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Recognition & Rewards

HR technology: Shortcuts to find the best vendors, products

12/02/2008

Say your CEO tasks you with cutting HR department costs. You know technology can help slay that cost dragon, but you have no idea where to start. Instead of combing through hundreds of vendor web sites, use these nonbiased resources to search for the right HR tech products.

Office gifts: From weird to wonderful

12/02/2008

Santa’s not the only one delivering presents this holiday season. Nearly eight out of 10 executives say some form of gift giving occurs in their offices. But it’s not all bottles of wine and Target gift cards out there. Read on for some of the weirdest gifts that ever sat under the office tree … and some good ones too.

5 ways to celebrate the holidays despite the downturn

11/10/2008

Amid the layoffs and belt-tightening, the December holidays still can be a time for your organization to show its appreciation to employees. Your organization doesn’t have to cancel holiday festivities because of the weak economy. Here are five ways to add some holiday sparkle during financially dark times.

Tough times? Laugh them off for the sake of the holidays

11/10/2008

There’s nothing funny about layoffs and pay cuts, but they’re no reason to lose your sense of humor at work, especially during a season that’s supposed to be fun and festive. Managers can do their staffs a huge favor during these tough economic times by lightening up the workplace.

Wellness program covers food, fitness, families

11/10/2008

Glatfelter Insurance Group employees spend their breaks soaking in the company sauna and enjoying neck-and-shoulder massages. As part of its wellness program, the York, Pa., organization gives employees free access to a personal trainer and on-site tennis, volleyball and basketball courts.

Camaraderie defines culture at Las Vegas advertising firm

11/10/2008

When an R&R Partners employee was diagnosed with cancer last year and took short-term disability leave, her co-workers allowed the Las Vegas ad agency to deduct money from their paychecks to make up the 40% of her pay she didn’t receive while she was out. Camaraderie is part of the organization’s culture.

What’s Working: 6 Hot Compensation & Benefits Best Practices

09/16/2008

On-site scuba lessons, desks on wheels, employee shopping sprees and unlimited time off are just a few of the ways innovative employers recruit, reward, retain and refresh workers. See if any of these best practices—some simple, some extravagant—inspire you to take a fresh look at your company’s perks.

100% of employees participate in wellness program at tech firm

09/05/2008

At Dynamic Edge in Ann Arbor, Mich., everyone takes part in the company’s wellness program. To keep participation high, the tech support firm lets its 35 employees earn a point for every 15 minutes they spend exercising. An employee who earns 150 points receives a $100 check toward a gym membership …

10 real-life proven ways to retain your best employees

09/05/2008

At Florida-based Baptist Hospital, the CEO declared an all-out war on turnovers, pulling out all the stops to tear down typical corporate walls and retain his best workers. That CEO is one of the corporate leaders who “gets it,” according to Greg Smith, author of 401 Proven Ways to Retain Your Best Employees.

Salaries Expected to Grow in ’09 Despite Sluggish Economy

08/12/2008
Despite the economic gloom that’s dominated the headlines for the last year, there’s a ray of hope for employees—and perhaps a sign that employers are bullish on business prospects for 2009. A pair of new surveys shows that employers are proceeding with plans to pay their workers more next year.