news
13 Nov 2009 - 16:19: Global Alert - October
Read our round up of the latest HR, benefits and health and wellbeing news from around the globe.
GLOBAL
UN Announces 2009 Wellbeing Index
The UN published the results of its annual Human Development Report (HDI), a measure of wellbeing, combining results of life expectancy, literacy, school enrolment and per capita GDP. Norway, Australia and Iceland took the top three places ahead of Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden. France and China were amongst the countries showing greatest progress, due to increases in life expectancy and GDP respectively. To view the full report, click here
EUROPE
UK - Wellbeing amongst Unilever staff saves £300k ($550k)
Unilever made savings of £300,000 over the last two years as a result of a health and wellbeing programme that was designed to improve nutrition and fitness of employees. For further information click here.
France - Sarkozy Nepotism Claim Poses Questions about Social Mobility
The nomination of Nicholas Sarkozy's son, a 23 year old student, to head Europe's largest office development, has not only raised questions about nepotism but also asked questions with regards to equal opportunities and social mobility in France. For further information click here.
Spain - New Paternity Leave Legislation announced
The Spanish government has announced an increase in paternity leave from January 2011, offering new fathers four weeks instead of two. For the full story in Spanish click here.
Belgium - Business Confidence on the Up
For further information click here.
NORTH AMERICA
US - EAPA Conference, Dallas
For those of you attending the EAPA conference in Dallas from 22-24 October, PPC will have a stand at this event. Please come over and see us and we'll of course be happy to answer any questions you may have.
US - The National Business Group on Health Annual Conference<br />The National Business Group on Health (NBGH) held its 23rd annual conference in Philadelphia this past week on the theme "Optimizing Productivity: Leading With a Culture of Health." The conference was rich with practical tools from the experiences at Cisco, General Mills, IBM, GE, and other prominent employers who've recognized how employee well-being translates to reduced cost and business success. Dame Carol Black gave the keynote on her transformational work in health care in the UK and the premise that 'good work is good health'. Occupational health researcher and pioneer, Dr. Wayne Burton, recently retired as Medical Director at JPMorgan Chase, received the first click here<br />If you staff are affected by the typhoons PPC Critical Incident Support can help. E-mail us at enquiries@ppcworldwide.com for further information.
Japan - Special Suit to prevent H1N1 Spread
A Japanese company has said that it will be selling a business suit which they claim repells the N1H1 virus Click here for further information.
China - Wal-Mart Employees Kill Shopper
For further information click here
Pakistan - Government aims to improve citizens' wellbeing
For further information click here
REST OF THE WORLD
Brazil - Employment Grows for Eighth Consecutive Month
For further information click here
South Africa - Shortage of Health Professionals Threatens HIV Targets
For further information click here