Companies wanting to stay competitive in a fast-changing business environment need open and innovative workplaces, says TakeOn chief executive Paul Stewart.

"I don't know a lot about tea breaks, I've never had one," writes Mike Hosking. "If you live for a tea break, you're in the wrong job."

Companies are rolling out the welcome mat for its employees' parents to stoke higher engagement among employees.

John (Mac) Macpherson is the owner of Havelock North-based online wine retailer Advintage, which employs eight staff.

Planning is the key to ensuring the Christmas holiday period runs smoothly as Emma Bidois of Summer Supply explains.

Most low-wage workers battle big corporations, but home health-care workers deal with a different beast: the state, which ultimately pays their wages.

Established in 2011 Petra Bettjeman Jewellery's retail range is designed and crafted in Petra's Auckland workshop.

Diversity in the workforce is a polarising issue at times. During the recent election there was a lot of comment about the extent to which women, Pasifika and Maori, among other groups, should have their voices guaranteed in legislation.

The best workplaces in NZ - as rated by employees - have been named, so we asked them what made it such a great place to work.

Being given a gold chain at age 16 by a close family friend sparked jeweller Julian Bartrom's interest in the industry.

The Government plans to arrange job fairs for New Zealand employers in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to recruit skilled expatriate New Zealanders to return home and work in areas where there are shortages.

It wasn't easy during the five years of the global financial crisis for New Zealand employees to advance their careers or achieve pay rises.

Grant Partridge represents the fifth generation to run his family's jewellery business, Partridge Jewellers, which dates back to 1864.

Navigating job interview questions after being fired from a previous role can be tricky, but here are a few tips to help you get back on track.

It’s a dilemma both on the sports field and in the workplace. How do you deal with a brilliantly talented individual whose overall contribution hurts the team?

Individuals can experience a lot of conflict between various parts of their lives - including work and home life.

The world's richest man is calling for a radical overhaul of our work-life balance that would see people at their jobs for just three days a week.

In our parents' (or grandparents') generation it was possible to rely on a job for life.

Your Business editor Caitlin Sykes talks with Kchitij Tiwari of Sales Concepts.

Your Business editor Caitlin Sykes talks with Nats Subramanian of TakeMe2India.

Comfort zones can be very hard to get out of but staying there too long can be, well, uncomfortable. What many people don't realise is that getting out of your comfort zone is not necessarily a great leap and can be done in small steps.

Your Business editor Caitlin Sykes talks with Zheng Li of Zing Design.

Your Business editor Caitlin Sykes talks with Berlinda Chin from the Office of Ethnic Affairs.

Your Business editor Caitlin Sykes talks with Eugene De Villiers of Extra Mile Company.

Your Business editor Caitlin Sykes talks with Craig Armstrong from NZTE about offshore deals.