Insurance Hiring Continues Despite Poor Economy, Says Expert

Her remarks came while discussion among many of the attendees at the conference was focused on job layoffs in both the public and private sectors.

She told National Underwriter that, contrary to what many believe, organizations are hiring. One trend she is seeing is that a number of firms are letting employees go and subsequently hiring new ones.

The reason is not necessarily to pay lower salaries but rather to "upgrade" to new employees they believe will bring better results.

These organizations, she said, are looking for employees with skills they think will make them more competitive–at a time when their competition may be perceived as weakened.

For example, Ms. Bland explained that an employee who has been seen as "coasting" in the job for years (which she attributes to human nature) may be replaced by someone the organization believes knows the competition, has contacts and training, and can put the organization ahead in the game.

She added that employers also are recognizing more and more the value such an employee can offer.

Ms. Bland also outlined other trends accompanying the current hiring climate. She said businesses are taking a much longer time to decide before filling positions.

Ms. Bland said companies sometimes take months with the process and call the candidate back for several interviews. Organizations also are offering fewer incentives to lure a candidate, unlike in previous years. For example, they are reluctant to pay a potential employee to relocate, she said, and hiring bonuses are pretty much out of the picture.

Relocation presents other problems as well. The potential employee may not be able to sell his or her home in the current housing market. And some job candidates are reluctant to move for a variety of reasons–their spouse may hold a job and moving would uproot their entire family. As a result, she said, those who need the job may take it, "live in a tiny apartment and commute home on the weekends."

She added that a number of employees have indicated to her that they are angry at the treatment they are receiving from their company–such as salary cuts and filling the duties of several–and say they will leave when the market turns. This, she said, could cause a huge problem for employers who could lose a number of their workers and be faced with re-training and other expenses.

Her advice? While it's understandable that cuts have to be made, employers need to be "humane," she said. They should express appreciation for their employees whenever possible and offer tokens of appreciation, such as early Fridays, Fridays off, or even pizza on Fridays.

"This doesn't cost a lot, but employees will notice it and they'll appreciate it," Ms. Bland said. And they may remember these things when the market changes.