If life has taught us anything, it is not to get carried away about predictions of technological advancement. Weren’t we supposed to be living to about 150 by now, unburdened by the wrath of cancer and heart disease?
That cynical note aside, however, here is the latest from MSNBC : there could be a vaccine for swine flu in just five short months. Given that the claim is from a US supplier there will, of course, have to be adequate testing (to guard against law suits from those who might be adversely affected by any side effects of the new drug).
But what a boost for employers! Perhaps this shot could be added to the flu vaccine offered by many at the onset of the cold and flu season?
On the same topic, have a look here for an interesting world map showing the spread of this infection.
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Faced with a a decade of deficits against a background of shrinking growth, falling revenue and higher borrowing, the Government’s budget represents belt-tightening and harsh measures designed to bring our nation’s economy into line. But will it work?
For a summary of the key points (especially in the employment/HR arena), have a look at Alert24 here - and for some perspective, here is a summary of the CTU’s comments.
One of the features of New Zealand’s employment law is an express objective to promote collectivism. Unions are, so our law says, good - or at least a necessary evil (depending on whose side you might take).
What an employer can’t do is actively shut out a union - especially at the threat of change to its business.
But in America, exactly that appears to be happening right now.
The story starts as a legal tale : FedEx is categorised as an airline under relevant US law, even though it doesn’t make a business out of carrying passengers. As such, it has certain protections which prohibit (or at least dissuade) employees from organising into unions.
A proposed change to the law would, however, change all that. The implication for FedEx: the move could make it easier for unions to organize its pick-up and delivery personnel.
FedEx doesn’t want that - so much so that it has threatened to cancel a $7.7 billion order for 30 Boeing 777 airliners if the change goes ahead.
Could that ever happen here? Could anyone ever envisage a situation where a new Zealand employer effectively threatened commercial blackmail to ensure that its workplace remained union-free?
Surely not!
Air Force One
Here’s a scenario that may sound familiar: You have an employee who is well-liked, perhaps not top shelf, but not incompetent…and who makes one, single massive mistake at work. As a responsible HR professional do you (a) allow the person the dignity of resignation or (b) dismiss them as a demonstration of your values?
An example of this sort of situation in New Zealand was the Oram case, where a reporter gave a description of a man who was alledged to be the head of a crime syndicate, and told him to take his picture while he was in a cafe. The photographer took a picture of a man fitting the description…only it was a social worker, not a crime boss. The photo ran with the story - much to the social worker’s horror : fire the reporter, or let him resign?
Kris Dunn - at the HR Capitalist - recently considered this issue in the context of the fellow who recently arranged for Air Force One to flyover downtown Manhattan with an F-16 escort. It was intended to be a statement of patriotism, but instead caused mass panic…
As anyone who has ever been involved in it knows, litigation can be a costly process. The general (civil court) principle is that the “loser” should make a contribution to the “winner’s” costs. Traditionally, that has meant payment of a fraction of actual cost (normally two thirds) – but in many cases even that is perceived as too light to be fair. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Costs
Could it be a sign of things to come – for workers and employment lawyers alike? Up to a third of employees in America are planning to forego their annual holidays this year, according to a survey this week.
The majority say that it is because vacations are a luxury they can no longer avoid in an ailing economy. For some, perhaps, the prospect of staying at work – and squirreling away precious leave for later – has its own attractions.
But what of work/life balance? Wasn’t it just last year that we were being lectured about the merits – and indeed necessity – of time away from work? Perhaps the economic crisis has put paid to that for now.
Tags: Holidays
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