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Jobmobile News - News of the world of labor
Daimler hires Deloitte for internal emissions probe
30-April-2016 - reuters.com
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Daimler has hired auditor Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu to help with an internal investigation into its diesel-engine emissions technology requested by the U.S. Department of Justice, the luxury car maker said.
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How six workers who lost their jobs after employers went bust stopped pensions abyss
30-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
On Wednesday, while the heat was intensifying on Sir Philip Green to plug the gaping hole in the BHS pension scheme, six gentlemen were quietly allowed into the courtyard of 10 Downing Street.
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Pension chiefs´ meeting with £1 BHS buyer lasted just 30 MINUTES
30-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
BHS collapsed last week just a year after it was sold by billionaire Sir Philip Green to ex-racing driver and twice-bankrupt Dominic Chappell. The failure has left 11,000 jobs on the line.
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Start-up offers employee benefits to owners of firms with fewer than 50 staff
30-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
Pure Benefits, which chairman Stuart Gray has been developing since 2012, will offer benefits including life insurance, income protection and key person cover.
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MP Sir Alan Duncan slammed for refusing to help workers after Tory donor firm axes benefits
30-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
Duncan, who represents Rutland and Melton, was contacted in February by a worker complaining that food producer Samworth Brothers was trying to cut back on staff benefits.
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CBI survey has private sector growth edging up in the quarter to April
30-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
The survey by the employers body found that of nearly 800 respondents, a balance of ten per cent of firms reported a rise in output in the quarter to April, up from two per cent in March.
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With weak earnings in tow, focus turns to jobs data
30-April-2016 - reuters.com
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Coming off a barrage of flimsy company earnings reports that included Apple's first revenue drop in 13 years, investors will turn to April jobs data for signs of budding resilience or further weakening in the second quarter.
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BRIEF-Smart Employee Benefits Q1 revenue increased 107.1 % to $23.4 mln
30-April-2016 - reuters.com
* Q1 revenue increased by 107.1 % to $23.4 million Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:
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US Labor Department, Invesco Trust in Atlanta reach settlement to compensate investors for undisclosed losses
29-April-2016 - dol.gov
US Labor Department, Invesco Trust in Atlanta reach settlement to compensate investors for undisclosed losses Settlement restores more than $10.2M to investors WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Labors Employee Benefits Security Administration has reached a settlement agreement with a subsidiary of Invesco Ltd., an Atlanta-based investment management firm. Invesco Trust Company agreed to pay a total of $10.27 million to settle the department's claims that they violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Invesco operated the Invesco Short-Term Investment Fund, a multi-billion dollar collective fund composed of ERISA plan assets. The department contended that Invesco violated ERISA when it undertook a series of measures to ensure that the ISTIF continued to trade at $1 although the funds net asset value had fallen below $1 due to losses in the value of the funds securities holdings. One measure Invesco took was having an affiliate enter into a series of support agreements to provide contingent financial support to the ISTIF without adequately informing the funds investors. Invesco also retained a portion of the income earned by the ISTIF to increase the funds net asset value instead of distributing that income to investors. Retaining a portion of the ISTIFs income in the fund not only reduced the distributions to plan investors in the ISTIF, but also reduced the obligations of Invescos affiliate under the support agreements. The department concluded that Invesco did not adequately disclose these measures to ERISA plan investors, and that Invescos actions resulted in losses to ERISA plan clients. The settlement agreement addresses both of these findings by requiring Invesco to regularly disclose to ERISA plan investors the ISTIFs holdings, its actual market value, and the existence of any supporting measures used to bolster the ISTIFs net asset value. Additionally, Invesco must restore client losses that resulted from the ISTIF's retention of income. This settlement is another example of the department holding accountable those who do not adequately disclose to their investors information that is relevant to their investment decisions, said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employee Benefits Security, Phyllis C. Borzi. Invesco Trust stepped up to the plate by agreeing to compensate their ERISA plan clients. The settlement resulted from an investigation conducted by EBSAs Atlanta Regional Office. Employers and workers may contact that office at 404-302-3900 or toll-free at 866-444-3272 for help with problems relating to private sector pension and health plans. The Office of the Solicitor in Washington and Atlanta handled the settlement. For information about ERISA enforcement, visit http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/erisa_enforcement.html . Ed. Note : The name of the company was changed and a description of the transaction has been revised in this corrected version. Release Date: 04/29/2016 Media Contact Name: Lindsay Williams Email: williams.lindsay.l@dol.gov Phone Number: (678) 237-0633 Media Contact Name: Michael D'Aquino Email: d'aquino.michael@dol.gov Phone Number: (678) 237-0631 Release Number: 16-0475-NAT Override with PDF?:
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Elsewhere in Science: Pirating papers, handling harassment, and more
29-April-2016 - sciencemag.org
Labor disputes in Spain Job cuts in Australia Sci-Hub Sexual harassment in physical anthropology Struggles for researchers in Mexico Working Life
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Can your job be as flexible as this?
29-April-2016 - bbc.com
Just how flexible can your job be?
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New Hampshire Offers Lost Life Policy Locator Service to Residents
29-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
The New Hampshire Insurance Department has created a lost life policy locator service to assist Granite State residents and their families in locating life policies and annuity contracts that have been purchased in the state. We developed this service to
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Temps, part-time workers are making more demands
29-April-2016 - usatoday.com
As contingent workers grow in number, more are joining unions and demanding higher pay
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Temporary, part-time workers not taking it anymore
29-April-2016 - usatoday.com
As contingent workers grow in number, more are joining unions and demanding higher pay
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BRIEF-Verizon Communications deploying thousands of additional employees during strike
29-April-2016 - reuters.com
* Verizon Communications Inc says deploying thousands of additional employees and contractors to serve its customers during strike
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CEO makes 1,444 times his employees´ pay
29-April-2016 - cnn.com
Martin Sorrell, the long time CEO of advertising company WPP, made $102 million in 2015.
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Construction blacklist settlement agreed
29-April-2016 - bbc.com
Eight construction firms have offered financial settlements to workers who said they were blacklisted within the industry.
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Kinsale Insurance Hires Manahan to Lead E&S Property in Virginia
29-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
Kinsale Insurance Company, a domestic excess and surplus lines insurance company based in Richmond, Virginia, has hired Stephen Manahan as senior vice president of Excess Surplus Lines Property. In his new role, Manahan will be responsible for the continued
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Alaska Assisted Living Home Faces $75K Fine for Workplace Death
29-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
State labor officials have fined an Anchorage assisted living home $75,000 for alleged safety and health violations in the death of a caregiver who was killed by a resident of the home. The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development
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Linkedin CEO Weiner: Focused on active job seekers
29-April-2016 - usatoday.com
April 29 -- Jeffrey Weiner, chief executive officer at Linkedin, discusses development of the talent solutions business, focusing on assisting active job seekers, and protecting the company's vision against increasing competition. He speaks with Emi
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Houston Bakery to Pay $1M to Settle Race, National Origin Discrimination Suit
29-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
A large bakery in Houston will pay $1,042,000 as part of the settlement of a class race and national origin discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced. The EEOC had charged that Lawler
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Want to boost the bottom line? Invest in yourself
29-April-2016 - usatoday.com
Roberta Perry nearly collapsed under the pressure until she hired two employees
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Temps, part-time workers take a stand
29-April-2016 - usatoday.com
As contingent workers grow in number, more are joining unions and pressing demands.
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Labour chief warns Thyssenkrupp over steel merger talks
29-April-2016 - reuters.com
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Thyssenkrupp's powerful labor chief warned its leaders not to go ahead with steel merger talks without consulting its works council first, saying steelworkers were ready to...
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US Employment Costs up Modest 0.6 Percent in First Quarter
29-April-2016 - abcnews.com
US employment costs up modest 0.6 percent in first quarter; wages rising at faster pace
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How Model for Preventing Workers Chronic Pain Claims Was Born
29-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
In response to rising chronic pain claims, Travelers announced the development of a new patent-pending predictive model designed to identify claims and workers most at risk. The company, which developed the Early Severity Predictor (ESP) program, manages more than 250,000
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Florida Braces for Rate Hikes, Litigation Due to Workers Compensation Fee Ruling
29-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
The Florida Supreme Courts ruling that the states current attorney fee limits are unconstitutional will have serious ramifications on the workers compensation market in the state, according to Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty and other workers compensation experts. Those ramifications
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BRIEF-AstraZeneca CEO sets high bar for M&A, no comment on Medivation
29-April-2016 - reuters.com
* AstraZeneca CEO says some jobs to go in cost cutting, minimal cuts in UK
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Fed´s Kaplan says he will advocate for raising interest rates gradually
29-April-2016 - reuters.com
LONDON (Reuters) - Dallas Federal Reserve President, Robert Kaplan, on Friday pledged to push for gradual increases in the U.S. benchmark interest rate, as long as inflation continues to rise and the U.S. economy remains near full employment.
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American Airlines´ CEO contract scrapped but he will stay in role
29-April-2016 - reuters.com
(Reuters) - American Airlines Group Inc terminated Chief Executive Douglas Parker's employment agreement on his request but said he would continue to be the chairman and CEO of the company.
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BRIEF-American Airlines Group CEO´s employment agreement is terminated
29-April-2016 - reuters.com
* Entered into agreement with ceo w. Douglas parker, to provide that his employment agreement is terminated
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Mums look to retrain to find more meaningful jobs
29-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 29 Apr 2016 Over a third of working mums have retrained after having children and many more are considering it, with the top reason given that their values have changed and they want a more meaningful job, according to a Workingmums.co.uk survey. The survey of nearly 2,000 mums found education and health were the main sectors women were looking to retrain into, with helping others, term-time working and job satisfaction being big draws, although a significant number currently working in the education sector were also looking to retrain. Although the top reason given for retraining was changed values [35%], other popular reasons were that respondents were looking for a career change [28%] or were fed up with their job [27%]. Long hours, inflexible working in their current job and lack of career progression were also mentioned. The most popular time for seeking retraining was when respondents' children had started school - a quarter said this was what prompted them to retrain. Other reasons included marital breakdown, redundancy and pregnancy. Respondents had researched their training options mainly via search engine. The majority retrained in the classroom [56%], although around a quarter had done online courses. Several had mixed different training options. A third had paid nothing to retrain and some had done their retraining in house, but 60% of those who paid spent over £500. Most of those who retrained spent up to seven hours a week on retraining. Most were very happy with the retraining they received. Of those who had not retrained yet, 81% were considering it. Most were looking for flexibility [52%], working from home [45%] or higher earnings [39%]. Online was the favourite form of retraining chosen by 65% and most wanted to devote no more than seven hours a week to retraining. Most wouldn't pay more than £500, with a third willing to pay between £100 and £500. The survey was prompted by findings in Workingmums.co.uk s latest annual survey which showed 65% of respondents were interested in retraining and almost a third had retrained in the last year. Gillian Nissim, founder of Workingmums.co.uk , said: "We have consistently been struck by the high numbers of mums who are looking toretrain after having children. It is interesting to note the reasons. Flexibility is high, but the top reason given is that mums want a more meaningful job. Hence the popularity of sectors such as education and health. They are also seeking career progression and change. Parenthood is a time of great change and triggers a lot of careful reflection. Employers would do well to nurture those employees who are going through similar transition periods." For more information, contact Mandy Garner on mandy.garner@workingmums.co.uk or ring 07789 106435 . *Supporting mums, dads and flexible jobseekers for 10 years, Workingmums attracts an average of 215,000 visitors to the site each month and has 221,000 registered users.
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RoS International has a million reasons to celebrate 25 years
29-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 29 Apr 2016 A TECHNICAL recruitment agency which has supplied engineers to some of Hulls most iconic developments has a million reasons to celebrate its 25th anniversary. RoS International, based on Parliament Street, has supplied more than one million man-days of employees to hundreds of companies and building projects in the UK over the past quarter of a century, including the KC Stadium, The Deep and C4DI. The company, which turns 25 in April, was established in 1991 to recruit skilled engineers and technicians for the power generation industry, supplying such developments as Ferrybridge Power Station and the Easington Gas Terminal. Over the years, however, RoS International has diversified and now serves a range of sectors including power generation, renewables, waste to energy, manufacturing, construction and civil engineering, consultancy, mechanical and engineering, and public sector. Managing Director Carl Burgar joined RoS International in 1995 and bought the company in a management buyout just six months later. Under his leadership it has grown to turnover in excess of £7m and employs 10 people, some of which have been with RoS since before the buyout. Mr Burgar said: RoS International was established with the aim of supplying highly skilled technicians and engineers to large, power generation developments and as a result the people we supplied played key roles in building some of the UKs largest power stations. When I bought the company 20 years ago it was a thriving industry as the need for electricity was growing at a rapid rate. But we knew that we could not rely on one sector alone so we soon began to diversify into a range of industries that required skilled people and now provide technical and engineering staff to a much broader range of companies. Our people have helped build some of the most important developments in Hull, including the St Stephens shopping centre and the Hull, East Yorkshire Womens and Childrens Hospital and many others. Mr Burgar said that looking back over the quarter-century, they had provided people that have worked 1.13m days to various companies, projects and developments in Hull and across the UK. It is amazing to think that over the past 25 years we have placed that amount of people into jobs, he said. Many of those have been in Hull and East Yorkshire so I like to think that we have made a positive contribution to the local economy, and that is a real source of pride for us. Now, with the Humber estuary becoming the centre of the UKs renewable energy the demand for a wide range of qualified technical and engineering personnel will grow exponentially over the coming years. Hopefully, that will help us achieve our future milestones. RoS International has ambitious plans for the future and we are looking forward to playing a central role in the renewables industry.
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Digital talent leader The Up Group expands with investment from Livingbridge
29-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 29 Apr 2016 The Up Group, Europes leading digital executive search and networking business, has secured investment from mid-market private equity firm Livingbridge as the Group targets further domestic and international growth. Founded in 2007 by entrepreneur Clare Johnston, The Up Group has become a trusted digital advisor to boardrooms across Europe. Known for its strong relationships with digital executives, entrepreneurs and investors, The Up Group has built the senior leadership teams for some of the worlds most high profile companies. The firms international roster of clients include VC-backed stars (such as Skyscanner, WorldRemit and Airbnb); PE-owned growth stories (Photobox, Graze, Trainline); tech giants (Google Deepmind, JUST EAT, TripAdvisor); and corporates going through digital transformation (Aviva, HomeServe, Guardian Media Group). The Up Groups co-CEOs, Clare Johnston and Robert Swerling, are well known in the European tech space. Clare is a formal advisor to two VC funds and a regular keynote speaker at conferences across Europe; Robert has held leadership roles at some of Europe's most prominent digital businesses while investing in and mentoring numerous successful start-ups. With demand for its services expected to grow substantially, The Up Group is planning to strengthen its delivery capacity, as well as expand its international footprint. It will also accelerate its Digital Masters programme, which brings together industry leaders throughout the year at a variety of exclusive events. Clare Johnston, founder and co-CEO at The Up Group said: Our amazing clients are looking to change the world, and we are determined to do everything we can to help them. This means growing our team and opening offices in some of the key centres where were seeing significant demand for our services. In Livingbridge, we have found a partner who really understands, and is excited by, the opportunities ahead, and we are delighted to be working with them. Nick Holder from Livingbridge commented: We have a strong track record of investing in successful recruitment businesses having partnered with firms such as Nigel Frank International, Armstrong Craven and Staffline in the past. We see The Up Group as precisely the sort of top talent adviser we enjoy working with given their niche market positioning, strong reputation and market leading management team. The business has established a very strong brand based on deep roots within and understanding of the digital economy.
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Third Bridge named one of UKs Best Workplaces
29-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 29 Apr 2016 Third Bridge, the primary research partner that connects investors to the critical intelligence that can make or break deals, has been named by Great Place to Work® as one of the UKs Best Workplaces. This is the third year that Third Bridge has been recognised by Great Place to Work® for its high trust, high engagement workplace culture. While scores were high across all measured areas, Third Bridge consistently performs strongest in camaraderie, demonstrating its commitment to creating a close-knit workplace where strong employee relationships drive the business. Third Bridge has gone from strength to strength since 2007, providing private equity firms, mutual funds, hedge funds and strategy consultants with reliable qualitative insights to better understand the true value of their investment opportunities. These range from one-to-one or group conversations between investors and industry experts, to syndicated reports offering unbiased intelligence on particular markets or companies. Emmanuel Tahar, CEO, Third Bridge said: We are delighted to be listed as one of the UKs best workplaces for the third year in a row it is a huge honour and a testament to our amazing team. Investing in people is at the heart of our culture; providing our team with skills and experiences that will enable them to achieve their full potential. We believe that this is what makes us stand out as an employer. Laura Sartenaer, Research Associate, Third Bridge said: Theres a buzzing atmosphere for people that have real drive, and a wonderful open environment on both a social and professional level. The training is structured and impressive, and everyone is so engaged. Ive also always been very impressed by the senior management team, who run a really non-hierarchical workplace and encourage long-term career progression every step of the way. Tom OByrne, Great Place to Work® CEO said : We are delighted to see Third Bridge on our Best Workplaces list this year. It is a validation of the strength of their leadership and their commitment to creating the kind of culture where employees enjoy coming to work and want to do their best. The hallmark of a great workplace like Third Bridge is that their policies and practices are designed around the employee; this employee focus helps attract and retain the talent essential for driving and sustaining competitive performance. www.thirdbridge.com
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How safe is your workplace?
29-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 29 Apr 2016 Work stress and injuries result in over 27.3 million sick days a year in the UK. The UK workforce is facing more injuries and sick leave than ever before, with over 27.3 million days a year now being lost in the UK due to workplace injuries or work-related stress. From physical injuries to mental strain and stress-induced illness, workers in the UK now face more hazards as our working lives become more intense and pressurised. With World Day for Safety and Health at Work on Thursday 28th April raising awareness of the strain of a busy modern work life, its never been more important to have a healthy workplace. A recent report by Health and Safety Executive discovered there were 142 workers killed in the UK in 2014/2015, equating to a work-related death every 2.5 days. Added to this, workplace stress is now directly responsible for a quarter of sickness absence at work. By having adequate first aid measures in place, a workplace can stop minor injuries from worsening and becoming major incidents, which may then lead to prolonged absence or even fatalities. So from first aid training and avoiding injury to managing stress and promoting a calmer environment, read on for tips from imperative training on how to ensure you have a safer workplace and a happy and healthy workforce: Appoint a designated staff member to look after the health and safety of your workplace, including maintaining first aid supplies Carry out a risk assessment to help you determine what hazards there are and what measures you need to put in place and establish a clear health and safety policy You must display a health and safety law poster to your workers that outlines the health and safety requirements of your business in a clear and accessible area Provide appropriate training to staff members so they know how to work safely, including operating machinery or hazardous equipment Take immediate action if an employee injures themselves or falls ill, and ensure you have a trained first aider and first aid kit on your work premises Employers liability insurance can be invaluable for your business and help pay towards any compensation an employee receives for an injury or illness incurred at work Offer advice and create an open forum whereby staff can speak to someone when they feel stressed or pressured, and stop workplace stress from becoming an issue www.imperativetraining.com
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The month in numbers: March 2016
29-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
A look at some of the facts and figures relating to employee benefits in March 2016: 23% are yet to review their pension scheme investment strategy since the introduction of the pension freedoms in April 2015 (Source: Willis Towers Watson) bit.ly/1QNOyOP 27% of managers are more comfortable discussing employees physical health than their mental health (Source: Axa PPP []
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Cornerstone OnDemand and IDC Uncover the Impact of Digitalisation on Workforce Dynamics and People Management
29-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 29 Apr 2016 Survey of HR professionals and line managers reveals trends in flexible working, talent development and HRs role across 16 European countries. As organisations face an era of digital transformation, new research highlights the need for HR professionals to redefine their role and contribution to the organisation. A unique study conducted by IDC and sponsored by talent management software provider Cornerstone OnDemand (NASDAQ: CSOD) examines the new world of work and the perceptions and expectations of HR leaders and business managers across 16 European countries regarding employee management and development. The findings not only reveal differing attitudes regarding flexible working practices and a shift in performance management and collaboration strategies, but they also indicate conflicting views of HR priorities and processes among the two groups surveyed. For the study, which is unique in its size, geographical coverage and target group, IDC interviewed 1,352 HR professionals and business managers across 16 European countries working in organisations with more than 500 employees. The survey was conducted between January and February 2016 with respondents from the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Luxemburg and Belgium. The UK, Germany, Switzerland and Poland lag behind in flexibility stakes The report demonstrates the value of flexible working by showing a positive correlation between employee happiness and the adoption of flexible working practices. Yet, the research also reveals that flexible working practices have been taken up at different speeds across Europe, where the lowest flexible working maturity appears to be clustered in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the UK. Among the respondents from Poland, less than 50 percent of those surveyed were allowed to work from home, while the figure for the Nordic countries was 87 percent. Business managers and HR respondents stated a low level of flexible working adoption in Poland, the UK, Switzerland and Germany surprising, given the competitive labour market in these regions. The Nordics, Spain, Benelux and Austria were perceived to be the most mature when it came to flexible working options. Additionally, HR respondents indicated a higher level of flexible working than line managers. HRs responses were between 5-6 percentage points higher than line managers, highlighting a lack of alignment between the two groups. The situation with evaluation and collaboration According to the study, annual and semi-annual employee performance reviews are still carried out by two-thirds of European organisations. Nevertheless, regular or continuous review practices are appearing to become more popular for employee development (45 percent) and performance (28 percent). European companies also seem to be embracing collaboration, with a majority of respondents agreeing that employees are good at collaborating (78 percent) and taking on new responsibilities (75 percent). However, work needs to be done to facilitate collaboration, as line managers appear to be less supportive (65 percent) of team members applying for positions outside of their own departments than what HR believes (83 percent). Furthermore, less than half (47 percent) of respondents agree to having a collaborative learning system. However, the research shows that companies with higher growth rates have a higher percentage of collaborative practices. The disconnect between HR and line managers The research also indicates that HR overrates its level of support of line managers and also underrates frustration with HR processes. Specifically, HR underestimates the level of frustration with HR processes among line managers, where more than 41 percent of the line managers surveyed agreed that they see it as a major frustration. From the HR professional perspective, that proportion was only 32 percent. Additionally, there is a lack of consensus regarding how the success of HR initiatives are measured, with HR placing more value on new hire retention, whilst line managers favoured employee time-to-competency. Comments on the News The breadth of the survey, as well as the group surveyed, gives us unique insight into people progression in the changing world of work, said Vincent Belliveau, executive vice president and general manager of Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Cornerstone OnDemand. Better alignment between HR and line managers is required in order for HR to fully redefine its role as a strategic partner within the organisation. HR must adapt to navigate this fast-changing environment with flexible working on the rise whilst managing pressure from employees who have different expectations of their employer. Those who succeed will be those who empower their people to support the business through change and growth. "This massive survey revealed many interesting discoveries for us. For example, we found how important flexible working practices and the IT tools to support it are for loyalty and pride of talented employees and managers. IT for mobile and remote working, ability to use personal devices at work, and IT training were critical influencers in this respect. However, 'freedom factors,' such as permission to work remotely and ability to apply for new positions outside one's own department, also had critical impact on employee happiness. We conclude that European organizations have work to do both in terms of technology investments as well as more flexible work cultures, added Bo Lykkegaard at IDC. Cornerstone will host a series of local events across Europe this summer to reveal the full results of this study with IDC. To register interest, please visit: The UK , France , Italy , Netherlands , Spain , and Sweden .
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Astellas cascades CSR communications through its workforce
29-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Pharmaceutical firm Astellas communicates its corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy through presentations to its people managers, who can then cascade updates and information to their colleagues as they see fit. It utilises posters, banners and messages on plasma screens throughout its offices to make sure it is highlighted to its 400 UK employees during their day-to-day working []
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More than a third of UK workers want flexible working, but is it right for your business?
29-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 29 Apr 2016 Research from facilities and building maintenance specialists Direct 365 has discovered that flexible working is the most favoured perk among employees in the UK, with 35% of participants listing it as their top one. Flexible working proves to a popular employee incentive, with 35% of the public selecting it as their favourite perk. But one in three also worry that remote working could damage the traditional office environment. For Flexible Working Awareness Day, Direct365 urges employers to consider all aspects of remote working. Research from facilities and building maintenance specialists Direct 365 has discovered that flexible working is the most favoured perk among employees in the UK, with 35% of participants listing it as their top one. However, further research by the company also showed that flexible working may not necessarily be the saving grace everyone was hoping for, with one in three people expressing concern that traditional office culture could be lost if more of their colleagues work remotely In June 2014, all employees in the UK were given the right to request flexible working from their employer after 26 weeks of employment, as the government attempted to encourage a more favourable work-life balance nationwide. For this years Flexible Working Awareness Day, taking place on 6th May, Direct365 is encouraging all businesses to consider the pros and cons of flexible working before implementing such a policy. Pro - Expand your talent pool Constraints such as distance from the workplace and family life mean that not everyone can always work standard nine-to-five hours. Flexible working allows you to hire the people you really want working for you, regardless of their location. Alex Boa, Director at hfx discusses how remote working expands recruitment options for businesses: By providing suitable working arrangements for those workers that have difficulty working traditional rigid hours, businesses are gaining access to a talented and very experienced pool of people. Technology has been an enabling force for much that has changed in recent years; work email and networks are now accessible from mobile devices, enabling people to work from any location. Harnessing technology means that flexible working can now be provided on a more formal basis, with visibility ensuring that employees work their contracted hours, and receive the credit for the work they do. Con - A lack of office ambience While flexible working does come with its advantages, further research by Direct365 revealed that it may not be the answer that businesses were hoping for. With 31% believing that remote working could be damaging to the traditional office culture , companies should consider the impact such a policy could have on team morale. Phil Turner, Head of Digital at Direct365, commented on the effects flexible can have on the ambience in an office: Policies such as flexible working can be mutually beneficial for employers and employees alike, when they are implemented sensibly. However, a lot of businesses are clearly struggling to find the right balance. Its not uncommon for someone to be sat at their desk all on their own for an entire day because the rest of their team are either working from home or have been given permission to switch their hours. Technological advancements have made communication easy, but you really shouldnt underestimate the importance of face-to-face contact. Were in danger of losing good old-fashioned watercooler talk! Pro - Take up less space and cut the costs Businesses everywhere are looking to cut back costs. Flexible working could be one such way to make that happen. Peter Ames, Head of Strategy at OfficeGenie.co.uk , discusses how remote working can save businesses money: It should mean your business requires a smaller real estate footprint - in theory companies shouldnt need quite as much office space and therefore can save money. Office space can be expensive so anything you can do to cut this cost can be hugely beneficial. Ultimately, if youve got 20 staff but everyone is allowed to work remotely, you may only need desk space for 15; in theory it can be a money saving option. Alternatively a business could make money by renting out any spare desks that would otherwise have been occupied by the employees now working remotely. Desk sharing can bring all sorts of collaborative benefits, and if instigating flexible working can be the first step towards this - that can only be a good thing. Con - Perceived workload Employers will have to take steps to ensure that those who dont want to benefit from a flexible working policy dont feel hard done by. And, at the same time, they will have to introduce measures to ensure work is still being completed. Georgette Stewart, Director of NSK Consultants , discusses this potential problem: There is a great deal of responsibility on both the worker and manager to make sure productivity is the same as the staff in the office, and this may only be the perception of others. This means that other staff might perceive the workload of those working from home as easier, as theyre not experiencing the same environment as typical office-based staff.
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Withers lives CSR values through benefits portal and staff volunteering
29-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
When Withers enhanced its benefits portal, provided by Staffcare, in December 2015, it made its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme a prominent part of the carousel on the flexible benefits page. The international law firm communicated annual salary increases and bonus payment updates to its UK employees by moving away from paper communications in line with its commitment []
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Solar Job Postings On Pace To Overtake Oil by End of Year, says Indeed
29-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive Worlds largest job site Indeed reveals 2014-16 energy labour market trends on 29 Apr 2016 Company Profile Indeed View profile » UK oil job postings declined by 18% per quarter, compared to solar at 5% By the fourth quarter of 2016, solar jobs could surpass oil by number of job postings Bucking the trend, hydroelectric jobs have grown 127% in UK (2014-16) Solar set to outpace oil by end of 2016 If energy job trends continue at their current pace, solar job postings would outweigh oil postings by the end of this year, according to the worlds number one job site, Indeed. Oil has the greatest share of energy job postings on Indeed at 42%, followed by solar at 30%. Over the past two years oil postings have dropped by an average of 18% per quarter, compared to solar at an average of 5% per quarter. Commenting on the latest findings, Mariano Mamertino, economist at Indeed, said: As oil prices plummet and traditional fossil fuels make way for the renewable energy industry on a global scale, our data shows we could see a gold rush of employment opportunities in areas like solar and hydropower. He continues : Job seekers havent necessarily caught onto this trend, though, marking a mismatch between supply and demand for energy roles. With a growing number of positions opening, we would expect to see upwards movement in job search in renewables. Whether or not solar overtakes oil on Indeed by the end of this year, energy workers in the UK would do well to position themselves for work in renewable fields such as solar, wind and hydroelectricity. Brexits cooling effect on hiring appetite across all sectors Overall, the data shows fewer jobs in energy overall. Commenting on last weeks UK unemployment figures, Mamertino added: The combination of strengthening economic headwinds, and the political uncertainty triggered by the Brexit referendum, is having a dramatic cooling effect on employers appetite to hire. At the end of March, the number of live job postings by UK employers on our site had fallen across all 13 major sectors. By sharp contrast to February, job postings increased across the board. He concludes: As yet its hard to know whether this dramatic reduction in job postings is a blip, or the beginning of a deeper trend.
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Kamel Mellahi: Involve employees in CSR communication
29-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
When it comes to corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication, employers should complement top-down communication with bottom-up communication. The communication strategy should reflect employee engagement and participation in CSR initiatives. Employers should encourage their employees to contribute to the CSR strategy, as well as share experiences. Employers must be very straightforward and honest about the motives behind, and []
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Millennials Threaten to Quit City as Bonuses Fail to Meet Expectations
29-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 29 Apr 2016 Bonus squeeze for experienced City workers New research by global professional services recruiter, Morgan McKinley found that the City is not doing enough to encourage the next generation of professionals to build a career in financial services leading to a skills gap within the sector. The Morgan McKinley Bonus Survey 2016 , which assesses the impact of bonuses paid out to London's financial services sector workers working in banking, asset management, insurance and the Big 4 accountancy firms, found that 83% of people with 1-2 year's experience were dissatisfied with their bonus. Further, of the 25% who said they would leave because their bonuses were below expectations, the vast majority were from the millennial workforce. The millennial generation is now entering employment in vast numbers and will shape the future of the world of work. Attracting millennial workers is critical to the future of business. Despite the fact that London is the worlds leading financial centre and companies adapting to accommodate this social group by offering greater work/life balance through mobility initiatives and capped working hours, there is a growing dissatisfaction with the rewards a career in the City can bring," commented Hakan Enver, Operations Director, Morgan McKinley. "Financial houses are in danger of losing their biggest draw and losing talent to other sectors." According to the research, almost half of City workers either saw their bonuses decrease (26%) or stay the same (23%). Over 10% didn't get a bonus at all. It seems that the days of the big bonus culture is diminishing and they are unlikely to return with banks appearing to be showing more restraint when it comes to paying out large sums of bonuses. Many city workers have reported a fall in their bonus packets compared to last year, continued Enver. However, whilst millennials may have been the most vocal in their dissatisfaction, it's worth noting that at 30%, it was those who have more than 15 years of experience who saw the biggest squeeze in their bonus pots. The research also found that although bonus levels are in decline, businesses were looking at other ways to reward employees. Of the 38% who either did not receive a bonus or whose bonuses had remained the same, a third (31%) were compensated with an increase in fixed pay/basic salary. "The public may be happier that the days of controversial bonuses are over but it's clear that the industry needs to do much more to make jobs in the city attractive. With 82% of respondents suggesting they felt that bonuses encourage better performance, it's clear that the sector has not yet found an enticing alternative to the entrenched bonus mindset," said Enver. The challenge for banks continues to be striking the balance between retaining their talent, particularly now that only 100% of basic salary can be paid out to an employee (or 200% with shareholder approval) and acting responsibly in the eyes of the public so that their businesses remain competitive in the long term.
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How to engage employees with corporate social responsibility policies
29-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Need to know: Effective communication is needed to engage employees with corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies. Employees involved in CSR initiatives are generally more engaged with an organisations culture and values. Communication could take a range of forms, for example, highlighting CSR aims through a bikes-for-work scheme. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies can highlight what sets []
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APSCo Responds to Conduct Regulation Reforms
29-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 29 Apr 2016 Following last years proposal on changes to the existing Conduct Regulations, and subsequent parliamentary review, The Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations 2016 have now been published. The new regulations will come into force on the 8th of May 2016. Commenting on the on the reforms, Samantha Hurley, Operations Director at APSCo said: While we would have welcomed a complete overhaul of the current regulations as was discussed during the previous administration generally speaking, these changes are unlikely to have any great impact on our members operations. The Conduct Regulations are designed to improve the effectiveness of the enforcement of employment rights to protect vulnerable workers from exploitation. These are focused on protecting lower skilled, lower paid workers and so are unlikely to affect APSCo members who operate in professional labour market sectors." The biggest disappointment will be the fact that there is still no more clarity or simplification of the overly complicated rules around opting out - and also the restrictions on charging clients (when they take contractors) also known as the 8/14 week rule, which remain incomprehensible to most people.
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Cooper becomes honorary member of UK EAPA
29-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
The UK Employee Assistance Professionals Association (UK EAPA) has named Professor Sir Cary Cooper as its first honorary member. Cooper is president of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and 50th anniversary professor of organisational psychology and health at Alliance Manchester Business School.
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Comment from Xactly: Bonuses not bumper enough for young bankers
29-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Opinion on 29 Apr 2016 Tom Castley, VP EMEA of Xactly:The news that young professionals are set to turn their back on the financial sector as bonuses fail to live up to their high expectations is problematic for the industry. This however is largely due to the fact that these young professionals were not communicated with properly, so didn't have a clear view of their compensation and benefits and what would be a realistic bonus. Our research found that money is what drives people, with over a quarter of employees in the UK stating that a financial bonus is their top motivator and is the reward they seek. Bonuses, commission and other monetary aspects are some of the quickest motivational levers companies can pull to align and motivate staff and can be applied throughout the whole organisation. If it wants to retain top talent, the financial sector must look at ways to provide their employees with tools to accurately track and predict their pay. Young professionals need a real-time, detailed view of their achievements its not enough to tell employees they will get a bonus if they hit targets. Employees need to understand what they need to do to achieve those targets and be able to map their performance against this, tracking, for example, sales expectations. Giving young professionals this view of performance and the bonus that theyre earning will inspire them. It ensures that the right people are rewarded and allows employees to achieve the second thing they crave: recognition. As a result the business will better understand where its success comes from, and employees will be encouraged to remain loyal and productive. The news that young professionals are set to turn their back on the financial sector as bonuses fail to live up to their high expectations is problematic for the industry. This however is largely due to the fact that these young professionals were not communicated with properly, so didn't have a clear view of their compensation and benefits and what would be a realistic bonus. Our research found that money is what drives people, with over a quarter of employees in the UK stating that a financial bonus is their top motivator and is the reward they seek. Bonuses, commission and other monetary aspects are some of the quickest motivational levers companies can pull to align and motivate staff and can be applied throughout the whole organisation. If it wants to retain top talent, the financial sector must look at ways to provide their employees with tools to accurately track and predict their pay. Young professionals need a real-time, detailed view of their achievements its not enough to tell employees they will get a bonus if they hit targets. Employees need to understand what they need to do to achieve those targets and be able to map their performance against this, tracking, for example, sales expectations. Giving young professionals this view of performance and the bonus that theyre earning will inspire them. It ensures that the right people are rewarded and allows employees to achieve the second thing they crave: recognition. As a result the business will better understand where its success comes from, and employees will be encouraged to remain loyal and productive.
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Morgan McKinley appoints Di Ventura
29-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Lauren Di Ventura has joined recruitment firm Morgan McKinley as global head of learning and development. Di Ventura has experience across talent management, employee engagement and organisational development. She previously held the role of global learning and talent director at SThree. In her new position, she will be responsible for implementing a global learning and []
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The top 10 most read stories in February-March 2016
29-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
The most read stories online between 15 February and 14 March 2016: EAT reverses ET decision on childcare vouchers The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has overturned an Employment Tribunal (ET) decision that it was discriminatory to require employees to agree to the suspension of childcare vouchers during maternity leave when signing up to the scheme. bit.ly/1UJ6U9u []
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Infographic: Reasons employees feel ashamed of the organisation they work for
29-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Infographic looking at the reasons employees feel ashamed of the organisation they work for, or have worked for (Source: Public Relations Consultants Association and Opinium research, published in June 2015). Read more in How do benefits impact an organisations reputation?
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How do benefits impact an organisations reputation?
29-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Need to know: Engaged employees are more likely to take pride in the organisation they work for and act as brand ambassadors. Careful management, particularly around communication and social media, can limit fall-out in situations where benefits are removed or are insufficient. Going above and beyond legal requirements or the industry norm can influence perceptions of an []
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Goodman Masson receives external recognition for its innovative approach
29-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Over the last few years, financial recruitment organisation Goodman Masson has received a significant amount of external recognition for its workplace culture, reward strategy and its innovative approach to employee engagement, including first place in Great Place to Works UK Best Workplaces 2015, medium category. Goodman Masson engages its 150-strong workforce throughout the awards process, informing staff if it []
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John Lewis Partnership works to ensure benefits add value
29-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
For the John Lewis Partnership, employee benefits are one of a number of elements that have helped to establish its reputation as a great place to work. The organisation encompasses John Lewis and Waitrose, and all of its 90,000 members of staff are partners in the business. Rachael Abbott, benefits development manager at the John Lewis []
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Marine engineer Fugro retrenches in face of oil and gas rout
29-April-2016 - reuters.com
AMSTERDAM, April 29 (Reuters) - Marine engineer Fugro said it was stepping up cost control efforts, cutting a further 600 jobs over coming quarters, as its oil and gas industry clients delayed...
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Chobani CEO gives shares to 2,000 staff
29-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Hamdi Ulukaya, founder and chief executive officer at US-based Greek yoghurt manufacturer Chobani, has given employees a stake in the organisation. Some 2,000 full-time employees have been awarded shares, which will be worth up to 10% of the food production firms value at the point of the organisations sale or in the event of an []
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Style.com launches employee engagement platform
29-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Condé Nasts new e-commerce platform Style.com is to launch an employee engagement programme for its 85 employees. The programme will give staff access to employee benefits and discount schemes via a benefits hub. The platform, provided by Reward Gateway, will also enable employees to access recognition tools and internal communications using a single sign-on to []
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20% of advertising and media staff do not feel supported with parenting responsibilities
29-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
One-fifth (20%) of employee respondents in the advertising and media industry do not feel that their employer supports them in balancing work and parental responsibilities, according to research by the National Advertising Benevolent Society (NABS). Its survey of 597 employees in the advertising and media industry also found that almost two-thirds (60%) of respondents know []
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42% would be interested in taking part in a bikes-for-work scheme
29-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
More than four in ten (42%) respondents would be interested in taking part in a bikes-for-work scheme if their employer provided one, according to research by Edenred. Its Employers guide to cycle to work report, which surveyed 1,000 employees, also found that 22% of respondents do not cycle to work because they do not have []
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Apple employee found dead at HQ shot himself
29-April-2016 - cnn.com
Read full story for latest details.
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Police identify Apple employee who shot himself on campus
29-April-2016 - usatoday.com
Body was found in a conference room at 1 Infinite Loop.
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BRIEF-Caterpillar to close five plants, shed 820 jobs- WSJ
29-April-2016 - reuters.com
* Wsj Source text (http://on.wsj.com/1pMxum6) Further company coverage:
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Leeds Beckett University launches wellbeing challenge
28-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Leeds Beckett University has launched a six-week health and wellbeing challenge. More than 700 employees are taking part in the Beckett Steps challenge, which will see them walk 1,015 miles. the distance from London to Rome. During the course of the challenge, staff will record their steps using pedometers and track their progress on the route via []
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Howdens Joinery enjoys sales boom as families choose to update their kitchens rather than move home
28-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
Sales at the merchant, a favourite of the building trade, jumped 6.4 per cent for the four months to April 16 and it said conditions are stable as more people hire builders to install new kitchens.
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39% view investment in employee wellbeing as too expensive
28-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
More than a third (39%) of employer respondents feel that investing in employee wellbeing is too expensive, according to research by Barnett Waddingham. Its Workplace wellbeing index, which surveyed 84 employers, also found that 94% of respondents view wellbeing as important to their organisation. The research also found: 31% of respondents cite the ageing workforce []
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Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report
28-April-2016 - dol.gov
In the week ending April 23, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 257,000, an increase of 9,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 247,000 to 248,000. The 4-week moving average was 256,000, a decrease of 4,750 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since December 8, 1973 when it was 252,250. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 260,500 to 260,750. Release Date: 04/28/2016 Release Number: 16-859-NAT Override with PDF?: Optional PDF: 20160859.pdf
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Statement of US Labor Secretary Perez on Workers Memorial Day
28-April-2016 - dol.gov
Statement of US Labor Secretary Perez on Workers Memorial Day WASHINGTON U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez today issued the following statement on Workers Memorial Day: Every day, millions of Americans leave their homes and report to jobs that provide for their families, strengthen our communities and grow our economy. Too many of them on average, 13 workers a day dont make it back at the end of their shift. On Workers Memorial Day, we honor our fallen workers, and we renew our commitment to unwavering vigilance on workplace safety. Over the last half century, we have made great strides on occupational safety and health, most recently with the completion of a groundbreaking standard to improve protections for millions of workers exposed to respirable silica dust, which can cause death and disabling lung diseases. But, notwithstanding significant progress, more than 4,500 workers still die from preventable workplace incidents every year, with 50,000 more succumbing to work-related illnesses. A nation built on the dignity of work must provide safe working conditions for its people. For everything they do to drive American prosperity, for all their heroic efforts to pull us out of the worst economic crisis in generations, our workers deserve nothing less than rigorous adherence to essential safety standards. Ensuring that everyone can make it home safely after a hard days work that no one has to give their life to make a living is our unfinished business. Release Date: 04/28/2016 Media Contact Name: Amanda McClure Email: mcclure.amanda.c@dol.gov Phone Number: (202) 693-4672 Release Number: 16-0875-NAT Override with PDF?:
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How Planting Trees Helped An Ex-Offender Turn His Life Around
28-April-2016 - huffingtonpost.com
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Priceline CEO ousted after having at-work relationship
28-April-2016 - usatoday.com
CEO Darren Huston resigned after an investigation into his relationship with an employee.
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Verizon offers improved contract proposal to worker unions
28-April-2016 - reuters.com
April 28 (Reuters) - Verizon Communications Inc said it presented unions with an improved contract proposal for about 36,000 workers in the U.S. Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
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Lawsuit accuses PwC of discriminating against older job applicants
28-April-2016 - reuters.com
(Reuters) - A lawsuit accusing PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP of violating U.S. discrimination law by hiring a "stunningly low" number of people over the age of 40 to maintain a youthful culture has been filed in San Francisco.
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Tata buyers scared of its £500m pensions black hole, says business secretary Sajid Javid
28-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
Sajid Javid was grilled by MPs alongside Tatas UK boss Bimlendra Jha over the future of the companys assets, after it announced its withdrawal from the UK in March, putting thousands of jobs at risk.
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ALEX BRUMMER: Sajid Javid must pluck up the courage to act on BHS
28-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
MPs on the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee note the BHS fiasco delivered misery and uncertainty for thousands of workers and potentially imposes a burden on the taxpayer.
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MARKET REPORT: Medical implant maker Victrex forced to scrap contracts following probe by the US Federal Trade Commission
28-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
The firm's medical arm Invibio was at the centre of the probe. The business makes a material known as PEEK which is used in implant devices to treat spinal conditions.
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CITY DIARY: BHS buffoon Dominic Chappell was considered toxic by the PR firm which represented General Pinochet
28-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
City spinners Bell Pottinger was briefly hired during last year's takeover, but after several weeks with Chappell and his goons hastily decided not to pursue its business relationship.
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Flying Autopilot With Target-Date Funds: Points to Consider
28-April-2016 - abcnews.com
Record amounts of dollars are pouring into target-date retirement funds, and more workers are using them as the only investment in their nest egg
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Updated: Florida Supreme Court Declines Jurisdiction in Challenge to Workers Comp System
28-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
The Florida Supreme Court has ruled that it does not have jurisdiction in a case brought by an injured nurse that challenged the constitutionality of the entire Florida Workers Compensation system. In the case of Stahl v. Hialeah Hospital, the
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CDI: Trucking Company Owners Cheated Workers Comp Carrier out of Millions
28-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
A pair of California trucking company owners were arrested for cheating their workers compensation insurer out of millions of dollars. Alvin Shin Chen, 54, and Fiona Xilin Chen, 46, both of La Cañada Flintridge, Calif., were arrested this week at
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Florida Supreme Court Finds Attorney Fee Schedule Unconstitutional; Passes on Other Key Workers Comp Case
28-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
The Florida Supreme Court has ruled that the states mandatory attorneys fee schedule for workers compensation cases is unconstitutional under both Floridas and the U.S. constitution as a violation of due process. The states top court also declined to rule
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National Oilwell Varco says cut 6,000 jobs in quarter
28-April-2016 - reuters.com
April 28 (Reuters) - National Oilwell Varco Inc, the largest U.S. provider of oil drilling equipment, said on Thursday it slashed 6,000 jobs in the first quarter as weak oil prices forced its...
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Comcast to buy DreamWorks Animation for $3.8 billion
28-April-2016 - reuters.com
(Reuters) - Comcast Corp, the owner of NBCUniversal, said on Thursday it would buy Hollywood studio DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc for $3.8 billion to boost its family-friendly offerings and help it take on media conglomerate Walt Disney. The acquisition will add major children's franchises to Universal's film library such as "Shrek," "How to Train Your Dragon" and "Kung Fu Panda," which it could tap for its growing theme parks and consumer products businesses.
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UPDATE 3-Priceline CEO resigns over relationship with employee
28-April-2016 - reuters.com
April 28 (Reuters) - Priceline Group Inc said on Thursday that Chief Executive Darren Huston has resigned, effective immediately, after an investigation found that his personal relationship with an...
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Lovewells logic: How effective is the national living wage?
28-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
The national living wage was back in the headlines this week, when restaurant chain Zizzi was reported to have reviewed how tips are distributed to waiting staff and to have cut back on the choice of free meals offered to employees. Even before the national living wage came into effect earlier this month, stories began []
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Top 10 most read stories this week
28-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
The top 10 most read stories on www.employeebenefits.co.uk between 21 and 27 April 2016: Is sleep management the next big thing in workplace health and wellbeing? Swindon Town Football Club fined for auto-enrolment non-compliance. Staff given annual leave to enjoy Game of Thrones premiere. Uber agrees $84m settlement for employee status cases. 75% believe employers []
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Limbo with Chris Hemsworth: the ultimate workplace reward?
28-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Something for the weekend: Spa days and massages may now be a more common form of reward and recognition, but what if the masseuse was Australian actor Chris Hemsworth? One lucky Warner Brothers employee received a surprise visit from the star, who plays Thor in the Avengers series, in recognition for her hard work. The []
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VIDEO: Workers on National Living Wage worse off
28-April-2016 - bbc.com
Some companies are reforming their "pay and reward structures" to offset the cost of introducing the National Living Wage, leaving their workers worse off.
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French Startup Drivy (Airbnb for Cars) Raises $35M to Expand; Insured by Allianz
28-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
Drivy, a French startup that lets people hire out their cars in much the same way Airbnb runs a market for houses, said Thursday it raised 31 million euros ($35 million) to fund its continued expansion across Europe. Already operating
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Beecher Carlson Hires Miller as Managing Director in NYC
28-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
Beecher Carlson Insurance Services, a specialized large account risk management broker and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brown Brown Inc., has hired Megan Miller as managing director. She will be responsible for developing and managing large risk management accounts, with
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Priceline CEO ousted after at-work relationship
28-April-2016 - usatoday.com
CEO Darren Huston resigned after an investigation into his relationship with an employee.
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Priceline CEO Huston resigns effective immediately
28-April-2016 - usatoday.com
Darren Huston, chief executive officer of Priceline Group Inc. has resigned effective immediately after an investigation into a personal relationship he had with an employee.
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BRIEF-Choice Hotels signs master development agreement to enter Middle East
28-April-2016 - reuters.com
* Choice Hotels International signs master development agreement to enter Middle East
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Ubers $100M Class Action Settlement Falls Short for Some Drivers
28-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
Ubers proposed settlement of a high-profile class-action lawsuit last week has drawn opposition from some drivers and other concerned parties as the ride-hailing service seeks to avoid reclassifying drivers as employees. The settlement, which still must be approved by a
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Priceline CEO Resigns After Probe Into Employee Relationship
28-April-2016 - abcnews.com
Priceline CEO Darren Huston resigns after probe into personal relationship he had with employee not under his direct supervision
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Priceline CEO resigns after at-work relationship
28-April-2016 - usatoday.com
The Priceline Group CEO resigned Thursday after an in-house investigation into his relationship with an employee.
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Rudeness, brusque emails, gossiping: whats affecting your company culture?
28-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Weve all had those days when weve woken up on the wrong side of the bed, but what happens when irritable behaviour is continually brought to the office? While its important to make sure an employees attitude isnt coming from a more serious place like a mental health issue general bad behaviour could []
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Capital One and McDonalds named Best Workplaces UK
28-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Capital One, Cisco UK, Goodman Masson and McDonalds Restaurants are among the organisations that have been named as 2016 UK Best Workplaces by the Great Place to Work Institute. The Best Workplaces list is based on an employee engagement survey and an independent workplace culture audit, which looks at HR and management policies. A number []
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Have your say on the future of benefits strategy
28-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Have your say on the issues shaping employee benefits strategies by taking part in exclusive research. The online survey will be open to responses until Friday 29 April and will take no more than 10 minutes to complete. The Employee Benefits/Xerox HR Services Benefits research 2016 will provide insight into the range of benefits that []
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UK GDP growth slips - ´UK economy reverting firmly to type´ - reaction from economist at the global job site Indeed
28-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Opinion Mariano Mamertino, economist at the global job site, Indeed, comments: on 28 Apr 2016 Company Profile Indeed View profile » In the face of global economic headwinds, Brexit uncertainty and the increased labour costs introduced by the National Living Wage, the UK economy is reverting firmly to type - and a worryingly heavy reliance on services. While the economys overall rate of growth is still respectable, the momentum is coming entirely from the service sector. With manufacturing and construction output both declining in the first quarter of 2016, warning lights are glowing brightly on the countrys economic dashboard. This could prove a critical juncture for the economy. A series of nagging economic problems could ensure that growth in the second quarter will be weaker still. The combination of the increased labour costs of the National Living Wage and the growth-sapping uncertainty triggered by the EU referendum have led labour costs to rise - and stalled employers appetites to hire new staff. This weakening labour market is revealed clearly in the latest Indeed Industry Employment Trends Index. In March, it recorded that job postings by UK employers were down across all 13 major sectors measured . With businesses battening down the hatches ahead of the Brexit referendum - and adjusting to the National Living Wage - this does not bode well for the second quarter. The weakness of manufacturing is particularly acute, with Indeeds data confirming that job postings for the sector are down a third relative to a year ago, weaker than any other sector of the UK economy. In March alone, the number of manufacturing jobs posted was 10% lower than in February."
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Women occupy less than a quarter of UK board positions - Response comment
28-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Opinion on 28 Apr 2016 Geoff Pearce, Managing Consultant at NGA Human Resources "Board gender imbalances cannot be solved with a simple quick fix. This problem starts from the bottom up which means companies must continually review and develop the gender balance within their organisation. If you have these differences in the position of women in the workforce it not only affects opportunity but the gender pay gap. To truly address this problem and ensure gender parity at every level, companies must nurture a culture of diversity if they are to make any meaningful progress and ensure women are properly recognised and rewarded in the workplace.
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Surveys and Academic Research: How to Make the Most of Your Findings
28-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 28 Apr 2016 When performing a survey or carrying out academic research, we have to think about what we want to achieve. What are our goals? What do we want to know? And what do we plan to do with the information once we have it? Well, these are all important things to consider, but its just as important that we know how to interpret the results weve gathered. Here are some top tips and tricks for making the most of your findings Make a plan First, make a data analysis plan. This is a blue print or a roadmap that demonstrates how youre going to organise and analyse all the information in front of you. Its worth doing as it means youll be able to answer your top research questions without getting lost in a sea of numbers. A good plan might also prompt you to consider dividing up your respondents into different demographic groups, giving you a more meaningful and useful way to use your data. Heres how to write a data analysis plan so that you can make the most of your findings. Identify your top research questions If you gathered data by asking respondents a series of questions (by mailing out a questionnaire via Smart Survey , for example), there could be a lot of information to analyse. Therefore, identify the three questions or goals that are most important to understand. This will give structure to your analysis and ensure youre drilling into the data the most useful way possible. Use tables Once you have created a plan and identified your top research questions, spend time putting the results into cleverly formatted tables. By using software applications such as Microsoft Excel, you can produce tables that will allow you to analyse and compare the data youve gathered. Heres a handy guide so you can learn Excel tips and tricks quickly . Once youve got the hang of using this kind of tool, why not produce a table that divides respondents into age groups? That way, youll be able to see what various demographics think of your research, hypothesis, service, business or product, and help you narrow in on results. Use filters Furthermore, consider using filters to limit your focus even further. For instance, you could filter by gender to see how many people over 55 years old responded, compared to those under 30. However, keep in mind that filtering reduces your sample size. A higher sample size is often preferable to a smaller one, so be careful not to filter data too far, else your results may no longer be statistically significant. Finally, make sure you can trust your results For your results to be of any use to you, they need to be reliable. For instance, if 95% of the people who completed your survey were female, but only 50% of respondents you sent the survey to were women, you have a problem: your results are not representative of both genders. Therefore, the data isnt trustworthy. Fix this by repeating your survey or research again if necessary to ensure that the results are statistically significant.
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Launch of The Authority Guides a new pocket-sized series of business advice books from the UKs leading experts
28-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 28 Apr 2016 The Authority Guides is a new series of pocket-sized books offering highly practical and accessible guidance on a wide variety of business matters. They are published by independent business publisher SRA Books under the imprint Authority Guides. The books are aimed at the busy business professional and business owner; they are snappy and practical with absolutely no unnecessary padding and waffle. Each book in the series has been written by an author who is not only an expert in their field but who is working today at the coalface of their specialism. The series launches on 11 th May with an evening event at Waterstones in Kensington, London. The first three books in the series are: The Authority Guide to Emotional Resilience in Business Strategies to manage stress and weather storms in the workplace by Robin Hills The emotional resilience of those involved in a business will contribute significantly to the organisations success. This Authority Guide from leading emotional intelligence expert, Robin Hills, will help you change the way you think about yourself and the way you approach potentially difficult situations. You will be able to develop your own personal resilience and understand how to develop resilience within the hearts and minds of your team and your organisation. Robin Hills is the director of Ei4Change and is based in Greater Manchester. He has over 30 years commercial and leadership experience having worked in a variety of sales and marketing management roles. His special interest lies in emotional intelligence and linking together the outputs from assessments to give real practical relevance to improve effectiveness and productivity. http://ei4change.com/authority-guide-emotional-resilience/ The Authority Guide to Financial Forecasting for SMEs Pain-free financials for finance and planning by Simon Thompson In this Authority Guide, forecasting guru Simon Thompson shows you how to build financial forecasts quickly, effectively and cheaply through his unique, proven and easy-to-follow 10-step process. By learning how to create effective forecasts you will master the ability to understand the potential financial outcomes for your business and be able to communicate financial information in order to successfully raise investment or loans. Simon Thompson is a specialist in financial forecasting for small businesses. Established in 2011, his business Edge Forecast has refined a unique combination of expertise, support and software, which has helped UK businesses raise millions of pounds of crowd-funded, angel and bank finance. The Authority Guide to Marketing Your Business Book 52 easy-to-follow tips from a book PR expert by Chantal Cooke Its never too soon to start thinking about how to market and promote your book. In this Authority Guide, leading book PR and marketing expert Chantal Cooke, presents 52 tips that will make your book stand out from the crowd, build your credibility as an author, and ensure you achieve those all-important sales. Chantal Cooke is an award winning journalist, broadcaster and author. She has over 25 years experience as a columnist, broadcast and print journalist, and radio presenter for the BBC, commercial radio, national newspapers and magazines. Chantal has reported from Bosnia and Northern Ireland, and written travel articles for a variety of publications including the Independent on Sunday. See: www.marketingyourbusinessbook.com Each Authority Guide is packed full of useful information to help business leaders grow themselves, their teams and their business. For more information www.authorityguides.co.uk The books are available from Amazon, Waterstones, and all good bookshops. Journalists (and guests) are invited to attend the launch on 11 th May from 645pm to 815pm at Waterstones, Kensington High Street, London. Please RSVP.
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Over half of female teachers say not enough is being done to help women go for top jobs - new research by Randstad
28-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Statistics and trends Meanwhile, 43% of female teachers believe a glass ceiling is holding them back in their careers on 28 Apr 2016 Company Profile randstad View profile » Over half ( 52% ) of female teachers believe that more could be done to support women going for the top jobs in UK schools, according to the results of a new survey by recruitment company, Randstad . Tellingly, perhaps, one third ( 33% ) of men were in agreement. The survey results, highlighted in a new report, Women and the Education Pay Gap , also revealed that more than two in five ( 43% ) female teachers believe a glass ceiling is holding them back professionally. Again, nearly a third of male teachers ( 29% ) believe the same in relation to their female counterparts. Asked what they feel holds them back in the workplace, female teachers responded to Randstad as follows: 23% - a lack of confidence 21% - employer attitudes 14% - a lack of belief in their own skills 13% - a fear of how they will be perceived by senior management 13% - a fear of how they'll be perceived by colleagues Also reflecting a lack of confidence among female teachers, 84% of female survey respondents said they wouldn't ever consider asking for a rise but would wait for one to be given. This compares to 71% of male teachers. Jenny Rollinson, Managing Director, Randstad Education, commented: Attracting women into education has never been an issue, with three quarters of female professionals making up the workforce, but when it comes to the top jobs the perception among a very large percentage of female teachers is that they will struggle to get them. The feeling is that a disproportionately high number of men end up in senior management while women simply aren't given enough support and therefore tend to occupy lower level roles on less pay. The glass ceiling for female teachers, or at least the belief that it exists, appears to be very much alive and kicking." www.randstad.co.uk/education
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Dillistone Group Announces Annual Results for 2015
28-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive Dillistone Group Plc today announced results for 2015 to the stock market. The Group was delighted to confirm that it had delivered results in line with market expectations. on 28 Apr 2016 Company Profile Dillistone Systems Ltd View profile » Highlights included: Revenues up 9% year on year Record levels of recurring revenues of £6.61m, up 11% and now covering 100% of all administrative costs Profit after tax for the year up 6% to £1.21m While the results themselves were in line with expectations, the Group also provided news on an exceptional start to trading in the first quarter: New Client Contract wins for FileFinder up more than 70% compared to the same period in 2015 Voyager division orders showing c50% increase on the same period in 2015 Group CEO Jason Starr commented: We are delighted with todays announcement. Our business is one of very few UK software firms that is both profitable and cash generative. This allows us to invest in product development - and the benefit of this is being seen with our superb Q1 order book. In a market that is largely flat, to see new business sales increasing so rapidly across the business demonstrates that we are taking market share. This, along with strong client retention, ensures that we are in a great position at this stage of the year.
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The Recruiters say No (but still not sure)
28-April-2016 - onrec.com
Research conducted by the recruitment industrys biggest finance provider finds recruitment business leaders are either wholly in favour of Brexit or remain unsure which way they will vote. on 28 Apr 2016 Results of a recent poll have found that 2 out of 5 (42%) recruitment business owners stated that they would vote in favour of Britain remaining within the EU, while 21% of respondents stated they would vote to leave the EU. The poll, conducted by Simplicity, the specialist provider of recruitment finance and outsourced administration solutions, also found that 37% of respondents are still undecided proof positive that a great deal of uncertainty still remains over what will be best for recruiters. David Thornhill, managing director at Simplicity, said: As we edge ever closer to 23 rd June, the debate over the possible implications of a UK exit from the EU is beginning to gain greater momentum. However, the answer to the question of whether Britain would be better In or Out of Europe is becoming an increasingly difficult one to answer, which explains why 37% of respondents remain unsure on how they will vote in June. To try and make sense of the reasons for and against remaining in the EU, Simplicity has identified four key areas based on their research - of most concern for recruitment leaders: 1. Threat to global mobility and UK brain drain The suggestion is that a Brexit could threaten the ability of UK workers to work in other EU countries, with new work permits and other red tape extending the time-to-hire process and adding to the recruitment costs of EU employers. This in turn could make UK workers a less attractive proposition to EU companies, it is argued. Then there is the argument that a Brexit would create a brain drain of talent leaving the UK. Indeed, many of the UKs largest employers (BP, ASDA and BT to name but a few) have recently warned that a Brexit could cost jobs, as some companies will seek to leave the UK altogether to continue taking advantage of the freedom of movement enjoyed elsewhere in the EU. On the flip side, those who sit in the Out camp argue that Britain is more than capable of standing on its own two feet. They cite the UKs world-leading capabilities in the fields of technology, finance and the creative and media industries as being key to stimulating long term jobs growth and retaining the talent we already have. 2. Greater skills shortages There are over 2 million EU citizens currently living and working in the UK and while they supply much of the lower-paid workforce, they also plug many of the skills gaps that exist particularly in key areas such as IT, construction and engineering. The In camp argues that if the Out campaign wins the referendum then there is a real risk of a forced exodus of key workers. Or at the very least, there could be a restriction on the number of workers able to come and work here. To counter the expanding skills gap, the In camp say that employers will incur increased costs for up-skilling the indigenous workforce, competition between employers for talent will push wages up and new red tape will come into play which will result in a lengthening of the hiring process to arrange work visas for those essential workers who will still need to be recruited from the Continent. In an open letter to David Cameron in March, signatories argued: Business needs unrestricted access to the European market of 500 million people in order to continue to grow, invest and create jobs. Britain will be strong, safer and better off remaining a member of the EU. It is a divisive issue but the In camp will say that remaining within the EU creates a greater sense of certainty over future employment trends rather than the Out camp whose projections are based more on supposition than actual fact. 3. Britains workforce will be exposed In March Cabinet Office Minister Matt Hancock argued that the "The risks to our economy are clear and would leave the jobs and prosperity of the British people dangerously exposed [if Britain opted to leave the EU]." Indeed, the United States also weighed in by saying that it has reservations over its future investment in the UK should we break away from the EU. Various surveys conducted during the first three months of the year certainly support Mr Hancocks comments, with a slowdown in hiring activity universally reported. However, the latest figures from the RECs Jobs Outlook report would suggest that hiring intentions are once again on the rise, with 81% of employers planning to recruit over the coming months. This suggests that business leaders are planning to recruit in anticipation of future demand but they are also acutely aware that even if a Brexit is confirmed, it will be some time possibly years before we see any real impact. 4. Breaking away from the bureaucrats in Brussels The UK has traditionally had one of the most complex and ever-changing set of employment legislation, accentuated largely by the powers-that-be in The Hague. For many a break from the EU will be a welcome back turn on years of unwelcomed red tape and employment laws. Boris Johnson suggested that he was in favour of leaving the EU, which in his view, represents A slow and invisible process of legal colonisation, as the EU infiltrates just about every area of public policy. He is not alone. Zac Goldsmith, Johnsons possible successor as Mayor of London, points to the fact that EU law overrides UK law when it comes to the likes of the Working Times Regulations and Agency Workers Regulations. David Thornhill concludes: Whatever the result on June 23 rd , there will invariably remain more questions than answers. We are entering unchartered territory where the complexities and uncertainties that exist will take some time to resolve, as the financial, commercial and legal implications of a Brexit slowly become apparent. If voters decide to leave, the process of adapting to a new post-EU world and our new place within it will not happen overnight. Like any new relationship there will be bumps in the road and the more the UK advances its case for continuing access to the EU market, the more the EU will want in return. For more information about Simplicity, visit www.simplicityinbusiness.co.uk
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Time poor brits swap the classroom for the home in digital age
28-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 28 Apr 2016 Almost half (43%) of UK adults have turned to digital technology to develop new skills at home, with privacy and flexibility driving the online uptake. Almost half (43%) of UK adults turn to digital platforms to learn new skills Skills previously passed down through generations are now learned online Privacy and flexibility is driving the shift to online personal development Almost half (43%) of UK adults have turned to digital technology to develop new skills at home, with privacy and flexibility driving the online uptake. The fourth annual Halifax Insurance Digital Home Report found that a range of skills traditionally passed down between generations are now learned either online or through apps. Two-thirds (66%) have learned or improved their cooking skills in this way, almost as many (61%) have developed DIY and home maintenance skills, and a third (30%) headed online for sewing tips. In addition, activities which previously would have involved face-to-face instruction are also now being developed online, with exercising (54%), learning a musical instrument (26%) and learning a foreign language (40%) proving popular. A widespread desire for flexibility and privacy is behind the move to digital learning. Nearly all who learn online do so in the privacy of their home (96%), and over half (54%) of respondents reveal that having the opportunity to learn on their own is the primary reason they use digital resources rather than traditional methods. UK adults also value the flexibility offered by online learning; almost two thirds (60%) of online learners say they prefer learning in this way so they can do it at their own pace, and a quarter (27%) like being able to track their progress themselves. They are also able to learn at times that suit them; people spend an average of 8.4 hours a month developing a skill online, most often at evenings (59%) and weekends (37%). The research suggests that a potential skills gap is being addressed by the increased availability of online learning. Almost half (42%) of people said they wouldnt have had time to learn the skill if they didnt have access to digital platforms, a third (31%) said they only wanted to learn in private, whilst one in seven said they would have been too embarrassed to hone their skills in public (15%). Some of the most essential life-skills would be among those affected by the absence of online tools; a quarter of people (23%) said they wouldnt have learned or improved their cooking skills, or do basic DIY (23%). Additionally, almost a quarter (22%) said that without access to online platforms or apps they wouldnt have been able to learn a foreign language, whilst one in six (16%) wouldnt keep fit. Dr Kairen Cullen, educational psychologist , said, The advent of new technology has brought with it many ways to accommodate different learning styles and offers individuals the flexibility and choice to learn at their own pace in settings that fit easily into personal situations. One drawback for this type of learning, rather than more traditional teacher-led classroom settings, is that opportunities for socially interactive learning may be reduced. However, social media and ever-evolving online teaching methods offset this to some degree, as does the fact that people now have access to a huge array of resources that can help expand their knowledge, thinking and practical skills. Despite this reliance on technology to access essential online tools, the research shows digital devices are still left unprotected. Although the average Brit owns digital items worth an estimated £1,826, only half (54%) say these are covered by home contents insurance, and a quarter (23%) dont know whether their devices are insured or not. Furthermore, almost a fifth (18%) say their devices and gadgets are not covered at all. Martyn Foulds , senior claims manager at Halifax Insurance , said: Its clear that digital devices are becoming increasingly valuable, not only in monetary terms, but in helping people develop personal skills that were previously inaccessible. Rather than taking the availability of these resources for granted, it is imperative that people recognise the opportunities at their fingertips through their digital investments, and make sure that their devices are properly insured both inside the home and while on the go.
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UK standard of living lags behind many other European countries
28-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Statistics and trends New Glassdoor Economic Research study reveals cost of living in Britain is one of the highest in Europe on 28 Apr 2016 Company Profile Glassdoor View profile » A new study 1 from Glassdoor® Economic Research suggests that Britain offers a below average standard of living compared to other countries in Europe, with middling wages and high costs. The report, titled Which Countries in Europe Offer The Best Standard of Living?, conducted in cooperation with Llewellyn Consulting, finds that when ranked in order, the countries offering the highest standard of living are Switzerland, Denmark and Germany. The UK appears way down the list, but ahead of nations such as France, Spain, Italy and Portugal. The study presents an analysis of how wages differ across Europe and identifies countries in which the cost of living is the most (and the least) favourable. The analysis covers 18 countries and tracks how these European markets compare to the United States, which is used as a benchmark. When it comes to compensation, a larger pay packet isnt always better. What matters is the ability to afford useful things that enrich our lives, said Glassdoors Chief Economist, Dr. Andrew Chamberlain. Average wages vary considerably from one country to another but the gap between take-home pay and price levels has more relevance to the man on the street. A low cost of living, as you would find in Greece and Portugal, doesnt count for much if average wages and purchasing power are similarly low. Average (Nominal) Wages There is considerable disparity within Europe in terms of what people are paid and nominal wages in the highest paying country (Switzerland, 72,000) are around five times those of the lowest (Estonia, 13,000). Average wages in the UK, along with Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Austria, at around 41,000, are similar to those in the U.S. Cost of Living by City One way of accounting for cross-country differences in prices is to consider differences in price levels in major cities, against which New York City is taken as the benchmark. The cost of living is highest in Geneva and Zurich, which are the only two main European cities that are more expensive than NYC (by 3 percent and 1 percent, respectively). Next comes London, which has the highest rents in Europe, but nevertheless is around 7% cheaper than NYC. Cost of living is lowest in Tartu, Porto, Thessaloniki, Tallinn, Athens, and Lisbon, which are some 60 percent - 70 percent cheaper than NYC. UK in Bottom Half of Europe for Standard of Living Taking together both the income (after income tax) and the price-level (including VAT) it is possible to derive a local purchasing-power-based standard of living. This is (again) highest in Switzerland, followed by Denmark and Germany, despite the latter two countries not appearing in the top three for Average Wages on a Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) basis. This suggests that wages might not be the highest in either Denmark or Germany, but they go a relatively long way in terms of what you can buy with them. The UK comes 10 th in Europe, yet is only just behind Germany in terms of average wages on a PPP basis, suggesting that take-home pay in Britain gets hit harder by high cost of living and tax than in Germany. The UK sits behind Ireland and Austria, but ahead of France, Belgium, Spain and Italy. Portugal Greece and Estonia come bottom of the table. www.glassdoor.co.uk 1 Report findings based on data from OECD and Numbeo
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9 in 10 UK office workers experience technology-related stress in meetings, survey shows
28-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Statistics and trends on 28 Apr 2016 Technology-related meeting stress causes serious problems throughout the workplace, from lowered productivity to lost business and even missed promotions. 9 in 10 UK office workers experience seriously elevated stress levels when dealing with troublesome technology during meetings, Barco research shows [1] . Peoples heart rates reached 179bpm when struggling with technology during a meeting [2] , compared to resting heart rates of around 60-100 bpm a clear indicator of stress. Research went on to show that over half of UK business people who are regularly forced to take time away from their work to grapple with meeting room technology do so on a regular basis. This has serious negative implications for themselves, and for the business. Meeting room technology which does not work seamlessly is a huge hindrance for productivity. Amongst the biggest challenges for UK employees were sharing content and screens, and finding the right cables to connect to in-room devices. In trying to deal with tech problems, staff are wasting significant amounts of their valuable time: 60 percent try to fix problems themselves, 49 percent call IT/tech support, 30 percent end up giving up with the tech and going to their plan B. 15 percent even postpone meetings until technology problems can be fixed. The vast majority (90 percent) actually pre-prepare for technology failures: preparing handouts as alternatives to tech, coordinating with IT in advance, and 44 percent even do a tech rehearsal. As a result of struggling with technology in meeting rooms, a quarter of UK office workers have missed important deadlines, and some have even missed out on personal opportunities like promotions (7 percent). Worryingly, 15 percent reported that their meeting room technology struggles actually lost the company business. This implies that poorly performing meeting technology has a potential knock on effect of damaging both personal and corporate reputations. In this environment, 81 percent of respondents believe that meeting technology should be taken more seriously. Dr David Lewis, Neuropsychologist and Director of Mind Labs International said, People show a clear stress response when faced with difficulties in getting meeting room technology to work. Stress in the workplace does not have a positive impact. People miss deadlines, and some even report that they have missed out on promotions as a result. This should not be happening! Removing these stresses from workers should be a top priority for businesses. Lieven Bertier, Head of Product Management ClickShare said , Investing in meeting room technology which works at the click of a button will significantly help in reducing complexity and stress from office workers lives. When office staff can share screens more easily and collaborate more easily, businesses benefit by becoming more efficient. Having a more productive and efficient business has a positive outcome for businesses growth, and the bottom line. [1] In an independent study conducted by Vanson Bourne for Barco [2] In an independent study by MindLab conducted for Barco
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Rise of Internet of Things stretches demand for specialist IT contractors
28-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Statistics and trends on 28 Apr 2016 Professional services consultancy Procorre is warning of a shortfall in the number of IT consultants available across Europe to advise on projects relating to rise of the Internet of Things (IoT). As increasing numbers of organisations outside the technology sector consider adopting IoT strategies, the demand for skilled consultants to manage the transition has increased significantly. However, Procorre, which manages the life cycle of IT projects around the world, is predicting that the surge in demand could outstrip supply across Europe in the coming months. The escalating hype around IoT where devices connect over the internet to other devices, application and users has been matched only by the rapidly increasing number of devices themselves, which outnumber the global population by 15:1. The data harvested from these connections is expected to fundamentally change the way businesses operate with a potential economic impact of up to US$11 trillion per year by 2025, according to the McKinsey Global Institute. Wiktor Podgorski, head of the relationship management team at Procorre, said: The IoT boom has already seen the growth of Head of IoT roles in some tech companies. This is now spreading into other sectors and we are experiencing strong demand for contractors with a mix of expertise in sensor software and hardware, data management, analysis and delivery. There is also a growing requirement for individuals who can perform a critical role managing the relationship between IT teams and boardrooms in organisations that are just beginning to see the opportunities IoT can offer them. Analysis of the IoT consultant market across Europe shows growth in the numbers of consultants in the UK, Italy and France, which collectively make up over half of the consultant market in Europe. However, numbers remain relatively small in other markets. Podgorski added: While supply is strong in a number of core markets, there is the prospect of a short-term shortage of IoT consultants more broadly across Europe. This presents a massive opportunity for IT consultants looking to diversify or specialise in the kinds of key skill areas which will enable fundamental change for forward-looking businesses as they embrace IoT opportunities. Location of IoT consultants in Europe Source: LinkedIn, Procorre One skill area where Procorre is seeing particularly strong demand is data security. According to the Harvard Business Review, 46 per cent of IoT early adopters encountered issues with security compliance. This trend has continued and, following a series of high profile security issues related to IoT technology, privacy and data protection remain the biggest barriers to adoption of IoT. This has fuelled the demand for consultants who can apply cyber security experience to IoT strategies. IoT contractors should visit www.procorre.com for more information and to apply to become a Procorre Consultant. Procorre also works in a variety of sectors requiring specialist contractors including energy and construction.
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´Radical rethink´ required for Apprenticeship Levy
28-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 28 Apr 2016 Business concerned about levy, but committed to skills The Government must collaborate with business to radically rethink the design of the apprenticeship levy, if it is to deliver the quality skills training needed to support a more prosperous society, CBI Director-General Carolyn Fairbairn, will today (Thursday) warn. She will highlight that businesses are committed to raising skill levels and support the Governments ambition to boost apprentice numbers, but that there are growing concerns among firms about the current design and viability of the system. Carolyn will say that the Government has the opportunity to create a once-in-a-generation revolution in skills, but it is currently only likely to deliver another once-in-an-administration shake-up. Speaking to an audience of business leaders in the City of London, she will say that firms are passionate about apprenticeships, and its this passion which drives deep frustration over the levy plans as they currently stand. She will emphasise that the Government must take the time to draw on business' vast experience to make sure that the levy works for everyone, rather than rushing out a poorly thought through plan. This isnt what businesses want, and we dont believe it is what Government wants either." The CBI is calling for: A stronger role for the new Institute for Apprenticeships - include measuring and managing the system around the levy; More flexibility in how firms can spend the levy including on existing training and high-quality support for apprentices; The digital system which manages levy spend must be ready and able to support the delivery of apprenticeship training which businesses need, in full and from the start. In her speech Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, will say: Firms across the UK are emphatic that tackling skills shortages is the only way to succeed and create prosperity. They want to create quality apprenticeships and theyre ready to work with the Government to do this. But as it stands thats not what the levy is doing. We need to change that, which is why we are calling for a radical rethink. On the objective of the Apprenticeship Levy and the Governments 3 million target, Carolyn will say: As a nation, what outcome are we trying to achieve on skills? The Government has set out a target to create three million apprenticeships by 2020 and it deserves credit for its level of ambition. Business shares this goal to raise numbers - yet - despite the Governments good intentions - the target could have unintended consequences. Whats being counted is three million started apprenticeships, not three million qualified apprentices. Theres a big difference. Indeed, measuring success by the number of starts tells us little about whether the system is really delivering and could even drive the wrong outcomes. We dont want this and Im confident that the Government doesnt either. On the design of the Apprenticeship Levy, Carolyn will add: The Institute for Apprenticeships The Institute risks being an afterthought, a mere standard-setter, rubber-stamping standards in a system where key decisions have already been made. Instead of this, we think the Institute should be a standard-bearer, with the authority to shape big decisions on design. These would include measuring and managing the system around the levy, establishing success criteria which measure how it supports careers and closes the skills gap. Design flaws It is crucial firms get closer to doing what the Government promised - being able to get your money back if you have a good programme. Currently, the levy misunderstands training only as apprenticeships and the current design encourages firms to rebadge their existing programmes. Companies are having to change the spec of graduate or management training schemes - programmes that are working perfectly well - just to fit apprenticeship standards. When it comes to training business knows best. They should have the flexibility to choose the kind of training which is right for them, whether its labelled an apprenticeship or not. Other levy systems in Ireland, Germany, Denmark, France and Quebec, give greater flexibility on spend than the UK Government is proposing. So it can be done and this is how our levy should work too. It is also placing the value of apprenticeships only in off-the-job training, restricting eligible spend to training with an external provider. It risks devaluing the very thing that makes apprenticeships great. Learning in work, on the job, from someone who knows the ropes. Thats why the CBI is pushing for an allowable expenses regime for the levy so firms can recover the cost of valuable staff time and capital investment. Transfer or pool funds Under the current plans, in the first year only spending within a company would be allowed. If firms cant transfer or pool funds, this would have real consequences for their business models and training practices. Its positive the Government have said they eventually want to allow transferring and pooling, but after the levy has started. Committed employers will have to abandon much training thats already working. On the current UK skills landscape, Carolyn will say: Skills are the number one business priority. Theyre crucial for raising our productivity and staying globally competitive. Specific sectors - such as construction, IT and manufacturing - are struggling to recruit. Weve got a critical shortage of technicians the area best served by an apprenticeship system. Business are up for the challenge. They know that they need to work with Government and civil society to find the right solutions. In the last parliament, we saw positive reform to the skills system with apprenticeships really taking off and almost two a half million people being trained. Thats fantastic. But in this parliament, firms want to see the same progress at higher levels that weve seen with level 2 and 3 skills. And business is ready to help do this. On the levy timetable, Carolyn will conclude: Were less than 12 months from the levys planned start date in April 2017 and for business, thats the equivalent of tomorrow. The pressure of the Governments deadline means that firms lack crucial information about the levy and a realistic lead-in time to prepare for it. Today, firms are having to treat the levy as a tax, because the headline cost is all theyre certain of. Businesses of all sectors and sizes are still in the dark - cutting-corners isnt in anyones interest. Government needs to work with business to resolve these issues before the levy launches. This means taking the time to get this right to design a flexible, business-led system through the Institute that encourages employers to spend on quality training opportunities. Government must also make sure the digital system which manages levy spend is ready to support the delivery of quality apprenticeships from day one. Business stands ready to help, advise and design a system that is fit for purpose. So lets seize this opportunity and create change which will last several generations, not just a single administration.
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Texas Roofer Fined $80K for Repeated Workplace Hazards
28-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
Federal safety regulators have levied $80,280 in penalties against Quick Roofing LLC for repeatedly exposing workers to falls, ladder hazards and eye injuries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said the employer has been cited six times in three
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U.S. economy stalls in first quarter as activity weakens broadly
28-April-2016 - reuters.com
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. economic growth braked sharply in the first quarter to its slowest pace in two years as consumer spending softened and a strong dollar continued to undercut exports, but a pick-up in activity is anticipated given a buoyant labor market.
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UPDATE 1-Spanish jobless rate inches up as election re-run looms
28-April-2016 - reuters.com
* Politicians disagree on tactics to fix job market (Adds details, data on inflation, economy minister comments)
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The Investing Show shares tips on how to spot reliable income shares
28-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
Fidelity Moneybuilder Dividend fund manager Michael Clark joins Simon Lambert and Richard Hunter to discuss the best dividend shares.
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Important changes to the law governing recruitment agencies come into force on 8 May 2016
28-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 28 Apr 2016 Howes Percival comments on new Conduct of Employment Agencies regulations News The Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations 2016 come into force on 8 May 2016. Comment Paula Bailey, Employment Law Partner with Howes Percival comments: "The key impact of these amendment regulations will be the extended restriction on advertising for work seekers outside of Great Britain which could result in increased timescales for recruitment processes." Implications The 2016 Regulations reduce certain regulatory burdens on employment agencies/ businesses and extend the restriction on employment agencies and employment businesses in relation to recruitment advertising outside Great Britain. Details The activities of the private recruitment industry are regulated by the Employment Agencies Act 1973 and the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Business Regulations 2003). The 2016 Regulations amend the 2003 Regulations. The key changes are as follows: Extension on recruitment advertising restrictions outside Great Britain Agencies or employment businesses are banned from publishing a "relevant recruitment advertisement" in an European Economic Area state other than the United Kingdom, unless the advertisement is published in English in Great Britain at the same time as it publishes the advertisement (or it has been advertised in English in Great Britain for 28 days prior to the day on which it is advertised in the other EEA state). This restriction was already in place for specific vacancies following the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations 2014 but the 2016 Regulations extend this to any advertisement looking to attract work-seekers. No requirement to enter into terms with hirers There will no longer be a requirement for employment agencies/businesses to enter into a written agreement to terms with hirers. This is on the basis that this is a commercial matter for agreement between businesses. In practice most businesses will want to agree written terms for certainty and clarity anyway. Entering into contracts on behalf of work-seekers There will no longer be a restriction on employment agencies/businesses entering into a contract on behalf of a work-seeker with a hirer or entering into a contract on behalf of a hirer with a work-seeker. Requirement to review The Secretary of State must now carry out a review of the 2003 Regulations and set out the conclusions of the review in a published report within the next five years (and every five years after that). The full text of the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations 2016 can be found here: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/510/introduction/made
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Combination of background in finance and industry knowledge key to success of FTSE 100 CEOs
28-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive A background in finance continues to be the most common career background of todays FTSE 100 CEOs (55%), compared to 21% in retail/hospitality, 15% in engineering/natural resources, 15% in marketing and 14% in technology. Almost one in four (23%) CEOs are qualified Chartered Accountants, according to new research1 from leading recruitment specialists, Robert Half UK. on 28 Apr 2016 Company Profile Robert Half View profile » 55% of FTSE 100 CEOs have a background in finance Almost one in four (23%) CEOs are qualified Chartered Accountants 66% of company leaders joined from role in same industry A fifth (19%) of CEOs arrived into their post in the last 12 months, nine as new CEOs to an existing FTSE 100 company or as part of the promotion of 10 new companies to the index A background in finance continues to be the most common career background of todays FTSE 100 CEOs (55%), compared to 21% in retail/hospitality, 15% in engineering/natural resources, 15% in marketing and 14% in technology. Almost one in four (23%) CEOs are qualified Chartered Accountants, according to new research 1 from leading recruitment specialists, Robert Half UK . The ninth annual Robert Half FTSE 100 CEO Tracker shows that the average tenure of Britains top bosses is five years and three months, with the longest tenure record currently held at more than 30 years. The majority (66%) of todays CEOs move from a senior role in the same industry, showing continuing importance placed on building up a credible understanding of a single sector when aiming to move into a C-suite role. There were a total of 10 new entrants to the FTSE 100 in the period analysed, including Inmarsat, Worldpay, Informa and Paddy Power. Further change came in the form of nine new CEOs taking the helm of companies already in the FTSE 100, including Mike Wells, who replaced Tidjane Thiam at Prudential in June 2015 and James Edward "Jes" Staley, who replaced Antony Jenkins at Barclays in December. The number of women heading up the FTSE 100 has increased by one in the past 12 months. There are now six female CEOs in the FTSE 100 with the appointment of Alison Brittain to Whitbread earlier in 2016, up from just four in 2011 and 2012. The majority (60%) of FTSE 100 CEOs are British citizens, yet 20 different nationalities are represented at the top of the UKs largest companies, including leaders from South Africa, New Zealand and the Netherlands. From an education point of view, a fifth (18%) of FTSE 100 CEOs are Oxbridge educated, down one per cent from the previous year and more than a quarter (28%) have an MBA or PHD, down four points from last year. Phil Sheridan, UK Managing Director at Robert Half, said: Executives within every sector are seeking ways to continue meeting their own business goals in the face of external influences including growing regulatory frameworks and geopolitical uncertainty. As the leaders of Britains largest and most successful businesses, the individuals heading up these organisations can collectively influence the direction, confidence and economic prosperity of the wider UK economy. In these increasingly complex global operating environments, leaders who are able to traverse the commercial landscape while maintaining strong fiscal responsibility are in greatest demand. This trend is supported by this years findings where experience within a single industry combined with a foundation in finance is what organisations seek from those taking the helm. 1 All information based on analysis of publicly available sources of information analysed from the period 1st April 2015 31st March. 2016
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40% of people in the UK feel their employer doesnt do enough to engage them: Experts share their top tips for SME employee engagement
28-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 28 Apr 2016 New research carried out by business energy price comparison specialists, Love Energy Savings, has revealed that more than 40% of people in the UK dont believe that their employer does enough to engage them in the workplace. More than 40% of British workers DONT believe that their employer does enough to engage them. Findings tie in with a study conducted by the Institute of Leadership Management (ILM), which showed that a third of workers planned to leave their job in 2016, with a lack of appreciation cited as a main reason. Love Energy Savings speaks to experts in the industry to find out different ways for SMEs to prioritise employee engagement. New research carried out by business energy price comparison specialists, Love Energy Savings , has revealed that more than 40% of people in the UK dont believe that their employer does enough to engage them in the workplace. This study mirrors a 2015 report , published by the Institute of Leadership Management (ILM), which discovered that 32% of people wanted to find a new job. 26% attributed this to a lack of opportunities, whilst 17% said it was because they wanted more appreciation from their managers. All of these statistics highlight the importance of employee engagement, particularly at a time when many SMEs are finding it hard to attract and retain talent. To help small businesses get started, Love Energy Savings spoke to a host of industry experts to garner some tips on how SMEs can improve employee engagement without breaking the bank. Communicate openly and honestly Often overlooked, good communication is key to any relationship, and this is especially true for the employer-employee relationship. Make an effort to include everyone in all company news, whether its good or bad, to make your employees feel valued, appreciated and part of the bigger picture. Jill Miller, Research Adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development , commented on the vital importance of communication to smaller businesses in particular: As the workforce grows, you can no longer rely on informal communication, but need to introduce more formal mechanisms to ensure everyone receives the same message, and no one is left out. Its important the communication is not just downward, but is two-way, with mechanisms in place for employees to feed their views and suggestions upwards. Celebrate staff achievements Recognising your employees for their hard work is one of the quickest, easiest and cheapest ways to give your workplace engagement a boost. From a congratulatory post-it note to winning employee of the month, celebrating the achievements of your staff ensures that they feel truly valued. Brian Londsale, Director of Smarter Digital Marketing , believes that managing directors going out of their way to recognise staff is key to creating a happy, vibrant working environment: Positive affirmations are something Im very passionate about, only discussing the areas of improvement your workforce needs will shake their confidence. We praise our staff on their merits. We notice our star employees so they dont feel their hard work goes unnoticed. I think praise is vital for staff retention and avoiding a high turnover. Provide benefits that matter Customers sign up to a brand loyalty scheme because of what they receive in return, whether its money off future purchases or collecting points. But more SMEs are realising that providing benefits and incentives for their employees is just as important; it keeps them motivated, productive and happy in the workplace. Phil Foster, Managing Director of Love Energy Savings, says its all about making people feel appreciated: While perks and incentives certainly arent the be all and end all of employee engagement, its important to have some kind of scheme to show your staff how much you value them. To us, its about so much more than a nice way to say thank you; its about creating an environment where people feel happy about their jobs. Performance-based perks also give people that added incentive to do their very best for the company. You can read our experts tips in greater detail here .
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Blogging, interning and hackathons: what does it take to be an Undergraduate of the Year?
28-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 28 Apr 2016 Its Friday afternoon, and university students across the country are wrapping-up lectures and making plans for the upcoming weekend. But for a select group of students, this particular afternoon holds something quite different in store. Its Friday afternoon, and university students across the country are wrapping-up lectures and making plans for the upcoming weekend. But for a select group of students, this particular afternoon holds something quite different in store. At the prestigious East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf, 120 students sit on the edge of their seats, eagerly waiting to find out which of them will be revealed as an Undergraduate of the Year. The TARGETjobs Undergraduate of the Year Awards, now in its seventh year, features 12 prestigious awards, including Future Business Leader, Future CFO and Future Civil Service Leader, as well as more industry-focused categories such as Law, Engineering and Management. Each award is sponsored by a prominent graduate recruiter ACCA, Bank of England, Civil Service Fast Stream, E.ON, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Expedia, Gazprom, Lang ORourke, L'Oréal, Mayer Brown and Rolls-Royce who all offer fantastic prizes for the winners, including paid internships, trips abroad and meetings with senior executives. Being invited to the ceremony is an astonishing achievement in itself. This years competition attracted over 3,250 entries from undergraduates studying at 166 different universities. Over the course of three stages, including an application and questionnaire; an online assessment with situational, numerical and inductive reasoning tests; and finally, an in-person assessment with the respective award sponsor, this list of 3,250 original applicants was whittled down to just ten finalists for each of the 12 categories. The shortlisted students for each award were then invited to the glittering London awards ceremony on the 22 April, where the winners were announced by the host - leading TV journalist and presenter, Fiona Bruce. There is a notable diversity of skills and experience among the students that make them stand-out above their peers. This ranged from organising a schools outreach program, teaching English in Senegal, interning with industry giants, inspiring young software developers to participate in Hackathons, becoming treasurer for various university societies, writing successful blogs, volunteering as a student development ambassador; hosting a popular radio show, and being shortlisted for a Young Enterprise award, to name a few. Having supported the Undergraduate of the Year Awards for a number of years we have been able to recruit some of the brightest and the best management students said Ashley Hever, Talent Acquisition Manager at Enterprise Rent-A-Car sponsor of the Management Undergraduate of the Year award. This year the team has been particularly impressed by the quality and diversity of the students that we met. It is fantastic that so many students wanted to get involved in the competition and it is a brilliant achievement to make it to the final well done! A full list of the winners can be found at http://undergraduateoftheyear.com/winners
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Apple employee found dead on company campus
28-April-2016 - usatoday.com
Body was found in a main building at 1 Infinite Loop.
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How stores handle transgender bathroom policies
28-April-2016 - usatoday.com
Target isn't the only one with a controversial bathroom policy. Starbucks, Barnes e Noble and others also allow customers and employees to choose a bathroom based on the gender they identify with.
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Fed´s ´forward guidance´ shift leaves markets more wedded to data
28-April-2016 - reuters.com
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Rising oil prices and a more stable Chinese economy allowed the Federal Reserve to shift its focus back to the home front on Wednesday, as it signaled that U.S. jobs and inflation data would determine whether it hiked interest rates in June.
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Alphabet sees the benefits of staff involvement in motivation strategy
27-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Fleet vehicle business Alphabet encourages staff to help shape its social and motivation initiatives through what it calls Alphabet Proactive Experts, or APEs. Clare Witty, employee engagement manager, explains: They are essentially volunteers from across the whole [organisation] and theyre my ears on the ground. We have a blackboard that staff can write on, and each month we []
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Verizon, striking unions at impasse as health benefits to expire
27-April-2016 - reuters.com
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A strike by nearly 40,000 Verizon Communications Inc workers is in its third week with unions and the company still far apart on contract talks, even as employee healthcare benefits are set to expire on Saturday.
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Can employee involvement boost engagement in a motivation strategy?
27-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Need to know: Involving staff in motivation schemes can encourage take-up. Social events, charitable initiatives and exercise classes are often popular. Peer-recognition schemes can also make employees feel involved. The UK has an employee motivation problem. Research by Argos for Business conducted for Employee Motivation Day, published in February 2016, found that just 30% of teams []
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Michael Mercieca: Youth Unemployment: Generation Jobless
27-April-2016 - huffingtonpost.co.uk
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US Labor Department awards $112M in grants for reemployment services, eligibility assessments in 50 states, territories
27-April-2016 - dol.gov
US Labor Department awards $112M in grants for reemployment services, eligibility assessments in 50 states, territories Funds improve job searches, maintain integrity of unemployment insurance programs WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $112 million to 50 state and territorial workforce agencies, including those in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia, to operate reemployment services and eligibility assessments programs for those receiving unemployment insurance benefits. Estimates based on the budgets in the past 10 years show that the program has reduced individual use of UI services by approximately one-and-a-half weeks, saving on average $3 for every dollar spent in costs. This is the 12th year that the department has awarded grants through this initiative. Recipients prioritize RESEA services to transitioning, honorably discharged veterans and individuals likely to exhaust their UI benefits. As our nation continues to enjoy a period of sustained economic growth, with 14.4 million jobs added in the past 73 months, the U.S. Department of Labor remains focused on modernizing and improving the UI system, and helping those who are still looking for jobs to support themselves and their families, said Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Portia Wu . Todays grant awards will ensure unemployed individuals have a wide array of workforce services available and can continue to be eligible for UI services. The funds will be used to connect participants with in-person assessments and re-employment services through their local their local American Job Centers including developing an individual re-employment plan. providing relevant and timely labor market information, identifying job skills and employment prospects. and reviewing claimants continued eligibility for UI benefits. 2016 Re-employment Services and Eligibility Assessment Grants State Funds Awarded State Funds Awarded Alabama $250,444 Missouri $769,758 Alaska $130,293 Montana $702,997 Arizona $648,946 Nebraska $441,477 Arkansas $143,429 Nevada $2,070,137 California $12,698,079 New Hampshire $1,295,354 Colorado $364,416 New Jersey $1,917,219 Connecticut $913,219 New Mexico $635,048 Delaware $564,658 New York $20,270,329 District of Columbia $525,182 North Carolina $4,438,192 Florida $5,714,020 Ohio $3,002,253 Georgia $202,171 Oklahoma $1,054,169 Hawaii $1,075,361 Oregon $5,221,196 Idaho $749,790 Pennsylvania $1,290,160 Illinois $1,245,566 Puerto Rico $302,442 Indiana $4,404,403 Rhode Island $1,249,242 Iowa $1,613,534 South Carolina $1,144,308 Kansas $748,455 South Dakota $305,187 Kentucky $561,932 Tennessee $2,963,132 Louisiana $1,800,284 Utah $1,889,591 Maine $772,659 Vermont $100,000 Maryland $1,325,350 Virgin Islands $264,643 Massachusetts $6,251,469 Virginia $1,766,845 Michigan $1,550,610 Washington $9,192,063 Minnesota $1,646,396 West Virginia $358,083 Mississippi $998,544 Wisconsin $2,456,965 For more information on the effectiveness of these services, visit http://1.usa.gov/1XWiNsu . Release Date: 04/27/2016 Media Contact Name: Ammar Campa-Najjar Email: Najjar.Ammar.C@DOL.Gov Phone Number: 202-693-4686 Release Number: 16-0874-NAT Override with PDF?:
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Laid-Off Oil Workers Struggle to Pay Loans, Credit Cards
27-April-2016 - wsj.com
Rising unemployment in the energy sector is pushing up loan delinquencies and raising the risk of new losses for banks.
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Apple employee found dead at HQ
27-April-2016 - cnn.com
Police found a the body of a dead male Apple employee inside one of the company's conference rooms on Wednesday morning.
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Comparing the US Federal Reserve´s Views on World Economy
27-April-2016 - abcnews.com
Comparing the US Federal Reserve's views on the US and global economies, jobs
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Vanessa Williams Talks Career, Miss America and the Best Revenge
27-April-2016 - abcnews.com
Vanessa Williams has the ultimate comeback story.
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Huge health care price differences even within same area, by state
27-April-2016 - usatoday.com
While some variation may be justified, experts say more transparency and data needed.
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REFILE-UPDATE 3-Man found dead at Apple headquarters in California
27-April-2016 - reuters.com
April 27 (Reuters) - An Apple Inc employee was found dead on Wednesday at the company's Silicon Valley headquarters, police said, with local media reporting that the victim had suffered a head wound...
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Beep defect smoke alarm maker Sprue Aegis says jobs are under threat as it sets aside £5.5m to cover customer claims
27-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
Coventry-based Sprue Aegis has admitted that nearly 100,000 of its FireAngel smoke alarms have a defect that makes them beep for a change of battery long before necessary.
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Fab lolly manufacturer R&R teams up with Nestle to create new UK-based ice cream firm named Froneri
27-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
R&R has teamed up with Nestle to create a new business which will generate £1.9bn of sales and employ 15,000 people. The business could be listed on Londons Stock Exchange.
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DAILY BRIEFING: Asda in talks to sell its photo division to Photo-Me
27-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
Asda, owned by US giant Walmart, has been cutting jobs and costs to improve its performance in the face of falling sales in the UK. It has agreed to change the way it promotes products, after a probe by the CMA.
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Ohio Court Seeks Heirs in $2M Asbestos Claim Payout
27-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
A northeast Ohio court is trying to track down for heirs to hundreds of rubber workers who died or became very ill because of exposure to asbestos as it looks to pay out about $2 million in legal claims. Heirs
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Pilots in Fatal 2015 Ohio Crash Were Fired from Previous Jobs: NTSB
27-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
Both pilots in a chartered-jet crash last year in Akron, Ohio, that killed seven employees of a Florida real estate company had been fired from previous jobs for performance issues, investigators said. All nine people aboard the Hawker 125-700A died
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Kelly Fanarioti: Along With a Group of Desperate Greeks on a Saturday Night
27-April-2016 - huffingtonpost.com
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Traders keep bets on September rate hike after Fed meeting
27-April-2016 - reuters.com
April 27 (Reuters) - U.S. short-term interest rate futures contracts swung down, then up on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve ended its two-day policy-setting meeting with rates on hold as...
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Venezuela orders 2-day work week
27-April-2016 - cnn.com
Venezuela's President, Nicolas Maduro, announced that public sector employees will only work Monday and Tuesday in an effort to save electricity.
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High Product, Labor Costs Lead to Decline in Boeing´s Profit
27-April-2016 - abcnews.com
Revenues increased at aerospace giant Boeing but that wasn't enough to offset increased costs for its supplies or labor
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Number of Contracts to Buy Homes at Highest Level Since May
27-April-2016 - abcnews.com
Number of Americans signing contracts to buy homes last month reaches highest level since May
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10 Things Young Insurance Agents Like, and Dont Like, About Their Jobs
27-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
Overall, young agents are happy with their career choice. They enjoy the freedom and challenges that come with being independent agents. But they are not thrilled with every aspect of their career choice. Who is? The April 4 issue of
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GM to Make Investments at Tennessee and Michigan Factories
27-April-2016 - abcnews.com
General Motors is expected to announce two factory investments on Wednesday that could add more than 800 jobs at plants in Tennessee and Michigan
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Watch: Vanessa Williams On Real Biz with Rebecca Jarvis
27-April-2016 - abcnews.com
Episode 87: Vanessa Williams talks to Rebecca about her career, overcoming setbacks and the best revenge.
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Chobani employees get surprise ownership stake
27-April-2016 - usatoday.com
Hamdi Ulukaya, owner of the Greek yogurt, company gave workers with the gift Tuesday morning
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Chobani workers get ownership stake that could make them millionaires
27-April-2016 - usatoday.com
Hamdi Ulukaya, owner of the Greek yogurt company, gave workers a gift Tuesday morning.
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Many Chobani yogurt employees could become millionaires
27-April-2016 - usatoday.com
According to Hamdi Ulukaya, the CEO of Greek yogurt giant Chobani, 2,000 of its employees will each receive shares in the multi-billion-dollar yogurt company if it goes public or is sold.
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U.S. pending home sales rise to a 10-month high
27-April-2016 - reuters.com
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Contracts to buy previously owned U.S. homes increased more than expected in March to reach their highest level in nearly a year, suggesting sustained momentum in the housing market.
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What impact has medical inflation had on international private medical insurance policies?
27-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Need to know: An average increase of 9.1% is on the cards for international private medical insurance schemes according to Aon Hewitts 2016 Global Medical Trend Rates report. Insurers have developed strategies including hospital networks and claims management to control treatment costs. Employers should consider tiered cover, varying the level of cover and using local plans []
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Buyers guide to contract-based defined contribution pension schemes
27-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
What are contract-based defined contribution (DC) pension schemes? Defined contribution (DC) schemes are pensions that build a monetary pot for the employee. They are referred to as contract-based because the employee has a contractual agreement with the pension provider. What are the origins of contract-based DC pension schemes? DC schemes were introduced in the 1980s, []
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Buyers guide to corporate eyecare
27-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
The facts What is corporate eyecare? Corporate eyecare is an employee benefit that helps employers meet their duty-of-care requirements for staff who use visual display units (VDUs) and who drive on business. Cover can be provided in various ways, including health cash plans and vouchers and also by setting an arrangement with a local optician. []
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Empowering everyone to save for retirement
27-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Need to know: The introduction of the new state pension could have implications for what support employers offer and how they communicate this. Although auto-enrolment and the new state pension go some way to reducing inequality in pension provision, there is still much more to be done. Employer matching and auto-escalation could encourage greater employee engagement []
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Chris Rowley: Staff involvement with benefits will increase engagement
27-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
The subject of employee motivation programmes in the workplace, specifically whether it is important to garner staff opinion when putting programmes in place, remains important and topical. The questions it raises include: should employers involve staff in the design and roll-out of programmes? Would this have an effect on engagement with schemes and, ultimately, engagement with work []
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Infographic: The content employers would like to include in financial education programmes
27-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
An infographic looking at the content employers would like to include in financial education programmes (Source: Nudge Globals Financial education: the definitive guide 2016 research, published in March 2016). Read more in What do employers need to know about financial education?
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Coventry University supports employees financial wellbeing with education programmes
27-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Coventry University refreshed its financial education programme to help support employees with their financial understanding and also promote awareness of the organisations total reward package. In June 2015, the university introduced pilot financial education workshops in response to a number of factors: employees were taking more interest in their own financial wellbeing. the pace and complexity of pension changes. []
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What do employers need to know about financial education?
27-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Need to know: More employers are recognising the importance of supporting employees financial wellbeing in the workplace with education programmes. Financial education programmes should cover a broad range of financial topics. Determining the issues that are important among staff can be a sensitive task, so it can be more effective to let employees self-select programmes []
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Row over OECD warning of ´Brexit tax´
27-April-2016 - bbc.com
Quitting the EU would be the same as imposing a "tax" on UK workers, the OECD says, but Leave campaigners say its forecasts are "pessimistic and implausible".
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Falling output and weaker dollar push oil to 2016 high
27-April-2016 - reuters.com
LONDON (Reuters) - Oil hit its highest level of 2016 on Wednesday, driven by a falling dollar and evidence of declining U.S. supply, putting the price on course for its strongest monthly performance since last April.
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OECD warns Brexit would cost British workers a month´s salary in lost income by 2020
27-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
Warning that a Brexit could give the UK economy a 'major negative shock, the OECD estimated that national income by then end of the decade would be more than 3 per cent down
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60% do not measure success of pensions communication campaigns
27-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Less than two-thirds (60%) of pension decision-maker respondents do not measure the success of pensions communication campaigns, according to research by Capita Employee Benefits. Its Pension scheme insight report 2016, which surveyed 110 pension decision-makers, also found that more than half (56%) of respondents do not believe that pension scheme members understand how their pension []
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72% have not asked for a pay rise in last three years
27-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Almost three-quarters (72%) of respondents have not asked for a pay rise in the last three years, according to research by recruitment consultancy Randstad. Its survey of 2,000 UK employees also found that around a third (34%) of respondents would consider asking their current boss for a pay increase. The research also found: 35% of []
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How to develop the perfect work-life balance
27-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive Andy Sumner, Managing Director, Monster.co.uk on 27 Apr 2016 Company Profile Monster.co.uk View profile » April is Stress Awareness month and at Monster, we believe its a good opportunity for everyone to evaluate whether they maintain a healthy work-life balance or what they need to do to achieve it. We can all relate to a time when weve had to put in the extra hours, or been particularly busy. However, with the help of modern technology, its becoming increasingly difficult for us all to switch off from work. If this sounds like you, here are some tips to help you develop a better balance: 1. Dont suffer in silence You dont have be the first person in or the last person out of the office every day to be effective. If youre being given too much work, first thing to do is tell your manager. Unless you speak to them, they wont know youre being overworked and theyd much rather help you find a workable solution than make you resign or take time off due to stress. Its important not to suffer in silence. 2. Organise your workload and priorities In most cases, 80% of a task can be completed with 20% of the overall effort, but getting that last 20% completed can take a large amount of time. If youre always pushed for time, use your judgement to decide when you can tick off a task rather than getting every last detail perfect. This is not an excuse for sloppy work, but its important to be able to distinguish between situations where perfection is required and where it isnt. When faced with a big task or project, cut it up into smaller chunks and tackle these one by one. 3. Take the time to recharge your batteries Its always good to have something to look forward to. Whether its a night out or a holiday, make sure your calendar always has something in it that all your efforts at work are focused towards. If you regularly take time out to recharge your batteries, youll cope much better in stressful situations when things are unavoidably busy. An important part of time management is to give yourself headspace time away from the desk will help you perform much better when youre there. 4. Take advantage of downtime at work We often dream of having downtime at work. But when we actually get it, we dont know what to do. This is the perfect time to complete the tasks youve delayed or to pick up some new skills. Stretch yourself with projects you didnt have the time to work on before, explore self-development, relax, enjoy yourself and leave on time! 5. Fall back in love with your job We all experience those times when we cant face another day at work, but there are many ways to rekindle the excitement you experienced when you first started. Reflect on these and allow your positive energy to rub off on others around you. Print off your CV and really read it your career says a lot about you where youve come from and where youre going. Take a moment to think about where you started and what youve achieved to get where you are. Remember why you do it, enjoy the company of the people you work with and create ways to turn those people into friends. www.monster.co.uk
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CIT Worldwide see rapid increase in demand for services
27-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 27 Apr 2016 With current headlines talking about the possible impacts of Brexit on the UK economy and increases in unemployment, one recruitment solutions firm has seen significant increases in business amidst the current uncertainty. CIT Worldwide , the innovative job search technology specialists, has recently seen a notable increase in demand in their services. This coincides with the company achieving record end of year figures. AdView, the job search engine, has seen its number of monthly users grow to more than double its best month in 2015, the CV distribution service CV Bank has also seen increased traffic since winning an Onrec award earlier this year. CITs Sales Director Kevin Brady explained: Over the last twelve months weve seen a phenomenal increase in user engagement for AdView. In April last year we had some 40,000 users visit the site, whilst so far this month the figure has increased to just under half a million. Since AdView launched weve had 1.8 million verified job seekers and we send out over 100,000 email alerts weekly to jobseekers. With an increasing number of people seeking jobs on AdView, could the UK leaving the EU next month negate some of this success? Mr Brady continued: Its difficult to say with any certainty what impact the EU Referendum will have on recruitment more generally. That said, around 98% of AdView traffic currently comes from the UK, with the US and Poland seeing roughly a percent each. This suggests an overwhelming majority of our users are UK citizens. At the end of the day, the general jobseeker wants their job hunt to be as simple and efficient an experience as possible. That will be the case whether were in the EU or not. Our main aim with AdView is to make the job finding process as painless as possible. http://cit.limited
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Doug Monro comments on today´s BIS graduate labour market stats: ´Grads who have studied the STEM subjects are particularly in demand...´
27-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Opinion Doug Monro, co-founder of Adzuna, comments: on 27 Apr 2016 Company Profile Adzuna View profile » Graduates entering the world of work this summer will be stepping into the brightest graduate labour market since the recession. Grad vacancies have shown resilience over the last six months, and unemployment has fallen across the board. As of March, our data shows that there were 13,771 graduate vacancies on the jobs market. Finding a first job is easier for uni-leavers the rate of unemployment rate is twice as high among non-graduates than among graduates. Grads who have studied the STEM subjects are particularly in demand and can expect to command a competitive wage packet. On average they are paid almost £3,000 more than graduates who studied arts and humanities subjects when entering the world of work. The Science and Technology sectors are going from strength to strength in the UK, but continue to be held back by a lack of talent, so its no surprise STEM graduates are being snapped up. The figures also reveal a compelling difference between the behaviour of male and female grads. The unemployment rate for young male graduates is 1.8 percentage points higher than for young female graduates. However, young male grads earn £2,000 more on average suggesting they may be holding out for longer after graduation to find a better paid position. www.Adzuna.co.uk
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The Invest|R Group Rebrands to IGNATA
27-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 27 Apr 2016 We are pleased to announce that The Invest|R Group has rebranded to IGNATA. Founded in 2011 as an investment platform for high performing recruitment businesses, we have gone from strength to strength growing to over 250 employees and 9 office locations across the UK. On the back of this rapid pace, we have taken the exciting decision to consolidate our success into one high performing business and a new brand. Ignata specialises in the Professional Services sectors, supplying both temporary and permanent staff to clients across the UK. For our clients with ambitious hiring plans, we offer a fully outsourced Managed Services solution to attract the right talent for your business ethos and needs. Regionally located in London, the Midlands, the North West and Yorkshire, Ignata has experienced continuous growth over the last five years through both investments and organic expansion. Ignata incorporates a number of well-known recruitment brands including SF Recruitment, Matt Burton Associates and Timothy James Consulting. With further investments on the horizon and an ambitious organic growth strategy, this is an exciting time for Ignata and our employees across the UK. We have seen a record level of fee income and promotions this year and continue to welcome the next generation of talented recruitment consultants into the business through our dedicated academy. Luke Williams, CEO of Ignata commented: We are incredibly excited about this new phase of our development and the direction we are moving in as a company. It is a privilege to lead a business with such a talented and entrepreneurial employee base who have been a vital part of our growth story. The investments we are making in our people, our infrastructure and our market presence are significant and will further strengthen our position in the UK Professional Services market. www.ignata.com
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Recruitment specialist launches new search arm for third sector
27-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 27 Apr 2016 The Maine Group has launched a new specialist search offering to recruit candidates for charities and not-for-profit organisations. Led by Faye Pooke, the division will provide interim, contract and permanent staffing solutions for the third sector. Having spent more than 14 years recruiting for charities and not-for-profit organisations, Faye brings with her a wealth of knowledge and sector expertise. The experienced team at The Maine Group will recruit at all levels, from junior up to executive search and across a horizontal market, including: fundraising - corporate, major donor (statutory and grants), community and legal; volunteer management; events general, special, challenge; marketing communications, digital, press and PR, direct marketing and individual giving; business support; data management; IT; policy; research; legal; advocacy; HR and finance. Meeta Sahni, CEO of The Maine Group, explains: Officially launching a search and selection offering for not-for-profit companies was the next logical step for our evolving business. We have been conducting search and recruitment across HR, Sales and Marketing, Consultancy and Secretarial for almost 40 years. Fayes extensive experience not only bolsters our expertise, it demonstrates that we are well-versed and can now offer a full suite of recruitment solutions for the third sector. Every permanent placement the company makes within the third sector will be guaranteed for an unequivocal full three months. The Maine Group prides itself on bringing together talented people from across the range of sectors it already recruits.
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The biggest barrier to getting a pay rise? The fear of rejection
27-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 27 Apr 2016 The fear of rejection is the greatest barrier to UK employees asking for pay rises, according to a study by recruitment agency Randstad. Over a third (35.1%) cite fear of being turned down as the main reason for not asking for a salary boost, closely followed by their bosses reactions (34%) as well as the prospect of having to explain why they deserve it (29%). If you dont ask you dont get, yet the fear of being turned down (35%) is the biggest barrier to asking for a pay rise 72% of UK employees have not asked for an increase in the past three years Other major concerns include the bosss reaction (34%) and the prospect of having to justify yourself (29%) Londoners know their worth: over a third (34%) of employees have asked for a pay rise in the past three years compared to 20% of East Anglians Brits in North East England most forthright in asking for a pay rise in the UK with the highest proportion (12%) requesting an annual increase London, 26 April 2016 The fear of rejection is the greatest barrier to UK employees asking for pay rises, according to a study by recruitment agency Randstad . Over a third (35.1%) cite fear of being turned down as the main reason for not asking for a salary boost, closely followed by their bosses reactions (34%) as well as the prospect of having to explain why they deserve it (29%). The figures go some way to explaining why a staggering 72% of UK employees have not asked for an increase in the past three years and why only around a third (34%) would consider asking their current boss for a pay increase. Almost half of respondents (45%) are very or quite concerned that asking for a rise would jeopardise their current role. Londoners are the most buoyant about their prospects for a salary rise with more than a third (34%) having asked for an increase over the past three years. But levels of confidence dwindle outside the capital. Least likely to ask for rises are East Anglians 80.2% havent asked for a single increase in the past three years, followed by East Midlanders (80%) and employees in the North West (78%). The most forthright about asking for pay increases are Brits in the North East of England where 12% have asked at least three times in the past three years, followed by Yorkshire Humber (11.1%) and London (11%). The following table shows the percentage of employees in regions of the UK that have asked for pay rises in the last three years: Region Yes three times or more Yes less than three times No I havent East Midlands 5.3% 14.7% 80% East Anglia 4.4% 15.4% 80.2% South West 6.6% 15.9% 77.5% Yorkshire & Humber 11.1% 16.2% 72.7% North West 5.8% 16.4% 77.8% Scotland 10.1% 17.6% 72.3% West Midlands 10.5% 18.9% 70.7% Wales 6.2% 21.7% 72.2% North East 12.2% 22% 65.9% London 11% 23.5% 65.5% South East 5.4% 24.7% 69.9% Northern Ireland 3.9% 28.9% 67.3% Men are more than twice as likely as women to have sought a pay increase (11.2% vs 5%), while more than seven in 10 (72%) women would never consider asking for a rise compared to just 57.8% of men. Fear of rejection (44%) was the main reason for women not wishing to take the plunge while, for men, the primary barrier was their managers reactions (26%). Youngsters between 18-24 are the most eager to seek higher compensation 14% have asked for at least three pay rises in the past three years but this age group is also the most prone to doubt their abilities in front of their boss (48%), in comparison to the relatively stoic 55+ bracket (19%). Mark Bull, UK CEO of global recruitment consultancy Randstad , comments: Despite signs pointing to a shortage of professional skills in certain sectors, UK employees still arent taking advantage of the increasingly open employment market. With nearly three quarters not pushing for more money, and with explanations ranging from fear of rejection to jeopardising their current roles, questions should be raised about whether UK employers are creating the right working environment for their employees to stay and seek progression. Randstads top three tips for securing pay rise: Timing is everything. Get an idea as to when the budgets are agreed for the next calendar year. Most companies already have a clear policy on when pay rises can be agreed and will rarely flex the policy mid-term so be ready to acknowledge to your boss that your request is atypical if asking outside of the usual pay review cycle. Do your research to get a solid understanding of the industry standards and general expectations for your role. If you feel undervalued, its worth looking at comparable positions in your sector to back up your claim. Building a well-researched case is vital to appearing professional and convincing your manager youre worth the boost. Draw on examples to illustrate where youve gone above and beyond your job description. Build your case for why you deserve a bigger pay packet and be prepared to back that up with hard facts - from sales figures to revenue youve helped secure.
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Over a quarter of Brits who have been diagnosed with a mental health condition are embarrassed to talk about it at work
27-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 27 Apr 2016 New research has revealed that a sizeable proportion of employees diagnosed with or treated for a mental health related condition feel they are treated differently by their manager (27 per cent) or by colleagues (22 per cent) compared with those who have a physical or visible illness. New research released reveals over a quarter (29 per cent) of working Brits who have been diagnosed with or treated for a mental health related condition arent open about it in the workplace because theyre embarrassed. The research also reveals fear of harming their career prospects as a reason why Brits are hiding their mental ill health at work (22 per cent). New research has revealed that a sizeable proportion of employees diagnosed with or treated for a mental health related condition feel they are treated differently by their manager (27 per cent) or by colleagues (22 per cent) compared with those who have a physical or visible illness. According to the study by AXA PPP healthcare, over a third of employees living with a mental health condition (39%) are not open about their illness in their workplace. The top reasons for this include being afraid they would be judged by their colleagues (30 per cent) or by their manager (24 per cent) and being afraid it would harm their career prospects (22 per cent). Over a quarter (29 per cent) say its because they are embarrassed about their condition. The research also revealed that nearly half of employees (45 per cent) say they would be more comfortable talking to their employer about their physical health than about their mental health. Dr Mark Winwood, Director of Psychological Services at AXA PPP healthcare, comments: Employers have a responsibility to create a work environment where employees feel able to be open and honest with their manager. Equally, managers need to feel confident to have a conversation with their employees about how they are and whether they need any support. This confidence can be helped through training and support from their employer. A manager asking simply How are you feeling today? shows they care. It is also essential that managers can reassure employees that its okay not to feel okay and they should feel able to let the employee know about support available to them in the workplace and how to access it. For example, the manager could suggest the employee seeks professional help or uses support such as an employee assistance programme that their employer may offer. For more information visit the AXA PPP healthcare Mental Health Centre .
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Response from NHS Employers on industrial action
27-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 27 Apr 2016 Responding to the junior doctors full walk out, Danny Mortimer, Chief Executive, NHS Employers said: "Employers recognise the strongly held concerns of doctors in training, but there is no justification for refusing to care for the sickest patients in the NHS. Trusts are working hard to ensure the safety of their services during the strike days, but they tell us that this unprecedented industrial action carries real risk." "The contract which is now being implemented reflects agreement to the overwhelming majority of proposals made by the BMA during our talks with them between November and February. Even with the outstanding issue of enhanced payment on Saturdays, we have ensured that the doctors who work them most frequently will receive increased rates of pay."
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Mobile-optimized work environments drive measurably higher employee engagement and business performance
27-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 27 Apr 2016 Global investigation shows CIOs how to create higher levels of productivity, creativity, satisfaction, and loyalty through properly executed mobile strategies. A new global study, Mobility, Performance and Engagement by the Economist Intelligent Unit (EIU) has established a measurable link between more mobile-first working environments, and an increase in employee engagement, proving that CIOs can drive increased business performance through well developed and executed mobile strategies. The study, sponsored by Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, showed that companies rated by employees as pioneers in how they support mobile technology, saw a rise in productivity (16%), creativity (18%), satisfaction (23%), and loyalty (21%), when compared to organizations that were poorly rated at supporting mobile technology. Today, most companies and employees understand that a mobile-first approach can be good for business, but if you can tell a CEO of a Fortune 500 business that their organization can achieve a 16% increase in employee output, or HR directors that they can increase loyalty by over one-in-five, we believe they would make mobility an even greater investment priority, said Chris Kozup, VP of marketing at Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company. While past studies have recognized increased mobilitys impact on employee engagement, establishing the business outcome has been a missing link this report quantifies it, he added. This survey of 1,865 employees globally demonstrated that many workers recognize the benefits of mobile-optimized work environments. In fact, six in ten (60%) employees said mobile technology makes them more productive, while another four in ten (45%) acknowledge it causes their creativity to rise. It also shows that most employees now have access to mobile devices, like laptops and smartphones, in the workplace. The EIUs analysis looked to define how this wide adoption of mobile technology was impacting business outcomes by defining the key dimensions of a mobile-first employee experience, then demonstrating how each dimension contributes toward business performance. A number of key trends stood out: WORKING ANYTIME, ANYWHERE The ability to work anytime, anywhere is seen as having the single-biggest impact on employee productivity, with 49% of respondents saying it has the greatest impact on their productivity. Additionally, 38% of respondents identify this as having the greatest impact on how satisfied they are with their employer . Think about downtime at the airport or on the train theres not much dead time now , said Kevin Melton, sales and marketing director at medical insurance provider AXA PPP International. You always have access to an iPad, and especially in Asia, to Wi-Fi . THE ABILITY TO COLLABORATE Globally, the ability to collaborate effectively is rated the most important factor affecting creativity (38%), another third of respondents said it has the greatest impact on their loyalty. To help foster better collaboration, 42% of companies are now using digital collaboration tools that work on mobile a figure that rises to 56% in the UK. Mobile messaging apps, such as Whatsapp, are also used for work by 31% of organizations, peaking at 66% in Singapore. The opportunity and the challenge here is to marry employee demands for remote working with team collaboration , Kozup said. The rise in mobile collaboration tools presents new ways for businesses to keep teams together and working effectively, even if they are physically apart. Whats clear is that companies who are able to do this are in a better place to attract, and retain, the best employees . ACCESS TO MOBILE INFORMATION Some 42% of employees say that the ability to access information quickly and easily has the greatest impact on their productivity levels. Currently 54% of companies are now providing access to the company network from any mobile device in order to support working anywhere in the office or remotely. WORKPLACE FREEDOM For 32% of employees , being able to work anywhere within the office has the biggest contributing factor to their creativity, meaning a company can potentially gain more creative output just by offering some choice. A further 29% declare that workplace flexibility makes the biggest difference to their loyalty. To foster this freedom, the report finds that 46% of companies are now offering a hot-desking environment with mobile connectivity at any location, showcasing that more collaborative work environments are on the rise. The UK offers the highest level of hot-desking (54%) followed by Australia and Germany (both 53%). " Work has to happen on people's own terms," said Holger Reisinger, senior vice president, and head of the New Ways of Working Initiative at audio technology company Jabra. "We need to offer as diverse a choice as possible. You want it to be personal; to be more productive. The more you try to control that, the more you risk people being turned off work ." MOBILE IS NOT JUST FOR MILLENAIALS Within the EIU study, a respondents age was not found to be a factor of how mobile technology impacts their performance and engagement. In fact, it dispels the popular notion that mobile working is the domain of the younger generation, making it even more critical for organizations to place mobile technology as a top priority. The distinctions were made between respondents who consider themselves early adopters of technology who Aruba defines as #GenMobile and those who consider themselves as laggards. Early adopters are significantly more likely to report that mobile technology makes them more productive (72% of this group agree with this statement, compared to 50% of laggards), more satisfied (59% versus 48%), more creative (52% versus 40%), and more loyal to their employer (44% versus 31%). However, #GenMobile is also more demanding. Four out of ten say they would never work for a company that did not allow them to use their own mobile devices for work, compared to 22% of all employees. Kozup commented: This reaffirms that #GenMobile employees are an ageless demographic who are better described by their reliance and affinity to mobile devices, rather than the year they were born. Not only are early adopters more valuable employees, the views they hold today may well become the majority view in future as mobile technology becomes more widespread. CIOs would therefore be well advised to take note of and address their concerns . Pete Swabey, senior editor at Economist Intelligent Unit concluded: This report proves that CIOs have the opportunity to use their mobile technology strategies to influence the employee experience and therefore the productivity, creativity, loyalty, and satisfaction of their workers. This is a departure from the usual target outcomes of efficiency and cost optimization, and allows IT to make a more meaningful contribution, both to the strategic ambitions of the organization and to the lives of its workers. To guide CIOs on how to think about mobile-first working in ways that can positively impact revenue, Aruba has developed a CIO blueprint for creating profitable mobile environments. www.arubanetworks.com
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Specialist recruiter spreads its wings with launch of international contracts division
27-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Launch Engineering and manufacturing recruitment specialist Jonathan Lee Recruitment has appointed Adrian Mansfield as associate director in a move that plans to further strengthen its position in the Middle East, in its core specialisms of defence and infrastructure. on 27 Apr 2016 Company Profile Jonathan Lee Recruitment View profile » Adrian Mansfield will head up a new division within the business, dedicated to delivering best-in-class international resourcing solutions. Jonathan Lee Contracts (International) will specialise in the deployment of contracted teams to uniquely challenging environments. The companys commitment to the ethical hiring and treatment of local and third country workers sets it apart from the competition and provides a low-risk solution to its clients. The business will provide fully-managed recruitment services to companies requiring teams to deliver infrastructure projects such as the building of roads, airports or mass transit hubs. The division will also service clients in the defence sector, sourcing teams to support overseas operations. Adrian will lead a team that Jonathan Lee has established on the ground in the Middle East to train and vet partners, streamline recruitment processes and ensure workers are recruited ethically and effectively. Adrian Mansfield comments: Businesses are increasingly realising that by working with a reputable supplier of managed recruitment services, they can avoid the well-publicised human rights issues that arise from unethical hiring practices, which unfortunately still pervade in some regions. We ensure that the workers are hired for their suitability for the role and are fully eligible to work. Working with a trusted and experienced third party means that businesses not only meet their legal obligations, but also adhere to core ethical principles such as the Qatar Foundation Mandatory Standards, that may become law in coming years. Businesses Ive worked with previously have also benefited from long-term savings and efficiencies as a result of the ethical recruitment practices that we insist upon. Adrian Mansfield joins Jonathan Lee Recruitment with a wealth of experience in international contracts, having worked for the past seven years providing end to end staffing solutions to NATO and other defence industry clients. Welcoming Adrians appointment, David Hale, managing director at Jonathan Lee Recruitment said: We are delighted to have Adrian on board to lead our international contracts business. The establishment of this dedicated division will support our ongoing diversification strategy and significantly strengthen our existing position in the Middle East market in our core specialisms of defence and infrastructure. Adrians proven track record in delivering ethical international resourcing solutions fits well with our commitment to being the customers first choice. He will be fully supported by our established teams of industry-expert consultants. We wish him every success in his new role. www.jonlee.co.uk
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Norman Broadbent Plc appoints Mike Brennan as Group CEO
27-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Appointments on 27 Apr 2016 Norman Broadbent Plc the AIM-listed provider of executive search, leadership consultancy and complementary recruitment services, has today announced the appointment of Mike Brennan as its new Group CEO. Mike will be responsible for leading the next stage of Norman Broadbent's strategic plan. Mike, who joins from Alexander Mann, brings with him a wealth of experience built up over 20 years within the global executive recruitment market and more recently the broader recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) market. Having successfully founded, grown and sold executive recruitment businesses in the UK and Asia, Mike brings significant market and entrepreneurial experience to Norman Broadbent. Mike Brennan, Group CEO of Norman Broadbent, comments: Norman Broadbent has a strong reputation in its core market of executive search, as well as in its complementary services in the shape of Norman Broadbent Leadership Consulting, Norman Broadbent Interim Management, AGP and Social Media Search. Our aim is to be able to offer our clients a complete human capital service offering. This is an exciting, challenging opportunity and one which I am looking forward to taking on. www.normanbroadbent.com
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MHR delivers impressive savings for Sytner Group through e-payslips
27-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive Estimated savings of £25,000 per annum with iTrents e-payslips on 27 Apr 2016 Company Profile MidlandHR View profile » MHR (formerly MidlandHR) has enabled the Sytner Group to benefit from substantial cost savings of approximately £25,000 per annum, through the roll out of electronic payslips (e-payslips). MHRs Outsourcing services and iTrent solution supports its in-house payroll and HR team and provides a reliable service to its 6,500 employees, across 83 different payrolls. The cloud-based solution and service, which Sytner Group first started utilising a number of years ago, is currently enabling the car dealership to evolve and develop in line with modern best-practice processes so they can keep their employees engaged. Kerry Chambers, Group Payroll Manager, Sytner Group comments: Our decision to partner with MHR was about remaining in control, but still utilising their expertise and experience. We currently have 83 payrolls of various sizes paid on different pay dates across the month, totalling 6,500 employees so this was a vast project which required us to put our complete trust in our chosen partner. However, once we had made the decision to switch to e-payslips, the roll out was impressively quick. The Group was ready to trial the new electronic process across its Head Office of 500 employees within one month of making the decision, with a paper payslip service run alongside it for the initial month to help bridge the cultural change. The Group then rolled iTrent E-payslips out to a further 2,000 employees across its BMW division, before including the 4,000 remaining employees across the entire Group by March 2016. Chambers continues: iTrent is full of hidden gems that can make a business work smarter, rather than harder, and our annual savings and achievements so far with e-payslips speaks volumes. It is a much more efficient and risk free way for us to distribute confidential payslips whilst making a positive impact on the environment. Meanwhile, the benefits for our employees are huge. Payslips can now be accessed and reviewed quickly and easily on a Smartphone or PC/Laptop as a simple PDF document sent as a password protected attachment. They also receive them earlier each month through a batch processes which automatically fires them on set times and dates. This gives employees a chance to review their pay and benefits ahead of pay-day. We have had amazing feedback, and even the traditionalists have engaged. Issues that we used to face, such as payslips being sent to incorrect addresses or not arriving on time, have all been eliminated! MHRs Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Jenkins, comments: We look forward to our ongoing partnership with Sytner and hope that we can continue to help them innovate further and improve processes for employees and managers alike. We are currently rolling out additional functionality across the group including the implementation of e-Recruitment. This is set to provide further HR efficiencies across the business by reducing administration, streamlining processes and improving the candidate experience. Sytner Group represents 20 of the world's most desirable car manufacturers in over 100 dealerships across the UK. www.midlandhr.com
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Yoghurt boss gives shares to employees
27-April-2016 - bbc.com
A windfall for staff at US yoghurt maker Chobani, after the firm's founder announces they will share a 10% stake in the company.
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Towels in US Marriott Hotels to Be Made in America
27-April-2016 - abcnews.com
The move will bring 150 jobs to Standard Textile's facilities in Ga. and S.C.
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Watch: Chobani CEO Surprises 2,000 Employees With Ownership Stake in Company
27-April-2016 - abcnews.com
Hamdi Ulukaya gifted his full-time employees shares in the company based on their tenure.
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US Mine Safety and Health Administration announces results of special impact inspections in March 2016
26-April-2016 - dol.gov
US Mine Safety and Health Administration announces results of special impact inspections in March 2016 Who: U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration What: The Mine Safety and Health Administration announced today that federal inspectors issued 157 citations, one order and two safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at 10 coal mines and six metal and nonmetal mines in March. Where: MSHA conducted special impact inspections at mines in Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming. Background: Monthly impact inspections began in force in April 2010 at mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement due to their poor compliance history or particular compliance concerns. Since then, MSHA inspectors have conducted 1,129 impact inspections and issued 16,136 citations, 1,310 orders and 60 safeguards. # # # Editors Note : MSHAs Monthly Impact Inspection List for March 2016 is available here . Release Date: 04/26/2016 Media Contact Name: Amy Louviere Email: louviere.amy@dol.gov Phone Number: (202) 693-9423 Release Number: 16-0838-NAT Override with PDF?:
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Full-Time Hires Buck the Trend at Fast-Food, Retail Chains
26-April-2016 - wsj.com
Some fast-food and retail chains are hiring more full-time workers, saying the shift has resulted in better customer service, lower turnover and a more engaged workforce.
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Chobani Giving Employees Shares in Company
26-April-2016 - abcnews.com
Chobani says it's giving 2,000 employees shares in privately held company
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Chobani CEO Surprises Employees With Ownership Stake in the Company
26-April-2016 - abcnews.com
Some employees could be millionaires if the company is sold or goes public.
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How to clean and maintain your cast iron skillet
26-April-2016 - usatoday.com
Wash away scum, not seasoning.
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Amy Chan: 6 Ways To Land Your Dream Job
26-April-2016 - huffingtonpost.com
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UPDATE 1-New York Times to shut some Paris operations, cut jobs
26-April-2016 - reuters.com
April 26 (Reuters) - The New York Times Co said on Tuesday it would close its editing and pre-press print production operations in Paris, resulting in the elimination or relocation of up to 70 jobs...
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Why are England´s hospital doctors so angry?
26-April-2016 - cnn.com
Thousands of junior doctors are striking in England, withdrawing emergency care for the first time in 70 years. They hate new contracts the government plans to impose.
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NYT is shutting down part of its Paris operation
26-April-2016 - cnn.com
New York Times is shutting down some of its Paris operation, cutting up to 70 jobs.
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Austin Reed enters administration
26-April-2016 - bbc.com
High Street menswear firm Austin Reed enters administration, putting 1,200 jobs at risk, a day after the failure of BHS.
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PM in Port Talbot steel crisis talks
26-April-2016 - bbc.com
David Cameron visits managers, workers and unions at Tata in Port Talbot to discuss the steel crisis.
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EPIC Adds McKinney and Neer in Northern California
26-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants has added Victoria McKinney as a team leader and employee benefits consultant and Robin Neer as an account executive. Both will be based in EPICs Gold River office in the Sacramento area under the leadership
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Worker Falls into Vat; Worlds Largest Sauerkraut Cannery Fined $143.5K
26-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
A Wisconsin food cannery faces $143,550 in federal penalties after a 35-year-old worker fell more than 17 feet into an empty sauerkraut vat and broke multiple bones. It marks the fourth time since 2011 that the U.S. Department of Labors Occupational
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Labrie Joins Hanover Stone Partners in Connecticut
26-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
Hanover Stone Partners, a risk management services firm based in Jersey City, New Jersey, has hired Daniel Labrie as senior risk advisor. Based in Berlin, Connecticut, Labrie will help provide a wide array of governance and related advisory services for
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Warren Buffett tells you how to turn $40 into $10 million
26-April-2016 - usatoday.com
It takes patience and understanding to build wealth over the course of a lifetime
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Michigan Manufacturer to Pay $187.5K to Settle EEOC Disability Discrimination Suit
26-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
A paper and packaging manufacturer with a facility located in Battle Creek, Mich., will pay $187,500 to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC said its lawsuit charged that RockTenn Company
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Companies beginning to offer time off for new pets
26-April-2016 - usatoday.com
Let's face it, people treat their pets as if they were their children so it makes sense that some companies are offering time off for employees who get new pets. Patrick Jones (@Patrick_E_Jones) explains.
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Japan Aims to Beef up Nuke Safety Check Competency After Bad Review
26-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
Japanese nuclear regulators said Monday they will revise laws, nearly double inspection staff and send some inspectors to the U.S. for training to address deficiencies cited by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The Nuclear Regulation Authority announced the plans in
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Coach beats estimates, announces job cuts
26-April-2016 - usatoday.com
The luxury retailer posted earnings of 44 cents a share as revenue increased 11%
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Coach announces 300 job cuts
26-April-2016 - usatoday.com
The luxury retailer posted earnings of 44 cents a share as revenue increased 11%
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Union says Volkswagen staff won´t pay price for Dieselgate in wage talks
26-April-2016 - reuters.com
BERLIN (Reuters) - Volkswagen has no right to use the crisis over its emissions test cheating to deny workers a reasonable wage increase, the IG Metall union said, reiterating its call for a 5 percent pay hike for about 120,000 VW staff in western Germany.
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UPDATE 2-Employment agency Randstad to expand outplacement business
26-April-2016 - reuters.com
* Says could spend up to 500 million euros on acquisitions (Recasts on Randstad outplacement ambitions)
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Bankrupt SunEdison to sell part of its Chile assets to Colbun
26-April-2016 - reuters.com
SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Solar developer SunEdison Inc , which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Apr. 21, has agreed to sell two energy projects in Chile to power company Colbun for an undisclosed amount, both companies said on Tuesday.
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59% say CEOs are focused on finances rather than their employees
26-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
More than half (59%) of respondents believe that chief executive officers (CEOs) are focused on finances rather than employees, according to research by Coleman Parkes and the Workforce Institute at Kronos. Its The £60bn question report, which surveyed 200 employees, 150 HR managers and 150 business and operations managers, also found that around a third []
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Re-enrolment and the new marketplace
26-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Most of the headlines written around Auto-Enrolment (AE) are rightly focused on the legions of smaller employers who are yet to comply with this new pension legislation. Such stories are of course necessary, yet they perhaps gloss over the needs and requirements of those employers that have already successfully navigated the first stages of AE []
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Top five benefits to combat employee absence
26-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Need to know: Mental health issues and musculoskeletal disorders are common causes of employee absence. Occupational health services, group risk products, and employee assistance programmes (EAPs) can support ill or absent employees. An effective absence management strategy should incorporate a range of benefits to address different absence issues. The average level of absence per employee []
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Sir Philip Green ´facing demands for £300m to cover gaping hole in BHS pension fund´
26-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
The company, which went into administration yesterday, is facing a £571million shortfall in its employees' pension pot and former owner Sir Philip may be asked to help fix the deficit.
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A multi-generational workforce presents challenges and opportunities
26-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Few employers now will not have personal experience of having five generations of employees in the workplace and the challenges and opportunities this presents. Certainly, having members of the baby-boomer generation, and the wealth of knowledge and experience they have amassed during their careers, working alongside members of generation Z who are entering the []
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Austin Reed falls into administration with over 1,000 jobs at risk
26-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
With approximately 1,200 high street jobs at risk, the 116 year-old London-based retail chain has appointed AlixPartners to handle its administration.
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In numbers: Benefits for a multi-generational workforce
26-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
A round-up of statistics on benefits for a multi-generational workforce. 30% of employer respondents offer age-related wellness programmes (Source: Mercer, October 2015) bit.ly/1lyF7ud 69% of employers believe regular age discrimination checks and reviewing their pay and benefits from an age perspective are effective or very effective (Source: Mercer, October 2015) bit.ly/1lyF7ud 45% of employers offer advice and support to []
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Evan Davidge: How to engage a multi-generational workforce with benefits
26-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
There are several different ways of cutting a multi-generational workforce but most research shows that there are five distinct age segments, ranging from traditionalists (1928-1944) to generation Zs (1995+). A lot has been written about the wants and needs of different generations in terms of how they perceive work and their attitudes towards employee benefits. []
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Top tips for communicating to a multi-generational workforce
26-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Need to know: Targeted messages can help ensure communications are relevant, but they should not exclude any individuals or information. Organisations should take into account employee feedback and campaign data to determine whether an approach is effective for its particular workforce. Utilising a variety of communication channels enables employees to consume information in their preferred []
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LaunchPad Recruits Secures £2 Million Funding To Drive Acceleration Into HR Analytics
26-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive LaunchPad Recruits, the market leader in data and video software for candidate hiring and assessment, has secured £2 million in Series A funding from investors, including Sussex Place Ventures and Edenred Capital Partners. on 26 Apr 2016 Company Profile Launchpad View profile » The funding will bring increased HR analytics to the companys large blue chip customers by applying machine learning to their performance and promotion management. LaunchPad will help companies make fairer hiring and assessment decisions and support recruitment of the best talent for their organisations, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. Diversity and inclusion are high on senior managements agenda, as research from Talent Innovation shows that firms with diverse leaders are more innovative and more likely to improve their market share, said Will Hamilton, Founder of LaunchPad. Whats missing is the technology to identify where bias is occurring and to help companies remove that bias. Based in London, LaunchPad provides data and video interviewing and screening technology to help recruitment and HR professionals make smarter and more objective hiring decisions. The company works with 200 customers worldwide and processed 300,000 candidate interviews in 2015. LaunchPad also grew its monthly recurring revenue by 170 per cent in 2015. The investment from Sussex Place Ventures and Edenred Capital Partners will help us deliver software to clients that directly supports their Diversity and Inclusion agendas, said Hamilton. We will be harnessing machine learning to predict the suitability and capability of candidates and employees, enabling organisations to bring objectivity to recruitment and promotion. The funding from Sussex Place, an early-stage venture capital investor, is a further vote of confidence in LaunchPads position as a major force in HR and recruitment technology. "LaunchPads strong management team, clear purpose and vision, and compelling product made it an attractive investment, said Richard Gourlay, Managing Partner at Sussex Place Ventures. We're excited to back LaunchPads next steps on its journey into HR analytics. Alongside Sussex Place and the French employee benefits company Edenred, LaunchPad now has an enviable and supportive board of significant investors. LaunchPad has already proven its potential as a leader in the employment technology space, said Norbert Furnion at Edenred Capital Partners. We want to support LaunchPad in achieving its ambitious growth plans, and developing cutting-edge software and apps that help organisations acquire top talent. www.launchpadrecruits.com
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BHSF marketing manager wins young achiever award
26-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
The team at BHSF, the Birmingham-based health and wellbeing business, was celebrating after its Marketing Development Manager was presented with the Young Achiever of the Year Award from the Birmingham Insurance Institute. Marketing Development Manager for BHSF, Chris Snookes beat off stiff competition from insurance professionals across the region to take the top accolade which was []
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University of Lincoln introduces car salary sacrifice scheme
26-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
The University of Lincoln has launched a car salary sacrifice scheme for staff. The university, which employs 1,600 core members of staff, is introducing the scheme to further enhance its employee benefits offering. The car salary sacrifice scheme, which will sit alongside existing travel benefits, aims to support employees commutes to work in the rural []
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HR on track for Gender Pay Disclosure?
26-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 26 Apr 2016 Companies have the tools but there are gaps in the data they need Most (91%) companies feel prepared for the new Gender Pay Gap reporting regulations due to come into force in 2017, according to the latest Willis Towers Watson survey. However, although 81% of companies feel they have the tools required to calculate their gender pay gap, only a third (35%) currently have all the data they will need to run their reports. The survey shows that just under two thirds (63%) of companies have already taken action to prepare for the new reporting legislation, but just 16% have needed to change their reward programmes. Less than a third (29%) have recently run an equal-pay audit, but more than three quarters (77%) are planning to run one in the next year. Tom Hellier, GB Practice Lead, Rewards at Willis Towers Watson, said: The survey shows the first challenge for most employers will be accessing the data they need to run the required reports. For most companies, base pay figures are easy to access and analyse, but to comply with the legislation the same will need to be true of total pay data, the various components of which are often scattered across multiple systems. Total pay includes bonus, sales commissions, maternity pay, and car allowances to name just a few components, so for some companies gathering this information will be quite a challenge. The survey also reports that the majority of companies have well documented policies on setting base pay (77%) and performance management (94%) as well as work life balance (68%), all of which are key to reducing the gender-pay gap. However, the percentage of companies with robust policies on promotion (44%), job moves (35%), monitoring gender-pay levels (35%) and targets for recruitment and retention of women (15%) are lower. Tom Hellier continued: The reporting requirement helps nudge companies in a direction that many were already moving towards. However, it is important to acknowledge that gender pay gaps are not just the result of pay decisions and design. They are just as likely to be indicative of culture, talent management and diversity issues. Elements such as recruitment and succession planning need consideration to understand any unconscious bias in high potential candidate selection or a gender imbalance for recruitment. This type of potential issue needs addressing in all organisations before we will see a more significant closure of the gender pay gap. www.willistowerswatson.com
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Zonal Retail Data Systems to launch discounts for staff
26-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Zonal Retail Data Systems is to launch a new benefits platform and retail discount programme for its employees. The Scottish hospitality management organisation, which employs more than 400 staff, is introducing the programme to help it to attract and retain talent, and to ensure that the benefits it offers appeal to a wide range of staff. []
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Medical recruitment consultancy responds to proposed GP funding boost
26-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 26 Apr 2016 As an organisation which is on the front line of recruitment into the NHS, we understand the direct correlation between timely access to primary care and patient safety. On this basis, we welcome reforms to boost the number of family doctors by 5,000 over five years as outlined in the Governments General Practice Forward View. A cash injection of £2.4 billion has the potential to revolutionise General Practice in England and MSI Group supports the Royal College of GPs position that, if implemented correctly, patients will reap the benefits. However, we at MSI Group have concerns surrounding the viability of such ambitious plans. While it is encouraging to see a more strategic approach to long-term workforce planning, increasing the number of trainee GPs recruited is only sustainable if there is the talent available to fill these positions. In 2014, applications to GP training were so low that an unprecedented third round of applications was opened. In some areas, the fill rate for GP trainee jobs was as low as 62 per cent; even after this third round. One in eight posts nationally was vacant, and it has been speculated that pressure of workload is a contributing factor. According to a recent report by the Healthcare Foundation, 60 per cent of UK GPs found general practice extremely or very stressful and 22 per cent were made ill by stress in the past year. While a £20,000 bursary may tempt some to follow a career in general practice short term, only time will tell if concurrent measures to bring on board 5,000 non-medical staff will ease pressure and change the culture of general practice to make it an attractive long-term option. Incoming rules that mean GPs with previous UK experience - who work in equivalent primary care roles outside the UK will be able to come back to GP surgeries without needing to sit exams should help to ease immediate GP shortages. So too should changes to make it easier for family doctors to work part time. However, the long-term sustainability of the NHS rests on a talent pipeline that not only has the capacity to funnel more young doctors into the profession but also an attractive culture to retain them. Nick Simpson, CEO, MSI Group
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Concept Resourcing sets sights on expansion with new division
26-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 26 Apr 2016 Off the back of a record year for business growth in 2015, recruitment specialist Concept Resourcing, shows no sign of slowing down as its launched a brand new business division. The Midlands based business has taken on two experienced recruiters to expand its services into the Steel and Multi-Metal market. Managing Consultant, Adam Ness comes to Concept with more than 8 years industry experience under his belt and is building the team alongside another new starter, Adam Tibbetts. Weve had a fabulous few years says founder Chris Short, naturally, we wanted to continue to grow the business in 2016 and felt that there was a significant opportunity for us to do so this year by entering a few new markets. We hired Adam and Adam at the beginning of the year to set up our Steel and Multi-Metal desk and, 3 months on, Im extremely impressed with their performance. Specialist recruiter for the Steel and Metal industry, Adam Ness said it was a no-brainer to make the move to Concept, Ive worked in recruitment for a long time and, having seen how Chris has built Concept Resourcing over the years, I knew that it was a business that I wanted to be part of. My focus now is to work with my team to build the desk into one of Concepts top performing verticals. The team places candidates across stockholding, fabrication and manufacturing in a number of roles, at all levels, in commercial, procurement, management, operations, back office and head office functions. w ww.conceptresourcing.com
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First speakers announced at Intelligent Machines and the Future of Recruitment Conference | #intelligence16
26-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive The first speakers for the international conference Intelligent Machines and the Future of Recruitment, which takes place on the 2nd of June in Amsterdam, have been announced. on 26 Apr 2016 Company Profile Textkernel View profile » Intelligent Machines and the Future of Recruitment is the conference, organised by Textkernel in honour of its 15th anniversary, that explores the impact of rapidly evolving machine intelligence on the future of people and jobs. Among the speakers are Glen Cathey (Kforce), Behshad Behzadi(Google), Federico Pistono (author), Maarten de Rijke (University of Amsterdam),Martin le Vrang (ESCO), Perry Timms (Media Zoo), Ton Sluiter (USG People),Balazs Paroczay (Randstad Sourceright) and Prof. Dr. Armin Trost (Furtwangen University). The rise of machine learning, search engines, semantic technologies and the large amounts of available information are changing the labour market, says Jakub Zavrel, CEO of Textkernel. When I started the company 15 years ago, the use of AI in recruiting was still in its infancy. Now, its an essential part in almost all new technologies. Companies like us have been making AI and semantic search technology part of the mainstream. What better way to celebrate Textkernels anniversary than to organise a conference to spark the discussion on how artificial intelligence will evolve and change the way we hire and work. The international conference Intelligent Machines and the Future of Recruitment will be held on the 2nd of June at the historic stock exchange building Beurs van Berlage in the heart of Amsterdam. Tickets can be bought here . For more information, visit www.textkernel.com/conference .
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BHS collapse threatens 11k jobs as Sir Philip Green´s accused of pocketing £425m
26-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
Sir Philip Green pocketed £400million from the 164-store chain before presiding over its decline and selling it for just £1.
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What Is The Best Way To Evaluate Training Needs?
26-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive Businesses are constantly evolving and as such the skills required by staff will constantly change. There are a host of reasons why this may be the case: business reorganisation; business process reengineering; staffing changes/promotions; new technology; legal changes; succession planning; relocations to list but a few. on 26 Apr 2016 Company Profile Recruitment-Assessment View profile » With so many factors at play it is important that HRs and Managers within the business can evaluate and assess individuals skill levels accurately because without that there is a danger that resources could be wasted and poor decisions be made. This can of course have a negative impact on productivity and potentially staff retention. So what to do? Recruitment Assessment offers a wide ranges of skills assessment tests which can provide HRs and managers with a very clear and objective skills assessment. Additionally, Recruitment Assessment also offers an all-encompassing service called Aspirant , which enables any members of staff, who wishes to, to access a personal testing centre. Here they can select any / all of a number of pre-configured online multi topic tests. These results then form part of their competency portfolio where they can demonstrate their prowess. These results might have no relationship with their current role or skills that were assessed when they joined the company however they could be used to identify training needs or potential candidates for new vacancies. If this sounds of interest to you, please contact Warren Bresler at Recruitment Assessment for an informal chat.
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Pay ratio between bosses and employees will become an increasingly hot topic´
26-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Opinion on 26 Apr 2016 Tom Castley, VP of Xactly EMEA "The pay gap between CEOs and their staff is increasingly scrutinised, with LGIM the latest to bring it to forefront of discussion. A rising consensus that executive pay in the UK is too high, with recent research showing that over seven in ten workers believe this to be true. The research also highlighted that six in ten employees find that this high level of executive pay demotivates them." Sizeable rewards for chief executives are especially demotivational for workers when there isnt a bonus scheme in place for those at lower levels of the organisation, as is the case in many businesses in the UK. Every organisation must assess where any pay gaps lie and how they can be addressed. The problem is that the vast majority of businesses are incapable of doing this because they dont have the data on pay or the skills to analyse it fully. HR will have a list of salaries but lack a fast analysis method to ensure the right people are in the right roles and being paid the right salary. Its time for every employer to take a holistic look at their compensation model to ensure they bridge the pay gaps in their business. Every organisation can benefit from a thorough analysis of its compensation plan. By making a fair and accurate plan, organisations ensure that the workforce is fully enabled to drive the businesses to success. If employees feel that both they and their bosses are being fairly rewarded, then the high pay packet at the top wont be so depressing. Its not that companies need to throw money at staff to improve motivation; smart bonus schemes encourage great performances - and productive businesses.
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How many placements are you missing out on?
26-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 26 Apr 2016 Since 2008 the recruitment industry in the UK has been losing roughly £1.5B a year on permeant placement fees compared to historical figures. Employers who would once entrust an agency to source new talent are now increasingly looking to fill the majority of their vacancies themselves. This trend shows no sign of abating. Most agencies have experienced this marked change and yet the industry seems inclined to do little about it. How are employers able to fill vacancies that had previously been filled by recruiters? By using the very sources that they use, job boards, aggregators, CV databases etc. These are resources that the staffing industry has almost single handedly created and which are now being exploited by employers at great cost to all recruiters. Seevee founder Chris Callaway comments "Recruiters command a huge advantage over employers with the size of the talent pools they can create. However, they do nothing to leverage this competitive advantage, in fact it is currently used to their detriment." Seevee.co.uk is a unique resource which harnesses the power of the recruitment industry. Try our new calculator ( http://www.seevee.co.uk/ukrecruiters.php ) to find out how many placements you are missing out on by sharing a job board with your clients.
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How to write a CV A Video Guide
26-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 26 Apr 2016 In todays competitive jobs market, having a slick and well-structured CV which is tailored to the job you want next is essential. However, we understand that the CV writing process takes time and nailing things like style, tone and format can be tricky especially if youre starting from scratch. So, to cater to those who are sitting down to write or update this all important document, weve put together this practical video which outlines exactly what needs to be included and how to go about writing it. How to write a CV Key points to remember: Your contact and personal details section should always include your name, address, email and phone number as well as any links to personal websites, online portfolios and your LinkedIn profile. A personal statement should be concise and tailored to the role. Remember to use the job description when considering the skills and measurable achievements you need to include. In your key skills section, remember to include transferable, adaptive and job-related skills and always use examples and evidence which support your claims. When it comes to preparing your employment history section, always list your work experience chronologically and support your statements with measurable achievements. Your education and training section should only list relevant qualifications and, to save space, avoid listing each result individually. Your references should be available on request. However, remember your LinkedIn profile can be a useful platform for your strongest endorsements. If youre looking for CV or interview advice for a particular role or industry, check out the Randstad career hub for the latest tips and insight. Visit the career hub
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UK benefits by a £109 billion contribution from freelancers
26-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 26 Apr 2016 Freelancers contribution to the UK economy soared to £109 billion in 2015, according to new research published by IPSE, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed. The research, launching at IPSEs flagship policy conference today (Tuesday 26 April) suggests that £109 billion is a conservative estimate and freelancers might be expected to generate even greater revenue. Freelancers economic contribution is often disproportionately higher than that of other businesses as this group largely consists of highly-skilled, specialist individuals. In total there were 1.91 million freelancers in 2015, a rise of 36 per cent since 2008. Notably, 1.65 million choose to freelance as their main job, with 255,000 doing so as a second job. In total, freelancers now account for six per cent of the UK workforce. Chris Bryce, IPSE CEO, commented: Every day freelancers make an enormous contribution to businesses across the UK and the economy as a whole. Research shows the vast majority of freelancers love what they do, so its no surprise that increasing numbers of people are turning to this way of working. Large firms, and increasingly, SMEs are tapping into this growing pool of independent workers who are available on demand, with the specialist skills to hit the ground running. There are few signs of the growth in freelancing slowing down any time soon. Small Business Minister Anna Soubry said: Freelancers know their trades inside out and make a massive contribution to our economy, so it is absolutely right that the government does all it can to support them. The Enterprise Bill will shortly become law and I look forward to appointing the Small Business Commissioner as another strong voice for the self-employed. We must continue to champion the work they do and recognise the challenges they face every day. Author of the report, Professor John Kitching, from Kingston University London, said: Freelancing continues to be an important contributor to the UK economy. Independent Professionals are operating in all sectors of the UK economy: men and women, young and old, throughout the UK. It is clear that freelancer numbers are resilient to changing economic circumstances. Freelancing offers a valued form of working to those supplying their services on this basis while also meeting the needs of end-users in many industries. The research also confirmed that more women are turning to freelancing than ever before. Many of these new arrivals are also mothers: 287,000, an increase of 70 per cent since 2008. Other newcomers driving this growth include mature workers, with those aged 60 plus rising by almost two thirds (63%) since 2008, and also much younger freelancers aged between 16 and 29, who rose in number by 51 per cent in the same period. Freelancers have a widespread presence across all occupations. They are particularly well represented in artistic, literary and media roles, representing 17 per cent of all freelancers. Managers and proprietors in other services (12%) and teaching/education professionals (7%) also make up a significant proportion of the UKs freelancers.
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FCSA calls for HMRC to abandon its consultation on public sector use of off-payroll staff as evidence suggests 90% compliance
26-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 26 Apr 2016 The Freelancer & Contractor Services Association (FCSA) has called into question HMRCs plans to consult on public sector contractors to be taxed as employees and put onto the payroll. The challenge comes following research reported by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to ensure that temporary staff pay the right tax. The report quotes research by government departments that sought assurance on the tax affairs of temporary staff. HMRC received satisfactory assurance from 2,248 out of 2,505 respondents and workers, which implies 90% of temporary workers are compliant from a tax perspective. This contradicts HMRCs assertion that only 10% of contractors who should apply IR35 rules actually do apply those rules as stated by an HMRC senior policy adviser at a recent FCSA compliance seminar. The latest PAC report also acknowledges that the Government relies on the temporary workforce as a valuable resource to fill a skills gap so FCSA questions why HMRC sees the need to penalise this group of workers when its own research demonstrates high levels of compliance. The impact of putting temporary workers on the payroll will increase regulatory administration and burden, increase costs and effectively discriminate against freelancers working in the public sector. Julia Kermode, CEO of the FCSA said: With such stark contradictory figures in the public domain you could be forgiven for not knowing which to believe. The Public Accounts Committee data is credible and evidence-based, and the results clearly prove 90% compliance. By comparison, there does not appear to be any substantiated data to support HMRCs 10% compliance claim, or at least none that they are able to share publicly. I would argue that it is inappropriate to persevere with a consultation which appears to have no supporting evidence, and where the rationale seems fundamentally incorrect. The implications of the proposed changes will be significant, and based on the Governments own findings there seems to be no justification for reform. www.fcsa.org.uk
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The best and worst entry-level jobs of 2016
26-April-2016 - usatoday.com
Looking for an entry-level job with a good starting salary and prospects for growth? Of course you are.
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U.S. workforce growth may give Fed one more reason to go slow on rates
26-April-2016 - reuters.com
RALEIGH, N.C. (Reuters) - Americans with a high school education or less are returning to the labor force in larger numbers, a trend that points to a broadening of economic growth, but could also keep wage growth subdued and stay the Federal Reserve's hand in its hiking cycle.
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Burnham Benefits Names Corp Senior Account Manager in California
26-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
Burnham Benefits Insurance Services Inc. has named Sara Corp a senior account manager. Corp will be located in the Sacramento, Calif. area. She has more than 15 years of experience working in employee benefits. Corp spent four years as an
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LinkedIn launches app to help students land jobs
26-April-2016 - usatoday.com
LinkedIn Students is a customized app to help simplify and expand your job search.
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11,000 jobs at risk as two UK retailers implode
25-April-2016 - cnn.com
Read full story for latest details.
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Black Lung Benefits Act final rule protects coal miners health
25-April-2016 - dol.gov
Black Lung Benefits Act final rule protects coal miners health Changes give miners greater access to health info, improve claims safeguards WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Labors Office of Workers Compensation Programs today issued a final rule to strengthen safeguards for the health of coal workers. The rule makes significant revisions to the regulations implementing the Black Lung Benefits Act that will give miners greater access to their health information, bolster the accuracy of claims decisions, and require coal mine companies to pay all disability or survivors benefits due in a claim before modification can challenge the award. No worker should have to sacrifice their health to provide for their family, including the thousands of men and women who work in coal mines across the country to meet the nations energy needs. These hardworking Americans deserve to know the full scope of their medical condition, and the new rule ensures that they have full access to information about their health, by requiring all parties to exchange any medical information that they develop in connection with a claim, even if they do not intend to submit the information into evidence. Previously, parties generally kept any medical information that they did not submit into evidence confidential. This rule makes clear that coal miners have a right to know a full picture of their health. No workers should lose their lives because of known dangers that were kept from them in the interest of their employers, said Office of Workers Compensation Programs Director Leonard Howie . We have carefully considered this rule and I am confident that these changes will bring transparency and improve claims safeguards for our nations coal miners. Ensuring that all parties have access to the most relevant medical evidence will prevent the type of tragic outcome for vulnerable coal miners like Gary Fox who filed a claim for black lung benefits after working in the coal mines for more than 30 years. Fox filed a claim in 1999 after a chest X-ray and a biopsy showed a mass in his right lung. Fox did not have legal representation when he filed his claim, and the coal company submitted reports from radiologists and four pulmonologists who all concluded that he did not have coal workers pneumoconiosis. However, the company had developed two additional pathologists opinions, both of which showed that Fox had complicated pneumoconiosis, an advanced stage of black lung disease. The company did not share these reports with either Fox or even the doctors whose reports they put into evidence, and an Administrative Law Judge denied his first claim for benefits. Without access to this vital health information, Fox chose to keep working until he left the mines in 2006 at the age of 56 when he could no longer breathe well enough to do his job. He filed a second claim for benefits that same year, but this time he was represented by an attorney who was able to obtain an order requiring the coal company to turn over the medical reports the company had not shared during the first claim proceeding. Even then, the coal company refused and did not turn over the information until 2008. Eventually, the company admitted that Fox was entitled to benefits. He later succumbed to the disease while awaiting a lung transplant in 2009. Under the new provisions, any miner in a situation like Gary Foxs will be able to make an informed decision regarding continuing to work and caring for their lung condition, said Solicitor of Labor M. Patricia Smith . Making sure that coal miners have all the information regarding their health will put all parties on equal footing regardless of representation and will lead to better, more accurate claims decisions for coal miners across the country. Parties who fail to share any medical data they develop about the miner are subject to sanctions. Additionally, the final rule reinforces coal mine companies obligations to pay benefits under existing orders while the modification proceedings to challenge orders are underway. The rule allows coal companies one year from the last payment of benefits to seek reconsideration of an effective order awarding disability or survivors benefits. Although they are legally obligated to pay benefits while challenging these awards, coal companies commonly refuse to do so. The final rule requires the operator to pay before they can challenge the award through the acts modification procedures. Finally, the rule makes several changes to existing regulations. To support miners who submit multiple physicians reports for the same claim, the rule clarifies that those supplemental reports are a continuation of the physicians earlier report for the purpose of departments evidence-limiting rules. The rule also includes a change allowing the U.S. Department of Labor to participate fully in the adjudication process when a liable coal operator stops its participation due to adverse financial developments, such as bankruptcy or insolvency. The Federal Register published the Final Rule on April 25, 2016, and it is available at: https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2016-09525.pdf . The mission of the Division of Coal Mine Workers Compensation , the federal Black Lung Program, is to administer claims filed under the Black Lung Benefits Act. The act provides compensation to coal miners who are totally disabled by pneumoconiosis arising out of coal mine employment, eligible survivors of miners whose death was attributable to or hastened by pneumoconiosis and survivors of miners who were entitled to benefits at the time of their death. The act also provides eligible miners with coverage for medical treatment of lung diseases arising out of coal mine employment. More information is available at: http://www.dol.gov/owcp/dcmwc/ Release Date: 04/25/2016 Media Contact Name: Amanda McClure Email: mcclure.amanda.c@dol.gov Phone Number: (202) 693-4672 Release Number: 16-0827-NAT Override with PDF?:
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MOVES-SocGen, Bank of America, Citigroup
25-April-2016 - reuters.com
April 25 (Reuters) - The following financial services industry appointments were announced on Monday. To inform us of other job changes, email moves@thomsonreuters.com.
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Shell´s takeover of BG Group will see gas giant´s Reading office closed as part of plan to cull 10,300 jobs
25-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
Shell has announced plans to offer voluntary redundancies to its work force across the UK and is in consultation with staff. Shell fell 3.34 per cent or 61p to 1765.5p.
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Tata Steel reportedly talking to investors in plan that could spell disaster for workers
25-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
Indian owner Tata decided earlier this month to pull out of the UK after rejecting a £100m rescue plan because it was 'unaffordable'. It said its main plan was to sell the business as one.
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VW wants court to stop Tennessee plant union effort
25-April-2016 - usatoday.com
The automaker is appealing National Labor Relations Board ruling to federal appeals court.
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Google Glass-based startup raises $17 million in funding
25-April-2016 - reuters.com
(Reuters) - Augmedix Inc, a startup that uses Alphabet Inc's Google Glass to provide documentation services to doctors and other healthcare workers, said on Monday it had closed a $17 million funding...
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Priscilla Christopher: Why You Should Not Treat ´Looking for a Job´ as a Full-Time Job
25-April-2016 - huffingtonpost.com
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KMRD Partners Adds 2 Risk Managers in Pennsylvania
25-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
KMRD Partners, an insurance brokerage and risk management services firm based in Warrington, Pennsylvania, has hired John Garber and Karl Granlun as risk managers. Garbers role as risk manager, Client Advisory Services, will include responsibilities for risk management, human capital,
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New apps make stock market affordable
25-April-2016 - usatoday.com
Want to invest in the market but money is tight? Here's how to start with $5.
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UPDATE 2-VW to go to U.S. court to keep 160 Tennessee plant workers from UAW
25-April-2016 - reuters.com
DETROIT, April 25 (Reuters) - Volkswagen AG said on Monday it would go to a U.S. federal appeals court in an effort to keep the United Auto Workers union from representing a portion of the company's...
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Four Consequences Of A $15 Minimum Wage
25-April-2016 - huffingtonpost.com
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Changing faces for changed times
25-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
by Philip Wood, sales and marketing executive director, Health Shield New benefits and services are being added to health cash plans to create extra value The need for employees to find a way to cover healthcare costs is certainly not a new problem. Before the introduction of the National Health Service (NHS), workers had to find []
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Employee Background Check Legislation Gets a Fresh Look
25-April-2016 - workforce.com
Proposed legislation may add a new layer of complexity to Ohio employers' hiring processes in the months to come.
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Fed Will Likely Keep Rates Unchanged in Face of Global Slump
25-April-2016 - abcnews.com
Despite solid US job market, Fed will likely keep rates unchanged this week given global slump
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VW to go to U.S. court to keep 160 Tennessee plant workers from UAW
25-April-2016 - reuters.com
DETROIT (Reuters) - Volkswagen AG said on Monday it would go to a U.S. federal appeals court in an effort to keep the United Auto Workers union from representing a portion of the company's plant workers in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
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Serbian watchdog urges re-elected leader to take tough action on economy
25-April-2016 - reuters.com
BELGRADE, April 25 (Reuters) - Serbia's newly re-elected Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic must take urgent action to tackle loss-making state-run companies, cut up to 35,000 government jobs and keep a...
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Automatic enrolment and master trusts among top 10 priorities for TPR
25-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has revealed its top ten priorities until 2019 in its corporate plan. These include protecting consumers from poorly run master trusts and ensuring micro employers comply with auto-enrolment. TPRs top 10 priorities until 2019 Successfully implement automatic enrolment Protect consumers from poorly run government master trusts Effectively regulate defined benefit schemes Effectively []
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Budget 2016 provides employees with a helping hand towards the cost of advice
25-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
From April 2017, the tax and national insurance relief for employer-arranged pension advice will increase from £150 to £500. Jonathan Watts-Lay, Director, WEALTH at work a leading provider of financial education in the workplace supported by guidance and advice comments: We welcome any incentive which gives more employees access to financial advice, particularly when []
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U.S. Issues Zika Safety Guidelines for Outdoor Workers, Business Travelers
25-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
U.S. health and safety officials issued new guidelines on Friday to help protect workers from exposure to Zika, a mosquito-borne and sexually-transmitted virus that causes the birth defect microcephaly and other neurological disorders. The new rules, issued by the Centers
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Fed, data, earnings on collision course
25-April-2016 - usatoday.com
The Dow kicks off the week down about 2% from its record high and faces a slew of economic data, earnings results and a Fed meeting.
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63% have begun preparing for gender pay reporting requirements
25-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Almost two-thirds (63%) of employer respondents have taken action to prepare for the introduction of compulsory gender pay reporting, according to research by Willis Towers Watson. Its survey of 68 employers also found that 16% of respondents have needed to make changes to their reward programmes as a result of this action. The governments draft []
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Katherine Wilson: Employers cannot afford to ignore working carers
25-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Three million people in the UK combine working with caring for a disabled person, someone seriously ill or an older loved one, according to the 2011 census. Without the right support, the stress and pressure of juggling work and care can force people to leave their jobs. People aged between 40 and 49 are the []
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Caring benefits for a multi-generational workforce
25-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Need to know: Societal changes, especially the ageing workforce, means supporting working carers is a key issue for employers. Employers should take stock of caring requirements within their organisations to ensure staff receive relevant and valuable support. Well-tailored benefits packages could help an organisation to win the race to hire and retain talented staff. The changing []
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Duncan Brown: Are employees becoming more influential in driving benefits strategy?
25-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Any self-respecting director of reward will say: Of course. We offer them a flex plan, dont we (even if take-up is often low). and do lots of interesting generational analysis of our staff engagement survey results (even if we rarely do anything in response). There is a long history of research, from the Hawthorne studies []
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Wendy Choyce: Are employees becoming more influential in driving benefits strategy?
25-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
With more than 30 years of working in people management, I believe that there are several key factors that influence and drive performance levels within a business. One of these, without a doubt, is putting employees at the core of what you do, ensuring that they know that they are being listened to and know []
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Julia Hanna: Are employees becoming more influential in driving benefits strategy?
25-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Employees are driving benefits strategy in a number of ways: as talent. as employees without borders. as interest groups. as collaborators. and as consumers. Employees are more mobile, educated, technologically enabled and focused on the short term than ever. They want recognition of their needs, involvement, participation and transparency. The world of work is changing. []
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Chiswick Park Enjoy-Work hosts eco event for 8,000 employees
25-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Organisations located at Chiswick Park marked Earth Day on Friday 22 April with a lunchtime event for the 8,000 employees on site. The Go Green event included tree-planting activities in line with Chiswick Park Enjoy-Works sustainability strategy and Lets Get Planting initiative. Employees at the organisations based at Chiswick Park, which include Discovery Communications, OpenBet, []
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Business Disability Forum launch new toolkit on retaining disabled employees
25-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 25 Apr 2016 Business Disability Forum (BDF) is pleased to launch its Retention Toolkit and Maturity Model, 'Retaining great disabled employees: from ad hoc to best practice'. The Toolkit was officially launched on Wednesday 20 April at BDF's conference on recruiting and retaining disabled talent, which was sponsored by Microlink and Ingeus. The Toolkit offers employers innovative and practical approaches to retaining disabled employees and is the most comprehensive and current resource on the topic that is available. Sponsored by Ingeus, a leading provider of employability programmes, the Toolkit features more than 80 case studies and best practice examples from across BDF's membership that comprises close to 20% of the total UK workforce. BDF is also pleased to provide employers with a Retention Maturity Model, which offers a systematic approach for helping employers move from where do we start? to how do we embed best practice in retention? George Selvanera, Director of Strategy and External Affairs at BDF launched the Toolkit at the conference. George said: "We have ever more employees who need adjustments because of disability, health conditions and the processes of ageing. By 2020, more than 1 in 3 employees will be aged 50 years or more. Getting it right for these employees is the right thing to do, but its more than that: it is a commercial imperative for UK PLC. We are so pleased to have worked with leading businesses including EY, Royal Mail and Lloyds Banking Group to produce this toolkit of case studies and best practice guidance and to provide a tool to help employers prioritise what steps to take in becoming more disability-smart." The conference also saw HR, recruitment, diversity and inclusion professionals from more than 90 private and public sector employers come together to network and gain insights from a variety of high-profile speakers. The event was opened by Justin Tomlinson MP, Minister for Disabled People, who shared more about the government's ambitions to reduce the gap between employed disabled and non-disabled people by half. Delegates also gained perspectives from Dr Nasser Siabi, CEO of Microlink, Jules Lockett, Practice Learning Manager at London Ambulance Service and Claire Harvey, Paralympian and Senior Inclusive Leadership Consultant at KPMG. In delivering her keynote speech, Claire discussed the importance of dispelling the myths surrounding disabled employees and overcoming both the real and perceived barriers to ensure disabled employees can truly flourish in the workplace. Speaking about the conference, David Goodchild, Joint Interim CEO at BDF said: "Our annual conference presents the perfect opportunity for BDF to further engage with its disability-smart membership organisations. "We were delighted to have been joined by so many respected speakers, exhibitors and delegates and would like to thank them and our conference sponsors Microlink and Ingeus for their valuable support. "We look forward to delivering our extensive events programme and to continue working closely with our membership organisations towards the mutual benefit of business and disabled people." For more information about the Retention Toolkit and Maturity Model or to enquire about receiving a copy, please email enquiries@businessdisabilityforum.org.uk or call 020-7403-3020.
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Uber agrees $84m settlement for employee status cases
25-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Taxi organisation Uber has agreed to a settlement for class-action lawsuits disputing the status of Uber drivers as independent contractors. The settlement relates to lawsuits in California, OConnor et al. vs Uber Technologies, and Massachusetts, Yucesoy vs Uber Technologies. Under the terms of the agreement, Uber would continue to classify drivers as independent contractors rather than []
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MBO for recruiters Linsco as growth surge continues
25-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 25 Apr 2016 The two managing directors of Linsco, the Nottingham-based recruitment company with offices across the UK, have completed an MBO of the expanding business. Linsco, which last year was unveiled as the fastest growing recruitment company in the East Midlands Top 200* also operates out of Nottingham, London, Birmingham, Warrington, Glasgow, Coventry, and soon to be opened Leeds and Edinburgh. It recorded a turnover of £23m to 2015, up 10% on 2014. Last summer the company announced ambitious plans to double the number of staff at its Glasgow office and was expanding its North West presence in Warrington. Now, managing directors Matt McGregor and Chris Lee, have bought out their chairman, Jeff Elliott, as the business ramps up for further growth in the coming years. Matt McGregor, managing director at Linsco, said: This is a very significant moment for the business. Chris and I bought into Linsco back in 2002 and we have worked tirelessly to get the business into the healthy position we are in now. Weve seen huge changes in economies and legislation, ridden up turns and recessions but throughout that we have always had a commitment to maintaining the highest possible standards of service. "On the back of that, our growth has been entirely organic. In recent times we have really started to grow significantly, opening offices across the length and breadth of the country, especially where our key sectors are thriving, for example in the north west with civil engineering and construction, and into Scotland. Of course, the real catalyst has been sheer hard work by the whole team and to have the courage of our convictions to invest in a recovering jobs market. Linsco offers recruitment solutions within New Build Construction Refurbishment, Civil Engineering, Utilities Facilities Management, Property Social Housing, Shopfitting and Secretarial Administration Chris Lee, co-managing director said: Wed like to thank Jeff for the opportunity and commitment in asking us to build the business all those years ago. Over a quarter of a century, we have all seen many changes here at Linsco and of course in the wider economy and Jeff has always encouraged our vision and passion to build the Linsco brand. The MBO is the start of a new chapter for the business and we would like to thank Jeff and all of our professional advisers for their hard work in making this deal as smooth as possible. The deal was supported by a raft of local professional services expertise with Smith Cooper and Shakespeares advising Linsco on the deal. Smith Coopers James Bagley, managing partner of the Nottingham Office, commented; Having worked with Linsco for a number of years, we are proud to have guided them towards achieving their growth ambitions, through this MBO. He went on to say, We are looking forward to strengthening our relationship with Linsco as they move into a new chapter with their business. There is no doubt that their dynamic growth ambitions match those of the current recruitment market and we wish them well with their future plans! Jeff Elliott added: "The company has come a significant way in its growth since 1978, experiencing unprecedented highs and lows along that road. "Since both Matt and Chris joined me all those years ago, I have seen their drive and determination to expand the Linsco brand and can only thank them in taking the company forward to nationwide success as they have done so professionally over the past 15 years. "It leaves me with immense pride in the brand and wish them all the very best in their future." *A comprehensive report of the 200 fastest growing companies in the region compiled by the CBI and business advisors Grant Thornton. Overall, Linsco came in 84th place - way ahead of its recruitment sector rivals.The East Midlands Top 200 report ranked companies which are managed and run from the East Midlands, covering Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, and Nottinghamshire. Companies were ranked on the basis of their profit growth over the last three years.
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Adzuna comments on today´s ONS Labour Market Statistics
25-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Opinion Doug Monro, co-founder of Adzuna, comments: on 25 Apr 2016 Company Profile Adzuna View profile » More people are now in work and earning more, which should be celebrated. However, there is still the need for a degree of caution. The National Living Wage has rocked the jobs market this month providing a vital boost to many low-earners and a long-deserved lift in their pay packet. And for jobseekers, theres good news too, as advertised salaries rose 0.6% to £33,800 in February. With wages on the up, its an encouraging counter to rising inflation. But on the flip side, theres still more work to be done. Employers need to recognise employee value even more. Reports of companies cutting employee benefits to foot an increasing wage bill again mean workers face fewer choices and less flexibility, which is a disappointing outcome for many. There is also a huge upcoming challenge on the horizon for companies in the UK. Junes Brexit vote is creating widespread uncertainty amongst employers, holding back hiring plans and disrupting the normal rhythm of the jobs market. This is only likely to worsen over the next couple of months and industries closely connected to the European market will be on tenterhooks. The resilience of the jobs market will be tested. ONS Labour Market Statistics, April 2016 Between September to November 2015 and the 3 months to February 2016, the number of people in work and the number of unemployed people increased, but the number of people not working and not seeking or available to work (economically inactive) fell. There were 31.41 million people in work, 20,000 more than for September to November 2015 and 360,000 more than for a year earlier. There were 22.98 million people working full-time, 289,000 more than for a year earlier. There were 8.43 million people working part-time, 71,000 more than for a year earlier. The employment rate (the proportion of people aged from 16 to 64 who were in work) was 74.1%, the joint highest since comparable records began in 1971. The unemployment rate was 5.1%, lower than for a year earlier (5.6%). The unemployment rate is the proportion of the labour force (those in work plus those unemployed) that were unemployed. Average weekly earnings for employees in Great Britain increased by 1.8% including bonuses and by 2.2% excluding bonuses compared with a year earlier.
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AdView considers how often under-30s should switch jobs
25-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive Having a secure and steady career is usually seen as a blessing. But how does staying in the same job affect your earning potential? If youre aged 18-29 its probably for the worse. on 25 Apr 2016 Company Profile AdView.co.uk View profile » According to new research from Resolution Foundation , the living standards analysts, pay-growth for workers in this age bracket who changed jobs between 2007-2014 was 2.7 times more than for those that didnt. They also indicated that the overall pay of this age bracket would be 3% higher if job mobility hadnt slowed since the recession. The findings were backed up by data from job search engine AdView, who also argued that younger workers who remain in the same jobs for years often lose out on better pay. AdViews Kevin Brady told us, In prosperous economies job switches should be easy, which, as the data suggests, would make pay increases more common. Despite the financial gains to be made, the number of young people switching jobs has fallen by a third since its peak in 2000. We have over 100,000 active subscribers to our Jobs By Email system. Of this figure 62% are between the ages of 18-34, many of whom are already in work. This suggests to me that a significant number of younger workers are proactively searching for jobs in the UK. However, the findings from Resolution Foundation clearly show that even more that more needs to be done to help younger workers climb the career ladder. Needless to say, there are no easy answers to this. What should young people do then if theyre if theyre stuck in a low-pay job with no promotion in sight? Mr Brady continued: If youre a worker under 30 and stuck in a stagnant position, theres still reason to be optimistic. The key is to be proactive in your job search. For example, signing up to one or two solid job sites job search sites can bring a range of relevant jobs in your area straight to your inbox each week. The job search sites - also known as aggregators - are especially useful for the general jobseeker because theyve got 100,000s of jobs all in one place. From that point all it takes is a quick glance at your phone or computer to see if any jobs have come up that offer a greater salary or chance for career progression. Even if youre relatively happy in your job its no effort at all to take a look at what else is out there every now and again. About AdView: AdView is a UK-based job search site. It adds 100,000+ new jobs weekly, covering every single job sector.
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Opus partner with The Princes Trust
25-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 25 Apr 2016 The Opus Professional Services Group is delighted to announce a new four year partnership with The Princes Trust. The partnership is being created to make a difference and improve the quality of life for disadvantaged young people. Opus and The Princes Trust will focus on getting young people into training, education and employment to secure a successful future. In 2016 The Princes Trust celebrates 40 years since its creation and in this time has helped 825,000 young people turn their lives around. Opus will also be joining the Trusts Technology Leadership Group (TLG). The TLG was established in 2002 and is made up of over 50 companies, leading The Princes Trusts work in the Technology sector through fundraising, volunteering and pro-bono support. Darren Ryemill, CEO of the Opus Professional Services Group said, Were really excited to be kick-starting this relationship with The Princes Trust. At Opus we take pride in giving something back and this is the perfect time to get our business involved with fundraising opportunities. Ben Marson, Director of Corporate Partnerships at the Princes Trust said , : We are delighted that Opus have become a Patron of the Princes Trust and are very grateful for their commitment over the next four years. Without the support of companies like Opus, we could not go on supporting 100 more young people each day. There are still 853,000 young people in the UK who are not in employment, education, or training. Last year, alone, the Princes Trust helped 56,000 young people change their lives for the better. The Opus Professional Services Group are a global recruitment service provider. The group want to use their knowledge of employment and training to help young people into work and provide them with a prosperous future.
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Recruit Recruit acquires accounts and finance recruiter Pyrah Harris Partnership
25-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 25 Apr 2016 The Wolverhampton based recruitment consultancy, Recruit Recruit has announced the recent acquisition of Accounts and Finance specialist recruiter Pyrah Harris Partnership (PHP). This expansion means that the company, established in 2009, can now provide dedicated finance sector recruitment services, alongside its established Commercial, Education Training, Engineering and Executive recruitment divisions. PHP has been established for over 20 years, serving the West Midlands, Shropshire and Staffordshire area. It has an enviable reputation, widely regarded by accounts and finance professionals in the region as THE place to go for staff and new career opportunities in the sector. Sarah Bishop and Karen Eyke, Directors of Recruit Recruit, met Jon Harris (founder of PHP) when the company moved offices a few years ago and saw an opportunity to collaborate to provide added value and wider services to their clients. Sarah Bishop, MD at Recruit Recruit, said: By working together on a range of projects we discovered a similar ethos and commitment to high standards to ensure that clients and candidates are matched properly to suit each situation. The synergy was always strong so that when the opportunity arose to add this brand name to our portfolio, we were delighted to do so. The great news is that Jon is joining us as the Principal Consultant to ensure a smooth transition for existing clients and to continue sharing his expertise in placing accounts professionals. Recruit Recruit place experienced permanent candidates and contractors in roles throughout the UK and also serve local communities Wolverhampton & the Black Country, Birmingham, Staffordshire, Shropshire and the West Midlands region. www.recruitrecruit.co.uk
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Britain´s small firms missing out on disabled customers and employees
25-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
Firms are failing the disabled and missing out on an 11 million-strong market, research claims. David and Felicity Brown (pictured) say being accessible boosted business.
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BHS stores collapses into administration putting 11,000 jobs and 164 stores at risk
25-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
BHS has collapsed into administration, putting 11,000 jobs at risk and threatening the closure of up to 164 stores, in the biggest retail failure since Woolworths went bust in 2008
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s1jobs.com launches campaign in Scotlands capital city
25-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Launch on 25 Apr 2016 s1jobs.com, Scotlands number 1 recruitment site launches a bold new interactive street campaign specifically targeting jobseekers in Edinburgh. Company Profile s1jobs View profile » The campaign will see s1jobs.com take over Princes Street bus shelters, in Edinburghs iconic shopping boulevard featuring real-time job adverts which passers-by can apply for straight from their mobiles. No-one knows Scottish jobs like s1jobs.com. Using our local knowledge were getting under the skin of the city and promoting the opportunities available for local job seekers. In support there will be targeted digital campaigns on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Google, including radio advertising on Heart radio. s1jobs.com Branded taxis will also form part of the campaign. Wendy Pauley, Marketing Director at s1jobs.com said The Edinburgh campaign is a fantastic way for us to capture our audiences attention on a truly local level. We know the Scottish jobs market better than anyone, and that local knowledge means were able to interact at the heart of Scotlands towns and cities highlighting job opportunities. Its a brilliant way to engage with Scotlands workforce. www.s1jobs.com
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The LinkedIn Effect
25-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Opinion on 25 Apr 2016 By Rick Devine, CEO Founder, TalentSky For all the criticism LinkedIn has received as of late, they will be forever credited with blowing the roof off the employment system by forcing enterprises to accept the open employee profile. What is now commonly accepted as standard practice by employees across the world didnt come without a fight. LinkedIn forced the hand of enterprises by giving their employees a platform that actually inspired them to share their work histories. As the world of work faces its next major transitionmoving away from a system that speaks in terms of job titles, descriptions and resumes, and toward a system that speaks in terms of skills and skill proficiency its important to remember how we got here and what it will take to get where were going. Before there was LinkedIn there was the closed intraneta place where employees work histories and details went to die if they went at all. Similar to their relationship with company-issued phones, most employees put little information on their employers intranet knowing that it would just become company property once they leave. When LinkedIn came onto the scene, companies watched on as the same employees who had resisted updating their internal profiles opened up willingly and enthusiastically online. The good news for companies was that they could now scan the work histories of external candidates who hadnt even applied. The bad part was that the same was true for other companies, who could see external employees information too. What all of this quickly revealed was that work profiles needed to be open to the public, not just to HR departments, or users wouldnt use them. The public nature of the profile wasnt only appealing to users because it meant that more people would see it; it was popular because it was portable. It was the users property, not the employers. They could take these profiles with them through their careers and update them over time to create comprehensive work narratives. The moral of the story? People want to self-manage and self-regulate their own work on their own terms. If you cant beat em, join em. Employers could try to block employees from using LinkedInand some certainly didbut if their employees werent using it, then these companies were left without any insights on them. Over time it became clear that attempts to keep employees off the platform were futile. With their workforces now vulnerable to poaching from outside recruiters, companies quickly turned to LinkedIn for their own recruiting (and poaching). With visibility does not necessarily come insights. Before LinkedIn, recruiting was a thoughtful, relationship-based business and being good at it took time and talent. The promise that LinkedIn made to talent professionals was more: More candidates, more knowledge, and more access. The first and third were accurate. Recruiters who once focused on the what (experience and skills) and the who (cultural fit and character) to qualify candidates for work positions, slowly adopted this new paradigm, which eliminated the who altogether. A disproportionate focus on candidates experience, as shared on LinkedIn, however, offered no more insight than a standard resume. It was just another user-generated work narrative with no third party vetting, verification or added insight. Understanding candidates character beyond their resumes had been a critical component in talent professionals ability to validity candidates qualifications. Rather than replicating this component of the recruiting process digitally, LinkedIn completely eliminated it. Recruiters go on autopilot. Recruiters who entered the game after LinkedIn are at a distinct disadvantage. Like airplane pilots who learned to fly planes equipped with autopilot technology, todays recruiters are learning the methodology and philosophy of recruiting but arent required to apply it without the safety net of LinkedIn. Relying on a tool isnt necessarily a bad thing, assuming that tool gives you what you need to do your job. Qualifying candidates now is a matter of sending job ads to thousands of potential candidates, followed by a waiting game to see who responds and who ultimately applies. This spray and pray process results in a group of self-identified applicants rather than hand-selected candidates screened against an array of important criteria. The new talent professional is now in a position of presenting their hiring managers with resumes they cant substantiate or defend. Should their manager ask which ones have the best skills, or which will fit in best with the company, or with them personally, the talent professional is at a loss. This is a symptom of a system lacking insights. Where things went wrong. This trip down memory lane isnt meant as a frivolous, nostalgic homage to the way things were. The contrast between then and now becomes important in trying to isolate whats working and whats not. Opening the employee profile is one of the best things that ever happened to recruiting and human resources. And technology has a ton of potential to aid candidate identification and qualification. But somewhere along the way, things went terribly wrong. Just as quickly as LinkedIn broke down barriers, it began building walls. LinkedIn caught itself along the way, recognizing that serving as a digital resume alone wasnt enough; they needed to provide recruiters with more granular insights. They reacted to this by introducing their now familiar skills feature, which allows users to generate the skills they think best tell their work stories. Users connections, no matter their relationship with the user, can then endorse them for these skills. The more endorsements the user gets, the heavier their skills are weighted relative to others in the system. In theory, this gives recruiters insights about who ranks highest for the specific skills their open roles require. In practice, its an unregulated skills system that simply gives users more poetic license to paint the picture they want. Skills arent standardized, meaning that the same skill often shows up in several different iterations. And the weight of endorsements are the same whether the person endorsing a user is their family member or boss. Making things right. Contrary to popular belief, the most pressing employment issue in front of us isnt a lack of skills, but a lack of universal visibility into employer skill demand and worker skill quality. Without insight into employees skills and skill proficiency were left with a largely fabricated skills gap where companies assume there are no candidates who fit their needs while talented, qualified employees assume there are no jobs available to them. The implications of increased skills visibility are vast. At the company level it would mean opportunities to recruit from within, develop existing talent, improve retention, minimize the impact of mass layoffs, and eliminate discrimination and bias in the hiring process. Businesses would be able to identify candidates who previously seemed irrelevant and workers could discover new opportunities. On a macro level, the ability to quantify work could lead to data the government needs to shape job policies and a significant decrease in US companies need for offshored workers. The only way to get the data (insights) back at both the micro and a macro level is to leverage the popularity of the open professional profile. LinkedIn is credited with having proven this paradigm. What they havent done is transform employees and candidates profiles intto actionable insights that drive all jobs-related decisions. The next step in the evolution of professional social media must be the introduction of the skills-connected enterprise, which will connect the skill needs of companies to the skill development of their employers. All of this information is already available, it just isnt in the right format yet.
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Employees sending up to 100 personal messages a day at work - nearly half unaware employers are entitled to monitor their content
25-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive New research from Dice, the online career site for the technology community, reveals that Brits are unwittingly sending private messages at work, including applying or enquiring about a new job, without realising their employers could monitor the content. on 25 Apr 2016 Company Profile Dice View profile » UK workers unaware their bosses could see private emails, texts, WhatsApp, Facebook and instant messages during office hours Two fifths (40%) send messages about new job opportunities One in ten (9%) flirt with colleagues over email New research from Dice, the online career site for the technology community, reveals that Brits are unwittingly sending private messages at work, including applying or enquiring about a new job, without realising their employers could monitor the content. More than two thirds (69%) of UK workers admit to regularly sending private emails, texts, WhatsApp, Facebook and instant messages during work hours with some doing so up to 100 times per day. Young people (16-24 year olds) are leading this trend, with the vast majority (96%) saying they send personal messages whilst at work. The survey highlights how employees are in the dark when it comes to rules around monitoring private messaging sent during work hours. Over two fifths (42%) werent aware that their employers may be entitled to monitor the content of private messages sent on work hardware under a new 2016 legislation following a case where an employee was fired for using Yahoo Messenger to speak to his financeé at work. It also shows that employees are not shy about what they send or do during work hours. Two fifths (40%) have pursued a new job at work, one in ten (9%) have discussed private matters about their relationship or flirted with a colleague and almost a third (31%) have used their time at work to shop online. When asked how they felt knowing their employees could monitor their private messages; over a quarter (27%) felt angry claiming it an invasion of their privacy, one fifth (21%) slammed it as big brother and 18% said it is a breach of their human rights. Despite this, half of people (49%) said they wont change their behaviour and two fifths (39%) dont plan to be more mindful of what they say in these messages. Jamie Bowler, Marketing Director, Dice Europe comments: Its clear that many people arent aware of their workplace policies around private messaging and internet use, which could get them into trouble if they are monitored and get caught saying or doing something they shouldnt. Rules vary from workplace to workplace, so its always best to adhere to company policies, rather than ignore them and suffer the consequences. Regardless of these, wed always advise people to be careful about their communication in the workplace. Lets face it, weve all had that feeling of dread when weve sent the wrong person the wrong email! David Evans, Director of Policy at BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, comments: Its really important for individuals to understand how their use of email and social media fits with their employers policies and business needs, and take seriously the trust placed in them. It is also important for managers to treat employees with respect, creating an environment of trust, informing them of what takes place, and not monitoring their employees more than is needed to manage business risks. http://uk.dice.com
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Cutting Perks Has Zero Long-Term Benefits for Employers, Recruiter Warns
25-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Opinion on 25 Apr 2016 By Jo Sellick, managing director, Sellick Partnership This week, Waitrose became the latest company to hit the headlines for reducing employee benefits, with lower rates of pay now offered to new starters who work unsociable hours. This follows news that B&Q, Morrisons, Caffe Nero and Eat are also cutting staff perks. The companies reasons for doing so understandably vary, with Waitrose explaining that the move is purely to bring the brand more in line with its competitors and that the change has been in the pipeline for some time. Critics argue that employers are making these cuts in order to compensate for the shortfall that has resulted from the National Living Wage, which came into force on 1st April 2016. There was even a Commons debate on the issue this week, with Labour MP Joan Ryan saying businesses should not be cutting staff pay via terms and conditions to offset the costs [of the National Living Wage]. Clearly, businesses need to make a profit in order to exist, so those looking at the short-term implications of a higher wage bill resulting from recent legislative changes may well think that the only solution is for them to reduce perks. But I would severely caution against this short-sighted approach, particularly when dealing with the Millennial generation of workers, who tend to evaluate job offers based not just on salary, but also on benefits packages including advantages such as flexibility in the workplace, private healthcare, pension schemes and career progression opportunities. Our recent research into the habits of jobseekers has revealed a sea-change in what candidates view as important when deciding on their next career move. Steady economic growth and increased business confidence means there is more competition for the best people. This competition for desired skillsets is driving salaries up, but an impressive salary alone is no longer enough for companies looking to attract the best possible talent. Creative bonus and benefit packages that include professional development opportunities, flexible working programmes and clear career paths are now equally sought after. When comparing various job offers, candidates tend to look beyond the headline salary and start to question what perks they will gain by accepting a particular role. And those companies hitting the headlines this week risk being rejected by the best talent if they are unable to match the benefits offered by their competitors. Equally, existing employees may well start to look elsewhere if they can move to a job offering a similar salary with more appealing perks, which is just as risky for companies keen to retain their best staff. An attractive benefits package can make all the difference in the war for talent and I would urge all businesses not to forget this important fact in the face of an understandable temptation to make cuts for short-term gains. www.sellickpartnership.co.uk
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Employment figures suggest jittery employers spooked by increasing labour costs
25-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Opinion Poor productivity and increasing labour costs provide explanation for fall in total pay on 25 Apr 2016 Company Profile CIPD View profile » Commenting on todays ONS Labour Market Statistics, Gerwyn Davies, Labour Market Adviser at the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, says: Existing employer concerns over the cost implications of the National Living Wage, pension auto-enrolment and the impending Apprenticeship Levy are starting to affect confidence amongst employers. Against a backdrop of worries over a slowing economy, its perhaps not surprising that were starting to see employment growth ease off. Where employment growth has happened this is mainly due to the growth in the number of self-employed, suggesting that employers are in wait and see mode over increases in employment costs and the EU Referendum. Overall, the data makes the case for improved productivity an even more pressing concern. If businesses are putting employment decisions on hold, they should use this time to take stock of the skills, technology and working practices needed to move their businesses forward in the long-term, regardless of what the EU decision is. Employers need to be constantly seeking marginal productivity gains and avoiding the tendency to only focus on productivity improvements every few years. They can do this by improving the quality of leadership and management, up-skilling existing staff and redesigning jobs to enable people to work smarter rather than harder, and for longer. The mood of caution amongst employers is mirrored by the slow-down of average total earnings growth. Poor productivity growth and the introduction of various labour costs such as the National Living Wage and the rolling-out of the Governments auto-enrolment pension scheme may account for the fall in total pay to 1.8%. As the CIPD warned earlier this year, productivity improvements are essential to making policy interventions such as the National Living Wage affordable for employers; and there is no sign yet of a pick-up in the UKs productivity performance. Its no surprise therefore to see that employers are cutting back on other areas of the wage bill, such as overtime and bonuses. This phenomenon also explains why there is still no sign of a pick-up in basic pay growth, despite official forecasts suggesting there would be. www.cipd.co.uk
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April pay awards hint at a fall in settlement levels
25-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Statistics and trends on 25 Apr 2016 Whole economy pay awards have been worth 2% for the past two years, according to data from pay analysts XpertHR. The latest readings, for three the months to the end of March 2016, show the median basic pay award at 2% for the 24th successive rolling quarter. But a preliminary examination of the first pay awards concluded for April 2016 reveals a bleaker outlook. April is the single most important month of the year for pay settlements, with around four in 10 taking effect in this month alone. Based on a sample of 91 basic pay awards effective in April 2016, the median pay settlement for this month is worth just 1.5%. The lower April deals have also pulled down the figure for the three months to the end of April, with provisional data showing that the rolling quarterly median basic pay award has fallen to 1.7%. These whole-economy figures contain pay awards across both the public and private sectors. XpertHR's sample of data for the first three months of the year does not contain any public sector awards, as the first of these tend to take effect in April. Yet excluding these deals and examining the private sector in isolation does little to change the direction of the April figures the median private sector basic pay award in April 2016 currently stands at 1.7%. Public sector pay awards so far in 2016 continue to be centred on the 1% figure set out in Government policy. The data also shows that around half of all pay awards are worth less than the same group of employees received last year. In a matched sample of April 2016 pay awards, almost half (45.7%) were less than the same employees were paid last year, while just 22.9% were higher. Similar numbers were recorded for the first three months of the year (51.8% lower; 17% higher). There is little in the data to suggest what might be causing the fall in the level of pay awards. For example, a couple of the lower pay awards are the result of a link to RPI inflation at the end of 2015, when it stood at just over 1%. In contrast, a couple of the higher pay awards for April 2016 are linked to the introduction of the national living wage, which at £7.20 an hour from 1 April represented a 7.5% increase on the national minimum wage rate. There is some evidence that employers are reducing the pay awards for other staff to accommodate the increases for those eligible for the national living wage. For example, a charity in our sample made a 2.8% increase to around one-third of its staff in order to comply with the national living wage, with a 2% award for the remaining employees. A care provider froze pay for all employees except those entitled to the national living wage. XpertHR pay and benefits editor Sheila Attwood said: "The first look at pay settlements for April 2016 reveals the extent to which employers are struggling with making higher pay awards. The data provides early evidence that pay settlements might be heading downwards from what is already a relatively subdued figure of 2%. While many employees will have benefitted from the 1 April introduction of the national living wage, it is possible that many others will struggle to secure even a 2% pay increase this year. www.xperthr.co.uk
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Sensée turns to Isle of Wight for homeworking jobs
25-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 25 Apr 2016 UKs largest employer of homeworkers will hire up to 100 permanent staff on the Island Sensée, the UKs leading homeworking outsourcing provider, today announced it has chosen the Isle of Wight for its next recruitment drive. Offering a highly educated population, and with almost 98[1] per cent of the Island already connected to superfast fibre broadband through networks like BT Openreach and WightFibre, Sensée is looking to recruit up to a hundred permanent homeworkers. As the Isle of Wight also has a high number (16,000) of unpaid carers, Sensée is looking to offer employment to those that would benefit from flexible working to meet family commitments. The Isle of Wight offers untapped potential for homeworking, explains Steve Mosser, CEO of Sensée. Its one of the most connected areas of the UK if not Europe and its highly educated population makes it an attractive destination for homeworking. It also has a great tourism industry that is friendly and welcoming, and these skills can be easily transferred into a customer service environment. Following the Islands recent Government-led fibre rollout project, 99 per cent fibre broadband coverage is expected over the coming years. This means that anyone with access to broadband at home can take advantage of the opportunity to work from home and enjoy a healthy work/life balance. Any investment in the Isle of Wight that supports our community and reduces unemployment is welcomed, explains Kevin Smith, Chief Executive, Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce. Its an exciting time for the Island, especially now that were one of the most connected parts of the country. Isle of Wight Councillor Ian Stephens, Executive Member for Regeneration, Economic Sustainability and Development, added The Island is home to a diverse network of individuals who can offer so much; and homeworking is a very real option for Islanders, especially given that we have high levels of broadband connectivity locally. The rural broadband project led by the council, has been an enabler for those people with skills and expertise, who may be housebound, to acquire flexible employment opportunities, such as this Sensée homeworking initiative. It has opened up more of the Island to better broadband speeds, making us the ideal location. Its a win win for the Island and Sensée. Sensée offers employees a rewarding career serving customers of the UKs leading brands. To find out more and apply for one of the positions available, candidates are encouraged to visit: http://www.sensee.co.uk/homeworking/vacancies.html?src=1234 [1] Source: https://issuu.com/iwchamber/docs/ib_march_16_web/28
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UK Unemployment data: ´lengthening dole queue a warning of trouble ahead´
25-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Opinion Mariano Mamertino, economist at the global job site, Indeed, comments: on 25 Apr 2016 Company Profile Indeed View profile » Modest though it is, the increase in unemployment is a deeply worrying sign that the UK economys ability to create new jobs is running out of steam. Unemployment remains at a historically low level, but the lengthening dole queue is a warning of trouble ahead. The combination of strengthening economic headwinds, and the political uncertainty triggered by the Brexit referendum, is having a dramatic cooling effect on employers appetite to hire. At the end of March, just a month on from the confirmation of the Brexit referendum, the number of live job postings by UK employers on our site had fallen across all 13 major sectors. This is in sharp contrast to February, when job postings increased across the board. The March Indeed Employment Trends index , based on a sample of hundreds of thousands of live UK job postings in 13 major employment sectors, shows recruitment activity slowed dramatically within days of the referendum being called. As yet its hard to know whether this dramatic reduction in job postings is a blip, or the beginning of a deeper trend. There are other reasons to be worried. Wage growth remains very weak, while inflation is rising. If this dynamic continues, employee confidence and spending power will falter, which has the potential to further erode economic growth. Additionally, softer economic growth in the last quarter of 2015 together with strong gains in employment have already brought about a deterioration in the UKs weak underlying labour productivity performance, with labour productivity falling by 1.2% from the third to the fourth calendar quarter of 2015. This trend may continue well into the first quarter of 2016. About Indeed More people find jobs on Indeed than anywhere else. Indeed is the #1 job site in the world and allows job seekers to search millions of jobs on the web or mobile in over 60 countries and 28 languages. More than 180 million people each month search for jobs, post resumes, and research companies on Indeed. Indeed is also the #1 source of external hires for thousands of companies (sources: SilkRoad & iCIMS). For more information, visit www.indeed.com
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UK jobseekers and employers face huge skills mismatch
25-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 25 Apr 2016 UK employers struggle to recruit qualified entry-level employees across industries Huge mismatches exist between the workers UK employers need and the qualifications that jobseekers possess, according to a new data tool the first of its kind in the UK developed by the think tank IPPR and the analytics company Burning Glass Technologies, as part of JPMorgan Chases New Skills at Work programme. The new tool, called Where the Work Is, matches online data from 2014 about the vacancies that employers are offering with data about what qualifications jobseekers actually have. The unique tool allows training providers, employers and policymakers to look at how supply and demand for different types of jobs vary in different local areas of the UK. The data reveals that across the UK there were some 1.8 million entry-level vacancies in mid-skilled occupations in 2014, with 8 sectors advertising more than 100,000 vacancies: Sales and marketing (273,000) Personal care eg. care assistants and nursing auxiliary (214,000) Public services (210,000) Hospitality (115,000) Childcare (113,000) Business (112,000) Finance admin eg. bank clerks and payroll (102,000) Information technology (100,000) A high level of vacancies at any one time doesnt necessarily mean a sector will struggle for long to fill jobs because there may be a relatively high supply of suitable candidates. The tool shows how difficult some UK employers are finding it to recruit qualified entry-level employees. The top three sectors where there are strikingly more advertised vacancies than qualified job seekers are: Personal care (214,000) Metal work (48,000) Health associates (37,000) There are also mismatches in the other direction: while in some sectors employers are struggling to find qualified employees, in others too many qualified jobseekers compete for every job. The top three sectors in the latter category in 2014 were animal care, agriculture and creative occupations. There are even more acute mismatches within particular geographical areas. These vary by region. This data suggests that the UK skills system needs to become much more responsive to the needs of the British economy and to the needs of local employers. Education and training providers need to become more demand led, offering courses that more closely match the opportunities in local labour markets. You can view the website here: http://www.wheretheworkis.org Giselle Cory, IPPR Senior Research Fellow, said: This new big data tool dashboard reveals that, though there are hundreds of thousands of mid-skilled jobs out there for new entrants, there is a big mismatch between what employers want and the qualifications or aspirations that jobseekers actually have. "Employers are struggling to find qualified employees in occupations such as sales and marketing and personal care - while thousands of jobseekers are struggling to find jobs in graphic design and arts and media. The mismatches are even more acute within some local areas. For example, London employers are particularly struggling to find qualified entry-level IT technicians, while Birmingham employers are struggling to find entry-level metal workers and engineering technicians. If Britain wants to increase employment among young people leaving education the government will need to find ways to help them to acquire skills in sectors where job opportunities actually exist. In some cases, these sectors will also need to find ways to make occupations more attractive to young people. There is a role for education and training providers too. Hang Ho, Head of Philanthropy for Europe, Middle-East and Africa at J.P. Morgan said: Good data is key to diagnosing the problems of skills mismatch in todays UK employment market. Its vital that training providers, employers and policy makers have access to the best and most timely data available to inform their decision-making. We believe this new data tool is an example of this, and can be invaluable in shaping UK skills policy in the future JPMorgan Chase is providing support for the new data tool as part of its New Skills at Work programme, which aims to identify strategies and support data-driven solutions that help improve labour market infrastructure and develop the skilled workforce globally. Across the UK the Where The Work Is website shows that: In Scotland there were over 120,000 entry-level job opportunities being advertised in 2014. The sales and marketing sector had 17,000 openings, 11,000 at graduate level. In the personal care sector there were 16,000 vacancies. In Wales there were almost 60,000 entry-level jobs being advertised. 8,000 were in personal care, possibly a result of low salaries in the sector. For young graduates the greatest numberof opportunities lay in sales and marketing. In the North West of England there were 190,000 entry-level mid-skilled job openings. In common with other regions, sales and marketing was the number one sector for starters, with more than 27,000 openings. The North East of England is a region with one of the lowest number of overall entry-level vacancies, at 54,000 in 2014.. Personal care was the profession with the most unfilled jobs (7,000), but it is also one of the lowest paid on average. Yorkshire and the Humber had 142,000 unfilled, mid-skilled jobs, 20,000 of them in sales and marketing. In the East Midlands there were 130,000 entry-level openings. Sales had 17,000 openings, 11,000 of which were for higher education graduates, followed by the caring profession, which offers greater opportunities for further education-qualified ex-students. In the West Midlands there were over 166,000 entry-level job openings in 2014.. There were 15,000 sales opportunities for higher education graduates, and 16,000 places for further education-qualified people in caring services, although the latter has a lower average pay. In the East of England there were more than 187,000 vacancies, including 27,000 in personal care. In the South East there were more than 291,000 such openings, with 45,000 in sales and marketing. South West England had 155,000 vacancies, with 21,000 in sales and marketing.
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VIDEO: ´The good times won´t last forever´
25-April-2016 - bbc.com
As economic growth in China slows down, demand for commodities such as steel is falling. The BBC talked to one steelworker on his way to work about his job and what he thinks will happen to it.
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Job Outlook Brightens for New College Graduates
24-April-2016 - wsj.com
Good news for the class of 2016: Companies are planning to step up their hiring of new grads. Employers expect to hire 5.2% more freshly minted grads this year than in 2015.
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EE ditches foreign call centres as new boss looks to create 600 jobs in the UK
24-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
By the end of 2016, all of EEs customer service calls will be answered from UK-based operators, with new sites set to open in Plymouth, South Wales and North Tyneside, creating hundreds of jobs.
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VIDEO: Would high street shoppers miss BHS?
24-April-2016 - bbc.com
Shoppers in Leeds react to fears retailer BHS could file for administration as early at Monday, threatening 11,000 jobs.
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These gadgets will enhance your Labor Day
24-April-2016 - usatoday.com
Gadgets to enjoy the Labor Day holiday.
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VW brand chief ´confident´ of solving cost-cutting row with labor
24-April-2016 - reuters.com
BEIJING (Reuters) - Volkswagen's top brand executive is confident that management and labor will solve a dispute over cost-cutting at the core autos division and signaled readiness on Sunday to meet some of workers' demands.
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How to switch from Android to iPhone
24-April-2016 - usatoday.com
How to convert photos, contacts and music to iPhone from Android.
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Novartis to prepare the sale of its Roche stake: Sonntagszeitung
24-April-2016 - reuters.com
VIENNA (Reuters) - Drugmaker Novartis aims to dispose of a 13.5 billion Swiss franc ($13.8 billion) stake in its local rival Roche and has already hired banks to support the selling process, a...
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No immediate BHS job cuts, says minister
24-April-2016 - bbc.com
There are no plans to make immediate redundancies at high street chain BHS after it fell into administration, business minister Anna Soubry has said.
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BHS expected to announce collapse of chain after efforts to find rescuer failed
24-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
The collapse of the firm will put 11,000 jobs are under threat and could leave some of the biggest stores in Britain's town centres empty.
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Europe could block UK´s bid to rescue Tata Steel as jobs move might breach EU rules
23-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
Business Secretary Sajid Javid insists the rescue would be a commercial arrangement and would therefore not contravene EU rules outlawing state bailouts to industry.
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All those Gocompare adverts have changed my life - I can make £300 per note I sing: Welsh tenor Wynne Evans on
23-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
Wynne Evans, the Welsh tenor, thinks playing Gio Compario in the Gocompare insurance adverts is the best job hes ever had.
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Sorry Boris, but Brexit WONT make food cheaper: Farmers´ leader on EU and the ´need´ for migrant workers
23-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
Meurig Raymond takes issue: It does make me angry and I do have to question people like Boris Johnson who say that food bills would be cheaper if we left the EU.'
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£150,000 backing adds spice to chutney maker Rubies in the Rubble
23-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
Jenny Dawsons entrepreneurial career is blossoming, with her Rubies in the Rubble winning seed funding and high-profile expansion deals.
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UK economic growth threatened as age crisis hits thousands of microbusinesses
23-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
There are five million such firms compared with just 3.5million 15 years ago and they make up 33 per cent of private sector employment.
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Armed Forces veterans who lost their jobs and were then denied a pension
23-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
When Martin Crimin received his commission from the Royal Air Force in 1999 he pledged to give 16 years and possibly even his life to Queen and country.
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Bid by Wyevale Garden Centres to buy rival Dobbies is ´a risk to jobs´
23-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
Wyevale is trying to buy Dobbies from Tesco, which is selling non-essential assets to allow it to focus on its core supermarket business.
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How to build up your own tax haven without breaking any rules
23-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
There are now numerous ways to build long-term wealth in the UK without either falling foul of the taxman or incurring unwelcome tax charges. Jeff Prestridge looks at the options.
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Draconian rules banning workers from setting up their own companies may face a clampdown
23-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
Sajid Javid is launching an investigation into non-compete clauses in employment contracts that prevent former employees from working for a competitor or starting their own rival firm.
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Disappearing pensions hurt U.S. economy as well as workers
23-April-2016 - usatoday.com
Older workers are being forced to work longer, which tends to lower productivity.
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Manufacturers bringing the most jobs back to America
23-April-2016 - usatoday.com
The trend of offshoring may be slowing, says the Reshoring Initiative advocacy group.
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Millions of self-employed are heading for old age poverty
23-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
In the Royal London report Britain's Forgotten Workers, ex-pensions minister Steve Webb warns that many of Britain's 4.4million self-employed will face a cash shortfall in their old age.
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Teamsters plan association for Uber drivers
23-April-2016 - usatoday.com
Surprisingly, according to the Teamsters not all drivers actually want to be employees.
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$17M Award in Asbestos Death of Navy Civilian Employee in Arizona
23-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
A federal jury in Phoenix, Ariz. on Friday awarded $17 million in damages to the family of a retired civilian employee of the U.S. Navy who died from the fatal asbestos disease mesothelioma after working for years in the Norfolk
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UPDATE 2-Halliburton says it cut 6,000 jobs in Q1, delays earnings call
23-April-2016 - reuters.com
* Expects Q2 will mark "landing point" for U.S. rig count (Adds details on results, background)
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Halliburton Cuts 6,000 Jobs Amid Slowdown in Drilling
23-April-2016 - abcnews.com
Halliburton cutting 6,000 jobs as it faces slowdown in oil and gas drilling due to low prices
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Blogger Emma Drew earns £100k and QUITS her job in Littleforth
22-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
Emma Drew, 28, from Cambridgeshire who turned to online money-making schemes to make ends meet while unemployed has been able to quit her job after earning £100,000.
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Halliburton says it cut 6,000 jobs in first quarter, delays earnings call
22-April-2016 - reuters.com
(Reuters) - Halliburton Co said it cut more than 6,000 jobs in the first quarter, during which revenue slumped 40.4 percent and it took a $2.1 billion restructuring charge mainly for severance costs and asset write-offs amid the prolonged slump in oil prices.
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ValueAct taps renowned lawyer Boies for US antitrust lawsuit
22-April-2016 - reuters.com
NEW YORK, April 22 (Reuters) - ValueAct Capital, the $16 billion hedge fund, has hired renowned attorney David Boies, according to a court filing on Friday, in a sign of the activist investor's...
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Halliburton says it cut 6,000 jobs in Q1, delays earnings call
22-April-2016 - reuters.com
April 22 (Reuters) - Halliburton Co said on Friday that it reduced headcount by more than 6,000 during the first quarter due to the prolonged slump in oil prices.
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Sam Adams´ founder has ´Lessons´ to handle brewing competition
22-April-2016 - usatoday.com
In new book, Sam Adams brewer Jim Koch tells how to quench your own thirst for business.
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MARKET REPORT: Shipping firm Goldenport sinks as it sells its fleet of 17 tankers for as little as 70p each
22-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
Goldenport says the average daily hire rate of a vessel has even fallen below the operating cost level. A decade ago, as commodity prices boomed, more ships were built to capitalise on the trend.
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17 Middle Class Jobs That Are Disappearing
22-April-2016 - huffingtonpost.com
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Uber settles over employee status row
22-April-2016 - bbc.com
Uber has agreed to pay out $100m for its drivers to drop their case claiming employee rights.
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How to cope with unemployment
22-April-2016 - bbci.co.uk
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Could work salary sacrifice get you a new smartphone on the cheap?
22-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
A new employee benefits programme, Phonescheme, claims it could slash up to 32 per cent off the price of buying a new mobile phone.
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Take part in exclusive benefits strategies research
22-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Take part in exclusive research on the issues shaping employers employee benefits strategy by taking part in the Employee Benefits/Xerox HR Services Benefits research 2016. The research will offer insight into the types of benefits included in employee benefits programmes and what is driving organisations approaches to benefits both now and in the future. The []
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NBAs Thunder Among Groups Opposing Oklahoma Gun Bills
22-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
Firearms bills to allow most Oklahoma adults to openly carry guns without any training or background checks have led to a showdown in Oklahoma between supporters of expanded gun rights and the states business community, including the NBAs Oklahoma City
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Venezuela public workers use energy-saving Fridays for TV, shopping
22-April-2016 - reuters.com
CARACAS/PUNTO FIJO (Reuters) - Ordered off on Fridays to save energy in crisis-hit Venezuela, many public workers are simply cranking up appliances at home instead.
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From Armed Forces to property world
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
Beresfords joins online mentoring scheme to help people leaving services plan new career
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As Oil Jobs Dry Up, Workers Turn to Solar Sector
22-April-2016 - wsj.com
Plunging oil and gas prices have generated more than 84,000 pink slips in Texas. But many rig hands, roustabouts and pipe fitters are finding a surprising alternative in utility-scale solar farms.
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Bike couriers in legal fight over rights
22-April-2016 - bbc.com
Four couriers are taking their companies to a tribunal in a bid to get employed workers' rights, in what could be a landmark case affecting thousands of self-employed people.
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How to write a successful CV
22-April-2016 - bbci.co.uk
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Grandmother takes on Chinese state media
22-April-2016 - cnn.com
A 70-year-old Chinese grandmother is suing a powerful state media agency, saying it defamed her labor activist son.
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Almost one in six UK jobs adverts require people to be able to drive
22-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
Want a new job? Having a valid driving licence could be the difference between getting one and not. Of 847k jobs listed on the government's employment database, 131k require a licence, a study found.
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Swindon Town Football Club fined for auto-enrolment non-compliance
22-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
The Pensions Regulator has fined Swindon Town Football Company (STFC) for not fulfilling its pensions auto-enrolment duties. The football clubs fines totalled £22,900 for failing to place eligible employees into a pension scheme and for non-compliance with other workplace pension responsibilities. STFC received a compliance notice in August 2014 directing it to enrol staff in []
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OSHA Fines Storage Tank Company $95K for Missouri Workplace Hazards
22-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
A federal agency has found that a storage tank manufacturer is continuing to expose workers in Missouri to hazardous levels of a chemical than can cause lung cancer and other health problems. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said that
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U.S. conservative group boycotts Target over transgender policy
22-April-2016 - reuters.com
CHICAGO, April 22 (Reuters) - The conservative American Family Association is urging its members to boycott Target Corp for the retailer's decision to allow transgender employees and customers to...
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Carpenters, chefs, builders...coolest of jobs waiting for you in Antarctic
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
TEMPERATURES have dipped considerably in the past week, but could you stick the sub zero climate and work at the coolest place on earth?
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Agency workers´ rights explained
22-April-2016 - bbci.co.uk
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Uber in $100 million labor settlement
22-April-2016 - cnn.com
Uber has survived a major threat to its business model, settling two legal suits brought by drivers who sought to be classified as employees instead of independent contractors.
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Rhode Islands Falvey Yacht Insurance Adds 2 to Underwriting Team
22-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
Falvey Yacht Insurance, a North Kingstown, Rhode Island-based managing general underwriter specializing in yacht insurance, has hired Laura Sherrod and Craig McGinnes to join the firms group of yacht underwriting experts. Sherrod will be senior vice president and McGinnes will
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Record numbers in work as jobless rate dips to new low
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
A RECORD number of people are in work and unemployment has fallen by another 60,000 to its lowest rate for a decade, new figures have shown.
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Employment tribunal rule changes
22-April-2016 - bbci.co.uk
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Uber Settlement Doesnt Settle Gig Economys Independent Contractor vs. Employee Dispute
22-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
Uber Technologies Inc. resolved the biggest threat to its business by settling with California drivers suing to be treated more like traditional employees, a move that could have broad-ranging implications for companies across the sharing economy. The agreement calls for
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Banking experts consultancy role
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
AN experienced specialist from the banking world has joined the Chelmsford team of financial and business advisers Grant Thornton in a consultancy role to help further progress the firms strategy for growth.
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Unfair dismissal traps to avoid
22-April-2016 - bbci.co.uk
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Rental Car Firms Losing Out to Ridesharing
22-April-2016 - insurancejournal.com
Taxis arent the only ones that may be stressing out about Uber Technologies Inc. Transactions from the ride-hailing startup have surpassed rental cars among American professionals, according to Certify, the second-largest provider of travel and expense management software in North America. Uber accounted
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Choosy graduates turn down jobs
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
Despite 1,000 unfilled roles, bosses to offer record number of degree-level jobs this year
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New employment tribunal laws come in
22-April-2016 - bbci.co.uk
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Sophie brews up scheme to wow college dragons
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
STUDENTS recently entered the den to pitch entrepreneurial business ideas to the South Essex College dragons.
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Schlumberger Reduces Workforce by About 2,500 in 1Q
22-April-2016 - abcnews.com
Oilfield services jobs still declining, as Schlumberger reduces workforce by about 2,500
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How to deal with job rejection
22-April-2016 - bbci.co.uk
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Start a college course
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
South Essex College has launched its new year programme of adult evening and weekend courses where you can improve your job prospects or learn a new skill or hobby.
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Swiss to vote on executive pay curbs
22-April-2016 - bbci.co.uk
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College courses help fulfil your potential
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
At Adult Community Learning Essex, prospective learners are being encouraged to register for courses and fulfil their goals.
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Viewpoints: Are zero-hours contracts exploitative?
22-April-2016 - bbci.co.uk
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Budget airline set to double its intake of women pilots
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
EASYJET has announced plans to double its intake of female pilots.
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The implications of taking a second job
22-April-2016 - bbci.co.uk
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We´re ready to manage
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
AN Essex-based course is spearheading a new qualification, tailored for the next generation of business managers, which combines apprentice training with a full honours degree
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How to start a business without a bank loan
22-April-2016 - bbci.co.uk
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Care industry is booming
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
MANY new jobs are being created in south Essex, thanks to the growth of the care industry.
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How to ask for a pay rise
22-April-2016 - bbci.co.uk
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Anglia Ruskin nursing graduate wins top award
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
ANGLIA Ruskins role as a centre for the training of nurses and midwives has been further enhanced by a major award presented to one of its graduate nurses.
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Employment tribunals facing change
22-April-2016 - bbci.co.uk
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Firms to fire imagination of teens at unis Big Bang fair
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
ESSEX University is holding the latest of its highly-successful Big Bang campus fairs on December 15.
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High Street stores prove to be our top employers
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
High street retailers dominate a list of the friendliest places to work, a new study has shown.
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Is yours a top job? Data shows what the best 25 jobs in the UK are
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
Driving trains or Formula 1 cars, singing pop songs, playing football these are the types of jobs kids have traditionally dreamt of having when they grow up.
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Major employer to create 110 new jobs in Brighton in the run-up to Christmas
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
A major employer has announced 110 new full-time jobs in the city centre in the run-up to Christmas.
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Brighton and Hove in top 10% for creating new jobs across the country
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
THE city is punching above its weight after smashing its own employment targets.
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Jobseekers offered skills course
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
JOBSEEKERS are being offered a free three-week programme to gain skills sought by employers.
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New restaurant in Brighton Marina is set to create 50 jobs
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
An emerging new restaurant chain is putting the finishing touches to its new eaterie, which will create up to 50 jobs.
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Unemployment at record low
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
Unemployment fell again last month as it continued its record downward trajectory.
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97 jobs could go as Phones 4u puts its 19 Sussex stores into administraion
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
NEARLY 100 jobs are hanging in the balance after Phones 4u went into administration.
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100 new jobs on their way as charity prepares to open flagship care home
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
A CHARITY is preparing to open a flagship care home which will create 100 jobs.
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Newhaven Port seeks planning permission to expand its harbour area, creating up to 150 jobs
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
A KEY Sussex port is hoping to expand after years of decline, generating new jobs.
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Vacancies on rise
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
A growing sense of confidence among recruiters has been lent an extra boost by new research showing a 6 per cent quarterly growth in the number of advertised North West job vacancies.
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Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service seeks on-call firefighters
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
NEW on-call firefighters are being sought in a county-wide recruitment drive.
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Employment options are limited for Hampshire´s next generation
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
WHAT if youd worked solidly for the last 40 hours with people you didnt know in an unfamiliar office in a town far from home for nothing?
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Jobs boost with plans to open two new restaurants
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
MORE than 30 jobs will be created when Far Eastern cuisine comes to a Hampshire shopping centre at two new restaurants.
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Hundreds of job seekers pack into Daily Echo´s Jobsfair
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
HUNDREDS of eager job hunters packed into the Daily Echo's Jobsfair to find their ideal job and possibly take their first step on a new career path.
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Looking for a new job or a fresh career: Join us at the Daily Echo Jobsfair on Thursday
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
A CHANCE for those looking for a job or a change of career to meet dozens of employers all in one place takes place in Bournemouth on Thursday.
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First jobs fair for Canvey will help you back to work
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
IT may be a first-time event, but the Canvey jobs fair is set to open with a splash.
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Get into the zone
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
A WORK zone has been launched in Northwich to help people find employment.
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Pub pulls in ex-bank boss
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
Landmark local is now a family affair for former City worker
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Who wants to be in an office? Not us roofers!
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
Pals set up their own roofing business after previous employer called it a day
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Countys cash offer to attract new teachers
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
IN a bid to attract teachers to Essex schools, resettlement grants are being offered to qualified professionals from outside the county.
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Job losses confirmed as warehouse closes
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
THE boss of Beales has confirmed that jobs will be lost following a decision to close warehouse facilities in the Wallisdown area of Bournemouth.
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20-year pledge to create job opportunities in Nine Elms
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
The Capital's biggest regeneration partnership has signed a 20-year pledge to create thousands of new jobs, apprenticeship places and business opportunities in Nine Elms.
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How to handle job search rejection
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
So you didn't get the job. You might prefer to never speak to the company again but there are some good reasons to ask for feedback. Here's how and why to do it...
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Moving to the private sector?
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
With the government cutting 270,000 public sector jobs last year, more people than ever are looking to the commercial world for employment. If you're one of them, here's what to expect and how to make the most of your transferable skills.
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CHINGFORD: Care home residents knit Olympic rings
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
KEEN knitters have celebrated the Olympics by creating woollen Olympic rings.
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Increased confidence, more job opportunities and positive change through professional study
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
Gaining professional qualifications as an adult delivers a wide range of benefits, as revealed by research from our training partner Home Learning College. The distance learning specialist asked a range of past students to outline how their life has changed as a result of their studies. The most commonly reported change is greater confidence when applying for jobs, as mentioned by almost half (43 per cent).
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How to pull yourself out of a rut at work
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
Continued uncertainty in the job market means that many people are choosing to stay put in unsatisfying jobs rather than risk being out of work. While it certainly makes logical and financial sense to hang on to your current position at the present time, there is nothing to stop you taking steps to bring about positive change, without making any drastic moves.
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Why its never too late to go back to school
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
The thought of returning to the classroom can be daunting if youve been out of education for a while. You might have questions around your ability to understand and retain information at an older age, or you may be concerned about finding the time and money for further study. These are all valid points to consider, but there are also plenty of reasons why going back to school could be the right move at this stage in your life.
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How to Wow a New Employer in 5 Easy Steps
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
Securing a new job relies on your ability to show an employer why you can fulfil the role better than other candidates. This may sound challenging, but its actually easier than you think! In fact, the essence of successful job hunting can be boiled down into a few simple points, as outlined below:
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British workers risk getting stuck in rut without right qualifications
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
Todays competitive job market means people are in danger of becoming stuck in unfulfilling roles unless they have the right qualifications, according to research by Home Learning College. Three quarters of respondents say it is harder to move jobs nowadays without appropriate study credentials. This sentiment peaks among the over 45s at 87%.
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SWOT up to get your dream job
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
A positive attitude and confidence are essential elements of successful career planning. However, self belief should be founded on a realistic understanding of your abilities and how these can be utilised to the best effect.
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In need of career advice? Look no further!
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
Over a third of British adults have not yet found the right career, according to research from our training partner Home Learning College. The only place many people receive any formal occupational guidance is at school. However, despite three quarters reporting this to be the case, 66% say the information they received at that time was not appropriate. In fact, 40% say they have never benefited from useful vocational advice at any point in their life!
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British workforce predicts better career prospects in 2011
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
Despite continued financial turbulence, and further job losses due to hit the public sector, workers are remaining positive and predicting that the coming year will bring greater fortune. Around half (49%) of adults in employment see their career prospects changing for the better in 2011, while only 20% think things will get worse, according to research by our training partner Home Learning College.
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Is Your CV Extinct? 7 Things to Update
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
Job hunting is always hard work. You look through job ads, send out applications, go to interviews and improve your networking. And you're still not getting any offers? Take a closer look at your CV.
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Quarter of UK workforce secretly looking for new job
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
Employers beware! Over a quarter of UK workers (27%) are actively looking for a new job but have chosen not to share this information with their boss or line manager. In fact, the number of people secretly seeking a new position represents 78% of all current jobseekers, according to research conducted by distance learning specialist Home Learning College. In total, over a third (34%) of those currently in work reported being on the hunt for a new position.
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Two fifths of Brits glad they dont work with Alan Sugars Apprentices
22-April-2016 - theargus.co.uk
As the candidates in series six of The Apprentice reveal their true colours, research from Home Learning College shows that 42% of viewers would not want them as colleagues. It seems that women are most turned off by such behaviour, with 44% saying they are glad not to work with people like that, compared to 37% of men.
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Prince had a legendary career of hit records
21-April-2016 - cnn.com
Read full story for latest details.
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Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report
21-April-2016 - dol.gov
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report In the week ending April 16, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 247,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 253,000. This is the lowest level for initial claims since November 24, 1973 when it was 233,000. The 4-week moving average was 260,500, a decrease of 4,500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 265,000. Release Date: 04/21/2016 Release Number: 16-806-NAT Override with PDF?: Optional PDF: 20160806.pdf
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FACT SHEET: Investing $90 Million through ApprenticeshipUSA to Expand Proven Pathways into the Middle Class
21-April-2016 - dol.gov
FACT SHEET: Investing $90 Million through ApprenticeshipUSA to Expand Proven Pathways into the Middle Class Since the beginning of his Administration, President Obama has focused on creating an economy that works for every American. Under President Obama, our economy has added 14.4 million jobs over 73 straight months, the longest streak of job creation on record. The jobs available today, and the jobs of the future, are higher-skill jobs that require more education and advanced skills. Job-driven apprenticeships are among the surest pathways to provide American workers from all backgrounds with the skills and knowledge they need to acquire good-paying jobs and grow the economy. In fact, 87 percent of apprentices are employed after completing their programs, with an average starting wage above $50,000. The return on investment for employers is also impressive international studies suggest that for every dollar spent on apprenticeship, employers may get an average of $1.47 back in increased productivity, reduced waste and greater front-line innovation. As a result, the President has made expanding apprenticeship a priority for his Administration. Since the President's 2014 State of the Union call to action, the U.S. has added more than 75,000 new apprenticeships, the largest increase in nearly a decade. And last year, the President signed into law the first-ever annual funding for apprenticeship in the Fiscal Year 2016 spending bill, following a bipartisan agreement based on the Presidents budget request. Today, the Department of Labor is announcing the Administrations latest step to increase access to apprenticeship using the $90 million provided in that spending bill for new investments through ApprenticeshipUSA to expand apprenticeship in the United States, including: $60 million to support state strategies to expand apprenticeship, including funding for regional industry partnerships and innovative strategies that diversify apprenticeship locally. $30 million to catalyze industry partnerships in fast-growing and high-tech industries, to support organizations focused on increasing diversity, and to launch national efforts to make it easier for employers to start and for workers to find apprenticeship opportunities. Building on the bipartisan support for apprenticeship, the Department of Labor intends to make multi-year grants and contract awards to winning states, non-profits, workforce intermediaries, and industry associations subject to the availability of funding through the appropriations process using the $90 million provided through bipartisan support in the FY2016 spending bill for the first year of the awards. Investing $60 Million to Support Smart State Strategies to Expand Apprenticeship Today, the Department of Labor is announcing a first step in investing in state apprenticeship strategies. Recognizing Governors unique ability to create smart statewide strategies to expand apprenticeship, the Department is making up to $9.5 million available for ApprenticeshipUSA State Accelerator Grants, for states to develop strategic plans and build partnerships for apprenticeship expansion and diversification. States will also receive support to develop comprehensive game plans for encouraging businesses to launch apprenticeship programs in a variety of industries including advanced manufacturing, health care, IT, construction, and transportation. These state accelerator grants will be followed this spring by a $50 million ApprenticeshipUSA State Expansion Grants Competition to scale-up state efforts to expand apprenticeship. The expansion grants will help states integrate apprenticeship into their education and workforce systems. engage industry and other partners at scale to expand apprenticeship to new sectors and new populations. support state capacity to conduct outreach and work with employers to start new programs. provide support to promote greater inclusion and diversity in apprenticeship. and implement state innovations, incentives and system reforms. By investing in state strategies for growing apprenticeship opportunities, these funds will help strengthen the foundation for the rapid and sustained expansion of quality apprenticeship nationwide. The ApprenticeshipUSA state investments build on the demonstrated success several states have already shown in expanding apprenticeship. With the leadership of Governors across the country, 14 states have increased the number of apprentices in their state by over 20 percent including: Iowa, which tripled state funds to support apprenticeship across key industries California, which unlocked additional funds to cover training costs, Georgia, which brought together its workforce development and community college systems to partner with over thirty major employers on apprenticeship, Connecticut, which launched a Manufacturing Innovation Fund to support employers engaged in apprenticeship expansion. Providing $30 Million for Industry Partnerships, Innovations to Enhance Diversity, and Access to Apprenticeship Through ApprenticeshipUSA, the Department of Labor will also make investments to help more employers start or grow apprenticeship programs, particularly in high-growth and high-tech industries like health care, IT and advanced manufacturing where apprenticeship has not been as broadly adopted. Through industry-driven partnerships, these investments will focus on leveraging collaborations with workforce development organizations, industry associations, labor groups, and training providers to help multiple employers at a time accelerate the expansion of apprenticeship nationwide. Industry and training intermediaries can provide support for individual employers and entire industries as they seek to start or expand apprenticeship. For example, through one such partnership, the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and healthcare employers ranging from Pfizer to the Seattle Children's Hospital joined forces to create an industry-recognized apprenticeship preparing workers for careers in healthcare services and hospital IT, leveraging common industry-approved curriculum and training solutions. The Department of Labors investments will help spur similar collaborations across growing, high-skills industries. Expanding Registered Apprenticeship also means opening up opportunities to traditionally underrepresented populations including women, minorities, and people with disabilities, tapping into the full range of Americas talent. While all of the ApprenticeshipUSA investments include a focus on making apprenticeships more inclusive, the Department of Labor, through ApprenticeshipUSA , will invest in strategies specifically focused on building pathways to apprenticeship, expanding recruiting and other strategies for attracting diverse participants, and in national innovations that promote greater access to apprenticeships for traditionally underrepresented groups. These national investments will complement investments made at the state level, ensuring that state strategies embrace diversity in apprenticeship. They will also support national efforts to engage community-based organizations, workforce intermediaries and other non-profits in the development and implementation of pathways to apprenticeship including pre-apprenticeship, supportive services, and youth apprenticeships. In addition, the Department of Labor will invest in national activities to increase access to apprenticeship including strategic marketing and outreach, technology improvements and innovations that make it easier for employers to start apprenticeships and for job-seekers to connect with apprenticeship opportunities. For more information on the timeline of additional investments and deadlines for proposals, please visit http://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship Building on Success in Expanding Apprenticeship and Increase Access to Jobs-Driven Training Todays announcement builds on the Obama Administrations previous efforts to increase access to apprenticeship and jobs-driven training to prepare workers for high-skill jobs available today, including: Investing an unprecedented $175 million in American Apprenticeship Grants. In September 2015, the Department of Labor announced $175 million in grants to 46 public-private partnerships between employers, organized labor, non-profits, local governments, and educational institutions that are expanding high-quality apprenticeships. The grantees are well on their way to creating and filling more than 34,000 new apprentices in high-growth and high-tech industries including health care, IT and advanced manufacturing over the next five years. Highlighting the value of apprenticeships through LEADERS. More than 170 employers, colleges, and labor organizations have signed on to be ApprenticeshipUSA LEADERS (Leaders of Excellence in Apprenticeship Development, Education and Research) by starting or expanding their own work-based learning programs and encouraging their peers to follow. Together, employers in the LEADERS program have pledged to create nearly 20,000 new apprenticeship positions. Expanding opportunities for apprentices to earn college credit towards a degree. More than 200 colleges nationwide have joined the Registered Apprenticeship-College Consortium, which allows graduates of Registered Apprenticeship programs to turn their on-the-job and classroom training into college credits toward an associate or bachelor degree. Directing training investments into job-driven strategies. Following the Vice Presidents Job-Driven Training review, federal agencies have taken actions to make programs serving over 21 million Americans every year more effective and accountable for preparing Americans for good jobs that employers need to fill. These actions include ensuring training investments include essential elements that matter most for getting Americans into better jobs such as strong employer engagement, work-based learning approaches like apprenticeship, better use of labor market information, and accountability for employment outcomes. More details on the Administrations progress on Job-Driven Training can be found here . Release Date: 04/21/2016 Media Contact Name: Ammar Campa-Najjar Email: Najjar.Ammar.C@DOL.Gov Phone Number: 202-693-4686 Override with PDF?:
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VIDEO: Cash-strapped OAP´s plea for a job
21-April-2016 - bbc.com
Cash-strapped pensioner Jack Smith, 81, took his plea for a job to his local paper after getting a series of rejections.
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M&S staff instructed to focus on types of clothing rather than individual brands
21-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
New boss Steve Rowe, 48, who started his career as a Saturday boy at M&Ss Croydon store, has reshuffled its key womenswear team to match how women actually shop.
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The importance of employee benefits provisions for SMEs
21-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
By Philip Penning. Consultant at Xerox HR Services There is a school of thought and long held assumption that, to receive full, competitive, and well valued employee benefits packages, you need to be working for a large corporation. In order to really get the providers of such benefits excited and prepared to offer cost effective []
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ALEX BRUMMER: A pitiful display at Anglo American as investors vote against ceo´s pay while firm cuts 83,000 jobs in some of the poorest parts of the world
21-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
You do not have to be a Corbynista to cheer loudly when investors deliver a bloody nose to overpaid ceos. If anything, the 41 per cent vote against Mark Cutifani £3.4m pay packet at Anglo was timid.
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ERISA Advisory Council to Hold First Meeting of 2005
21-April-2016 - dol.gov
ERISA Advisory Council to Hold First Meeting of 2005 Archived News Release Caution: Information may be out of date. WASHINGTON - The first meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans will be held May 12 at 2:00 p.m. in the Secretary's Conference Room, S-2508, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W. At the meeting, new council members will be sworn in, council leadership will be introduced, the assistant secretary of the Employee Benefits Security Administration will provide an issues update and 2005 council topics will be selected. Persons wishing to present testimony or submit written statements should contact Larry Good, executive secretary, ERISA Advisory Council, Department of Labor, Room N-5623, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. Good can also be reached at (202) 693-8668. The ERISA Advisory Council consists of 15 members appointed to staggered three-year terms by the Secretary of Labor to advise on policies and regulations affecting employee benefit plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The members represent the general public, employers, employee organizations, and the fields of insurance, corporate trust, investment management, investment counseling, accounting and actuarial counseling. U.S. Department of Labor news releases are accessible on the Department's Newsroom page. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202.693.7765 or TTY 202.693.7755. The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit the Department's Compliance Assistance page. Archived News Release Caution: Information may be out of date. Release Date: 04/19/2016 Release Number: 05-701-NAT Override with PDF?:
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How to help staff combat stress
21-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Stress is part of every day life and there are some who really thrive under pressure but how do you know when to help someone heading for burnout? Knowing your employees and how they work can help you to recognise the signs of distress, but there might be some tips and tricks you []
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Lloyds Bank to close 21 branches, cut 625 jobs and outsource roles to India
21-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
The cuts are part of 9,000 job losses announced by the bank in 2014, in a restructure that will see a 10 per cent reduction in overall headcount.
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75% believe employers should proactively support staff health and wellbeing
21-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Three-quarters (75%) of employer respondents believe that organisations should proactively support employees to manage their health and wellbeing, according to research by Axa PPP Healthcare. Its survey of 1,000 purchasing decision makers also found that 77% of respondents already have a health and wellbeing strategy in place. The research also found: More than half (51%) []
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Samantha A. Gregory: 7 Ways to Manage Finances Through Unemployment
21-April-2016 - huffingtonpost.com
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BoE says firms using low inflation as excuse to hold down wages
21-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
British workers have been warned that they are being robbed of decent pay rises by ultra-low levels of inflation.
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STEVE WEBB: Should you merge your small pension pots
21-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
This week, our retirement Agony Uncle Steve Webb answers a worker who wants to find out how much she's saved up in many small pension pots and whether it's worth combining them.
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Nick Boles: The Secret Success Story
20-April-2016 - huffingtonpost.co.uk
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LinkedIn - Newly designed Recruiter product
20-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Launch on 20 Apr 2016 LinkedIn is today rolling out its newly redesigned Recruiter product to 41,000 companies worldwide, with new features that make it easier for recruiters and talent acquisition professionals to make the best hires Recruiter is LinkedIns flagship product in its Talent Solutions business, and enables users to quickly find and recruit the best candidates from among LinkedIns 414m members. Being able to more easily access the talent available on LinkedIn can help businesses make strategic and relevant hires. Employers using the tool have seen some impressive initial success: Recruiters are needing to do around 17 per cent fewer searches as the new search experience helps users surface the right talent, faster Recruiters are viewing 42 per cent more profiles per search Recruiters are saving 23 per cent more of candidates that they find, signifying they're finding more relevant candidates SAP is one of the companies testing the product and had the following to say: "LinkedIn offers the insights we need to get a better view of the talent in our key markets in the UK and worldwide. SAP is very excited about the newest version of Recruiter, as it is even more intuitive, enabling us to enter the names of top performers in our teams and instantly get back a list of professionals with similar skills and experience. The right data insights combined with helping us find the best talent as quickly and efficiently as possible is a powerful combination. We're excited to explore the impact the new version of Recruiter will have on our business." Matthew Jeffrey, vice president, Global Sourcing and Employer Branding . For recruiters and talent acquisition managers, there are three call-out changes to the new Recruiter: Replicating their best hires For many recruiters looking for their next top hire, its often easier to say who theyre looking for rather than what skills they want. From today, users can type in the name of top employees into Recruiter and its smart matching algorithms will serve up a list of professionals with similar skills and experience. In Recruiter these are called Ideal Candidates, and can be a quick and effective way to let the data do the hard work on finding great talent. Showing available talent pools in real-time For recruiters involved in planning new growth strategies for their company, one of the first questions should be how are they going to effectively find the right talent to make the business' initiatives a success. LinkedIn Recruiter can now show users the available talent pool available to them based on the specific skills and experience theyre looking for. The number of available candidates will immediately update depending on how broad or narrow they make their search, giving them an accurate idea of how easy or hard it will be to find the skills they need. Shining a spotlight on the most-likely candidates Filling critical roles is often about speed as much as the right skills and experience. The new LinkedIn Recruiter helps highlight the candidates most likely to respond to a recruiter by looking at the digital cues that suggest they might show an interest in an organisation. This includes candidates that already have connections within the company, those who followed its Company Page or liked, commented on, or shared a relevant update, and even previous job applicants. These Spotlight candidates are two-to-three times more likely to respond to a recruiter, increasing the speed of finding the best talent.
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Employee confidence in pay and business outlook reaches new high: Glassdoor survey
20-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Statistics and trends Women Still Less Confident Than Men About Pay, But Gap Has Narrowed on 20 Apr 2016 Company Profile Glassdoor View profile » New findings from the Glassdoor UK Employment Confidence Survey 1 reveal that employees are more confident than ever of a pay rise, yet women still lag behind men when it comes to expectations of earning more money. Forty one percent of employees polled expect a pay rise in the next 12 months and 40 percent expect the outlook for their company to improve in the next six months, both of which are a new high point since the survey began in 2014. However, the gender difference tells a slightly different story. Only 35 percent of female employees, compared to nearly half (46 percent) of men are confident of a pay rise. Thirty seven percent of female employees expect their company outlook to improve whereas for men this figure is higher at 42 percent. Its interesting that on the face of it employee confidence of a pay rise is so much higher than two years ago, however the increase has actually been far more significant amongst female employees. Whilst it is encouraging that women are feeling more positive about both their prospects and the outlook for their companies, we must not forget that female employees are still lagging behind their male counterparts with regards to expectations of a pay rise, comments Jon Ingham, Glassdoor jobs and workplace expert. With the gender pay gap high on the agenda for so many people, confidence amongst women is a key factor, which might mean they wont push for a better compensation package. This is a wake-up call for employees and employers to act for a fairer workplace. Greater transparency around pay and sharing salaries internally will help all employees benchmark their pay and understand their market value. The Glassdoor UK Employment Confidence Survey tracks four core indicators of employment confidence including: salary expectations, job market optimism, business outlook and job security. Additional highlights from the Glassdoor UK Employment Confidence Survey include: Salary expectations: Confidence is at the highest point since our study began in Q1 2014: 41 percent of employees believe they will receive a pay increase within the next 12 months, a 4 percentage point increase on previous quarter. However, there is a significant gender difference: 46 percent of men are confident of more money compared to just 35 percent of women. However, this gap has narrowed to 11 percentage points from 18 percentage points since Q1 2014. Business outlook: Two fifths (40 percent) of employees believe that business outlook will improve over the next six months a high since the UK study began in Q1 2014, at which point the figure was 34 percent. Men are more bullish though, with 42 percent of men having a positive outlook compared to 37 percent of women. Approximately one in ten (13 percent) employees believe things will get worse at their company in the next six months. Job Security: Just over a quarter of employees (26 percent) are concerned they will be made redundant over the next six months, a figure which is up from 21 percent in Q1 2014 when the UK survey started. Looking at the gender difference, 22 percent of women are concerned about redundancy compared to 28 percent of men. When asked if they were concerned about colleagues being made redundant, 38 percent agreed down six percentage points compared to Q3 2015 when this figure reached a two-year high (44 per cent). More men (40 percent) worry about their employer making colleagues redundant than women (34 percent). Changes in the workplace: In the last six months, 44 percent of all businesses in the UK that had made negative changes in the workplace have made employees redundant/and or communicated plans to implement further redundancies. This is down from 53 percent compared to the same period in 2014. Job market optimism/ Re-hire probability: Approximately one in three (34 percent) employees believe that if they were made redundant they would be able to find a new job that matches their skills and experience within the next six months, up two percentage points on previous quarter. Of those currently unemployed, 38 percent believe they will find a job over the next six months - up 8 percentage points on the previous quarter. Compared to the same period in 2014, this figure has increased by 13 percentage points. Nearly half (46 percent) of 25-34 year olds feel confident of finding a new job matching their experience in the next six months compared to just 24 percent of those in the 55+ range. 1 The Q1 2016 survey of 2,028 people, among whom 923 are employed full-time/part-time, was conducted online within Great Britain by Harris Interactive on behalf of Glassdoor from 21/03/16 to 24/03/16. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact pr@glassdoor.com .
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Expat Oil Workers Fall on Hard Times
20-April-2016 - wsj.com
Amid the energy industrys deepest retrenchment in two decades, some oil and gas workers who followed the boom in search of better opportunities are finding themselves jobless and far from home.
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US Labor Department awards $1.3M in incremental funding for Arkansas clean-up, recovery efforts after severe summer storms in 2015
20-April-2016 - dol.gov
US Labor Department awards $1.3M in incremental funding for Arkansas clean-up, recovery efforts after severe summer storms in 2015 State: Arkansas Type of Award: National Dislocated Worker Grant Initial Amount Approved: $2,200,000 Incremental Amount Awarded: $1,332,62 Funding Awarded to: Arkansas Department of Workforce Services Number of Workers Served: Approximately 111 Use of Funds: The U.S. Department of Labor approved a National Dislocated Worker Grant award for up to $2,200,000, with $740,000 released initially on August 27, 2015, to create temporary jobs for eligible individuals to assist with clean-up and recovery efforts after severe storms affected Arkansas western region from May 7 to June 15, 2015. The projects recovery activities target the following counties: Crawford, Franklin, Independence, Izard, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Newton, Polk, Scott and Searcy. With this incremental award, the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services will receive $1,332,622 to continue this recovery effort, bringing the total funds awarded to date for this project to $2,072,622. Background : Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, NDWGs temporarily expand the service capacity of dislocated worker training and employment programs at the state and local levels by providing funding assistance in response to large, unexpected economic events which cause significant job losses. NDWGs generally provide resources to states and local workforce investment boards to reemploy laid-off workers quickly by offering training to increase occupational skills. Release Date: 04/20/2016 Media Contact Name: Joe Versen Email: versen.joseph.h@dol.gov Phone Number: (202) 693-4696 Release Number: 16-0814-NAT Override with PDF?:
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Hireserve launches innovative new SMS functionality
20-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Launch Renowned for its flexible and constantly evolving product, recruitment software provider Hireserve is pleased to announce a key new integration with customer engagement solutions provider Oxygen8 Group. on 20 Apr 2016 Company Profile Hireserve Limited View profile » This new integration will allow users of Hireserves recruitment software to communicate with candidates over text message, for tasks such as confirming attendance at interviews or assessment days. We are always looking for ways to enhance Hireserve ATS, our recruitment software, and making life easier for both our customers and their candidates is number one on our list. This new integration with Oxygen8 reduces email administration for our customers and enhances candidate experience. Were ensuring in-house recruiters can make every step of the recruitment process easier, quicker and more connected for their candidates. - Jeremy Ovenden, Founder and Managing Director, Hireserve The two-way SMS technology is fully integrated with Hireserve ATS, allowing users to send candidates a text requesting a response for example, a text reminding them of interview details and asking candidates to confirm their attendance with a simple YES/NO reply. This response is then recorded in Hireserve ATS as an updated candidate status. Integrating Oxygen8s SMS into Hireserves recruitment software has allowed them to automate and speed up the recruitment process for all of their clients, whilst enhancing the candidates journey during the interview stage. Using SMS as a way to connect in-house recruiters and candidates quickly and conveniently is an exciting new development both for the SMS solutions and e-recruitment markets and were delighted that Oxygen8 UK was chosen as Hireserves technology partner. - Phil Herridge, International Business Development Manager, Oxygen8 UK Were offering a very unique new tool with this Oxygen8 integration, and I am pleased to be able to provide even more functionality and engaging technology to our customers. - Jeremy Ovenden, Hireserve
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Well Pharmacy to use WCN e-recruitment system
20-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Statistics and trends Well Pharmacy, the UKs largest independent pharmacy chain, has signed a three year deal to use WCN online recruitment technology for its branch manager and colleague, head office, warehouse and pharmacy summer placement hires. on 20 Apr 2016 Company Profile WCN View profile » The company, which has over 7,000 employees based in 780 pharmacies across the UK, will begin using the new system from June 2016. Well will use WCN to help enhance the candidate experience in its nationwide recruitment. The company is the largest pharmacy chain overall in Wales, and the third largest pharmacy chain overall across the UK, serving 1.3 million customers every week and dispensing 74 million prescriptions each year. The WCN system will also help Well formerly the Co-operative Pharmacy - with improving the efficiency of its recruitment process by improving quality of hire, reducing staff attrition and supporting hiring managers across their branch chain. The deployment is an important step forward for the firm in simplifying processes in a sector that has known workforce challenges, and will play a vital role in helping Well to deliver ambitious growth plans, whilst continuing to deliver expert advice and service to its customers and within the communities it serves. Reiteen Ladwa, Resourcing Manager for Well said: We want all of our customers to make the most of their health. Our services are provided by qualified pharmacists, who are available without having to make an appointment. The WCN system will be central to ensuring that we can continue to recruit the best talent and provide the service we are renowned for across the UK. Charles Hipps, WCN CEO adds: We are privileged to welcome Well Pharmacy as a client - Its a great endorsement for both our system and team. WCN will play a key role in helping Well to recruit the best talent in ways that are faster, better and easier without jeopardising the quality needed to serve the public wellbeing.
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Watch: Intel to Eliminate 12,000 Jobs Globally
20-April-2016 - abcnews.com
The company's shift is in response to the drop in sales of personal computers.
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STEMs male dominated industry puts women off entering the sector, says Milkround and SMRS research
20-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Statistics and trends One third of women are put off pursuing a career in STEM industries, as they perceive it to be male dominated, finds new research which delves into the student mindset when it comes to choosing a career in STEM related roles. on 20 Apr 2016 Company Profile Milkround View profile » With 54% of females believing that women will struggle to earn as much as men in this sector there appears to be a growing gap which employers must address when it comes to diversifying their annual graduate intake and satisfying increasing quotas. With many companies operating in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics sectors and looking to take positive steps with regards to brand building and changing the status quo, Milkround the UKs leading youth recruitment site and SMRS, the specialist recruitment communications agency, delved into the reasons behind the lack of women entering this industry. Key findings: 23% of female school leavers believe their male counterparts receive more support in choosing a STEM career than females Over 50% of respondents believe that women struggle to earn as much as men in STEM industries 18% more males obtained a STEM role upon graduation than females who had studied in the same field. This research stemmed from a noticeable rise in employer requests to target females studying particular industry subjects. Over 2,400 school leavers, students and graduates took the time to partake in this research, divulging their opinions and perceptions on the STEM industry. Following the research, three focus groups were held for each audience - school leavers, students and graduates - to further qualify the results of the research. Another topic was discussed too - that of employer website branding, and how female STEM careerists engage with different types of branding and usability. Students who partook in the research noted that authenticity, friendliness and personalisation such as commuting distance were key factors in engagement, whist stock imagery, impersonal content, and poor user experiences through the application process, were most likely to put potential applications off. The insight was revealed to graduate recruitment industry experts on the 18 th of April 2016 at Milkrounds Insight Breakfast, held at their headquarters in London Bridge. Over 50 employees attended, including representatives from Sky, Thales and EY. Carolyn Beadsmoore, Sales and Marketing Manager at SMRS said: The focus on STEM careers, both in the UK and worldwide, is becoming vitally important to ensure organisations have the right talent and skill sets to support their future growth. There are not enough individuals choosing to study STEM, and maybe, even more worrying as our research showed, is that about 50% of those, both male and female, studying STEM subjects are choosing career paths in non-STEM related roles. The focus for this latest research was to understand the choices, and identify any barriers, that women face when choosing a potential STEM career. This has given us the insight to start looking at the opportunities and timings for organisations to connect with this audience through education, engagement and encouragement, with the ultimate goal of attracting more women into STEM roles .
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Blue Apple improves employees sleep quality by 26%
20-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Catering firm Blue Apple achieved a 26% improvement in its employees quality of sleep between September and December 2015, throughout which it ran a wellness programme provided by Super Wellness. The organisation also tracked stress resilience, which improved by 10% over the period, as well as food cravings, which reduced by 16%. Additionally, Blue Apple kept []
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TriSys recruitment CRM software delivers internationalisation services and multi-language support capabilities
20-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive TriSys Business Software expands its marketing reach through the provision of an extensive list of user interface language options on 20 Apr 2016 Company Profile TriSys Business Software View profile » TriSys Business Software, a leading supplier of CRM technology for recruitment agencies in the UK, launches internationalisation capabilities and multi-language support for its powerful CRM software platform developed specifically for the recruitment industry. A full list of all currently supported languages can be found here http://recruitment.trisys.co.uk/languages.aspx TriSys is the first Recruitment CRM software provider globally to deliver such an extensive list of user interface language options. This latest enhancement to its proven software will enable recruitment agencies around the world to achieve their job matching and placement targets through the provision of a powerful CRM solution that can be tailored to support any spoken language. TriSys software is also the worlds first recruitment CRM solution to be made publicly available on the Windows Store, confirming the companys ethos to be at the forefront of CRM technology development and allowing affordable yet powerful recruitment software to be easily accessible to recruitment agencies of all sizes. TriSys software can also be downloaded free of charge from the companys website and from the Google Chrome store. For more than 20 years, TriSys has pioneered the development of CRM technology and associated applications for the recruitment industry. The companys recruitment CRM software is available as a hosted or onsite solution and is available on all types of devices, including computers, tablets, mobile phones and gaming consoles. TriSys Recruitment software is fully compliant with current confidentiality, security and data protection legislation and all data is backed up daily and is available to users on demand. TriSys is the only company to deliver multi-language support capabilities to recruitment agencies at an affordable price, comments Garry Lowther, CEO of TriSys. Our CRM is available as an on premise or on demand solution with no hidden costs or minimum contracts, making it a compelling proposition for the smaller players who are now able to compete effectively with larger agencies. A no obligation 30-day trial is available by following this link https://apex.trisys.co.uk/#freetrial
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Dr Bridget Juniper: Sleep management schemes can boost productivity and wellbeing
20-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Ask any hard-pressed employee how they are genuinely feeling and there is an 80% chance they will tell you they are tired and never seem able to catch up on their sleep. One-third of our life is taken up by sleeping and all the evidence suggests getting enough of it is critical to our health []
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Solution to boost finance function productivity
20-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 20 Apr 2016 Improving productivity in the finance function is now a key objective for UK organisations, reveals new research from leading interim management specialists Robert Half Management Resources. Almost a third (31%) of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) and Finance Directors (FDs) plan to recruit specialist project professional, while an equal 31% plan to leverage data analytics technology to achieve productivity gains. Productivity of the finance function anticipated to increase by 9.63% if strategies to improve efficiency are introduced Hiring specialist project professionals and leveraging data analytics technology identified as key strategies to improve finance function performance Improving productivity in the finance function is now a key objective for UK organisations, reveals new research from leading interim management specialists Robert Half Management Resources. Almost a third (31%) of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) and Finance Directors (FDs) plan to recruit specialist project professional, while an equal 31% plan to leverage data analytics technology to achieve productivity gains. Investing capital in human resource and technology to automate and streamline processes are the primary strategies to improve productivity in an environment where firms continue to look for efficiency savings. Streamlining processes (30%) was acknowledged as a strategy to improve productivity in finance function performance, followed by investment in performance management software (29%) and hiring additional permanent resources (26%). CFOs and FDs were asked: With the growing need to improve efficiencies, how do you plan to improve productivity within your finance function? Their responses*: Rank Strategy Percentage of CFOs and FDs planning to adopt this strategy 1 Hire additional temporary/interim resources 31% = Leverage data analytics technology 31% 3 Streamline processes 30% 4 Invest in performance management software 29% 5 Hire additional permanent resource 26% 6 Invest in finance automation solutions 11% 7 Outsource processes to third party vendors 5% *Responses do not total 100 per cent due to multiple responses permitted The CFOs and FDs believe they could boost the productivity of the finance function by 9.63% if their strategies for improvement were introduced. More than one in ten (13%) respondents believe they could achieve productivity gains of 20% or more. Phil Sheridan, Senior Managing Director, Robert Half Management Resources UK, said: The finance function is gearing up for the next phase of evolution, as businesses continue to expect more support from their finance teams. Businesses across the UK are seeking efficiencies in how they progress new commercial opportunities, mitigate their operational risk and reach their growth goals. In the current skills-short marketplace, utilising the specialist skills of interim professionals can be a powerful strategy to effect change management in an organisation and improve productivity. At a time when return on investment is an increasing focus in both operational and commercial departments, capital outlay needs to deliver real dividends. 1 The annual study was developed by Robert Half UK and is conducted by an independent research firm. The study is based on more than 200 interviews with senior HR executives from companies across the UK, with the results segmented by size, sector and geographic location. Finance 2020: closer than you think is a new report launched in March 2016 by Robert Half.
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How to make energy giants sitting on £1bn give back your cash
20-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
The warmest winter temperatures in England and Wales since records began in 1910 meant customers used less heating, leaving them £132 in credit on average.
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Is sleep management the next big thing in workplace health and wellbeing?
20-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
Need to know: Lack of quality sleep can affect employee productivity, engagement and stress levels. Employers must gauge how to tackle employees sleep problems to best suit their needs. Sleep management programmes could include seminars, data analysis and even the introduction of sleeping pods in the workplace. Addressing sleeping habits and their impact on health and []
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Bromak Recruitment Shortlisted for Supplier of the Year
20-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in News archive on 20 Apr 2016 Bolton based Recruitment Agency Bromak Recruitment has been shortlisted for Supplier of the Year at the 2016 Housing Excellence Awards. The awards look to recognise the organisations, individuals and projects that are leading the way in affordable housing. The Housing Excellence Awards are widely recognised as the industry event of the year and is one of the largest awards in the sector. The 2016 winners will be decided by an independent panel of experts and will be announced on the night. The event will take place on May 11 at the Palace Hotel in Manchester. Hannah Lever, Business Development Director at Bromak Recruitment said: Its fantastic to be shortlisted for Supplier or the Year. We work extremely hard to build long-lasting relationships with our clients. This is a tough category but were hoping to win on the night. Bromak Recruitment is a leading built environment and social housing recruitment consultancy with a proven track record of supplying permanent and temporary candidates into some of the sectors best known organisations. With recruitment teams across the UK we can supply office and site staff at all levels regardless of location. www.bromak.com
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How to boost your chances of winning £1m on the Lottery or Premium Bonds
20-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
For years savers have poured money into Premium Bonds because interest rates on savings accounts are so low. It's like playing the National Lottery without the risks.
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Tata Steel employees accept temporary 3% pay cut
20-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
UK employees at Tata Steels Long Products Europe business have agreed to a temporary reduction in pay to facilitate the sale of the business to Greybull Capital. Members of trade unions Community, GMB and Unite accepted the changes to pay and conditions following a consultative ballot. The 12-month agreement includes a 3% pay cut and []
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Nearly one in seven adults now use colouring books in the workplace
20-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Statistics and trends on 20 Apr 2016 Workers around the UK are swapping their keyboards for crayons, with almost one in seven (14%) using colouring books at work for productivity and relaxation, a new study has revealed. A survey by global office supplier Staples has found that were becoming a nation of colourists, with almost a third (29%) of UK adults owning an adult colouring book. In 2015, adult colouring books like Johanna Basfords Secret Garden rocketed in popularity, soaring to the top of Amazon and New York Times bestseller lists. The research uncovered some of the reasons why this traditionally child-like activity could be becoming more popular in the workplace, with 85% of colourists believing that it enhances creativity, 91% responding that it lowers stress levels, and 68% believing it boosts productivity. When asked whether more businesses should embrace colouring at work, more than a quarter of participants (28%) agreed, while among active colourists the figure was much higher at just over half (51%). The activity is most popular with people aged 35-44 and is most common in those working in manufacturing (51%), construction (44%) and the creative industries (44%). Katie Matthews, along with her husband Geoff, is the author of travel-themed colouring book Travel Between the Lines . She believes the popularity of colouring stems from our reliance on modern technology: I think adults are beginning to realise that our addiction to technology has downsides, such as always being "on" and diminishing attention spans. Many of my customers seem to be turning to colouring as a way to disconnect from their devices, and enjoy the simple pleasure of stillness, quiet, and creativity. Colouring is a pursuit that settles the mind, and allows workers to unwind from the demands of their overly busy lives. To encourage creative breaks at work, Staples has created its own range of free-to-download colouring sheets for workers to use, each themed around a different aspect of the office. Sharon Tan, Director, Head of Category Management for Staples Europe said: While we knew people were colouring at home, we wanted to find out whether the office had become a place to break out the crayons which it apparently has. With proponents of office colouring saying that it helps with creativity, productivity and lowered stress-levels, we wanted to create something that you can print out at work and have a quick five minute colouring break.
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40% rank health insurance in their top three employee benefits
20-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
One in four (40%) of respondents rank health insurance among their top three most-valued employee benefits, compared to 37% in 2015, according to research by Willis PMI Group, part of Willis Towers Watson. Its survey of 1,197 UK employees also found that 32% place health screenings among their top three benefits, which is up 7% on []
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One in four UK employees abscent from work due to work-induced stress-related ilness in the last yearTED ILLNESS IN THE LAST YEAR
20-April-2016 - onrec.com
Posted in Statistics and trends on 20 Apr 2016 Across the UK, workers are suffering from stress brought about by their jobs, and this in turn is leading to increased sick days, according to the latest Britain at Work report from reputation management consultancy Lansons, and insight agency Opinium. Across the UK, workers are suffering from stress brought about by their jobs, and this in turn is leading to increased sick days, according to the latest Britain at Work report from reputation management consultancy Lansons, and insight agency Opinium. Employee wellbeing is of course important in its own right, and employers know that it can be a crucial determinant of their productivity and success. However, the 2016 Britain at Work report, a study of the modern UK workplace released today, shows that around a quarter of UK employees, equivalent to 6 million people, have taken time off work in the last 12 months due to stress brought about as a consequence of doing their job. In addition to this, the Britain at Work report reveals that more than one in five (21%) of employees surveyed said they do not receive any health or wellbeing benefits from their organisations, representing a real risk of knock-on effects to wider society as people require mental and physical support from state-funded sources. Less than half (45%) say their organisation is supportive of those with mental health problems (a scant improvement from 44% last year), and one in six (14%) claim their organisation is actively unsupportive in this area. Scott McKenzie, Director of Lansons Change & Employee Engagement practice comments: A quarter of people off because of stress is staggering, and thats just in the last year. Not only does this affect the wellbeing of the employee and their families, but employers will eventually feel the impact both on business performance, and on other employees who need to pick up the workload. Employers have a duty of care to provide appropriate support to their employees in order to address these issues. Organisations in flux The report also found organisational change is a constant in an increasing number of employees lives three quarters (76%) have been through at least one significant change in the last two years thats over 20million employees across the country*. The most common changes reported (by 48%) were an overhaul of IT systems and processes, changes to pay and pension terms (48%), and an organisational restructure (46%) . Many do not feel they are sufficiently supported through what can be very difficult periods only half (51%) said they were kept well-informed of changes and challenges facing their organisation, and a fifth (20%) said communication regarding significant changes was ineffective. These statistics are perhaps explained by a lack of management skills and training that have been uncovered by the report. Whilst 92% of those in management roles said they have the necessary skills and knowledge to manage people effectively, 39% of the group say they havent received any form of management training, and only half (53%) were assessed on their people management skills before being appointed to their role. Against this, 34% of employees say they need more support from their manager. The gap in managers perception of their own ability and the reality goes some way to explaining why only half (49%) say they trust what senior leaders in their company say. Scott McKenzie continued: Change is an inevitable part of the modern workplace, and thats certainly not a bad thing. However, it is crucial that its managed and communicated properly, or employees feel disengaged and undervalued. Management need to be able to inspire trust, particularly in periods of change. Employees who feel unsupported and disoriented by change, and are poorly led and managed, are unlikely to feel able or willing to improve their performance at work. The report also explores issues including pay and reward, career progression, and pride in company and industry, to draw a complete picture of what motivates (and de-motivates) UK workers today. James Endersby, managing director of Opinium, added: Using insight and data to inform future business decisions is absolutely vital for businesses across the country. Todays results give us a solid picture of the UK workforce as a whole and there are some really important takeaways for employers particularly now as employment is at a ten year low. The job market is more competitive than it was a couple of years back, and we know that around a third of employees are likely to be looking for a new job in the next year. Employers who want to retain staff should be paying attention. www.lansons.com
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EXCLUSIVE: Benefex gains living wage accreditation
20-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
EXCLUSIVE: Employee benefits provider Benefex has been accredited as a living wage employer by the Living Wage Foundation. The accreditation recognises the organisations commitment to paying all of its 160 employees, and third-party contractors, at least the living wage rate of £8.25 an hour. The living wage is a voluntary rate calculated according to the []
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Off-duty time with Legal Eagles recreational hockey team set lawyer on path to become an NHL coach
19-April-2016 - abajournal.com
The career path that made former public defender Jon Cooper the coach of a National Hockey League team was a convoluted trajectory. At first, after
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US Labor Department awards $1.2M in incremental funding for reemployment services to Massachusetts workers affected by layoffs
19-April-2016 - dol.gov
US Labor Department awards $1.2M in incremental funding for reemployment services to Massachusetts workers affected by layoffs State: Massachusetts Type of Award: National Dislocated Worker Grant Initial Amount Approved: $3,214,752 Incremental Amount Awarded: $1,272,710 Funding Awarded to: Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development Number of Workers Served: Approximately 400 Use of Funds: The U.S. Department of Labor approved a National Dislocated Worker Grant award for up to $3,214,752, with $980,499 released initially on May 5, 2015, to fund reemployment services for 400 workers affected by layoffs by six Massachusetts employers. The employers are Avery Dennison Corporation, Intel Corporation and four biotech companies: Lonza Biologics, Inc., New England Primate Research Center, Olympus Biotech Corporation and Organogenesis, Inc. With this incremental award, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development will receive $1,272,710 to continue the provision of these reemployment services, bringing the total funds awarded to date for this project to $2,253,209. Of those workers targeted for services, 80 individuals are eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance and may receive training through the TAA program. This dual enrollment grant project provides these TAA-certified workers with access to wrap around and supportive services that are not available through the TAA program. Background : Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, NDWGs temporarily expand the service capacity of dislocated worker training and employment programs at the state and local levels by providing funding assistance in response to large, unexpected economic events which cause significant job losses. NDWGs generally provide resources to states and local workforce investment boards to reemploy laid-off workers quickly by offering training to increase occupational skills. Release Date: 04/19/2016 Media Contact Name: Joe Versen Email: versen.joseph.h@dol.gov Phone Number: (202) 693-4696 Release Number: 16-0810-NAT Override with PDF?:
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Watch: Retailer Target to Pay $10 Minimum Wage to Employees
19-April-2016 - abcnews.com
A source familiar with the retailer's plans confirmed Target is increasing its hourly minimum to $10 and is being done to keep in line with similar moves by other retailers.
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Ryan Rudominer: CSR Matters: How WayUp & Purpose Driven Millennials are Changing Today´s Workforce
19-April-2016 - huffingtonpost.com
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Gender pay gap reporting takes shape
19-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
In February 2016, the government expanded on its plans to require organisations with more than 250 employees to publish gender pay gap data. In addition to publishing average gender pay gap and bonus pay gap data, under the draft regulations, firms will also have to publish the number of male and female staff in each []
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EXCLUSIVE: JLT achieves 18% engagement rate with car salary sacrifice scheme
19-April-2016 - employeebenefits.co.uk
EXCLUSIVE: Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) has seen 18% of eligible employees register interest in its car salary sacrifice scheme in the three months since it was launched. The insurance, reinsurance and employee benefits consultancy firm introduced the scheme, which is provided by Fleet Hires Car Salary Exchange, at the end of 2015. So far, a 1% []
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How to Run a Pro Basketball Team From Your Mom´s Basement
18-April-2016 - abcnews.com
Dylan Gioia runs his professional sports team from his mother's house.
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Monitoring of my Twitter account showed racial bias, state lawyer says in labor complaint
18-April-2016 - abajournal.com
A lawyer with the Oregon Department of Justice claims he was the victim of racial bias when co-workers investigated his tweets that used the hashtag
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How to invest tax-free from gold to classic cars and wine
18-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
You can enjoy great tax breaks with alternative investments - putting money into fine wine, classic cars, gold or perhaps even stamps.
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Would you shop your boss for unethical conduct?
18-April-2016 - dailymail.co.uk
Over four-fifths (82 per cent) of small business workers would be prepared to report their boss to the authorities for illegal or unethical practices.
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The complex role of gender in faculty hiring
15-April-2016 - sciencemag.org
In computer science faculty hiring decisions, gender is indirectly considered through its correlation with measures like productivity, study finds
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Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report
14-April-2016 - dol.gov
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report In the week ending April 9, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 253,000, a decrease of 13,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 267,000 to 266,000. The 4-week moving average was 265,000, a decrease of 1,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 266,750 to 266,500. Release Date: 04/14/2016 Release Number: 16-768-NAT Override with PDF?: Optional PDF: eta20160768.pdf
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Kelly Fanarioti: What´s It Like To Be a Young Journalist in Greece
13-April-2016 - huffingtonpost.com
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New international grants for young principal investigators
12-April-2016 - sciencemag.org
The International Research Scholars Program is offering 50 grants to help early-career biomedical researchers outside the G7 countries establish independent careers
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US Department of Labor announces up to $1.7M to help recovery, clean-up efforts after March 2016 storms, flooding in Louisiana
12-April-2016 - dol.gov
US Department of Labor announces up to $1.7M to help recovery, clean-up efforts after March 2016 storms, flooding in Louisiana Left to right: Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie joined Gov. John Bel Edwards and Deputy U.S. Secretary of Labor Chris Lu in Baton Rouge today to announce a National Dislocated Worker Grant of nearly $1.7M to help 21 of the state's parishes recover from storms and flooding in March 2016. BATON ROUGE, La. U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor Chris Lu announced today in Baton Rouge that the department would provide a National Dislocated Worker Grant for up to nearly $1.7 million to the states Workforce Commission to create temporary jobs to assist recovery and clean-up after severe storms and flooding in the states northern parishes in March 2016. Of the $1,699,317 announced today, $1 million will be released initially. National Dislocated Worker Grants are an important way for the federal government to help communities around the country respond in the face of crisis, said Lu, who was joined by Gov. John Bel Edwards at the announcement. The funds announced today will help support recovery and clean-up efforts in 21 parishes across northern Louisiana, an important step in helping these communities get back on track. The Federal Emergency Management Agency made a major disaster declaration in 26 of the states parishes on March 13, 2016, after storms and flooding struck the region. This grant provide assistance to support recovery and clean-up efforts in 21 of those parishes: Ascension, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Claiborne, DeSoto, Grant, LaSalle, Livingston, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Richland, Tangipahoa, Union, Washington, Webster, West Carroll and Winn. The funds will provide for temporary employment on projects to assist with clean up, demolition, repair, renovation and reconstruction of destroyed public structures, facilities and lands within the affected communities. They will support delivery of humanitarian aid and safety assistance as needed. The grant will also fund work on the homes of economically disadvantaged individuals eligible for the federally funded weatherization program, with priority given to services for the elderly and individuals with disabilities. The NDWG program provides resources to states and other eligible applicants to respond to large, unexpected events causing significant job losses. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the secretary of labor under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act . Release Date: 04/12/2016 Media Contact Name: Joe Versen Email: versen.joseph.h@dol.gov Phone Number: (202) 693-4696 Release Number: 16-0770-NAT Override with PDF?:
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Last-Minute Tips for Filing Your Taxes
11-April-2016 - abcnews.com
The tax man cometh Monday, April 18. Here's how to stay calm when filing.
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Jessie Thompson: I Tried Not Going to University and I Got Left in Life´s Wilderness
08-April-2016 - huffingtonpost.co.uk
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Harlan Green: Is U.S. Nearing Full Employment?
08-April-2016 - huffingtonpost.com
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Dwayne Paro: Reducing Veterans Unemployment.... There is a Solution!
08-April-2016 - huffingtonpost.com
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Here´s What It Takes to Get Hired as a Whole Foods Beer Expert
07-April-2016 - abcnews.com
Whole Foods employs certified beer experts in every store region.
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Labor Department announces availability of $5M in grants to help at-risk youth explore career pathways in justice careers
07-April-2016 - dol.gov
Labor Department announces availability of $5M in grants to help at-risk youth explore career pathways in justice careers WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $5 million in Pathways to Justice Careers grants to provide career training for 16- to 21-year-old youth at risk of dropping out of high school, becoming involved in the criminal justice system, or already hampered by juvenile records. The department will award approximately five grants of up to $1 million each to eligible organizations for programs that expose at-risk youth to justice and emergency services careers, mentor and encourage participants to complete their education and provide services that help them avoid engaging or re-engaging with the criminal justice system. Our work is guided by the notion that the promise of America lies in our ability to ensure that the future shines brightly for our youth, said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez . We truly are at our finest as a nation when each of us, regardless of circumstances, has the ability to aspire toward our highest and best dreams. These grants will help our youth make the best out of their lives, and put them on a pathway toward successful careers. Pathways to Justice Careers grantees will utilize service strategies individualized for each participant. These strategies should detail the steps needed to complete a career pathway program, and show the spectrum of job options in various fields such as police officers or detectives, forensic science technicians, probation officers, paralegals, law clerks, court reporters, firefighters and emergency medical technicians. The grants announced today build on other efforts, including the departments Face Forward initiative to help justice-involved youth overcome early barriers to employment through occupational training and credentials that will help them open the door to career success. This grants goal also aligns closely with President Obamas My Brothers Keeper initiative which seeks to close opportunity gaps still faced by too many young people and often by boys and young men of color. The Funding Opportunity Announcement, which includes information about how to apply, is available at http://www.grants.gov . Release Date: 04/07/2016 Media Contact Name: Ammar Campa-Najjar Email: Najjar.Ammar.C@DOL.Gov Phone Number: 202-693-4686 Release Number: 16-0753-NAT Override with PDF?:
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Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report
07-April-2016 - dol.gov
In the week ending April 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 267,000, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 276,000. The 4-week moving average was 266,750, an increase of 3,500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 263,250. Release Date: 04/07/2016 Release Number: 16-717-NAT Override with PDF?: Optional PDF: eta20160717.pdf
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Preliminary MSHA data indicate 2015 was safest year in mining history
07-April-2016 - dol.gov
Preliminary MSHA data indicate 2015 was safest year in mining history ARLINGTON, Va. The U.S. Department of Labors Mine Safety and Health Administration today released preliminary data for calendar year 2015, updating the Mine Safety and Health at a Glance page. The charts include information on inspections, violations and number of mines and miners. They also show fatality and injury rates for coal, metal and nonmetal, and all mining. The data show that last year was the safest year in mining history, both in terms of number of deaths and fatal and injury rates. These rates are calculated based on hours of miners exposure, a relative measure taking into account recent employment changes in the mining market. The progress we made in 2015 is good news for miners and the mining industry. It is the result of intensive efforts by MSHA and its stakeholders that have led to mine site compliance improvements, a reduction of chronic violators, historic low levels of respirable coal dust and silica, and a record low number of mining deaths, said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health . In 2015, 28 miners died in mining accidents, down from 45 in 2014. The fatal injury rate, expressed as reported injuries per 200,000 hours worked, was the lowest in mining history for all mining at 0.0096, down from 0.0144 in 2014 and 0.0110 in 2011 and 2012. The fatal injury rate for coal mining in 2015 was 0.0121, the lowest rate ever. The previous fatal injury rate low was set in 2011, during a period of peak employment in the coal industry. In the metal and nonmetal mining industry, both the number of fatalities and the fatal injury rate were cut almost in half from the previous years figures. The fatal injury rate of 0.0085 was close to the all-time low of 0.0079 set in 2012. The all-injury rate reported by mine operators also dropped to a new low in 2015 at 2.28. Coals all-injury rate fell to 2.88, the first time it dropped below 3.0. Metal and nonmetals all-injury rate fell to a new low of 2.01. The numbers of miners and mining operations were down in 2015, and accordingly, MSHA conducted fewer inspections. Even accounting for the decline in the number of mines, compliance improved, demonstrated by an 11 percent reduction in the number of citations and orders issued. Assessments of penalties dropped to $62.3 million in 2015, with approximately 2 percent of violations not yet assessed. MSHA will release a final version of the calendar year data in July. Release Date: 04/07/2016 Media Contact Name: Amy Louviere Email: louviere.amy@dol.gov Phone Number: (202) 693-9423 Release Number: 16-0757-NAT Override with PDF?:
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Elizabeth C. Fericy: 5 Ways to Integrate Self-Care Into Your Job Search
07-April-2016 - huffingtonpost.com
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