Tip of the Day: Make 2009 the Year of the Leader

Is your company doing what it takes to build the next generation of leaders? How do you rank against the Top Companies for Leaders in the world? To find out, register for the 2009 Top Companies for Leaders survey, a joint effort by The RBL Group, Hewitt Associates, and Fortune magazine. Registration runs through April.

The study provides an opportunity for organization's to be recognized for their leader building efforts, as well as valuable intelligence to improve leadership capabilities. All participants receive a complimentary research brief which highlights the global and regional Top Companies' practices, and the opportunity to benchmark against the 2009 Top Companies for Leaders in their region and/or globally at a discount. The Top Companies for Leaders Benchmark is a comprehensive evaluation of your organization's survey results against the Top Companies, and includes hundreds of comparative data points about leadership practices.

Click here to begin the survey.

What do you think it takes to be a top leader in today's workplace? Comment and let me know.

News You Can Use: Merrymaking seems recession-proof

Most companies haven’t lost their holiday spirit in the wake of a difficult financial year. About 71% of employers will continue their plans for a holiday party for employees this year, according to a Hewitt survey of more than 160 employers.

Among the 42% of companies offering holiday bonuses this year, 52% will provide them in cash, spending an average of $863 per employee. Forty-two percent will give gift cards or gift certificates averaging $76 per person, and 16% will give food, Hewitt reports.

News You Can Use: 401(k) balances, savings rates drop

A Hewitt Associates analysis of 2.7 million U.S. employees reveals that the average 401(k) plan balance has dropped 14% in 2008 to $68,000, down from $79,000 in 2007. In the past two months alone, employees, on average, have lost nearly 18% of their 401(k) plan savings, and some have lost more than 30%.

In addition, savings rates have dropped marginally, from 8% in 2007 to 7.8% in 2008, while 4% of employees have stopped 401(k) plan contributions altogether.

News You Can Use: Election InfoCentral

The 2008 election is shaping up to be one of the most, if not the most, controversial of our lifetime. Employers will want to know which candidate has the best policy for their business before deciding the for whom they will vote.

Hewitt has an excellent resource in their Election 2008 Web page, which details information about each candidate's proposals and how they will affect employers and employees.

News You Can Use: On-site health clinics are a hit among employees

Just one in five large and mid-size companies offer an onsite health program, states new research by Hewitt Associates -- but that doesn't mean it isn't a popular benefit. Eighty one percent of companies offering onsite clinics (and 95% with onsite pharmacies) are satisfied with the results.

According to the survey, 25% of employees have used onsite medical care and 50% have used onsite pharmacies.

"While onsite health care programs have been slow to catch on with employers—likely due to the complexities involved in offering them—they are attractive to employees because of their convenience and the level of personal interaction they provide," says Marie Kobos, leader of Hewitt's Health and Productivity Solutions group.