UK - Engaging Managers

Research by the Institute for Employment Studies indicates that engaging managers are made, not born - they learn from their own and other people's mistakes and modify their behaviour accordingly.

Characteristics Of Engaging Managers

UK - Dealing With An Ageing Workforce

A recent report shows that just a half of employing organisations have a formal pro-age recruitment policy. It also shows that many employers are nervous of discussing age issues with workers approaching retirement. But many organizations are willing to make adjustments to the workplace in order to help retain employees when the issue is raised informally.

Dealing With An Ageing Workforce

USA - Gender Stereotyping

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

Gender Stereotyping

1.7 Million Australians Looked For Work Last Year

Just over 1,700,000 people (10% of Australians aged 15 years or more) were unemployed and looking for work at some time in the twelve months up to February 2009, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

1.7 Million Australians Looked For Work Last Year

Australia - Unemployment Rises To 5.8%

Seasonally adjusted, unemployment rose by 0.1% to 5.8% and the number of people in employment rose by 24,500 to 10,831,600.

Australian Employment Statistics

UK - Unemployment at 7.8%

The unemployment rate stands at 7.8% - up 0.1% over the quarter and 2.0% on last year.

Nearly 29 million people were in work in the period July to September according to the labour force survey (LFS). The number of people employed was up by 6,000 this quarter but down by 490,000 on the last year.

Employment Statistics

USA - Unemployment Rate Rises To 10.2%

Nonfarm payroll employment fell by 190,000 in October, and the unemployment rate rose to 10.2%.

US Unemployment Rate Rises To 10.2%

USA - Working Longer

The latest 'Unretirement^SM Index' published by the US arm of Sun Life International reveals that 65% of American employees expect to delay their retirement by at least a year - 11% more than at the end of 2008. Moreover, 27% of US workers believe that they will have to work at least an extra 5 years past the traditional retirement age of 67 because of the economic climate.

Living Longer, Working Longer

USA - E-Learning

A new report from Ambient Insight shows that the market for Self-paced E-Learning in the US will reach $16.7 billion in 2009.

E-Learning Is Gaining Ground

USA - Mergers and Acquisitions

A recent survey analyzed selected U.S. strategic mergers during the credit crisis.

Mergers And Acquisitions

UK - Corporate Giving

Research recently undertaken by Acona shows that corporate giving is up, despite the recession. (News release)

Why Has Company Giving Risen During A Recession?

UK - Recruiters Discriminate According To Name

Research reported last week by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) shows that race discrimination is still present in UK recruitment.

Recruiters Discriminate According To Name

USA - Employment Practices Liability

The new EPL insurance program from HSB and Munich Re America is designed specifically for businesses with 50 or fewer employees and includes advanced EPL coverages that until recently were available only to large employers. These include coverage for prior acts that occur before the policy's inception date, punitive damages coverage, a broadened definition of employees to include independent contractors and optional third-party coverage for discrimination and harassment claims made by business customers or vendors. (News release)


HSB and Munich Re America Introduce New Joint Employment Practices Liability Product

Canada - Unemployment Rate At 8.4%

Statistics Canada reported that unemployment fell by 0.3% to 8.4% in September as the number of employed rose by 31,000. This was the first drop in the unemployment rate for a year.

Growth was focused on full-time work among youths and women aged 25 and over in Ontario. Nevertheless, 395,000 jobs have been lost since the peak in the job market last October.


Canadian Unemployment Rate At 8.4%

UK - CIPD Attacks Sick Pay Ruling

The CIPD have attacked last week's European Court sick pay ruling for being 'divorced from real world' and possibly forcing employers to implement less generous Statutory Sick Pay schemes.

CIPD Attacks Sick Pay Ruling

Canada - Time To Recruit Talent

Now is the time to consider upgrading talent and making acquisitions according to a new report from RBC. Businesses can benefit from job market conditions to upgrade their talent and, for smaller companies, recruit new employees who may be the key succession planning.

Time To Recruit Talent

UK - Swine Flu

UK businesses should prepare for staff absence rates of up to 50% for periods of between two and four weeks this autumn and winter in their contingency planning arrangements for the expected second wave of swine flu.

This is the top-line advice in joint guidance published today by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the Business Continuity Institute (BCI) as schools return from the summer – a factor which some health experts believe could help trigger the expected second wave of swine flu.

CIPD Issues Swine Flu Wake-up As Employers Relax Their Guard

USA - Leadership Development Programs

Organizations that offer an HR Leadership Development Program (HRLDP) do so to feed the succession pipeline and/or to make HR more strategic, but few actually offer such a program, according to a recent study by the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp).

Only a Third of Companies Offer Formal HR Leadership Development Programs

UK - Managing References

Unemployment is at its highest for over a decade and still rising fast. One unexpected impact of this trend has been to increase the administrative burden on Human Resource (HR) departments, whose staff are required to provide references for the rising number of former employees who are seeking jobs.

Employers Find An Innovative Way To Escape The Growing Expense Of Providing References

Australia - Apprenticeships

The CEO of Skill360 Australia has claimed that not only is the country's Vocational Education and Training sector one of the world's best, it prepares Australian apprentices for jobs anywhere in the world.


Australian Apprentices Prepared For Jobs Worldwide

Australia - Equal Pay Alliance

A woman starting work today will retire having earned $1 million less than a man doing the same job unless decisive employer and government action is taken to end the scandal of pay inequality, say unions. (News Release)


New Alliance Seeks Action On Gender Pay Gap

UK - Consensio Workplace Mediation

Consensio, a leading conflict management and workplace mediation provider, today announces a highly profitable first half of 2009. This supports the trend towards the use of mediation and conflict resolution in the workplace. (News Release)

Consensio’s Impressive Mid-Year Results Supports Trend Towards the Use of Workplace Mediation

USA - Learning In Tough Economic Times

A new report from the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) shows continued commitment to learning in the current tough economy with learning budgets holding up well compared to previous recessions.

Learning In Tough Economic Times

USA - Lean Manufacturing and Safety

Whether adding safety incentives, gaining ISO 9000 certification or using lean practices, the manufacturing industry utilizes a number of unique methods to keep quality and efficiency high in their organizations. The 2009 Compensation Data Manufacturing survey collected data on each of these tactics to determine the degree to which they are used. (News Release)

Lean Manufacturing and Safety Remain Important to Manufacturers

USA - Healthcare Performance

To survive in today's business environment, healthcare organizations must become more sophisticated and more mature in the way they measure, compile and use data. By harnessing the discipline of business intelligence, healthcare systems and hospitals can make giant leaps forward to better predict the impact of their decisions. (News Release)

Creating True Business Intelligence

USA - Employee Engagement

Kansas State University research has found support for the view that employees who are engaged in their work, including higher levels of vigor, dedication and absorption in daily activities, also have better moods and are more satisfied at home.

Employee Engagement

UK - Hoteling and Flexibility

Flexible working is one of the most debated topics in the modern workplace. Most businesses now believe that introducing flexible working schemes can boost morale, improve productivity, drive staff retention and, in some cases, even help to recruit fresh talent. As a result, around 63% of companies now offer flexible working to their employees in some shape or form. (News Release)

Hoteling hot potato - Five tips on how to make flexible working work

Australia - Vocational Training

Recent media coverage depicting Australia’s vocational education and training system as lacking quality from an international perspective is doing a disservice to private providers according to Skill360 Australia, the nation’s leading not-for-profit provider of apprenticeship and vocational training services. (News release)

International Industry Rates Australia’s Vocational Training System

UK - Forced Retirement

Long-term unemployed older people are at risk of never working again unless tailored support is offered to help them back into work, a new TUC report warns today. (News Release)

Older People Face Being Forced Into Early Retirement Without More Help To Find Work

USA - Health Care Costs Increase

Compounding economic pressures, most U.S. manufacturers and distributors saw an increase in their health insurance premium. Although the average premium increase had been decreasing in previous years, the numbers are up again. The 2009 Compensation Data Manufacturing results showed the average premium increase was 9.6 percent for all plan types this year. (News Release)

Healthcare Costs Increase in 2009 for Manufacturers

UK - Public Sector Pensions

The claims by business groups, right wing pressure groups and opposition politicians that public sector pensions are unaffordable, out of control and produce easy immediate public expenditure savings are all myths, according to a new TUC briefing published today (Thursday). (News Release)

TUC Explodes Public Sector Pension Myths

UK - Agency Workers Directive

CIPD calls for more clarity around 'equal treatment' in the Agency Workers Directive and argues for the need for clear and simple administrative processes to keep implementation costs down.

Agency Workers Directive

USA - High Performing Departments

Although all departments and functions within healthcare organizations can be considered difficult, some departments and functions are clearly more difficult than others. Simply put, not all departments are created equal. This is why it is imperative to align the talent of a leader with the Degree of Difficulty of the department. (News Release)

The Impact Of High Performing Departments

USA - Wellness Programs

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

Employers Can Help Reduce Obesity

UK - Hot Workers

With a heatwave warning in place this week for parts of the UK, and temperatures predicted to soar as high as 32oC, the TUC is today (Wednesday) calling on employers to relax office dress codes and cool down their overheating offices and their wilting employees.

Employers urged to cool down their offices and their staff

UK - Sun Safety

Many of the 2,000 people who die every year as a result of skin cancer will have suffered harmful exposure to the sun whilst at work, says the TUC as it urges employers to do more to protect their staff who have to work outside.

Employers urged to do more to protect staff from the sun

UK - Employment Law Updates

Employment and Immigration Law Legal Updates 26/5/2009
* Cost consequences for dishonest litigants!
* National minimum wage increase
* Length of service criterion in redundancy matrix held lawful
* Agency Workers Consultation

Employment and Immigration Law Legal Updates 13/5/2009
* Working Time Opt-Out to Remain
* New Equality Bill Published
* Eco-warriors: a new religious order?

Australia - Telstra To Negotiate With Unions

Following the departure of belligerent Telstra chief executive Sol Trujillo, the new CEO, David Thodey, apparently signalled a more concilatory approach to employee relations in an email sent to members of Telstra staff.


Telstra To Negotiate With Unions

USA - Insala Results

Not just for outplacement, EmploymentTalk™ used by job boards and recruitment firms boost Insala's sales. (News Release)

Insala Starts 2009 With Record Sales As Demand For Outplacement Technology Continues

UK - Airbus Supplier Finds Specialist Engineers Through ATA Selection

Specialist recruitment firm ATA Selection has helped to get the production of parts off the ground for the world’s largest passenger plane. (News Release)

Airbus Supplier Finds Specialist Engineers Through ATA Selection

UK - ATA Recruitment and Ganymede Solutions Results

The recruitment division of the RTC Group Plc, which comprises ATA Recruitment and the on-track labour supply business Ganymede Solutions, has announced an impressive set of annual results to the year ended December 31, 2008 , further reinforcing its position in the marketplace. (News Release)

RTC Group PLC Announces Full Year Results For 2008

UK - Bosses Cut Bonuses Before Safety

Over half of UK businesses making cutbacks this year say that bosses’ bonuses will be the first to go before health and safety management, according to a new survey from the British Safety Council (BSC). (News Release)

UK Bosses Prepared To Cut Their Own Bonuses Before Health And Safety

UK - Value of unions to UK business

A joint statement setting out the positive contribution that modern union reps can make to the workplace has been launched by the Department for Business, the TUC and the CBI.

The value of unions to UK business

USA - Ineffective Managers

Managers have hard jobs, but that doesn't mean they're doing them especially well, according to a recent study on perceptions about managers. The study, conducted by the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp), found that, overall, 6 of 10 study respondents acknowledge that managers in their organizations have "tough but fulfilling" jobs. However, the majority of respondents lack confidence in management's effectiveness, with a little over half (53%) reporting that they rate overall management in their companies as "so-so" or worse. (News Release)

Over Half of Employees Say Their Managers Are Ineffective

Australia - Return to Work

Injured employees and the community are carrying the majority of the costs of work-related injury and disease in Australia, says the report released last month by the Australian Safety & Compensation Council. This report puts the costs of work-related injury and disease at $A57.5 billion, or 5.9% of the country’s gross domestic product, with the burden on workers at 49% and the community at 33%.

Latest figures spur need for Return to Work Code of Ethics - Return to Work Matters

Time For Mergers And Acquisitions?

The economic meltdown has introduced new factors to consider when we contemplate corporate restructuring - particularly when mergers or acquisitions are involved.

Recessions are not entirely negative. They also offer opportunities to acquire new assets at relatively low prices for companies with the resources (financial and managerial) to take advantage of the circumstances.

Mergers and Acquisitions

UK - Employment Law Updates

Employment and Immigration Law Legal Updates 14/4/2009
* Changes in Employment Law April 2009

Employment and Immigration Law Legal Updates 6/4/2009
* All Change: The New ACAS Code on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures

A Fifth Of Australian Workers Top $1400 A Week

Australian Bureau of Statistics results, just released, show that in August 2008, 19.1% of Australian employees earned $1400 or more per week.

A Fifth Of Australian Workers Top $1400 A Week

NZ - Hiring Expectations Lowest Since 1999-

The latest report from Hudson, a worldwide staffing company, shows continued lack of confidence among New Zealand employers.

NZ Hiring Expectations Lowest Since 1999

USA - Optimism Required

Global warming. Water shortages. Terrorism. Failing health care system. Wars around the globe. Gas prices. Severe economic downturn. Look at the headlines and it's enough to make you stay in bed.

Today's Economy DEMANDS A Critical Skill: Optimism

USA - Contractor Screening

The Hard Evidence for Contractor Screening and Employment Background Check Searches

Do You Really Know Your Contractors?

UK - Teams At Work

How good team work can increase positivity, performance and productivity.

Three Heads Are Better Than One

Australia - Communicating Change

Whenever we begin to design an employee communication strategy that is focussed on change the most important thing to consider is that the strategies implemented must engage employees, not simply inform. In other words will the employee communication strategy you are implementing cause a change in attitude and therefore behaviour or is it simply information?


Employee Communication: 6 Steps to Communicate Change

UK - Employee Supported Volunteering

In the economic downturn, advertising budgets are being cut, marketing departments pruned, but organisations still need to be raising their profile, attracting new customers, and differentiating themselves from their competitors. CSR in the form of Employee Supported Volunteering (ESV) can help.

The Bottom Line Benefits of Employee Supported Volunteering

USA - Small-Business Stimulus Program

(News Release) CPEhr, a Los Angeles-based Human Resources Outsourcing firm, recently announced the release of a new "Stimulus Program" aimed to boost productivity and cut costs for small private employers. The program is based on CPEhr’s successful HR Outsourcing model, which has helped hundreds of clients reduce employment expenses over the past two decades.

CPEhr Announces Launch of "Small-Business Stimulus Program"

USA - IHRM Awards

The International Association for Human Resource Information Management (IHRIM) named Jonathan Hunt as its 2009 Excellence Award winner. The IHRIM Excellence Award is presented to IHRIM members who have made significant contributions to the advancement of IHRIM's mission and goals. It recognizes them for their exemplary association volunteer service and for their leadership of a project that has positively impacted the association.

Award Recognizes IHRIM Members for Outstanding Leadership and Volunteer Service

Australia - New Mentor Scheme

(News Release) Following the successful launch of a new career and financial mentoring service designed to help assist Singapore-based employees affected by pay cuts and layoffs, TMS Asia-Pacific is actively considering implementing a similar system in its Australian operation.


TMS considers career and financial mentoring concept for Australia

Australia - International Study Highlights Pay Equity Gap

ACTU President Sharan Burrow says that Australian women are risking loss of pay, skills and access to decent work because of the Global Financial Crisis. Sharan Burrow says that employers should do more to protect jobs and Government should fund a paid maternity leave scheme.

International Study Highlights Pay Equity Gap

Australia - Tips For Preventing Stress

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

Ten Tips For Preventing Stress In Your Workplace

UK - Women 'not suffering more than men'

(News Release) Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) clearly show that, contrary to recent common assertion, women are definitely not suffering more than men from job cuts and rising unemployment in the current recession.

Official Statistics confirm CIPD view that women are not being relatively hard hit by jobs downturn

UK - Corporate Manslaughter

Directors should be aware that any prosecutions under the new health and safety legislation could find the courts examining the entire safety culture of a business, and not just the systems and management processes in place. That was the stark warning from leading health and safety law specialist and barrister with Henderson Chambers, Oliver Campbell and GMB National Health and Safety officer Dan Shears at the British Safety Council’s recent Director’s Duties Conference in London.

Company Culture Will Be At The Centre Of Court Probe Into First Corporate Manslaughter
Prosecution, Say Top Lawyer And Leading Union Officer

NZ - HRINZ Awards

The Human Resources Institute of New Zealand (HRINZ) has announced the winners of the 2008/09 HRINZ HR Awards.

HRINZ HR Awards

UK - Employment Law Updates

Employment and Immigration Law Legal Updates 23/2/2009

* Changes to the Contents of the Step 1 Letter
* Unfair Dismissal Compensation during an Employee’s Notice Period when Constructively Dismissed
* The EAT Confirms the Malcolm Comparator Test Applies to Employment Cases
* European Commission Rejects Proposal to End the Current Opt-out from the 48 Hour Week

USA - Free Webcasts

Cytiva, developers of talent management solutions, SonicRecruit, SonicPerform and SonicOnboard, announced today the launch of a series of free webcasts designed to help today's practitioners deal with current topics in recruiting and performance management.

Back By Popular Demand: Cytiva Announces Free Talent Management Webcast Series for 2009

Canada - Workplace Happiness

A report from Strategic Connections Inc. highlights the negative impact on employee morale and engagement associated with the current economic downturn and suggests strategies to help organizations retain the integrity of their workforce in preparation for improved conditions.

Workplace Happiness

USA - Motivating Top Talent

Two recent reports offer guidance on motivating and developing talented employees in the current global economic downturn.

Motivating Top Talent

World - Reacting To The Global Crisis

A survey by Booz & Company of 828 senior managers from 65 countries explored corporate responses to the global economic crisis and the impact on social responsibility agendas. Respondents came from a variety of major industries.

Reacting To The Global Crisis

Canada - More Women Fill Top Business Jobs

More women fill top executive jobs in Canada's largest publicly-traded businesses than ever before - but this still amounts to a mere 7.2%, according to a report from executive search firm Rosenzweig & Company.

More Women Fill Canada's Top Business Jobs

UK - Employment Law Updates

Employment and Immigration Law Legal Updates 21/1/2009
* Focus on Redundancy - Alternative Ways to Beat the Crunch
* Employment and Immigration Law Breakfast Briefing February 2009

Employment and Immigration Law Legal Updates 5/1/2009
* Important Changes for Business Visitors to the UK
* Equal Pay Act - Justification of Length of Service Pay Criteria
* 'Homophobic Banter' could be Harassment Even Where the Victim is not Gay

USA - Top Five Mistakes Leaders Make

Eileen McDargh offers alternative action to the top five mistakes leaders made during difficult times.

Top Five Mistakes Leaders Make in These Troubled Times

USA - Kansas Career Pipeline

Today, the Kansas Career Pipeline announced how its tools can help the thousands of workers in Kansas who are being affected by current and pending lay-offs. This situation is giving laid-off workers a chance to open doors to new and exciting careers that they might not otherwise know about. (News Release)

Kansas Career Pipeline Offers Help for Thousands of Laid-off Workers

Sweden - Scania Invests in Employee Training

Scania is planning to invest in boosting the proficiency of its production employees instead of issuing lay-off notices due to low demand. (News Release)

Scania Invests in Employee Training

USA - Oklahoma Job Applications

The state of Oklahoma offers careers in almost every occupation with excellent pay and benefits, but best of all, they offer the ability to apply online any time, day or night at http://www.OK.gov. (News Release)

State of Oklahoma Offers Easy, Online Way to Apply for Job Opportunities

USA - California Online Training

As part of its growing Internet presence at www.employersgroup.com, where sophisticated human resources services are provided to California businesses by the state’s chief employer expert and advocate, Employers Group has introduced a greatly expanded 2009 online training program - at up to 50% lower prices than last year, a positive impact for today’s employers. (News Releases)

Employers Group Debuts 10-Fold Increase in Online Training Solutions for California Businesses

USA - SBA Employees See Major Improvement

The 2008 Federal Human Capital Survey, conducted last fall, gave the U.S. Small Business Administration the highest overall improvement among agencies in two categories: Leadership and Knowledge Management, and Talent Management. The agency also had the second largest gain in Job Satisfaction, and the sixth largest gain for establishing a Results-Oriented Performance Culture. (News Release)

SBA Employees See Significant Agency Improvement; OPM Survey Shows Major Gains From 2006

Ireland - Absence Management

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

Absence Management In Ireland

UK - Employer Branding

A reputable brand can act like a magnet, drawing top talent to an organisation (updated).


Most Senior Managers Claim To 'Live The Brand'

UK - 'Go Lean' for the New Year

Consultants and professional services firms are reliant on their people. They are the core of their business, which is why many firms are keen to keep hold of their skilled staff. For many other businesses redundancies are an obvious way to cut costs, but for project based companies it has to be the last resort.

'Go Lean' for the New Year

UK - TUC New Year Message

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

TUC New Year Message

UK - Gloomy Outlook For Pay And Jobs

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

Gloomy Outlook For Pay And Jobs

NZ - New Labour Market Manager For Manawatu

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

New Labour Market Manager For Manawatu

NZ - Males Have Higher Debt And Income

In 2007, males earned a higher income than females, and left study the previous year with a higher average student loan leaving debt, Statistics New Zealand said today.
(News Release)

Males Have Higher Debt And Income

NZ - ITP Training For Redundant Workers

Institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs) are taking a positive view of the Government's 'Restart' package through the provision of training for workers who have recently lost their jobs and other people affected by the recession.

ITP Training For Redundant Workers

NZ -

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


Misgivings About Restart

USA - Fluent Leadership

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

Fluency: Leading in the Midst of Change

UK - Bullying At Work

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

Zero tolerance for bullies

Australia - Aged Care Nurses Quitting Due To Stress

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

Aged Care Nurses Quitting Due To Stress

Canada - Phased Retirement Programs

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

Phased Retirement Programs Can Ease Skills Shortage

Canada - Widespread Job Anxiety In Quebec

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

Widespread Job Anxiety In Quebec

Canada - Office Gifts

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

Santa In The Office

Asia-Pacific - Recruitment Opportunities

TMS Asia-Pacific has advised those industry employers placing a moratorium on staff hire that now is in fact the perfect time for companies to be stocking up on quality staff in anticipation of the global business upturn predicted next year. (News Release)


Softening job market beginning to free up ‘best talent seen in years’

USA - MySafeWorkplace Plus

Business Controls, Inc., a leading provider of ethics hotlines and risk mitigation services, announced today the launch of MySafeWorkplace Plus™ for clients to better manage, organize, and report on incidents submitted through their hotline system. (News Release)

Business Controls Releases New Case Management System

UK - Employment Law Updates

Employment and Immigration Law Legal Updates 10/11/2008

* Opt-out from 48 hour Working Week is Once Again Under Threat
* Important New Immigration Rules for Foreign Students
* Requirement for a Degree Did Not Amount to Age Discrimination

Employment and Immigration Law Legal Updates 3/11/2008

* The High Court Gives its Decision as to Use of Length of Service Criteria in a Redundancy Matrix
* The European Parliament Adopts the Agency Workers Directive
* The Employment Bill Undergoes Amendments by the Public Bill Committee

Employment and Immigration Law Legal Updates 15/10/2008

* Recent and forthcoming changes that affect your business
* The European Commissions Proposals on new maternity rights
* New interpretation given to Time off for Emergencies

UK - MrTed Talent Acquisition Solution

MrTedTalentLink™ version 2.8 provides customers with improved forms, flexibility and technology to attract, recruit and retain top talent. (News Release)

MrTed releases latest version of flagship Talent Acquisition Solution

USA - myStaffingPro Applicant Tracking System

HR Services Inc. announces the debut of the next generation of the myStaffingPro applicant tracking system with version 9.0. (News Release)

HR Services Inc. Releases Next Generation of myStaffingPro Applicant Tracking System

US/UK - Employees Addicted To Social Networking Sites

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

Employees Addicted To Social Networking Sites

USA - Kansas Career Development

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

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

Kansas Among Leaders in Nation for Career Development

UK - Redundancy: Guide For Employers

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

Redundancy - A Guide For Employers

UK - Mediation & Conflict Resolution At Work

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

Mediation & Conflict Resolution At Work

USA - Executive Perks

A recent report from Compdata Surveys shows that cell phones are the most popular executive perks in the United States.

Executive Perks

USA - Employer Branding

The treatment of employees and the quality of products and services rate highest in job-searchers' perceptions of organizations they want to work for even though recent big-name collapses and layoffs might be attributable to financial health and market conditions.

Branding Aligns Employees With Organizational Goals

USA - Engaging The Disengaged

It is almost a decade since a Gallup study indicated that "actively disengaged" employees - workers who are fundamentally disconnected from their jobs - were costing the U.S. economy between $292 billion and $355 billion a year.

Actively disengaged workers cost U.S. hundreds of billions a year

UK - Employment Law Updates

Employment and Immigration Law Legal Updates 29/9/2008

* Heyday - The Advocate General hands down his opinion
* The Points Based System and Strict New Criteria for Foreign Students
* Claimant's right to an oral hearing before a claim is struck out

Employment and Immigration Law Legal Updates 9/9/2008

* Changes to rights of employees on additional maternity or additional adoption leave
* Changes to Income Tax with effect from 7 September 2008
* Up-date and the Government's Consultation on flexible working

Employment and Immigration Law Legal Updates 27/8/2008
* Liquidated Damages or Penalty Clause?
* Effective Date of Termination

UK - Train Into Rail

Armed forces technicians are being helped to readjust to life on civvy street by the RTC Group plc, which owns ATA Rail, one of the UK's leading rail recruitment consultancies and Catalis Ltd, a leading rail training company.

Train Into Rail: Leading Recruiter Retrains Forces Personnel For The Rail Sector

UK - Chewing The Fat

The epic saga of an Aberdeen firefighter sacked over claims he was overweight has provided employment experts with much to consider.

Chewing The Fat

UK - Recruiting For Diversity

Recent research examined recruitment trends, career aspirations and barriers faced by members of under-represented groups in the workplace.

Recruiting For Diversity

UK - Stress Factors

Mental health problems in childhood have a detrimental impact on subsequent working life with increased levels of depression and anxiety.

Stress Factors

Canada - Women Workers Still Feel They Are Paid Less

A recent survey showed that almost a fifth of Canadian women respondents (23%) believed that they were being paid less than their male counterparts.

Women Workers Still Feel They Are Paid Less

Canada - Manufacturing Labour Crisis

A Conference Board study has identified an impending labour crisis in Canada's manufacturing sector.

Labour Crisis In Manufacturing Sector

Canada - Too Much Work?

We all seem to be working longer hours but does that mean we are working hard? The 'Hardest Working Canadians Study' conducted for Workopolis has identified the top three factors that determine hard work.

Are We Working Too Hard?

Canada - Manitoba Extends Workers Compensation Coverage

The number of industries covered by the Manitoba Workers Compensation Board will be increased from January 1, 2009.


Manitoba Extends Workers Compensation Coverage

USA - Older Workers Feel Shut Out

A study by Age Lessons, a Chicago-based intergenerational consulting firm, has identified workplace '3 Rs' that are keeping older workers up at night:

* fear of redundancy - layoffs or firings
* relevance - keeping skills current, and
* resentment from younger colleagues

Older Workers Feel Shut Out

USA - Phased Retirement Programs

A survey by global HR consulting and outsourcing company Hewitt Associates has shown that an increasing number of U.S. employers are considering implementing phased retirement programs to address an impending talent shortage as a quarter of the workforce nears retirement age.

Phased Retirement Programs

UK - Trade Union Membership in Wales

The Department for Business has released figures showing trade union membership in Wales grew by nearly 6,000 members (1.5%) in 2007. This is greater than any other UK nation and reflects similar growth in the previous year.

Welsh Trade Union Membership Grows

USA - Job Search TV

A new cable TV channel launched in the Chicago area during July aims to reinvent job searching. Job Search Television Network (JSTN) is claimed to take want ads and on-line job boards to a new level by featuring the ‘company-behind-the-job’, offering more insight about companies and their available job openings. JSTN is also preparing expansion and plans to become a national network on Comcast.

Job Search TV

USA - Job Search Tips

7.7 million Americans were unemployed at the end of 2007, according to the Department of Labor. Out of these 7.7 million people, and with a questionable economic forecast, how are you going to make yourself stand out and get the job? With a few tips, you may find yourself with more options that you think.

Searching For Jobs When Times Are Hard, How To Make Yourself Stand Out

UK - Inappropriate Footwear

The TUC has produced 'Working feet and footwear', a new guide for footwear at work. The authors found that several large city institutions and upmarket retailers include slip-on shoes or high heels in their dress codes for female staff dealing with the public. These types of footwear can be uncomfortable and lead to long-term foot problems - especially when staff have to stand for prolonged periods.

TUC Attacks Inappropriate Footwear Codes

UK - Recruitment Website

An innovative new website has been launched that can help firms save money, when it comes to hiring staff. Ajobcy.com is an all in one system for businesses looking to communicate to the recruitment world, the best part of it all is that it is free to use. (News Release)

Save money when dealing with recruitment agencies

UK - Pink Elephant Support

Pink Elephant today announced the launch of the Support Services division in the UK , which sees a return to the conceptual roots of the original company. Over 20 years ago in the Netherlands the Pink Elephant brand was conceived based upon the premise of providing intelligent, motivated, service-oriented individuals who could deliver outstanding levels of IT support to the client base. Since that time there have been continued and frenetic technological advances with products and formalisation of the roles within the IT Services environment, but we still see that many large organisations outsource HR and recruitment of IT to agencies. (News Release)

Pink Elephant Announces The Launch Of Support Services in the UK

USA - Social Media And Recruiting

Social media has changed the game in recruiting. Organizations need to be creative and compelling in their communications to attract the best job candidates, and support it with an interactive career site. (News Release)

Don’t Forget Social Networking for Recruiting, says nowHIRE

UK - Employment Law Updates

Employment and Immigration Law Legal Updates 5/8/2008

* Acas publishes its 2007/08 Annual Report
* Disability Discrimination: Associated Discrimination
* Social networking and blogging: Top tips on avoiding the pitfalls

Israeli and Palestinian Trade Unions Reach Historic Agreement

The Israeli national trade union centre Histadrut and the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU), both of which are affiliated to the ITUC, have reached a landmark agreement to protect the rights of Palestinian workers employed by Israeli employers, and to base future relations on negotiations, dialogue and joint initiatives to advance fraternity and coexistence between the two peoples. (News Release)

Israeli and Palestinian Trade Unions Reach Historic Agreement

USA - Networking

Advance your career with a little help from your friends

A popular misconception is that networking is just about getting a job. In reality, it's much more than that. Networking is about establishing relationships that provide you with valuable feedback and allow you to make educated decisions. You do it every day without even realizing it. Let's look at an example. Suppose within days of your move to a new town, your car breaks down. How would you handle this situation? Would you open the yellow pages and take your car to the first mechanic you see or would you ask your colleagues for a recommendation? The second option is an example of networking. Think about why many successful businesses don't need to advertise. They obtain new clients by word of mouth - otherwise known as networking!

4 Steps to Cringe-Free Networking

More Careers Books

UK - Employee Engagement

Engaging ideas today opens for business, and announces the launch of its core product - the Engaging ideas card pack.

Engaging ideas is established to focus on the fast developing field of employee engagement by helping businesses to discover, design and deliver ever better ways to inspire employee engagement and change to accomplish higher business performance. (News release)

Engaging ideas is in business

UK - Yuoumanage Aids People Management At Women’s Charity

Helping hundreds of families requires a great deal of hard work, a large part of which involves efficiently managing staff so they can concentrate on providing victims with the highest levels of support. (News Release)

Yuoumanage Aids People Management At Women’s Charity

USA - Internet Resume Search

Resource Edge, LLC, creators of TalentHook, a cutting-edge resume spidering technology solution, have recently introduced new searching and candidate management features along with an impressive new face with the release of its latest version of their software called, TalentHook Sphere. (News Release)

Internet Resume Search Just Got an Impressive Facelift with TalentHook Sphere

UK - Employment Law Updates

Employment and Immigration Law Legal Updates 22/7/2008

* Garden Leave and the 'right' to work
* The National Minimum Wage - Tips, Gratuities and Service Charges
* Recent Developments in Disability Discrimination Law

USA - Distance Learning

Researchers from the University of Missouri studied the demographics and personality types of adult distance learners and concluded that this increasingly popular option may not be suitable for everyone.


Only 30 Per Cent Of Distance Learners Complete Their Courses

USA - Anger In The Workplace

Recent research finds differences in attitudes to men and women who lose their temper in the workplace. While such outbursts tend to be accepted or even rewarded in men, women are judged less competent as a result.

Anger In The Workplace

Australia - Flexible Working

A survey of full-time employees across 29 industry sectors by Brisbane-based HR and Change Management consultants Astor Levin found that almost a half (49%) would favour flexible working arrangements.

Half Full-Timers Would Like Flexible Working

UK - Flex Planner

Flex Planner, a new web based product from a Yorkshire based software development house, was launched on 1 July 2008. Flex Planner is a web based time recording and flexi time system for use by computer based staff. It is being launched within a variety of organisations from both the public and private sector, including local
and county councils, universities and other government organisations.

New Web Based Flex Time System - Flexible Working Has Never been More Timely!

UK - Interim Human Resources Management - Reasons to be flexible

Growing numbers of employees want to work more flexibly in order to achieve a better balance between their jobs and the rest of their lives. But while growing numbers of organisations are trying to accommodate their employees' requests, they are doing it not out of altruism but for good business reasons. Benefits range from increased motivation, productivity and retention, to better customer service and considerable reductions in both costs and CO2.

Interim Human Resources Management - Reasons to be flexible

UK _ Online Technical Recruitment Tool

"The UK's No. 1 IT and Technical recruitment site - Technojobs is pleased to announce the launch of its new online managed technical recruitment service, TechnoRecruit."
(News Release)

TechnoRecruit to save IT employers up to 70% on recruitment costs

USA - Surveying Employee Opinions

A recent survey by Opinion Research Corporation found that many US businesses are missing out on vital feedback and ideas from their own workforces.

Surveying Employee Opinions

UK - Businesses Failing to Control Internet Use

Employees in small and medium sized businesses in Europe average almost two hours a day on the Internet, with half an hour on non-work-related sites.

Businesses Failing to Control Internet Use

UK - Employment Law Updates

Employment and Immigration Law Legal Update 25.06.2008

* Time to train - consultation on a new right to request time to train for employees in England
* Acas publishes draft guide to 'Discipline and Grievances at Work'
* Damages for withdrawal of an offer of employment

UK - Women's Low Pay At Root Of Child Poverty

Research from the TUC, the End Child Poverty coalition and the Fawcett Society has concluded that UK women's low pay is not just a cause of poverty, but also has major consequences on their children's living standards.

Women's Low Pay At Root Of Child Poverty

Netherlands - Jacob Fleming produces cutting-edge Management Development Conference

Jacob Fleming, leading B2B meeting organisers will host their latest conference 'The Future of Management Development', to take place on the 25th & 26th September 2008 in Amsterdam. This event has been designed to respond to the need of the HR Industry to successfully apply the next generation of leaders.

Jacob Fleming produces cutting-edge Management Development Conference

Canada - New Brunswick Wage Gap

New Brunswick's Provincial Government is claiming significant progress in reducing the wage gap between men and women despite a 'slight' increase from 12% in 2006 to 12.6% in 2007.

New Brunswick Wage Gap

UK - Migrants Have No Effect On Unemployment

A study concludes that migration from Eastern Europe has not had any statistically significant impact on claimant unemployment, the young, the unskilled, wages.

Migrants Have No Effect On Unemployment

UK - Employment Law Updates

Employment and Immigration Law Legal Update 9/06/08

* Employee Surveillance
* Charity's Heyday is brought forward
* New guidance from the Information Commissioner

UK - Youmanage wins contract with On-Communications

Youmanage, the creator of the innovative online HR toolkit, has added Sheffield-based fixed wireless access specialists On-Communications to its fast-expanding list of clients.

Youmanage wins contract with On-Communications

USA - CPEhr Announces HR Network Alliance with the California Chamber of Commerce

CPEhr, a leading California human resources outsourcing firm, announced today that they have been selected by the California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber) to join their exclusive HRConsultant Network, a partnership to provide CalChamber clients with high-quality, hands-on, strategic HR services.

CPEhr Announces HR Network Alliance with the California Chamber of Commerce

UK - Recruitment Difficulties

British businesses still find it difficult to fill job vacancies despite the slowdown in economic growth. According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s (CIPD) annual Recruitment, Retention and Turnover Survey no fewer than 86% of organizations are experiencing recruitment difficulties with the majority placing the blame on a national skills deficit.

Recruitment difficulties to continue

Australia/NZ - Psychological Profiling Valued

Recruitment specialist TMS Asia-Pacific recently reminded employers in the tourism and hospitality and tourism sectors of the valuable role psychometric profiles can have in recruitment.


Psychometric Profiling Valued

UK - Employment Law Updates

Employment and Immigration Law Legal Update 23/05/08

* National Staff Dismissal Register to go live this month
* Flexible Working
* Statement of intent released for Tier 2 (Skilled Migrant) of the points based system

UK - CIPD 2009 Moves To Manchester

The CIPD will be relocating its Annual Conference and Exhibition to Manchester Central Convention Complex from 2009. The conference will also be moving from its current September slot to a new slot in November to coincide with the move to Manchester. The dates for the 2009 Annual Conference and Exhibition will be Tuesday 17 November to Thursday 19 November 2009.

CIPD to move Annual Conference and Exhibition to Manchester from 2009

USA - Recession is No Obstacle for New Company and Product Launch

During a period when companies are cutting jobs by the thousands may not seem like the best time to launch a new human resources product suite, but FlexPaths, LLC, a provider of Web-based workplace flexibility solutions, has never been more optimistic. After all, IBM, Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft started their technology companies during recessions. Bad economic times may scare companies and freeze budgets, but companies still need to hold on to their best people and get the work done. That’s why this women-owned dot-com isn’t letting a possible recession deter their entrée into the marketplace.

Recession is No Obstacle for New Company and Product Launch

UK - Employment Law Updates

Employment Law Legal Update 12/05/2008

*Court of Appeal decision on the burden of proof for unfair dismissal
* Identity cards to be issued for some foreign nationals present in the UK
* Employer's benefits package held not to be discriminatory on grounds of age

HR And That Elusive Strategic Role

It seems that finally senior managers - some of them, at least - are willing to give HR managers a significant role in strategic decisions. But how many human resource managers know how to fulfill that role? (Updated May 1 2008)

HR And That Elusive Strategic Role