http://www.watsonwyatt.com Latest Watson Wyatt Human Capital Strategies Articles and News en-us Copyright 2009 Watson Wyatt Worldwide http://backend.userland.com/rss091 7/4/2009 3:58:12 PM 20 The U.A.E government is considering implementing new employment legislation that will improve foreign workers’ labor conditions and protect their rights. The decision to make it compulsory for employers to provide workers with accommodation in line with the international labor standards has been approved. From September 2009, employers will have 5 years to comply with the new rules. [UNITED ARAB EMIRATES]http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=21629WASHINGTON, D.C., June 22, 2009 — With signs that an economic recovery might be nearing, a majority of U.S. employers plan to reverse some, but not all, of the changes they’ve been making to their pay, benefits and other HR programs, according to the latest update to an ongoing series of surveys by Watson Wyatt, a leading global consulting firm. [UNITED STATES]http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=21528Asia Pacific, 22 June 2009 – Companies in Asia are ramping up their workforce planning activities in response to the current economic downturn, according to a survey by Watson Wyatt Worldwide, a leading global consulting firm. [ASIA-PACIFIC]http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=21594Organisations in the Middle East are managing costs tightly in response to the economic climate, but cost cutting efforts are changing focus in the second quarter of 2009, according to consultants Watson Wyatt. [MIDDLE EAST]http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=21381U.S. employers' efforts to battle the recession through cost-cutting actions such as layoffs, hiring freezes and salary freezes may have finally peaked, according to a Watson Wyatt survey of 141 large U.S. employers conducted in April 2009. [UNITED STATES]http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=21258UK - May 22, 2009 - Many organisations are being let down by their approach to employee performance management at a time when they most need it to work for them, according to consultants Watson Wyatt. [EUROPE]http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=21244WASHINGTON, D.C., May 13, 2009 — Chief executive officers at many of the nation’s largest corporations saw portions of their financial fortunes drop sharply last year as the financial crisis and slumping stock market resulted in smaller annual bonus payouts, diminished ownership values and reduced value for equity holdings, according to an analysis of proxy statements conducted by Watson Wyatt, a leading global consulting firm. [UNITED STATES]http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=21197A new labor law to expand rights for workers has been approved in principle by the Kuwaiti Parliament. The law is expected to replace a 45-year-old law, which has been under revision in Parliament for over a decade and was seen as being favorable to employers over employees. [MIDDLE EAST]http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=21118On April 22, 2009, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the 2009 Budget, which contained measures restricting higher rate tax relief on pension contributions for high-income earners. These proposals, which will come fully into force in April 2011, add a layer of complexity for pension plan members and employers. Particularly for employers, they may lead to a need to review remuneration packages for executives, and especially new recruits. [UNITED KINGDOM]http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=21146Effective April 6, 2009, parents (and anyone responsible for raising a child – including adopters, guardians, foster parents and step-parents) of children up to age 16 are eligible to request more flexible working schedules. Previously, this was available only to parents with children up to age six, or children up to age 18 with disabilities. [UNITED KINGDOM]http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=21121The Argentinean government has passed a set of incentives to encourage employers to register any of their employees who are currently working illegally. These measures are effective as of March 9, 2009 and include a reduction in employers’ social security contributions for the next two years. [ARGENTINA]http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=20970Muitas empresas ainda planejam congelar salários e novas contratações, reduzir contribuições aos Planos de Previdência e diminuir aumentos salariais. [LATIN AMERICA/CARIBBEAN]http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=20959Muchos empleadores planean todavía congelar sueldos y las nuevas contrataciones, reducir las contribuciones a los Planes de Retiro y menores aumentos de sueldos. [LATIN AMERICA/CARIBBEAN]http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=20960UK – April 8, 2009 –Companies should have five priorities when setting pay and incentives for their sales people during the current turbulent economy, according to consultants Watson Wyatt. [EUROPE]http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=20936On February 3, 2009, the Chinese government emphasized the requirement according to the Labor Contract Law for employers to inform their employee unions, or their staff, and the local government of any mass layoff plans at least 30 days before taking action. [CHINA]http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=20908UK executives are likely to be subject to frozen salaries and added clawback policies to their pay packages if trends in the US flow across the Atlantic, according to Watson Wyatt, a leading global consulting firm. [EUROPE]http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=20878UK, March 18, 2009 – Personnel Today was named HR Publication of the Year at the 2009 Watson Wyatt Awards for Excellence in HR Journalism. [EUROPE]http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=20793WASHINGTON, D.C., March 10, 2009 — Leaders can keep employees engaged and productive during layoffs by consistently and openly communicating with their workforce before, during and after the announcements are made, according to experts at Watson Wyatt, a leading global consulting firm. A Watson Wyatt survey conducted in February 2009 found that 52 percent of companies had already made layoffs, and another 13 percent expect to do so in the next 12 months. [UNITED STATES]http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=20758The Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued final Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) regulations addressing the new military family leave entitlements under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2008. There are two new types of military leave: (1) qualifying exigency and (2) military caregiver. The regulations took effect Jan. 16. [UNITED STATES]http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=20692Many Employers Still Planning Salary and Hiring Freezes, 401(k) Match Reductions and Smaller Raises. [UNITED STATES]http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=20684