Posts Tagged ‘Employees’

Polish workers returning to Poland

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008

Latest figures indicate that Polish workers are returning home in their droves. The number of PPS numbers issued to Polish in the 1st quarter of 2008 has dropped significantly from 2007.

There are a number of reasons for these developments. The obvious slowdown in the Irish economy is a significant factor BUT the improving economic conditions in Poland are affecting the movement. The polish economy has been increasing at a rate of 5% and it is expected at 5.5% in 2008 compared to 1.9% in Ireland.

The flow of Polish out of Ireland could increase as a number of schemes have been set up to attract workers back home to support the growing economy. It is likely that workers in decreasing sectors like construction will jump at the chance to move back home. Perhaps this may also be a passport for some Irish construction workers to live and work in a new country BUT more importantly help balance the supply and demand for staff issues.

PPS numbers issued to Polish workers

1st quarter 2008 – 11,616
1st quarter 2007 – 18,729
1st quarter 2006 – 20,341
1st quarter 2005 – 10,402

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Posted in Jobs, News | 1 Comment »

Irish firms up in smoke …..

Friday, February 29th, 2008

Cigarette

Did you know that the average smoker spends almost a full year of their working life having smoking breaks? That’s a lot of cigarettes. The average smoker takes three 15 minute breaks per day which equates to 195 hours per year. The introduction of the smoking ban has meant that many smokers now have to travel further from their desks (I guess the exercise will help).

Anyway this is a huge cost on employers. I do know of some employers who have started to monitor this more and put in measures to reduce smoke breaks. Many employers see them as negative and a breeding ground for gossip. Fellow non-smoker employee will also not be too happy with these finding as the will carry the additional workload.

Why do we smoke?

Could it be that 1 in 4 workers find their job stressful? A combination of increased working hours and commuting hours has seen stress levels rise in Ireland. Over a third of Irish workers are spending more time working and commuting than they used to. Well work life balance day will soon be upon us to resolve all this stress.

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Posted in HR, Work-life Balance | 1 Comment »

Employee Rights – protecting workers.

Monday, February 18th, 2008

Today’s Independent highlighted the plight of many foreign workers who are being abused behind the closed doors of wealthy Irish homes. There is an increase in the number of cases being brought before the Rights Commission due to the level of abuse, with incidents such as withheld passports, threats of deportation, long working days, no overtime and general poor conditions being common.

The article highlighted one example: A Vietnamese worker had been working for an Irish couple for 50 Euro a week after deductions. The woman’s children were involved in a horrific car accident and she wanted to go home for a month but was told she would have to work up the airfare. Only when she was loaned to another couple for a party did the story come out and she was put in touch with SIPTU. When her employers found out they drove her to the airport and put her on the 1st flight home. This article and related stories make me sick. This problem is not just confined to Irish homes or to foreign workers. Mistreatment of staff is evident throughout Irish workplaces. Everyone has a responsibility to ensure this is stamped out.

It is easy for me to say that employees should speak up. It is difficult for affected employees as it is a lonely place to be. I regularly deal with employees who are changing jobs to run away from a situation – make my blood boil.

I accept that stories of mistreatment/bullying can hide performance issues and that the employee is not always the victim. But stories like that outlined above have no place in work.

If you employ staff perhaps increase your awareness to the possibility that this may be happening on your premises or you could be in for an expensive shock. If you are a co-worker and see this happening reach out a helping hand. If you are an affected party there are supports available.

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Posted in News | No Comments »

Employment Rights & Employment Law – SME’s beware!!

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008

Employment Law & Employment Rights

I am offering support to some friends who are setting up a new business venture. Part of my role involves investigating and providing information on the employer – employee relationship. As this is not my niche I have been seeking advice from other friends and business contacts (all employers – mostly SME). To my surprise I probably know more than most of them BUT I don’t employ staff. This is crazy!!

Employment law and Employment Rights awareness is crucial. It is essential to know what your responsibilities are and to have awareness of issues such as working hours, pay & wages, redundancy, terms of employment, annual leave and sick leave etc?

Employment Law & Employment Rights

What are ths options available to SME’s

a) Take this on board yourself – A resource to provide some basic information is the NERA website. There are also numerous courses and training opportunities available.

b) Employ HR expert – As your business and staffing levels increase a HR resource is essential. People are your most valuable resource so people supports are essential.

c) Use the outsourced solution – Retain a HR consultancy as a support when required. I have been dealing with HR Outsourcing and find them quite good.

Personally option c) for me everytime as I find it heavy going.

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Posted in HR | No Comments »

Internet – Networking sites like Bebo & Facebook are costing firms 700m a year.

Friday, February 1st, 2008

Rising inflation, poor exchange rates and rising costs are making survival difficult for many companies in Ireland. But just when you thought that things can’t get any worse, the latest research has indicated that staff misuse of office technology such as internet and email is costing a fortune. Staff using networking sites during work is costing companies about 700m annually. It is estimated that workers are logging on for 30 minutes a day which works out at about 3 weeks a year per employee at a cost of 700m. Internet abuse is now a huge problem for employers but what is the solution.

I was discussing this topic with my neighbor (he works in IT) and he informed me how his company combats internet abuse. It was the old reliable name and shame. If organisations want a potential fix to the problem they might consider this option. Produce a daily or weekly internet usage report and email it to all employees. I might add the report is not on what sites they are visiting but how long they are using the internet. This will be one league table your employees will not want to be top off. Alternatively you could hire people like me – I don’t see the attraction with these networking sites.

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Posted in Recruitment | 1 Comment »

HR and Recruitment – New office jargon.

Friday, January 25th, 2008

The working environment is continually changing as is the language we use during the working day. Management need to stay on top of these new terms to really know what is happening. I have identified some new terms below that managers and HR professionals should be aware of to keep ahead of the game.

“Workspace-specific perceptual abstraction” – Most HR or managers will not want this creeping into the organisation as it can often lead to reduced production and may be the result of an employee not in the right role. So what is it? Daydreaming.

“Boss–spasm” – Ever wonder why sales and performance is dropping but whenever you are among your staff or in the office that there is a flurry of activity. Perhaps your staff are suffering from boss-spasm. So what is it? Staff suddenly looking busy when the boss enters the room.

“Blame-storming” – This is an off shoot from the term brainstorming. So what is it? Basically instead of your staff investing energies on identifying ways to improve performance they are now debating and identifying ideas to cover their backs.

“Interdepartmental liaison facilitation” – So what is it? A more complex term for lunch.

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Posted in HR, Jobs, Recruitment | 2 Comments »