UK - Employment Situation

Unemployment rate rises again to 5.2% but the number of people in work is the highest figure on record.

Employment Statistics

Australia - Employment Statistics

Unemployment increases to 5.1%

Seasonally adjusted, the number of people in employment also fell by 3,200 to 10,078,900 in April.

USA - Employment Situation

Unemployment remains at 4.7%

Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nonfarm payroll employment increased by 138,000 in April, and the unemployment rate remained at 4.7%.

Effective Cover Letter Techniques

Applying for a new job, or a new career, can be a major task if you are not prepared with knowledge about yourself and techniques for revealing the best information about yourself when you are applying through the mail for a new position. Sending your resume off through the mail can often seem like you are blindly putting yourself "out there" for everyone to look at and review. But if you use the information in this article, you can create a cover letter to accompany your resume, one that will get you in the door for an interview. Taking that step from mailing your resume to actually getting an interview is one that many people find difficult, but it does not have to be.

Effective Cover Letter Techniques

UK - Work Wise Week

Just as Britain led the way with industrialisation in the 19th century, we are looking to lead the world in changing the work culture in the 21st. An initiative which aims to make the UK the most progressive economy in the world was today (3 May) launched at the QEII Conference Centre in London.

Work Wise UK Launched: DTI, CBI And TUC Support Campaign

Australia - Slashing Pay

Major employers Spotless Services Australia and the Coles-Myer company have moved to take advantage of the Howard Government's new industrial relations laws by slashing workers' take-home pay by up to $160 a week, according to the ACTU.

New Move By Major Employers To Slash Take-Home Pay Of Workers

Australia - Industrial Relations Laws

The ACTU is asking the Howard Government to repeal sections of the new industrial relations laws banning workplace agreements from giving employees leave to attend health and safety training or meetings provided by unions.


New IR Laws Will Hurt Workplace Health And Safety, say ACTU

USA - Background Screening

HireRight Inc. hasannounced the Extended Workforce Screening Solution, the industry's first robust software solution for managing the background screening of vendor and partner employees, temporary employees and independent contractors who have access to a company's facilities, data, personnel and information systems. Most large enterprises today screen full-time employees, but these other categories of the workforce generally do not undergo the same security procedures, representing a major security gap.

HireRight Introduces Industry's First Extended Workforce Screening Solution

USA - Social Style

A new research study shows the workplace benefits of interpersonal skills training as seen by actual training participants. This study of 500 recent training participants looks at the impact of Social Style on common workplace problems such as communication breakdowns, low morale, conflict and negative performance. Social Style is TRACOM’s model for effective interpersonal behavior.

New Research Study: Participants See Benefits of Interpersonal Skills Training

Canada - Smoke-Free Ontario

Today marks the start of the one-month countdown to May 31, the day the Smoke-Free Ontario Act becomes law.

Countdown to a Smoke-Free Ontario

Canada - Hoarding Knowledge

Has a colleague ever ignored you when you asked for information? Did you have the feeling that they were deliberately avoiding you or were only pretending to be ignorant? Recent research suggests that you may have been right.

Hoarding Knowledge

USA - Interactive Media

NAS Recruitment Communications has been awarded five top honors by The Horizon Interactive Awards, a prestigious international competition that rewards the most talented developers of interactive media and recognizes outstanding achievement among interactive media producers.


NAS Recruitment Communications Walks Away With Multiple Horizon Interactive Awards

UK - TUC May Day Speech

May Day is the day when the labour movement across the world celebrates the core values that we stand for and the dignity and justice at work to which all workers should be entitled.

Brendan Barber speaks at May Day march and rally

Canada (Ontario) - Workplace Safety

The McGuinty government's workplace health and safety strategy is producing dramatic results by preventing the human cost of workplace injuries and avoiding costs for businesses, Labour Minister Steve Peters announced today.

McGuinty Government On The Side Of Working Families And Businesses

UK - Laughing Gurus

Amended April 29 2006 - The use of humour is one key to the success of management gurus. Researchers Dr Tim Clark and Dr David Greatbatch, authors of Management Speak: Why We Listen to What Management Gurus Tell Us, analysed the techniques used by world-famous gurus such as Tom Peters, Rosabeth Moss Kanter and Gary Hamel. They found that successful gurus employ skilful communication techniques, ecijmrcspecially humour, to promote their sometimes uncomfortable messages.

Laughing gurus

USA - Job Boom

In sector after sector, from health care to advertising to retail to accounting - the pent-up demand for workers that has been slowly building for the last four years is now boiling over. Currently there are approximately 2.6 million people leaving their jobs each month - the same level as in the pre 9/11 economy - while job openings have increased by almost half a million positions since last summer, according to The Bureau of Labor Statistics. In Business 2.0's May issue cover story, entitled "The Next Job Boom," the magazine reports how an unusual convergence of economic factors has made this moment the best time to look for a job since the most dizzying days of the dotcom boom, and waves of workers are delivering their take-this-job-and-shove-it speeches and bailing out for more rewarding, less spirit-crushing work.

Business 2.0: The Next Job Boom; Everyone is out Looking

USA - SHRM Conference

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) will hold its 58th Annual Conference and Exposition, June 25-28, 2006, in Washington, D.C. The conference, to be held at the Washington Convention Center, will attract more than 10,000 human resource professionals from around the world and will include more than 150 concurrent sessions on crucial human resource issues. In addition, The HRM Marketplace Exposition(R) will feature human resource information, products and services from more than 800 companies.

SHRM Conference Expanding HR Professionals Workplace Knowledge

Canada - Dr. Leaetta Hough Joins Talent Technology Corporation Advisory Board

Talent Technology Corporation (TTC), providers of award-winning recruitment, quality of hire, and other human capital software solutions, today announced the addition of Leaetta Hough, Ph.D. to its Advisory Board. Dr. Hough will assume her position immediately, as she concludes her one-year term as President of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP), the more than six-thousand member international professional association which focuses on applying psychological research and practice in the workplace.

Dr. Leaetta Hough Joins Talent Technology Corporation Advisory Board

UK - Union Recognition

Today's annual TUC Trade Union Trends 'Focus on Recognition' survey shows that the number of agreements signed with employers has fallen despite a trebling of the number of trade union campaigns for recognition deals.

Union Recognition Deals Tougher to Secure

Canada - Coaching Excellence

The International Coach Federation - GTA Chapter announced the winners of the 2006 Prism Award. This award celebrates organizations that have created excellence and enhanced business performance through their commitment to coaching as a leadership strategy.

Business Excellence Through Coaching: PRISM Award Winners

USA - Adequate Pensions

The vast majority of CPAs serving as corporate CEOs, CFOs, Controllers and in other executive positions believe American companies can't continue providing pensions that adequately cover their employees' retirement years, according to the results of a new survey by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Executive Suite Says U.S. Companies Can't Continue Offering Adequate Pensions, AICPA Survey Reveals

USA - Nissan Relocation

Nissan North America, Inc., released updated information related to the pending relocation of its headquarters operations from California to Nasville, Tenn.

Nissan Releases Relocation Update

USA - Outsourcing Megadeals

As companies attempt to implement more multisourcing agreements, the number of megadeals awarded to a single service provider has declined, according to Gartner, Inc. Megadeals are characterized as being worth more than $1 billion. In 2005, 11 outsourcing megadeals were awarded, a decline from 12 in 2004 and 16 in 2003.

Gartner Says Fewer Outsourcing Megadeals Were Signed in 2005, but Market Will Continue to Grow

USA - Groups Perform Better Than The Best Individuals At Solving Complex Problems

Groups of three, four, or five perform better on complex problem solving than the best of an equivalent number of individuals, says a new study appearing in the April issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association (APA). This finding may transfer to scientific research teams and classroom problem solving and offer new ways for students to study and improve academic performance, according to the study authors.

Groups Perform Better Than The Best Individuals At Solving Complex Problems

Macao, China - Ambitious recruitment program in multiple Asian languages

Venetian Macau has picked First Advantage Hiring Management Systems (HMS) to automate its recruiting process for the Sands Macao, a one-million-square-foot casino and entertainment complex. First Advantage will also handle its integrated resort The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel, under construction at the Cotai Strip, in Macao, China.

Ambitious recruitment program in multiple Asian languages

UK - Teacher with sight loss receives £196,000 damages

Gaynor Meikle, a secondary school teacher who faced discrimination at work from Nottinghamshire County Council because of her sight loss, has received £196,000 in compensation.

Teacher with sight loss receives £196,000 damages

Australia - Employers Still Not Making Full Use Of Older Talent

Fewer than than one in two Australian employers are making the effort to attract and retain 'mature age' employees despite the skills shortage and rapidly ageing workforce, according to a recent Hudson Report survey.

Employers Still Not Making Full Use Of Older Talent

UK - Students Choose Courses With An Eye To The Future

A recent study by the University of the West of England (UWE) shows that students are increasingly becoming 'job market savvy' and picking more university subjects with specific employment prospects.

Students Choose Courses With An Eye To The Future

USA - Living Longer, Working Longer

People in developed countries are living longer and many are working well past traditional retirement age. Some are even returning to work after "retiring" and/or opting for "portfolios" of paid and volunteer positions.

Living Longer, Working Longer

USA - Good Grades Not Enough

A Purdue University associate professor says that seniors majoring in hospitality and tourism management are reaping the benefits of industry experience and being active in the community.

Good Grades Not Enough

USA - Time Management

In today's choice-challenged environment, the absence of time management skills can leave you feeling overwhelmed in your everyday life.

End Procrastination: Throw Away Your To Do List and Learn Good Time Management Techniques

UK - Outsourcing Saves 15%

Claims of 60% savings through outsourcing are massively exaggerated according to a study by TPI, a leading sourcing advisory firm. TPI's study examined outsourcing contracts awarded between 2003 and 2005 and found that savings net of severance pay, professional fees and governance costs averaged 15%. The savings ranged between 39% at the top end and 10% at the bottom. 15% was also the average level of savings anticipated when contracts were first let.

Outsourcing Saves 15%

USA - The Fourth Best Job In America

The Fourth Best Job In America

That's 'human resources manager' - in case you're wondering - according to the Money magazine and Salary.com list of 50 Best Jobs in America.

USA - 2005 CEO Compensation Survey

A new study that shows CEO compensation varied significantly by firm performance in 2005 among technology industry firms. The study illustrates that CEOs of high performing firms received a median cash compensation increase of 21.3% (including base salary and bonus), while delivering a 35.9% median shareholder return. In contrast, CEOs of low performing firms received a median pay decrease of 14.7% (including base salary and bonus), delivering a -21.7% median shareholder return. Overall in the industry, CEO cash compensation was up 3.7% to $1.723M.

2005 CEO Compensation Varies Significantly by Firm Performance

UK - Award-winning Personality Test

The Facet5 Five Factor personality test, developed by Norman Buckley and published by ConsultingTools, has been put through its paces at the British Psychological Society’s Psychological Testing Centre, passing with flying colours. The rigorous testing took 18 months to complete.

Facet5 Personality Test Recognised by BPS

UK - Sir Alan Sugar’s Management Style Not Sweet Enough for Fifty Lessons

Fifty Lessons, the digital media company that captures the business lessons of world class leaders, takes a stand against the boardroom style of BBC 2’s Apprentice boss and Amstrad founder Sir Alan Sugar.

You're Fired! Apprentice Boardroom Does Not Represent Britain's Enlightened Leaders

Asian Businesses Prefer Locals To Expats

A new report from the Conference Board finds that major Asia-Pacific companies are searching more intensively for executives living in the region, rather than relying on expatriate executives brought in from other parts of the world.

Asian Businesses Prefer Locals To Expats

Canada - Smart Retention Strategies

A recent survey finds that today's businesses are taking active steps to persuade valued employees to stay - and they don't involve a ball and chain.

Smart Retention Strategies for IT

UK - Ealing Council 'Two Ticks' For Disability Employment

Ealing Council has won the right to continue using the ‘two ticks’ disability symbol following an annual review by Jobcentre Plus. The symbol recognises employers who are committed to the employment, retention, training and career development of disabled employees.

Ealing Council retains ‘two ticks’ for its disability employment practices

USA - Recruiting Services for Smaller Companies

With Retiring Baby Boomers Set to Leave a Huge Void in the Workplace, and Unemployment at Record Lows, the Hunt for Top Talent Grows More Challenging

Hyrian Launches Recruiting Services for Mid-Market, Brings Fortune 500-Level Service to Smaller Companies

UK - CIPD Comments on Employment

Today's figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showing higher unemployment on both measures used by government, fewer job vacancies, and static underlying earnings growth confirm that the UK labour market cooled further at the start of 2006. There was however a welcome increase in the number of people in paid work, but this was due almost entirely to more temporary jobs and self-employment, which suggests that employers remain cautious about hiring, says the CIPD's Chief Economist John Philpott.

Sharp rise in temporary jobs and self-employment as labour market continues to cool

Canada - New HRPAO CEO

The Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario (HRPAO) is pleased to announce the appointment of William (Bill) Greenhalgh as the Association's Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Greenhalgh brings a rich business background to Canada's leading association for human resource professionals. He has created and implemented business-altering strategies and consistently achieved record growth profit and revenue across varied industries including electronics, entertainment, publishing and business services.

Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario Announces New CEO - Bill Greenhalgh

Europe - Female Recruitment

Today, as part of its staff policy of equal opportunities for women and men, the Commission will adopt its female recruitment targets for 2006.

Equal opportunities policy: recruiting more women to positions of responsibility

New Zealand - Female Participation

2005 figures released by the Tertiary Education Commission show that 45,000 women took part in formal learning through an Industry Training Organisations in 2005. This compares with 37,000 in 2004, and comes within a context of a record 161,676 participants in industry training.

Female Participation Soars in Industry Training

UK - Employment Statistics

Unemployment rate rises marginally to 5.1% but the number of people in work is the highest figure on record.

Employment Statistics

UK - HR Career Management

Changes to the structure and responsibilities of the HR function in many large organisations have created issues regarding career paths and staff development, according to a new report from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Paradoxically, the creation of higher level, more strategic and demonstrably value adding roles in the function has increased the challenges in developing staff to fill them.

HR career management: Practising what we preach?

USA - Chronic Pain at Work

Chronic pain, which is any physical discomfort lasting for at least six months, affects up to 50 million Americans, most of whom work full time. Common forms of chronic pain include headaches, backaches, arthritis, respiratory conditions, and ailments caused by sports injuries or other traumas, such as car accidents.

Chronic pain hurts both workers and employers, says FSU professor

UK - Emotional Intelligence

hy-phen Workforce Management Solutions, an industry-leading recruitment solutions provider, has been using Emotional Intelligence to predict the potential of graduates for one of its leading clients.

Emotional Intelligence Used to Recruit IT, Business and Financial Graduates in 2006

USA - Diversity Decision Making

New research from Tufts University indicates that diverse groups perform better than homogenous groups when it comes to decision making and that this is due largely to dramatic differences in the way whites behave in diverse groups--changes that occur even before group members begin to interact.

Diversity improves group decision making in unexpected ways, according to Tufts University research

Canada - Unemployment Situation

Statistics Canada reports that the unemployment rate fell by 0.1% to 6.3% in March, the lowest level in 32 years.


Unemployment down 0.1% to 6.3%

USA - California Pregnancy Leave

Only one in three working women who qualify for pregnancy leave in California take advantage of the employee benefit, according to a new study by researchers at University of California, Berkeley. Those who do cite medical necessity, physical discomfort and stress or fatigue as the reason for taking time off from work before their baby is born.

Few women take pregnancy leave in California, study finds

USA - Supervisors and Employees

Even model employees can become negative and unproductive if their bosses are rude or mean-spirited, according to a new University of Florida study.

Gossiping, pilfering, backstabbing and long lunch breaks become the norm not just for workplace malcontents but even for exemplary employees who feel put down by their supervisors, said Timothy Judge, a UF management professor who led the research.

UF study: Even good employees act up if supervisors mistreat them

New Zealand - Cheating Employers

Some unscrupulous business owners are trying to cheat employees out of their minimum wage rise by taking away other allowances, the Green Party says.

Cheating employers should be ashamed

USA - Pension Rules

Corporate America wants to send a clear message to Congress: Toughen pension rules while leveling the playing field. That is a key finding from a Grant Thornton LLP survey of senior finance executives at public and private U.S. companies of all sizes.

Senior Finance Executives Want Stronger Pension Rules Than Congress

UK - Black and Asian Women

Black and Asian women are more likely to be out of work, have more problems finding a suitable job, and when they do, often have to settle for work for which they are over-qualified, according to a report published today (Friday) by the TUC.

Black and Asian women face 'double whammy' of discrimination at work

USA - Employment Situation

Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 211,000, following a gain of 225,000 in February. The unemployment rate dropped marginally unchanged in March to 4.7 percent."


Unemployment returns to 4.7%.

USA - Great Support Staff

Behind nearly every great leader is an equally great support staff, which is why many managers take time to recognize their assistants during Administrative Professionals Week (April 23-29, 2006). In a recent research study published by OfficeTeam in collaboration with the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), 87 percent of managers said they believe they do an excellent job of recognizing their administrative staff's contributions -- 76 percent of administrative professionals polled agreed. Both groups also were in sync when weighing in on topics such as work/life balance and the increasing complexity of the administrative role.

Making It Click: Study Reveals Strong Ties Between Support Staff and Their Managers

USA - Diversity Business Case

Global Lead Management Consulting, an international advisory firm specializing in workplace diversity, launched today The Phoenix Principles: Leveraging Inclusion to Transform Your Organization, a new book aimed at helping business leaders transform themselves and their organizations to produce a greater return on investment through innovative inclusion practices.

Global Lead's New Book Outlines Business Case for Diversity

UK - Mistrust of Pensions Saving

More than two thirds (68%) of Britons are no longer relying on their pension to finance their future, a new report reveals today.

Mistrust of Pensions Continues to Deepen

New Zealand - Health &Safety Penalties

It has always been difficult for employers to defend health and safety prosecutions brought by the Department of Labour, and now the penalties charged upon conviction are increasing markedly.

That's according to Grant Nicholson, Senior Associate at Kensington Swan and leader of the firm's Health and Safety practice.

Health and Safety penalties 'increasing markedly'

New Zealand - Accountants Work-Life Balance

The 2006 Hudson Remuneration Survey has revealed that New Zealand Chartered Accountants are not as money-oriented as the stereotype suggests.

Money Comes Distant Third On Accountants Wish-List

Australia - Unemployment falls to 5%

Seasonally adjusted, the number of people in employment also rose by 27,000 to 10,085,300 in March.


Unemployment falls to 5.0%

Canada - Shareholder Scrutiny

A growing movement to force corporations to disclose exactly how much they pay their executives is a knee jerk reaction to high profile corporate scandals a finance expert says.

Shareholder scrutiny drives disclosure of executive pay packages, McMaster expert says

Australia - Nurses, Midwives Study

University of Queensland (UQ) researchers are undertaking the largest and only longitudinal study of nurses and midwives ever attempted in the world. Despite being the largest single health professional group in Australia, Dr Turner said very little detailed research had been done on workforce trends over time within the nursing and midwifery professions and there are no previous longitudinal studies.

Nurses and midwives come under microscope in unique e-cohort study

Worldwide Talent Management Market

Yankee Group today announced that the worldwide talent management market is experiencing exponential growth and will reach more than $4.0 billion in revenue by 2009. In 2005, many leading vendors experienced growth rates of 50% to 100%, with some vendors adding more than 100 new clients. This growing market reflects how the enterprise market is changing. As the need for developing competitive human capital increases, the market will remain strong. New service delivery models, including on-demand software delivery and the continued adoption of HR outsourcing, are also key contributors to market success.

Yankee Group Forecasts Worldwide Talent Management Market Will Surpass $2.3 Billion in 2006

USA - Employment Eligibility Verification

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) today released the results of their survey of thousands of their members that finds 76 percent saying that using an electronic employment eligibility verification system would be a "minimal burden" or "not a burden." The most important provision of the House-passed immigration and border security legislation (H.R. 4437) addresses the job magnet that lures immigrants to the U.S. illegally. The House bill makes mandatory a system currently voluntary that allows employers to verify whether an employee is legally eligible to work. Critics of this provision have asserted that this system would hit small businesses the hardest.

76 Percent of Small Business Owners Believe Employment Eligibility Verification System to Have Minimal or No Burden on Them

USA - Pay For Performance Report

Many HR professionals cite a disconnect between tracking employee performance and compensation, and visibility into employee data. A new Aberdeen research report 'The Pay-for-Performance Benchmark Report', finds that technology-enabled Pay for Performance programs integrate both performance tracking and compensation management, providing overall visibility in employee value and contributing to corporate success.

Strategic Job Alignment and Performance Data Automation are Keys to Successful Pay for Performance

UK - CIPD Pensions Response

A 3% employer contribution towards pensions under a National Pension Savings Scheme (NPSS) would not lead to a cancellation or levelling down of existing pension arrangements, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
(CIPD).

CIPD research shows that Turner proposals would not lead to a cancellation or levelling down of pension arrangements

UK - Red Tape Deters Recruitment

Between them, small businesses in the UK are spending half a billion (500,000,000) hours each year meeting the demands of government regulations and paperwork, according to the latest NatWest/SERTeam Quarterly Survey of Small Business in Britain. Over a half of small businesses say that the burden of red tape has affected their employment levels.

Red Tape Deters Recruitment

UK - CIPD 2007 Events

The two largest events organised by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) are both set to undergo changes in 2007, it was announced today.

HRD and Harrogate 2007: CIPD announces significant changes

The 21st Century Chief Human Resource Officer

A new report from Deloitte Consulting states that the modern CHRO is required increasingly to act as both strategist and steward. CHROs are 'leaders who not only manage the HR function and operations team, but also collaborate directly with the CEO and board of directors on a range of critical business issues.'

The 21st Century Chief Human Resource Officer

Mergers and Acquisitions

Contrasting strongly with findings from the past 20 years, the current round of merger and acquisition (M&A) deals tend to be financially successful and generate more shareholder value, according to a new study.

New Views on Mergers and Acquisitions

USA - HR Technology Survey

HR self-service offers many advantages in terms of cost and efficiency but many human resource executives are still concentrating on routine transactions and are not reaping the benefits of available technology.

HR Executives Still Not Making the Most of HR Technology

Canada - HR Toolkit Welcomed

IPMA-Canada is supporting the release of Human Resource Recruitment and Best Talent Retention Tool Kit for the Public Sector, a report published by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. IPMA-Canada considers that this report will interest all HR professionals, especially those providing service in the public sector with responsibility for the management of human resources.

IPMA-Canada welcomes HR toolkit report

New Zealand - Few Women at the Top

Women are making only glacial progress in board appointments to top New Zealand companies, according to a new report, The New Zealand Census of Women's Participation 2006, released by the Human Rights Commission and the Centre for Women and Leadership at Massey University.

The report shows that women have only 46 of the 645 directorships in the top 100 companies. Just two companies have gender parity on their boards. New Zealand is lagging well behind similar countries such as Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA for gender balance at board level.

'Glacial progress' for women at the top

Australia - Same-Sex Discrimination Inquiry

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has announced a National Inquiry into discrimination against same-gender couples when they attempt to access financial and employment-related entitlements.

National Enquiry on Entitlements for Same-Gender Relationships

UK - Young Workers & Pensions

Most employees between 18 - 24 are not contributing to a pension and face a poor retirement if they do not start saving soon, according to the TUC.


Young Workers Need to Start Saving

China, India and the USA will drive growth

A new research report from the Economist Intelligence Unit predicts that more than half the growth in the world's GDP over the next 15 years will come from China (27%), the US (16%) and India (12%).


China, India and the USA will drive GDP Growth

USA - Recruitment Webinar

Responding to increased demands on HR practitioners to evaluate their recruitment operations, processes and strategies, BrassRing is sponsoring an interactive elearning series through the Human Capital Institute (HCI) entitled "Optimizing Recruitment Operations." Composed of four educational webinars, this track will examine a range of workforce acquisition strategies and tools, for sourcing, recruiting, and hiring, which, when combined in a talent lifecycle approach to talent acquisition and optimization, can establish the Human Resource Department as a strategic contributor to organizational success.

BrassRing Announces 2006 Human Capital Institute eLearning Webinar Track 'Optimizing Recruitment Operations'

UK - Apprentices' Pay

Apprentices under the age of 19 currently do not have to be paid the minimum wage. The TUC is urging the government to agree that this policy be reviewed, as the Low Pay Commission has recommended.

Apprentices need fair pay and proper protections says TUC

Knowledge Workers

Knowledge workers will be companies' most valuable source of competitive advantage in 2020, whether in outward-facing functions such as sales or inward-facing ones such as knowledge management. According to respondents to a major new survey on the company of the future, the value of price competitiveness to customers is expected to decline relative to other factors, such as personalisation of products and quality of customer service.

Relationships the key to corporate success in 2020, says major new report

UK - Work Smarter

Just as Britain led the way with industrialisation in the 19th century, we are looking to lead the world in changing the work culture in the 21st. Organisations and employees across the UK are being invited to take part in Work Wise Week (3 - 9 May 2006) and help create a 'smarter' working Britain.

Work Wise Week: 'Stagger 9 to 5 for staggering benefits'

UK - Office Hygiene

British workers are literally making themselves ill, thanks to filthy desks and equipment. Employers throughout the UK are counting the cost of sick days, with two thirds of workers taking time off for bad colds in the last month - colds that are spread by office equipment.

A survey by computer cleaning specialists Durable researched the cleanliness of office desks nationwide. The findings revealed that the UK's levels of hygiene at work are so poor, bacteria and germs are being generated and spread 24 hours a day, contributing to a GBP11.75bn cost of sickies in the UK every year.

Dirty Work Habits Are Making UK Workforce Ill

Reluctant Knowledge Sharers

When it comes to job knowledge, usually few know more about it than the person performing the assignment.

Why Workers Are Reluctant to Share Their Knowledge

Upgrading Your Education - Lifelong Learning

Corporate upsizing, downsizing, rightsizing - today's professionals cannot afford to be complacent. In the past, students received a degree and moved on to the professional community; education ceased with the diploma. Today, many adults view education as a lifelong proposition, either as a diversion from the business world or a necessary part of it.

Upgrading Your Education - Lifelong Learning

UK - Construction Industry Stress

A majority of UK construction professionals surveyed by the Chartered Institute of Building felt that the construction industry today is more stressful than it was five years ago.

Stress Builds across UK Construction

UK - e-Learning Survey

Learning Light, a non-profit organisation that helps to build relationships between learning technology researchers, suppliers, buyers and learners, has embarked on a major research programme to map trends in coporate e-learning. The research will concentrate on developments in the UK but will also look at e-learning across Continental Europe.

Learning Light researches e-learning

USA - Hospital Shift Staffing

San Diego-based BidShift, has implemented its online staffing effectiveness system at The University Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, to provide an automated approach for filling open shifts. University is the second Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati hospital to implement the technology, which provides visibility into open shifts throughout the hospital to help ensure the staffing coverage needed to facilitate and enhance continuity of care to patients.

BidShift Launches Staffing Effectiveness System at The University Hospital in Cincinnati

USA - Women Directors

At the Current Growth Rate, Parity between Women and Men on Corporate Boards Might Not Be Achieved for 70 Years!

2005 Catalyst Census of Women Board Directors of the Fortune 500 Shows 10-Year Trend of Slow Progress and Persistent Challenges

USA - Dell Supports Diversity

Dell CEO Kevin Rollins, joining other chief executives and thought leaders discuss the business imperative of diversity, said a diverse workforce can enable competitive advantages.

Dell CEO Kevin Rollins Cites Workforce Diversity as Key to Gaining Competitive Advantages in Business

UAE - Migrant Workers Abuse

The government of the United Arab Emirates should take immediate steps to end the abusive labor practices that have helped spark recent unrest by migrant workers in Dubai, Human Rights Watch said today.

United Arab Emirates: Abuse of migrant workers

Europeans Move For Love Not Work

Following a partner, being with family and having a better quality of life are the main factors that motivate Europeans to move to another country, new research shows. Of the 2% of European citizens who live in a country other than their own, only a quarter move because of employment.

Europeans move for love and a better quality of life

Outsourcing Growth Prediction

FAO Research, Inc., the only research firm focused exclusively on the Finance & Accounting Outsourcing (FAO) market, has announced that its latest research showing a 40 percent, one-year increase in FAO contract signings in 2005, with the lion's share of business won by Accenture and Capgemini. Further, the firm predicts that by the end 2006, there will be an additional 60 percent growth in the number of FAO contracts closed than in 2005.

Leading Research Firm Predicts 60% Growth in Finance & Accounting Outsourcing in 2006

UK - People 'Blind Spot'

One in three employees feels they are not the most important asset to their organisation despite constant reminders from their management, according to recent research.

Companies still suffering from people 'blind spot'

Canada (Alberta) - 'Third Way' Health Care

The so-called Third Way in health care may be Premier Klein's "hobby horse" - but Health Minister Iris Evans shouldn't feel obliged to hop on board, says AFL president Gil McGowan.

In his presentation to the health care hearings being conducted by Evans, McGowan warned that the Third Way could end up costing Alberta businesses a bundle.

Proposed "Third Way" in health care could cost Alberta businesses a bundle, says AFL

Canada - WSIB and Construction

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has registered its strong opposition to today's announcement from Labour Minister Steve Peters that he intends to proceed with consultations on extending Mandatory WSIB coverage to owner/operators of construction firms, resurrecting an idea shelved with good reason by former Labour Minister Chris Bentley.

CFIB: WSIB Mandatory coverage "an attack on small construction firms"

UK - Annoyance at Work

In an age of open plan offices, big work teams and high pressure environments, working closely and intensely with people inevitably puts even the strongest relationships under strain. In fact, in a survey conducted by Monster, Brits cited their own colleagues as the main cause of annoyance at work.

Brits Blame Each Other For Causing Nightmare At Work

Canada - Aircrew Selection

The Canadian Forces are the first in the world to develop and implement new automated aircrew anthropometric selection procedures and standards based on specific operational requirements.

New High Tech CF Aircrew Selection

New Zealand - Unhappy Workers

Almost missed this survey released on March 16:

Over half of New Zealand workers are unhappy in their jobs

Canada (Ontario) - Immigrant Opportunities

Ontario needs the skills of newcomers and the Ontario government is committed to breaking down barriers to get them into the workforce faster, Ontario Citizenship and Immigration Minister Mike Colle told a national think tank today.

McGuinty government expanding newcomer opportunities

Immigrant in Canada has posted a comment on this article, including:

"Come to Canada, we need you, we have over one million jobs that need to be filled, apply now, we will fast track your application. BTW did we mention according to this or that survey, Canada is the Numero Uno place to live on planet earth"

What nobody would tell you is.. Yes there is a labour shortage, but we are not quite ready to give every Fu, Bu, Chu (Tom Dick and Harry) the job

Click on the comment link below to read more

UK - Measuring Recruitment Performance

Unlike practically every other business discipline, recruitment seems to have escaped stringent performance measurement, despite its potentially huge impact on corporate success.

UK Companies Take Recruitment Measurement Too Lightly

USA/UK - Talent Management

HRsmart, a Dallas-based leading provider of talent management software solutions, selects REAL People Group to launch its technology in the United Kingdom.

HRsmart Partners with REAL People Group, Launches Solutions in UK

USA - Organizational Culture

Companies who out-perform the norm in their category have specific cultural differences from their underperforming peers, according to Coogan & Partners' 2005 Senior Marketing Landscape Survey.

Organizational Culture has Positive Impact on Company Performance: Coogan & Partners

UK - Internet Misuse

Some 90% of all companies said protecting their reputation was one of the most important drivers for information security. Some 88% of business Internet connections are now broadband, increasing the risk of damage to reputation through staff misuse of web or email. In recognition of this, one and a half times as many companies have an acceptable policy for Internet usage as two years ago: 63% of all companies and 89% of large ones have an acceptable usage policy. This is more than have an overall information security policy. More:

Staff misuse of the internet risks damaging reputation of UK companies

ACTU Claims Most Australians Against New IR Laws

A new poll conducted for the the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) found considerable opposition to the Federal Government's new IR laws. The ACTU claims that there is a general belief that the Howard Government is acting in the interests of big business over the rights of Australian working families.


ACTU Claims Most Australians Against New IR Laws

India - Background Screening

As a major outsourcing hub for the global economy, India has to increase the comfort level for the overseas investor and the customers seeking business opportunity here.

Background Screening in India

USA - Talent Management

The Human Capital Institute (HCI), a global professional association and educator in talent management strategies, and Bernard Hodes Group, a leading provider of integrated
talent solutions, announced today that Bernard Hodes Group will sponsor HCI's Innovative Talent Solutions learning and research track. The track is one of several topics addressed in HCI's Talent Leadership community of interest, a community HCI considers critical to organizations working to build competitive advantage.

Human Capital Institute and Bernard Hodes Group Announce Agreement

UK - Toyota Opens European Training Centre

Toyota has officially opened its European Global Production Centre (E-GPC) in the grounds of its UK production facility at Burnaston, Derbyshire this week. The E-GPC is a 'train the trainer' centre where future trainers from Toyota's European plants will be taught production and maintenance skills.

Toyota's 'Train the Trainer' Centre Opens

UK- PC World Scraps Commission

PC World, the UK's leading chain of computer superstores, has made a major change to its store team structure and reward system that puts customer service at the heart of its business plan. The change programme "One Team" is being deployed across PC World's 150 stores and 6,000 store employees and follows an extensive consultation programme.

PC World says "RIP, sales commission"

UK - British Airways Raises Retirement Age

British Airways is proposing to change its New Airways Pension Scheme (NAPS) in order to clear a £1 billion past service actuarial deficit.

British Airways Raises Retirement Age

Germany - Performance and Pay Study

The fact that on average women earn less than men is not necessarily the result of discrimination: when given a choice between a fixed salary and performance-related pay, women choose the former far more often than men, even if they could earn more by opting for the latter. This is the result of a study carried out by the Institute for the Study of Labour and the University of Bonn.

German women prefer fixed salaries, men performance-related pay

USA - Outsourcing Risks

Information security has become a top concern among companies evaluating current and potential outsourcing relationships, according to a new study by management consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton. Further, companies perceive a significantly higher security risk in working with offshore providers over those in the U.S., due to a lack of trust in legal and regulatory environments in developing countries.

Information Security Risk a Top Concern among Outsourcing Executives, New Survey Finds

Canada (Ontario) - Budget HR Implications

Selected comments about the implications of yesterday's budget on employment issues in Ontario:

Ontario Budget HR Implications

Canada (Ontario) - Health HR Strategy

The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) welcomed the provincial government's budget commitment to introduce a health human resource strategy. The OMA committed to participating in the development of that strategy and called for the retention of physicians in Ontario to be a priority.

Ontario Doctors Welcome Plan to Introduce Health Human Resource Strategy

USA - Global Networking Event

The Human Capital Institute (HCI), a global professional association and educator in talent management strategies, and Franklin University, a Columbus-based educator known for its focus on providing educational opportunities and choices for working adults, announced today that Allan Schweyer, Executive Director of the Human Capital Institute, will speak at the third program in a series of Human Capital Innovation events for the central Ohio business community.

The Human Capital Institute and Franklin University Offer "Global Talent" Networking Event

UK - Tax Exemption on Home Computers Abolished

Yesterday’s budget saw a shock announcement from the Chancellor, Gordon Brown regarding the tax exemption on home computers and mobile phones.

Shock Removal of Tax Exemption on Home Computers

UK - Budget HR Implications

A selection of views on the HR implications of Gordon Brown's Budget speech:

Budget Comments

South Africa/USA - Systems

IEX Corporation announced the substantial performance improvements Eskom Holdings Ltd has realized through its implementation of the IEX(R) TotalView(R) Workforce Management system.

Effective Skill Scheduling and Multisite Management Among Top Benefits

Career Change

If you are one of the lucky few that loves your job and it is very secure, then you will never have to consider a change in your career. But, if you are like most other people, you will face changes in your career several times during your lifetime. Linda Matias discusses:

8 Reasons to Consider a Career Change

Canada - Minority Women Doubly Harassed

Minority women are facing a 'double jeopardy' of harassment in the workplace, according to new research from the University of Toronto.

Minority Women Subjected to Double Harassment

USA - New Pfeffer & Sutton Book

"If doctors practiced medicine the way many companies practice management, there would be far more sick and dead patients, and many more doctors would be in jail."

With this statement, Stanford Graduate School of Business faculty members Jeffrey Pfeffer and Robert I. Sutton sound the clarion call for a new movement in corporate management, one based on facts.

New Book by Stanford Business School Faculty Members Calls for Corporate Management Based on Facts

USA - Professional Employer Organization Services

Emplicity, a leading Professional Employer Organization (PEO) operating nationwide with clients in a wide range of industries, unveiled a new no-cost program this week that it claims is designed to help companies lower employee management costs while identifying the many benefits packages available to them in meeting their employees' growing needs.

Emplicity Unveils 'CHOICE' to Help Cut Employers' Costs, Increase Employee Benefits Options

Australia - ACTU Attack IR Law Regulations

Australian unions have attacked the details of regulations relating to the Government's new industrial relations laws recently released by Workplace Minister Kevin Andrews, describing them as 'harsh new Federal Government fines and penalties for workers
and unions and a crackdown on union activity in the workplace'.

ACTU Attack IR Law Regulations

USA - Online Education Trends

The USC Viterbi School of Engineering, one of the top engineering schools in the U.S., forecasts dramatic growth in students and offerings at online colleges this year. Established in 1972, USC Viterbi School of Engineering's Distance Education Network (DEN) is a pioneer and one of the oldest distance learning programs in the country.

Ten Trends for 2006 in Online Education from Online Graduate School Pioneer

USA - HR Service Award

The rating came from the HR Service Excellence survey, which was sent to Robbins-Gioia employees in October 2005. Employees were asked to rate the HR department in approximately 40 different areas, such as approachability and professionalism; knowledge and communication of policies and benefits; effectiveness in the recruiting, hiring, and orientation of new employees; and effectiveness in employee development and training. The survey was conducted by roughly 658 participating organizations.


Robbins-Gioia Wins First Place in 2005 HR Service Excellence Award

USA - Background Checks Increasing

ADP Employer Services, a leading provider of integrated outsourced payroll, benefits and human resource services, has released its ninth annual Screening Index, a yearly evaluation of hiring trends and issues. In 2005, ADP Screening and Selection Services conducted 4,861,435 background checks, a 12 percent increase over the previous year. Forty-nine percent of the education, employment and credential verifications revealed a data inconsistency compared to what the applicant reported.


ADP Pre-Employment Screening Index Reveals 12 Percent Increase in the Number of Background Checks Performed by Employers

UK - Financial Skills

The lack of financial understanding amongst UK business managers should send alarm bells to CEOs. In a new You Gov survey of 650 UK managers, commissioned by Intellexis, leading providers of financial e-learning solutions, half of respondents with financial responsibility admitted they are unsure about the accuracy of their financial decision making. Only 46% of female managers, compared to 50% male are confident they are making the best financial decisions for their businesses.

Figures Just Don't Add Up for UK Business Managers

Canada - Management v. Leadership

Leadership is the star of business books, programs and buzz. Management, on the other hand, has become a dirty word. Everywhere experts promote leadership. Pundits tell us we are all leaders and we must develop visionary leadership skills.

It's all very inspiring - and according to Helen Wilkie, keynote speaker, consultant and creator of "The Manager's Journey", it's also misleading.

"Of course great leadership is desirable," says Wilkie, "but all this hype has created a bias against essential management skills. It seems nobody wants to be seen as a manager, because everyone is fixated on the perceived higher goal of leadership."

More at: Forget leadership - it's about managing!

UK - Minimum Wage Increases

National minimum wage increases

The Government has announced that the adult minimum wage rate will rise from £5.05 to £5.35 an hour in October.

UK - Bird Flu Policy

Human Resources Consultancy Marshall-James advises Employers to give urgent thought to developing an Employment Policy for their Employees on Bird Flu.

Bird Flu - Are UK Employers Prepared?

Canada - Integrating Immigrants

Integrating Immigrants - The Honourable Diane Finley delivers keynote speech at Public Policy Forum Conference (March 19 2006)

UK/USA - WorkPlace Systems

WorkPlace Systems plc (WSI.L) has received a 'Positive' rating by leading analyst firm Gartner, Inc., in its recent MarketScope report for Retail Time and Labor Applications.

WorkPlace Systems Gets 'Positive' Rating from Leading Analysts

USA - Leadership Development Learning

The Human Capital Institute (HCI), a global professional association and educator in talent management strategies, and Lominger Limited Inc., a leading development resource
firm, announced today that Lominger will sponsor HCI's Next Generation Leadership Development learning and research track. The track is one of several topics addressed in HCI's Talent Leadership community of interest, a community HCI considers critical to organizations working to build competitive advantage.

Lominger Will Underwrite Human Capital Institute's Leadership Development Learning Initiatives

Australia - Employment Situation

Unemployment falls to 5.2%

Seasonally adjusted, the number of people in employment also rises by 25,900 to 10,058,000 in February.

USA/UK - Catalyst 2006 Awards

At its annual gala dinner, Catalyst presented the 2006 Catalyst Award to BP p.l.c., The Chubb Corporation, and Safeway Inc. for their initiatives to advance women in the workplace. Every year since 1987, Catalyst has honored outstanding and replicable business initiatives that result in the recruitment, development, and advancement of women in the workplace.

Catalyst Honors BP p.l.c., The Chubb Corporation, and Safeway Inc. with 2006 Catalyst Award for Outstanding Initiatives to Advance Women in Business

USA - Skills Shortages

Half the HR professionals questioned in a recent survey said that new workers lacked some competencies and almost a third of organizations are filling skills gaps from overseas.


Shortage of skilled workers is a growing problem

UK - Labour Market Statistics

Employment Statistics

The unemployment rate is 5.0% - up on the previous quarter and the last year.

USA - HRsmart Record Results

HRsmart, Inc., a leading global provider of web-based talent management solutions and one of the fastest growing and most profitable firms in the industry, announced today a 60-percent increase in revenue and 1012-percent increase in net income for fiscal year 2005.

HRsmart, Inc. Marks Record Year-End 2005 Financial Results

Australia - Employers surveyed on VET

Most Australian employers are happy with the national vocational education and training (VET) system, according to a new survey.


Employers surveyed on VET

USA - ePerformance Guides

While web-based performance management systems are increasingly common in the corporate world, many companies still suffer from the lack of a cohesive performance review system. Edolution Software has addressed this problem with two new versions of its performance management application: ePerformance Guide Small Business and ePerformance Guide For Managers.

ePerformance Guide Small Business and ePerformance Guide For Managers

Online Personnel Sourcing

The Internet has brought about such changes as online employment listings, resulting in an onslaught of resumes that staffing/recruitment firms and companies continue to qualify, match and rank candidates with same tools from before the Internet. Since
job candidates expect an Internet speed response, recruiting/staffing firms and departments may be missing the best candidates. Standardization of the way they create job descriptions and accept resumes may solve many of their problems, according to Bruce Culver, a 20-year veteran of the staffing and recruitment software industry.

Overcoming the Downside of Online Personnel Sourcing

New Chair for EMCC UK

IOD Director of the Year 2005 award winner Zulfi Hussain has been elected to the chair of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council's new UK organisation.

New Chair for EMCC UK

USA - Unemployment situation

Unemployment rate edges up to 4.8%.

Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that payroll employment increased by 243,000 in February, and the unemployment rate went up marginally to 4.8%.

Canada - Unemployment falls

Unemployment down 0.2% to 6.4%

Statistics Canada reports that the unemployment rate fell by 0.2% to 6.4% in February, matching November 2005's 30-year low.

UK - Engineering Stereotypes

Classic stereotypes of engineers as men who are brilliant at and passionate about technology, but not very good at dealing with people, do not reflect real engineers and their work, according to Dr Wendy Faulkner from the University of Edinburgh. Moreover, such stereotypes are hampering efforts to recruit women into the engineering profession.

Sterotype of engineers puts women off the job

UK - Age Discrimination Regulations

Trade and Industry Secretary Alan Johnson has published the final measures to outlaw age discrimination in the workplace in Great Britain. The regulations are the final major stage of implementing the European Employment Directive adopted in November 2000.

Age Discrimination Regulations

Global Learning

Learners around the Globe Access Training in Own Language and Culture, Right from their Desktop

Multinational Organizations Train Customers and Employees from China to South Africa, Germany to Australia

USA - The Green Score

Saba, Intekras Team to Help Government Agencies 'Get to Green'on President's Management Agenda

The Scorecard is part of the President's Management Agenda, a governmentwide initiative aimed at improving the efficiency of the federal government in five specific areas, including Strategic Management of Human Capital. The President's Management Agenda requires all departments and agencies to adopt new disciplines and has defined clear, governmentwide goals and a simple grading system of red, yellow, and green to track and measure how well the departments and major agencies are achieving those goals. To achieve a "Green" score for Strategic Management of Human Capital, agencies must demonstrate that they have implemented next-generation HCM systems that include performance appraisals linked to goals, succession planning, competency assessment, skill gap analysis and measurement of results at all levels.

Canada (Ontario) - Workplace Violence

One of the largest unions in Ontario has asked for workplace violence to be covered by the province's health and safety legislation.


Ontario Government Should Pay Attention to Workplace Violence

Canada - The Gender Gap Continues

The average earnings of female employees are still significantly lower than their male counterparts and women continue to make up a disproportionate share of Canadians with low incomes.

The Gender Gap Continues