July-August-2017

What Gets Recognized Gets Repeated

Horizon achieves desired behaviors and outcomes through a values-based, social recognition program.

By Debbie Bolla

Ask Marie Crea, director of HR for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, how she would describe the organization, and she would tell you that it’s employee-centric. The healthcare insurance provider is in the business of ensuring quality service for its members, and that level of service is literally in the hands of its employees. So when engagement scores fell a hair under benchmark level in 2013, Crea knew it was time for HR to step it up and roll out a modernized, socially-driven recognition program with the same name.

HRO Today Magazine August

Eye on Talent

Two tech innovators are changing the way HR can attract and reward top performers.

HR Outsourcing

Beneficial Strategies

Organizations need to adapt their approach to benefits to suit today’s changing demographics.

By Randy Stram

With the gig economy rapidly expanding, employers are focused on retaining and engaging employees. According to MetLife’s 15th annual U.S. Employee Benefit Trends Study (EBTS), more than half (51 percent) of employees today are interested in contract or freelance work. Not surprisingly, gig work appeals to millennials most, with nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of the generation interested, followed by Gen X (52 percent), and baby boomers (41 percent). Workers are drawn to freelance roles due to the flexible hours, the ability to work from home, and project variety. This is causing organizations to have a laser focus on retaining their talent -the top priority among employers, according to EBTS’ findings. In fact, 51 percent of respondents plan to leverage benefits as a retention strategy in the next three to five years.

Employee Benefits

Bon Voyage

Bringing a positive candidate experience to relocation assignments can be a key differentiator.

By Christa Elliott

Most HR professionals agree that creating an outstanding candidate experience -from recruitment through onboarding -is a great way to boost employee engagement and well-being. But relocated employees, whether they are new hires or transferees, will have a very different “candidate experience” due to the special circumstances of their employment and the careful planning that goes into a relocation. Done well, a relocation can illustrate that the organization is invested in the employee’s success and growth. But if the relocation assignment isn’t given special attention and care and becomes stressful for the employee, it can work against the organization.

HR Outsourcing

Taking the Leap

Some organizations are moving toward total talent management. What are the advantages and challenges?

By The Editors

When it comes to implementing effective workforce solutions, some organizations are following the philosophy of “consolidate, consolidate, consolidate.” This may be driven by the growing number of worker classifications in the market today, as organizations want to attract both full-time and contingent high performers while remaining compliant. A total talent approach may be the answer.

HR Outsourcing

A Closer Look

More economic growth is projected, but how do global unemployment rates fare now?

By The Editors

To explore international labor markets, companies must first consult global labor market data. PeopleScout, a global provider of RPO, MSP, and total workforce solutions, has partnered with HRO Today to produce quarterly reports that compile current international labor market figures, including measures such as national gross domestic product (GDP) and unemployment rates over time, from countries across the globe. This data reveals critical information about the state of the talent pool, working conditions, and recruitment needs of various countries and regions. It is an essential tool for predicting fruitful locations for expansion and recruitment, allowing multinational companies to stay competitive in talent acquisition.

HR Outsourcing

Interview Overdose

It’s a candidate’s market and time to rethink how to vet talent.

By Astrid Burr

Time to hire has always been a key metric in assessing how well talent organizations are meeting their hiring targets. It’s also important to business stakeholders who depend on high performers to keep their departments productive. But Glassdoor Economic Research shows average hiring times in the U.S. actually increased from 12.6 days to 22.9 days between 2010 and 2014. The bottom line is: The longer an organization waits, the less likely it is to land the dream candidate.

HR Outsourcing

Come and Stay Awhile

Carefully planning the candidate experience -from recruitment through onboarding -can lead to better hires and higher retention.

By Darren Findley and Tom Brennan

Talent acquisition professionals are paying more and more attention to the candidate experience, and for good reason. Findings from Engage2Excel’s new research report 2017 Trendicators underscore the importance of a positive candidate experience in a highly competitive market and suggest that a single, generic approach will not do the trick.

HR Outsourcing

Worker Confidence is Up, Up, and Away!

More employees are concerned about job loss, but those with security are feeling flush.

By The Editors

Worker confidence continued its upward trend in the first quarter of 2017. The Worker Confidence Index (WCI) from HRO Today and Yoh Recruitment Process Outsourcing reports an increase to the highest level since the study’s inception in 2014, up 3.1 points to 107.6 in the first quarter, which is 10.9 points higher than one year ago. Two of the four components of the WCI -the likelihood of promotion and likelihood of a raise -rose by more than nine points in the first quarter of 2017, while job stability and trust in leadership slightly declined.

HR Outsourcing