People & Culture

AI and the human touch in recruitment

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant concept or a futuristic experiment, it’s here, reshaping the way businesses operate and hire talent.

Shannon Barlow_Frog Recruitment

Workers say employers falling short on protecting planet

More than two-thirds of Kiwi workers say their employers aren’t doing enough to care for the environment, with 19 percent confirming their employer could do more. Furthermore, 54 percent of workers saying none of their expectations are being met when it comes to their employer’s sustainability practices. The Frog Recruitment poll surveyed 955 New Zealand workers about their employers’ environmental values and only 27 percent of workers said the company they worked for were going over and above to protect the environment. While 40 percent of the workforce said it is very important ‘ or ‘important’ that their employer contributes to good environmental practices – up from 25 percent from another Frog Recruitment poll conducted last year – 60 percent

Lauren Parsons - Wellbeing Specialist

How to cultivate a positive, energised workplace

Forward-thinking business owners and leaders now have a must-read roadmap to help them create true workplace wellbeing and see their people thrive. Thriving Leaders, Thriving Teams by award-winning wellness specialist and TEDx speaker Lauren Parsons is a book that’s especially useful for the times we live in. It’s no secret that burnout, poor health and mental distress are on the rise around the world. There is genuine suffering in the workplace, and particularly so here in New Zealand, and the ongoing talent shortage makes it increasingly important for businesses and workplaces to be desirable employers, in order to attract and keep great people. In 2023 not enough leaders understand the fundamental skills required to foster true workplace wellbeing in the

West Coast Pie company team

West Coast Pie Company goes national

The West Coast Pie Company is going national with an exciting new campaign in partnership with Development West Coast and Monteith’s. The campaign will see West Coast made pies available in 40 bars and restaurants around the country from Alexandra to Auckland, along with point of sale advertising that invites Kiwis to ‘savour a taste of the West Coast’. The campaign is underway and will run into 2024 and will see various delicious pie flavours suggested as matches for Monteith’s brews, with every purchase going into the draw to win a West Coast Experience holiday. The first pie match is a venison pie made with (and matched with) Monteith’s West Coastin Hazy, and there is a seafood and a tahr

Eloise Callister Baker

Common legal pitfalls in employment law

Eloise Callister-Baker and Gillian Service offer some valuable advice to help business owners understand, and deal with, their legal obligations as employers. Staying on top of evolving employment law is essential to business operation. However, it can often fall by the wayside for a number of reasons – from being tighter on time and resources, to not having strong prior knowledge of the legal space. If you are finding this a challenge as a business owner, rest assured that you’re not alone. In fact, when speaking with over 100 businesses, employment expert, SEEK found that almost half didn’t feel comfortable with their understanding of, or dealing with, legal issues as an employer. SEEK’s research revealed that the top legal concerns for

hirestaff-1

Surveys deliver invaluable recruitment insights

Fast-growing Kiwi recruitment agency Hirestaff has released the findings from its latest recruitment surveys, and while there are challenges, there’s still plenty of confidence out there in the market. In an industry that’s been handicapped by disruption and uncertainty in recent times, Hirestaff is one recruitment company that’s still enjoying remarkable growth and success. It has achieved an astonishing 410 percent surge in job placements from 2021 to 2023, and sales revenue has risen from $1.3 million in 2020 to $22 million in 2023. “The past few years have been an exciting ride for us. The amazing growth we’ve experienced reflects our commitment to our clients, candidates, and our mission to get great job matches sorted fast,” says director Jonny

Auror Founders casual

New tools for embracing AI

New Zealand tech company Auror has released a free AI framework to help Kiwi businesses embrace the game-changing technology. A recent survey by Auror and Talbot Mills has revealed more than 40 percent of New Zealanders consider artificial intelligence as a force for good, yet only 18 percent believe businesses are well placed to harness its potential. To help businesses harness AI responsibly, New Zealand tech company Auror has released its open-source Responsible Technology and AI Framework. The easy-to-use tools within the framework have been designed by Auror for businesses of all sizes to develop their own robust and ethical AI processes. The Attitudes to AI survey, commissioned by Auror, showed New Zealanders are most excited about AI’s potential to

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