While last week's Department of Labor Statistics' announcement revealed the biggest drop in unemployment since 2008, a recent survey reveals the talent crisis across industries is not only still strong but is also expanding internationally.The Top Five Global Employer Rewards Priorities Survey, created by consulting firm Deloitte, the International Society of Certified Employee Benefits Specialists…

Thousands of companies rely on contract employees for strong skill sets and extra help for temporary projects. A recent report by job search website CareerBuilder revealed 40 percent of employers intend to hire temporary and contract workers this year, up from 36 percent in 2012."More companies are turning to temporary and contract workers to meet…

As employer and HR administration professionals come to terms healthcare reform mandates, a recent survey suggests one area of health and certain worker needs have been consistently lacking from effective benefits management.More than one-third of American workers face chronic stress caused by low salaries, lack of opportunity for advancement and heavy workloads, among other factors,…

As employers and HR administration professionals cope with the changes mandated by the Affordable Care Act, many businesses are looking for ways to limit healthcare costs. A recent study by The Prudential Insurance Company revealed many employees approve of employer-sponsored voluntary benefits.The State of Group Voluntary Benefits found 63 percent of surveyed employees who said…

Taking the initiative to make employees happy can create a more productive workforce. Hosting fun events, sponsoring clubs and providing workers with opportunities to socialize are great ways to improve teamwork and stimulate workplace engagement. A recent study found embracing March Madness in the office may be another effective way of increasing employee performance.In a survey…

While employment got off to a modest start, a recent survey suggests hiring is up among insurance companies. In a study of 173 entities represented by agents, brokers and HR administration professionals, GreatInsuranceJobs.com, a niche job search website, determined there are more than 16,000 open positions in insurance across the country and 23,000 more are expected…

People who may lead unhealthy lifestyles are more likely to be associated with high levels of lost productivity, according to a recent study published in the scientific journal Population Health Management.The study, conducted by researchers at Brigham Young University, the Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO) and the Center for Health Research at Healthways examined data from…

The majority of people who started jobs in 2012 were unhappy about their employment situation in December, according to a new report by Development Dimensions International.The HR administration consulting company surveyed 250 staffing directors and 2,000 new hires from around the world to determine worker confidence and happiness levels.Roughly half of new employees reported experiencing buyer's…

This week, Yahoo made a bold move by mandating remote employees return to the office. The company's announcement sheds light on a question many companies are facing: Does allowing employees to work from home increase productivity or stifle innovation?There are several arguments for both sides of the debate. Allowing employees the flexibility to telecommute allows…

In the past 20 years, employers have moved away from offering employees defined benefits pension plans. The adoption of defined contribution plans, often in the form of 401(k)s, has allowed more workers to access money set aside in these accounts before actually retiring, according to a recent study from researchers at the University of Michigan's…