HR must make the shift from transactional to transformational - driving change within a business instead of just aligning with it - if it wants "a seat at the table", says the head of global HR consulting at Kelly Services.
The majority of agencies in the public sector are falling behind private business in their capacity to attract and retain talent - "at an exponential rate" - by failing to embrace fixed-term employment contracts and a "blended" workforce, says Hudson's former public sector director, Paul Baker.
A multifaceted HR strategy, including flexibility, internal promotions, overtime banking and an image makeover, has helped technology giant ThyssenKrupp become one of the planet's most enticing employers for graduate talent, according to its chief personnel officer, Ralph Labonte.
"Smart" employers are looking to mature-age workers to fill contract positions during the economic slowdown, to reap the benefits of their experience in challenging times, according to SageCo director, Alison Monroe.
Tension and conflict at work can reduce productivity and morale, so every employer should have guidelines to manage it. Kelly Services managing director, James Bowmer outlines a process HR managers can use to resolve workplace conflicts.
Employees with children will for the first time have a legislated right to request flexibility in their work arrangements, while employers will have a countervailing right to refuse requests on "reasonable business grounds", if the federal government's new industrial relations bill becomes law.
Measuring retention of women and reviewing salaries to identify gaps between genders are among the initiatives the equal opportunity agency has recognised as advancing equality in the workplace, in its annual business achievement awards.
A score of Australian businesses have sought recognition for workplace flexibility since the implementation of a new scheme in May, but all have yet to reach the lofty goal of platinum accreditation.
