Month: February 2011
Largest Minority Group Falls Behind in Companies’ Attempts to Diversify
Although corporations recognize that hiring employees with disabilities is important, most are hiring very few of these job seekers, and few are proactively making efforts to improve the employment environment, a survey by the Kessler Foundation and National Organization on Disability (NOD) reveals.
Data released this past summer from an earlier survey found that little progress has been made in closing the employment gap between people with and without disabilities since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. In fact, only 21% of people with disabilities, ages 18 to 64, reported that they are working either full or part-time, compared to 59% of people without disabilities.
The most recent survey also found that although 70% of corporations polled have diversity policies or programs in place, only two-thirds of those with programs include disability as a component. Only 18% of companies offer an education program aimed at integrating people with disabilities into the workplace.
“America’s success in the global economy depends on how well we put to use the productive capacity of a person’s talent, skill and ability,” comments NOD president Carol Glazer.
The survey also revealed:
- Nineteen percent of com-panies have a specific person or department that oversees the hiring of people with disabilities. By comparison, in 1995, 40% of companies hired someone specifically for this reason.
- Only 7% of companies with disability programs offer a disability affinity group.
- Of the 56% of managers and executives who estimated what percentage of new hires in the past three years were people with disabilities, the average hired was 2%.
Nearly One-Third of North American Companies Lack Leadership Pipeline
Nearly one-third of North American companies have failed to identify future leaders in their organization, a Right Management survey reveals. When senior executives and human resource professionals were asked if they had future leaders identified for critical roles in their organization, only 19% said they had done so for all critical roles. Twenty-one percent said they had done so for most — but not all — critical roles, 29% said they had done so for some critical roles and 30% said they had not done so for any critical roles.
“Organizations that focus just on short-term goals will find themselves at a serious disadvantage if they continue to postpone longer-term strategic initiatives like managing succession and developing high-potential talent for future leadership positions,” comments Deborah Schroeder-Sauliner, Right Management’s senior VP for global solutions. “Weak leadership bench strength will be felt throughout the company, from negatively impacting employee engagement levels to eroding the customer experience and reducing overall performance.”
Job Seekers Make the Most Mistakes at the Interview Stage
The employment interview is a time to shine but it’s also when nerves can get the best of job seekers, an Accountemps survey suggests. Thirty-two percent of chief financial officers (CFOs) polled said candidates are more likely to slip during the interview than at any other time in the application process. Another 28% of executives felt job applicants make the most mistakes when writing their resumes.
Other job application areas in which people make mistakes include: reference checks (10%), interview follow-up (9%), cover letter (8%) and screening call (7%).
“Employers expect job applicants will have a few pre-interview jitters,” comments Accountemps chairman Max Messmer. “The secret is to use this energy to project enthusiasm for the position rather than letting your nerves undermine your confidence.”
Jobless Benefits To End
By Jim DeBrosse, Staff Writer
Updated 11:39 PM Sunday, February 7, 2010
DAYTON — Anthony Hartshorn of Kettering was laid off from sales and marketing jobs twice last year, and has been using his unemployment to support himself and his son while living with his mother.
“I’m just feverishly trying to look for work,” said Hartshorn, 46, while sitting at one of the 32 free computers available for job-seekers at The Job Center.
Thousands of jobless Dayton area and Ohio residents could begin exhausting their unemployment compensation later this month if Congress doesn’t pass another extension.
Jobless Ohioans whose regular 26 weeks of benefits end after Feb. 20 will not be eligible for extended benefits, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Claimants with shorter benefit spans — known as Tiers 1, 2, 3 and 4 — won’t be eligible for additional benefits after Feb. 27, the department said.
Previous extensions were made possible by the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008, first passed by Congress on June 26, 2008.
It allowed up to 53 weeks of federally extended unemployment compensation, in addition to the possible 26 weeks of regular unemployment compensation. But without another extension — President Obama signed one extension last year — the department estimates more than 100,000 Ohio jobless will lose benefits by March 20. The House agreed on a six-month extension in December while Senate Democrats are urging a 10-month extension. Obama’s proposed budget sets aside $49 billion to expand the federal benefits.
Time is running out for 27-year-old Luvinna Pittman of Dayton and others like her. Pittman, who has three children under age 12, said she is on her second extension of unemployment benefits since being laid off as a press operator a year ago.
She recently completed her training as a nursing assistant and is looking for a job in that field.
“I don’t know what I’ll do,” she said if her benefits run out. “I don’t have a parent to live with. I’ll probably be homeless.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2437
or jdebrosse@DaytonDaily
News.com.
Manufacturing Activity Increases
The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index rose from 56.6 in November to 57 in December. Index readings of more than 50 generally indicate expansion, according to the Institute, “We saw significant recovery for much of the U.S. manufacturing sector in 2010,” said Norbert Ore, chair of the Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing business survey committee. “The recovery centered on strength in autos, metals, food, machinery, computers, and electronics, while those industries tied primarily to housing continue to struggle. Additionally, manufacturers that export have benefited from both global demand and the weaker dollar.”
Forbes.com – Jan. 11, 2011
Temporary Hiring Predictions Increase
CareerBuilder.com found in its annual job forecast survey that more U.S. employers plan to employ contract or temporary workers in 2011 than in the last two years. The survey included 2,482 hiring managers nationwide and took place between Nov. 15 and Dec. 2. According to survey results, 34% of hiring mangers plan to hire contract or temporary workers in 2011, up slightly from 30% anticipated in 2010 and 28% in 2009.
Staffingindustry.com – Jan. 10, 2011
No Better Time to Work with a Staffing Agency
Finding a job if you are looking or hiring employees if you need them is never an easy task. Working with a Staffing Agency like Barry Staff will help to make the process easier.
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/no-better-time-to-work-with-a-staffing-agency.html