WORKPLACE
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GENERATIONS SMALL: New
research dispels the myth that younger employees tend
to be less engaged in the workplace and that Gen X employees
are the most cynical of the bunch. The findings, from
the recently released by Purchase, N.Y.-based Sirota
Survey Intelligence, show that despite common perceptions,
only small differences exist between the generations
when it comes to attitudes toward work and in employee
engagement. More...
TAX LEGISLATION
WOULD HIKE HSA COSTS: Employers and employees
may have to pay higher health savings account (HSA)
administration fees under newly proposed legislation
that would increase scrutiny of expenses distributed
from the tax-free funds. Last week, the House Ways and
Means Committee approved the legislation (H.R. 5719),
which some say could have a chilling effect on HSAs.
The provision would require banks and other HSA trustees
to prove that distributions from individual accounts
are for health care expenses only. More...
 EMPLOYERS
WORK TO KEEP EMPLOYEES SAVING: For many employees,
the recession and immediate cash flow concerns have
pushed saving for retirement into the background, Workforce
Management reports. But an increasing number of
companies are trying to get employees back on the long-term
savings track by teaming up with their 401(k) providers
to help educate workers. Diversified Investment Advisors,
for example, is busy educating employees at Novi-based
Trinity Health Services about saving for retirement.
More...
ECONOMY, HOME PRICES
MAKE WORKFORCE LESS MOBILE: Slumping housing
prices and perennial for-sale signs sitting in front
of homes everywhere are having a chilling effect on
America's normally mobile U.S. workforce. Under normal
conditions, more than 5 million people, or 4 percent
of the workforce, move annually for job transfers or
new career opportunities, according to the New York
Times. But many would-be movers are finding themselves
in a holding pattern, unable to unload their real estate
to move elsewhere. In addition to slowed housing sales,
economic conditions are requiring many to move where
the jobs are – creating more than just financial headaches.
In some instances, families have to divide time between
two houses and live in different states. To read more,
click
here.
ABUSE OF LEAVE
TOPS COMPANIES' FMLA CONCERNS: In a recent
survey, nearly half of human resources professionals
said potential or suspected employee abuse of the Family
and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) makes administration of
the regulations difficult – especially when it comes
to intermittent absences. In the survey, conducted by
the nonprofit WorldatWork, 42 percent of the 450 HR
professionals polled said that suspected or potential
abuse of FMLA leave tops their list when it comes to
concerns about the act. More...
 EMBRACE
'GREEN' ECONOMY APRIL 22: On Earth Day, WWJ
Newsradio 950 is partnering with Michigan's University
Research Corridor for a business breakfast discussion
about the opportunity to grow the state's economy by
developing renewable energy technologies. This "Our
Michigan, Our Future" project is called "Embracing
a Green Michigan." The April
22 event
takes place at Wayne State University's Community Arts
Auditorium. In addition, WWJ will be broadcasting live
on-site from 5 a.m. until 7.p.m., featuring live interviews
and feature stories throughout the day highlighting
the research being done at Michigan's three major research
universities and at Next Energy. For more information
about the business breakfast, click
here.
OBESITY CARRIES HEFTY
PRICE TAG FOR EMPLOYERS: Extra pounds on your
employees may be eating into your bottom line. Obesity
costs U.S. employers an estimated $45 billion every
year in medical costs and work loss, according to a
recent report by The Conference Board. The report, “Weights
and Measures: What Employers Should Know about Obesity,”
examines a number of issues related to obesity in the
workplace, including some financial and ethical questions
about how U.S. companies should tackle the issue. More...
NORTHWEST/DELTA
MERGER FACES OBSTACLES: Angry labor unions,
politicians and federal regulators are among the hurdles
faced by the merger of airlines Delta and Northwest,
The Detroit News reports. More...
DELPHI
PAYS PENSION FUND: According to The Detroit
News, Delphi Corp. paid $46 million into its pension
fund, far short of the $369 million required under federal
law. The company's executive chairman vowed Delphi will
emerge from bankruptcy "months" from now,
not weeks. More...
SNEAKERS
MAY PREDICT LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL, STUDY SAYS: How
many sneakers are in your closet? If you answered
more than three pairs, you just might be a natural born
leader. It may sound farfetched, but a Mindset Media
survey of 7,500 people found that 61 percent of people
who annually purchase three or more pairs of sneakers
are more likely than the rest of the population to show
leadership qualities. The study also found that the
same sneaker-loving set also tends to be highly assertive
and spontaneous. More...
WORLDWIDE
AUTOMOTIVE REPORT PODCAST: We hear from Delphi
Corp. Chairman Steve Miller about the company's bankruptcy
and his new book. The presidential candidates debate
the auto industry again. Is Chrysler about to cut a
deal with Fiat? 
|
E-Mail Story
Print Story
have a related podcast at 
Boosting the engagement of employees might seem like
an impossible mission in an era when corporate cutbacks
and talk of recession are common. But experts say there
are steps that you can take – regardless of the
stormy economic climate – to help retain top talent
and keep employees enthused about work.
When
it comes to engaging employees, employers have a lot
of work to do according to a survey from Skillman, N.J.-based
BlessingWhite, a human resources consulting firm.
