Category Archives: Employee Relations

HR Consulting Firms Offer Fast Track To OSHA Safety Compliance

Against the backdrop of industrial tragedies in Virginia and Louisiana that together took the lives of over 40 workers, employee safety and compliance with related regulations is once again a hot-button issue, particularly among small and medium sized businesses which might not have the needed expertise within their own HR departments. National PEO, one of the nation’s leading HR consulting firms, has announced that it now offers safety compliance services tailored to meet the needs of some of the largest business sectors in the country, including: manufacturing, health care, food service and construction.

HR Consulting Firms Offer Fast Track To OSHA Safety Compliance

National PEO’s reputation among Human Resources consulting firms is built on years of experience, including 30 years combined among senior management and over a decade in operation. In fact, company founders helped to write legislation governing the PEO (Professional Employer Organization) industry. By offering comprehensive safety compliance services to its clients, National PEO removes the barriers to one of the most complex and difficult to implement components of a comprehensive Human Resources strategy. Workers are protected and companies benefit from reduced exposure to industrial accidents and safety code violations.

While other HR consulting firms offer programs to help companies comply with applicable safety regulations, none offers the comprehensive approach offered by National PEO. Included in its program is a safety inspection of a client’s premises conducted in the same methodology and approach employed by the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA), complete with written report and photographs. In addition, a safety audit can be performed, which goes into additional detail including a review of the client’s existing safety policy (as well as any Hazardous Material management plan), review of OSHA logs for the past five years, review of any corporate safety training programs and a detailed review of any accident reports along with supporting documentation. After analysis, the client is offered assistance in rectifying any oversights and in complying with OSHA regulations. This might include consultation in developing a comprehensive corporate safety program complete with safety training classes for employees. While the expertise needed to accomplish compliance may not be available within a smaller company’s own HR department, National PEO has the experience to offer safety compliance services that fill the gap. National PEO also offers the OSHA 10 and 30 hour outreach classes for both the general industry and construction industry.

Established in 1999, Arizona-based National PEO is one of the oldest and most experienced hr Consulting Firms in the US. Its executive team boasts a combined 30 years in the Human Resources industry. National PEO offers a wide range of HR services including payroll, benefits, recruiting, training and development, IT, labor law compliance, worker’s compensation and Safety Compliance Services . For further information about National PEO or its safety compliance program, please contact John Rico using the following contact information.

Via EPR Network
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Acas Reports Increase In Those Seeking To Avoid Employment Tribunal Claims

Acas, the employment relations service, has released new figures that reveal the number of businesses and employees which are trying to avoid employment tribunal claims continues to rise in recent months.

Acas Reports Increase In Those Seeking To Avoid Employment Tribunal Claims

Monthly calls to the Acas helpline which, have resulted in being referred to the early conciliation service - pre-claim conciliation (PCC), have almost doubled since September. The free service aims to settle workplace issues which could escalate to an expensive tribunal.

By the end of February 2010, 8,304 PCC referrals had been made from the Acas helpline since the service was launched to accompany changes to the Employment Act in April 2009. Acas estimates that over 5,000 employment tribunal claims have been avoided already.

Rising demand for the service has resulted in a steady increase in referrals culminating in over 2,700 in the last quarter of 2009. The first quarter of 2010 is on track to exceed this figure by at least 20%. At the moment around 300 referrals are being received every week on average, and Acas expects this number to rise to about 400 during 2010.

Commenting on the figures, Ed Sweeney, Acas Chair said: “This data indicates that workers and employers are increasingly taking steps to avoid employment tribunals. The current economic climate has created difficult workplace challenges for managers, HR professionals and employees. The earlier issues can be sorted out, the more likely people will remain in productive employment in the workplace.

“The service is quick. Over half of all resolved cases are completed in around three weeks instead of the six to nine months that most tribunal claims take We have a responsibility to support the economic recovery by resolving workplace disputes early on and in doing so, avoiding costly, stressful and time consuming employment tribunals.”

The PCC service was launched in April 2009 alongside the new Acas Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures following the Government’s Dispute Resolution Review in 2007.

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Joe Kiedinger Launches Program To Help People Connect Better With Co-Workers, Spouses And Children

Joe Kiedinger, founder and Brander-in-Chief of Prophit Marketing of Green Bay, believes that the number one killer of employee job satisfaction and workplace engagement is tension caused by unhealthy relationships and perpetual misunderstandings.

To help employers reduce tension and ultimately increase the level of employee satisfaction with their lives at both work and at home, Kiedinger is launching the About Me Card Program, an employee engagement system combining breakthrough communication approaches with supporting software.

The core of the About Me Card Program involves a practical personal assessment that reveals individuals’ fundamental motivations that are most essential to their happiness. With this information, human resources staff, business owners and managers can better understand what drives employees at the deepest level and can assist them with performing their jobs in a more meaningful and productive way.

Kiedinger is holding a premiere event for the launching of the About Me Card Program at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27, at the Meyer Theater in downtown Green Bay. The event is free and open to the public and is being held in partnership with Junior Achievement. The event will include a presentation by Kiedinger, a demonstration of the software, a panel discussion, and live entertainment featuring Let’s Be Frank Productions.

Appearing on the panel will be Mark Skogen, President/CEO of Festival Foods; Dan Swift, General Manager of Dahl Automotive Group; Angela Owen, President of TBL Leadership Partners; Tom Thibodeau, Director of the Servant Leadership Program at Viterbo University; Chris Elliott, Managing Director of About Me International; and Kiedinger.

At the event, attendees will get a glimpse of two About Me Card Programs that will be released in 2011, About Me Kids and About Me Teens, as well as several technological enhancements involving social media.

According to Kiedinger, the About Me Card Program offers important benefits for employers. “When this program is applied to a business, it allows people to communicate clearly without misunderstanding, reduce conflicts, cut tension, hire right and match employees to jobs that fit their talents. In short, this tool creates a whole new level of cooperation and connection between people at work,” he says.

Kiedinger adds that “while all of these factors contribute to increased profitability, what is special with this program is that it helps employers do the right thing—make life better for their employees.” In addition, he says the program is also unique in that it helps facilitate the development of leaders across organizations.

Kiedinger says the most notable feature of the About Me Card Program is its simplicity. “I like to call it a ‘Monopoly’ property card except that instead of being about property it is about a short list of rules to help people successfully connect with one another. The software enhances the experience by allowing people to communicate effectively at the click of a mouse. No other assessment offers this level of immediacy and practicality while providing relevant individualized information,” he says.

Kiedinger says the About Me Card Program is an ideal culture-building tool that can easily become a company’s training program or be integrated into an existing training program. He also says the program can help improve employees’ personal lives by minimizing if not eliminating workplace tension that they would typically bring home with them at the end of the workday.

The About Me Card Program is already being used by a wide array of organizations, and the initial results have been very positive, according to Kiedinger. Organizations that are currently using the program include the United Way of Brown County, Festival Foods, Trig’s, Dahl Automotive, Al Huss Auto & Truck, The Selmer Company and TBL Leadership Partners. In addition, the program is scheduled to be used by a Campbell’s Soup Company plant in Texas in May.

Kiedinger notes that the About Me Card Program continues to draw inquiries from a variety of interested parties, including some organizations from China.

A white paper on the About Me Card Program is available. “How to Produce Highly Motivated and Engaged Employees in the Face of Today’s ‘What’s In It For Me? Workforce’ ” is available at www.aboutmecard.com.

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National PEO Relieves Companies of the Confusion and Hassles Associated with the Arizona Everify Compliance Requirements

National PEO, a leading provider of PEO services in Arizona and across the nation, offers an Arizona Everify service. As new regulations and laws governing businesses are established, the process of running a business grows increasingly complicated. Small to mid-sized businesses often find that back office duties take up more time than revenue-producing activities. The Arizona Everify regulation is another in a long list of chores that businesses must comply with. With no end in sight of regulations and back office duties, more and more businesses are turning to the professional HR Consulting services of National PEO.

The E-Verify program is an internet based system operated by The Department of Homeland Security’s U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services Bureau. Although the system is set up to be user friendly, it is vitally important that precise steps are followed. Many businesses are finding that this system, added to the multitude of other back office duties, results in mass confusion. A mistake with the Arizona Everify requirement can result in possible suspension or even the loss of a company’s business license. This thought can send chills down the back of a business owner.

The HR Consulting team at National PEO can alleviate that fear as they work to process each new hire and rehire made by a company. The team will follow up on any discrepancies in a timely manner in order to comply with federal deadlines. Businesses appreciate the fact that the HR Consulting team also answers employees’ questions and audits the I-9’s and employee filing system.

Additionally, National PEO keeps businesses informed of changes to federal and state laws related to immigration. This comprehensive service means that businesses are relieved of unnecessary stress and they can focus on the duties that bring in profits instead of time consuming administrative tasks.

National PEO has the expertise and professional team members that can help any business run more efficiently and therefore, more profitably. They provide services ranging from employee handbooks to compensation analysis, Arizona Everify and beyond. Besides having extensive knowledge of laws and regulations, National PEO HR Consulting professionals can also assist businesses with such things as document translations or even Spanish speaking tutorials for staff and management. Whatever Human Resource need a business has, National PEO has a solution that will result in a higher profit margin.

National PEO works to help businesses have more time to spend doing profit-producing activities and less time in the back office working on administrative tasks. Their renowned HR Consulting services include a wide range of the basic to the unexpected. Small to mid-sized companies across Arizona and the nation have found National PEO is unmatched in its professionalism and extensive knowledge. Services offered range from employee handbooks to compensation analysis, and even Arizona Everify compliance requirement services. In essence, National PEO works with companies to fulfill Human Resource needs, remedy problems and provide solutions.

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SafeShores Group Release ‘ARCHANGEL’ The UK’s Largest Personal Safety System

Archangel is the largest personal safety system currently deployed within the UK. Originally conceived in 1998 and marketed as ‘Communicare’ by Argyll – www.argyll-loneworker.co.uk – the UK leader in lone worker monitoring, Archangel has developed significantly and currently supports over 30,000 end users managing key risks that span multiple industry sectors. In 2010, Archangel’s backbone technology was instrumental in assisting Argyll when, following extensive trials, they became the police preferred specification for use in domestic violence applications.

Archangel is the first fully integrated wide area personal safety monitoring system and is a comprehensive, secure, service platform designed for use by monitoring centres (e.g. call centres; CCTV; Telecare; or BS5979 Alarm Receiving Centre’s), delivering healthcare, personal safety and security services for commercial operators, employers and public sector agencies in pursuit of their duty of care under current health & safety legislation and emerging lone worker standards such as BS8484.

Personal risk management requires more than just software or devices it requires an holistic approach to all aspects of supporting people while working or living alone. This is why Archangel is designed to satisfy five key principals:

1. Risk Management
2. Location Management
3. Solution Management
4. Incident Management
5. Compliance Management

Archangel assists in the measurement and control of risk through the introduction of safer working practices for remote/mobile workers and discreet remote monitoring of vulnerable persons.

This aids:

Staff to take control of the risk at source by carrying out their own dynamic risk assessment and by enabling them to take sensible proactive measures that ensure their own safety Monitoring providers and responders to co-ordinate and deliver effective and appropriate assistance exactly where it’s required Employers – to achieve compliance with current Health & Safety legislation Carers – to provide discreet and comprehensive support for vulnerable individuals under their care.

Support is achieved through the combined use of layered, interactive and time based risk management software; electronic location information management; a choice of appropriate mobile devices and applications plus secure Internet services for local day-to-day management. The system is designed to provide care and response support to a wide range of vulnerable persons irrespective of the device being carried or their geographic location and without placing unnecessary resource burdens on response teams.

Archangel provides end users with simplicity of use, operational suitability and technical competence. Fundamentally it provides vital comfort, remote dedicated support and reassurance of safety.

For employers and carers Archangel facilitates compliance with legislation, offers productivity improvements, improves social relations and morale and provides simple administration via Internet services enabling management of the corporate H&S policy.

Archangel provides ARC’s with simplified operator interfaces and subscriber alarm workflows. Automated alarm escalation and filtration processes plus automatic and manual incident report generation with fully auditable performance and productivity measures enable demonstration of compliance with industry standards. High volume call traffic handling, intelligent routing, access to management information, flexible reporting and friendly, reliable support are just as important.

It is Archangel’s total commitment to these standards that has built our reputation for delivering an industry-leading risk management solution.

Main Features:
Police preferred specification
Over 30,000 end users
Modular technology, flexible and scalable architecture
Integrated location mapping
Secure Internet services for dynamic control
Supports personal mobile phones, blackberry and windows mobile devices
Supports a choice of accredited, specialist manufacturers, health, safety and
wellbeing devices
A choice of 3rd party developer applications
Compliance and audit reports
BS8484 lone worker standard compliant.

Via EPR Network
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Controlling Corporate Manslaughter Risk Through Effective Lone Worker Solutions

With the recent drastic increase in the consequences for firms contravening health and safety legislation, Tom Morton, CEO of Argyll, the UK’s largest lone worker solutions provider, advises why organisations should mitigate their risks associated with lone working.

The release of new sentencing guidelines for courts (issued by the Sentencing Guidelines Council in February 2010) have raised the stakes for companies convicted of corporate manslaughter offences. The new law applies to every organisation within the UK and provides an effective route to securing a conviction in the event of a fatality, if it can be proved that a company was in breach of the ‘Duty of Care’ owed by the organisation to its workers by virtue of the way in which its activities are managed or organised. In addition to the existing threat of civil actions being taken by staff, unions or family members, and the costs of defending any action taken, the fine recommended for a public corporate manslaughter prosecution to be imposed on any business is now £500,000 or greater. Not only will the organisation face this unprecedented fine, but it may also be burdened with the additional costs of a remedial order and a publicity order.

Fines of this scale can have a devastating impact on small and medium-sized businesses with modest turnover and profit figures. In the case of very large businesses, the fines issued could be much higher than this minimum and the guideline suggests these will reach into millions of pounds.

However, these financial penalties are only part of the story. Courts are also empowered to issue remedial orders, requiring businesses to address any specific health and safety failures that it hasn’t already dealt with, but the final coup de grace is potentially the most damaging element of any corporate manslaughter sentence: the publicity order.

A business served with such an order is required to make a public announcement giving details of the offence committed and the financial penalty imposed. The court will dictate how this announcement must be made but it is expected that national and local press announcements and a message on the business’s own website will be usual practice. The reputational damage caused by a publicity order could end up costing businesses (especially large household names) far more, and take much longer to recover from, than any financial penalty the court can issue. The potential costs of complying with a remedial order and publicity order will not be taken into account by the court in setting the fine and will be a further drain on businesses that may already be facing unprecedented financial pressure.

In the 2008 TUC safety representatives survey, working alone was the sixth main hazard of concern for safety representatives. Recent research shows that 1.3 million people are attacked in the UK every year at work and assaults are increasing by 5% every two years. The rise in workplace violence now costs UK industry hundreds of millions of pounds in compensation and the loss of more than 3 million working days each year.

Health & Safety has been pushed to the top of the corporate agenda by the newly introduced legislation that threaten grave legal and financial consequences for those not exercising an adequate ‘Duty of Care’ for staff exposed to risk whilst operating as Lone Workers. In a nutshell, Trustees and Directors must consider every possibility when assessing the risk faced by Lone Workers and including the impact risk to the organisation.

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Acas Urges Businesses To Improve Employee Engagement

Acas, the employment relations service, is encouraging UK businesses to prepare for the potential economic up-turn by focusing on employee engagement.

In its new discussion paper Acas highlights the simple procedures that can increase employee engagement in the workplace, to improve staff retention, increase morale and encourage greater productivity.

It also indicates that there is a good case for focusing on employee engagement as a business priority. Employees who are committed to their work are much more likely to behave in a positive, cooperative way. Engagement is therefore a benefit to both employees and the business.

Ed Sweeney Acas Chair said: “The recession means that a lot of businesses have experienced a challenging period. Inevitably, this has had a knock-on effect on employees and morale. As we approach what might be the beginning of the end of the downturn, business leaders and managers have a responsibility to encourage an open business culture.

“There is plenty of evidence which suggests strong employee engagement can help boost the bottom line. Our advice to businesses is that by engaging properly with staff, organisations will put themselves in a better position to emerge from the recession in a healthy position.”

The discussion paper also highlights the important role played by line managers but argues that they should not work in isolation. It also suggests that to be effective, they need good teams around them and senior managers who support the same values and demonstrate the same kind of behaviours. These include open communication, regular positive feedback and an emphasis on personal skills and development.

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Acas Helps Businesses Avoid Employment Tribunal Claims

Acas, the employment relations service, has revealed it has helped businesses avoid more than 2000 employment tribunal claims in just seven months since the introduction of the Pre-Claim Conciliation (PCC) service. Due to its overwhelming success, Acas recently expanded the service to include all major types of workplace issues.

The PCC service aims to save businesses time, money and stress by tackling workplace issues early to prevent costly and stressful employment tribunals. On average employers spent just over three days using the PCC service, compared to nearly 14 days on a claim which escalates to an employment tribunal hearing.

Since the introduction of PCC, Acas has handled 3500 PCC referrals from the Acas helpline and 70 per cent of these were resolved without going to an employment tribunal. In fact, even when the PCC service was not able to settle a workplace dispute, only four in ten referrals progressed into a claim by the end of August.

Ed Sweeney, Acas Chairman, said: “It’s reassuring that Acas’ PCC service has already helped businesses save a great deal of money – particularly in this economic climate.

“Furthermore, the new Code of Practice should also help encourage better communication and relationships, ultimately making businesses and employees happier and more productive.

“Over time, as managers, HR professionals and employees become further accustomed to resolving workplace disputes internally, savings will be even more significant.”

In addition to the expansion of the PCC service, Acas has also expanded its helpline to ensure impartial information on employment relations issues is more readily available to employers and employees.

The PCC service was launched in April 2009 alongside the new Acas Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures following the Government’s Dispute Resolution Review in 2007. There are also a number of workplace training courses, which aim to help businesses manage conflict in the workplace and update on employment law.

About Acas:
Acas’ aim is to improve organisations and working life through better employment relations. It provides information, advice, training and a range of services working with employers and employees to prevent or resolve problems and improve performance. It is an independent statutory body governed by a Council consisting of the Acas Chair and employer, trade union and independent members.

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PML Risk Management Will Be Accepting PEO Workers Compensation Submissions For Underwriting Quotes On An Invitation Only Basis

According to company owner Jim Shelton, “After more than three years of hard work and several set-backs, our program is finally ready for the PEO markets we have been trying to help”.

“The mid-market PEO will be able to breathe a refreshing sigh of relief with this program designed specifically for the PEO. In particular, smaller PEOs struggle to keep a workers’ comp policy, let alone afford it. Why? Simply put, workers compensation carriers have attached a negative stigma to PEO’s, requiring high collateral, deposits or “fixed” premiums based on an estimated annual premium, hurting the already beleaguered cash flow needed for the PEO’s day to day operations. Larger PEOs tie up precious cash flow and credit; that won’t happen with PML’s program”.

PML Risk Management, Inc. is trying to change the relationship between workers comp carriers and the PEOs who honestly and effectively manage their risk.

PML Risk Management, Inc, is not a professional employer organization (PEO), but the company owner has over 24 years experience as a PEO owner; fully aware of the workers compensation challenges and pitfalls facing the mid-market PEO, as well as the larger PEO.

This unique PEO program will offer qualified and accepted PEOs “Guaranteed Cost” Individual or Master Coordinated policies; all fifty states, No Collateral, little or NO deposit and a monthly reportable Pay-As-You-Go plan.

As an incentive, the program offers the PEO a profit-sharing dividend for keeping their loss ratio 40% or less. This program is the competitive blast of fresh air PEOs have been looking for.

If you would like more information about our PEO specific workers compensation program being offered through PML Risk Management, Inc, please visit www.peoworkerscompensation.com or call our licensed managing agent for more details ((210)) 380*2051.

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Acas Urges UK Businesses To Tackle Mental Health In The Downturn

Acas, the employment relations service, is encouraging UK businesses and managers to prepare for the longer term effects of the recession and implement policies and procedures to help cope with mental health issues in the workplace.

In a recently published policy discussion paper, Acas looks at some of the lessons that can be learnt from tackling workplace stress. It advises business and managers to look at how they can anticipate and identify mental health problems in the workplace and what steps should be taken to respond to them.

Figures show that mental health problems cost UK organisations around £26 billion each year*. The latest figures also reveal that the total number of unemployed has now reached 2.47 million**, which could have a further adverse impact on employees’ wellbeing.

Ed Sweeney, Acas Chairman, said: “The economy may hopefully have seen the worst of the recession but the impact on workplaces will be felt far into the future.

“Implementing procedures to effectively deal with mental health issues in the workplace has strong benefits for individuals and organisations. Early intervention can play a critical part in reducing the problem of ill health at work and this ‘prevention over cure’ approach will ultimately help businesses and employees save time, stress and money.”

Measuring the impact of the recession on employees’ mental wellbeing can be difficult as the stigma associated with mental health creates barriers to measuring the true extent of the problem.

Acas is urging organisations and managers to implement effective policies and procedures to help managers deal with the long term impacts of the downturn and safeguard the health and wellbeing of employees. This might include:

- workplace training – to raise awareness of stress and
mental health so that line managers, in particular, can tell if an employee is
suffering from additional or excessive pressures

– Good interpersonal skills – to help nurture trusting relationships with staff who
may be anxious about disclosing their mental health problems

– A supportive organisational structure – that guides managers by providing clear
policies and procedures for managing mental health

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HR Consulting and Safety Compliance Services By National PEO

National PEO LLC (Professional Employer Organization) offers safety compliance services along with a full spectrum of HR consulting expertise to a wide range of industries including food services, manufacturing, health care and construction.

HR Consulting and Safety Compliance Services

Human Resources has been for years a frequently understaffed or overlooked department, especially in small and medium sized businesses that are focused on production and revenue rather than administrative requirements. However, it’s often at this stage that companies are in most need of HR best practices to facilitate strategic growth and manage various regulatory compliance issues. National PEO offers programs that can help companies with any of their HR needs, including:

• Employee development and training.
• Staff programs, safety programs and employee handbooks.
• Compensation analysis.
• Regulatory compliance, including safety and environmental compliance.
• Regional taxation rules.
• Strategic planning.

National PEO clients benefit from the experience of a company that was founded ten years ago and has remained committed to remaining at the leading edge of professional employer organization best practices and well as emphasizing unparalleled customer service.

Arizona Environment Progress, Inc., a National PEO client has this to say: “The staff is courteous and helpful, and goes the extra mile for their clients. Their Human Resource Department is such a pleasure to work with. We can always get answers to our most difficult questions, and most times have the answer within one hour. We would recommend them to any company.”

National PEO goes far beyond what typical a HR Consulting Firms offer, including the availability of bilingual support staff. Safety compliance includes providing a full safety inspection of the client’s facility, following OSHA inspection standards, accompanied by a written report and photographs. Going beyond the level of a trial inspection, a full safety audit is also available. This includes an inspection, review of OSHA 300 logs for the past five years and a comprehensive review of the company’s accident reports, safety training programs, environmental programs, hazardous material management plans and other relevant documentation. National PEO then assists the client to achieve abatement and compliance once an OSHA compliance inspection is completed.

For further information about National PEO’s HR Consulting services, including safety compliance programs, payroll processing and employee benefits programs, please call 480-429-8098, or visit www.nationalpeo.com.

About National PEO LLC
National PEO LLC was founded in 1999 and has enjoyed a decade of steady growth, becoming a leading provider of PEO services to hundreds of companies throughout Arizona and the United States. National PEO’s executive Safety Compliance Services team exceeds a combined thirty years of experience in the field and continues to steer National PEO toward exceeding expectations of a HR Consulting Firms through innovation, leadership, customer satisfaction and setting the trend for PEO industry best practices.

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Corporate Benefit Coordinators Is Proud To Announce Its Newly Formed Integrated Business Solutions Model, The M-5 Group

In this economy business owners must work smarter. CBC’s M-5 Group gives them the tools and resources to bridge the gap between struggling and thriving. Corporate Benefit Coordinators is proud to announce its newly formed Integrated Business Solutions model, the M-5 Group. Currently comprised of nine powerful firms that deliver innovative quality employee benefits, top-rated retirement plans, more efficient web-based payroll services, premier CPA auditing and consulting, and more, the M-5 Group provides business owners a virtual one-stop shop for all their business needs. Each M-5 Group member brings unique strengths, dedication and specific business know-how within each of their respective fields. Unlike the normal business model wherein the business owner solicits and engages with several entities to fulfill company requirements, the M-5 Group provides an impressive array of independently operated firms that provide business resources that the employer can utilize to streamline and efficiently position his/her company in an ever-more-challenging business environment. Member groups include:

• Brucker and Morra – The largest Southern California firm that exclusively practices employee benefits law, this company has a deep understanding of every nuance of tax and labor law, including but not limited to 401K, IRS and DOL compliance initiatives and self-correction alternatives, ERISA litigation and family law.

• CommerceWest Bank – Core values, consistency, reliability and a dedication to the highest level of service standards for clients is what this regional and business banking institution is all about. With special features, including Remote Deposit Solution, Concierge, Banking by Appointment, NetBanker Online Cash Management, 48-Hour Turnaround and 24/7 Emergency Banking, CommerceWest stands heads above the competition.

• Corporate Benefit Coordinators (CBC) – A full-service benefits firm dedicated to helping companies achieve their financial and business goals. CBC offers superior group medical, dental, and ancillary plan designs. In addition, we offer compliance and administrative services with hands-on, personal attention to help improve the bottom line. Cafeteria plans, COBRA administration, Health Savings Accounts, 401K plans, and 5500 tax preparation are also among our top-rated client services.

• Garret/Mosier/Griffith/Sistrunk Insurance Services (GMGS) – GMGS is a full-service insurance brokerage dedicated to providing insurance, surety and risk management solutions for businesses. Through a combination of claims/loss control services, technical insurance knowledge and alternative cost-effective combinations of risk retention & risk transfer, GMGS is able to dramatically lower the long-term insurance costs for businesses while successfully protecting and enhancing their financial strength.

• HR Alternatives, Inc. – HR Alternatives provides Human Resource capabilities to meet business objectives while effectively managing employee related concerns with our advisory support and project solutions consulting. Advisory support provides ready access to certified expert consultants on a retained basis. Project Solutions provides the design and implementation of projects, such as HR Compliance, AAP, Employee Handbooks, Compensation Programs, Safety, Recruitment, Training and Organizational Development. This company’s full spectrum of resources provides an effective Human Resource function at a fraction of the cost of traditional options.

• ING Retirement Services – One of the largest and most formidable leaders in the U.S. retirement services marketplace, ING closed its acquisition of CitiStreet, thus reinforcing its long-term commitment to the business and further strengthening its ability to design and deliver best-in-class customer solutions.

• Lesley, Thomas, Schwartz & Postma – A full-service, certified public accounting firm dedicated to providing a full spectrum of customized accounting and advisory services to solve business problems and achieve business goals, this firm has a proven track record for producing results.

• PayBridge – A nationally recognized leader in web-based, real-time payroll solutions that integrate with retirement plan administration and recordkeeping. PayBridge eliminates repetitive spreadsheet calculations, enables contributions to reach 401(k) plans faster, and promotes timely compliance with federal and state regulations with less time needed for oversight. Above all, PayBridge saves money for clients by streamlining payroll operations. The outcome is a fast, intuitive, and flexible payroll / HR solutions platform that reduces costs and lets managers spend more time growing revenue.

• The Pension Group, Inc. – A committed, premier retirement-plan design and administration service group dedicated to Profit Sharing, 401k, Pension Plans and New Comparability/Tiered Plans, The Pension Group’s professional approach saves both time and money for businesses and creates on-going value for clients with appropriate, timely, accurate, personalized service.

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Who has had the greatest number jobs in the UK

Jobs for life are virtually non-existent in today’s labour market, with the current average lifespan of jobs in the UK being on average just three years, and even as short as 18 months for graduates.

While the majority of workers regularly change their jobs, this is not the case for people who live in Scotland , as a high percentage of workers only have one job throughout their lifetime, a recent survey by online job search specialists Tip Top Job has discovered.

The survey polled over 1,000 people to find out who the biggest job-hopping culprits are. While Scots are the most stable, those in the South West have the most jobs in the UK throughout their working life, with the majority of them holding over eight different positions.

Who has had the greatest number jobs in the UK ?
The Welsh are the next region with jam-packed CVs – 23% of Welsh workers have had eight or more jobs, compared to a relatively low percentage in the North West and North East, where workers tend to have just two or three jobs in their working lives.

Corinne Dauncey, Careers Expert from TipTopJob.com, said: “While staying in one job for your entire life might seem unrealistic, it appears that there are people out there who are content doing the same job, which says a lot about the companies they work for.

“However, if you feel that you have got as much as you can out of a job, then looking for a new one might be a good option as long as you don’t do this too frequently. Moving jobs every few months will put potential employees off as they will question your loyalty and the credibility of your CV.”

As jobs in the UK become more fluid and less stable, job search services play an ever more important role. Careers are more flexible than they have ever been before, and job seekers have to be aware of this if they are to make the most of their working lives.

Tip Top Job is an international job search engine that covers every area of today’s job market. With a focus on UK vacancies, Tip Top Job allows users to search its job boards quickly and easily according to their needs, skills and requirements.

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Eva Jenkins Shows That Workers Who Trim Pounds May Also Reduce Their Weight On The Corporate Bottom Line

Eva Jenkins has found a new intersection for personal and professional success: weight loss. The respected business consultant and personal coach believes that corporate support for employee weight-loss programs

can pay off in bottom line savings. “There’s no denying the strong link between obesity and workers’ compensation claims, so bottom-line conscious companies must take note,” she observes. “So work-based programs designed to make employees healthier can give a booster shot to a business and inoculate it against rising healthcare costs.”

A Better Way to “Insure” Employee Health

Healthcare and insurance costs remain at the center of the economic and political debate, especially in light of recession worries. “If you pay health insurance for your employees, obesity is affecting your bottom line,” says Jenkins. “It has a direct relation to your economic health and smart businesses are finding that investing in a little preventive medicine can pay off with significant savings.”

Healthcare and insurance costs remain at the center of the economic and political debate, especially in light of recession worries. “If you pay health insurance for your employees, obesity is affecting your bottom line,” says Jenkins. “It has a direct relation to your economic health and smart businesses are finding that investing in a little preventive medicine can pay off with significant savings.”

According to a recent study out of Duke University Medical Center, obese employees cost companies more money than their fit counterparts—in lost workdays, higher medical costs, and more workers’ compensation claims. “The researchers found that obese workers filed twice as many workers’ compensations claims as workers who fell within the recommended BMI range,” reports Jenkins. “Those claims translated into medical costs that were seven times higher ($51,019 per 100 employees.)”

An article in The Wall Street Journal reported that an obese employee costs General Motors approximately $1,500 more in health services each year compared to an employee who is height-weight proportionate. “If you apply the national average for obesity (approximately 25%) to the company’s active workforce and their dependents, GM is spending nearly $1.4 billion more in healthcare costs each year than it would if all its employees were fit and trim,” says Jenkins.

The Chicago Tribune reports that per-worker healthcare costs increase by more than 80% in the past 8 years. Given the alarming rise in obesity in American workers and the relationship between weight and a wide range of diseases and illnesses, “it’s not hard to connect the dots and see that it’s in the interest of businesses to help their employees maintain their weight.”

Healthy Teams Win

Jenkins is an advocate of team effort. “No one can fully achieve their dreams alone. Not people and not companies.” She is a strong advocate for onsite weight loss support groups led by an experienced facilitator who can also provide one-on-one counseling to individuals.

Jenkins notes that team wellness efforts should include everyone in the corporate hierarchy. “When managers and supervisors share in the fight to lose weight and stay healthy themselves, they send a powerful message up and down the line. “Weight loss efforts create tremendous bonding,” says Jenkins. “Everyone feels like they’re part of the same team, working hard to support one another’s success.”

The magic, reports Jenkins, is that “the spirit of shared success spills over into other business functions.”

A Permanent Framework

Jenkins is quick to point out that her approach to employee health goes far beyond calorie restriction and exercise. “As a personal success coach, my job is to help each person clarify and refine what he or she wants out of life,” says Jenkins. Clarity, however, is just the first step.

“Creating a plan is how the journey to success begins, but it’s a series of small steps that actually get you there,” observes Jenkins. “Unfortunately, many people simply run out of steam.” The antidote is a consistent, continuing framework of support, and the workplace provides an ideal setting.

“Learning opportunities about health and wellness that are presented as an integral part of business life send an important message to employees.

Additionally, weight management sessions offer equal parts of inspiration and accountability. “A regularly scheduled Office Wellness Check makes it harder for team members to ignore excess weight, so they’re more likely to be ‘nudged’ into taking action and literally trimming the fat..”

Building Dreams

“To become reality, a dream house needs to be designed, engineered, and constructed with an eye towards maintenance and longevity,” observes Jenkins. “The same is true for a dream life.” She believes that a blueprint for weight-loss that includes support in the workplace will yield positive results on all fronts.

Via EPR Network
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A Good Recruitment Consultant Can Help You Identify Your Options And What It Would Take To Make The Change

Even when work is just a means to an end to pay the bills, it’s important to enjoy as much of it as possible as it’s where most of us spend the bulk of our waking hours.

Most people feel they are in the wrong role, underpaid and undervalued at some stage in the week but the hardest thing of all is knowing what might make things better.

Sadly, the laugh a minute job doesn’t exist for most people, and the scope to be a racing driver or a supermodel is severely limited. But no-one should routinely dread getting up in the morning on weekdays, and if they do, they are probably in dire need of a change.

The secret to getting the most out of your job is knowing what’s important to you, according to the experts at leading recruitment agency, Search Consultancy. For some this might mean freedom, and for others it might be routine. Some like personal challenge and some thrive on teamwork.

Sadly, many people are reluctant to leave the devil they know to explore what else might be open to them. But the consultants at Search argue that a good recruitment consultant can help you identify your options and what it would take to make the change.

Sarah McParland, Director with Search said, “A good recruitment consultant is not in the business of putting round pegs into square holes and will spend time with candidates exploring their strengths, skills and ambitions before putting them forward for a role.

“Just as importantly, they will have taken a clear brief from their client about the job on offer and what sort of person would do well there. This takes into account the culture of the organisation and the make-up of the team in which the candidate would be assigned.

“There’s no point in putting a quiet, methodical character into a lively, unstructured environment if that would make them unhappy. And that holds true whether they have the technical skills for the job or not.

“At Search, we don’t just look for a match of paper qualifications, we look for the best fit available between the candidate and client.”

To achieve this, Search offers one to one interviews to prospective clients at all levels. They can also use psychometric or other testing methods to assess candidate suitability, always with the aim of finding a good match.

A good recruitment consultant helps individuals to be realistic about their options and will advise on any skills gaps which the candidate might need to work on to achieve their goal. There’s no point in just wishing for the moon and it can be a revelation to some people just how easy it is to make a change which suits their current circumstances much better than staying in the same old rut.

McParland adds, “It’s not unusual for people to investigate their options and decide that all they need is a change of firm or culture to give them back their drive. Sometimes, a different boss or change of hours and conditions is all that’s required. At other times, a radical revamp of lifestyle and goals is in order. No two people are the same”.

Via EPR Network
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Dollarcompensationstatements.Com, A Web-Based Total Compensation And Benefit Statement Generator That Employers Can Use To Create Personalized Total Compensation And Benefits Statements

SBF Communications launched DollarCompensationStatements.com, a revolutionary new web-based total compensation and benefit statement generator that will change the way the industry approaches creating benefit statements. We offer the only self-service tool that employers and benefits brokers can use to create personalized total compensation and benefits statements for $1 to $2 per personalized statement.

DollarCompensationStatements.com saves employers up to 75% off of the amount they would otherwise pay traditional compensation and benefit statement service providers. Our straight forward pricing approach makes it cost effective to provide personalized total compensation and benefit statements to companies of all sizes. We have:

  • No set up fee
  • No minimum order
  • No wait
  • No risk — preview before you pay

The total rewards package employers provide their employees is one of their biggest expenses, yet employees don’t recognize the cost of health benefits and other perks as part of their total reward package. DollarCompensationStatements.com provides an inexpensive solution for employers of all sizes. Employers can:

  • Customize their introduction letter
  • Brand with their logo
  • Create statements with attention-grabbing charts
  • Eliminate lead times — statements are print ready in minutes
  • Pay a lot less

The self-service functionality is easy to use, you:

  • Select your statement
  • Upload your customized data
  • Preview your statements
  • Pay
  • Print

For more information about DollarCompensationStatements.com visit www.dollar-compensation-statements.com or contact us directly at 404.474.7947 or info@dollar-compensation-statements.com

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Dubai International Capital Named In Top Ten Percentile Of The World’s Top Employers

Dubai Holding, has announced that Dubai International Capital LLC (‘DIC’), its international investment arm, has been ranked in the top ten percentile, against regional and global benchmarks, in the TRI*M 2007 Employee Satisfaction Survey. TRI*M is a global leader in customer stakeholder management research, and part of TNS, a global market information and insight group.

H.E. Mohammed Al Gergawi, Chairman of Dubai Holding said: “DIC made outstanding progress in 2007 under Sameer Al Ansari’s leadership. Sameer Al Ansari and the Dubai International Capital team have built a highly profitable international investment company in a remarkably short time and these exceptional results reflect DIC’s high standards of corporate governance and high levels of employee satisfaction. The results reinforce the UAE’s status as a career destination for talented professionals in the financial sector and also demonstrate its position as a leading global financial centre.”

Sameer Al Ansari, Executive Chairman and CEO of DIC said: “DIC has achieved a great deal in a short time with a significant investment push into Asian markets this year and the closing of several major transactions in 2007. We are building on this momentum with an ambitious recruitment drive at a senior level with a target of 130 employees by the end of 2008 compared to 85 in 2007. We are hiring the resource and senior talent we need for the next phase of DIC’s ambitious growth strategy.”

The assets under management of Dubai International Capital now total over US$12 billion with a target to double assets under management to US$25 billion within the next two years. DIC has been profitable since its inception in 2004 and has earned global recognition as a world class investment company.

DIC Emerging Markets division made its first direct investment in the region with the family-owned Rivoli Group, a luxury retail chain based in the UAE. DIC’s Jordan Dubai Capital, a US$300 million fund, acquired a 51% stake in the Central Electricity Generating Company through its energy investment arm ENARA Energy Arabia. DIC recently announced the launch of China Dubai Capital, a $1billion fund to invest in China in partnership with First Eastern as well as Saudi Dubai Capital, a $1 billion fund to invest in KSA.

About Dubai International Capital:
Established in 2004, DIC is an international investment company focused on both private equity and public equity. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Dubai Holding, DIC manages an international portfolio of diverse assets that provide its stakeholders with value growth, diversification, and strategic investments. Assets under management total over US$12 billion. DIC was named MENA Private Equity Firm of the Year in the 6th annual Awards for Excellence in Private Equity Europe 2008, organised by Dow Jones Private Equity News.

About the survey:
The survey results were measured by the TRI*M model which gives a single number score representing the level of employee commitment including overall satisfaction, recommendation, rejoining, motivation of colleagues and market strengths.

In the findings, 85% of DIC employees believe DIC has a strong reputation in the market which reflects that staff are proud to be working for the firm. 83% of employees would recommend DIC as a company to work for, compared to 74.5% in 2006.

Via EPR Network
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Cranberry Resort Offers A Wide Range Of Affordable Corporate And Small Business Events

Treat your employees to a holiday party they’ll never forget at Cranberry Resort Book your next holiday party for an affordable price at beautiful Cranberry Resort in Collingwood. Cranberry Resort offers various deals for the holiday season including buffet style or plated dinner parties, and two charming locations to choose from.

Enjoy your very own corporate party at either Bear Estate in the well-appointed William Watts Ball Room, or at the lovely Atoka House, set against the panoramic backdrop of Blue Mountain. For the low price of $34.95, you’ll enjoy a specialty catered dinner, free hors d’oeuvres, fruit punch, late night coffee and delicious Christmas cookies. Cranberry Resort will also be offering the chance for someone at the party to win a grand prize of a one week vacation at Cranberry Resort.

If a corporate party isn’t what you’re looking for, Small Businesses from all over Ontario have the chance to come together. There is a special evening available which caters to small businesses, with something for every industry of every kind. You will also have the chance to win a grand prize of a one week vacation at Cranberry Resort at this event as well. The Small Business Christmas party is to be held on Friday November 28th, and Saturday December 6th. You’ll enjoy a delicious Turkey and Roast Beef Dinner Buffet, and then boogie on the dance floor to the beat of Soundscapes d.j. If you book by October 6th, you’ll receive a discounted rate of only $29.95 per person for the evening and only $89.95 for the Accommodation Rate. A fantastic price for a fantastic night!

For more information e-mail mwilliams@thecranberryresort.com or give them a call at (705) 445-6600 X 253.

Cranberry Resort, set against the panoramic backdrop of Blue Mountain and the beautiful waters of Georgian Bay, is a world-renowned, 750 acre year-round vacation destination.

At the Cranberry Resort, a Gold Medalist in Canada’s Golf Ranking Magazine of the top golf resorts in Canada, you can experience an expansive 18-hole golf

course, full-service marina, fine dining, a luxurious spa and a wide range of outdoor and indoor fun the whole family can take part in. Cranberry Resort is a 4-season vacation paradise!

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