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Retention

‘Pick the tomatoes off my sandwich!’ Are your managers overusing the ‘other duties as required’ clause?

04/27/2009

Many job descriptions conclude with the catchall requirement that employees must perform “other duties as required.” But are some of your supervisors expanding that definition to ridiculous extremes? Such nonwork-related duties are certain to annoy employees, which will hurt retention. At worst, they could create safety hazards and legal claims. Encourage supervisors to keep employees strictly focused on business-related work that furthers the company’s—not the boss’s—goals.

8 ways to trim marginal benefits, max out those that work

04/14/2009

In today’s pared-to-the-bone business environment, you can’t waste time or money offering benefits no one cares about. If you haven’t already, now’s the time to take a magnifying glass to your benefits. Look for efficiencies in these eight places.

In wake of AIG debacle, 10 steps toward better bonuses

04/07/2009

Bonuses have gotten a bad name lately. But the howls of outrage that followed news of AIG execs’ huge retention bonuses shouldn’t sound the death knell of pay for performance. Here are 10 tips for making your bonus system work in today’s economy.

Shopping sprees, cruises keep showroom staff on board

04/07/2009

Employees who do a good job for Fun Bike Center Motorsports in Lakeland, Fla., reap rewards like Caribbean cruises and grocery store shopping sprees. “They’re great morale boosters,” notes Jenny Brown, assistant to the president. “We have a leader who truly believes in investing in his people.”

Former Wachovia exec doing well at Wells Fargo

03/31/2009

Enough doom and gloom already! Here’s a feel-good story! Sure, the AIG bonus debacle has soured the financial world on retention bonuses, but one company is still offering stick-around cash. To be precise, Wells Fargo is paying a bonus to keep one particular employee.

The death of one-size-fits-all benefits: Tailor rewards to generational differences

03/26/2009

Nearly a third of HR professionals plan to alter their total rewards programs with generational preferences in mind, according to the new Top Five Total Rewards Priorities survey. That figure is likely to increase significantly in the future because the workforce is becoming more multigenerational—especially as older workers remain longer to rebuild their nest eggs.

8 rules for recognizing and rewarding employees

03/26/2009
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Pay smarter: 4 comp trends for an awful economy

03/26/2009

The global financial crisis has stuck a pin in those rosy salary predictions from last summer. The trend in pay raises is down—but not out. About 75% of U.S. workers will see raises this year, but those raises will be the smallest in three decades, says a new WorldatWork survey. Some emerging strategies:

Expectant and new moms get help from co-worker ‘buddies’

03/09/2009

Pregnant employees of Southfield, Mich.-based accounting firm Plante & Moran count on support from co-workers who’ve been there. HR pairs expectant moms with those who’ve recently had babies so they can ask questions and get support. The buddies also help new moms make a successful transition back to work.

2 N.C. companies make Fortune ‘best to work for’ list

02/26/2009

Two companies headquartered in North Carolina have made Fortune magazine’s 2009 “100 Best Companies to Work For” list. The two, both headquartered in Cary, are engineering firm Kimley-Horn & Associates and software giant SAS.