Organisational politics has completed its ascent from peripheral issue 10 years ago to today being the principal cause of workplace stress, according to a survey of 490 managers conducted by UK research firm Roffey Park
Organisational politics has completed its ascent from peripheral issue 10 years ago to today being the principal cause of workplace stress, according to a survey of 490 managers conducted by UK research firm RoffeyPark. It also found that conflict in the workplace has increased and 44 per cent of companies believe organisational politics to be a main cause. The research also highlighted that underperforming organisations are more likely to report an increase in political behaviour and to see such behaviour as a source of conflict.
Businesses use iPods for new recruits
The iPod has become the latest workplace tool, with employers using the gadget to train new recruits, according to Anil Sabharwal, general manager of knowledge solutions for Talent2. iPods were usually given to employees several weeks before their first day, according to Sabharwal, and contained downloads on everything from who’s who in the office, safety procedures, to the best places to eat lunch and where to enjoy a post-work drink. The purpose of handing out iPods was to help employees combat first-day jitters and to improve staff retention rates, he said.
Skills shortage continues to grow
The enduring skills shortage is likely to continue into 2007 and beyond, with demand for candidates remaining high and salaries up across all sectors in New South Wales, according to a recent Robert Walters survey. In accounting and finance, salaries increased across the board by up to 30 per cent during 2006, while a further rise of 5 to 10 per cent is predicted in accounting and finance salaries for 2007. Engineering salaries are expected to continue to rise by an average of 8 per cent as the skills set continues to migrate from Sydney towards Queensland and Western Australia.
