Women with high-stress jobs face an 88 per cent higher risk of a heart attack than if they had low workplace strain, Harvard University researchers say. A project that began in 1991 analysed strain in 17,415 participants from the Women's Health Study and represents the longest-running examination of cardiovascular effects of job strain in women. Stressful positions were defined as those with demanding tasks and little authority or creativity. Bloomberg  

If you're seeking a job, Google it!

Google plans to hire more than 2,000 people around the globe as it expands into new markets. Openings are primarily for engineers and sales staff, with roughly half in the United States. There are more than 50 openings on the mainland, including an events manager tasked with raising "awareness and usage" of Google products. Google plans a 10 per cent pay raise next year, according to media reports, a move that many interpret as an attempt to retain its best workers. Reuters  

Mainland wage divide narrowing

Nannies who help look after babies on the mainland are enjoying salaries ranging from 3,000 yuan (HK$3,503) to 5,000 yuan, while the average wage of a PhD graduate is about 3,000 yuan, according to Chinese media. In another report, it appears earnings of farmers and university graduates are no longer that far apart. From 2003 to 2008, graduates could expect 1,500 yuan a month, while the average income for farmers rose from 700 yuan in 2003 to 1,200 yuan in 2008.