More than half of employees in the Australian finance profession have had to take on extra tasks after staff cuts, but employers are failing to put in place countering work/life balance initiatives, a survey has found.
Employers forced to make redundancies after the Fair Work Act comes into force in July must prove they have proactively pursued all redeployment alternatives before letting workers go - and an internal job board won't cut the mustard, says a workplace relations lawyer.
Redeploying workers instead of cutting headcount during tough economic times can save your business millions of dollars in employment costs, according to Human Capital Management Solutions CEO, Trevor Vas.
Employers can quickly nip difficult and negative employee behaviour in the bud - while maintaining workplace harmony - by being "hard on the behaviour, but soft on the person", says New Zealand workplace consultant and psychologist, Dr Steven Saunders.
Employers across Australia are trimming their salary budgets, but with more precision than has been seen in previous downturns, a Mercer study has found.
In a social media world where "anyone can publish", managing the redundancy process to avoid online reputation damage is crucial, says HR technology consultant Michael Specht.
As talent-sourcing gets easier, employers should consider breathing new life into their organisations by "top grading" their workforce and shedding poor performers, says Taleo senior vice president Al Campa.
Panicky managers that put bottom-line efficiencies before people during the economic downturn run the risk of obliterating company morale and losing their best talent, says Robert Half Asia-Pacific's managing director, David Jones.
Employers should get ready to deal with trade union requests to disclose company information - and determine what they can keep confidential - before the first part of the Fair Work Act 2009 takes effect mid-year, says University of Adelaide Professor of Law, Andrew Stewart.
