EXTRA WORKLOAD Staff turnover rates typically fall during businessdowncycles as employees fear they will be the last in and firstto be let go if they join a new company. That leaves a companywith workers worried about job security and a pool of employeeswho are not engaged as they plan to leave when the economyrebounds. "People are nervous," said Brian Walker, Asia vice-presidentof human resources at U.S. retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N)."The economic crisis is the time to invest in the people whowork for us." Key talent needs to be reassured that the company iscommitted to its long-term career development while seniormanagement needs support to be on top form during tough businessconditions, HR experts say. If a company is forced to make redundancies, it should weedout low performers but make sure the redundancy process is quickand done in one go.

Walker, working on a redundancy programme afew years ago, insisted it be completed within a month, notthree months as recommended by top management "It was tough but it was the fairest process," he said. "Ibelieve it's best to move swiftly and surgically." Middle management is often a good place to start whentrimming headcount, said Citi's Endsor. "Businesses tend to be very bulky in middle management," hesaid, adding that Citigroup strives to have just seven layers ofstaff between the CEO and the customer. As lay-offs result in extra workload for employees,recruitment company Robert Half said hiring temporary staff torelieve the burden would pay off in the long run. "When people are busy, mistakes are more likely to occur,"the company said. "But don't let service levels slide becauseyour team is swamped.

You'll create a standard that will bedifficult to break once workloads return to normal." Bayer meanwhile has launched a cost-reduction suggestionscheme allowing employees to submit cost-cutting ideas. They arethen discussed by a team of employees before being submitted tomanagement. "This is a good system because people like to be part of thesolution to the problem And it taps creativity," said Alsleben. Staff cost-cutting proposals have been far more aggressivethan top management would have recommended and have been pareddown, she said. (Editing by Chris Lewis) (; +852 2843 6367; ReutersMessaging: ). Welcome to the English Premier League Transfer Central. Sugarcane Ethanol Passes Critical Test in California Low Carbon Fuel Standard,Says Brazilian Sugarcane Industry AssociationCalifornia Air Resources Board votes to recognize sugarcane ethanol's carbon reduction levelsSACRAMENTO, Calif., April 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Sugarcane ethanol passed acritical test today as the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved itslong-awaited, first-of-its-kind Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS).While theBrazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) continues to provide evidencethat sugarcane ethanol's carbon intensity is even lower than initiallycalculated by CARB, today's decision means sugarcane ethanol will be ingreater demand in California in the years to come.