MARCH 2012. A happy springtime to you from HRM Partners! Spring has been celebrated throughout history and by many different cultures worldwide as a time of renewal and rebirth. As mother nature transitions from winter with its cold and bleak landscape to spring with more daylight, warmer temperatures, and increased color, the workplace has a good opportunity to catch a ride on the increased energy and vigor showing up this time of year.
This spring 2012 marks an even more positive note over the past several. First, at least here in North America, the economy is showing improved signs that we haven’t seen for the past several years. The effects of a very severe recession are slowly diminishing and there’s more and more positive signs showing up in the work world.
Secondly and more importantly, this time last year, a massive 9.0 earthquake/tsunami struck Japan on March 11, 2011 triggering one of the worst nuclear accidents since the Russian Chernobyl accident. With almost 20,000 dead and missing in addition to thousands of people injured, this massive event sent Japan along with the entire world into a negative economic and psychological tailspin for most of 2011. Although there are no words that can help reduce the pain and suffering from such a tragic event, everyone outside of Japan continues to be highly impressed at the positive spirit of the Japanese people and how they have responded to the disaster by rolling up their sleeves and getting on with rebuilding their lives. Our thoughts and prayers continue for everyone affected.
As we move toward more daylight and warmer temperatures, HRM Partners will continue to strive to provide our readers and customers with updated HR information that is practical. If you occasionally take a look at our HR news and newsletters, you’ll be able to get a grasp of current topics that you should be aware of such as the NLRB’s push into affecting social media via the workplace, the state and federal government audits on employer usage of independent contractors, and the ongoing labor law changes. In addition, during the spring season we will continue to be active with seminars on varied subjects in several U.S. cities. Please take a look at our seminar tab above to see what seminars are planned in a city near you. We would be very pleased to
have your attendance at one of our events.
Best wishes for a great spring 2012,
From everyone at HRM Partners, Inc.