Latest News
Global Duty of Care: Why HR Shouldn’t Ignore It
Companies whose employees travel or are transferred to other countries have a duty of care for them on legal, financial, and moral or ethical levels, says International SOS. Unfortunately, experts say, many companies whose employees are overseas routinely don’t understand their duty-of-care responsibilities or neglect them to save money.
Global Study: Done Right, Telework Ups Productivity, Job Satisfaction
A sound telecommuting strategy increases productivity, job satisfaction and work/life flexibility significantly, according to a recent survey conducted by a global Internet solutions company among its workforce. Respondents were from the Asia-Pacific region, the United States, Canada, Europe and emerging markets.
DOL Extends Employer Transition Period for Compliance with H-2A Rule
The transition period for employers to comply with pre-filing recruitment procedures under a Bush-era H-2A visa rule has been extended by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA), according to an interim final rule published in the Nov. 17, 2009, edition of the Federal Register.
ASK AN EXPERT
HR in Germany: How Does an MNC RIF German Employees?
“Due to lack of sales at our global company we are going to have to do a RIF and our employees in Germany may be impacted,” writes HR manager Lorelei Farmer. “Am I correct in assuming that we can terminate the contract but the notice period starts ticking either on the 15th of the month or the end of the month, depending upon when we serve notice? Are there any other things we need to be concerned about since the employer is initiating the end of the contract?
Get Your Global HR Questions Answered
Puzzled by Global HR? Ask an Expert is an occasional series in which SHRM members can pose direct questions to experts in the field of Global HR. To pose your question contact SHRM's Global Discipline Editor Aliah D. Wright at aliah.wright@shrm.org
WORLDLINK QUARTERLY
Fighting the Spread of H1N1
The 2009 H1N1 flu held Mexico City hostage for several weeks in April and May as government officials shut down businesses and schools and canceled events to curtail the spread of the deadly virus. Business associations in Mexico estimated the cost of the shutdown at upwards of $57 million a day. Every precaution should be taken to keep employees and businesses healthy. Pandemic planning is among many of the highlights in the latest edition of the Worldlink Quarterly Magazine, published by the World Federation of People Management
Associations (WFPMA).
Now Featured HR Magazine
Global HR Becomes a Top Priority When Foreign Companies buy U.S. Operations
Some U.S. businesses sold during the recession have been snapped up by foreign companies, creating global HR challenges overnight.
Outsourcing in Turbulent Times
Outsourcing marches on unabated, even as providers’ businesses change.
Court Report: Liability Possible for Acts by Agents in Foreign Countries
Aliens must present sufficiently plausible facts to support claims that their employers or employers’ agents conspired with paramilitary forces or police officials to murder and torture them before they can use the Alien Tort Statute (ATS) or the Torture Victims Protection Act (TVPA) to gain access to U.S. federal courts, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held
SHRM RESEARCH REPORTS
Women Face Challenges in India
A new SHRM report examines the challenges and opportunities for women in management positions in India.
India: Building Sustainable Leadership Competency
Change is occurring rapidly in Indian companies. In today’s challenging economy sustainable leadership competency is important for stability and growth of India’s domestic and global organizations. This article examines leadership in Indian companies in the context of the cultural and economic climate as well as through research, which offers both clarity and questions about the appropriate pathways to build sustainable leadership.
Global Diversity Advantage: The Next Competitive Edge
Globalization is changing how businesses operate, including how they create economic value, meet customer needs, find and manage talent, and fulfill social responsibilities. Being successful in the long term requires unprecedented levels of interaction between, and collaboration among, people of diverse cultures, religions, experiences and perspectives.
Featured Articles
View SHRM's H1N1Pandemic Checklist for HR Professionals
Whenever an organization experiences a crisis, its HR leaders find themselves in the eye of the storm. But don't panic. SHRM's here to help HR professionals get tips to plan, lead, and ensure the health and safety of staff as well as train and manage employee and labor relations as H1N1 continues its sweep worldwide.
H-1B Visa Update: Filings on the Rise
After a remarkably sluggish FY 2010 H-1B visa-filing season, petitions have picked up markedly, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Figures show that 7,000 petitions were accepted during October 2009, bringing the total to approximately 53,800 H-1B general cap petitions filed since April 1, 2009.
Global Labor Market Outlook Grim
According to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), even though the global recession has slowed, the early stages of the economic recovery will be too muted to result in strong job creation. As a result, unemployment is expected to rise in OECD countries—in general, the highly developed countries of North America, Europe, East Asia and Australia—to a new postwar high of 10 percent (57 million unemployed) and to remain at that level through 2010.
Global Pandemic Planning Critical to Minimize H1N1 Flu’s Impact
Consider this scenario: An expatriate develops a severe fever and cough while working in an overseas office and H1N1 (swine) flu is suspected. Said employee then requires repatriation from the remote site because of his inability to perform his duties. What is the employer’s responsibility? Better yet, have you planned for such a contingency? Experts say failing to plan could mean planning to fail.
DHS, CDC, Small Businesses Prepare H1N1 Guide for Employers
Fearing the worst, two government agencies and an association of small businesses are urging companies to plan now for the impending swine flu pandemic spreading across the United States. One report shows that nearly 2 million Americans could be hospitalized by the novel H1N1 flu virus.
SHRM IN INDIA
SHRM to Take HR Delegation to India Fall 2009
Senior human resource executives will explore India Dec. 6-15, 2009, when the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) leads them through the U.S.-India Executive HR Exchange program. Led by SHRM Chief Operating Officer China Miner Gorman, the delegation of HR professionals will network with each other and India’s HR practitioners and explore India’s rich history and culture.
HR Fights H1N1 Flu Fears in India
The H1N1 (swine) flu strain has affected Indian businesses. Many HR professionals are taking steps to protect and calm panicky employees.
Previously Reported
Manpower: Q4 2009 Will Not Be Quarter for Robust Global Hiring
Employers around the world plan to keep their staffing levels relatively stable during the fourth quarter of 2009, according to the seasonally adjusted results of the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, conducted quarterly by Manpower Inc.
Report: Enforcement of 'Broken' Immigration Laws Isn't Working
A recent study finds failure to enact comprehensive federal immigration reform has led to 'lopsided, enforcement-only initiatives that have cost ... billions of dollars' and not stopped unauthorized immigrants from moving to the United States.
European Ruling Poses ‘Potential for Abuse’ Some Say
Workers in Europe who take sick leave during the period they are scheduled to take annual leave under the Working Time Regulations (WTR) should be allowed to reschedule their vacation, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled.
Beam Them Up: Porting H-1B Aliens to Your Company
It seems too good to be true. After searching for months, you’ve found the perfect candidate for the job. She’s got the perfect academic credentials and experience. Yet, during the callback interview she says there is one small thing you should know. She's on an H-1B visa with her current employer, but offers to “transfer” it and start work with your company right away—neither you nor the company have to do anything at all. You breathe a sigh of relief. Then, sitting at your desk an hour later, you wonder if it is that simple. It isn’t.