M: Hopscotch Employment

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Amazon, the giant online retailer, routinely experiences a surge in demand for its offerings during the Christmas holiday period. It is difficult to fill temporary holiday positions at its Campbellsville, Kentucky facility. Thus, the company turns to the new migrant workers – able-bodied individuals with recreational vehicles (RV) willing to travel the country in search… Read more »

EU Backs Irish Bailout

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The finance ministers from the euro-zone countries met in Brussels today in an emergency meeting to approve the proposed financial bailout for Ireland and to discuss plans for dealing with future euro-zone financing crises. A joint loan from the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been approved by the finance ministers… Read more »

M: “Big Nasty” Leadership

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Throughout his basketball playing career, Corliss Williamson was known as “Big Nasty.” The term described his style of play. He was known as a “bruiser,” a guy that would bump and bang down low. Now as a Division I college coach he is not distancing himself from his playing style. For the 2010-11 season, Coach… Read more »

M: Come Fly With Me

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Nearly every top ten list of most common fears will contain the fear of flying. Yet commercial airplanes are one of the safest forms of travel (far safer than traveling by automobile). Vivid details of airplane crashes are embedded in most people’s memories and so airlines must constantly battle the perception that air travel can… Read more »

M: Made in China

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China, like many Asian countries, has been known as a source of cheap labor. The newest generation of Chinese workers differ from their parents in that, while they are still willing to work for wages much lower than the average American, they are more aware of what constitutes fair working conditions. Increasingly, the Chinese government,… Read more »

Ireland Applies for Bailout

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After days of resisting rising international pressure, on Sunday Ireland officially applied for an IMF and EU bailout worth tens of billions of euros. The terms of the package are still being negotiated, but the bailout package would be used to address the nation’s ailing banking industry and rising public debt. Ireland had been hesitant… Read more »

Wal-Mart’s International Operations

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Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, reported its third-quarter profit rose 9.3 percent from a year earlier to $3.44 billion for the quarter ending October 31. Despite weak U.S. sales, the company raised its full-year profit outlook as the retailer expects continued gains from its robust international sales. U.S. domestic namesake stores saw same-store sales fall… Read more »

M: Reversal of Fortunes

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In the wake of a massive bailout from the U.S. Government, General Motors finds itself in a precarious position. What must the company do to survive? One answer seems to be turn to foreign investors. Chinese automaker SAIC Motor Corporation may be willing to pay $500 million to acquire a one percent share of the… Read more »

M: No Taxation Without Representation

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When the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives adjourned prior to the most recent election, they did so without making any decision about extending the tax cuts set to expire on January 1. President Obama campaigned in 2008 on a promise to allow tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans to expire. Now he finds himself… Read more »

M: Holiday Hiring

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Retailers typically hire temporary workers to help meet increased demand during the holiday season. Forecasts for 2010 suggest this type of hiring will be considerably higher than in recent years. Some researchers suggest this is a sign the economy is picking up. QUESTIONS: 1. Examine the legal issues surrounding human resource management. What are the… Read more »