Poor management is threatening the retention of skilled staff in New Zealand, says a leading recruitment firm.

These days, there are other 'f words' causing issues - Facebook, free speech and fidelity.

There's no place for the Gordon Ramsay approach.

Finance Minister Bill English confirmed today the Government is concerned about a double-dip recession, echoing Prime Minister John Key's caution in the face of weak employment figures and a fast-slowing Australian economy.

Jobs are disappearing and work is becoming transactional, a business futurologist says.

Burger King has been accused of bullying a worker who complained about work conditions on Facebook.

John Key says people should not lose confidence in the job market despite this morning's increase in the unemployment rate.

New Zealand's jobless rate has unexpectedly widened to 6.8 per cent, sparking a sell-off in the kiwi dollar which dropped as much as half a cent.

Haydn Shore - life as a bike park manager

Togs, togs, togs ... undies - remember the advertising image of a beachgoer in swimming togs walking up the beach into a shopping centre?

Salary and wage rates, including overtime, grew 1.7 per cent in the year to the December quarter, says Statistics New Zealand.

NZ's 'brain drain' of skilled workers is set to worsen as big Aussie firms arrive offering 'fantastic job opportunities and lifestyles.'

Good managers know how to define the desired result.