HR Professional - April/May 2008 - (Page 13)

A C C O U N T I N G | W O R L D WAT C H | H E A LT H & S A F E T Y WORLD WATCH F O R E P L AY L E S S O N S B O O S T P R O D U C T I V I T Y Australian coalminers are getting some refresher courses on pleasing their spouses in an effort to boost productivity, reports BBC News. Mining giant Xstrata says the informal “toolbox talks” at its Bulga pit, near Sydney, focus on menopause and the importance of foreplay in happy sexual relationships. The company reasons that a healthy sex life will help ensure a productive workforce. The monthly briefings have also tackled other health topics, including fatigue, nutrition, prostate health and heart disease. Course co-ordinators say the miners are open to sharing their experiences. “If one man is game enough to put up his hand, you’ll slowly notice three or four nods in the room,” says co-ordinator Tammy Farrell. PHOTO: ©ISTOCKPHOTO/TOMAS BERCIC ACCOUNTING SOFT SKILLS PRIZED A RECENT SURVEY SUGGESTS CANADIAN CFOS FAVOUR FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS WITH LESS TECHNICAL SKILLS BUT STRONGER SOFT SKILLS. CFOS WERE ASKED, “WOULD YOU HIRE SOMEONE WITH FEWER TECHNICAL SKILLS IF THE CANDIDATE HAD STRONGER SOFT SKILLS?” YES NO Xstrata says it wants to extend the program to its other operations in Australia. Source: BBC News Health & Safety Shift Work Increases Cancer Risk A study by the World Health Organization has found that night-shift work increases the risk of cancer. It found that after prolonged exposure to night shifts, women are at a higher risk to develop breast and colon cancer. Men working the night shift are more likely to experience prostate cancer. “Shift work that interferes with regular nighttime sleep disrupts circadian rhythms, our body’s natural clock,” says Dr. Erhard Haus of HealthPartners Research Foundation, who chaired a subgroup of the study. “This suppresses the immune system, reducing melatonin production and may damage genes leading to the production of abnormal cells.” Between 15 and 20 per cent of the working population in the U.S. and Europe are engaged in shift work, which is most prevalent in the health care, transportation, communications, leisure and hospitality sectors. DON’T KNOW/ REFUSED 65% 29% 6% PHOTO: ©ISTOCKPHOTO/LEAH-ANNE THOMPSON “TECHNICAL EXPERTISE IS A PREREQUISITE FOR FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING CANDIDATES, BUT IT IS ONLY ONE PART OF THE EQUATION WHEN HIRING MANAGERS ASSESS PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES,” SAYS PAUL MCDONALD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ROBERT HALF MANAGEMENT RESOURCES, WHICH COMMISSIONED THE SURVEY. Source: Robert Half Management Resources w w w.H RThought L eader. c om A p r i l / M a y 2 0 0 8 13 http://www.HRThoughtLeader.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of HR Professional - April/May 2008

HR Professional - April/May 2008 Contents Editor's Letter Contributors Leadership Matters By the Numbers On the Web Careers World Watch Accounting Health & Safety Foreign Professionals Management Office Life Legal Compensation Web 2.0 @ Work Talent Management Systems On Message Strategy HR 101 Interview With Colin Mackay Off the Shelf The Last Word

HR Professional - April/May 2008

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