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| A new dawn is breaking within the industry: the rise of the Green Collar Workforce
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 ‘We can let climate change continue to go unchecked, or we can help stop it’. Barack Obama, March 2009.
A new dawn is breaking within the industry. With it come sweeping changes to the way companies will operate. The transportation, manufacturing, recycling and agricultural industries face dramatic overhauls, among others. Every business will be affected by changes in consumer demand and legislation that strive for cleaner, more efficient processes.
No matter how you define a ‘green job’, one thing is certain – we are evolving to a new form of workplace and therefore work environment diversity. The last big change in workforce diversity was the rise of the IT worker. |
| WorkCover warns ‘Bullying Prevention must be a priority for employer’s OH&S plans’
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 At the recent WorkSafe week in Melbourne, the management of workplace bullying was a hot topic and some of the most popular sessions of the whole week. The huge costs to both employees and employers of this inappropriate workplace behaviour was highlighted including reduced efficiency, increased absenteeism, poor team morale, increased injury and workers compensation premiums, loss of reputation and public face, and increasingly civil and legal actions. |
| Things you should ask about when choosing a temporary staff agency
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 With the summer season fast approaching many companies will find that their staff levels are insufficient to cope with the workload. Whether it’s due to an increased seasonal demand or regular staff being away, the effects are the same – overworked and overstressed staff, which in a turn results in lower job satisfaction and lost productivity.
Many businesses will turn to temporary staff agencies for help. But how do you ensure that you receive value for money? How do you compare the service offerings? How do you know if the agency screens and tests their contractors? |
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How do I build staff engagement? Podcast. |
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Identifying and understanding the various workplace elements that influence an employee’s decision to stay and commit to the organisation has to be a priority focus that has direct bottom-line impact.
In this month’s leadership podcast, Dr John Demartini offers advice on how to build a solid foundation for an employee engagement.
To listen to the podcast click here.
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| Jobs outlook still positive despite increase in rate
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“Optimism” is still the key word on the jobs front. Even with the increase in the unemployment rate to 5.8%, companies are increasingly positive in their outlook for 2010. Many are now at, or below, the minimum staffing level required to function effectively and recognise the need to start hiring if they are going to take advantage of the recovery.
Industries that are most active in the employment market for new staff, from a national perspective include finance, infrastructure and construction, procurement, and IT. From a state perspective:
- Our Cairns branch is seeing slight increases in demand for hospitality and tourism staff, which is being reflected across our Queensland branch network. Tourism to the state has decreased by 7% over the year, however we’re confident that this trend is reversing based on jobs activity we’re witnessing;
- Demand in jobs in Agribusiness in South Australia has increased in line with good crop results and we expect this will provide flow on employment effects to other sectors, particularly in regional areas;
- New South Wales is experiencing a lag in jobs growth compared to other states however we believe this will improve into 2010, particularly given the continuing improvement in the finance sector;
- The Mining and Resources sector is once again driving the WA jobs market with strong demand starting to come through as sidelined project come back online and new projects kickoff;
As companies become active in the labour market again, they have to be cognisant of the sacrifices made by their existing staff during the past 18 months. Companies also need to be putting the interests of their existing employees first, before going out and hiring new talent – otherwise issues related to retention, productivity and culture will occur. Many staff are on reduced hours, have taken reduced pay or had a pay freeze and companies who go out and pay for top talent without firstly recognising and rewarding existing staff are going to have to deal with some very disgruntled employees.
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| New seminar! 'Train the Trainer'
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Workplace training and education are critical elements to the future success of any organisation. It contributes to employees’ professional development, improves their productivity and enhances their competencies.
A trainer has the responsibility to design content and tailor delivery to achieve the expected outcomes in a manner that engages the individual or group. | |
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