The Caldwell Partners acquires Cromwell Partners
In early August, the Caldwell Partners International Inc., executive search firm that specializes in recruiting directors and senior executives, acquired Cromwell Partners Inc., the New York City-based executive search firm specializing in financial services. The Caldwell Partners operates out of its offices in Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal, as well as through its partners in Chicago. Through this acquisition, the firm continues to expand its presence across North America.
Victoria, heaven for young graduates
Victoria, British Columbia, tops the list of Canadian cities that best meet the expectations of young graduates, according to the “Next Cities” ranking conducted by Next Generation Consulting in early August. The poll, based on the evaluation of the assets and facilities that matter the most to the next generation of workers, uses seven key areas including cost of lifestyle, after hours (things to do during week nights and on the weekend), and earning (e.g. household incomes and employment opportunities). Ottawa came in second and Vancouver third.
Temp work leads to depression
According to a McGill University survey of 2,000 Americans presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association on August 9, temporary workers are more likely to suffer from mental health problems and depression than permanent workers. The perception of precariousness (lack of job security, low income and no benefits) leads to psychological distress in casual, contractual and self-employed workers. In Canada, more than a third of the population (37%) held an atypical job (temporary, part-time, self-employed) in 2008. The investigators suggest that employers pay attention to their employees’ mental health, in the context of an increasingly competitive world economy.
Managers overwhelmingly in favour of communication
In a study by the Robert Half Group, managers in 20 countries worldwide thought that good communication is the factor with the most impact on employee morale. For 43% of participants, “open, honest” communication was the leading factor in maintaining employee motivation, followed by the “organization of workload,” with 13% of the votes, then the “award of bonuses.” Extra vacation days, on the other hand, were not as popular.
Mobile recruiting is here
In early August, Burnsoft Ltd. announced the launch of Recruiter for iPhone/iPod Touch, the world’s first mobile, stand-alone recruiting application. Recruiter is designed for consultants, managers and human resources professionals, regardless of their line of business. It allows users to easily save their client and candidate data, and gives them access to all the information they need, wherever they are.
Canadian public sector to ensure the continuity of services
Despite the economic downturn, Canada’s public sector decision-makers say they are ready to make the changes required to ensure the continuity, and even the growth of services, according to a KPMG International study published in early August titled The Wolf is at the Door. Top Canadian civil servants seem to have more confidence than their counterparts in the other countries in the survey including Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, the U.K. and the U.S.