The OperationsInc Navigator
June 23, 2009

Greetings!

The Navigator is published every other week and is filled with the latest HR related news, practical tips, answers to our reader's questions and a whole lot more! We welcome your participation in the makeup of this periodical. Send your feedback, ideas and input to:

[email protected]

In This Week's Edition...
  • Directing you to HR Solutions
  • With Jobs Scarce, Age is Becoming an Issue
  • One-in-Five Employers to Hire Summer Workers Amid Competitive Seasonal Job Market
  • What's on Your Mind?
  • Searching for Inspiration? A Few Words of Wisdom...
  • Ask Yourself...
  • Legal Disclaimer

  • With Jobs Scarce, Age is Becoming an Issue
    businessman

    A recent study revealed that while younger workers tend to earn the lowest salaries, making them the least-expensive workers to retain, companies are becoming wary of laying off older, better-paid workers.According to recent Labor Department figures. The unemployment rate for those between the ages of 25 and 34 was 9.6% in April 2009, up from 4.9% a year earlier. For those ages 55 and older, the unemployment rate was 6.2% in April 2009, compared with 3.3% a year earlier.


    One-in-Five Employers to Hire Summer Workers Amid Competitive Seasonal Job Market
    Summer

    According to Careerbuilder's Annual Summer Job Forecast, nearly a quarter (23 percent) of employers plan to hire seasonal workers for the summer, in line with last year's findings, but the competition for those jobs will be stiffer than in years past due to high unemployment and a tough economy. In addition, More than half (56 percent) of companies reported that they would consider summer recruits for permanent placement within their organizations.


    What's on Your Mind?

    Because we want to best serve our readers, we feature a segment of our Newsletter where you can submit questions directly to our OperationsInc professionals. Do you have a question related to the management of the Human Resources function? Email it along to [email protected]. The best ones will make it into a future newsletter, along with the answer... and those that don't get published will still receive a response.

    This week's question:
    "What is the typical ratio of HR people to employees in an organization?"

    --- HR Manager, Manufacturing Company

    Answer:
    At this point in time the number is close to 150 employees for every HR person. That being said the numbers don't really tell the whole story. Case in point is the average company gets their first full-time HR person by the time they hit 100. It may be that they don't add the second until they hit 300, driving the 150 average home. Overall you need to consider how much consistent activity around HR activities exist including hiring and turnover.


    Searching for Inspiration? A Few Words of Wisdom...
    compass


    "If a window of opportunity appears, don't pull down the shade"

    - Tom Peters


    Ask Yourself...

    How Strong Is Your HR Backbone?


    Legal Disclaimer

    Information provided in The OperationsInc Navigator is researched and reviewed by the HR experts at OperationsInc. The information in every issue of The OperationsInc Navigator is in part gathered via information available in the public domain, as well as in part the original, copyrighted work of OperationsInc and is protected under U.S. copyright laws. As such, you may not reprint or publish in any format any article or portion of article The OperationsInc Navigator without the express permission of OperationsInc.

    OperationsInc provides the information in this e- newsletter for general guidance only. The information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional human resources, legal, or other competent advisers. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a professional adviser who has been provided with all pertinent facts relevant to your particular situation.

    We encourage you to pass along any issue of The OperationsInc Navigator by forwarding it to friends and colleagues.


    Directing you to HR Solutions
    Direction

    INTERVIEW QUESTION OF THE WEEK

    Each Newsletter we will publish an interview question which hiring managers can utilize to better qualify candidates for hire, along with our analysis of the answers you may receive and their meaning.

    This Week's Question
    -- What other types of jobs are you considering?

    GAUGING THEIR RESPONSE ---
    Understanding the goals and objectives of a candidate's job search is critical to better understanding the candidate. Their commitment for example to their current career path, area of specialty or focus will help you determine their passion and motivation. I therefore advise you to ask about what other paths they are exploring. If you hear a wide array of paths then it could mean they are unfocused --- or it just could mean they need new employment and are flexible. Only probing the responses will help sort it all out.

    HR Best Practices Tips

    --Identifying Hiring Needs
    As things start to stabilize with the economy and your business you will need to assess where new staff is once again needed. A plan full approach towards this assessment including measuring workloads, hours to complete, pipeline of new business, current business and the likelihood that it will remain are all key steps you need to take into account. Use expansion as well as an opportunity to consider promotions and reassignments towards aligning for future needs.

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