UK Workers Have Little Trust in Bosses

Nearly one-third of young professionals lack trust in their employer according to research from recruitment consultants Badenoch & Clark.

UK Workers Have Little Trust in Bosses

UK - Working Mums Rely On Grandparents For Childcare

Nearly half of working parents (44 per cent) in the UK are reliant upon their own parents to help with childcare.

Working Mums Rely On Grandparents For Childcare

Australia - Widening Gender Pay Gap

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) marked Equal Pay Day in September 2010 by highlighting a widening gender pay gap.

Widening Gender Pay Gap

HRIS Revised

Revised page on Human Resource Information Systems:

Human Resource Information Systems

See also - North American HR executives are increasing their commitment to talent management and the HR technology supporting it at:

HR Executives Making More Of Technology

USA - Volunteers Disliked

Employees who readily volunteer even for unwanted tasks tend to be disliked by less selfless colleagues.

Volunteers Disliked

USA - Failure Is A Learning Opportunity

Companies responding to high profile failures tend to learn from the experience and ultimately prove more successful.

Failure Is A Learning Opportunity

UK - No Plans To Retire

10 per cent of the UK working population (the equivalent of 3.5 million) have no plans to retire and 42 per cent are unable to say at what age they plan to stop working.

No Plans To Retire

USA - Cultural Capital And Teen Ambitions

Low-income or minority status students prepare for college in a different way to their more privileged counterparts, regardless of academic ability or future plans.

Cultural Capital And Teen Ambitions

USA - Women, Networks And Negotiation

Informal support networks in the workplace are less advantageous to women employees in terms of career progression..

Women, Networks And Negotiation

UK - Technology...the biggest distraction in the workplace?

Businesses are being warned to ensure they have guidelines in place for misuse of technology in the workplace after reports that people are spending more than half the day using technology.


Technology...the biggest distraction in the workplace?

USA - Overcoming Top Myths in HR

What makes the best in HR really the best? Human resources is a complex, multifaceted field that requires professionals to have the ability to juggle priorities and excel at a number of tasks-from the sometimes tedious to the often strategic.

Overcoming Top Myths in HR

Canada - References Can Be Decisive

Despite the emphasis placed on strong resumes and interview performance, the results
of a reference check can be decisive in determining the outcome of a job application.

References Can Be Decisive

UK - Recruiters Wary Of Social Media

65 per cent of graduate recruiters are wary of using social media and one in seven perceives it as 'dangerous'.

Recruiters Wary Of Social Media

UK - Internet Use At Work

More than half of British workers access social media websites while at work.

Internet Use At Work

UK - Abolishing Default Retirement Age

Earlier this month, the charity Age UK welcomed the Government's decision to consult on abolishing the default retirement age (DRA) from October 2011, describing it as a 'huge victory' for older workers and a 'landmark' for UK society. The charity
argues that the economy, public finances and employers will all benefit from the proposed change. Age UK estimates that in 2009 about 100,000 workers over the age of 65 were forced to retire with employers using this mechanism as a short cut to shedding jobs.

Abolishing Default Retirement Age

Canada - Correcting Myths About Temporary Work

A report from Canadian staffing firm Accountemps corrects common misconceptions about temporary work and its role in the current job market.

Correcting Myths About Temporary Work

Canada - Job Hunting Advice

There is an improving trend in recruitment for the third quarter of 2010, according to a survey by Canadian specialized staffing service The Creative Group. Nevertheless, with the risk of another dip in the economy, today's competitive market requires considerably more effort than in recent years.

Job Hunting Advice

Canada - Interview Mistakes

A survey conducted among 228 Canadian hiring managers identified body language mistakes in interview that are likely to reduce chances of recruitment.

Interview Mistakes

Can/US - What Recruiters Want

How potential employees can best respond to increased use of recruiters as the economy recovers.

What Recruiters Want

UK - Equal Pay? Wait Another 57 Years

40 years after the 1970 Equal Pay Act, male and female salaries are converging so slowly in the UK that it will take more than another five decades to reach equality, according to a report from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and XpertHR.

Equal Pay? Wait Another 57 Years

USA - Creating a Strategic Vision

Are You Making These 3 Mistakes Most Organizations Unknowingly Make?

Creating a Strategic Vision

Canada - What is necessary for business success?

Canada’s fastest growing companies reveal their HR practices

What is necessary for business success?

UK - More Effort Needed For Apprentice Training

The shortage of university places has led students to look for apprenticeships as an
alternative but they are likely to be disappointed according to the TUC which says that employers are failing to provide enough places on schemes that provide on-the-job training.

More Effort Needed For Apprentice Training

Can/USA - Employees Value Company Stability

Employees of all ages are placing greater emphasis on company stability when making career decisions but four out of ten surveyed said they are more likely to consider moving to new organizations as a result of the recession.

Employees Value Company Stability

Canada - Trust and Honesty

Trusting others may be indicative of good judgement of honest behaviour rather than gullibility according to University of Toronto research.

Trust and Honesty

Canada - Stereotyping

The experience of being stereotyped has a lasting negative impact according to research from the University of Toronto.

Stereotyping

USA - Understanding Generational Differences In The Workplace

Organizations that only consider age when addressing generational divisions in the workforce risk losing knowledge to retirements and higher staff turnover.


Understanding Generational Differences In The Workplace

USA - Modest Men Not Appreciated

Modest responses from men in job interviews tend to be associated with weakness and low status according to research from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, published in Psychology of Men and Masculinity. Women candidates displaying such traits are less likely to be judged in the same way.

Modest Men Not Appreciated

Using Social Media To Improve Job Chances

Useful tips to adapt job seekers' messages so they are more likely to 'go viral'.

Using Social Media To Improve Job Chances

USA - Sex-Based Discrimination

Gender harassment in the workplace has a negative impact on women’s physical and emotional health irrespective of whether it includes unwanted sexual attention - often considered an essential component. Defined as 'verbal and nonverbal behaviors
that convey insulting, hostile and degrading attitudes to women' it also has an adverse effect on professional performance.

Sex-Based Discrimination

USA - Attractive Women Can Be Disadvantaged

Attractive women may experience discrimination when applying for jobs traditionally considered "masculine" and where appearance is not considered important. This includes positions like manager of research and development, director of finance, mechanical engineer and construction supervisor. No such discrimination was experienced by attractive men.


Attractive Women Can Be Disadvantaged

NZ - Assistance For Pacific Job Seekers

Following the bad results for Pacific Islanders in the latest the New Zealand Government has announced a million-dollar package for Pacific job seekers, including targeted work programmes.

Assistance For Pacific Job Seekers

Canada - Job Seekers With Non-Anglo Names Face Discrimination

Recent University of British Columbia research has found that job seekers with typical Anglophone names are more likely to be invited for interview than applicants with Chinese, Indian or Pakistani names.

Job Seekers With Non-Anglo Names Face Discrimination

USA - Highly Skilled Temporary Immigrants Contribute

Highly skilled temporary immigrants to the U.S. contribute to technological innovation without detriment to native-born workers.

Highly Skilled Temporary Immigrants Contribute

UK - Health And Safety Not Over-regulated

Recent research from the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University found that safety in the workplace has been adversely affected by policy changes relating to health and safety over the last ten years, with reduced levels of
enforcement by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).

Health And Safety Not Over-regulated

USA - Outsourcing May Be Counter-Productive

Increased use of business practices such as outsourcing, hiring temporary workers and reliance on project-based teams is having a detrimental effect on employees and may pose long-term problems for employers.

Outsourcing May Be Counter-Productive

USA - Whistle-blowing

Corporate directors responsible for internal whistle-blowing systems often take no action regarding anonymous allegations, even when they involve grave accounting breaches.

Anonymous Whistle-Blowing Allegations Often Ignored

UK - Long Hours Bad For The Heart

Research led by University College, London and published in the European Heart Journal found that working overtime is bad for the heart.

Long Hours Bad For The Heart

UK - Different Pay Rates For Nurses?

Skilled nurses in regions where private sector pay is better tend to leave NHS hospitals to work in unregulated sectors such as nursing homes.

Different Pay Rates For Nurses?

Canada - No Promotion Thanks

Most Quebec employees do not envy their bosses and over half would not trade places if given the opportunity.

Employees Don't Want Promotion Because Of Longer Hours

Canada - Performance Reviews Still Valuable

A recent survey of human resource managers found that performance reviews are still considered a valuable element in staff assessment.


Performance Reviews Still Valuable

Canada - Stress and Creative Work

Research from the University of Toronto published in Social Science Research found that stress associated with creative work has a particular impact on the interface with family life.

Stress and Creative Work

USA - Time Off Programs

All U.S. employers in a recent survey conducted by WorldatWork offer paid time off work and three-quarters of respondents find it necessary to offer paid time off programs in order to compete in the labor market and have 'traditional' and non-traditional ways of doing so.

Time Off Programs

NZ - Closing the Gender Gap

Green Party Women's Affairs Spokesperson Catherine Delahunty said that Pansy Wong, Minister of Women's Affairs had effectively conceded that the Government had taken no new steps in the last year to reduce the pay gap between men and women.

Closing the Gender Gap

USA - Telecommuting

Telecommuters experience a better work/life balance than office-based employees even when working significantly longer hours.

Telecommuting Better Than Office Working

Global - Violence at Work

A recent survey by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) identified a 30 per cent increase in the number of trade unionists murdered in the preceding 12 months with 101 dying in 2009.

Violence At Work

USA - Engaging The Disengaged

A survey by the Corporate Executive Board (CEB), a leading research and advisory services company, found that high-potential employees are increasingly disengaged and seeking new career opportunities. Some 25 per cent plan to leave their current
employers in the next year compared to 10 per cent in 2006. About one in five (21 per cent) identify themselves as 'highly disengaged' a three-fold increase since 2007.

High-Potential Employees Are Increasingly Disengaged

USA - 5 Important Performance Management Tasks

Performance management should be much more than a process for documenting and delivering feedback, coaching and ratings. When expanded beyond these basics, it becomes a powerful tool for helping your employees develop and achieve their full potential, and for driving employee engagement. Here are 5 additional performance management tasks that should be a standard part of your performance management
process:

5 Important Performance Management Tasks That Often Are Forgotten

UK - Language Skills In Demand

Language skills definitely improve chances of employment according to a survey by specialist language recruiter, Euro London Appointments.

Language Skills In Demand

USA - Common Workplace Annoyances

The most common causes of annoyance in the workplace are co-workers with poor time management skills (cited by 43 per cent of respondents) and the prevalence of gossip (36 per cent).

Common Workplace Annoyances

Self-Esteem

Self-esteem increases throughout adult life, peaking at around retirement age but declining thereafter. Health and income are significant factors in the maintenance of self-esteem.

Self-Esteem

USA - Pressures On Small Business Owners

A mere 21 per cent of small business owners employing the fewest staff (between two and 10) are earning more than they hoped for when starting their companies - despite working an average of 58 hours per week.

Pressures On Small Business Owners

UK - Unemployment Will Peak At 3 Million

CIPD forecasts unemployment will peak at close to 3 million by 2012 as a result of the coalition government's deficit reduction measures.

Gloomy Prognosis For Employment

Canada - Situational Interviews

The qualifications of visible minorities recruited under an employment equity program are less likely to be questioned if situational interviews are used.

Support For Situational Interviews

USA - Loyalty and Employee Retention

U.S. organizations risk losing employees who feel under-valued and de-motivated as the economy recovers according to an on-line survey conducted by Kelton Research on behalf of learning and talent management solutions provider Cornerstone OnDemand.

Loyalty and Employee Retention

UK - Unions Supporting Economic Recovery

UK unions are supporting economic recovery by helping to reduce stress and lack of motivation in the workplace according to a recent report from the TUC.

Unions Supporting Economic Recovery

USA - CEO Reputation and Appearance

There is a strong association between appearance and success in business organizations according to a study by Duke University.

CEO Reputation And Appearance

USA - Personality Assessments Fail

he trend in recent years has been to utilize personality assessments in the hiring process for predicting on-the-job success. In 2007, a prominent panel of personnel psychologists (Morgeson et al., 2007) collaborated to discuss the utility of personality tests in the selection process. The clear theme: Validities of personality measures are so low that using them for selection should be questioned. The research shows that broad-based personality tests such as the Big Five Personality Traits & Emotional Intelligence account for less than 6% of variance in job-related performances. Despite the claims from the hundreds of vendors selling personality tests, little has changed in the last 40 years, the science still shows that their predictive value is minimal when used to predict job performance success in today's job market.


Why Personality Assessments Don't Predict Sales Success

USA - Unemployment And Health

Loss of employment can have significant long-term health consequences.

Unemployment And Health

Australia - Violence Against Nurses

Research from Curtin University of Technology in Perth, Western Australia published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing found that three-quarters of nurses working in both the private and public sectors had experienced violence at work, but only one in six incidents were officially reported.

Violence Against Nurses At Work

Australia - Consequences Of Interrupted Tasks

Frequent interruptions experienced by hospital doctors result in less time and poorer care given to patients and increase the potential for clinical error.

Consequences Of Interrupted Tasks

USA/India - Whistle-Blowers

Connecting with employees' emotions and personal value systems could encourage whistle-blowing in relation to to a range of work-related crimes and misconduct.

Whistle-blowers And Personal Values

USA - Workplace Health

Work-related Stress, Shift Work And Coronary Heart Disease - Updated Article.

Health Effects Of Work-Related Stress And Shift Work

UK - Probation Officers Want To Help Not Punish

Attitudes and motivations expressed by new recruits to the probation service were inconsistent with the UK government's current emphasis on probation as 'punishment in the community' and protection of the public rather than rehabilitation for the individual offender.

Probation Officers Want To Help Not Punish

UK - Small Businesses Create Most Jobs

Recent research from the Globalisation and Economic Policy Centre (GEP) at the University of Nottingham found that small businesses employing less than 100 workers account for 65 per cent of new British jobs created in an average year.

Small Businesses Create Most Jobs

USA - Driver pre-screening

Motor carriers now have a faster and easier way to assess the driving and safety histories of prospective drivers. The U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) yesterday announced the launch of the new federal motor carrier Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP), now available at http://www.psp.fmcsa.dot.gov. The Pre-Employment Screening Program provides real-time data to help motor carriers review the crash and serious safety violation histories of prospective employees as part of the hiring process.

NIC Technologies Launches Online Pre-Employment Screening Program for Motor Carriers and Drivers at www.psp.fmcsa.dot.gov

USA - Commitment And Counterfactual Reflection

Developing greater workforce commitment can be as simple as asking employees to reflect on their organization's history.


Commitment And Counterfactual Reflecion

Asia - Rewards and Benefits

A recent survey of Asian reward professionals by Thomsons Online Benefits shows expectation of a return to the 'war for talent' amongst employers in the region.

New 'War For Talent' In Asia

USA - Absenteeism

U.S. employees use a variety of strategies such as calling in sick or using vacation time to survive the 'Holiday Hiatus' between public holidays early in the year and Memorial Day on 31st May.

Playing Hooky: Absenteeism And The 'Holiday Hiatus'

USA - Women Discouraged From Science/I.T. Careers

A significant number of women and under-represented minority chemists and chemical engineers have been discouraged from pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM).

Women Discouraged From Science/I.T. Careers

USA - Gender Inequality

Women researchers in the life sciences still receive lower levels of compensation than their male equivalents, including those at higher academic and professional levels.

Gender Inequality In Academic Researchers' Compensation

USA - Disabled Immigrants More Likely To Be Working

Immigrants with disabilities are more likely to be employed than a comparable group born in the USA.

Disabled Immigrants More Likely To Be Working

Australia - Workers' Comp Harmonisation

"Workers' comp harmonisation as it has been discussed won't improve health or return to work outcomes," says Occupational Physician, Chair of Resworks and Editor of Return to Work Matters Dr Mary Wyatt.

Expert fears health will be the loser in the race towards workers' comp harmonisation - Return to Work Matters.

USA - How Career Dreams Die

What is required to convince people that their career aspirations are unrealistic?
Researchers found that informing participants they did not have high enough qualifications or appropriate skills was insufficient. The negative consequences of failure also had to be made explicit.

How Career Dreams Die

Israel - Control Freaks Burn Out Faster

Research from Tel Aviv and Haifa Universities found that 'control freaks' - apparently high-performing multi-tasking individuals - tend to burn out faster than their peers. Using all their internal resources at once and concentrating intently on the immediate task they are less able to respond to unexpected challenges.

Control Freaks Burn Out Faster

UK - Race, Education and Job Prospects

Members of Britain's ethnic minority communities, whether born abroad or in the UK, tend to be better educated than their white British-born peers but are less likely to be employed.

Better Education But Worse Job Prospects For Minorities

EU - European Skills in Demand

According to CEDEFOP (The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training) most of the projected 8.5 new jobs created in Europe over the next ten years will be in knowledge- and skill-intensive occupations, including high level management and technical jobs.

European Skills in Demand

UK - National Minimum Wage Increases

The adult minimum wage rate will increase from £5.80 to £5.93 an hour on October 1 2010.

National Minimum Wage Increases

EU - Recruiting Older Workers

A study by Allianz shows that in 2010 people between 60 and 65 will outnumber those between 15 and 20 in the European Union. 28.8 million EU residents are aged 60-65 compared with 28.6 million between the ages of 15 and 20.

This year, for the first time ever, the ongoing demographic change will affect the job market as there will be 200,000 more people approaching or entering retirement than the number of school-leavers.

Recruiting Older Employees

UK - Learning and Skills

Almost five million people participated in a Learning and Skills Council funded Further Education course in 2008/09 according to figures released by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

Learning and Skills Council Funded Courses

USA - Women Put Off Computing Careers

The work environment may be a key factor deterring women from careers in computer science.

Women Put Off Computing Careers By Geeky Environments

USA - How Career Dreams Die

What is required to convince people that their career aspirations are unrealistic? Researchers found that informing participants they did not have high enough qualifications or appropriate skills was insufficient. The negative consequences of failure also had to be made explicit.

How Career Dreams Die

Australia - Strategic Leadership Award

VALIDITY COACHING today announces the prestigious STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AWARD was given to Chris Tandridge, Chief Executive Officer of VALIDITY Coaching at the WORLD HRD CONGRESS 2010 in Mumbai, India.

Validity Coaching CEO Chris Tandridge Wins World HRD Congress 2010 - Strategic Leadership Award

UK - British Army Careers

Many people don't realise the diverse range of careers you can have in the British Army - there are over 140 trade groups and many different job types to choose from. From clerks to nurses, mechanics to IT experts, the Army offers recruits a career with continuous training and development, where you can learn vocational skills and earn a competitive salary. As well as this, there are also unrivalled travel and sporting opportunities plus a great sense of teamwork and camaraderie.

The British Army Needs You!

UK - NI IT Career Information

With ICT being one of the most successful business sectors in Northern Ireland, new sources of information will help people with computing ambitions find out more about career paths.

Ambition in IT? New NI Career Information System

Australia _ Employer Confidence Surges

Confidence among Australian employers has increased to the highest level since September 2008 according to a recent Hudson Report: Employment Expectations Survey.

For three consecutive quarters, Australian employers have indicated greater hiring intentions with a net 29.1% of employers stating that they intended to increase permanent staff levels over the January-March 2010 period.

Australian Employer Confidence At New High

NZ- New Zealanders Expect More Job Opportunities

The current jobs outlook is better than at any time over the last two years, but job security remains fragile as the New Zealand economy begins to come out of recession, according to Westpac Bank.

New Zealanders Expect More Job Opportunities

NZ - More International Workers Needed

International workers are still good for business and the economy, according to a recent survey.


More International Workers Needed

UK - Freeze Youth Minimum Wage

The National Minimum Wage for younger workers should be frozen in absolute terms in 2010 to ensure welcome government efforts to combat soaring youth unemployment are not fatally undermined just as the economy is beginning to recover, according to the
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

CIPD launches ‘manifesto' for a recovery that lasts, with call for National Minimum Wage freeze for younger workers to strengthen efforts to tackle youth unemployment

Australia - Recruitment Picture Brightening

People may believe that the global financial crisis (GFC) has made job-hunting more difficult but a recent survey from Mercer suggests that the recruitment picture is better than it seems.

Australian Recruitment Picture Brightening

USA - Towers Watson

Towers Watson & Co. announced today the completion of the merger of Towers Perrin and Watson Wyatt.

Towers Perrin and Watson Wyatt Complete Merger to Form Towers Watson

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

USA - Gender Stereotyping

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

Gender Stereotyping

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

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

USA - Working Longer

The latest 'Unretirement^SM 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

USA - Wellness Programs

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

Employers Can Help Reduce Obesity

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

Australia - Tips For Preventing Stress

What's the best way to deal with stress in the workplace? Prevent it from ever occurring!

Ten Tips For Preventing Stress In Your Workplace

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ireland - Absence Management

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

Absence Management In Ireland

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'

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

UK - TUC New Year Message

Full text of TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber's New Year message to trade union members.

TUC New Year Message

UK - Gloomy Outlook For Pay And Jobs

The CIPD's annual Barometer Report forecasts that 2009 is likely to be the worst year for jobs in two decades. The report predicts a total of 600,000 job losses in 2009 and highlights the poor pay expectations of British employees for the year ahead.

Gloomy Outlook For Pay And Jobs

NZ - New Labour Market Manager For Manawatu

"Hilary Humphrey has been appointed Regional Labour Market Project Leader to address workforce issues and skilled labour shortages faced by Manawatu organisations.

New Labour Market Manager For Manawatu

NZ -

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) said that the Government's 'ReStart' package is welcome but is no substitute for a real redundancy package.


Misgivings About Restart

USA - Fluent Leadership

As 21st century leaders, you know that building, guiding, and sustaining truly diverse communities is tremendously difficult work.

Fluency: Leading in the Midst of Change

UK - Bullying At Work

A recent survey conducted by TUC workplace safety reports found that bullying was a concern at work for one in five safety reps (20%) - up significantly since the 2006 survey (16%). In 2004, only 12% of safety reps had reported bullying as a concern at work.

Zero tolerance for bullies

Australia - Aged Care Nurses Quitting Due To Stress

A new University of Melbourne study has shown that nearly one third of registered aged care nurses are thinking about leaving their jobs in the next year because of stress.

Aged Care Nurses Quitting Due To Stress

Canada - Phased Retirement Programs

Nearly one third of employers feel that phased retirement programs are an important element of their HR strategies over the next five years.

Phased Retirement Programs Can Ease Skills Shortage

Canada - Widespread Job Anxiety In Quebec

More than 90% of the province's workers believe that the economic crisis will have a negative impact on employment in Quebec workers according to a recent CROP survey conducted for the Ordre des conseillers en resources humaines agrees (CRHA).

Widespread Job Anxiety In Quebec

Canada - Office Gifts

From plastic pizzas to cases of tuna, an amusing survey of marketing and advertising executives indicates a generous but 'innovative' attitude to gift-giving in the office during the festive season.

Santa In The Office

US/UK - Employees Addicted To Social Networking Sites

More than half of employees (55% in the U.S. and 52% in the U.K.) are using Internet social networks at work according to Internet security company 8e6 Technologies.

Employees Addicted To Social Networking Sites

USA - Kansas Career Development

Kansas Career Pipeline (KCP), a nonprofit organization, announced that more than 56,000 Kansans have already accessed the Kansas Career Pipeline Career Planning Center, powered by Kuder®, to begin planning for future career success.

Kansas ranks among the top states in the nation who are gaining collaborative support between government agencies and not-for-profit organizations to provide comprehensive career education and job planning resources to residents statewide.

Kansas Among Leaders in Nation for Career Development

UK - Redundancy: Guide For Employers

As the economy continues to spiral out of control and threats mount over a recession,
many local businesses are looking at cutbacks in a bid to cope under financial pressure.

Redundancy - A Guide For Employers

UK - Mediation & Conflict Resolution At Work

A recent report finds that UK businesses are being badly affected by poorly managed conflicts in the workplace. A timely new book may help.

Mediation & Conflict Resolution At Work