MORE THAN half of employees (55 per cent in the U.S. and 52 per cent in the U.K.) are using internet social networks at work.
MORE THAN half of employees (55 per cent in the U.S. and 52 per cent in the U.K.) are using internet social networks at work. Even more (72 per cent in the US and 80 per cent in the UK) think they should be given full access to social networking sites for personal reasons. Some of the most common personal internet usage reported was:
Major news 51%
Social networks 55%
Personal emails 63%
A massive 85 per cent of US employees and 89 per cent of those in the UK thought that their level of personal internet use at work was acceptable
Source: 8e6 Technologies
HR ill-equipped to lead change programmes
NEARLY TWO thirds of public sector HR professionals feel their department is insufficiently prepared to make changes. A recent survey of 160 senior public sector HR professionals found that 96 per cent of public sector HR professionals want to take personal responsibility for change programmes in the workplace, but 62 per cent said their department is not equipped to manage changes properly. Another three-quarters of respondents said they need to up-skill to properly handle challenges presented by change programmes.
Source: Penna
Uncertain economy weighs heavily on workers
ALMOST TWO in three of US middle managers say that the economy is having a negative impact on their work environments. A recent survey of more than 300 US middle managers found that 61 per cent of employees are concerned about losing their jobs or that morale is down. Additionally, more than half (53 per cent) of respondents said they are dissatisfied or only somewhat satisfied with their jobs. Source: Accenture
Executives pursue global relocation
THE MAJORITY of executives around the world are willing to relocate internationally for job opportunities in today’s tumultuous economy. Eighty- five per cent of respondents to a recent survey said that they expect more job losses in the global labour market in 2009, and 78 per cent expected unemployment to rise in Q4 2008. Given the perceived volatility in the labour market, executives report an extreme willingness to chase job opportunities around the world; a surprising 84 per cent of executives say they are willing to consider relocating, with 55 per cent willing to move internationally for their next position.
Source: Korn/Ferry
CEOs no creative training
TWO THIRDS of CEOs have had little or no training in creative leadership, creativity or innovation and yet they see the development of these skills and capabilities as vital. According to a survey of 30,000 workers, 97 per cent say a creative leader is one who leads people and processes creatively – while only 46 per cent say a creative leader is one who creates. However, only 55 per cent believe their organisations are creative and a slightly larger number, 64 per cent, say their organisation is innovative. Only 18 per cent of organisations surveyed have a creative leadership program, driven in the main by the CEO.
Source: Creative Leadership Forum
Expats more focused on “here and now”
EXPATS are generally more engaged than non- expatriates, yet they are still more of a retention risk, according to a recent survey conducted in Australia. More than 50 per cent of expats are seriously thinking about leaving their current organisation within the year. For companies hiring expats, the results of this survey indicate that the process of strengthening employee engagement will be somewhat different for employees embarking on expatriate assignments. Overall, expats are more satisfied than non-expats in the things that matter to engagement, such as confidence in the company’s future, commitment to safety and a promising future for the employee.
Source: Kenexa
New-generation want technology their way
MILLENNIAL GENERATION students and employees (those aged 14 to 27) expect to use their own technology and mobile devices for work and are increasingly choosing their place of employment based on how accommodating companies are to their technology preferences. In addition, more than half (60 per cent) of Millennials are either unaware of their companies’ information technology (IT) policies or are not inclined to follow them.
Source: Accenture
Public sector attractive option for gen Y
THE AUSTRALIAN TAXATION Office (ATO) has been named as one of the most desirable employers for graduates, ahead of Coles, Commonwealth Bank and Telstra. According to a survey of 500 final year undergraduate students nationally Qantas topped the table as the preferred employer among graduates. The findings show that careers in the public sector are still a popular choice among Gen Y, offering higher levels of job security and typically a better work life balance than roles in the private sector. The challenge facing all employers is how to reach these candidates.
Source: The Gradient
Americans plan to curb spending
MOST AMERICANS say they’ll spend less this year during the holidays, and an even larger majority say they plan to cut spending overall in 2009. According to a survey of 2175 adults with household incomes of more than $US35,000 ($53,000), only one in 10 consumers planned to spend more this holiday season. When asked about how they felt about their current financial situation they said:
Financially insecure 30%
Squeezed by credit crunch 45%
Lack job security 39%
Source: Boston Consulting Group
