Analysis: Don't get too excited about latest jobs data
U.S. employment statistics show a misleading picture of the labor market, experts say. While 446,000 part-time jobs were created last month, full-time jobs decreased by 276,000. Fewer Americans are working full time compared with a year ago. The New American (3/10), MarketWatch (3/8), TheStreet.com (3/8), The Christian Science Monitor (3/8)

Recruiting & Retention

Best Buy dumps flexible-work program
Best Buy has ended its "Results-Only Work Environment," a flexible-work program that the company introduced in 2005. Instead of being allowed to work wherever and whenever they want, Best Buy corporate employees will need permission before using flextime. "Bottom line, it's 'all hands on deck' at Best Buy and that means having employees in the office as much as possible," Best Buy spokesman Matt Furman says. Bloomberg Businessweek (3/7)

Be kind to your young applicants
College seniors interacting with employers for the first time are like middle-schoolers learning how to date, so don't judge them too harshly in interviews, writes Trent Hazy, CEO of MindSumo. "Sure, they had to pitch themselves to get into college, but transcripts and test scores did most of the talking back then. Now, they have some experience and relevant skills, but they don't always know how to show off what's under the surface," Hazy writes. TheDailyMuse.com (3/10)

Benefits & Compensation

Are your compensation practices outdated?
As the economy improves, it's a good time to do a compensation review, writes Kerry Chou of WorldatWork. Research indicates that more companies are considering individual or management objectives when assessing performance results. "This trend suggests organizations may be moving away from assessing employees based on simple position requirements and are instead tailoring job expectations to individual employees," Chou writes. TalentMgt.com (3/7)

Beer cart boosts employee satisfaction, employer says
Advanced Medical, a Florida-based provider of physical, occupational and speech therapists, invites employees to enjoy one free beer on Fridays. CEO Jennifer Fuicelli says that she got the idea for "Beer Cart Fridays" from technology companies. "We have a very low turnover, and a very high retention rate," Fuicelli says. The Daytona Beach News-Journal (Fla.) (3/7)

Regulatory & Legal Update

Obama reportedly is close to nominating labor secretary
President Barack Obama is expected to name Thomas Perez, a civil rights official in the Justice Department, as the next head of the Labor Department, sources say. Perez has been involved in efforts to challenge voter-ID laws in Texas and South Carolina, and a nomination for him is expected to have the support of unions and the Hispanic community. The Washington Times/The Associated Press (3/10), Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model) (3/10)

The HR Leader

How to lead when things are clear as mud
Uncertain and confusing times are the real test of a CEO's leadership ability, writes Scott Eblin. It's important to communicate clearly, to be honest about known unknowns and to avoid disconnecting when the going gets tough. "In the absence of clear and relevant communications from you and with you, people are going to fill the vacuum with stuff they're making up. You don't want that. Stay engaged," Eblin advises. EblinGroup.com/Next Level Blog (3/7)

Workplace Chatter

A tally of the world's billionaires
There are 1,426 billionaires on Forbes' latest list, with a combined net worth of $5.4 trillion. If they used their collective wealth to form a country, it would be the fourth-richest nation in the world, ahead of Germany and only narrowly behind Japan. Forbes (3/4)

Most Read

Editor's Note

SmartBrief's inside look at #SXSW
SmartBrief is attending the South by Southwest Interactive Festival, with tweeting @SmartBrief and blogging at SmartBlogs. Here's some of our coverage so far.

• Live at #SXSW: 6 innovation lessons from the world of standup comedy
• Live at #SXSW: How the WWE became the social champion of the sports world
• SXSWedu Snapshot: What's changing in education?

SmartQuote

The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be." -- Socrates, Greek philosopher Share: