Back to work: ease yourself back into the job

Performance psychologist Rupert Bryce says workers should take their time returning to work.

Performance psychologist Rupert Bryce says workers should consider taking their time when returning to work, to ensure they can set themselves up for a productive year.

Bryce, who heads Performance Strategies, says people need to reflect before they throw themselves into emails and getting on with work, and consider strategies to perform more effectively.

He says this can include reflecting on the most effective ways of working to provide better value to clients or to a business, such as writing lists, developing processes and briefing team members.

Bryce advises people to undertake a purpose audit, including goal-setting and prioritising tasks.

He says people should focus on energy levels and ensure they try and balance work and life, including managing overtime and finding daily activities to relax people during stressful times.

Keep your staff

Networking site LinkedIn has a series of tips for employers on retaining employees and keeping them engaged.

LinkedIn says staff retention can be a key issue for companies.

The site says managers should try to get to know staff, learn their goals and find out what they want to achieve over the next two years. Speaking about goals and aspirations in the workplace can also help build relationships.

Creating an inspiring workplace can help, and maintaining a positive worksite ensures people want to return to their job and feel more satisfied with their tasks.

LinkedIn is calling on managers to reward employees in a meaningful way, as recognising talent can build motivation.

It says employees need a voice, and employers make their staff feel empowered to speak up, express individuality and publish positive content about their job.

LinkedIn’s final tip is to align a company with values, such as allowing staff time off to volunteer.

Jobs in demand

Recruitment firm Hays says architects, property managers and sales people will be the most in-demand jobs for early 2016.

Its quarterly report of skill needs has also found businesses in information technology, accountancy, healthcare, law and financial planning will be looking for workers.

Hays Australia and New Zealand managing director Nick Deligiannis says many industries are picking up work, including construction, and there are worker shortages in NSW and parts of Queensland.

“At the same time IT demands continue to grow, skill shortages remain in healthcare, there’s more activity across the logistics sector, marketing departments are busy, and many employers are talking to us about increasing their office support headcount,” Deligiannis says. “It certainly signals an active job market for those professionals with the skills in demand.”

Ethics at work

The Ethics Centre in Sydney will be running an ethics at work half-day professional development seminar, to help workers identify and solve complex issues, including making split-second decisions.

The seminar will suit managers wanting to build skills in ethical leadership and develop open, speak-up cultures, professionals wanting to better deal with complex issues and make good decisions, and people facing tough client or stakeholder dilemmas or conflicts of interest.

The centre says ethical reflection helps people make responsible decisions and consistent judgments, provides reasons for beliefs and helps critically examine opinions. The seminar is on March 2. More: ethics.org.au/ethicsatwork