SEVENTY-THREE per cent of business people predict that business activity will remain positive for the remainder of 2007
SEVENTY-THREE per cent of business people predict that business activity will remain positive for the remainder of 2007. Close to 43 per cent of the 1800 people surveyed said business activity will be strong while 29 per cent felt business activity would fall. The most important things for business included:
Recruiting talent 46%
Retention 34%
Rising overheads 20%
Furthermore, the survey claimed the first two months of 2007 suggested that the hottest jobs for the year to be in accountancy and finance, construction, engineering, office support and resources and mining.
Source: Hays
Aussies chucking the odd sickie
TWENTY PER CENT of Australian workers took a “sickie” last year. An online survey consisting of 5000 jobseekers found the main reasons that employees opted to take a day off work when they weren’t really sick included: catching up on household tasks; looking after the kids/elderly relatives; exhaustion; stress; and avoiding the boss, co-workers and deadlines. A feeling that the company simply “owed”them also came into the equation.
Source: Onetest
Recruitment sector high on turnover
STAFF TURNOVER in the recruitment industry rose from 27 per cent in 2005 to 43 per cent in 2006, despite an average pay increase of 4.2 per cent in 2006 for recruiters. With turnover for the recruitment industry well above the 12 to 15 per cent average across all sectors, the proportion of agencies supplying training to clients rose from 55 per cent last year to 62 per cent, with the demand for psychological assessment rising from 60 to 65 per cent.
Source: Recruitment and Consulting Services Association (RCSA)
UK: workers feel the stress
APPROXIMATLEY 20 per cent of UK workers experience high levels of work related stress. A report has found that 44 per cent feel they come under excessive pressure once or twice a week or more, costing UK employers an estimated £9.6 ($19) billion per year. In order to deal with stress, companies provide a variety of assistance: managing and monitoring workload and resources; giving employees empowerment to do their work; being accessible and visible to employees; taking a positive approach to the management of emotions; and open communication.
Source: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Aussies maintain high hopes
SIXTY PER CENT of Australian workers are confident in their ability to secure a new job within one month. According to a recent survey of jobseekers across 15 countries, Australiaranked amongst the top four for employment confidence alongside New Zealand, South Africa and Luxembourg. Furthermore, 88 per cent of companies said their organisation actively encouraged work-life balance.
Source: Robert Walters
Companies go offshore for R&D
SIXTY-FIVE PER CENT of companies are conducting some of their research and development work overseas. A survey predicted that this figure would rise to 84 per cent over the next three years, while another 64 per cent of organisations currently outsource part of the innovation process to external organisations. When it comes to the risks associated with the global innovation network model, 60 per cent of companies cited loss of control as a key concern, while 44 per cent feared the theft of intellectual property.
Source: Economist Intelligence Unit
Cognitive testing proves positive
JOB APPLICANTS are not offended when they are overlooked for a position, and maintain a positive attitude toward the company that rejected them if a cognitive ability test was part of the selection process. The research also found that up to 25 per cent of medium to large Australian organisations regularly use psychometric testing as a candidate selection tool.
Source: Onetest
Training invaluable for Aussies
THIRTY PER CENT of Australian workers have moved jobs as a result of insufficient training opportunities, according to a survey of 2413 people. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australians spent 139 million hours in training courses during 2005, which equates to $1.2 billion of paid time in wages.
Source: Talent2
Aussies stay online with rest of the world
AUSTRALIAN WORKERS believe that the internet and email makes them more productive, with 71 per cent using both email and internet, 9 per cent using email only and 2 per cent using internet only. A survey of more than 70,000 people across 28 countries, including 2000 Australians, found that 64 per cent believe email increases productivity, while 62 per cent said the same of the internet. Those in the 25–54 year-old age bracket were the most intensive users.
Source: Kelly Services
US: HR reveals top concerns
FORTY-NINE per cent of HR professionals in the US predict that attracting and retaining talent will be their top challenge over the next three years. The survey of 422 HR professionals found that while healthcare costs have consistently ranked as HR’s top concern over the past eight years, other concerns now include:
How to afford retirement 59%
Cost containment 36%
Rising cost of total rewards35%
Source: Deloitte
