Neville Aitchison predicts that 2010 will be the year when strategic human resources management will be run by … human resource managers—and they’ll be taking a mallet and a stake to the myths that are not showing results.

There were virtually no young disabled broadcasters when the TV show Attitude launched in 2005, so producer Robyn Scott-Vincent set out to change that. She talks to Sally Wenley about the talented team now working on the programme.

Employment Today asked a selection of HR, recruitment and business professionals to gaze into their crystal balls and tell us what’s likely to happen on the recruitment front as we head into a new decade.

By understanding changes in the labour supply, employers will be better able to develop strategies for recruitment, retention and workforce development, says Dr Dafydd Davies. He provides the all-important facts and figures.

Workforce planning is a critical part of the HR/business partnership, says Anastasia Ellerby. She outlines the key steps to implementing effective workforce planning and mitigating the people risks inherent in business strategy.

Assessment and development centres are powerful techniques that will help you recruit and retain the best employees—but they should be used with care. Teresa Callow puts the spotlight on seven key defining factors that will ensure success.

Whether it’s done formally or informally, extra holidays are proving to be an important currency in attracting and retaining talented workers. Gill South takes a look at the market and finds days off are a welcome perk—and can even boost productivity.

The challenge with bullying is to reframe the issue by tackling negative behaviours and adopting sound preventative strategies, says David Beck. He considers the current law and offers tips on how to deal with the problem.

Facilitation is an option when parties are having serious difficulties concluding a collective agreement. But, say Katherine Burson and Jenna Rennie, is it a cause for hope in dispute resolution or does it have limited value?

Finding balance in life and work is important, says Kaye Avery. She learned to juggle over the holidays and here she explains how juggling can help us rebalance and condition our brains to operate more efficiently.

The Department of Labour’s sponsorship of the 2009 JRA Best Workplace Awards provides a valuable opportunity to recognise the best in modern business practice, says Craig Smith. He discusses the benefits involved in building the best workplaces.

Tapping into a new employee’s enthusiasm and getting them up to speed quickly and smoothly is important, says Angela Atkins. She looks at ways to create an inspiring induction process that will ensure your new staffer is productive in no time.

Managing your vehicle fleet and vehicle allowances can be challenging. From perk vehicles to greening your fleet, Susan Doughty has the answers to help you get it right.

Graeme Sandri advocates using a flexible workforce when setting future workforce planning strategies. He explains why senior management, and in particular senior HR practitioners, need to build the right workforce by using varying hiring strategies.

One in five New Zealanders experience a mental health problem in any given year and the majority of these people will be employees, managers or owners of companies, says Judi Clements. The Like Minds, Like Mine programme offers practical advice to help employers and employees experiencing mental health issues.

It’s hard to get it right when investigating misconduct, says Paul Robertson. He discusses the dismissal of a teacher which the Employment Relations Authority held to be unjustified—even though it shared the Board’s concerns about his actions.