HR Execs Ready with Financial Info for More Economy Woes
A news release by the Society for Human Resource
Management (SHRM) said 83% of poll respondents reported
that their response could well include financial
educational literature and/or workshops by investment
specialists. Another 21% said they might revise
investment policies for 401(k) plans and other savings
programs.
According to the announcement, 11% said they might change
investment management companies, 7% said they would
consider offering employees investment options other than
401(k) plans, and 6% said they might suspend investments
in mutual funds that are deemed risky.
Meanwhile, according to SHRM, 70% of HR professionals feel budget cuts across entire organizations are likely, while more than half (55%) of respondents said hiring freezes are also likely if economic problems persist.
In addition to organization-wide budget cuts and hiring
freezes, HR professionals said cutting bonuses (50%),
freezing wage increases (45% ), and layoffs (39%) are
“likely” actions that might be taken should economic
conditions worsen.
On the flip side, respondents said restructuring
executive compensation and/or severance packages (82%),
and outsourcing some business functions (79%) were only
“somewhat” or “not as likely” to be undertaken, according
to SHRM.
According to a news release, the poll, Changes
Organizations Have Made in Light of 2008 Financial
Challenges to the U.S. Economy, is the second to be
released in a series of new SHRM Polls being conducted in
response to the downturn in the economy.
The announcement said the poll asked nearly 450 HR
professionals what actions related to employee
investments and retirement planning their organizations
are most likely to take in the coming months if there are
no reversals in the current downward economic trends.
"Today's ever-changing and competitive business
environment is placing unprecedented responsibilities on
HR professionals," said Steve Williams, director of
research for SHRM. "The 2008 hiring landscape has been
weak, yet it's more important than ever for organizations
to compete for and retain the best talent. It's HR who's
going to tell them what workers want today, what keeps
them happy, and what makes them stay."
More information is available at
http://www.shrm.org/surveys
.