IN PERSON: Built to work
Placemakers’ head of HR Jo Martell is on a mission to supply the company’s branch owners with the best tools to manage their staff and improve productivity. She talks to Lyndsey Swan about what’s involved.

No accounting for it
If people are our greatest asset, why is HR so often under-funded, asks Martin Price. He argues the need to use numbers to show how investment in people drives improved financial returns, and he explains how to persuade the CEO to spend more money on human resources.

Choosing and using consultants
It’s vital to manage the relationship when engaging the help of a consultant for a special project or when extra people power is needed. Paul Englert, Sarah Burke and Fred Bauer provide a guide to guarantee success.

Outside answers
With several big-name Kiwi companies deciding to outsource a whole range of services, outsourcing itself has been making the news. Miriam Bell looks at whether the world of outsourcing really does have all the answers.

LEADERSHIP: Good leaders: good people
Leadership is the behaviour that breathes life into organisational performance—and it’s a behaviour that can be learned, says Bruce Anderson. He explains how such learning is providing opportunities for managers in the New Zealand public service.

Hired talent
There was a time when no one would have considered using contractors to fill senior roles, says Jon Israel. Today, however, all that has changed and well-qualified, well-experienced professionals are stepping in to fulfil the short-term needs of many businesses.

Managing a multi-generational workforce
Generational differences and how they affect the workplace have been a hot topic recently. But are these differences a problem or simply a reality to be managed? Philippa Reed explores the research.

Managing the paper mountain
The time and cost of poorly organised filing systems has a significant impact on an organisation’s bottom line, says Gavin Thwaites. He finds that outsourcing document management can be a cost-effective and reliable method of dealing with your internal paper trail.

Dealing with bad behaviour at mediation
In the last article in a three-part series on employment mediation, Karen Spackman looks at some of the common problems that can arise during the mediation process and explains how best to deal with them.

Taking a proactive approach to retention
With staff retention and turnover common concerns for most organisations, a new approach to proactive career management is needed. Donna Andronicos explores the benefits of creating an in-house employee development system to help retain and manage your people’s careers.

RECRUITMENT: Targeting talent
In today’s tight labour market, retaining top talent is a challenge. A well thought-out recruitment strategy and a strong employment brand are necessary to attract top candidates, says Dave Conaghan.

STRATEGIC HR: A flawed relationship
If HR practitioners want HRM to truly impact on the performance of the workforce, they may need to give more consideration to the views of employees when it comes to policy and practice, say Fiona Edgar and Alan Geare.

HEALTH & SAFETY: Safety shame
Is there a role for ‘naming and shaming’ in the promotion of occupational health and safety? Dr Jonathan Barrett looks at the arguments for and against humiliating companies into compliance.

CASE IN POINT: Ignorance is not bliss
Alison Clements discusses a recent Court of Appeal judgment that confirms that “ignorance is no defence”, and determines the test for disparity of treatment.

LEGAL SOLUTIONS: Peak performance?
When is a learning difficulty a disability, and can you dismiss someone on a six-month warning before the probation time is up? Rochelle Price, Juliet Dobson and Pip Muir provide the answers.

PUBLIC SECTOR: Making the grade
A recent case involving the salary of support staff in schools highlights the difficulties involved in getting the text right in an employment contract. Paul Robertson says arguments over correct interpretation of a contract fall awkwardly within the definition of a personal grievance.

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