This article was recently published in HRTimes

The post-recession workplace will look different from what we have seen before and its make-up will pose tremendous challenges to managers. How managers address them will determine their success or failure in this new emerging economy.

As employers spring from this painful recession, they will be faced with significant workforce tests including the need to keep labor costs low, pressures to increase productivity further, a battered and disengaged employee population, and government agencies scrutinizing employers who seek cost savings at the expense of workers, while avoiding their tax obligations. Employers must prepare now for this new emerging workforce.

The management development program, Uncomplicating Management, provides you and your management team with the knowledge and skills to confidently confront your most difficult workforce problems. Managing is hard--but managing people does not have to be difficult or a struggle. Learn how to easily prepare your managers and supervisors.

The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE)Act could provide bottom line relief to employers who hire out-of-work job seekers.

This is a general business credit to encourage retention of new hires. Any employer may claim the credit for each employee who is a qualified employee for purposes of the payroll tax exemption and who remains an employee for 52 consecutive weeks, provided that the employee's pay does not decrease significantly in the second half of the year. The amount of the credit is the lesser of $1,000 or 6.2 percent of wages (as defined for income tax withholding purposes) paid by the employer to the retained qualified employee during the 52-consecutive-week period. The credit cannot be carried back but may be carried forward into 2011.

The uniqueness of this Act is that it encourages all hiring, from entry level to executives. In fact, early studies indicate nearly 50% of applicants would qualify for the credit. The money is available. You simply have to apply for it.

I will be speaking before the following groups:

Maine Municipal Association on October 13. My topic will be Succession Planning.

Merrimac Chamber of Commerce on October 14. My topic will be Making Managing Easy.

Maine Water Utilities Association Annual Meeting on October 27. My topic will be Making Managing Easy.

Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce on October 28. My topic will be The Emerging Post Recession Workplace.

Providers Council Annual Convention on November 1. My topic will be Succession Planning.

If your group needs a speaker, let me know. I am now booking a number of engagements throughout this year and into 2011. Click below to review my speaker sheet.

A number of tools and booklets to help you manage your workforce are available now. These include:

• Sexual Harassment Prevention Toolbox
• Preventing Discrimination & Harassment Guide
• Strategies to Survive a Tough Economic Downturn Guide
• Guide To Massachusetts Employment Laws for Managers
• Employment Laws for Maine Organizations