September 2011

With the last third of the year looming and little movement in getting the economy on track, HR professionals are faced with a multitude of scenarios. Fall is traditionally a period when employees make a move to outside the company. It is second to the first month of the year after bonus time. With bonuses and pay raises looking dim this year, there may be a heavier than usual exodus.

At the same time, job creation has apparently stalled and small businesses, the usual engine for job growth, are simply not hiring. The August job numbers show no growth in total employees with numerous government layoffs not being made up by private employers hiring staff.

With little movement on the job front, employee surveys seen by this newsletter's editors show an increasing frustration on the part of staff members. For companies seeking to keep their key employees, new strategies need to be employed.

So too, Gen Y members need to be carefully nurtured as their needs are different from other generations.

So too, HR professionals need to ease stress in the workplace.

Violence in the workplace is also a simmering issue which a gathering of HR professionals thought serious enough to devote an afternoon to that topic. Here's what to look for.

Increasingly, small businesses are thinking of eliminating healthcare benefits and either paying the levy under the new healthcare reform act or providing a stipend to workers to find their own healthcare insurance.

A recent survey by this newsletter's parent indicates more small businesses are turning to job boards and search vehicles to find candidates for the limited positions available.

• Surprise! Favoritism Exists In The Workplace as executives admit they have seen or done promotion process tilted by personal preferences.

• Sloppy, Error-Prone Resumes Speak Volumes About The Potential Hire.
  With employees resenting sloppy, unfinished work in others, look close for resume errors as a warning bell.

• HR Professionals Need To Be In Forefront Of Building A Customer-Facing Company
  Building a sound customer-facing staff program requires significant input and help from the HR department.

• Recognizing The Need For A Stress-Free Office
  Creating an atmosphere for healthy collaboration with teams, co-workers and the boss is necessary.

• Using Project Management To Drive Organizational Changes
  Small businesses often use the adoption of new technology to drive organizational changes.

What is sometimes overlooked in small business budget planning? "As more and more regulations and licensing requirements are imposed, business licenses are often overlooked in budget planning and critical dates for reupping are missed." --- Diane Brown Executive Vice President, CT Corp.

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