DECEMBER - 2005

IN THIS ISSUE
 
 
Special Offer for Small Businesses: Earn a Subsidy to Help Implement Your IT Solution
Acquire Microsoft® Office or Windows® Small Business Server 2003 separately or together and receive a valuable IT (Information Technology) services subsidy! Small business customers can qualify for as much as $10,000 to use with a technology consultant to help with technology training, deployment or ongoing support! Click here to learn more.
 
The Financial Consequences of Worker Absences
Do you have a good quantification of the cost of worker absence in your organization? Probably not. There hasn’t been much good information out there to help you with this problem. Conceptually, it isn’t hard to understand that the cost is more than the direct wages paid to the absent employee. But how much more? Research available from Wharton explores these costs and their implications for company healthcare policies.
 MORE
 
 
Workers: Discrimination Prevalent in the Workplace
Here’s a bit of holiday cheer for those employed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). According to employees, your mission in eradicating discrimination from the workplace has yet to be fulfilled. According to a recent study conducted by Gallup of over 1,200 adults, 15% of all workers believe that they have suffered from some form of discrimination during the past year. Asians were the largest group to report such incidents (31%), while 26% of African-Americans made similar assertions.  MORE
 
 
Manufacturing: Shortage of Qualified Workers
In the midst of well-publicized lay-offs you may think there are plenty of workers out there from which to hire. However, new research says this isn't necessarily the case. Beneath all the hype, U.S. manufacturers face the emerging problem of finding qualified workers. In fact, in a survey conducted by the National Association of Manufacturers and Deloitte Consulting, researchers found that 80% of manufacturers surveyed are experiencing a shortage of qualified workers across industry sectors.  MORE
 
 
Manpower: Hiring Steady
Employers remain consistent with regard to their first quarter of 2006 hiring forecasts, according to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey. At the same time, those hiring estimates continue to remain fairly conservative, the employment services giant reports. “Hiring remains directly linked to employers’ operational needs. Employers continue to hire when their operations require an immediate fill,” said Barbara Beck, Manpower Executive VP in an interview with MarketWatch. “There is definitely hiring occurring. It continues to be measured,” she explained. MORE
 
 
Small Business Increases Wages
While small business may still be guarded in hanging the “help wanted” sign, wages paid to current workers is on the rise. In fact, wages have increased in the last five out of six months, rising 0.3% last month to reach an annualized rate of $28,888. The picture hadn’t been so rosy for workers prior to June 2005 where wages had dropped for 15 straight months, according to the latest survey conducted by SurePayroll, a research firm that tracks small business employment.

"Small businesses are risk-takers by their nature, but if orders are up, they'll get existing workers to work harder and add employees after the orders are filled,"said Michael Alter, president of SurePayroll. He noted that “most big companies would do the opposite -- that is, respond to more orders by hiring more workers. Small business can't afford that risk."
 
 
Can ‘Consumer-Directed’ Healthcare Lower Costs?
A recent poll for the Wall Street Journal conducted by Harris Interactive® found that few people are engaging in negotiations with providers to lower the cost of healthcare services and products. Generally, the percentage of respondents saying that they have tried to get lower prices ranges in the lower teens, virtually unchanged from the numbers reported in 2002. However, there has been a significant change in the results reported by those who have tried to get better prices through negotiation. MORE
 
 
High Energy Prices Impact Holiday Spending
According to a new survey just released by the Conference Board, more than one out of every three households say that high-energy prices will change the way they shop this holiday season. More than half of the 10,000 households surveyed say that they will make fewer trips to the mall this month while one out of three plan to cut the amount they spend once they arrive. Others will try to avoid the mall completely, choosing to shop online (30%).  MORE
 
 
Holiday ‘Brownout’
Perhaps it comes as no surprise that 44% of executives polled say that employees become less productive as a major holiday approaches according to a survey conducted by Accountemps. But the good news is that 23% say other workers step in to pick up the slack. “Offices are typically less productive during the holidays than at other times of the year because of the many distractions,” says Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps. “This can place pressure on managers and staff to stay focused on critical end-of-quarter and end-of-year projects.”

Accountemps offers the following tips to employees so that others aren’t left in the lurch:
  • “Beat the rush. Plan with your supervisor and colleagues, and allow adequate time to prepare for and complete major projects that occur during the holiday season.
  • Make a list and check it twice. Tie up loose ends before leaving for vacation. Provide alternative contact information in your voicemail messages and e-mail auto-responses so that incoming requests can be handled.
  • Remember that it is better to give than receive. When possible, delegate time-sensitive tasks and responsibilities to coworkers, and offer to return the favor when they are out. Make sure the person taking over for you has clear instructions and guidance on the project.”
 
 
Local Execs Less Optimistic Than National Counterparts
While Chicago-area executives plan to increase capital investments in anticipation of a jump in revenues, they aren’t quite as bullish as their national counterparts. According to the results of a new survey conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 55% of Chicago-area execs remain upbeat about their economic future, as compared to 62% nationally.  MORE
 
 
Current Economic Indicators
For the latest on the economy, visit the Chamber's ECONOMIC INDICATORS website.
 
 
The HR Library
Just a click away! For the latest HR news and analysis, CLICK HERE or use the button at the top of the Chamber home page. The site is updated daily to keep you informed on current developments in HR and how they might impact your bottom line.
 
Illinois Chamber HELPLINE
Knowing what you can and can't do will help you prevent costly mistakes. Call Howard Parker, our Chamber HR expert. He will help you deal with problems safely and avoid disputes. You can reach the Helpline toll-free at 800-322-4722.
 
 
Business Services
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The Illinois Chamber is offering a NEW Exclusive Benefit to Chamber members only! TruPay Corporation, America's fastest growing payroll service now offers its award-winning services to members of the Illinois Chamber at special discounted rates that could save you 20% or more. Click here for more about this exciting new opportunity.

Check out some of our other programs and see how your membership pays with the Illinois Chamber: Learn more about these programs and how they benefit your company when you Join the Leaders!
 
 
Support Your Guard & Reservists!
The Chamber urges all Illinois employers to recognize their Guard and Reserve employees by signing and displaying the ESGR Statement of Support. To get yours, simply complete an online form and you will receive a personalized certificate that demonstrates your support. Also visit the SBA Veteran's Business Development web site for assistance to small business owners that have employees activated in the Guard or Reserves. Click  MORE

The Exec Report - Susan S. McComb, J.D., SPHR, Editor
Copyright © 2005 The Illinois Chamber