According to a new
report released by the United Nations'
Geneva-based International Labour Organization,
U.S. workers lead the world in productivity when
measured by the number of workers employed. By
this measure the average worker contributes over
$63,000 annually to the economy. The story
doesn’t end there, however, because the average
American employee works significantly more hours
per year in producing our GDP. Based upon hours
worked, Norway takes the lead producing $37.99
per hour followed by the U.S. with $35.63 per
hour and France with $35.08 per hour worked. The
average employee in the U.S. works over 28% more
hours than in Norway and 15% more than workers
in France, countries where 4 to 6 weeks annual
leave is common.
The downside of this
analysis can be seen in studies that tend to
show that U.S. workers have low job
satisfaction. HR management is challenged to
provide an environment that supports the ‘softer
side’ of the job including time to build
personal networks. Such an environment almost
mirrors the demands of the newest workers to
enter the market: Gen-Y. As noted in the last
edition of the HR Exec, this segment of the
workforce is both the ‘most likely to leave’ and
the ‘most loyal’. This seeming contradiction is
driven by a strong need for relevance and
recognition on the job. This is also the
workplace that engenders innovation through
trust and cooperation and it is innovation that
will be our productivity engine of the
future. |
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| At the University of
Illinois the problem of maintenance of existing
facilities just gets worse while big bucks are
flowing into new buildings. Terry W. Ruprecht,
director of energy conservation at the
Urbana-Champaign campus describes the problem in
Business Week saying, “When dollars are
flowing into new facilities, they aren’t flowing
into old facilities. It’s taking an existing
problem and making it worse.” This apparently
isn’t unique to Illinois. Conservative estimates
of the repair bill nationwide could reach $40
billion and unlike fancy new construction
projects, maintenance of current assets doesn’t
attract the big-time donors to help pay the
bill. This means that students will be
increasingly asked to pick-up the tab. At the U.
of I. this has meant an annual maintenance fee
of over $500 for each of the 41,000 students to
fund the campus' $573 million worth of
high-priority repair and replacement projects.
If there is a lesson learned from this current
situation, it’s that future facilities are being
built for energy and maintenance efficiency. But
like always we have to deal with the trick-bag
that says for every solution there’s a new
problem. The advanced electronics and features
of the new buildings are accompanied by even
faster rates of obsolescence and replacement.
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| Ameren Illinois
utilities has launched a program to assist small
businesses and non-profit organizations hard hit
by higher electric bills. A qualifying
organization may receive one-time credits of up
to $5,000 toward their Ameren electric bills.
Part of a $1 billion rate relief package for
Illinois electric customers, the Non-Residential
Hardship Assistance Program extends assistance
to organizations hardest hit by the energy cost
increases. To qualify, businesses and
organizations must meet the eligibility
guidelines listed on www.ameren.com
and be able to demonstrate a financial hardship
caused by this year’s electric rate increase.
Non-profit applicants must provide proof of
their non-profit status; businesses must have
fewer than 50 employees and have experienced at
least a 30 percent increase in their electric
bill from July 2006 to July 2007. For complete
program guidelines or an application, visit www.ameren.com
or call your Ameren Illinois utility.
Applications for assistance must be postmarked
no later than October 12, 2007. |
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| The U.S. Department of
Labor's Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) has published a Request
for Information seeking input from the public to
determine what action, if any, the Agency should
take to further address emergency response and
preparedness. OSHA is accepting comments from
the public until Dec. 10, 2007. Current OSHA
standards do not reflect all of the major
improvements in safety and health practices that
have already been accepted by the emergency
response community and incorporated into
industry consensus standards. The Request for
Information is intended to gather information
about current thinking and practices relative to
emergency responders and skilled support
employees. The public may submit comments
electronically at the Federal
eRulemaking Portal. |
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| The Illinois
Environmental Regulatory Group (IERG) is
offering seminars specifically designed to
detail the technical and legal requirements and
expectations necessary for environmental
compliance. Give your in-house management the
basics crucial to your effective use of outside
experts. Three (3) sessions will be presented
covering regulations in the areas of air (9/24),
water (10/29) and land (11/7). You are
encouraged to attend all sessions and bring your
outside experts along with you. Discounted rates
are available to IERG and Illinois Chamber
members. CLICK
HERE for complete
information. |
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| From time to time we
like to call special opportunities to the
attention of our members. This month we suggest
two presentations offered by the Institute of
Government & Public Affairs (IGPA). On
October 1, U.S. Senator Carl Levin will
discuss recent congressional efforts to pass
ethics and lobbying reform, and the need for
constant vigilance against abuses. Then on
October 11 Christine Todd Whitman will
talk about ‘Experiences in Leadership’ based
upon the challenges she faced as Governor of New
Jersey and as EPA Administrator. She will also
discuss her current role as Co-Chair of CASE
Nuclear Energy Coalition. Both presentations
will be held at 10AM on the University of
Illinois - Chicago campus. Admission is free. Go
to the Chamber Home
Page for more information or click here
for IGPA activities. Go to our
Calendar for registration information.
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| Current
Economic
Indicators |
| Knowing what you can
and can't do will help you prevent costly
mistakes. Call our staff of HR experts. Let Pam
Holleman help you deal with problems safely and
avoid disputes. You can reach the Helpline
toll-free at 800-322-4722. |
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| Your membership in the
Illinois Chamber pays! We offer valuable
programs and services to our members at special
discounts. Click
here to see the many posters and HR
reference materials available from the Chamber
to help you run your business. While you're
there, don't miss our growing list of
"Can't Be Beat" seminars and
workshops designed especially for you and
presented by experts and leading practitioners
in the field. Don't see what you need? Contact Gloria
Guy, VP of Business Services. We're here to
serve you! |
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 The Chamber
urges all Illinois employers to recognize their
Guard and Reserve employees by signing and
displaying the ESGR Statement of Support. To get
yours, simply complete an online
form and you will receive a personalized
certificate that demonstrates your support. Click
here for answers to Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ's) for employers and reservists. Also
visit the SBA Veteran's Business Development web
site for assistance to small business owners
that have employees activated in the Guard or
Reserves. Click MORE
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The
Exec Report - Copyright © 2007 The Illinois
Chamber
Wood
S. McComb, Editor
Debra
McCarver, Director of Communications
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