TrendWatchers

As organizations scramble to improve workforce management in today’s global marketplace, the notion of “localizing” employees is gaining ground, often as a cost-cutting measure.In the past, the term “localizing” often meant hiring qualified local workers. Today, it...

Their eyes met across the copy machine and a smile passed between them. One thing led to another – coffee, then dinner, and, soon, a sexual relationship. It’s a scenario that’s been enacted countless times in offices across the U.S. And it’s a situation that gives headaches...

If you think business ethics is crucial in today’s scandal-ridden era, then just wait a few years. The reasons for running ethical businesses are only going to get more compelling – as well as more complex – over the coming decade, suggests a new global survey conducted by the...

HR outsourcing is constantly evolving and may be poised for significant changes as companies assess initial contract outcomes and prepare for future planning. One trend is already emerging – some companies are moving away from contracting with one vendor to handle all outsourced HR functions...

Occupational illness was identified as the world’s most serious on-the-job peril at the World Day for Safety and Health at Work in 2005. Such illnesses kill about 1.7 million workers each year, the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) report. For every...

With projected compensation budgets remaining tight for 2006, employers continue to seek other ways to recognize and reward employee behaviors that align with corporate goals.Projections from both WorldatWork and Mercer Human Resource Consulting show salary increases for 2006 mirroring those of 2005,...

The 21st century is fast becoming the Age of Innovation. Not only do businesses see innovation as becoming more important, they’re getting more ambitious about the types of innovation they’re pursuing. The problem is, innovation can’t just be mandated from the top. Companies have...

One of the occupational hazards of watching trends is disillusionment, if not actual cynicism. It’s easy to fall into the trap of reading some inspiring article on a deep social or business problem and thinking, “Well, I’m glad there are such bright people looking hard at this and...

Over the last two decades, HR has advanced significantly in the area of strategic planning and metrics. The common wisdom today is that HR needs to be aligned to the business strategy. As a result, HR typically has a planning process that starts with the business plan and then develops cascading...

“As business issues go, the dangers posed by global pandemics are barely on the radar screen,” TrendWatcher reported nearly two years ago. Since then, things have changed. Just last month, President Bush established the “International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza,&rd...