Bosses on both sides of the Tasman could be underestimating worker discontent in the recession, new research suggests.

Staff were responsible for 30 per cent of fraud cases in the 18 months to June, the "fraud barometer" of financial adviser KPMG reveals.

Contractor Transfield Services is proposing to make 154 staff redundant, saying it needed to adapt its telecommunications business to stay ahead of significant changes.

A Q&A on the positive role working mums can play.