Article Abstract:
'Employee-friendly' benefits and 'holding-hand' programs are proving to be ineffective in solving personnel problems in downsized organizations. In fact, employee services such as day care, counseling, parenting programs, cultural enhancement seminars and open gyms have compounded many organizational problems and are now threatening the survival of many companies. One of the flaws of these initiatives is that they do not really address the problem but only offer superficial solutions. A second flaw is that the programs prevent companies from achieving the goals of Workplace 2000 of employee empowerment and contingent staffing. A problem is that there is no evidence proving that employee-friendly programs actually contribute to the bottom line. Steps for making employee benefits work for the company are discussed.
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Article Abstract:
Deciding which employee benefits to offer and which to discard is not an easy task. The main considerations of HR managers in making such decisions are whether a program makes a significant contribution to the company's bottom line and whether it actually helps employees to balance their work and family lives. One of the most difficult areas facing the personnel function is child care. While this program is popular with employees, many companies are reluctant to invest in it because they do not have a good idea of the return on investment of supporting or owning child care facilities. Such programs may be most ideal for organizations with a large number of employees with dependent children. Some companies are choosing to offer sick child-care instead of regular child care to save on costs.
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Article Abstract:
Rhino Foods Inc. has created unique human resource (HR) programs that encourage employee empowerment and involvement. Employees are allowed to create solutions to problems and offer innovations without being asked. They work in teams and indulge in friendly competition for leadership. Rhino's progressive HR programs have formed what many believe is the workforce of the 21st century. The programs encourage employees to set and achieve goals, continuously provide information on company opportunities and the accompanying level of commitment and share corporate profits. The programs also include activities that make work fun and also diffuse tensions in the workplace.
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