Thursday, July 19, 2012

UK - Employee Performance and the Law

The abolition of the default retirement age in April 2011 and the recent decision of the Supreme Court in Seldon v Clarkson Wright and Jakes have focused attention on the issue of performance management. These recent developments highlight the increasing importance of having proper performance management processes in place.

The importance of managing employee performance before problems arise

USA/UK - Personal Branding

Anyone trying to find a job in today's climate knows how hard it is to get your CV noticed amongst the piles stacked on HR directors' desks. For many seeking to enter fast-paced fields, the simple CV is no longer enough. You need to stand out, to prove your mettle.

How One Job-Seeker Turned His Personal Brand Into Fame and Opportunity

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Australia/NZ - Accountants heading abroad

No fewer than six in ten Australia and New Zealand accountants will be job hunting within the next 6 to 12 months, according to global research.


Australian and New Zealand accountants heading abroad

Thursday, July 12, 2012

NZ - Strong Growth in New Zealand Employment

An analysis of 42,000 jobs listed in the last quarter on Trade Me Jobs shows that the New Zealand job market remains positive, with listings up by 8.2 per cent on the same period in 2011.

Strong Growth in New Zealand Employment

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

UK - Protected Conversations

The idea of the 'protected conversation' is that employers can talk to their employees about possible termination deals or severance packages without having to worry about those conversations being referred to in subsequent Employment Tribunal cases if the discussions come to nothing and the employees then say they have been unfairly dismissed.

Protected Conversations: an exciting new initiative or counter-productive for employers?

UK - Letting a banker go - pitfalls for the unwary

One might be forgiven for wondering whether a number of bankers may soon be "let go" by their employers as the banks' trials and tribulations following the LIBOR fixing scandal unfold. Given the rates of remuneration they tend to enjoy, making most of
us appear by comparison to be journeyman labourers, this could be an expensive time.

Letting a banker go - pitfalls for the unwary

Wednesday, July 04, 2012

Canada - Dealing with tough interview questions

Good preparation is the key to answering the toughest interview questions with confidence according to staffing, recruitment and HR Services company Randstad Canada.

Prepare for work: dealing with tough interview questions

Tuesday, July 03, 2012

Canada - Healthy Workplaces

Six key elements of extraordinary organizations around the world were identified recently by the The Health Work & Wellness Group.

Healthy Workplaces

Anger at work

What makes people angry at work and what they do about it?

Anger at work

Men and women react differently to stress.

Men and women react differently to stress.

Danger of the desk

Monday, July 02, 2012

UK - Technology extends the working day

Replying to emails and answering work calls at home means that the average UK employee is putting in an extra three weeks a year in overtime.

Technology extends the working day

USA - E-mail: the Way to Gossip

It has been estimated that the average corporate email user sends 112 messages a day - and one in seven of those messages can be described as gossip.

E-mail: the Way to Gossip

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Belgium - Learning environment at work

As the government tells us that we need to work harder for longer in order to pay for retirement, it is clear that we must be even more ready to adapt and change our skills and knowledge throughout our working lives.

Building a learning environment at work

Thursday, June 14, 2012

NL - The escape from the 'boring cage' of talent development

It is essential for organizations that want to 'survive' or even play a leading role in their niche to engage and fascinate the right employees.

The escape from the 'boring cage' of talent development

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

UK - Culture and Inequality

The term culture refers to the system of assumptions, beliefs and perspectives, many of them unconscious and taken for granted, which members of a group have in common.

There is often a lot of confusion and massive assumptions about what culture means. Some organisations talk about working towards being one culture, because they want to achieve consistency in customer care, leadership and management styles, and ensure all employees demonstrate behaviours, which are professional, considered, and do not wittingly or unwittingly discriminate.

Is There Inequality in the Workplace Because of a Lack of Understanding About Culture?

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

NZ Employers confident on hiring

A survey of 650 New Zealand employers by Manpower shows that employment confidence is relatively high with 25% expecting to take on staff while only 9% are contemplating reducing payroll numbers.

NZ Employers confident on hiring

Offshoring from Australia to New Zealand

With an 18% drop in earnings forecast by Fairfax Media, the publishing group has confirmed that cost-cutting includes moving jobs from Australia to New Zealand.

Offshoring Australian editing jobs to New Zealand

Monday, June 11, 2012

UK - Leadership and Creativity

What kind of leadership roles do you have in your organization? Customer Services Director, Business Development Manager, Vice President of Sales? That's great, but how about Meaning Maker, Storyteller, Talent Scout, Innovation Seeker? How different would things be if job titles reflected what we wanted managers to do and be like rather than what they are responsible for?

Leaders - ten ways you can be more creative

Thursday, June 07, 2012

Australia - How HR Can Become Strategic

For many years, HR professionals have been trying to justify their right to a seat at the executive table. Executives rightfully have been scratching their heads trying to understand just exactly how HR drives business value.

How HR Can Become Strategic

Wednesday, June 06, 2012

USA - Male Leaders Judged More Harshly

Male leaders who make mistakes in what is perceived as a man's world are also judged more critically than a female leader.

Male Leaders Judged More Harshly

Monday, June 04, 2012

UK - Laughter at Work

Creating an environment where humour - and laughter - is viewed positively will create a place of enjoyment.

The Importance Of Not Being Ernest

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

USA - High-Potential Entrepreneurs

Stanford Graduate School of Business has reported that its graduates are much more likely to become entrepreneurs than ever before. 16% of the class of 2011 have already started their own businesses compared to a mere 5% in the early 1990s and 10-year trend data is suggesting that there is a generational shift toward entrepreneurship.

High-Potential Entrepreneurs

Monday, May 28, 2012

NL - Please don't blame the crisis

No, it's really not the fault of the crisis - you yourself are to blame. If turnover is lower, it is because business is not good. But why hasn't business dropped for every company - what is the difference between you and your competitor? And why do things that go easy go even easier for one entrepreneur than another? Does the difference lay in the fact that some work harder, possess more skills or may have more insight?

Please don't blame the crisis

UK - Age Regulations

This is a very difficult area of the law for employers. On the one hand employers do not want to be accused of age discrimination, but on the other hand they have to act in the best interests of the business, even when this means replacing older workers with a younger, fresher work force. However, before rushing into any decisions, employers must consider all the options available to them as any rash decisions could cause more harm than good.

The ticking time bomb of older workers

Monday, May 14, 2012

Should You Be Sharing That?

Improvements in systems technology mean that global HR systems are possible for any size organisation. This opens up many possibilities from a shared service perspective and for many global companies there are attractive cost savings to be made from the consolidation of their IT operations in this way. However, along with the possibilities that today’s global HR IT systems present there are also many challenges that need to be met.  Not least is the requirement that the data stored on each employee is accessible to those that need it to perform their roles, whilst remaining private to everyone else and compliant with relevant data privacy legislation.

Should You Be Sharing That?

UK - The Transformational Power of HR Software

HR software has for many years been revolutionising the processes and procedures of HR departments. But the growing power of intuitive technologies means the opportunities for forward-thinking HR professionals are ever-increasing.
Keen to develop a greater understanding of organisations’ evolving HR goals, client services director at Cascade HR Heather Vitty recently surveyed her varied customer base. Here she shares her findings...

The Transformational Power of HR Software

Thursday, May 03, 2012

Canada - Saskatchewan immigration program changes

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) has been changed to reflect current needs in the province's job market.


Saskatchewan immigration program changes

Thursday, April 26, 2012

UK - A book for entrepreneurs

It's All About You is specifically for you, the entrepreneur, the lone adventurer, who is relentlessly driving forward business, focusing more on achieving business objectives, but possibly to the detriment of your personal wellbeing and basic health. It's All About You

USA - Engagement and Onboarding

Millennials (also known as Generation Y) are actively doing something at all times and if you don’t want that something to be aimlessly browsing or looking at online job boards, engagement at work is key. It’s All About Engagement

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

USA - Surface Diversity: Subverted by some employees

There is evidence to suggest that organizations are only achieving 'surface diversity' while key customer-facing staff such as servers are behaving in a racist way towards customers. Surface Diversity: Some Employees Subvert Diversity Programs

Thursday, April 19, 2012

UK- How to help staff going through divorce

Often at times being caught up in all the distractions of HR, many people don't make the time to create a crisis or advice centre for struggling employees and this is SO needed within the workplace.

How to Help Your Staff Going Through Divorce

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Learning Management Systems

A LMS is a tool used for documenting, tracking and reporting on training programs in a bid to increase employee efficiency and productivity.

The Advantages and Drawbacks of Learning Management Systems

Sunday, March 25, 2012

UK - HR and Spotting Fraud

It’s surprisingly easy to take on someone who isn’t who they say they are, especially when your focus is on can they do the job in question, not who they say they might be.

HR and Spotting Fraud

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Australia - Free HR Downloads


Six Pitfalls of Workforce Planning

Free download: Know the pitfalls that companies can fall into when doing strategic workforce planning.


Measuring and Addressing Competency Gaps

Free download: Learn how to find and fill competency gaps in your organization before they affect you.


Driving Business Execution Through Integrated Talent Management

Free download: Discover how you can leverage talent management processes to drive business execution.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

UK - Minimum Wage Increases

The adult minimum wage rate will increase from £6.08 to £6.19 an hour on October 1 2012.

National Minimum Wage Increases

Friday, March 16, 2012

UK - HR as a Business Partner

The term 'business partner' is often highlighted as an important aspect in discussions about the role of the human resource manager but being a 'business partner' needs wide business knowledge. According to a new report released by the CIPD three fifths of HR practitioners feel that the profession needs to be 'business savvy' with improved understanding of business issues. But the CIPD acknowledges that this can be easier said than done. The CIPD report shows that a common trait among the people they interviewed was curiosity about the organization in which they worked and the wider context in which they operated.

HR as a Business Partner

Monday, March 12, 2012

UK - Resolving Unwitting Discrimination

In this article, we look at how employers might seek to resolve the problem of discrimination against disabled participants in personality tests and the pitfalls associated with trying to make reasonable adjustments.

'Computer says no': Are you unwittingly discriminating with personality testing? (Part 2)

Friday, March 09, 2012

Multiple Internet Identities: Keeping Track

A growing number of internet users have split themselves into multiple personalities (albeit web-based) to conduct day-to-day business.


Multiple Internet Identities: Keeping Track

Friday, March 02, 2012

USA - Employee Engagement

Employees need to feel like they are progressing. If you think about a time when you did something extraordinary at work, most likely you accomplished a difficult goal that was important to the organization.


Employee Engagement

UK - Healthy Eating

It has been claimed that one in three office employees skips a proper lunch, and instead snacks on unhealthy options, which can lead to lethargy, irritability and decreased productivity.

Healthy Eating Key to Workplace Productivity

Thursday, March 01, 2012

Vision on Talent

The concepts of 'Vision' and 'Individual talent development' currently cause a lot of confusion and discussion. Many organizations have 'long term' thinking and are actively developing and realizing a vision in this field. Yet there are many organizations which, for various reasons, do not put much energy into developing a 'Vision on talent'.


Vision on Talent, a 'must' for organizations

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Thursday, February 16, 2012

UK - Unemployment Blackspots

An analysis of UK local authority areas by claimant to vacancies ratio in January 2012 shows that a number of Scottish areas have passed the inner London boroughs to become the UK's worst employment blackspots.


Scotland overtakes London as worst region in the UK for unemployment

Friday, February 10, 2012

UK - Employee Satisfaction

Employee satisfaction is a key indicator for defining staff rewards and benefits and
over 70% of businesses have taken steps to monitor it.

Monitoring Job Satisfaction

Canada - Management Training

Companies large and small have a very important decision to make when seeking out management training programs for their employees. Do they task an outside company with the training of their charges, or do they do it themselves? Each option comes with its own strengths and weaknesses. Knowing what these are, and being able to weigh them against each other should allow a company to choose the one that suits them best.

Management Training Programs - In-House or External?

Canada - Workforce Analytics

Complexity in today’s workforce, new technology investments, economic pressures, talent as a competitive edge, aligning the people strategy with the business strategy and many other reasons are driving a change in HR to be more information-savvy. This has turned workforce analytics into the hottest topic in the HR technology arena.


Top 5 Best Practices for Successful Workforce Analytics

Thursday, February 02, 2012

UK - Technology Matters

Hyland Software director, Mark Greatorex, explores how combining strategy with technology can help maximise HR capability and contribution.

Technology Matters

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

UK - Unwitting Discrimination

There are strong, well-rehearsed arguments both for and against the use of
personality testing, but we have identified a particular, and thus far potentially overlooked, risk of discrimination against disabled participants.

'Computer says no': Are you unwittingly discriminating with personality testing? (Part 1)

Monday, January 23, 2012

Global - Limited Thinking in HRD

Richard van der Lee asks if the way organizations deal with these methodologies can lead to the right moves.

'Limited thinking': an obstruction for employees and organizations!

Monday, December 19, 2011

UK - Hiring and managing in the cloud

One of the most exciting new trends in recent years has been the emergence of the human cloud, as more and more businesses go online to hire and manage talented staff on an hourly or project basis.

Hiring and managing in the cloud - a guide for SMEs

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Global - Recruitment and Employer Branding

Recruiting practices need to be consistent with branding strategies or organizations risk missing out on top talent and potential revenue and social media amplify the consequences with more recuiting organizations likely to turn to social media in 2012.

Recruiting Practices and Employer Branding

UK - Basic Skills Need Improvement

Graduate unemployment is at a record level but many organizations say they cannot
find the right talent.

Basic Skills Need Improvement

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Five Steps to New Thinking

An expert in any field learns to organize and group information around principles. That allows the expert to quickly draw information when he or she needs it. Doctors see a symptom, scan through a database in their heads, and ask a series of questions to quickly winnow down the possible causes. Peyton Manning can scan a football field, see opportunities and risks, and make snap decisions with great success. A novice organizes information in a more random and error-prone fashion. By putting a thinking model in your head, you are organizing important steps and information, which helps you learn more quickly and efficiently. A model, like a recipe, helps you see the ingredients and steps for success. So, let’s look at five steps of a model that can become a valuable part of your own thinking.

More at: Five Steps to New Thinking

Friday, December 09, 2011

Expense Management App

The ExpenseAnywhere Mobile App empowers users to instantly add expense details and capture receipt images from anywhere at any time. With the ExpenseAnywhere App available for Blackberry, iPhone, and Android, users will never miss submitting another expense or receipt. Now they can capture it, track it, and submit it, all from the convenience of their smart phones.

ExpenseAnywhere Announces Mobile Apps for Expense Management

UK - Certification for MJ Church

MJ Church has gained certification for quality, environmental & health and safety standards through Certification International.

MJ Church reaches new standards

Thursday, December 08, 2011

Australia - Underemployment

1.7 million Australians over 18 are prevented from working as much as they want for a variety of reasons, according to a new Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) study.


Underemployment

Using Social Media To Improve Job Chances

Today’s job seekers rely more heavily on social networking and referrals to find a job.


Using Social Media To Improve Job Chances

Wednesday, December 07, 2011

Internet job-hunting is effective

Using the Internet for job-hunting reduces time spent unemployed by an average of 25%.

Internet job-hunting is effective

Tuesday, December 06, 2011

Thursday, December 01, 2011

Australia

Smartphones, tablets and other types of 24-7 technology can make life easier for many people but they make it harder to switch off even when at home and also keep us at work longer.


Technology and work/life balance

Friday, November 25, 2011

Reforming UK Employment Legislation

Vince Cable, Business Secretary, announced on Wednesday a package of measures intended to modify the way employers recruit, manage disputes and dismiss staff - while retaining key protections for employees.

Reforming UK Employment Legislation

Saturday, November 05, 2011

Trust is not a 'soft' basis for business

In these uncertain times no word is used more often than 'trust'. This creates some beautiful discussions but all the more misunderstandings.

Trust and its derivatives in business are frequently seen as 'soft' and impossible to explain in concrete terms. The outcome is that organizations find it is easier to talk about financial results, good or bad percentages and other information in figures than to talk about the most important subject in the relationship between people and organizations and that is trust.

Trust is not a 'soft' basis for business

Monday, October 31, 2011

Australia - Qantas Dispute Suspended

A tribunal of judges appointed by Fair Work Australia has determined that the industrial dispute called by three unions that triggered the airline's lockout must end.

Qantas Dispute Suspended

Friday, October 21, 2011

Wasting Talent Reduces Profit

When organizations actively want to participate in the changing environment a question arises: why is available talent not being fully utilized? Of course employees who are classified as a "young and high potential" are important to these organizations but beyond these individuals a complete scenario is obscured: the individual talents of every single employee.

Wasting Talent Reduces Profit

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Canada (Alberta) - Healthy Workplaces

The Premier's Award for Healthy Workplaces is open to all employers in Alberta and recognizes Alberta employers with healthy workplace programs.

Alberta - Premier's Award for Healthy Workplaces

Friday, October 07, 2011

Wednesday, October 05, 2011

UK - Stress is number one cause of long-term absences

Stress has been identified as the most significant cause of long-term absence according to this year's CIPD/Simplyhealth Absence Management survey.

Stress is number one cause of long-term absences

UK - Changes to Unfair Dismissal Rules

The announcement by Business Secretary Vince Cable and Chancellor George Osborne that the qualification period for the right to claim unfair dismissal will be extended from one year to two years has attracted mixed responses.

Changes to Unfair Dismissal Rules

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Global - HRM = Business Partner

Look at job descriptions for HR manager or HR consultant positions and you will often find the term "HRM as Business Partner". The same expression is frequently used in organizations' HRM policy statements. Richard van der Lee, Manager Retail Clients from Rabobank finds this a fascinating phenomenon and asks whether HRM really wants to be a Business Partner.

HRM = Business Partner. Is building a bridge over the 'Grand Canyon' possible?

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

UK - Integrated Welsh Language Recruitment System

Powys County Council is the first Welsh authority to implement a Welsh language recruitment system that is completely integrated with its HR and payroll system.


iTrent enables Powys County Council to launch first integrated Welsh language recruitment system

Monday, July 18, 2011

Canada - Integrating and Engaging New Recruits

A new Canadian study published in the Journal of Managerial Psychology shows the value of structured approaches to orientation (induction) training and mentoring.


Integrating and Engaging New Recruits is a Key Element of Employee Retention

USA - Charisma and Leadership Skills

Research findings reported in the Journal of Management shows that we consider some leaders to be charismatic because we attribute 'magical thinking' to them.

Charisma and Leadership Strengths

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Australians a Happy Lot

Australian workers have a low-pressure, stress-free working life, and are not worried about losing their jobs, according to findings from ORC International’s perspectives database.
Australians a Happy Lot

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

U.S. Employee Trust Still Low

Employees still do not trust company management, nearly three years after the
beginning of the economic downturn, according to results from a Maritz© Poll conducted by Maritz Research.

U.S. Employee Trust Still Low

Monday, July 11, 2011

New Zealand Facing Skill-shortage 'Epidemic'

People with skills, qualifications and experience can pick and choose the country in which to live and work and this is leading to an international battle for skills with New Zealand losing out.

New Zealand Facing Skill-shortage 'Epidemic'

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

UK - Netherlands’ leading portal for HR professionals launches in the UK

Only 6 weeks after its launch in the United Kingdom, over 7,000 courses and education programmes can be compared at Springest.co.uk. The market leading Dutch company compares itself to the likes of Booking.com and PriceRunner, but focuses on the Learning & Development sector.

Netherlands’ leading portal for HR professionals launches in the UK

Monday, May 16, 2011

Canada - Knowledge Hoarding

Knowledge transfer may not be happening as often as organizations would like because staff don't always want to share.

Hoarding Knowledge

Saturday, April 23, 2011

UK - Employment Tribunals Survey

Employers are concerned that they are vulnerable to frivolous or unjustified employment tribunal claims according to a Conflict Management survey published prior to a recent CIPD conference.


Employment Tribunals Survey

Friday, April 22, 2011

USA - Performance Reviews

A half of the participants in an online survey conducted for Globoforce think that employee performance reviews do not provide accurate appraisals of their work.


Employee Performance Reviews

Asia - Tourism and the Next Generation

Addressing some of the most senior tourism industry officials in the Asia-Pacific region gathered in Beijing last week, TMS Asia-Pacific CEO Andrew Chan has warned of the pressing need to develop the strategies required if the sector is to attract and engage the 'next generation' of employees.

"A Grim Reality" - new strategies critical if tourism sector to engage 'next generation'

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

USA - Discrimination and Job Loss

It has been known for some time that there is bias against the unemployed in the job market. Research at UCLA and the State University of New York-Stony Brook now shows that jobless Americans face discrimination unrelated to their skills or to ways in which they lost their previous jobs.

Discrimination and Job Loss

Asia - Sportswear Supply Chain Report

The Global Union representing workers in the garment industry has today released a damning report on working conditions in Asian sportswear supply chains.

ITGLWF releases damning report on working conditions in sportswear supply chains

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

UK - Youth Unemployment Overstated

The notion of a 'lost generation' of young jobless people is simplistic, according to the latest Work Audit report on official labour market statistics "Getting the measure of youth unemployment" from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Youth Unemployment Overstated

Australia - Bad Jobs Harm Mental Health

A bad job can be as harmful to mental health as being unemployed, according to
results from a longitudinal Australian household panel survey.

Bad Jobs Harm Mental Health

Saturday, March 12, 2011

USA - Honesty is best for job-seekers

A recently published study indicates that honesty pays off for job applicants. Job-seekers in the study were warned that a pre-employment test could detect fake responses. Consequently, their answers were more honest than average - possibly improving their chances of being hired.

Honesty is best for job-seekers

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

UK - Public Sector HR

Successive Governments have seen public sector HR as either a cost to be managed or a means of dealing with redundancies, but not as a crucial strategic function, according to a recent CIPD report.

The HR Role in Public Sector Reform

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

USA - Working Remotely Less Stressful

Employees who spend most of their working week as telecommuters have greater job satisfaction than people who are primarily office workers.

Working Remotely Alleviates More Stress Than It Creates

Friday, November 19, 2010

Canada - Linking Pay and Performance

Employee incentives such as variable pay, performance bonuses, and annual incentives are offered by four out of five Canadian organizations surveyed by The Conference Board of Canada. They are intended to motivate employees to achieve performance goals but it seems that most organizations do not measure their effectiveness.

Linking Pay and Performance

Thursday, November 18, 2010

UK - Limits on Non-EU Migrant Workers

As a first step towards a reduction in non-EU migration, the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has published the required limits on skilled and highly skilled migrant workers to be admitted to the United Kingdom under Tiers 1 and 2 of the Points Based System in 2011/12.

Limits on Non-EU Migrant Workers Entering the UK

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Intercultural Communication Training

VisionPoint®, a developer of video-based training solutions, and ECCO International, an internationally-recognized global communications consulting firm, announce the release of the global communications training program, Open Mind, Open
World: Improving Intercultural Interactions™. Open Mind, Open World equips individuals in multinational organizations with quick tools to anticipate and resolve key issues arising from cultural conflicts.

New Off-the-Shelf Training Program Helps Multinational Organizations Overcome Intercultural Communication Conflicts

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

UK - Equality Report

The first triennial report from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) published in October 2010 concludes that while Britain has made good progress in addressing inequalities and tolerating diversity, significant barriers to a fairer society remain.

How fair is Britain? gives insight into opportunities and outcomes for people in Britain according to age, gender, disability, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation and transgender status. It considers fundamental areas such as life expectancy, health, education and employment as well as security, support and power.

Equality Report

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

USA - Why CEO Pay Keeps Going UP

Unjustified increases for a few CEOs can lead to "legitimate" salary increases for others.

Why CEO Pay Keeps Going UP

Recession Impacts on Jobs, Incomes and Employee Engagement

Most European businesses are finding it difficult to attract and motivate the skilled individuals needed to recover from the economic crisis, according to research from global professional services company Towers Watson. Cost-cutting has also had a negative impact on existing employees and organizations are looking afresh at how they attract, motivate and engage their workforces.

Recession Impacts on Jobs, Incomes and Employee Engagement

Wednesday, October 06, 2010

USA - Managing Workplace Negativity

Employees who get on badly with their supervisors are more likely to be envious of those with more positive relationships.

Managing Workplace Negativity

USA - CEO Performance and Education

CEOs with top college degrees do no better at improving their organization's long-term performance than average and are as liable to be blamed for poor results.

CEO Performance and Education

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

UK - Women do Better in Broadcasting Top Jobs

Women make up 25 per cent of board members in broadcasting companies surveyed, more than double the national average of 12 per cent for FTSE 100 companies.

Women do Better in Broadcasting Top Jobs

Canada - Blurring the Boundaries of Work and Home

Employees with flexible schedules tend to experience greater blurring of boundaries between work and other parts of their lives, especially family-related roles.

Blurring the Boundaries of Work and Home

Saturday, October 02, 2010

USA - Integrating HR Technology

The 13th Annual HR Technology® Conference and Expo that took place in Chicago from September 29 to October 1 2010 saw a number of new and award-winning products on show.

Integrating HR Technology

Outsourcing to Latin America

A survey by Harris Interactive on behalf of Capgemini, a leading provider of consulting, technology and outsourcing services, found that Latin America is a significant emerging outsourcing destination for U.S. companies. India remains the most popular, chosen by 60 per cent of respondents, followed by China (27 per cent) with Latin America selected by 25 per cent.

Outsourcing to Latin America

Friday, October 01, 2010

UK - Career Change

Top five tips on managing a successful career change by Jane Barrett, author of 'If Not Now, When? How to Take Charge of your Career'.


Are you on career suicide watch?

Monday, September 20, 2010

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Australia - Telstra Collective Agreement

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has described a recently negotiated collective agreement covering 10 000 employees of telecommunications and media company Telstra as a major achievement for union members and the Fair Work Act. The new
agreement is designed to last for two years, providing guaranteed pay rises of 8 per cent in addition to the 2 per cent awarded in October 2009. It preserves existing terms and conditions of employment, and restores access to arbitration by Fair Work Australia.


Telstra Collective Agreement

Canada - Mental Illness Costs Economy More Than Physical Ailments

Mental illness is associated with more lost working days than any other chronic condition and costs the Canadian economy C$51 billion annually in lost productivity.

Mental Illness Costs Economy More Than Physical Ailments

USA - Gender Segregation

A recent study assesses the state of gender segregation in U.S. employment since the early 1970s.

Gender Segregation

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

USA - New Trends In Hiring

Organizations are planning to increase hiring as the economy recovers but are making significant changes to their recruitment strategies according to research from Job Search Television Network (JSTN).

New Trends In Hiring

Global Trends

The majority of organizations are experiencing difficulty attracting employees with
critical skills as economic conditions improve according to research by global professional services company Towers Watson and WorldatWork, an international association of human resource professionals. However, there is considerable regional variation in both the extent of recruitment problems and the pace of recovery.

Global Trends

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Australia - Employer Change Survey

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed that about one in six workers started work with a new employer/business in the year to February 2010.

Employer Change Survey

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

UK - Professional Support For Coaches And Mentors

15 per cent of UK organizations have no measures in place to assess the impact of coaching or mentoring programmes and 68 per cent do not use this approach to address corporate objectives.

Professional Support For Coaches And Mentors

USA - Involuntary Part-timers

A record number of U.S. employees are involuntarily working part-time as a result of a reduction in their hours or being unable to find a full-time job.

Involuntary Part-timers

Tuesday, September 07, 2010

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

Monday, September 06, 2010

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

Thursday, September 02, 2010

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

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

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

Monday, August 30, 2010

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

Friday, August 27, 2010

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

Thursday, August 26, 2010

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

Friday, August 20, 2010

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

Thursday, August 19, 2010

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?

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

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

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

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

Monday, August 16, 2010

Canada - Stereotyping

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

Stereotyping

Saturday, August 14, 2010

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

Thursday, August 12, 2010

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

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

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

Sunday, August 08, 2010

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

Thursday, August 05, 2010

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

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

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

Sunday, August 01, 2010

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