EAP relevant blogs - Here at HR Web Cafe, we're delighted to have made the cut at the Employee Assistance Professional Association's Annotated List of 10 EA Relevant Blogs.

Instant messaging reduces interruptions - it would seem logical to think that instant messaging would pose another workplace distraction. Aren't employees juggling enough interruptions with phone calls, e-mails, and faxes? But a study by researchers at Ohio State University and University of California, Irvine found just the opposite: that instant messaging often replaces or is a substitute for more disruptive interruptions. While instant messaging led to more conversations, the conversations were briefer.

Diversity - Why are so many employers better at recruiting people of color than retaining or promoting them? Carmen Van Kerckhove was recently interviewed for a Crain’s New York Business article on diversity in the workplace that explored this topic.

Feel the love - not! - If you have been feeling a little lonely and under appreciated lately, you might find a clue in HRagitator's take on the top 5 reasons why people hate HR.

Compliance - Michael Fox at Jottings By An Employer's Lawyer discusses and points us to two new compliance documents:
EEOC's updated Compliance Manual section on Religious Discrimination
NLRB's Guideline Memorandum Concerning Unfair Labor Practice Charges Involving Political Advocacy.

The despot school of management - A recent poll found that one out of every four U.S. worker describes their workplace as a dictatorship. What's even worse, only about half of those surveyed think that their workplace promotes creative or inventive ideas or that their co-workers are motivated at work.

Economical motivators - If you are feeling budget challenged this year (and who the heck isn't?), Training Time suggests employee incentive ideas on a budget. We'd like to see the "simple thank you" gain wider traction.

By the numbers
10 habits that bosses love
5 rules of style for business casual
4 ways to a win-win solution in resolving workplace conflict
12 ways to fight fear in the workplace
20 tips for more efficient Google searches