| HR HEADLINES |
U.S.
Only Wealthy Nation With Fertility Rate to Maintain
Workforce
Medical News Today, 8/26/05
Fatal
Workplace Injuries Rise Again
BLR, 8/26/05
Workers
Experience a 79% Increase in Healthcare Contributions Since
1996
Reuters, 8/25/05
Recruiting
Vendors Take Clues From Dating Sites
Workforce
Magazine, 8/25/05
Jobless
Claims Fall as Expected
Reuters, 8/25/05
Beware
of the Blog: Cautionary Tales on the Rise
Chicago
Tribune, 8/25/05
Phone
Loudmouths No. 1 Workplace Hangup
Boston Herald,
8/25/05
IRS Clarifies
Rules on Reimbursement for Employee Tools
BLR,
8/24/05
Bad
Attitudes in the Workplace
CNN/Money, 8/24/05
Fired
Officers Fired for Positive Drug Tests Based on Hair Samples
Say Test Unreliable
AP, 8/24/05
After
a Lull, Salaries for Grads Rebound
Workforce
Magazine, 8/23/05
Small
Business Changing Practices to Control Healthcare
Costs
Business Wire, 8/22/05
DOL
Rule Would Encourage Automatic 401(k)
Enrollment
USA Today, 8/22/05
Could
Fraternizing Between Co-Workers End?
Desert Sun,
8/19/05 |
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An employee handbook
provision inviting workers to report any
“harassment” by those attempting to collect union
authorization cards violates the National Labor
Relations Act (NLRA). Provisions that are
“calculated to chill even legitimate union
solicitations” are often struck down if they have
a tendency to interfere with a protected employee
right. In Brandeis
Machinery & Supply Company v. National Labor
Relations Board, the 7th Circuit Court of
Appeals (including Illinois) upheld a finding that
the company had committed numerous unfair labor
practices (ULP) including the publication of
inappropriate language contained in the employee
handbook. MORE
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Those requesting Family
& Medical Leave in order “to care for” an
immediate family member are required to assist in
both the (1) physical and (2) the psychological
aspects of the recovery program. Providing one
element of care without the other invalidates the
leave request, says the Ninth
Circuit Court of Appeals. MORE
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Fidelity
Investments reports that 401(k) accounts
reached a five-year high, increasing on average
from $55,000 in 2003 to $61,000 in 2004. In
reviewing almost 8.6 million participant accounts,
the investment giant found that 66% of those
eligible workers elected to contribute to their
retirement plans last year. "We are encouraged by
the key results in this year's report," said Steve
Deschenes, executive vice president of Fidelity.
"The data indicate that workers continue to view
their 401(k) as a popular retirement savings
vehicle, and on average are seeing higher account
balances as a result." MORE
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| Gone are the good ol’
days when health insurance was viewed as a ho-hum
perk. Today, 61% of workers participating in a new
Harris
Interactive poll say they would rather forego
a raise than experience a benefit cut. Maintaining
current benefit levels is critically important to
workers as 43% bemoan the fact that their
healthcare benefits have be reduced in the past
few years (as compared to salary or retirement
plan reductions). Respondents who currently
receive employer-sponsored health insurance are
more likely to cut corners elsewhere than curtail
healthcare services (40%). Planning for future
healthcare expenses has also become a priority.
Some would investigate the funding of a health
savings account (19%) while others would increase
personal savings to prepare for future
health-related expenses (11%). For more survey
results, click
here. |
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Perhaps our nation needs
a new slogan since the old adage no longer seems
to apply. Researchers have now confirmed something
that mothers have known all along – it’s a rough
road up the corporate ladder. According to a new
survey conducted by Cornell
University, mothers face significant
challenges in gaining upward mobility. MORE
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Feeling slighted or
neglected at work these days? Take heart. The
retention and acquisition of talent in America’s
workforce has become the cornerstone priority in
the executive suite, says global consulting giant,
Accenture.
In surveying 425 senior execs from North America,
Europe and Asia, researchers found that attracting
and retaining skilled staff tops the list (35%) of
management concerns in 2005. MORE
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 For the latest HR
news and analysis, CLICK
HERE or on the "HR Library" link above.
The site is updated daily to keep you informed on
the latest developments and how they might impact
your bottom line.
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Current
HR Economic
Indicators
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- Illinois
Unemployment Rate: The Illinois economy
enjoyed its sixth consecutive month of job
growth with 4,000 more employees at work in July
as compared with June. The persistence of this
trend is unprecedented in the last five years.
The Illinois UI rate remained unchanged at
6.0%.
- Illinois
Metro Unemployment: The July unemployment
rates fell from year ago levels in 11
metropolitan areas.
- U of I Flash Index
: Index continued its
strong performance, rising to 106.9 in July from
its 106.5 level in June. A year ago, the Index
was at 100, the dividing line between economic
growth and decline. It now stands at the highest
level since May 1998.
- Coalition
for Jobs, Growth & Prosperity: Illinois
growth rate has equaled or exceeded the nation
for four straight months.
- National
Unemployment Rate: Nonfarm employment grew
by 207,000 in July, and the unemployment rate
was unchanged at 5.0%. Over the month, payroll
employment rose in many service-providing
industries.
- Payroll Employment
:+207,000 in
July.
- Average Hourly Earnings
: +$0.06 in
July.
- Employment Cost Index
(ECI): +0.7% in
2nd Quarter of 2005.
- Productivity & Costs
: +2.2% in 2nd
Quarter of 2005.
- Conference Board: Help Wanted Index
:
Index inched up in June and now stands at 38, up
from 37 in May. It was 38 one year
ago. |
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| Check out some of our business
service programs and see how your membership
pays with the Illinois Chamber. Another new
program has been added to our growing list of
business services:
Learn more about these
programs and how it benefits your company to Join
the Leaders! And use the Chamber
website to stay current on the issues and
opportunities facing the business community
today. |
| |
 The Chamber urges
all Illinois employers to recognize their Guard
and Reserve employees by signing and displaying
the ESGR Statement of Support. To get yours,
simply complete their online form and you will
receive a personalized certificate that
demonstrates your support. Also visit the SBA
Veteran's Business Development web site for
assistance to small business owners that have
employees activated in the Guard or Reserves.
Click MORE
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