Non-monetary rewards on the rise

SEVENTY-SIX per cent of Australian organisations currently use non-monetary rewards, compared to just 55 per cent in 2002. On the spot thank yous and letters of thanks topped the list for types of rewards offered, while organisations also offered:

Performance rewards 77%

Telecommuting 51%

Paid maternity leave 38%

The survey also found that only 13 per cent of organisations measured the effectiveness of the rewards, while 24 per cent reported increased working hours in 2004 with senior executives and management staff working the longest hours.

Source: Mercer Human Resource Consulting

Employers unconcerned about spyware: US

TWENTY-FIVE per cent of businesses believe spyware to be a major problem, despite warnings about such software that covertly gathers user information, according to a survey of 111 enterprise IT managers in the US. It also found that more than 80 per cent of employers have policies addressing spyware and email, and nearly 70 per cent of employers have policies covering instant messaging and file-sharing software.

Source: Secure Computing Corporation

IT benefits from on-the-job training

FIFTY-ONE per cent of IT contractors are actively participating in or have access to training and professional development programs offered by their employers. A survey of more than 1,000 contractors found that IT contractors:

Don’t have access to company sponsored training 49%

Have access to ad-hoc external training 31%

Are encouraged to take part in in-house on-the-job training 20%

The most popular technical training programs included project management, software development, e-Business, management and strategy, as well as e-Learning.

Source: Candle ICT

Annoying colleagues with emails

TWENTY-SEVEN per cent of employees believe internal email is overused, while a further 20 per cent prefer to use verbal communication, according to a survey of 809 people. While 53 per cent of workers think internal email is a valuable and necessary tool, the survey indicated that some employees think their employers and workplaces are not using internal email as effectively and appropriately as they could be.

Source: Hays

More labor daysahead for workers: US

SEVENTY-FIVE per cent and more of pre-retirement income will be needed per year to maintain standard of living after employees retire, with the amount needed to retire going up, in some cases considerably, since three years ago. In addition, 41 per cent of American workers don’t think they will have enough money to retire on, while 32 per cent don’t know either way – creating the possibility that Americans will have to work longer and save more in the years to come.

Source: Aon Consulting

Why employees feel trapped by work

FORTY-THREE per cent of employees believe financial commitments are to blame if they feel trapped at work, while 32 per cent point to a lack of better options as another factor. Seventeen per cent say unfulfilled ambitions are keeping them in their current post, while a fear of change (6 per cent) and lack of qualifications (2 per cent)also contribute to feelings of being trapped in jobs.

Source: hrlook.com

Rail rage on the rise

One in three Australian workers believe that hiccups with the public transportation system have impacted negatively on their punctuality at work, a survey of 1,000 employees has found. It also found that 41 per cent of the workforce say they’ve personally witnessed an act of public transport rage – a verbal or physical attack on a transport worker or another passenger.

Source: Talent2

Modest salary increases continue: Canada

NINETY-SEVEN per cent of Canadian employers have increased salaries during 2004 – up from 92 per cent in 2003. The average salary increase for all employees was 3.2 per cent, and for the second year in a row base salary increases are fairly flat across different regions and industries. The survey of Canadian employers also found that the key issues for HR over the coming year are performance management, leadership development, cost containment, succession planning and recruiting key talent.

Source: Watson Wyatt Worldwide

Young workers frowned upon: UK

EIGHTY-ONE per cent of employers are reluctant to hire inexperienced youngsters into vacant positions, while a further 76 per cent believe that employing workers aged 16–18 would be a liability to their business. A survey of 486 British employers also found that 46 per cent of employers felt a young candidate’s lack of experience was the biggest recruitment hurdle to overcome, while bosses believed that younger workers lacked:

The ability to be responsible 25%

Necessary skills 16%

Necessary knowledge 11%

Source: Peninsula

Middle managers key to happy workplaces

SEVENTY-SIX per cent of employees say their manager is an important factor for an enjoyable and rewarding working life. A further 80 per cent believe managers play a crucial role in how happy employees after an organisational change such as a merger or acquisitions or the introduction of new working practices.

Source: Penna HR Consulting

Workers name the traits managers need

TWENTY-EIGHT per cent of employees believe that managers should stand up for staff more when needed, according to a survey of 571 American workers. It also found that employees felt managers need to:

Nip office politics in the bud 24%

Talk less and listen more 22%

Encourage taking breaks 11%

Source: OfficeTeam