Spotlight on Recruiting & Retention

• Unusual strategies might help recruitment, retention
  Managers need to understand all the available recruitment and retention strategies, John Sullivan writes. Such strategies could include blocking external recruiters from contacting workers and creating such an attractive work environment that employees don't want to leave, he writes. ERE.net (10/5)

• 10 "flawed assumptions" about managing people
  Human resources must challenge its own assumptions about how to best manage people, Bob Sutton writes. Some of the "flawed" practices include breeding individual talent instead of focusing on teams and networks, and emphasizing a shared vision among workers instead of fostering individual creativity, he writes. Bob Sutton's Work Matters blog (9/30)

• Why we'll miss ambiguity at work
  If people can't get better at handling ambiguity and uncertainty, there will be repercussions in the workplace for employers, Jason Seiden writes. He predicts there will be increased hostility among employees and managers, less qualified leadership and higher stress levels that result from a "potent mix" of unresolved fear and helplessness. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Workforce (10/5)

• Worker retaliation claims against employers grow
  Retaliation claims filed with the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission by workers against employers shot up 23 percent in fiscal 2008, Cari Tuna writes. Lawyers and EEOC officials say the increase might be because more laid-off workers are filing claims and retaliation is easier to prove than discrimination. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (10/5)

• Learn to avoid arguments at work
  To avoid arguments at work, plan ahead for potential "dissenters," visualize a disagreement and think about how you'll keep your emotions in check, Heidi Brown writes. Women are more likely to take criticism personally, be more self conscious and find it tougher to disagree respectfully, she writes. Forbes (10/2)

• How to make sure relocation pays off
  Before relocating for a job, make sure the employer understands the way you work and supports it, Margie Newman writes. Also, have at least four months of savings for the move, and give the job at least three months before deciding whether it was a good decision or not, she writes. Brazen Careerist (10/2)

HRIS Analyst Take Care Health Conshohocken, PA VP, HR Webroot Software Boulder, CO Talent Acquisition Technology Specialist (Social Media Guru) Alegent Health Omaha, NE Manager, Benefits Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center Lebanon, NH (Greater Boston Area) Human Resources Talent Director Seattle City Light Seattle, WA Compensation & Benefits Analyst/HR Generalist Johnson Outdoors Inc. Racine, WI Nurse Recruiter Mountain States Health Alliance Johnson City, TN HR Manager ARAMARK Irvine, CA

Featured Content

• Linus would love this great pumpkin
  A 1,040.5-pound pumpkin won the 27th annual Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Clarence, N.Y. While it was considered a tough year for pumpkins because of the lack of heat and sun, grower Mike Matto says the secret to his pumpkin success was lots of water. United Press International (10/5)

The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS) The Recruiting Event of 2009 … It couldn't come at a better time! Learn innovative strategies for sifting through the deluge of qualified jobseekers and new channels for maintaining a quality talent pool for when the job market turns around. Presented by: Onrec and Kennedy Information When: November 2-4 Where: Chicago Interested in learning more about advertising in SmartBrief on Workforce? Contact Brittny Newton at (202) 407-7847 or bnewton.com.

Top five news stories selected by SmartBrief on Workforce readers in the past week.

• 6 tips for handling a tough conversation (SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Workforce)

• How to fix a worker's bad attitude (Evil HR Lady)

• Handling tears in the office (BretLSimmons.com)

• 3 ways to keep workers after the recession ends (SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Workforce)

• Poor sick-leave policies spread of illness (Benefits Buzz)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

Moving for a new gig is the equivalent of moving in with your significant other: Your family will freak out, your friends will become nervous and protective, and you'll find yourself half thrilled, half second-guessing yourself." --Margie Newman, writing on BrazenCareerist