Australian Human Resources Institute on employee turnover

Retaining productive and engaged employees is a critical issue for many Australian businesses.

Beyondblue chief executive Georgie Harman.

Retaining productive and engaged employees is a critical issue for many Australian businesses, and the Australian Human Resources Institute is surveying members to further understand their concerns.

The institute has released its Turnover and Retention Survey, aimed at gathering insights into trends, strategies and challenges faced by employees and businesses.

An AHRI spokesman says the benefits of optimum turnover and retention are often stressed, and achieving and maintaining an appropriate balance of departures and fresh faces can challenge businesses.

The survey findings will inform a research report to be available next month.

Economic fears

Aon’s most recent Australian Risk Survey shows economic conditions have trumped regulatory and legislative policies as the largest risk facing businesses last year and this year.

As the top risk identified in Aon’s 2013-14 survey, regulatory and legislative change still remains a key concern for Australian business leaders, ranking second this year.

Inflation forecasts and downbeat growth have elevated concerns of a domestic economic slowdown as being an obstacle to business growth and recovery.

The survey found 80 per cent of concerns centre on diminishing business confidence and political and regulatory uncertainty, which is similar to last year’s report.

In its 13th year, the survey involved 579 C-suite executives and risk managers. Risk management insights are provided on 15 industry segments, including detailed overviews of six sectors; mining and real estate, for example.

“While the current state of the market presents a very real challenge to Australian businesses, it also presents an opportunity for insurers to innovate around these soft risks,” Aon Risk Solution managing director Jason Disborough says.

Having risen through the top 10 risks in recent years, local economic conditions take top position this year, signifying a crucial need for organisations to identify and control threats to better compete on a global scale.

Happy and healthy

Heavily subsidised Beyondblue workplace training sessions are being offered to employers to improve the mental health of the Australian workforce.

The offer is open to firms with up to 199 employees and not-for-profit organisations.

Beyondblue’s national workplace program offers five training sessions, with some specialising in education programs for managers and human resources professionals, and others designed for executives.

Beyondblue chief executive Georgie Harman says educating about mental health conditions makes workplaces more mentally healthy and brings about enormous benefits.

She says fewer sick days, fewer compensation claims and higher productivity are something to expect from those who are more mentally healthy.

Time to inspire

Bestselling author Kristine Carlson is one of eight women from across the globe speaking at the LeadX leadership event in Queensland from June 3.

Queensland University of Technology and Bond University are playing host to the event, which aims to inspire, empower and motivate executives, in a series of talks given by chief executives, entrepreneurs and authors.

LeadX says understanding the importance of networking, branding and marketing sends a strong message of being committed to supporting innovation and progress in female-led businesses.