The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the November 2013 unemployment report showing an addition of 203,000 new jobs and a decreased unemployment rate of 7.0%, the lowest level in five years. Last month’s unemployment report pleasantly surprised experts with a solid increase in jobs added—all taking place during the government shutdown. In light […] Read Article “Unemployment Drops to Lowest in Five Years”
Almost everywhere you go, you can find evidence of corporate charitable giving. On the bricks carved with a company’s name on the exterior of a popular museum to the plaques hanging in most children’s hospitals, it’s evident that businesses are giving their time and money to organizations that desperately need it. But just because you see […] Read Article “Is Corporate Charitable Giving On the Rise?”
The holiday season can be one that is fun in the workplace. However, while gatherings, gifting, and celebrations can boost morale, social events with co-workers should be handled with care. Workplace Culture The attitude of your company can affect how you celebrate the holidays in the office. Is the mood light and laid-back or more […] Read Article “Tips for Celebrating the Holidays in the Workplace”
In September, California’s legislature approved a bill raising the state’s minimum wage from $8 an hour to $10 an hour, becoming the first state in the nation to surpass the double-digit minimum wage threshold. But it looks like California won’t be the last. On November 19, the Massachusetts Senate voted to raise the state’s minimum […] Read Article “Waging a Debate: The Pros and Cons of Raising the Minimum Wage”
As a result of October’s federal government shutdown, the BLS’ latest “Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment” report, concerning September’s job creation statistics, will not be published this month, as originally planned. September’s data will still be released however, but not until December 5th. On that day, the BLS will publish its final “Metropolitan Area Employment […] Read Article “Joblessness is Gradually Declining in Most Metro Areas”
Fantasy football season is in full swing, with more than 20 million Americans each week setting their rosters in hopes of capturing a coveted league championship. While fantasy football is all about fun – and maybe winning a few bucks – it can also be instructive for those looking to hire top talent. The strategy […] Read Article “5 Ways The Hiring Process is Just Like Fantasy Football”
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) issued the jobs report tied to the month of October and showed a positive gain of 204,000 jobs and a relatively untouched unemployment rate of 7.3%, up just .1%. The report, which was delayed a week based on the government shutdown, was highly anticipated as it would clearly show […] Read Article “The October Jobs Report Shows Positive Trends”
As we near the end of 2013, is your 2014 workforce in place? If you haven’t already, get a head start on recruiting for your current and projected 2014 hiring needs, especially if you’re recruiting employees with science, technical, engineering and mathematical (STEM) skills. One of the most difficult challenges facing companies is the severe […] Read Article “Hiring for STEM Skills in the New Year – Don’t Wait!”
Businesses in the U.S. are experiencing a skills crisis. More than 600,000 jobs went unfilled in 2012, simply because the workforce was not skilled enough to do them. The Skills Gap and the State of the Economy, the first part of this series, uncovered how and why this is possible. The second part, Why the […] Read Article “What Your Company Can Do to Address the Skills Gap”
The first part of this series, The Skills Gap and the State of the Economy, introduced a startling gulf between the skills the current American workforce has and the skills it needs to remain competitive. What this gap means for American business, however, is the real story. While 92% of the 500 executives that we […] Read Article “Why the Skills Gap Matters Today and Tomorrow”