Single parents find benefits of work

MORE THAN 75 per cent of single parents who return to work feel more independent and more confident. In a survey of more than 1,000 such parents, 57 per cent said work made them feel more satisfied with life. Work gave them a sense of the following as a result:

Identity 69%

Being sociable 67%

Achievement 65%

Both working and unemployed single parents cited childcare and flexible hours as a key issue when entering work. Sixty-seven per cent of working single parents said it had been difficult to find a job that fitted in with childcare or school hours.

Source: One parent families

Execs help lead career paths

NEARLY 64 per cent of executives believe better career opportunities are available to today’s young professionals compared to when they began their own careers. According to the study, 75 percent of executives indicated they would recommend their profession to their children, while 83 per cent would try to guide their children’s career paths to some extent. Almost half of executives said the work ethic of today’s young professionals was worse compared to previous generations.

Source: Korn/Ferry International

UK: Recruitment difficulties forces pay options

A MAJORITY of UK employers expect to award staff pay rises of less than 3.5 per cent over winter, however, at least one in five employers will keep their pay options open. A survey found spring would be the busiest period for pay reviews, with around 61 per cent of employers planning to conduct reviews between now and the spring quarter. Overall, 42 per cent of employers intend to recruit additional staff this quarter.

Source: CIPD

Aussie workers suffer poor health

MORE THAN 50 per cent of Australian workers believe stress impacts their health. The survey of more than 8,000 workers across a range of industries found that only 20 per cent of employees were getting the minimum 30 minutes of physical activity on most days needed to ward off heart disease and diabetes. Where stress was a major problem, employees were unable to work to their full potential 33 per cent of the time, while a further 20 per cent had low job satisfaction as a result.

Source: ahm Total Health

WorkChoices out of favour with managers

ONLY 17 per cent of managers believe WorkChoices is good for their organisation. A survey of 300 middle- to senior-level managers revealed that the new IR laws are considered to be good for skilled workers (24 per cent), for themselves personally (12 per cent) and for less skilled workers (12 per cent). Managers felt those conditions that should be guaranteed by law but were now under threat included:

Guaranteed 4 weeks’ annual leave 88%

Penalty rates for overtime 73%

The right to join a trade union 62%

However, managers in both New South Wales and Victoria believe trade unions achieve a lot of success (3 per cent) in helping their members, followed by a fair bit of success (29 per cent) and only a little success (31 per cent).

Source: Gold Coast Tourism

Aussies show team effort

EIGHTY-EIGHT per cent of Australian workers believe they perform at their best as part of a team. A survey of 2,403 people showed 83 per cent much prefer a teamwork environment, but only 77 per cent of generation Y said they needed a boost from workmates. In addition, 23 per cent of generation Y said productivity was better when working solo, compared to 84 per cent of generation X and 85 per cent of baby boomers.

Source: Talent2