This Week's Herman Trend Alert Cyberbullying---a Growing Problem

The Herman Trend Alert January 14, 2009 Older Workers Recognized as More Valuable Employers are increasingly turning to older and previously retired workers for hard-to-fill positions for two reasons. First, they will do practically anything to reduce costs and second, employers, like most of us, are uncertain of the near-term future. We are already seeing an uptick in the number of special projects given to these seasoned employees. The good news about hiring these folks is that onboarding and offboarding costs are nominal, and in many cases, benefits are not an issue either. "Many retired Boomers are simply looking for a supplement to their income to maintain their desired lifestyle, said Art Koff of Retired Brains.com, a resource web site for seniors. We have all seen the value of our financial assets plummet, while healthcare costs have continued to rise, seemingly exponentially. According to Koff, "At least one in four older Americans are either postponing their retirement or seeking to return to the workforce while four in ten employers have designed programs to encourage late-career workers to stay past their traditional retirement age." Another interesting development is that valuable, long term employees have begun to leave for other jobs. These experienced, seasoned professionals in a wide variety of industries take their priceless corporate memories with them. Not only are their employers unprepared to lose these precious human resources, but the workers in many cases are irreplaceable---at any cost. The accounting and healthcare industries are particularly vulnerable. Last fall, AARP's Chief People Officer, Ellie Hollander, sounded the warning that few employers recognized the effect of the exodus of intellectual capital they will suffer when boomers retire and take all their knowledge and experience with them. Studies conducted in the aerospace and manufacturing industries reinforce this fear. As futurists, we have long touted the value of older workers, with their experience, stability, and wisdom. We have also said numerous times that employers must be more flexible with their older workers. Allowing greater flexibility in scheduling and work location will give employers a competitive edge in retaining these senior workers. Wise employers will conduct stay interviews to prevent untimely losses of these valuable human assets. © Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." DISCOVER WHAT’S REALLY GOING ON... in the hearts and minds of your employees. Our InnerViews interviewing service uses SPHRs and PHRs, certified human resource professionals to probe for the information you really need to know. Exit and Stay Interviews, as well as Why-Didn't-You-Take-Our-Offer Interviews. Call Rosalie Catalano at 937-416-7066, or read more at: http://www.hermangroup.com/retentionconnection/exit_interviews.html. MOM ALWAYS TAUGHT IT WAS GOOD TO SHARE You have probably subscribed to The Herman Trend Alert for a while now and you know how valuable it is to you. Why not suggest that your friends sign up at http://www.hermantrendalert.com? Join the thousands who subscribe in 87 countries around the globe. Are there particular topics you'd like to see covered? Let us know and we will research "The Future of. . .". And let us know how else we may serve you? E-mail: joyce@hermangroup.com. YOUR EMPLOYEES NEED THEIR LEADERS MORE THAN EVER Help your leaders to excel. Thousands have used our weekly Lessons in Leadership to help their supervisors and managers remember how to hold onto top talent. The 52-week subscription is only $47, a bargain when you think about the savings to your organization in reduced turnover. Quantity discounts available by emailing Carol at carol@hermangroup.com. Order today at: http://www.hermangroup.com/store/subscription_all.html#3. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is received by over 30,000 subscribers in 78 countries, in addition to other websites and printed magazines. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Trend Alert service. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert. Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert View this week's Herman Trend Alert Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

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