UK - Office Parties

Two new articles on this subject:

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


Employers Cut Back on Christmas Rewards

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

Office Party Warnings

Canada - 'Toxic' Communication

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


How to Avoid 'Toxic Communication'

UK - Apprenticeships

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

Combined Effort Needed For Apprentice Training

USA - Offshoring Could Save $58 Billion a Year

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

Offshoring Could Save $58 Billion a Year

UK - Eastern European Migration Falling

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


Migrants Boost Labour Market

Australia - NSW wages going backwards, say ACTU

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

NSW wages going backwards, say ACTU

UK - FTSE 100 executives pull ahead

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

FTSE 100 executives pull ahead

UK - Work and Families

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

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

UK - Age Discrimination

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

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

USA - AMA Change Survey

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

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

UK - Acas advises on Christmas parties

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

Acas gives companies free 'Happy Christmas Party' advice

UK - Employment Situation

Unemployment rises to 5.6%

Employment Statistics

USA - The Job Journey

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

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

NZ - Youth Pay Rates Discriminatory

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

Commission backs abolishing minimum wage discrimination

NZ - Employment Situation

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

High Employment but Labour Market Eases

USA - Effects of the Brain Drain on Health Care

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

Effects of the Brain Drain on Health Care

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

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

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

UK - Recruitment Industry Booms

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

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

UK - Management Jargon

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


Management Jargon Baffles Employees

NZ - Asians, Cultural Attitudes and Sexual Identity

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

Asians, Cultural Attitudes and Sexual Identity

Canada - Employment Situation

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


Canadian Unemployment Falls By 0.2% to 6.2%

USA - Employment Situation

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

US unemployment falls to 4.4%

USA - Human Capital Institute Launches New Education Program

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

Human Capital Institute Launches New Education Program

USA - A Passion for Diversity

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

Full article at:


A Passion for Diversity

UK - CIPD changes 2007 events

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

USA - Listening to Employees

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

Listening to Employees Vital to Successful Change, Says RHR International

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

N. America - Talent Acquisition Software

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

OSRAM SYLVANIA Selects SonicRecruit to Brighten Up Its Hiring Efforts

Australia - TAFE system underfunded, say ACTU

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

Young Australians Deprived of Technical Education & Skills: New Research

Locating Unrecognized Talent

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

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

UK - Employment situation

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


Employment Statistics

UK - Workplace Dispute Resolutions

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

Acas Chair advocates early dispute resolution

UK - TUC goes to Poland

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

TUC goes to Poland

USA - Executive Perks Survey

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

Executive Perk Survey

UK - Scottish smoking ban produces rapid health improvement

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

Scottish smoking ban produces rapid health improvement

Australia - Employment Situation

Unemployment falls back to 4.8%

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

USA - Employment Situation

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

US unemployment falls marginally to 4.6%

Canada - Employment Situation

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


Unemployment Falls By 0.1% to 6.4%

Australia - Risk-taking CEOs

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

Australian CEOs Greater Risk-Takers Than Americans

USA - Scot achieves Senior VP at Papa John

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

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

UK - TUC welcomes minimum wage increase

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

TUC hails October minimum wage rise

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

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

New IR Laws Reducing Take-Home Pay, say ACTU

USA - Powerful CEOs pay employees more

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

Powerful CEOs pay employees more

USA - Citygroup attracts law graduates

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

Citigroup attracts law graduates

USA - Six Sigma and Lean

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

Six Sigma and Lean: A Marriage in the Making

USA - Peak Performances in Hospitality Industry

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

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

USA - Directors' Pay

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

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

UK - Communication Handbook

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

New handbook aims to make managers better communicators

UK - Coaching Supervision

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

Coaching Supervision

USA - Employee Survey Case Study

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

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

UK - Ramadan

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

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

USA - Identity Theft Tips

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

Security Expert's Top 5 Tips to Combat Identity Theft

USA - Higher Compensation Levels for Senior Living Positions in Massachusetts

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

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

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

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

Are Big Companies Better at Producing Talent? Not in Sales

USA - Nurses suffer work-life conflict

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


Nurses suffer work-life conflict

UK - TUC on minimum wage

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

TUC comments on minimum wage survey

UK - CIPD on pensions policy

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

CIPD responds to government pensions white paper

Australia - Telstra cuts contract technicians pay

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


Telstra cuts technicians contract pay rates

USA - Career Exits

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

Career exits

Europe - Wide variation in maternity benefits

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

Wide variation in European maternity benefits

UK - Web use at work

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

Web use at work

USA - Employment sites do the job

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

Employment sites do the job

North America - Telecommuting

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


Who Telecommutes?

USA - Rising demand for top executives

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

Rising demand for top executives

Australia - Almost a third of nurses experience abuse

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

Almost a third of nurses experience abuse

UK - Women Directors 'Own Worst Enemy'

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

Women Directors 'Own Worst Enemy'

USA - Pink Collar CEOs

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


Pink Collar CEOs

USA - Diversity Training Doesn't Work

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

Diversity Training Doesn't Work

UK - Childhood Aspirations May Be Key

Children in the UK dream of becoming a teacher, footballer or police officer, according to new research for Jobcentre Plus, part of the Department for Work and Pensions. The poll of 397 children aged 5-11, conducted by LVQ Research revealed that boys are most likely to aspire to sporting careers or working for emergency services and girls to caring or nurturing professions. One in ten boys (10 per cent) dream of being a footballer and 7 per cent a police officer or fireman; while 13 per cent of girls would like to become a teacher and 9 per cent a nurse.

Childhood Aspirations May Be Key

Canada - Pay Cheques Boosted

Canadian employees can expect pay raises of 3.5 per cent in 2007, according to findings from the 2006 Annual Canadian Salary Survey by Watson Wyatt Worldwide.

Pay Cheques Boosted

Canada - Interview Mistakes

A recent Canadian survey finds that how much applicants know about prospective employers plays a crucial role in successful job seeking. Thirty-four per cent of executives polled said that having little or no knowledge of the company is the most common mistake made during interviews.


Interview Mistakes

USA - Aging Workforces

More than one-third (34 per cent) of all American employers - and nearly half (46 per cent) with 25 000 or more workers - agree that the aging workforce will have a significant impact on their company. However, more than three-quarters (79 per cent) have not taken any steps to accommodate older workers, according to the 2005/2006 MetLife Employee Benefits Trend Study.


Aging Workforces

Ireland - Controlling Absence Levels

Controlling Absence Levels

A survey of top Irish organizations has found that almost 65 per cent of companies do not calculate the annual cost of absence to their business and have no idea what impact it has on their direct or indirect costs.

UK - Directors' Bumper Pensions

Directors of the UK's top 100 companies have amassed pensions worth nearly £1 billion, according to the latest annual TUC PensionsWatch survey.

Directors' Bumper Pensions

USA - Whites' racial identity

What whites think about their own race is the focus of an innovative national survey.

Whites' racial identity

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Names Del Busto Chief Human Resources Officer

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has named long-time Human Resources (HR) executive Maria Del Busto its vice president of Human Resources.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Names Del Busto Chief Human Resources Officer

Worker Protection - World Bank Accused

The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) has strongly criticized the 2007 edition of the World Bank publication, Doing Business, prepared by the private sector development department.

Worker Protection - World Bank Accused

UK - Accidents at work

New research from AXA Insurance has revealed that as many as one in ten people have sustained an injury in the workplace in the past five years.

One in ten injured at work

UK - Soldiers' Wives Tough It Out

September 2006 sees the deployment of more British troops to Afghanistan, but what is the impact on the wives and families left behind?

Soldiers' Wives Tough It Out

USA - Black-White Achievement Gap

An in-class writing assignment designed to boost students' sense of identity and personal integrity reduced the achievement gap between African-American and non-minority students by 40 per cent, according to a new study by associate professor Geoffrey Cohen of Colorado and Julio Garcia of Yale universities and their colleagues.

Black-White Achievement Gap

Staff Retention Problems in China

Companies in China are struggling to retain their professional and support staff, and face having to pay higher salaries or excessive recruitment costs, according to research by Mercer Human Resource Consulting.

Staff Retention Problems in China

UK - Skills Crisis

The report entitled '2020 vision for skills' is a response to the review of skills needs for 2020, called for by Chancellor of Exchequer Gordon Brown in his 2004 budget.

UK Facing Skills Crisis

Job Seekers Want Traditional Employer Characteristics

Interesting work, recognition and reward of good performance and opportunities for promotion attract job seekers the most, according to an Accenture global recruitment survey.


Job Seekers Want Traditional Employer Characteristics

UK - Pension Scheme Websites

Awareness of pension scheme websites is considerably higher among employees than the self-employed.

Pension Scheme Websites

USA - Bipolar Disorder and Lost Productivity

Bipolar disorder costs twice as much in lost productivity as major depressive disorder.

Bipolar Disorder Costs More Than Depression

USA - Employment Situation

Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nonfarm payroll employment rose by 128,000 in August.

US unemployment falls marginally to 4.7%

USA - High-Potential Entrepreneurs

U.S. entrepreneurs are streets ahead of their counterparts in other countries when it comes to developing innovative businesses that keep the economy dynamic and productive.


High-Potential Entrepreneurs

USA - HR and Small Business

Effective HR practices can directly affect business results for small enterprises, according to a four-phase landmark study.

Small Businesses Benefit From Effective Employee Management Strategies

Violence At Work

A study for the ILO shows that violence at work is increasing worldwide and has reached epidemic levels in some countries.

Violence At Work

USA - Teens Are Too Ambitious

The goals of many teens exceed their likely achievements, leading to wasted time and resources, not to mention anxiety and distress, according to a new study.

Teens Are Too Ambitious

UK Business Vulnerable To Globalization

A new TUC report acknowledges that UK employees undoubtedly benefit from cheap goods and greater prosperity resulting from globalization, but are more vulnerable to its negative effects than others in Europe.

UK Business Vulnerable To Globalization

UK - Making the most of psychometrics

Change management and training consultancy, cda, believes that too many companies are failing to maximize on the benefits of using psychometrics as an integral part of their recruitment policy.

Making the most of psychometrics

Canada - IT for low-income women in Ontario

The Ontario government minister responsible for women's issues Sandra Pupatello has announced funding of C$2.7 million over the next two years to provide additional information technology training for low-income women.

IT for low-income women in Ontario

USA - Teen Work Injuries

A new survey of 6810 teens shows that of the 50 per cent that were in employment, 514 had been injured at work.

Teen Work Injuries

USA - Snap Judgments About Faces

Recent research indicates that when we see an unfamiliar face, our brains decide intuitively whether a person is attractive and trustworthy within a tenth of a second - so quickly that reason may play no part in the process.

Snap Judgments About Faces

UK - Has life improved for working fathers?

Working fathers neither work fewer hours than non-fathers, nor see this as a problem.

Has life improved for working fathers?

USA - FedEx Driver Not A Contractor

The Massachusetts department of workforce development has ruled that a former FedEx home delivery driver was illegally denied unemployment benefits after finding that he was actually an employee of FedEx, not an independent contractor as the company claimed.

FedEx Driver Illegally Denied Unemployment Benefits

UK - Hairdressers and Managers - Today's Working Icons

A recent report from the Work Foundation identifies the occupations of hairdresser, management consultant, celebrity and manager as offering the best insight into current trends and the nature of working life.

Hairdressers and Managers - Today's Working Icons

UK - Migrants Boost Labour Market

In the period from May 2004 to June 2006, 447 000 people from EU accession states such as Poland applied to the Worker Registration Scheme and just over 427 000 were approved. Including freelance workers, such as builders, the total number from accession states is believed to be around 600 000.

Migrants Boost Labour Market

UK - Equal Pay Q&A

Donna Gibb, Senior Employment Law Advisor of Empire HR recommends that organizations ensure that their pay structures are transparent, fair and easy to understand.

Equal Pay Q&A

USA - Job Seekers Want Money And Job Security

Senior managers believe that pay and job security are the most important factors when workers consider job offers according to a recent survey.

Job Seekers Want Money And Job Security

Australia - Aussie Bosses Support Learning

Australian employers show up well in a global comparison of support for employees' further education and training according to a Robert Half Finance & Accounting Workplace survey.

Aussie Bosses Support Learning

USA - Arbita Joins HR-XML Consortium

Arbita, a leading provider of global recruitment strategy and jobs cross posting solutions, is pleased to announce its affiliation with the HR-XML Consortium. As a member of the Consortium, Arbita is committed to the development and promotion of a
standard suite of XML specifications that enable e-business and the automation of human resources-related data exchanges.

Arbita Joins HR-XML Consortium

Canada - Communications Skills More Important, But Few Firms Provide Training

A recent survey of chief financial officers (CFOs) shows communication skills are increasingly important for accounting and finance professionals.

Communications Skills More Important, But Few Firms Provide Training

UK - New Boss, Please

A survey of 1700 adult employees in the UK shows that almost one-third of (31 per cent) would change their manager if they could. Nearly one in four (22 per cent) felt they could do a better job themselves, with men (25 per cent) more confident of their ability than women (18 per cent).

A new boss, please, say one-third of employees

UK - Discrepancies in Applications

A recent survey found that 25 per cent of applications had at least one major discrepancy.


Discrepancies in applications

USA - Stress, Loyalty and the Job Market

A recent survey of American workers found them greatly looking forward to Labor Day weekend at the beginning of September. Nearly one-third said they are working longer hours and suffering more stress than the same time last year.

Stress, Loyalty and the Job Market

UK - Top Ten Excuses For Not Paying Minimum Wage

HM Revenue & Customs has published the top ten excuses used by employers to avoid paying the National Minimum Wage.

USA - State of Indiana Rolls Out New Health Program to Support and Encourage Healthy Lifestyles for Its Employees

In Keeping With Governor's Daniels' INShape Indiana Campaign, The New Health Program From The Haelan Group Aims to Improve State Employee Health Through Proactive Support and Coaching.

State of Indiana Rolls Out New Health Program to Support and Encourage Healthy Lifestyles for Its Employees

USA - EAPs Provide Counseling for Frightened Business Fliers

According to Human Resource executives, the recent foiled terror plot has set off fears among many of their avid business travelers, prompting some companies to seek corporate wide counseling sessions. ACI, one of the nation's Top Ten EAP providers, has started a series of Critical Incident Stress Management sessions to help ease travel fears and concerns.

EAPs Provide Counseling for Frightened Business Fliers

Canada - Cytiva Announces Strategic Partnership with Batrus Hollweg

Cytiva Software Inc., a leading provider of mid-market talent acquisition solutions, and Batrus Hollweg International (BHI), a leading human capital consulting firm specializing in Talent Gauging(TM), announced today the availability of a comprehensive candidate screening solution combining BHI’s proven assessments and SonicRecruit’s automated candidate screening technology.

Cytiva Announces Strategic Partnership with Batrus Hollweg International

Canada - Quadrant HR software will streamline health care provider’s HR, payroll

Brandon RHA has selected QHR's software product, Quadrant HR, to streamline human resources, payroll and staff scheduling and better manage the growing complexity of its workforce.

Quadrant HR software will streamline health care provider’s HR, payroll and scheduling systems

UK - Recruiting School Leavers

A survey of over 1400 UK employers, shows that while literacy and numeracy are key skills looked for when recruiting from the current crop of school leavers, the attributes that top the list are communication skills, work ethic and personality.


CIPD/KPMG Survey Shows Communication Skills, Work Ethic And Personality Are Top Requirements

UK - £22m Share Bonus For BT Staff

More than 90,000 BT employees are benefiting from one of Britain's broadest bonus schemes by each receiving shares in the company worth around £250.

£22m Share Bonus For BT Staff

UK - Young Workers Look For Flexibility

70 per cent of graduate job seekers are actively looking for the chance to work flexibly, almost half consider it the most important benefit an employer could offer.

Young Workers Look For Flexibility

UK - Basic Skills Need Improvement

A CBI report claims that one in three UK employers is forced to send staff for remedial training in basic English and maths skills to make up for the shortcomings of the educational system.

Basic Skills Need Improvement

Australia - Work is a challenge for young Australians

A new study shows that the transition to adult life takes longer and is a more complex process for the current generation of young people in Australia. While they often remain in education for longer, they also face less secure job prospects, according to the latest Brotherhood of St Laurence Youth Transition Social Barometer.

Work is a challenge for young Australians

USA - Making Work Really Work For Families

The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) marks ten years since the US ended 'welfare as we know it' and moved to replace welfare dependence with 'the dignity, the power and the ethic of work'. The underlying premise of reform was that work would enable welfare recipients to move out of poverty. The reality is that too many former recipients and other low-income workers are stuck in dead end jobs without a future. Welfare changes during the 1990s helped recipients gain employment and contributed to increases in the real incomes of some working families.


Making Work Really Work For Families

USA - Identifying MBA Talent

Fortune 500 employers are discovering that recruitment of 'perfect fit' MBA talent on the campuses of leading business schools is becoming more difficult than ever, says MBA Scouting Report, a new company specializing in early identification of new MBA students in the United States and abroad.

Identifying MBA Talent

USA - Graduates at Home

Experience, Inc. has announced the findings of its 2006 Life After College online survey of recent American graduates on the growing 'boomerang kids' trend towards returning to live in the family home, career paths and the overall reality of life after college.

Graduates at Home

USA - Chao Urges Labor-Management Leaders to Work Together to Keep American Workers Competitive

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao alerted labor, business and academic leaders attending the 13th National Labor-Management Conference to the need for labor and management to work together to keep America's workforce competitive in the 21st century worldwide economy.


Chao Urges Labor-Management Leaders to Work Together to Keep American Workers Competitive

USA/Australia - Cross-Cultural Perspectives

Cautioning against a 'one size fits all' approach to business and management styles, the authors suggest a cross-cultural perspective can facilitate co-working in an era of globalization.

Cross-Cultural Perspectives

UK - Flexible Working May Hamper Careers

A recent survey identified positive reasons for applying to work flexibly but significant doubts about the likely response of employers.

Flexible Working May Hamper Careers

USA - Skin Tone Affects Job Chances

The first significant study of 'colorism' in the American workplace indicates that dark-skinned African Americans face a distinct disadvantage when applying for jobs, even if they have superior qualifications and experience to lighter-skinned black applicants.

Skin Tone Affects Job Chances

USA - Baby Boomers at 60

Every day in 2006 another 8,000 Baby Boomers turn 60, and the affluent among them are optimistic about themselves and their futures. Yet, the aging "me-generation" may not be matching their financial plans to their vision of an active, generous retirement, according to a nationwide survey commissioned by Bell Investment Advisors, a wealth management firm in California.

Boomers at 60 Envision Long Careers and Redefine Retirement, but Can They Afford It?

UK - Employment Situation

Unemployment rate rises again to 5.5% with 92,000 more people out of work.

Employment Statistics

UK - Older Workers 'On The Scrapheap'

Over one million 50-65 year olds currently unemployed or economically inactive in the UK want a job, according to a new report by the TUC.

A million over-50s 'dumped on the scrapheap' but want work, says TUC

UK - ACAS Report 2005/2006

109,712 applications were made to tribunals - compared to 81,833 last year. Unfair dismissal remains the largest complaint category with 35,944 applications.

ACAS 2005/2006 Report Reveals Big Rise In Tribunal Cases

Australia - Employment Situation

Unemployment falls to 4.8%

Seasonally adjusted, the number of people in employment also rose by 50,700 to 10,247,500 in July.

USA - Human Capital Management

Corda Technologies today announced the launch of a new Human Capital Management (HCM) solution. Ed Urban, senior HCM principal, and Corda's top strategic dashboard technologists will work with clients to define, design and implement CenterView(TM) dashboards that will help executives drive HCM success.

Corda Technologies Launches New Human Capital Management Solution

USA - California Online Benefits

Nearly four in ten (37%) California employers see workforce diversity - and the wide range of benefits needs associated with it - as a top HR priority, compared with 29% of employers nationwide. One way the state's employers are working to meet this challenge is by providing work/life benefits - an approach adopted by 58% of California employers, compared with 52% of their peers nationwide.

MetLife Study Reveals That California Leads the Nation in Employee Access to Online Benefits Tools

USA - Fall Hazards Training

HR Classroom, a provider of online training services, has released 'Fall Hazards', a new safety training for both staff and supervisors.

Fall Hazards Training Meets Safety Needs

Australia - UQ Business School HR courses win accreditation

The quality of UQ Business School's Human Resources teaching has been recognised by the industry's peak body the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI).

UQ Business School HR courses win accreditation

Australia - Cancer in the Workplace

Cancer's impact on Australian workers is an unwritten story. Now two UNSW researchers, both cancer survivors, hope to hear Australian workers' tales of living, surviving and dying of cancer.

Cancer in the workforce: mapping the Australian experience

USA - Strategic Workforce Planning

A study from The Conference Board reports that the aging workforce and an emerging retirement wave among 'baby boomers' are driving more businesses toward 'strategic workforce planning'.

Strategic Workforce Planning

USA - Top Themes in Employee Surveys

An analysis of employee responses to opinion surveys has found a number of recurrent themes.

Top Themes in Employee Surveys

UK - Most Job Ads Don't Mention Benefits

A mere one in four of job advertisements refers to employee benefits and only 16 per cent feature membership of a pension scheme as part of the employment package, according to recent research by Watson Wyatt.

Most Job Ads Don't Mention Benefits

UK - HR Managers Feel Isolated

A survey of HR managers in some of the UK's largest businesses found them craving to be involved but feeling detached from real responsibility for employee motivation.

HR Managers Feel Isolated

UK - IGF launches Payroll Service

Independent Growth Finance, the UK's leading independent commercial finance provider, today announces the launch of its new payroll service, aimed specifically at start-ups and SMEs with a turnover up to £10m.

IGF launches Payroll Service

E-learning Reinforces Staff Loyalty At Hilton

Global hotel group, Hilton, part of Hilton Hotels Corporation, has found a link between employee development and reduced staff turnover for the second year running.

E-learning Reinforces Staff Loyalty At Hilton

UK - TUC website gives most UK employees freedom of their company

A TUC website launched today (Saturday) gives most UK employees the freedom to uncover information about their company including staff pay and pensions compared to directors', profits and losses, shareholder details and arrangements for staff representation.

TUC website gives most UK employees freedom of their company information

UK - CIPD Annual Conference

CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition, 24-26 October 2006, Harrogate International Centre

Businesses depend on their people yet 69% say they are struggling to retain staff, according to the latest annual Recruitment, retention and turnover survey from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) earlier this year. Leading speakers and organisations will discuss the importance of good people management and development, and suggest innovative ways to put people first to improve employee motivation and commitment, at the CIPD's Annual Conference and Exhibition.

Expert speakers and organisations will discuss the need to put people first, at CIPD's annual conference

USA - Employment Situation

Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nonfarm payroll employment rose by 113,000 in July but the unemployment rate also rose by 0.2%.

US unemployment rises to 4.8%

Canada - Employment Situation

Statistics Canada reports that the unemployment rate rose by 0.3% to 6.4% in July, largely due to an increase of 64,200 in the number of people entering the job market.


Unemployment Rises By 0.3% to 6.4%

USA - Business Controls, Inc. Releases MySafeWorkplace 6.0

Business Controls, Inc., an incident reporting and corporate investigations firm, announced today the release of version 6.0 of its MySafeWorkplace(R) incident-reporting system. MySafeWorkplace(R) is a Web- and hotline-based service that allows employees of its client companies to report incidents anonymously.

Business Controls, Inc. Releases MySafeWorkplace 6.0

Canada - Symcor wins multi-million dollar outsourcing contract with Ceridian

Ceridian Canada, a leading human resource and payroll solutions company, and Symcor Inc., one of North America's leaders in business process outsourcing, today announced the signing of a five-year, multi-million dollar agreement which takes effect September 1, 2006. Under the terms of this contract, Symcor will assume the printing and distribution of payroll stubs, cheques and reports for Ceridian's 40,000 customers across Canada.

Symcor wins multi-million dollar outsourcing contract with Ceridian

Canada (Alberta) - Want to know what the year 2006 brings in terms of compensation?

Answer: Radical Salary Increases Within Unexpected Job Types!

McNeil Group Inc., a Calgary Human Resource consulting company, conducts compensation studies each year. The 2006 Oil & Gas - Service Industry report provided startling changes to several unexpected job classes. The most incredible change in the 2006 market is that we are finding it more difficult to recruit and retain junior administrative personnel; it is easier to find a Vice President than it is to find a
qualified receptionist.

Want to know what the year 2006 brings in terms of compensation?

Canada - CIOs Place Increased Weight on Business Acumen When Evaluating Job Candidates

Those seeking employment in the technology sector should hone their business skills, a new survey suggests.

CIOs Place Increased Weight on Business Acumen When Evaluating Job Candidates

USA - On-demand Interview Coaching

Job Hunter Pro claims to take job interview coaching to a new level. Using its virtual candidate coaching system, independent recruiters and search firms can see dramatic improvements in their placement success rates. A new return-on-investment calculator shows how.

On-Demand Job Interview Coaching Boosts Placement Success

USA - All work, no perks for Hispanic forest labor in the US

Forest management is hard work in the United States, but it is even tougher if you are Hispanic. According to Cassandra Moseley, director of the ecosystem workforce program at the Institute for Sustainable Environment, University of Oregon, Hispanics form a disproportionately large part of the forest restoration and maintenance workforce, particularly the labor-intensive workforce. They are also more likely than whites to work seasonally, with less job security, away from home, and with no health insurance. Her findings1 are published in the latest issue of Policy Sciences, a Springer publication.

All work, no perks for Hispanic forest labor in the US

Dubai, UAE - Third Annual Middle East HR Summit to be Held in Dubai in September

IIR Middle East has announced that the third annual Middle East HR Summit will be held from 17 to 20 September, 2006, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Dubai. The most comprehensive and dedicated event of its kind in the region, The Middle East HR Summit will provide a much-needed platform for HR professionals to challenge, debate and discuss the issues and developments affecting international and regional HR practice, especially in the wake of major initiatives being undertaken in the UAE.

Third Annual Middle East HR Summit to be Held in Dubai in September