.

TUC comments on minimum wage survey

UK - CIPD on pensions policy

In its response to the Government's white paper on pensions, the CIPD has called upon the Government to be more holistic in its approach to pensions policy.

CIPD responds to government pensions white paper

Australia - Telstra cuts contract technicians pay

More than 100 independent contractors working for Telstra as telephone technicians in regional New South Wales are facing cuts of between 25 per cent and 50 per cent to their contract pay rates.


Telstra cuts technicians contract pay rates

USA - Career Exits

According to the first survey on employee exits by career publisher Vault Inc., 61 per cent of respondents have exited a job on bad terms with their employer.

Career exits

Europe - Wide variation in maternity benefits

A recent study has found that the UK and Ireland have the lowest levels of statutory maternity pay in Western Europe. British and Irish women receive lower pay entitlements than those in some Eastern European countries. In contrast, Denmark and Norway have the highest level of maternity benefits, more than twice those in the UK.

Wide variation in European maternity benefits

UK - Web use at work

A report by ScanSafe, a global specialist in managed web security, reveals significant differences in workplace web searching in the UK and US.

Web use at work

USA - Employment sites do the job

Recruiters and HR leaders find online job sites effective in filling openings, despite complaints that they generate too many unqualified applicants.

Employment sites do the job

North America - Telecommuting

Rising gas prices have resulted in many professionals considering telecommuting as an economical work option, but spending too much time working from home can mean saying goodbye to the corner office.


Who Telecommutes?

USA - Rising demand for top executives

A new report by Rick Slayton from Chicago-based Slayton Search Partners examines factors that have created a sellers' market in the executive search game.

Rising demand for top executives

Australia - Almost a third of nurses experience abuse

Almost one-third of nurses who took part in a large-scale Tasmanian study reported that they had been subjected to both physical and verbal abuse in the previous four working weeks and a quarter had considered resigning as a result.

Almost a third of nurses experience abuse

UK - Women Directors 'Own Worst Enemy'

A survey of over 100 female directors in the UK has found that many believe that women may be their own worst enemies when it comes to success in the boardroom.

Women Directors 'Own Worst Enemy'

USA - Pink Collar CEOs

Twice as many women hold the top executive position in the Fortune 500 compared to five years ago. The number has increased from five in August 2001 and will be 11 in October 2006 whenPepsiCo chief finance officer Indra Nooyi is scheduled to take over as CEO.


Pink Collar CEOs

USA - Diversity Training Doesn't Work

A new study shows that diversity training programs have failed to eliminate bias and increase the number of minorities in management, despite the fact that many corporations have spent increasing amounts of money on this area.

Diversity Training Doesn't Work