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SmartBrief on Workforce

July 17, 2012

Top Story

Study: Employers often pay for workers' ring tones, apps
Companies pay an average of $8,361 per year for ring tones and non-work-related applications that employees download on company-issued phones, according to a study by Visage Mobile. In some cases, employees may not even realize their downloads are being charged to the company. "People aren't devious; they are just oblivious," Visage's Neil Cohen says. Bloomberg Businessweek (7/16)

Recruiting & Retention

Why you should ask candidates about their professional struggles
One of the most important qualities to look for in candidates is that they're working hard to get better at something, Art Petty writes. "I want to know where [candidates are] struggling or even failing. It?s particularly powerful to understand where someone is failing ... and then striving to overcome the failure," he writes. ArtPetty.com (7/16)

How to make Twitter a powerful recruiting tool
Twitter is the best place for recruiters and human resources professionals to make connections with talent, Jessica Miller-Merrell writes. She provides tips on using hashtags, search features and content sharing to find passive and active job seekers. GlassDoor.com (7/16)

Strategies for Success from TrainingMag.com

How to avoid "analysis paralysis" at your company

Companies shouldn't spend so much time analyzing information that they fail to act on it in a timely manner, Decision Pulse CEO Nick Tasler writes. "Access to information can help us all do a better job. But like anything carried to excess, it also can get in the way of effective decision-making," Tasler writes. TrainingMag.com (7/16)

Benefits & Compensation

Hay Group predicts 3% pay increases in 2013
Research by Hay Group indicates that most industries will see pay increases that average 3% next year; WorldatWork recently released a similar prediction. To remain competitive, more companies are "placing greater emphasis on variable pay programs, career development opportunities, meaningful job designs and non-financial recognition programs," Hay Group's Tom McMullen wrote in the report. TLNT.com (7/16)

Regulatory & Legal Update

Restaurant groups sue Labor Department over tip rules
The National Restaurant Association and restaurant trade groups from Oregon, Washington and Alaska have joined with a Portland, Ore., restaurant to file a lawsuit challenging U.S. Labor Department rules that prohibit tip-sharing plans that include back-of-the-house workers. QSRMagazine.com (7/13)

The HR Leader

Workers who speak up are seen as more competent
Those who make themselves heard are often the workers seen as the most competent, writes Joel Garfinkle. Even if you don't have the perfect solution, speaking up in meetings can boost your confidence while letting co-workers know you have ideas to share. "You have experience and expertise on topics related to your job, and it is critical that you share them whenever the opportunity arises," Garfinkle writes. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Leadership (7/16)

Workplace Chatter

Stolen car turns up on eBay after 4 decades
A Texas man discovered his stolen car for sale on eBay -- 42 years after it was taken from his garage. Robert Russell recovered his 1967 Austin Healy after he was able to match its vehicle-identification number to a police record. The Washington Post (tiered subscription model)/The Associated Press (7/15)