30% of Employees Say Boss Lacks Leadership Skill

October 17, 2007 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - More than 35% of employees do not consider their boss a leader and 30% of employees do not think their boss is qualified for the position, according to a survey by SkillSoft, which provides e-learning and performance support solutions.

According to a press release about the survey, employees in IT were the most likely to attest to their boss’ leadership skills (65%), while more than half of employees (51%) in sales and marketing-related roles questioned the leadership skills of their supervisor.

“This new report uncovers an all too common challenge plaguing businesses,” said John Ambrose, Senior Vice President of Strategy, Corporate Development & Emerging Business for SkillSoft, in the press release. “Managers are likely to receive little or no guidance in developing strong leadership skills. However, management training is an integral component for enhancing employee productivity, improving job satisfaction, reducing employee turnover and maintaining agility in the workforce.”

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According to SkillSoft, most of these leadership skills can be acquired through a corporate training program that incorporates a mix of e-learning components such as knowledge portals, leadership training videos and online content geared towards management and leadership issues.

The study included interviews with more than 200 employees, ranging from entry-level to executive positions across the U.S.

EBRI Data Offers Insights on Older American Income

October 16, 2007 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - We're increasingly concerned about the sufficiency of retirement income, and with good reason.

Those looking for insights for the future might well take a look at how today’s retirees (and near retirees) are faring – and how that compares with recent history. And, thanks to the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), we now have a convenient means to do so.

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EBRI has just completed all of its Income of the Population Age 55 and Over tabulations – all freely available on their web site. So, if you’re looking for information about where those who are retired (or nearly retired) are drawing income, the Databook on Employee Benefits Chapters 6, 7, and 8 is the place for you. Below is a brief description of the chapters – each contains spread sheets showing data for each year from 1975-2006. Dollar amounts are shown in current dollars and adjusted to 2006 dollars.

The Data

Chapter 6

Income Statistics of the Population Ages 55 and Over – Data is presented here on the following: percentage of the older population in poverty; real median income of the older population by gender; median and mean income of the population by education, marital status and race; real median income by age and source of income; comparison of the measurement of retirement income between the Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic (March) Supplement and the National Income and Product Accounts of the United States. The end of the chapter contains a reference section to other EBRI research on income statistics of the population ages 55 and over in a question and answer format.

MORE at http://www.ebri.org/pdf/publications/books/databook/DB.Chapter%2006.pdf

Chapter 7

Sources of Income for Persons Ages 55 and Over – Data is presented here on the following: percentage distribution of population and income by detailed income source, mean income, and median income; aged income from private sector and public sector defined benefit plans; private sector and public sector defined benefit plans by age of recipient; median income from major sources, married couples and unmarried individuals aged 65 and over; percentage of individuals aged 55 and over with income from specified sources and percentage distribution of income from all sources by age; percentage of individuals aged 65 and over with income from specified sources and percentage distribution of income from all sources by income quintile. The end of the chapter contains a reference section to other EBRI research on sources of income for persons ages 55 and over in a question and answer format.

MORE at http://www.ebri.org/pdf/publications/books/databook/DB.Chapter%2007.pdf

Chapter 8

Retirement Annuity and Employment-Based Pension Income – Data is presented here on the following: percentage receiving, median, and mean amount of retirement annuity and/or employment-based pension income recipiency. The data is presented for the following demographics: age, sex, industry, education, marital status, and income quintile. The end of the chapter contains a reference section to other EBRI research on retirement annuity and employment-based pension income in a question and answer format.

MORE at http://www.ebri.org/pdf/publications/books/databook/DB.Chapter%2008.pdf

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