Business Smarts
Top stories
Hearing things? Blame your extra cuppa
STRESSED-out office workers who turn to extra cups of coffee to get through the day can end up hallucinating, study warns.
Jobs news increases the possibility of interest rate rise
JOB ads fell for the second month as Australia moves toward full employment, increasing pressure on the Reserve Bank to raise rates.
Coalition will cut small business red tape
By Malcolm Farr TONY Abbott says businesses would have their unpaid work as tax collectors cut by Coalition government.
Six WA mine workers sacked for planking
SIX West Australian workers employed by an engineering and construction company have been sacked following allegations some were planking on site while others watched.
The new 'billionaire' jobs
By Malcolm Farr HERE are the next generation of jobs which are set to boom over the next 15 years - so does yours make the list?
Retailer fined $10,000 for text sacking
STORE fined after it dismissed worker via text message in what has been described as an appalling way to sack someone.
Sit back and relax with a hot cup of Rudd
FOREIGN Minister is deadly serious about his tea, so much so he's on the verge of having his own blend released by Twinings.
'Dinner key to equality'
WOMEN will break the glass ceiling when Australian corporate culture dictates that everyone goes home for dinner, CEO says.
Baby boomers voted the worst colleagues
BABY boomers have been revealed as the staff people least want to work with, labelled difficult even by their own generation.
Should you 'friend' boss on Facebook?
By Kate Southam CONNECTING with work colleagues can wreak havoc but we're happy to chance it, says new research.
Bosses peek at Facebook profiles
ACCOUNTANTS chasing a new job should beware - your potential new boss may have already checked you out on Facebook.
At last: Help for small businesses
By Malcolm Farr GOVERNMENT moves to help small business after news.com.au revealed enormous strains on the sector.
Plankers strike back after sackings
UPDATE: Retailer sacks staff after they posted planking photos but lawyers warn workers could sue for unfair dismissal.
Stay-at-home mums are a dying breed
MONEY pressures forcing mothers back to work quicker than they'd like and dads to work longer hours than ever, new report finds.
Want an instant degree? Go online
AUSTRALIANS are applying for jobs using dodgy degrees in everything from law to accounting they earn online in a matter of minutes.
The shops hanging on by their fingernails
By Helen Davidson RISING rents and falling sales paint a bleak picture as nation's shops fight an "uphill battle" for survival.
Giant killers warn MPs: help us or else
By Malcolm Farr STRUGGLING traders warn they are ready to dispatch top MPs - unless there is action on their problems.
Move to cut small business red tape
THE Federal Government has boosted advice to small business as it acknowledged problems for them getting credit and fending off red tape.
Special: Why your local stores are hurting
INTERACTIVE: Small traders angry, wounded, with more than 30,000 disappearing since 2007. See how bad it is where you are.
Wage hike push for lowest-paid Aussies
THE ACTU to push for $28-a-week increase in national minimum wage, but industry body says the hike will hurt business.
Greens propose CEO salary cap
THE Greens want to cap the pay packets of corporate bosses to weed out the greedy from "fair minded human beings".
Oldest apprentice follows baker's dream
AUSTRALIA'S oldest apprentice shuns a quiet retirement and follows his life-long dream of becoming a baker.
Market-rigging conviction quashed
STOCKBROKER in jail for a year for rigging the share market faces retrial after High Court rules "miscarriage of justice."
Executives pessimistic about outlook
EXECUTIVES are becoming more pessimistic about the business outlook amid a two-speed economy.
You're sacked, but here's 90 weeks' pay
THOUSANDS of public servants will pocket taxpayer-funded golden handshake of up to 90 weeks' pay under job cut plan.
Gruesome office gossip may lead to probe
FORENSIC technician who talked shop with mates about bizarre cases and kept graphic photos may face police investigation.
Skills shortage 'demands more training'
BUSINESSES will be asked to pay more for employee training to help with the skills shortage problem under a Government report.
Aussies clueless on depression help
By Kate Southam: AUSTRALIANS aware of depression but need more training on how to help a colleague at work with the illness.
Foster's could be lost in foreign swoop
SPECULATION mounts that icon will be subject to foreign takeover bid with the demerger of its beer and wine arms almost complete.
Giving a reference 'legally dangerous'
By Kate Southam PROVIDING a reference about a former employee could land you in court unless you stick to basics, lawyer warns.
Millions on welfare snub job interviews
MORE Australians on welfare are snubbing appointments that are supposed to help them find work.
Stock Quotes
Market Charts at 12:00AM
| Switch to Chart | Points | Change | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hang Seng | 22508.08 | +87.71 | +0.39 |
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| ASX200 | 4566.8 | -18.2 | -0.4 |
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| All Ords | 4635.4 | -15.7 | -0.34 |
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| Nikkei | 9547.79 | +99.58 | +1.05 |
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| Switch to Chart | Points | Change | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| DJIA | 12076.1104 | +123.14 | +1.03 |
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| S&P; 500 | 1287.87 | +16.04 | +1.26 |
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| S&P; 100 | 575.64 | -10.07 | -1.72 |
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| NASDAQ | 2678.72 | +39.03 | +1.48 |
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| Switch to Chart | Points | Change | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAC 40 | 3864.58 | +56.97 | +1.5 |
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| DAX 30 | 7204.79 | +119.65 | +1.69 |
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| FTSE | 5803.13 | +29.67 | +0.51 |
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| Euro Top100 | 2276.25 | +18.01 | +0.8 |
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| Switch to Chart | Points | Change | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUD/USD | 1.0684 | -0.0 | -0.06 |
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| Switch to Chart | Points | Change | Percent |
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| Oil | 98.72 | -0.65 | -0.65 |
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ASX200 - Top Gainers & Losers at 04:40PM
| Code | Name | Price | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBM | St Barbara | 1.95 | 7.43% |
| GRY | Gryphon Minerals | 1.815 | 4.91% |
| ERA | Energy Resource.. | 4.2 | 3.96% |
| GNS | Gunns Limited | 0.275 | -6.78% |
| TPI | Transpacific In.. | 0.74 | -6.33% |
| CVN | Carnarvon Petro.. | 0.18 | -5.27% |
