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Executive Search Consultant Calls: Benefit or Bother?
Specialized executive search consultants can make your life so much easier says Marjorie Slater.

10 Tips for Managing Uncertainty
Need some ideas to help you cope with all the turmoil that comes from today’s uncertainty? Sharyn Mosca shares her suggestions to help leaders manage through uncertainty.

The Common Causes of Priority Overload
The vast majority of individuals and management teams are overwhelmed, says Jim Clemmer. He shares his tips on how to prioritize and relieve stress.

2009 Workplace Survival Guide
Tom Terez shares 40 ways to work smart when times are tough.

Economy, Political Changes Could Create Perfect Storm for Employment Lawsuits
With unemployment expected to rise to its highest level in more than 25 years, some legal experts are predicting more employment lawsuits.

Paradox Underscores Continued Need for Training in Ethical Decision-Making
A recent poll from Deloitte and Junior Achievement found that most teens think they can make ethical decisions, yet many believe it is okay to cheat and lie.

Joan Lloyd’s HR Words of Advice: Job Hunting During Down Times Brings Questions
Joan Lloyd shares her tips on searching for jobs during challenging times.

When Family Duty Calls
JapanMarket, December 2008, (monthly magazine of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry Japan, printed in German). When Family Duty Calls: Editor-in-Chief Pascal Gudorf interviews Marcia Johnson, president and founder of Binocular Vision Advisors, LLC. Caregiver stress can generate a high degree of stress which manifests of reduced "presenteeism". Organizations can take measures to assist their people and realize a positive ROI.

Survey Reveals Majority of Staffing Firms Implementing New Services and Investing in Marketing
TalentDrive shares survey results that show 52% of Staffing Firms are investing to reposition their company.

CSR and the Engaged Workforce
While economic conditions rise and fall, the trend toward sound environmental, social and ethical corporate practices is steadily increasing. Rebecca Ranninger explans.

Minimize The Effects of The Recession - Tips for Employers


Foreign Firms in China Brace For Worker Unrest as Economic Downturn Intensifies
Migrant workers make up much of the workforce in China. As the economy worsens, these workers are feeling the stress and that has lead to some rioting. Pacific Bridge investigates.

Mentoring In The Workplace
Employee mentoring programs are becoming more popular. They are more than just a hiring process, they enable business owners to look at the overall skills of the possible employee. Cecile Peterkin explains.

China Increasing Efforts to Ease Economic Recession
The Chinese government is making employment opportunities and job retention its top policies for 2009. Pacific Bridge shares more.

Expect Hiring to Hit Deep Freeze in February
Mass layoffs and cost-cutting for U.S payrolls continue historic downward spiral, says a recent SHRM survey.

Dashboards: Ticket to Success in Gauging Work Performance
As the saying goes, a team is only as strong as its weakest link. With organizations fully dependent on their employees to drive company performance, it is critical that each individual is held accountable for his/her work. Shadan Malik shares more.

"Incite" on Leadership: It's All About You.
Although there are certainly common attributes of successful leaders, we have found that they can come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. How you lead truly depends on who you are. The first step is really asking that question and understanding the answer. Based on years of research completing executive assessment globally, this article focuses on those attributes proven to be 'the basics,' 'the standouts,' and 'the missing pieces.'

Business Coaches: Do You Need One When Budgets Are Tight?
This is a critical time we are in for every small and mid-sized business. In this environment a good Business Coach may prove to be an invaluable resource. Brad Sugars explains.

Proposed Employee Free Choice Act Contains New Remedies
According to several experts, the likelihood that the entire Employee Free Choice Act will be adopted without significant amendments, or any at all, is high in light of the current economic situations.

Mixing Business and Pleasure: Dating in the Workplace
Workplace dating is inevitable with the current generational shifts occuring in the workplace placing a greater importance on socialization. While it comes as no surprise when co-workers date, there are a few pointers that could help every organization

Workers Fear Loss of Retirement Savings
A recent Workplace Options survey reveals employees are stressed about money and their future as the economy worsens.

What Obama's Economic Stimulus Plan Means for Employee Benefits Plans
Sandwiched in with all the infrastructure development and green energy provisions of President Barack Obama and the Democrat's economic stimulus plan are several provisions that affect employee benefits, particularly health benefits. M. Lee Smith Publishers investigates.

Cheer Leaders Inspire Others
Effective leaders understand the power of sincere appreciation. Jim Clemmer shares more.

Myth of the Jerk Boss
Many managers think there is a fine line between being stern and being a jerk. Little do they know, it's the weak who draw the criticism. Bruce Tulgan explains.

Surviving the Current Economy
Tips for Employers

Joan Lloyd's HR Words of Advice: When the Economy Tanks It’s Time to Shine
When the economy gets shaky, smart employees step up their performances. Joan Lloyd shares more.

Hiring Sitution Not What You Thought: 68% Predict Normal Hiring Will Return by Q3
New 2009 Survey results show that the hiring freeze may not be as fierce as first believed.

Global Economic Recession, Lay-off’s and its Impact on You – Survival of the Fittest
Most of the countries all over the world are going through this phase of economic recession. Many old and big companies have already been brought down on their knees to bite the dust. Many companies as well as countries have become bankrupt or are on the verge of it. Millions and millions of people have lost their jobs. Many people have lost millions and billions of dollars. People in general are scared and fearsome. This is not the first time that the global economy is going through recession and this is also not the last time. There is a pattern involved in it. On an average it is happening after every 8-10 years. This article is an attempt to highlight some of the issues involved and some of the possible solutions.

Supreme Court Upholds the Primacy of ERISA Plan Documents over Divorcee’s Waiver of Pension Benefits
In a unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has held that under ERISA, plan administrators must distribute plan assets in accordance with the terms of lawful plan documents without regard to a waiver of benefits contained in a divorce decree. In Kennedy v. Plan Administrator for DuPont Savings & Investment Plan, the plan administrator distributed the proceeds from a savings plan to a deceased employees ex-wife who was listed as the beneficiary on the plan documents despite the fact that she had earlier waived all rights to the benefits in a divorce decree. Littler Mendelson shares more.

Bridging the COBRA Gap When Layoffs Loom
HR departments coping with the fallout of layoffs should make sure departing employees are aware of temporary medical coverage that is available to them. Samuel H. Fleet investigates.

Leading by Example: Setting Personal Goals and Priorities
How do you measure importance? By the number of emails? By the crazy hours you work? What importance do you place on goal setting? Jim Clemmer shares his advice on how to lead by example.

how you 'show up' matters
The worst of times demand the best of leaders. Senn Delaney Chairman Dr. Larry Senn offers some principles that will improve the ability of leaders to keep their companies financially and emotionally healthy.

The Secret to a Happy Life is More Love Than Career
A recent survey conducted by SnagAjob.com reveals 75% of Americans value a successful relationship over a career. What's more, 66% say they are okay with sacrificing their own career for a significant other.

USCIS Issues Interim Final Rule on I-9 Employment Verification
The USCIS has submitted an interim final rule that revises Form I-9 and the list of documents that are acceptable to prove identity and employment authorization. Employers will be given a 45-day grace period to begin using the new form. Failing to do so may result in fines. Littler Mendelson shares more.

Training Programs on the Chopping Block
Training programs are often the first victim of cutbacks. That includes safety training. As Jeff Dickey-Chasins explains, cutting safety training is not always the best decision.

Should You Outsource HR?
Is outsourcing HR functions cost effective? Should something that enhances the core competencies of an organization be outsourced? Don Phin shares more.

Recession-Wary Employers Seek Better Ways to Find Star Job Performers in a Flood of Resumes
Although staff reductions are expected by most employers, 76 percent of recruiters agree that the recession is an opportunity to bring in higher quality job candidates, according to a new Jobfox poll.

The Best Companies Hire the Best People
What is the ROI of your hires? Do you calculate the quality of your hires the same way you do your other business investments? Marjorie Slater explains.

Great Expectations: Building the Employee Recognition Program Your CEO Wants
Despite the challenging times, a strategically executed employee recognition program costs little but reaps great rewards. Derek Irvine explains.

Leadership Track Record Can Help Differentiate Laid-Off Managers and Executives From Competition
Managers who are looking for jobs need to take a more focused approach to the job market.

The Power of a Thriving to Win Mindset
Executive leaders who play offense are more likely to navigate their companies through challenging times and come out ahead as the economy turns around. I call this approach “thriving to win,” rather than “managing to survive.”

President Obama Signs Legislation Extending Time For Employees To File Discrimination Claims
President Barrack Obama has made amendments to the federal employment discrimination laws in the United States. Timothy Keegan and Denise Brucker share more.

Managing Email Risks - Guidelines for the Human Resources Manager
If your company is potentially at risk every time an employee sends an Email, what steps can you take to mitigate that risk? Tom Politowski has some answers.

Playing By the Numbers—Reducing the Costs of Leadership Failure
The cost of leadership failure extends beyond severance payments. Nat Stoddard and Claire Wyckoff explain.

The Real Problems and Challenges for Health Reform: A Post-Election Perspective
The economic crisis nudged out what was thought to be a common concern in the United States election: Health Care Reform. Jeff Bauer explains the Post-Election look at health care in the United States.

Retention Interviews
Trying to find the reasons why an employee quit after he has left is too late. K. R. Ramakrishnan explains.

With All These Displaced People in the Job Market, Why Does it Continue to be so Difficult to Hire?
You'd think that hiring top talent would be easy with the amount of job losses worldwide... think again. Vikki Pachera investigates.

Be Repetitious
Repetition drives retention. Dianna Booher explains.

Today’s Businesses Need “Gladiator” Leaders
The time is right for a more heroic style of leadership. Do you have a gladiator in you? Greg Smith explains more.

Lead, Follow, or Wallow
Leadership is an action, not a position. Jim Clemmer explains.

How Green is Your Software Solution?
SaaS solutions are much greener than hosting your data on a local server, says Curt Finch. He explains more.

Preparing for the Turnaround
The basics on what to do in a down economy and ways to get ready for the upswing

Top Five Mistakes Leaders Make in These Troubled Times
Wise guidance from a business consultant and leadership expert who offers alternative action to the top five mistakes leaders made during difficult times.

Coached Employees Want Most to be Challenged
What do employees want most from coaches... challenges. BlessingWhite shares its recent study.

Management In Real Life: Everyone But Me
"When you come across a new leadership theory or practice, explore its inherent principles," says Kevin Herring. He shares more.

Recession-Proof Your Company
Often the first thing to happen in economic downturn is to cut the headcount. This more than anything should tell you a key relationship exists between business profitability and staff count. It is not difficult to swap out the appraisal and performance interview for the exit interview.

NY Makes Employers Post and Disclose Laws Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Criminal Convictions
Beginning February 1, 2009, New York employers must add to their workplace postings and provide information to applicants and employees information regarding the state’s law and regulations limiting how criminal convictions may be considered in employment decisions. Littler Mendelson shares more.

Long Haired Freaky People Need Not Apply
Which workplace grooming standards can employers legally implement? Pepper Hamilton LLP explains more.

Joan Lloyd’s HR Words of Advice: Helping a Friend With a Resume
You lend a friend a hand and next thing you know you have a double! What do you do when your style is duplicated? Joan Lloyd shares her advice.

Leave Management
Don Phin shares information and tips on a recent California medical leave case that involved a woman and her disability.

Top Ten Things to Do If Your 401(k) Plan Fails Nondiscrimination Testing
401(k) plan sponsors generally do not relish the annual call from their 401(k) consultant with their plan's nondiscrimination testing results. If your plan regularly passes testing, that's great news. However, if you are not so fortunate or your plan is on the cusp, there are steps you can take to greatly increase your plan's chances of success. This article discusses those choices. (Note: article requires one-time registration on TRI-AD's Web site). Visit http://www.tri-ad.com/library?ID=10692 for complete article.

How to Deal With the Constant Stress of a Battered Economy
Eight out of ten Americans say they are stressed about money and the economy. Dr. John Schinnerer shares tips on how to handle the stress.

How to Coach Your Boss
"At the core of every toxic working environment is the toxic boss," says Keith Rosen. He shares his advice on how to coach the toxic boss.

The Engagement Dilemma: An Investment or a Cost?


One-in-Five Workers Plan to Change Jobs in 2009
Despite slower hiring rates predicted for 2009, some workers are saying they intend to leave their current job in search of a new one.

Attracting Top Talent: Do You Have What It Takes?
Today's employees are attracted by a hiring package with both extrinsic (pay and benefits) and intrinsic (motivation, training opportunities, etc.) elements. But does your organization have the right mix?

What HR Professionals Need to Know About Social Media Searches (When Vetting Potential Candidates)
Social media searches can be beneficial to any organization. But should they be used when making hiring decisions? Joshua Levy shares some answers.

Salary Talk During the Job Interview
Can your interviewer afford you? Carole Martin shares ways to answer the salary questions during an interview.

Hiring Practices During a Recession
Hiring practices don't often change during a recession. But, companies are more careful in evaluating the need for more staff. Juan Morales explains.

Leadership Story: You Need to Get It Straight
Are you getting down to basics with your leadership skills? Are you promoting dramatics instead? Jim Loehr explains more.

Responding to Employees Who Push Back
Managers facing resistance from employees may want to listen to how their requests sound. Bruce Tulgan explains.

Access to Latest Technology Key to Keeping Workers Creative and Productive
Almost 40% of American workers would consider switching jobs to an employer with greater commitment to workplace technology, according to a study by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority.

Most Brand Management is Misguided and Makes Things Worse
Most organizations are not investing in improving the companies' effectiveness. Jim Clemmer explains more.

Downsizing: 7 Steps to Help Employees Cope
Layoffs affect more than those who have been let go. It's up to the HR department to make sure everything goes smoothly even those who are left behind. M. Lee Smith Publishers shares this article from Carol A. Hacker.

Cutting Costs with a Scalpel, Not a Chainsaw
It's a tough economy and one that is going to continue to cause layoffs and cuts to projects. But as Curt Finch explains, the cuts can be avoided.

Salary Increase Budgets 2009: Financial Crisis Edition
The continuing negative economic growth forecasted well into 2009 is having an impact on compensation decisions in real-time. About a quarter of our matched case sample of companies report change in their salary budgets since the last survey in April/May 2008 — with the clear trend being downward. The Conference Board shares their results.

US Employees Earn Least Amount of Severance
Employees laid off in the United States earn the least amount of severance pay worldwide, according to a recent study by Right Management.

Indian Spices, Legumes, and Employee Wellness
Employees with unhealthy habits have higher medical costs. In the current economic crunch, HR needs to find creative and cost-effective ways to solve this problem. Alamelu Vairavan explains how.

Attention Career/Business/News Editors:
Working Canadians Take the Long View on the Labour Market

Attention Career/Business/News Editors:
Working Canadians Take the Long View on the Labour Market

Help Your Bottom Line by Retaining Hourly Workers
Even within the hourly workforce, turnover comes at a significant expense to employers. Shawn Boyer explains how to retain your hourly workers.

Retirees Win Right to Sue for Fund Mismanagement
In a major ruling, the First U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held that employees who retire and receive lump-sum distributions from their company's defined-contribution plan, such as a 401(k), have the right to sue the administrators of the plan if they don't believe their moneys were managed wisely. M. Lee Smith Publishers shares more.

Business Acumen
Business Acumen: What is it and how do I get it? Silvia Johnson explains.

HIRE FOR WHO THEY ARE NOT ONLY WHAT THEY KNOW
Whether you're hiring a web designer, or a high-level executive, it is essential to look well beyond experience and expertise. Your new hire needs to be the right person at the right time to do the right job for the right reasons. Dr. Rhoberta Shaler, psychologist, coach & consultant, is an expert teambuilder. In this article, you'll find the how's, why's and what-to-do's to avoid hiring errors and to use best practices to find the right person. You cannot afford not to read this article. It will save you time, energy and money!

Hitting the Ground Running
A recent survey shows new Financial Managers are finding increasing productivity and building rapport with staff are their top challenges.

The Art (or not) of Blamestorming
When the pressure is on, the blame game starts for some employees. How do you handle the art of blamestorming? Bryn Meredith has some answers.

Candy Canes in Your Pen Bowl
Homemade paper snowflakes, pre-Thanksgiving holiday lights and carol-singing stuffed animals decorate your co-worker's office. While this person may have gone a bit overboard, they are clearly taking responsibility for creating their own happy work environment, and as "Candy Canes in Your Pen Bowl" explains, it wouldn't hurt you to do the same.

Training: To Be or Not To Be?
In business, there is little debate about the importance for companies to invest in their people by offering training and other learning opportunities. The premise is that money spent in training expenditures will eventually come back in terms of enhanced shareholder value. However, is this really the case?

Migrating to the Next Generation of the Intranet
How are intranets changing? What should the next generation of intranets look like, in light of the differing needs of both geographically dispersed and a new breed of workers? Tony Bailey shares more.

Searching For The Right Talent – An Overlooked Resource
The 53 million Americans with disabilities are an untapped resource that can easily meet most challenges in many companies, says Lora Villarreal.

The Upside of Starting at the Bottom Rung
Is it still possible in today's economic climate to work hard, rise up the corporate ladder, and get ahead? Paul Facella shares his answers.

Ten Ways to Quiet Your Mind During the Holidays
Author Jim Loehr, Ed.D. shows ten ways to use your inner conversations to achieve balance during the holidays, especially in this year of uncertainty and surprise.

Tone of Voice: It’s All in How We’re Saying It
Read this! Those two words can sounds demanding or exciting depending upon how you say it. Jim Clemmer shares reminds us it's all in the tone of your voice.

Productivity Got Run Over by a Reindeer During the Holidays
The holidays create an unproductive workplace full of potlucks, parties and gatherings, but it's not the only season that challenges productivity. M. Lee Smith Publishers shares more on the year round productivity killer.

Joan Lloyd’s HR Words of Advice: Performance Plan May Help Procrastinator
How do you handle a promising employee who puts off getting the job done? Joan Lloyd shares her advice.

Concierge Helps Keep Holidays Healthy and Stress-Free
Health concerns are higher over the holidays. Kimberlee Mineo shares tips on how to stay healthy during the festive season.

Holidays Mark Turning Point for Many Families with Aging Relatives
A recent survey shows a growing interest in Employer-Sponsored Elder Care Assistance.

Extra Training May Boost Productivity, Ease Stress in Uncertain Times
A newly released survey reveals that there is a growing interest in employer sponsored training programs.

The Missing Link: Measuring How People Drive Enterprise Value
Simply put, the board and the CEO want a clear, credible, and simple picture of how much bang the organization’s getting for the money it invests in people and human resource programs. Frank DiBernardino explains.

You Can’t Manage It If You Don’t Measure It:
Cape Fear Valley Health System opened its doors in 1956 as a 200-bed, one-building hospital and has grown into a regional health system with 619 beds, four hospitals and primary care physician offices throughout Cumberland County and surrounding areas. Yet it was not until 45 years later, that Cape Fear Valley embarked on its first full-census Employee Survey.

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