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Though most employees believe managers perform well, one in five managers are perceived as incompetent - SURVEY RESULTS - Half of all employees believe their managers are competent or very competent, according to a poll conducted by Right Management. However, an alarmingly high level of employees – 33 percent – think their managers are either somewhat or completely incompetent with an additional 17 percent only marginally impressed with managerial competence.(9/7/2010)

DC plan participants have a significant amount of unmet needs about retirement planning - SURVEY RESULTS - Only one-third of DC plan participants express satisfaction about the retirement plan support they get from their employer. (9/7/2010)

Workers rate safety most important workplace issue in new Labor Day study - SURVEY RESULTS - More than eight of ten workers (85 percent) rank workplace safety first in importance among labor standards, even ahead of family and maternity leave, minimum wage, paid sick days, overtime pay and the right to join a union, according to a new study from the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago.(9/2/2010)

Expert connects healthy eating to career success - SURVEY RESULTS - Eating healthy and living well is about more than the waistline. Most people think about the visible impacts that healthy eating have on our lives, yet fail to consider what poor dietary habits can do to their careers. When we eat well, take in proper nutrients and stay active, we are making the choice not only to ensure our long-term health, but also to impact our long-term success in the workplace.(9/2/2010)

Expert discusses how organizations can help prevent incidents where employers seek to harm coworkers or bosses - PRACTICE TIP - Incidents such as the August 3 workplace shooting that left nine people dead in Manchester, CT, highlight the troubling fact that many organizations may not even see workplace violence coming.(9/1/2010)

Majority of large employers revising health benefit programs for 2011, National Business Group on Health survey finds — SURVEY RESULTS - A majority of large U.S. employers are moving forward with plans to make changes to their 2011 health care benefit programs in the wake of both health reform and expected large health benefit cost increases next year, according to a new survey by the National Business Group on Health, a non-profit association of large employers.(9/1/2010)

Economic index points to slow expansion through 2010 - SURVEY RESULTS - The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the U.S. increased 0.1 percent in July to 109.8, following a 0.3 percent decline in June, and a 0.5 percent increase in May.(9/1/2010)

Preventive care benefits survey reveals employees aren't taking advantage of available programs - SURVEY RESULTS - Employees aren't taking advantage of programs made available to them through employers' preventive care benefits programs, according to the Midwest Business Group on Health's (MBGH) employer membership survey on preventive care benefits.(9/1/2010)

Recognition is a viable strategy for fostering innovation in the workplace - SURVEY RESULTS - Companies leveraging new ideas and innovation will be able to distinguish themselves from competitors in the global marketplace.(8/25/2010)

More than one-third of employers use social media to promote their organizations, survey finds - SURVEY RESULTS - As companies emerge from one of the steepest economic downturns in history, they understand the significant reach and importance of using social media to promote and rebuild their organizations.(8/25/2010)

Experts share top 5 guidelines for hiring great staff - PRACTICE TIP - Cam Heaps and Greg Taylor, co-founders of Steam Whistle Brewing, a brewery located in Canada, have been recipients of many business awards, including being named "Entrepreneur of the Year" by Ernst & Young.(8/25/2010)

Survey reveals coaching now seen as most valued outplacement service - SURVEY RESULTS - According to statistics compiled by career transition services company CareerCurve, candidates now place the highest value on personalized coaching throughout the job search process.(8/23/2010)

According to study, women have friends at work, but lack networks to get ahead - SURVEY RESULTS - When it comes to the informal networks developed at work, women are at a disadvantage. Gail McGuire, chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Indiana University South Bend, found in her study that because women are typically in lower-status positions, they do not receive assistance that will help with future career goals.(8/23/2010)

Survey shows employees are more apt to take company data than a stapler - SURVEY RESULTS - For companies concerned about protecting sensitive electronic data, SailPoint's 2010 Market Pulse Survey reveals an alarming set of worker attitudes: employees openly admit they would take company data, including customer data and product plans, when leaving a job.(8/23/2010)

Seven of 10 LGBT Americans say U.S. remains far from gender equality - SURVEY RESULTS - Among all American adults, 63 percent agree that the U.S. still has a long way to go to reach complete gender quality. While three-quarters of women (74 percent) agree with this, so do just over half of men (52 percent).(8/23/2010)

Massachusetts revises criminal records checks policy as part of anti-crime bill—MASSACHUSETTS—Criminal background checks - Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed into law a strong anti-crime package on August 6 that reforms the state's criminal offender records information system (CORI) to improve employment opportunities.(8/12/2010)

Employers plan larger pay raises for 2011, Towers Watson finds—SURVEY RESULTS - With the economy showing some signs of improvement, U.S. companies are planning to issue modestly larger pay raises to their workers next year. Employees also can expect to receive larger annual bonuses this year as organizations return to profitability, according to two new surveys conducted by Towers Watson.(8/12/2010)

Health care’s reliance on women calls for flexible work arrangements, expert says — SURVEY RESULTS - "In the coming decade, the health care and social assistance sector will be one of the leading sources of employment. It is going to be one of the most vital sectors in the economy and it is going to be a place of job growth," said Ithaca College sociologist Stephen Sweet.(8/9/2010)

Most employers expect to give pay raises next year, Mercer survey finds - SURVEY RESULTS - Organizations plan to adjust their compensation practices for next year in response to concern over losing top talent after the past year of pay freezes and, for some, signs of economic recovery.(8/9/2010)

Research reveals outsourcing may lead to failure in tough times and good - SURVEY RESULTS - In tough economic times, many companies slash staff and turn to outsourcing, yet that strategy may doom their products, and, in good times, as with Toyota, losing control over critical components can contribute to failure, according to Lyda Bigelow, business-strategy professor in the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business.(8/9/2010)

MetLife study includes tips for small businesses to strengthen their work forces — SURVEY RESULTS - A recent supplement of MetLife Insurance Company's 8th Annual Study of Employee Benefits Trends has been released to help small businesses (employers with fewer than 500 workers) implement policies that boost productivity and instill company loyalty among employees.(7/30/2010)

Companies face retention problems as one in two are losing top workers - SURVEY RESULTS - Fifty-four percent of organizations involuntarily lost high-performing workers during the first half of the year, according to a survey by Right Management. Only 28 percent of organizations were able to retain most of their top talent.(7/30/2010)

Survey finds health and productivity management programs work; weight management efforts viewed as critical by employers — SURVEY RESULTS - The non-profit Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI) has released its analysis of the health and productivity management (HPM) practices of 450 U.S. employers indicating that HPM has a positive impact on their health and productivity goals.(7/30/2010)

High unemployment continues for people with disabilities, reports Allsup - SURVEY RESULTS - During the second quarter of 2010, unemployment rates for people with disabilities continued to outpace the unemployment rate for other workers, according to a quarterly study by Allsup, a nationwide provider of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) representation and Medicare plan selection services.(7/30/2010)

Nearly one third of small businesses to hire new employees in second half of 2010, CareerBuilder reports - SURVEY RESULTS - CareerBuilder’s latest nationwide survey shows that small businesses – one of the major drivers for economic recovery and job growth – will be hiring in the second half of 2010. (7/30/2010)

Four in 10 HR professionals say their company is prepping for Green job creation - SURVEY RESULTS - A poll from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) shows that 40 percent of HR professionals say their organization is currently focused on creating green jobs or adding green duties to existing jobs. The SHRM poll, Green Job — Are They Here Yet?, shows that another five percent plan to do so, reflecting a total of 45 percent actively engaged in green job creation.(7/23/2010)

The Conference Board predicts economic growth slow down is imminent this summer - SURVEY RESULTS - As the rebound effects from the recession have almost entirely dissipated, a growth slowdown starting this summer is becoming increasingly apparent, say Bart van Ark, chief economist, The Conference Board. (7/23/2010)

Largest portion of job openings projected for Massachusetts by 2016 are 'middle-skill' — SURVEY RESULTS - More than 396,000 "middle-skill" job openings--those that require more than a high school diploma, but less than a four-year degree--are projected for the state by 2016, concludes a new study released by National Skills Coalition in partnership with SkillWorks and The Workforce Solutions Group.(7/23/2010)

Research reveals effective senior leadership and strategies depend on leaders at all levels of an organization - SURVEY RESULTS - Successful senior leadership depends on the collective effectiveness of other leaders throughout the organizational hierarchy, according to a study co-authored by Professor Jennifer Chatman at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley.(7/23/2010)

Research finds entitled workers are more frustrated on the job and more likely to abuse co-workers - SURVEY RESULTS - Employees who feel entitled in the workplace are more apt to be frustrated on the job and lash out at their co-workers, according to new research from the University of New Hampshire. (7/23/2010)

Massachusetts bans texting while driving for all drivers and cell phone use by junior operators — STATE LAW - Legislation that bans text messaging for all Massachusetts drivers and prohibits junior operators from using cell phones will take effect in October. (7/23/2010)

Employees not yet on social media bandwagon for health care benefits, National Business Group on Health survey finds — SURVEY RESULTS - While many U.S. employees use social media for personal reasons, a vast majority have not yet jumped onto the social media bandwagon for business use, nor are they interested in receiving information about their health benefits through social media, according to a new survey by the National Business Group on Health, a non-profit group of nearly 300 large U.S. employers.(7/16/2010)

Survey finds struggling economy may actually be making workers healthier - SURVEY RESULTS - The resounding effects of the economic downturn have some workers making healthier choices when it comes to lunch breaks and smoking habits during the work day. According to a new CareerBuilder survey, 47 percent of workers report they have been packing a lunch more often to eat healthier or help save money.(7/16/2010)

Social media nixed as avenue for health benefits communication — FEDERAL NEWS - While many employees use social media for personal reasons, a vast majority have not yet jumped onto the social media bandwagon for business use, nor are they interested in receiving information about their health benefits through social media, according to a new survey by the National Business Group on Health.(7/16/2010)

Study shows anonymous whistle-blowers less likely to be believed - SURVEY RESULTS - According to a new study, corporate directors, who are ultimately responsible for internal whistle-blowing systems, often do not take action at all regarding anonymous allegations, even when the allegation involves very serious accounting breaches. (7/16/2010)

uJu.com lists top entry level jobs being hired for in the market right now - SURVEY RESULTS - According to Brendan Cruickshank, VP of job search engine Juju.com, "The market for entry level staffing appears to be steadily improving, especially if one knows which positions are most sought after when starting his or her search." Here is a list of the 10 most common entry level job titles, developed by Cruickshank and his colleagues.(7/16/2010)

Research finds parent’s job loss significantly impacts children’s access to health care - SURVEY RESULTS - Not only are the children of the 15.3 million unemployed Americans feeling the impact of financial hardship brought on by the economic recession, many of their children may be experiencing an avoidable loss of healthcare coverage, according to new research by the Child Policy Research Center.(7/16/2010)

Automated plan features lead to higher defined contribution balances during difficult market conditions - SURVEY RESULTS - Defined contribution participants who utilized retirement savings "best practices" such as automatic rebalancing and deferral increase during the recent market downturns realized greater account balance increases, by as much as 26 percentage points on average, versus other participant populations, according to research conducted by Mercer.(7/16/2010)

HR Policy Association presses for "holistic new approach" to employment regulation - FEDERAL NEWS - The HR Policy Association is urging the Obama administration to "consider the interplay between the goals of adding and restoring jobs and the costs of employment regulation associated with each job" and to reconsider its current approach toward employers.(7/9/2010)

Study reveals value employers and HR place on professional certification - SURVEY RESULTS - A global survey of more than 1,500 HR professionals shows that HR employees place a high premium on professional HR certification because it reflects the practical and professional experience of the certificant, shows a commitment to lifelong learning, and helps with career advancement.(7/9/2010)

Health reform brings new challenges to open enrollment - UPDATE - This year's open enrollment period will be more challenging than ever as plan sponsors make changes to meet health care reform requirements.(7/9/2010)

Organizations focus on employee engagement to attract and retain top talent as workforce hiring increases, survey shows - SURVEY RESULTS - As the economy recovers and workforce expansion rises, concerns about engaging employees and retaining critical talent are top of mind for many organizations, amid continuing cost pressures. Mercer’s 2010 Attraction and Retention Survey found that more than one-quarter (27 percent) of participating organizations are expanding their overall workforce, while only 3 percent have instituted broad-based reductions.(7/1/2010)

In tough economy, organizations must relocate employees with care and caution, experts say - PRACTICE TIP - An Ernst Young survey of nearly 500 executives revealed 25 percent of businesses are likely or highly likely to make an acquisition in the next six months, 33 percent in the next 12 months, and 41 percent in the next 24 months.(7/1/2010)

Commitment to work-life balance remains strong in 2010, but there is a disconnect between top identified issues and where the resources are going - SURVEY RESULTS - Work-Life is alive and well. Senior management commitment is robust and budgets and staffing are holding their own. Yet, there is a curious mismatch between the most serious workforce issues companies are facing and where they are investing their resources in 2010.(6/25/2010)

Employed workers spent 7.5 hours working on work days in 2009, BLS reports - SURVEY RESULTS - The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has released 2009 results from the American Time Use Survey (ATUS). These data include the average amount of time per day in 2009 that individuals worked, did household activities, and engaged in leisure and sports activities. Additionally, measures of the average time per day spent providing childcare--both as a primary (or main) activity and while doing other things--for the combined years 2005-09 are provided.(6/25/2010)

DOL comments on the clarification to the FMLA's definition of "son and daughter" — FEDERAL NEWS - The Department of Labor clarified the definition of "son and daughter" under the Family and Medical Leave Act to ensure that an employee who assumes the role of caring for a child receives parental rights to family leave regardless of the legal or biological relationship. (6/25/2010)

APA Congress seminar focuses on employee overpayments - CONFERENCE COVERAGE - The topic of what employers can do when overpayments are made to employees was discussed by Barbara Youngman, CPP, Director Of Legal Compliance, Brinker International and LaTisha O'Neal, CPP, Payroll Analyst BOK at the APA's 28th Annual APA Congress that was recently held in Washington D.C.(6/25/2010)

According to survey, only one in four workers finds fulfillment in job - SURVEY RESULTS - Twenty-six percent of people say they find happiness and fulfillment in their job, according to a nationwide telephone survey of more than 500 employed Americans by Arlington, VA, management consultants Healthy Companies International.(6/25/2010)

Wage & Hour Division clarifies FMLA definition of “son or daughter” as it applies to employees claiming parental relationships — AGENCY GUIDANCE - Due to employer and employee confusion over how the FMLA applies when there is no legal or biological parent-child relationship, the Wage and Hour Deputy Administrator has provided additional clarification on the definition of “son or daughter” in the context of an employee taking FMLA-protected leave for the birth or placement of a child, to care for a newborn or newly placed child, or to care for a child with a serious health condition.(6/25/2010)

Massachusetts to gain from federal health care form, report confirms—MASSACHUSETTS—Health Insurance Benefits - The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will direct billions of new federal dollars into the Massachusetts health care system and expand public coverage to reach more of the state's residents, according to a new report released by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation.(6/25/2010)

Boards of directors need to oversee corporate sustainability more effectively, says report from The Conference Board - SURVEY RESULTS - Though many companies lack the structural framework to enable proper director oversight of sustainability programs, they rarely consult outside expertise, according to a report released by The Conference Board on June 10. The report, Sustainability in the Boardroom, reveals flaws in how corporate boards oversee their companies’ social and environmental initiatives.(6/16/2010)

Survey shows companies growing concerned about employees leaving and the cost to replace them - SURVEY RESULTS - With more workers voluntarily leaving their jobs than being laid off for three straight months, companies are becoming more concerned they may lose good employees in a better job market, according to a survey by OI Partners, a global talent management firm.(6/16/2010)

More employers seeing unusual tactics from job seekers in 2010, new survey finds - SURVEY RESULTS - Even as the job market improves, with unemployment still hovering around 10 percent, job seekers have turned to unconventional methods to stand out from the competition. According to a new survey from CareerBuilder, nearly one-quarter of hiring managers (22 percent) report that they are seeing more job seekers try unusual tactics to capture their attention in 2010 compared to last year.(6/16/2010)

One-fifth of large employers will extend adult child dependent health coverage before plan renewal date — SURVEY RESULTS - Most US employees will have to wait to take advantage of the new adult child coverage provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that allows workers to continue dependent health care coverage for their adult children up to age 26 under the parents’ employment-based plans, the results of a new survey by Hewitt Associates reveal.(6/16/2010)

The Conference Board Employment Trends Index™ signals continued job growth - SURVEY RESULTS - The Conference Board Employment Trends Index™ (ETI) increased again in May for the ninth consecutive month. The index now stands at 95.7, up from April’s revised figure of 95.2. The index is up almost 9 percent from a year ago.(6/16/2010)

Caregiver and Family Responsibilities: A Continuing Challenge For Employers - More employees are struggling with issues related to family and caregiver responsibilities in the workplace, whether in the recruitment of employees, the growth, development and advancement of employees, responding to employees' needs for time off, or requests for flexibility in scheduling and other benefits.(6/16/2010)

Health care reform and total health management: Strategic opportunities to manage cost and compliance - With the recent passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), many employers are asking critical questions about their current strategies.(6/16/2010)

Health care reform: Impact on employer-sponsored plans begin to emerge - The patient Affordable Care Act (PPACA) will have a profound impact on employers and our health insurance system.(6/7/2010)

Executive benefits within a responsible executive compensation framework - In this Perspective, we offer Mercer’s point of view on the suggested approach organizations should use to ensure that executive benefits are responsible in today’s environment, best meet organizations’ executive talent needs and complement the total executive compensation package.(6/7/2010)

How does your retirement program stack up? – 2010 edition - We are pleased to present the 2010 edition of our annual retirement benchmarking survey report, How does your retirement program stack up? For the first time, this report is being presented in an interactive electronic flipbook that puts details for all companies in the S&P 1500 right at your fingertips.(6/7/2010)

Online job demand unchanged in May, The Conference Board reports - SURVEY RESULTS - Online advertised vacancies were unchanged in May at 4,149,000, following a 223,000 gain in April, according to The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine™ (HWOL) Data Series released June 2. (6/7/2010)

Expert provides tips for talking to your employees about dependent coverage under health care reform - PRACTICE TIP - Among many other changes to your employee benefits offerings, health care reform laws require employers to cover dependents through age 26. According to experts at Benz Communications, HR needs to get in front of this new rule in a hurry, saying you'll want to do so before your call center or HR generalists say conflicting things to employees.(6/7/2010)

Massachusetts Health Connector issues guidance on minimum creditable coverage — MASSACHUSETTS—Health Insurance Benefits - The Massachusetts Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector (Health Connector) has issued guidance on its Minimum Creditable Coverage (MCC) regulation, 956 CMR 5.00, as adopted by the Health Connector’s Board of Directors on December 10, 2009. The Health Connector is an independent state agency that helps Massachusetts residents find health insurance coverage and avoid tax penalties.(6/1/2010)

Survey shows employees' trust in managers is in short supply - SURVEY RESULTS - Nineteen percent of employees "rarely" trust their managers to make the best decisions, according to a survey by Right Management. As many as 57 percent say they "occasionally" trust their managers. Right Management is the talent and career management expert within Manpower.(6/1/2010)

Study shows more people becoming full time contract workers even in a recovering economy - SURVEY RESULTS - Even with the net increase in employment so far this year, the corresponding rise in the unemployment rate to 9.9 percent and greater competition for jobs is causing more people to decide not to look for full-time work and to pursue careers as full-time freelance and contract employees, according to ClearRock, an outplacement and executive coaching firm headquartered in Boston.(6/1/2010)

Two New Tax Benefits Aid Employers Who Hire and Retain Unemployed Workers - WASHINGTON — Two new tax benefits are now available to employers hiring workers who were previously unemployed or only working part time. These provisions are part of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act enacted into law today.(6/1/2010)

Healing economy makes workers more comfortable taking much needed time off, annual survey finds - SURVEY RESULTS - With the official start of summer vacation season just days away, workers are planning to take time off and they are feeling more at ease about it. More than half (56 percent) of workers say they are more in need of a vacation in 2010 than they have been in past years.(6/1/2010)

Consumer confidence increases in May for third consecutive month - SURVEY RESULTS - The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® increased in May, its third consecutive monthly gain. The Index now stands at 63.3, up from 57.7 in April. The Expectations Index improved to 85.3 from 77.4 last month.(6/1/2010)

IRS releases form employers can use to claim 6.2% FICA tax exemption for hiring new workers - AGENCY GUIDANCE - The Internal Revenue Service has posted on its website the newly revised payroll tax form that most eligible employers can use to claim the special payroll tax exemption that applies to many new workers hired during 2010.(6/1/2010)

Rhode Island representative proposes immigration enforcement bill similar to Arizona’s new law — STATE LAW - Immigration enforcement legislation similar to Arizona’s controversial law was introduced by Rhode Island Rep. Peter Palumbo (R), on May 18. House Bill 8142 proposes that for any lawful contact made by a state or local law enforcement official or law enforcement agency, where reasonable suspicion exists that a person is an alien unlawfully present in the United States, a reasonable attempt must be made to determine the immigration status of that person, except if the determination would hinder or obstruct an investigation.(6/1/2010)

Survey reveals organizations aren't holding managers responsible for employee engagement - SURVEY RESULTS - Although managers influence the job commitment and satisfaction of employees, as many as one in three are not held accountable for engagement levels in their organization, according to research from Right Management.(5/24/2010)

Survey finds 44 percent of workers have gained weight in their current job - SURVEY RESULTS - The combination of work stress and economic pressures appears to be playing a role in the U.S. labor force’s weight gain. Overall, 44 percent of workers say they have gained weight in their current jobs, up slightly from 43 percent in 2009, according to a CareerBuilder survey. Nearly one-third (32 percent) of workers say that stress contributed to their weight gain at work.(5/24/2010)

Survey finds most companies now consider work-life initiatives integral to total rewards - SURVEY RESULTS - More than half of companies now consider work-life initiatives a staple of Total Rewards, according to a survey of 741 multinational companies by WorldatWork and Mercer.(5/24/2010)

Survey finds social media lags behind traditional hiring methods to attract candidates - SURVEY RESULTS - Despite improvements in the economy, hiring still lags behind the rise in resumes received by businesses, creating new challenges for employers. This is according to results of a survey released May 17 by NuView Systems Inc.(5/24/2010)

Study finds three-quarters of top CEOs have held overseas positions - SURVEY RESULTS - Seventy-five percent of chief executives of Fortune 100 companies have substantial international experience, according to a study by Healthy Companies International, Arlington, VA, management consultants.(5/17/2010)

Employers are concerned about top talent leaving their organizations - SURVEY RESULTS - As the recession eases and companies begin to add to strained staffs, employers are also taking action to retain existing top talent at their organizations.(5/17/2010)

For the slim majority of women, work and personal lives are balanced, but not for all, survey finds - SURVEY RESULTS - Traditionally, women play a large role in managing their family responsibilities and, therefore, are likely to feel the pressure of balancing both work and family demands.  (5/14/2010)

Health reform discretionary spending probably will exceed $115 billion over 2010-19 — FEDERAL NEWS - From 2010 to 2019, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that discretionary spending under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will probably exceed $115 billion, according to a May 11, 2010 letter  issued by the agency. (5/14/2010)


Sobel & Raciti Pandemic Preparedness Information (MEMBERS ONLY) - No doubt that your organization has begun to think through strategies for responding to the possibility of a flu pandemic. It is our hope that none of your organizations will ever have to implement emergency and business continuity plans, but history tells us that it is far better to be prepared.

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