This is a year to accomplish great things, especially if you’re engaged in HR, says Neville Aitchison. You just need to do like the Little Engine—have some self-belief and think positively. And never say die.

A philosophy of caring—not just for staff, but for customers, communities and the environment—ensures Comvita has a strong reputation in the job market. Jackie Brown-Haysom reports.

The tough economic times ahead might produce more candidates for jobs, but Miriam Bell finds that employers should stick to their existing recruitment standards and methods—while also looking for innovative solutions.

Well-designed assessment and development centres can yield significant benefits to organisations and their people. Neisha Voot outlines 10 elements that are essential, and explains the differences between ACs and DCs.

With job candidates being drawn from around the country and around the world, recruiters are often faced with the disadvantages of unsupervised internet testing. Michaela Drum outlines a remote supervised testing model that combines online accessibility with the robustness of face-to-face testing.

Skilled migrants often face huge barriers to employment but, as Dr Philippa Reed reports, there’s a winning outcome for all at Wellington City Council, recruiter The Johnson Group, and telecommunications company Transfield New Zealand.

Employers who focus only on fixing today’s problems and ignore tomorrow’s will risk being left behind when the economy rebounds, reports Miriam Bell.

Each year volunteer workers contribute around 270 million hours to the workforce, worth almost $3.31 billion to New Zealand communities. Emma McCleary talks to two of these workers about why they do it, and explores the benefits of volunteering.

Canadian workplace conflict resolution expert Blaine Donais says the costs of badly managed workplace conflict are extremely high. He talks to Miriam Bell about workplace fairness and the most effective ways to manage workplace tensions.

Reinstatement is the primary remedy for unjustified dismissal—one employees are more likely to seek in tough economic times. They are not alone, says David Hood. The Employment Court also appears strongly committed to seeing it happen.

ACC now covers work-related mental injury, but what does this mean for employers? Susan Hornsby-Geluk and Chloe Luscombe explain.

The tightening employment market may lead us to adjust our view of success and also redefine career development, says Kaye Avery.

By developing effective HR measures you can add real value to your business, says Ruth Kim. In this third article in her series on HR reporting, she explains how performance and diagnostic measures will help you gain a strategic foothold.

Leaders are vital to a team’s success, but do we choose them for the right reasons? Paddy Steinfort advocates selecting leaders who model the behaviours a team aspires to, and having a leadership group rather than a few individuals at the top.

Are restraint of trade provisions enforceable, or does an employee’s right to earn a living override any such clauses in their employment agreement? Chloe Luscombe explains it all comes down to an employee’s duty of good faith.

A new online tool means HRINZ members can now track, record and manage their professional development. Beverley Main outlines the features and benefits of CareerLog.

Are your employees fit and healthy for the job? Susie Barlow looks at how carrying out health risk assessments can save both lives and money.

At a time when companies are laying off staff but still needing talent, contracting offers a useful solution. Tony Forsyth and Tony Wai discuss the benefits, and introduce a cost effective alternative to finding and hiring experienced contractors.

Employment Today reports on a new initiative that offers tailored qualifications in competitive manufacturing, and a UK study that says learning technologies add real value.

While the University of Auckland relied on funding uncertainty as the reason its facilitators were appointed on a fixed-term basis, the Employment Relations Authority adopted a different view. Paul Robertson warns great care is needed with such appointments.