| September 3, 2009 | E-mail news for employers |
 |  |
| Top Stories |  |  |
|
- Middle-aged workers are hard-pressed to find new jobs
For middle-aged workers who lose their jobs, finding a new position is more difficult than it is for younger employees. Meanwhile, unemployment among middle-aged workers has hit an all-time high, according to government statistics. Workers who have lost positions in the financial services industry are particularly hard-pressed to find new jobs. Michael Blattman, formerly a senior vice president for a student-loan company, says the majority of his colleagues lost their jobs when the credit markets contracted. NYTimes.com
(8/28)     
- Poll finds fewer workers are completely satisfied with job security
The percentage of U.S. workers completely satisfied with their job security has reached its lowest level since 2003, according to a Gallup Poll. The poll found that just half of Americans employed full- or part-time are completely satisfied with their job security. That's down from a high of 56% in 2007. However, the poll found that, overall, 80% of the workers polled are either completely or somewhat satisfied with their job security. The Gallup Organization
(8/27)
| Industry & Workplace Trends | | |
|
- Flexibility pays off for employers, experts say
Many companies are finding creative ways to keep their workers engaged even as they face an uncertain economy, experts say. "The 2009 Guide to Bold New Ideas for Making Work Work" found that employers are offering workers assistance with managing stress, overwork and family changes. Some are even offering emergency relief to workers facing a financial crisis. The 2009 guide also notes that employers have also used flexible work schedules to avoid laying off workers during the economic downturn. Bloomberg Businessweek
(8/28)
- Online portals become more popular among recruiters
Social and professional networking sites are becoming more effective tools for finding skilled employees, according to a recent survey of hiring professionals. The new study by Challenger, Gray & Christmas gave traditional networking an effectiveness rating of 3.98 out of 5. Online portals came in second, with an average rating of 3.3. EBN (free registration)
(8/24)
- Survey: Layoffs force unemployed workers to adapt
Many laid-off workers are expanding their career options and adapting to land new positions, experts say. Twenty percent of the participants in a recent CareerBuilder survey said they relocated when they found a new job, and 44% of the participants who were currently unemployed said they would consider moving for a new position. Meanwhile, 28% of respondents said they have changed their appearance to make themselves more appealing to a potential employer. EBN (free registration)
(8/19)
- Shortened work week helps Utah state employees achieve balance
Some state and local governments may eventually emulate a mandatory four-day work week put in place for most state employees in Utah a year ago, this article notes. The shortened work week was part of an effort to lower the state's energy costs, and it resulted in a 13% reduction in energy consumption. A survey also found that employees who participated in the four-day work week took fewer sick days and exercised more. "This can really make a difference for work-life balance," Utah's Executive Director for Human Resources Jeff Herring said. TIME
(9/7)
| AARP News | | |
|
 |
- AARP report: Older Americans and the recession
Between December 2007 and June 2009, the unemployment rate for those 55 and over more than doubled. By June 2009, the average duration of unemployment for older workers was nearly 30 weeks, and long-term unemployment stood at just over 38%. This report shows how older Americans are affected by the recession through a variety of avenues -- employment, housing prices and the value of financial assets. Learn more.
|
| SmartQuote | | |
|
 | My favorite poem is the one that starts 'Thirty days hath September' because it actually tells you something."
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
| | Recent AARP SmartBrief Issues:
- Thursday, August 20, 2009
- Thursday, August 06, 2009
- Thursday, July 23, 2009
- Thursday, July 09, 2009
- Thursday, June 25, 2009
| | | Mailing Address:
SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005 | |
| |
|
© 1999-2011 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information
The news reported in AARP SmartBrief does not necessarily reflect the official opinion
of AARP. Some links in AARP SmartBrief are time-sensitive, and may move or
expire over time. Some sources also may require registration or fee-based
subscriptions. |
|