Workforce Week®

	www.workforce.com
	January 28 - February 3, 2007 Vol. 8 Issue 5

In This Issue...

Workforce News of the Week
Feature: Tips on Responding to a Discrimination Charge
Feature: Talent Management Software Is Bundling Up
2007 Optimas Award Winners
Forum Post: Do You Discipline for Substandard Performance?
Commentary: 3 Ways to Ensure That Employees Stay

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Workforce News of the Week:

Wal-Mart Mea Culpa Saves Company Legal Costs: While the Department of Labor says that the $33 million agreement is the second-largest back wages settlement in history, critics call it a slap on the wrist.
Click to read more. >>>

Talent Development May Be Key to Pfizer's Future: The New York-based pharmaceutical giant has been lauded in the past for investing millions of dollars in employee development, though the company might have to back away from that approach.
Click to read more >>>

Lactose-Tolerant HR: Accommodating Nursing Mothers
Click to read more >>>

Kenexa Pays for BrassRing Purchase
Click to read more >>>

HRO Firm Embroiled in Proxy Battle
Click to read more >>>

Democrats Propose Health Plan of Their Own
Click to read more >>>

SEC Rule Change Forces Firms to Redo Numbers
Click to read more >>>

Yahoo Drops HotJobs in Canada for Workopolis
Click to read more >>>

Feature
Legal issues
Tips on Responding to a Discrimination Charge

With some legal guidance or oversight, a non-attorney in most cases can prepare an effective response to discrimination charges.

Read more about responding to a discrimination charge. >>>

Also:
Discrimination Suit Can Be a Damaging Workplace Distraction >>>
Differing Dress Code as Sex Discrimination >>>
Firms May Want to Take Long Look at Anti-Harassment Strategies >>>

Feature
Technology
Talent Management Software Is Bundling Up

Buying multiple products from a single vendor is a growing trend, but employers still have a long way to go with integrating systems.

Innovative initiatives
2007 Optimas Award Winners

Workforce Management has selected the winners of the 2007 Optimas Awards, with Goldman Sachs & Co. taking the award for General Excellence.

Now in its 17th year, the Optimas Awards are presented to companies across the globe in recognition of workforce management initiatives that directly improve business results. Awards are presented in the categories of General Excellence, Competitive Advantage, Ethical Practices, Financial Impact, Global Outlook, Innovation, Managing Change, Partnership, Service and Vision. This year's winners brought innovation, discipline and vision to their organizations in the face of an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

Goldman Sachs, based in New York, won for the work done by its Goldman Sachs University, which collaborates with company leaders to drive the organization's business strategies. Training and development initiatives undertaken by Goldman Sachs University were integral to helping the company make vital progress in its securities, private wealth and emerging global market businesses. Other initiatives developed by the university helped the organization accelerate the ramp-up time for new employees, develop the concept of "leaders as teachers" throughout the company, and strengthen its ability to engage and retain women, thereby improving the pipeline of future women leaders at the firm.

Click here to see the names of the other 2007 Optimas Award winners >>>

Discussion
Do You Discipline for Substandard Performance?

Posted in the General Forum:
A reader writes: "We have had a policy of not disciplining for substandard performance [differentiated from undesirable behavior], instead opting for coaching and counseling, frequent reviews if performance issues are present, and eventually termination based upon both sides doing their best to increase performance (and a preponderance of documentation to support the efforts). I have taken the approach that disciplining someone does not increase their skill level and damages their motivation and will to succeed. Do you all discipline in these circumstances? Why or why not?"

Join the discussion >>>

Politics and the Workforce
Taxing Health Benefits

President Bush proposed last week to include the cost of employees' health care in their taxable income. To encourage people to purchase less expensive health insurance, he proposed a tax deduction of $7,500 for individuals and $15,000 for families who purchase health insurance either individually or through an employer.

Do you think your company and your employees would benefit from such a tax change?
    ● Yes, most or all of our health plans cost less than the deductibles.
    ● No, most or all of our health plans cost more than the deductible.
    ● I don't know.
    ● My company does not offer health insurance.

Take the poll. >>>

Work Views

Finding and Keeping the Best: 3 Ways to Ensure That Employees Stay
There's no magic formula for curing churn. What it does take is strong core values, open communication and a sense of community that's continually nurtured.
Read more about how to cure churn. >>>

Also:
What Does "Strategic" HR Really Mean? >>>
Why VPs of HR Don't Become CEOs >>>
Tap the CFO on Metrics >>>

Spending on Diversity Programs

Is your company spending more on diversity initiatives in 2007?

15%: Yes.
32%: No.
     9%: I don't know.
   41%: No, we don't have a diversity program.
     3%: Yes, we are starting a diversity program.