7,000 net jobs in multinational sector, but domestic sector sees rise in unemployment in 2011

More than 13,000 jobs were created by multinational companies in Ireland in 2011, but 6,000 jobs were lost in the same sector, leaving a net increase of 7,000. This represents an increase of 20% of the number of jobs created by IDA-backed companies in 2010 and the best net job increase for the past decade.

Among the companies creating new jobs were social media, IT, manufacturing, financial services and pharma companies. These included Twitter, Paypal, Intel, IBM, Coca-Cola and Pfizer.

An estimated 145,000 people are employed by companies which were attracted to Ireland by the IDA Ireland and nearly 150 FDI investments were made in this country last year. 61 were multinational companies investing in Ireland for the first time.

The latest figures from the CSO show that the number of people signing on to the Live Register fell by 0.5 per cent over 2011 with 434,784 people signing on in December, matching the figure for April 2011. There was a slight decrease in the standardised unemployment rate by 0.1% to 14.3%. This represents an increase of 0.5% over the 2010 rate when the average rate during the year was 13.7%.

The number of longterm unemployed and on the live register continued to grow during 2011, with the number of long term claimants on the Live Register increasing by 16.4 per cent.

Prospects for Professionals Positive in 2012?

A survey of over 500 HR professionals by Morgan McKinley has shown that one in five professional people expect take-home pay to increase over the course of 2012. The study covered HR and other managers working in manufacturing, financial services, IT and professional services, and found that 21 per cent believed salaries in their companies would rise in the coming 12 months. 58 per cent said that they expected their salary to stay at the same level. Amongh those expecting a salary rise the forecasted increase is modest – between one and five per cent.

Only four per cent of managers fear redundancies this reflecting the fact that 47 per cent of managers and professionals had a more positive outlook for their business than at the beginning of last year. 32 per cent saying their opinion had not changed.

Did you use up all of your holidays this Christmas?

Hotels.com surveyed 180 people between 8 and 16 December and of these respondents, over half had at least two to three unusued annual leave days in a year. One out of every four respondents said that they were not permitted to 'carry over' leave days from one leave year to the next, but even among those who can carry days over there is widespread non-uptake of holidays and half of those who said they didn’t use up all their holiday days said they felt “resentful” of that fact.

The reasons cited for not taking all holidays was being too busy at work (38 per cent); just not getting round to it (28 per cent); accidentally being left with too many days as a result of trying to save them up (19 per cent); and 12 per cent said they were afraid to take all their holidays because of pressure at work.

Workers will not disclose mental health problems

A CIPD/Mind study has shown that only 2 out of every 5 employees say would feel confident about disclosing a mental health problem to their employer and only 1 in 4 respondents say their organisation encourages staff to talk openly about mental health problems.

More than a quarter (26 per cent) said they had experienced a mental health problem while in employment, with women (31 per cent) more likely to say this than men (22 per cent).

Only a third of respondents say their employer supports employees with mental health problems well, while 21 per cent said that it did it badly and 31 per cent said they did not know what support was available.

Stress is the number one cause of long-term sickness absence, but it is not just time lost to absence which impacts on the bottom line.

Christmas Part Do's and Don't's

Tis the season of office Christmas parties, tra la la la la, la la la la. Unfortunately is also a time when being jolly fraught with risk as the employer’s duty of care extends to many ‘social’ occasions and events that happen ‘off the premises’ or after normal working hours. Here, we talk turkey about the do’s and don’ts that ensure for a happy Christmas in what, for many, is the last working week of the year.

Is celebrating Christmas at work now politically incorrect? It is a myth to think that workplace greetings of "happy Christmas" have to be replaced with "happy holidays" for fear of offending those of different faiths. Workers are protected from discrimination based on religion or belief, but this does not mean that language or actions have to be neutralised so that a belief system cannot be identified or celebrated. All workers are entitled to dignity in the workplace, which means respecting all faiths. Common sense and a degree of sensitivity for the feelings of others have more place at work than political correctness.

What’s an appropriate present for a Secret Santa? Chocolate willies and other naughty nibbles are best reserved for stag and hen parties. By all means, let employees buy a funny present but get them to think carefully before buying something that might offend. As a sense check, ask givers to put themselves in the recipient's shoes and imagine how they would feel.

What goes on at the Christmas party stays there, doesn't it? Wrong. Although the Christmas party may take place away from the workplace, and even in employees’ own time, it is so closely connected with work that employers remain responsible for much of what goes on. This is why employers can advise their staff on sensible alcohol consumption and insist that their dignity at work policies continue to apply at the event. As an employer or employee you can still be liable for bullying, harassment and discrimination at the Christmas party.

What's wrong with plain old gossip? You'd be surprised. In some circumstances gossip might amount to discrimination and harassment and was the subject of an Employment Appeals Tribunal in the UK when a couple that were seen ‘getting on’ at a Christmas party became the subjective of gossip when the woman became pregnant at a later date - rumours about the paternity of the child. It became all too much for her and eventually she resigned. She successfully claimed constructive dismissal and pregnancy discrimination and harassment.

Can I tell my secretary she/he looks lovely? Yes, you can. Almost everyone loves a
compliment. However, if she – or he – looks offended, or tells you in colourful language to keep your comments to yourself, then you will know not to do it again. If you persist, it could amount to harassment. It is not your intention that counts, it is how the recipient feels about it that is important.

I want to look really attractive at the Christmas party… is this possible without compromising my professionalism? Yes, you can turn all the heads at the party, by looking attractive but do it without compromising your corporate and professional image. Dress appropriately for the occasion and think "accidentally attractive". Then you will turn every head the right way.

I have been infatuated with my boss all year and I really think that the feeling is mutual ... is now the time to make my move? According to statistics up to 58% of us have had an office romance at some stage - so it is only natural that you want to make a move if there has been sexual chemistry between you and your boss. However you need to be really careful and think about if this is what you really want. Consider how your boss would react if you did make a move and what impact this might have on your other colleagues and your career. Think long and hard about what the outcome of such a move would be and whether or not it would be worth it. Overall, the office party is considered part to be an official event (even if the employer is not directly participating, financially or otherwise, so the normal etiquette of the workplace should be observed). If you decide to go ahead make sure that your confidentiality is protected and that you do not become the subject of office gossip or a romance related career crisis.

Can I put Christmas party photos on Facebook? This is not a good idea without the informed consent of the people in the pictures. Assume that someone will tell that person that their photo is on Facebook because, inevitably, a friend will have a friend that has a friend that knows a friend that tells the person. The potential exposure of the photo is limitless, and almost impossible to delete once it’s out there on the internet. The photo’s subject would be entitled to bring a grievance against the photo poster and, depending on the employer’s workplace policies, this may result in the employer having to take disciplinary sanctions against the photo poster. Remember, too, that uploading or tagging workplace colleagues in compromising photos, or employees making derogatory comments about their employer, could taint an employer's reputation, which may necessitate taking disciplinary action, even if employees do this in their own time, on their own computer or mobile phone.