HR job ads on the internet have increased by 72 per cent over the past year, according to the Olivier Internet Job Index
HR job ads on the internet have increased by 72 per cent over the past year, according to the Olivier Internet Job Index. It also found the number of HR job ads rose by 4.72 per cent (seasonally adjusted) in May 2005. The employment market is still looking good, but this may be a reflection of labour shortages as much as increased demand, said Robert Olivier, a director of the Olivier Group. Judging by previous years’ results, the jobs market strength is set to continue, he said. “June and July are busy months. In June some people are recruiting because they know they’ll be busy with the end of the financial year in July. For others July marks the start of new budgets. These are always active months.”
Understanding gender is key to retention
Men and women have different needs in the workplace that influence their intention to stay with or leave an organisation, according to recent research from Human Synergistics. Based on 182 Australian and New Zealand organisations and 11,658 people, the research found that for both men and women, empowerment (being given adequate training and being provided with the necessary resources to do their job properly) is the factor that most significantly influences intention to stay. For males, other factors that encourage them to stay with an organisation are job related such as training, variety, feedback and autonomy. For women, relationship oriented factors such as consideration, receiving respect, respect for their manager and low use of punishment mattered more.
Hewitt Associates signs HR BPO deal with PepsiCo
Hewitt Associates recently announced it will provide HR business process outsourcing (BPO) services to PepsiCo under a ten-year agreement. The deal covers HR BPO services in the US and HR application development and hosting for the US, along with 67 additional countries globally. HR services provided for the US include workforce and benefits administration, payroll and contact centre support. The HR application development and hosting will support PepsiCo’s approximately 64,000 employees in the US, and approximately 38,000 of PepsiCo’s employees in 67 countries globally. Hewitt’s contract with PepsiCo signifies continued growth of the firm’s HR BPO business, as it marks the eighth deal signed since its merger with Exult.
Rail guard sacked for photo up woman’s skirt
A train guard was recently sacked for allegedly using his mobile phone to photograph up a woman’s skirt. However, RailCorp workers have taken umbrage over the decision and threatened to strike after the Transport Appeals Board upheld the decision to sack the 57-year-old guard. The board could not find any evidence to support the allegation, according to the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RBTU), which also expressed anger over an investigator allegedly sending a photograph of the guard to the woman involved. NSW Premier Bob Carr also defended the decision and encouraged RailCorp workers not to strike. “We don’t pay rail guards to be shoving their cameras in places they shouldn’t be and RailCorp made a decision in response to that,” he said.
An oldie but a goody for businesss
Ninety-three per cent of business professionals would engage a new employee over the age of 55, according to a nationwide survey of more than 300 such professionals. Conducted by HR consulting firm Beilby, the survey also found 74 per cent said that workers over 55 were just as productive as average aged staff members, with 21 per cent declaring that workers over 55 were in fact more productive. The survey results reflected the fact that Australian business was changing its recruitment practices to promote age equality in light of our ageing population, according to Beilby CEO Martin Nicholls. Employers also had a responsibility to promote training and development for mature workers and to provide them with the appropriate career development, he said.
Spanish executives must kiss and tell
In an attempt to crack down on insider trading, Spanish business leaders will be forced to declare any illicit love affairs to the stockmarket. Spain’s regulatory body, the Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores, has said it will require the directors of companies quoted on Spain’s stock exchange to come clean twice a year about anyone with whom they are having an “affectionate relationship”. The legislation – not so affectionately known as a “lovers register”– has sparked outrage among business people, as they may have to admit to having affairs or being homosexual. The legislation, which takes effect from July this year, also requires company directors to provide information about their wives or husbands and family.
