The majority of corporate careers sites in Australia discourage candidates from applying for a job, says Brett Iredale, former recruiter and now CEO of multi-job-posting service JobAdder.
Most employers are forced from time to time to slow hiring, freeze headcounts or make layoffs, but "mature-class" organisations never stop nurturing their talent pools, according to HR analysts.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is often perceived as a fringe activity to be sidelined when times are tough, but CSR programs can help a company "thrive" in an economic downturn - providing employers know how to "communicate their involvement", says Manpower's Chris Riley.
A software company is attempting to "raise the bar" in its partnerships with third-party recruiters, imposing strict guidelines for the candidates they refer and setting the price it will pay for their service.
The brands of top-performing companies are characterised by an emphasis on the experience of employees instead of customers, according to research by Hewitt.
The low prevalence of paid maternity leave in female-dominated industries shows "there is more work to be done" on gender equality in Australia, says Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick.
Recognising that "employees are not the paid enemy" is a necessary step toward a workplace culture that fosters high retention and financial success, says Roche Australia's national L&D manager, Becky Casey.
Employers that adopt "best practice" strategies to boost their brands might actually be de-motivating top talent and attracting under-performers, according to HR academic, Professor Graeme Martin.
Employers that retrench workers without ensuring their financial wellbeing run the risk of damaging their brands - and facing litigation, says ipac corporate consultant Nola Rihani.
All employers should consider putting in place a workplace s-xual harassment prevention plan, even though such plans are only expressly prescribed in one jurisdiction, according to a risk management expert.
Recent events have shone a spotlight on whistleblowing, placing employers firmly on notice that their response to a protected disclosure could be subject to intense scrutiny. Watch this webcast to understand the role HR plays in this challenging space.
