…in brief

This week’s news in brief

Unions told to focus

The new Trade and Industry Secretary has told unions to stop focusing on job
protection and start concentrating on helping members compete in the employment
market. At the AEEU conference in Blackpool, Patricia Hewitt said, "There
is no such thing as a job for life, but there can be employability for
life."  www.aeeu.org.uk

Blunkett’s permit plan

Plans by the new Home Secretary to introduce a work permit system linked to
skills shortages have been welcomed by the CBI. David Blunkett is considering
either an Australian-style points system or the US green card regime. The Home
Office said it was too early to say which option was favoured by the
Government.  www.home-office.gov.uk

Sad staff work best

Unhappy employees are more productive than their happy colleagues, claims a
study. Research from the University of Alberta, Canada, says sad staff make
half as many mistakes and devote more energy to their work than their happier
counterparts. Co-author Robert Sinclair said, "Sad people devote more
energy to their work in order to distract themselves from their feelings."
  www.ualberta.ca

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Glaxo cuts 1,000 jobs

Pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline is to cut 1,000 jobs in the UK. The
company intends to cut 500 jobs at its Liverpool plant, and 400 at a site in
County Durham. "We are committed to providing extensive support to
affected employees and their communities," said Tim Tyson, president of
global manufacturing and supply at GSK.  www.gsk.com