Human Resource Services, Inc.
Assessment, Recruitment, Team Development & Beyond!

HR Power From Our Team To Yours!

Subscribe to Newsletter!

Complimentary Desktop Resources:                              Policies/Practices                                Team/Leader Development                     Compensation/Benefits                        Risk Management                           Research Links                          Newsletter Archive                          Humor  

Quarterly Fast News for Business Leaders and Organizational Development/Human Resource Professionals! 

With our compliments, please enjoy the following reader in 4 Minutes or Less.  (We know you’re busy!)
4th Quarter 2005     Happy Holidays!   

Seeking Corporate Holiday Ideas? 

This year marks the first drop in companies holding holiday parties since 2001, when the weak economy and terrorist attacks caused companies to pare festivities.  According to USA Today, the decrease is from 95% to 83%. 

Holiday Party Ideas?  Link to More Info

Increased Competition for Employees!  New Turnover & Recruitment Challenges! 

New studies indicate that turnover and recruitment failures are caused by employer failure to re-brand, raise wages and recognize competition for employees. Recessionary practices are no longer appropriate. Employers are mixed in their response to our return to labor shortage in certain job categories.  Those who have responded have seen up to 50% better employee retention.  As price competition creates concern over raising wages, determining a company's unique labor intensity and true labor costs are key to deciding how much to "spend" luring employees. That's where we come in!  Please contact us when calculating your best "bang for your buck" labor dollar.  The following should also illuminate the issue: 

4 Million New Jobs Predicted in U.S.
Nearly 4 million jobs are expected to be added to the national economy through 2007, according to a study released a few weeks ago by a team of University of Michigan economists.  U.S. unemployment will fall from 5.1% this year to 4.8% in each of the next two years, they predict.  Bree Fowler, Associated Press.

 

Wisconsin’s Unemployment Rate Dwindling

Over the past few months, Wisconsin’s unemployment rate hasn’t trailed much above or below 3.8%, which is the first time since September 2001 that the rate has been under 4%!  This represents "full employment" and a tighter labor shortage than the national average.  http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/

  

Survey of 815 U.S. Firms Finds a Severe Shortage of Skilled Workers for Openings

A survey by the National Association of Manufacturers and Deloitte Consulting found that more than half of manufacturers indicated a substantial number of their positions are empty for lack of the right candidates. In addition, 81% face "moderate" or "severe" shortages of qualified workers. The survey questioned 815 U.S. companies of varying sizes.  According to the survey, the shortfall in skilled workers is especially significant in skilled trades, for positions such as welders and specialized machinists.   Money.CNN.com

       

Employees Looking Elsewhere! 

76% of employees are looking for new employment opportunities, according to the 2005 U.S. Job Recovery and Retention Survey released this past month by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and CareerJournal.com.   HR professionals have found that competitive salary, security, advancement and flexible work schedules are among the best employee retention strategies. The percentage of organizations implementing special retention processes had increased to 49% in 2005 compared with 35% in 2004. 

HRS Leads 600 Local Employers to International Recognition, Formal Ceremony!

New Berlin HR Committee, chaired by HRS, earns international media, creates lasting positive change to the business landscape and yields appreciation ceremony from the City of New Berlin.  Health care education provided impetus to new proactive coalitions.  HR roundtable prototyped new councils at area chambers of commerce.  Link to More Info at www.NBHRC.org

High Health Care Deductibles Not a Hit!

Premium cost savings for high deductible plans are not necessarily offsetting the extra out of pocket expenses.  Research to find your best value and consider other alternatives.  Link to More Info at USA Today

Wisconsin Minimum Wage Raises Again 

In 2006 Wisconsin minimum wage is scheduled to increase again to $6.50 per hour, up from the 2005 increase to $5.70 per hour.  More info at www.HRSteam.com/minimumwage2005.html

Interruptions in the Workplace 
Research shows that when you are interrupted, it takes 25 minutes to cycle back to your original task. In fact, 40% of the time, research shows that you will wander off in a completely new direction when an interruption ends. Workplacefairness.org

Up to Date with the New Employer Laws & Required Postings?  

Child Labor Laws, USERRA Posting Requirements, Overtime Impact on Salaried Employees and more at www.HRSteam.com/postings2005.html.    Discrimination and Unlawful Harassment Updates at: www.HRSteam.com/harass_discrim_2005.html 

More Newsletters

Subscribe to Newsletter                    Shop Our  Affiliate Sponsor Mall                      Privacy                   Legal                       Propose Partnership/Link

Copyright © 1983 - 2005