_October/November 2004
Vol. 1, Issue 5_

Job Market Barometer

Unemployment Rate

Sept '04
Aug '04
Sept '03
5.4%
5.4%
6.1%

Help Wanted Index

Sept '04
Aug '04
Sept '03
36
37
37

Source: The Conference Board


Recruiting and Retention - Best Practices

According to a survey by human resource consulting firm Development Dimensions International and web-based recruiting resource Electronic Recruiting Exchange (ERE), the four hiring practices of highly successful organizations are:

  • Job interviews in which candidates are asked to describe specific examples of their skills
  • Automated resume screening and search
  • Assessments that predict whether candidates are motivated by the factors associated with a particular job or a company’ s values and ways of doing things
  • Simulations that gauge specific job-related abilities and skills

Human Capital Stats
You Can Use

Stat #1
According to research published by SHL in October, U.S. managers waste 34 days a year dealing with underperformers. Managing under-performing employees is one of the worst hidden costs facing American companies.

Stat #2
In a recent study of more than 375 companies, ASTD found that the average employee training investment is between 1% and 3% of total payroll. That equates to more than $700 per employee per year.

 

 

Addressing the HR Challenges of an Aging Talent Pool
By Kim Shaw, Director of Human Capital, TWC

It’s finally happened—baby boomers are getting older. That means the talent pool will soon follow suit. In fact, the number of workers age 55 and over is expected to increase by 47 percent over the next seven years. That’s a substantial amount, and one that will redefine both hiring and retirement.

As human resource professionals, we need to start preparing for this aging talent pool. Encouraging longer work lives and creating work opportunities for boomers will be increasingly important—for many reasons: the economic burdens of Social Security, a diminishing labor supply, and a more flexible workforce.

Read more...


Offer Letter Stating Annual Salary Does Not Create a Contract

A written offer letter reassures a new employee because it makes the hiring process more formal and professional. But can the letter also create an employment contract if it is not worded properly? A circuit court decision gives employers guidance on drafting offer letters that won’t create contracts affecting the at-will relationship.

Read more...


Appreciating Diversity During the Holidays:
It's about more than just a simple "Happy Holidays" greeting card
By Kate Berardo and Simma Lieberman

Guess who's not celebrating Christmas this year? Millions of people in the US.

That's right. Tens of millions of Americans don't celebrate Christmas religiously, either as followers of non-Christian religions (Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Jews) or as individuals with no religious affiliation.

It used to be that being inclusive meant sending out PC "Happy Holidays" greeting cards and changing Christmas office parties to "Holiday parties." Today, it's about more than just changing labels and titles.

Full Article...














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