This week in HR news: Immigration, learning, and first impressions

In this week’s round-up of HR news, could immigration be the key to solving our inflation worries? Meanwhile, the “same job, same pay” laws are seeing some backlash, the importance of learning for a company, and how to nail the beginning of a new role.

Could immigration calm inflation?

As seen in Human Times’ 6 June bulletin, immigration could help to reduce inflation, said BBC.

According to the deputy head of the International Monetary Fund in the UK, Gita Gopinath, immigration could fill job gaps and help to push down inflation.

“In this context, with inflation as high as it is, having workers who can fill the shortages in some of the sectors that we’re seeing right now will help with bringing inflation down,” said Ms Gopinath.

“So, I think there are benefits to having workers come in.”

With Australia’s inflation rate at its highest since 1990, perhaps immigration could help to ease the pressure.

The federal budget saw the government allocate $125.8 million to the migration system over the next four years, so here’s hoping the influx of international workers helps to ease inflation.

Same job, same pay opposition

Accountants Daily discussed the “same job, same pay” laws and how some companies are concerned by the idea.

According to Accountants Daily, businesses of all sizes have come forward to oppose the new law, and national media campaigns have even been launched.

A group comprising the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA), and Business Council of Australia (BCA) and more said the policy would lead to lower wage growth and fewer jobs.

A statement from the group said: “It means by law, employers will have to pay workers with little knowledge or experience exactly the same as workers with decades of knowledge and experience.”

“It means by law, you cannot earn better pay by working harder or longer, if your colleague does not share your ambition or work ethic.”

“Same job, same pay will take away worker incentive and reduce productivity. This is not fair for workers or their employers. There is a better way, for better pay.”

The group further argued that overall business growth would suffer, especially for small businesses.

Why learning is crucial

Some methods for building an effective learning culture were outlined by Harvard Business Review (HBR).

HBR noted that technology and society are progressing faster than people can keep up, which is why it’s so important to keep staff constantly learning so as not to fall behind.

There are barriers to learning, however. HBR identified these as:

• Content lags behind the needs of businesses
• Each learner is unique
• Lack of support
• Cultural disconnect
• Bias within learning

To help with these issues, HBR said it’s important for employers to:

• Adopt a learning philosophy and stick to it
• Audit your culture for barriers to learning
• Be flexible

First impressions

Lawyers Weekly gave some advice on how to navigate your first 90 days in a new role.

Author Elvira Naiman, director of Naiman Clarke Legal Recruitment, listed some key considerations when entering a workplace:

• First impressions matter
• Meet the team
• Keep the ego in check
• Be realistic and keep communication up
• Accelerate your learning
• Build credibility through early wins
• Start building your networks
• Cut your losses early