WA Recruitment Outlook – 2012

By Jevita Nilson

Australian companies adopted a relatively cautious approach to recruitment in 2011 as the European debt crisis left many employers uncertain about how the Australian economy would hold up as other economies crumbled. Many are predicting a similar conservative approach for 2012, while some recent news articles are painting a gloomier picture of the employment market for the year ahead, citing global economic uncertainty as the reason for potential recruitment freezes in 2012.

But as the gap widens in Australia’s two-speed economy, what are we to expect here in the West?

Why carrots and sticks are bad for your company’s health

By Jevita Nilson

If I told you that making salary, perks and benefits central to your employees’ work life would lead to poorer performance and demotivation, you’d probably think I was foolish. “But people are motivated by money and extrinsic rewards”, you’d say, “if I dangle a big and shiny enough carrot, they are bound to perform well in order to obtain it.”

But if you’ve read Dan Pink’s book Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us or heard of his groundbreaking theory about what really motivates human beings you’d probably be nodding your head in agreement.

Motivation revamped: A summary of Daniel H. Pink’s new theory of what motivates us

By Jevita Nilson

Business books aren’t always the most riveting reads. However this week I became unexpectedly enthralled in Daniel H. Pink’s Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. I read the book, cover to cover, in less than three days.

Pink’s persuasive theory on what motivates us – in work, school and in our personal lives – is backed by four decades of solid scientific research on human motivation, and highlights an extreme mismatch between the human capital practices that businesses use that the practices that really work.

Health and wellbeing: 4 ways to boost productivity and performance

By Jevita Nilson

The economic burden of Australia’s obesity epidemic is well known to most, with recent studies putting the cost of caring for overweight and obese Australians at $56 billion per year¹.

But it’s not just the tax-paying public who are crumbling under this ever-increasing load – Australian businesses are also suffering as the health problems of our nation significantly decrease employee productivity.

Businesses recognise the link between poor employee health, absenteeism and productivity; although many are unaware of the significant impact ‘presenteeism’ can have on their workplace.

Reduce risk, avoid headaches and drive culture during the silly season

By Jevita Nilson

Christmas is just around the corner and most businesses are feeling the urge to loosen their ties and let their hair out in preparation for the ‘silly season’ celebrations. Although Christmas parties are a great way to reward your employees and collectively celebrate the year’s achievements, poorly planned and executed Christmas parties can lead to sticky situations that may undermine strong organisational cultures and potentially lead to legal issues.