2012 European HR Barometer Shows That People Still Come First Despite Tough Economic Climate and Pressure on Cost Reduction

London (ots/PRNewswire) -

Respondents to the Seventh European HR Barometer maintain bold
human capital plans for 2012

The 7th HR Barometer study
[http://aon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2566 ], designed and
carried out for the European Club for human resources (EChr) by Aon
Hewitt [http://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom ], the global human
resources [http://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom/human-capital-consulting
/products-services.jsp ] business of Aon Corporation , has revealed
that Europe's HR leaders are still maintaining ambitious people
development plans despite a deterioration of the economic climate and
pressures on cost reduction.

Leonardo Sforza, chair of the EChr Scientific Committee and
author of the study, said:

"The slow and painful road to economic recovery is not
discouraging successful multinationals from continuing to invest in
their human capital [http://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom/human-capital-
consulting/products-services.jsp ] and from demonstrating the belief
that their people remain the most powerful engine for sustainable
growth and innovation.

"The relatively high proportion of European HR leaders who plan
in 2012 to create new job opportunities and learning and development
[http://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom/human-capital-consulting/products-s
ervices.jsp ] programmes for their existing workforces is a positive
sign. We must hope these plans will not be undermined by a further
deterioration of the economic climate"

Leonardo Sforza added:

"The combination of greater market competitiveness and volatility
has reinforced the need for corporate agility and excellence in
execution. With people management policies and employee engagement [
http://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom/human-capital-consulting/products-se
rvices.jsp ] now fully recognised as critical factors to achieve
corporate fitness, the pressure on the HR function to upgrade its
business acumen and deliver more effectively against business
expectation will further increase."

The 7th European HR Barometer's results in a nutshell

- Ambitious people plans in place despite economic uncertainty and pressure
on cost reduction
- Tough economic environment increasingly seen as an opportunity rather than a
threat by HR leaders
- HR function continues to struggle to deliver on policy execution and
anticipation of future needs
- CEO remains the top partner for HR - but trust is declining
- HR leaders ready to be involved in tackling unemployment of young people
- HR leaders call for a recasting and simplification of European Union labour
laws

Notes to editors

About the European HR Barometer The survey covers European trends
related to:

- Recent business achievements and new prospects on results,
investments and employment;

- Business drivers of the HR function and top priorities for the
years ahead;

- Impact of HR activities on business performance and ways to
improve it;

- Future changes foreseen by HR; and

- HR leaders' views on relevant European Union (EU) activities.

Survey participants were HR directors and HR board members from
13 different nationalities of leading companies with substantial
operations in Europe. 52 organisations, 62% of which are listed
companies, completed the survey. They employ more than 2.4 million
people in total and generated revenues in excess of 517 billion
euros.

About the European Club for human resources (EChr) The Club was
launched in 2001 by senior executives of global corporations with a
European headquarter and which are market leaders in their sector of
economic activity. The mission of the Club is to stimulate debates
and exchange of practices on Human Resources issues. Through its
studies, working groups and seminars, the Club contributes to promote
a European approach to the management of HR and support the strategic
role of HR executives in the management of change.

For more information, please visit: http://www.europeanclub-hr.eu

About Aon Hewitt [http://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom ]

Aon Hewitt [http://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom ] is the global
leader in human resource solutions. The company partners with
organizations to solve their most complex benefits, talent and
related financial challenges, and improve business performance. Aon
Hewitt [http://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom ] designs, implements,
communicates and administers a wide range of human capital,
retirement, investment management, health care, compensation and
talent management strategies. With more than 29,000 professionals in
90 countries, Aon Hewitt [http://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom ] makes
the world a better place to work for clients and their employees. For
more information on Aon Hewitt [http://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom ],
please visit http://www.aonhewitt.com.

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