10.3% More Seasonal Hires in 2012 Than 2012

John Challenger of Challenger, Gray & Christmas

Despite some year-end uncertainty related to fiscal cliffs, a devastating hurricane and election-year politicking, retailers were confident enough in the final three months of 2012 to ramp up holiday hiring to its highest level in six years, according to an analysis of government employment data released by global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.

Employment in the retail sector increased by a net 728,300 jobs, between October 1 and December 31, according to non-seasonally adjusted data, released last week by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.  That is 10.3 percent higher than 2011, when retailers added 660,200 extra workers over the final three months of the year.  The nearly 730,000 retail jobs added this year represents the strongest year-end hiring surge since 2006, when employment in the sector increased by 746,900. Continue Reading

46% of Employers Giving Holiday Bonuses This Year

Drawing of Scrooge courtesy of Shutterstock

The scrooge economy appears to be loosening its grip, as a new study shows companies plan to offer more perks (bonuses, parties, gifts) than last year. The national study was conducted for Careerbuilder by Harris Interactive© from August 13 to September 6, 2012 and included 2,494 hiring managers and human resource professionals and 3,976 workers across industries and company sizes.

Bonuses: Forty-six percent of employers expect to give their employees holiday bonuses this year, up from 40 percent last year and 33 percent in 2010. Nearly one in five of them (19 percent) plan to provide a larger bonus than last year. Continue Reading

7 Ways To Manage Employee Holiday Time Off

The holidays are a busy time of year for most people, including employers.  Their employees will want some time off, so how do employers manage this situation without hurting their businesses?  Learn some tips in the following post.

Business owners don’t have to see red during the holidays as long as they manage their staff right. At no other time of the year do companies have to field multiple requests for time off. Handle it wrong, and it could cripple the business at an otherwise busy time of year.

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7 Ways To Manage Employee Holiday Time Off

Smaller Number of CIOs Limiting Workers from Online Shopping During the Holidays

Some companies are softening their stances when it comes to employees shopping online this holiday season.

Just in time for Cyber Monday, a new survey suggests companies are a little more lenient today when it comes to letting employees shop online during business hours. Only one-third (33 percent) of chief information officers (CIOs) interviewed by staffing firm Robert Half Technology said their companies block access to online shopping sites – down from 60 percent last year. Another 55 percent said they allow access but monitor activity for excessive use. One in 10 (10 percent) reported that their firms allow unrestricted access. Continue Reading

Office Gift-Giving Tips and Etiquette

Vicky Oliver

The holidays are approaching and you’ve noticed that your cubicle neighbor has a little box with a bow on it. It’s making you sweat. What if it’s for you? You didn’t get her anything! But what if it isn’t for you? Should you still get her something? How much should you spend? Continue Reading

Retailers Add Additional 130,000 Jobs for Holidays

While several large retailers have announced large-scale holiday hiring plans, employment gains in the retail sector last month were virtually unchanged from a year ago, according to an analysis of the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data by global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.

John Challenger of Challenger, Gray & Christmas

The 130,100 retail job gains last month were only slightly more than the 128,900 retail jobs added in October 2011.  The first month of holiday hiring both this year and last were down significantly from the 149,800 retail jobs created in October 2010.

While 2011 started slowly, retailers added another 531,300 workers in November and December for a total of 660,200 seasonal employment gains, the highest level since 2007.  In 2008 — the worst holiday-hiring season in 22 years — retailers added only 38,600 seasonal workers in October and only 324,000 total workers during entire holiday season of October through December.   Continue Reading

Seasonal Hiring Projected to Increase Holiday Season

Job Searching during the Holidays!

Whether you are just starting your job search, are in the middle of it, or just considering a career switch, do not put it off until after the holidays. In fact the holidays might just give you the push you need.  If you want to hear it directly from a professional, “We look for the candidate that does everything possible to land a job and never takes time off to do so including the Holiday season” says  Jane Swansea, HR Director at Preferred Electrical. Here are certain things you should keep in mind with respect to continuing your job search during the break. Continue Reading

Most Memorable Gifts From Co-Workers

Workers can expect more holiday cheer in the office this season, as companies offer more perks (bonuses, parties, gifts) than last year. Workers can expect more holiday cheer in the office this season, as companies offer more perks (bonuses, parties, gifts) than last year.

Bonuses: Four-in-ten (40 percent) employers plan to give their employees holiday bonuses this year, up from 33 percent in 2010. Among this group, 73 percent are planning to give the same amount as last year. Fourteen percent plan to provide a greater bonus than last year, while 13 percent plan to provide a smaller bonus. Continue Reading

Holiday Season is the Perfect Time for Networking

If you have your sights set on a new and better job for 2012, then don’t waste your holidays not pursuing this goal. Hiring slows down during December but it’s the best time of year for you take advantage of your opportunities to network. Continue Reading