Why we’re letting Virgin staff take as much holiday as they want

 

Flexible working has revolutionised how, where and when we all do our jobs. So, if working nine to five no longer applies, then why should strict annual leave (vacation) policies? Read about Richard Branson's newest bright idea. Read more.

From Poland With Love for Great Britain

How immigrants will reshape workforce

Over the next two decades, the largest generation in America's history—the Baby Boomers—will reach retirement age and leave the workforce. Together, immigrants and their children will play a pivotal role in reshaping the workforce and sustaining the demands of a growing economy for decades to come. As major demographic shifts radically reshape the American population, immigrants and their children will strengthen the overall shared prosperity for the country as a whole.

To Persuade People, Tell Them a Story

Turns out that narrative Is a Powerful Way to Get a Message Across.

Paul Smith had 20 minutes to sell the CEO of Procter & Gamble, and his team of managers, on new market-research techniques for which Mr. Smith's department wanted funding. 

As associate director of P&G's PG +0.85% market research, Mr. Smith had spent three weeks assembling a concise pitch with more than 30 PowerPoint slides.

On the day of the meeting, CEO A.G. Lafley entered the room, greeted everybody and turned his back to the screen. He then stared intently at Mr. Smith throughout the entire presentation, not once turning to look at a slide. 

Women, Be Ambitious!

The UK's most powerful women share their advice on ambition and self-belief. A truly feel-good video!

For source go here.

The Mushroom Hunters

Every fall, Chemult, Ore., swells with pickers and buyers who flock to the forests to look for the prized matsutake mushroom.



For source go here.

UK wages decline among worst in Europe

Wages in the UK have seen one of the largest falls in the European Union during the economic downturn, according to official figures.

Figures from the House of Commons library show average hourly wages have fallen 5.5% since mid-2010, adjusted for inflation, which is the fourth-worst decline in the 27-nation bloc.

By contrast, German hourly wages rose by 2.7% over the same period. Across the European Union as a whole, average wages fell 0.7%.

Is Modern Life Killing Us?

Is the pace of life - juggling childcare, a commute, work, technology and exercise - affecting individuals' happiness in the UK? 
Figures from the Office of National Statistics suggest we are actually working on average an hour or two less than we did in 1971 but it does not feel that way, as the internet and email mean we are never off-duty. 
Reeta Chakrabarti is given tips on how to slow down and asks whether any lessons can be learned from people in Denmark, where people work shorter hours and pay less for childcare.


For source go here.

Changing face of the US jobs market

Unemployment in the US remains well above the government's target of 6.5%, and there are also concerns about the types of jobs being created in the fragile economic climate.
Full-time employment is harder to come by so many worker are finding they have to rely on casual roles to make ends meet, as Samira Hussain reports.



For source go here.

Yahoo bans work from home: tele-commuters back in the office?

Two weeks ago Yahoo banned working from home.
Overnight another major US company ordered its tele-commuters back to the office. That's sparked a new debate on the costs and benefits of working from home.



For source go here.