Companies understand the value--and cost--of good employees.(Corporate)

Manufacturing Business Technology, March, 2005

While it's sometimes hard to believe--particularly for those who have toiled in high-tech jobs the past few years--most companies still value employees. At least that's the conclusion that can be drawn from results of a recent survey conducted by Authoria, a leading human resources (HR) software vendor.

At the end of each year, Authoria asks 200 VPs of HR from companies with more than 2,500 employees to list their biggest pain points. In 2004, 66 percent cited "retaining and developing top talent" as their chief source of pain. That's a 23-percent increase over 2003. "Attracting top talent" tied for second place, with 48 percent saying that was their biggest concern. The other second-place finisher was "decreasing the cost of employee benefits."