http://66.225.205.104/LM20100331a.mp3
Human Resources outsourcing and consulting firm Hewitt Associates plans to expand its business in Charlotte and hire 463 people over the next three years. Five years ago Hewitt Associates planned to hire 900 people in Charlotte to administer other companies' payroll, information technology, and human resources functions. But that didn't completely pan out. About 550 people now work at the company's two Charlotte facilities. David Swift who oversees Hewitt's HR Outsourcing says the tough economy made the company change course, but now business is improving. "This is an updated, refreshed commitment on behalf of Hewitt to the state of North Carolina based on what's now very clear and very firm growth anticipated for Hewitt as a company," says Swift. A handful of Charlotte companies have outsourced human resources functions to Hewitt Associates. In 2005, Wachovia and Duke Energy shifted some payroll and customer service functions to the company. They cut employees, many of whom found jobs at Hewitt. The state has offered Hewitt Associates up to $4 million in incentives over nine years, if the company follows through on the new hires.