International news: US staff plagued by ear, nose and throat problems

The most common medical complaints among US staff are ear, nose and throat ailments. A study found that 15 per cent of US employees sought medical treatment for such problems. The research, carried out by the Institute for Health Productivity Management, found the most costly condition is gastrointestinal disorders. Institute chief executive officer Sean Sullivan told the US-based HR News Online, “Our mission is to make health a part of HR management. Employee health is part of an employer’s human capital.”

The days of the bullying office manager may be numbered in Germany. Researchers studied the behaviour of 800 business and industrial managers. Petra Bles and Hugo Kehr, of the Institute for Economic Psychology at the University of Munich, found those with a good natured management style were more likely to get results than their more abrasive and confrontational colleagues. Bles and Kehr concluded, “In just three months it was proved that executives who lead democratically clearly succeeded better.”

Germany has 56 out of the top 150 Internet companies in Europe’s e-commerce league. Britain previously had the highest number of firms in the league, although it now has 35. Meanwhile, a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers suggests there has been an improvement in the “burn rate” – the length of time a company can operate without needing further investment – for European dotcoms. It says the rate has lengthened from 13 to 20 months since last December.

Less than a third of US staff regard themselves as loyal to their employers compared with 71 per cent in Columbia, a global study has found. The research, conducted by Walker Information Global Network and US-based Hudson Institute, found only 32 per cent of US staff agreed they are “truly loyal” to their employers. US staff ranked seventh in terms of loyalty to their organisation, with Columbia ranking first. Singapore ranked last (9 per cent).