Category: Economy
Employers to Maintain Staff Levels in Third Quarter: CareerBuilder and USA TODAY Q3 2009 Job Forecast. Download Full Report.
July 1, 2009
CareerBuilder and USA TODAY released our Q3 2009 Job Forecast this morning. Most employers expect their staff levels to remain the same as recruiting patterns hold steady and job losses trend downward. Sixty-eight percent of employers don’t anticipate any change in their full-time, permanent headcount in Q3. Fifteen percent expect to increase staff levels. Ten percent expect a reduction in headcount, an improvement from the previous two quarters.
The study also looked at how employers are managing the economic downturn with cost containment measures:
- 8% have presented job offers with postponed start dates
- 10% have instituted mandatory furloughs
- 16% have implemented pay cuts
- 44% have instituted a hiring freeze
- 13% have altered their sick time or paid time off policies
- 43% have cut perks and benefits
DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT HERE.
- Categories: Economy
Laid Off Workers: Keeping Quite Busy, Thank You
July 1, 2009
You may assume that your recently laid off friend, family member, or annoying downstairs neighbor is just sitting on the couch, eating ice cream and building beer can pyramids, or “beeramids” (not that there’s, uh, anything wrong with that), but those assumptions may be way off the mark. A new CareerBuilder survey finds that, despite the hardships laid off workers are facing, they are focusing on positive aspects of being in between jobs to get them through a challenging time.
So what are many laid off workers doing to fill in the gaps of employment?
- 22% are spending more time with family and friends
- 15% are fixing up their homes
- 14% are exercising more
- 11% are finally taking time to relax
- 8% are volunteering
- 7% are going back to school
- 6% are becoming more involved in their church community
- 4% are starting their own business
- 4% are taking up new hobbies
- 3% are traveling
“While finding a new job and steady paycheck is definitely top of mind, laid off workers are also concentrating on activities that will help them grow personally and professionally,” said Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources at CareerBuilder. “They are reconnecting with friends and family, getting involved in the community, taking classes and exploring new career path options that may lead to a greater return in the long run.”
Laid off doesn’t mean lazy
To the contrary, laid off workers, as evidenced above, are spending their time doing those things they’re passionate about, or that they haven’t had the time do to as a busy nine-to-fiver. It’s important to keep in mind as you are hiring and considering these workers that they may not only be “good” hires — they may in fact make up some of the strongest candidates out there. These people have not only made it through a test of adversity with a layoff, but they have, rather than give up hope, been honing their skills — and rounding out their talents.
Personal and professional growth
Many workers are bettering themselves both personally by working out and exercising more, eating healthily with non-vending machine snacks, and getting out of the office cubicle environment in general. Others are becoming more well rounded and cultured by traveling to places they’ve never experienced, taking up those long-talked-about guitar lessons or photography classes, or offering their time and service to local volunteer opportunities like soup kitchens or tutoring centers. Opportunities abound — and these laid off workers are grabbing them. Still others are building their professional skill sets by going back to school or getting certifications, starting their own business, or catching up on non-work reading materials.
Perhaps most importantly, laid off workers are taking this opportunity to relax, de-stress, and mentally recharge. When the time comes for a new job, they will be focused and ready to take on new challenges.
So, employers, don’t be turned off or scared of those gaps on the resume. These candidates can bring a host of new talents and qualifications to your workplace. Keep an open mind, inquire about their time spent during these employment gaps, and be prepared for the next wave of talent.
- Categories: Economy, Employee Attraction, Survey Results
Creating a Best Place to Work: Lessons from 2009’s 50 Best Small and Medium Companies to Work for in America
June 29, 2009
I just sat through a great session at SHRM 2009 given by Michael Burchell, Ed. D., vice president for Global Business Development, Great Place to Work® Institute. In addition to compiling the 50 Best Small and Medium Companies to Work for in America list, the Great Place to Work® Institute is also responsible for assembling the FORTUNE® 100 Best Companies list.
While talking about how a company becomes a best place to work is not a new topic to The Hiring Site, Burchell was able to share some enlightening tips.
- Categories: Awards, Building a Best Place to Work, Economy, Employee Attraction, Employee Engagement, Employee Retention, Employer Advice, Events
Surviving the Layoffs: Your Stories and a Chance to Win a CareerBuilder Koala T-Shirt
June 24, 2009
I recently wrote about CareerBuilder’s survey on survivors of layoffs. A few of us here were talking the other day and realized that, as 47 percent of survey respondents reported taking on more responsibility as a result of company layoffs, it would be great to hear some actual stories from those on the front lines of post-layoff reality.
You’ve likely heard a million times that companies are “doing more with less.” But as the consequences of that fall directly on a company’s employees, what does that mean for them? Workers are taking on more responsibility or new duties, working harder and longer hours, and likely not getting paid more for their work.
If you are pitching in to help your company survive the recession with less staff, how are you surviving? What are the positives that have come out of your world, post-layoffs?
- Have you learned a new skill?
- Have you forged stronger relationships with co-workers, or met new co-workers?
- Are you finding better ways to prioritize or manage your work/life balance?
- Have you made a professional or personal discovery?
- Has your life has changed for the better in any other ways?
Write us a comment and share your survivor story — and five of you will be randomly picked to receive your very own CareerBuilder Koala T-shirt. Oh, did we mention it’s FREE?
Post your comment by Friday, July 10 for a chance to score this tee:
Eager to develop a deeper relationship with our beloved coffee-drinking, eucalyptus-munching friend? Don’t forget, you can become a friend of the CareerBuilder Koala on Facebook or purchase your own Koala gear.
- Categories: Contest, Economy, Employee Engagement, Employee Retention, Survey Results
One Hiring Manager’s Pam Anderson is Another’s Susan Boyle: New Job Seeking Tactic Garners Mixed Reviews
June 10, 2009
Last week’s post about the “Laid Off Need a Job” bracelets many job seekers have begun wearing generated so many thought-provoking comments, I wanted to do a follow-up…
Most respondents were either very turned off by the trend – with many of you describing the bracelets as “immature,” “unprofessional,” and reeking of “plastic and desperation – a little like Pam Anderson these days” – or very supportive, commonly calling the idea “innovative.” Commenter Cheryl even wrote, “Some of my best hires were discovered through a casual conversation at a grocery store or while at a social event. You can’t always judge a book by its cover – look at Susan Boyle.”
- Categories: Economy, Employee Attraction
Are Your Workers Among the 30 Percent Burned Out Post-Layoffs?
May 28, 2009
Do you count yourself as a survivor? No, I’m not talking about your obsession with the Beyoncé video (and you should probably keep that to yourself), but about company layoffs. As a leader, if you are a survivor of a layoff, you have a unique perspective on its effects on the employees who remain — after the employee boxes have been packed up, goodbyes have been exchanged (if that’s even an option) and the dust has settled.
Results of a new CareerBuilder survey of more than 4,400 workers nationwide have revealed that workers who have survived layoffs within their organizations are facing new challenges in the forms of increased workloads and heightened stress.
Loading ...
