workforce
Unemployment drops in all Louisiana metro areas
The
LA Workforce Commission reported that non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for
Louisiana and all of its metropolitan statistical areas improved in September for the
third month in a row, In September, the statewide rate dropped to 6.9 percent -- the
lowest since April -- from the August rate of 7.3 percent. The U.S. rate improved to 8.8
percent from the August rate of 9.1 percent. Full article.
Create an engaged workforce
Nationwide
job satisfaction is currently its lowest point, with only 45 percent of US employees are
satisfied with their jobs. Engaged employees care more about their jobs, perform at a
higher level relative to their peers, and stay longer in their positions. If you want to
create a more engaged workforce, consider assessing a potential employees’ cultural fit
along with his/her skill and experience, think about increasing the percentage of
performance-based pay that must be re-earned each year, and be sure to recognize employees
and show sincere appreciation. Full article.
Create an engaged workforce
Nationwide
job satisfaction is currently its lowest point, with only 45 percent of US employees are
satisfied with their jobs. Engaged employees care more about their jobs, perform at a
higher level relative to their peers, and stay longer in their positions. If you want to
create a more engaged workforce, consider assessing a potential employees’ cultural fit
along with his/her skill and experience, think about increasing the percentage of
performance-based pay that must be re-earned each year, and be sure to recognize employees
and show sincere appreciation. Full article.
Alexandria area jobs up vs June 2010
The
latest LA Workforce Commission report indicated that LA’s annual job growth slowed in
June, but the state still posted its largest number of private-sector jobs since December
2008. Better news: Alexandria’s metro area gained 1,400 jobs to wind up 2,900 ahead of
June 2010. The metro area's unemployment rate for June was 7.8 percent, compared with 8.1
percent statewide in Louisiana and 9.3 percent nationwide. Full article.
Four Ideas for a positive workforce
People
who think positively are more self-aware, innovative, and strategic. They can see the big
picture more clearly. Organizations need positive leaders and there are several things
managers can do to help employees to think more positively, including expressing
appreciation for work performed and focusing on teams. Full article.
Partnership between Rapides schools, businesses aims to ease labor pains
The
problem of finding a qualified work force has plagued area businesses for years. Rapides
school district officials recently met at a community breakfast with as many as 130
business leaders representing diverse industries in what could be the beginning of a
stronger bond between businesses and schools to resolve this issue. Full article.
LSU gets $15 million grant for biomedical research pipeline
LSU
received a $15 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to strengthen the
biomedical research infrastructure and workforce within Louisiana. The five-year grant
will be matched with a $1.2 supplement from the Board of Regents for the Louisiana
Biomedical Research Network. The grant will be used to provide research opportunities for
undergraduate and graduate students and to encourage collaborative research.
Full Article.
More seniors going back to work
A
recent study from the Urban Institute shows that 26 percent of men and 29 percent of women
born between 1933 and 1937 returned to the workforce. Experts say full time retirement has
changed because employers cut back retiree health benefits. Full Article.
Preparing to Manage Your Workforce for the Turnaround
The
composition of today's workforce has evolved. A new mix of full-time and contract workers
will give companies the flexibility they need. It also challenges companies to make sure
that this new blend of workers is managed effectively, stays in compliance with current
regulations, and delivers the right skills needed for the organization to succeed. There
are several ways to make the transition from a down economy and improve talent
supply-chain efficiencies to achieve strategic objectives. Full Article
Help your best people do a better job
One
way to help your people create a good job is to use job crafting, a naturally occurring
phenomenon in which employees treat their jobs as a collection of tasks that can be molded
and reorganized to fit their individual strengths, passions, and motives better. Amy
Wrzesniewski, along with Justin Berg at the Wharton School of Business and Jane Dutton of
the University of Michigan, developed a tool called the Job Crafting Exercise that helps organizations reinvigorate their
workforce. Full Article.
