 Respondent USC University Hospital operates a large acute-care hospital in Los Angeles. It subcontracts its cafeteria and food services operations to Sodexo. The Hospital maintains a no-access policy covering off-duty employees, which states: Off-duty employees are not allowed to enter or re-enter the interior of the Hospital or any other work area outside the Hospital except to visit a patient, receive medical treatment or to conduct hospital-related business. 1. An off-duty employee is defined as an employee who has completed his/her assigned shift. 2. Hospital-related business is defined as the pursuit of the employee’s normal duties or duties as specifically directed by management. 3. Any employee who violates this policy will be subject to disciplinary action. Read the full decision: Seyfarth.com Yes, showing the NLRB logo as tilted 90° to the left is intentional. |
31 July 2012
∙ Employer’s Rule on Off-Duty Workers’ Access to Facility Violated NLRA
30 July 2012
∙ “Connecticut Manufacturing Still Shrinking”
 ”Connecticut’s overall unemployment levels are down from a year ago, but the manufacturing industry lost 1,522 jobs in that time period according a just-published industrial catalog. ”From May 2011-12, the industry saw employment drop .7 percent….” Source: Woodbury-Middlebury.Patch.com |
29 July 2012
∙ “Stop Hating Your Job: New eBook Teaches Employees How to be Happy at Work without Quitting/
 ”Melissa pulls back the curtain on an insider’s look at what it takes to find happiness in a miserable job, along with everything Human Resources has never told. ”Melissa shares real examples from her personal journey along with those of her clients, to help employees everywhere implement the tools and action steps to live their best life. Source: TimesUnion.com |
28 July 2012
∙ U.S. Average Wages by Educational Level - June 2012
 "Among college graduates with advanced degrees (professional or master's degree and above), the highest earning 10 percent of male workers made $3,481 or more per week, compared with $2,304 or more for their female counterparts." Source: USDOL |
∙ Healthcare Reform Law Ensures Happy Retirement for Labor Attorneys
 "Plaintiff firms, too, saw their caseload increase as laid-off workers initiated discrimination and employment-related lawsuits against their former employers. ”Now, another event appears likely to make the legal specialty even more in demand — healthcare reform.” Source: MiamiHerald.com |
27 July 2012
∙ Connecticut's Recession Recovery Through June 2012
 The private sector has now regained 47,300 (42.9%) of the 110,200 private jobs lost in that same recessionary period. Financial activities, other services, government, and now information have continued to lose jobs even after the recovery began in February 2010. The current job recovery highpoint, which was reached during 2012’s record warm winter, is February 2012 (1,634,900) for Connecticut. Source: CTDOL |
∙ U.S. Consumer Sentiment Drops to 2012 Low
 The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan final index of sentiment declined to 72.3 this month from 73.2 in June. The gauge was projected to hold at the preliminary reading of 72, according to the median forecast of economists….” Source: Bloomberg.com |
∙ U.S. Real GDP Slowed in Q2
 The increase in real GDP in the second quarter primarily reflected positive contributions from personal consumption expenditures (PCE), exports, nonresidential fixed investment, private inventory investment, and residential fixed investment that were partly offset by a negative contribution from state and local government spending. Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, increased. The deceleration in real GDP in the second quarter primarily reflected a deceleration in PCE, an acceleration in imports, and decelerations in residential fixed investment and in nonresidential fixed investment that were partly offset by an upturn in private inventory investment, a smaller decrease in federal government spending, and an acceleration in exports. Source: USDOC |
∙ Danbury, CT Job Fair
 "Hosted by US Representatives Chris Murphy and Jim Himes. "Westside Campus Ballroom, 43 Lake Avenue Extension, Danbury.” Information: CTDOL |
∙ Connecticut Has Seen WNV Mosquitoes in 13 Towns
 ”The mosquitoes were trapped by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) from June 27 to July 18 in: Bethel, Danbury, Greenwich, East Haven, New Haven, Newington, Newtown, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, West Haven, Wallingford and Wilton.” Source: CTDPH http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?A=4186&Q=508438 |
26 July 2012
∙ Forced Ranking Systems: Pros and Cons
 "All are names for performance evaluation systems in which organizations require set percentages of employees to be ranked in specific categories – for example, ‘top,’ ‘good,’ ‘fair,’ ‘poor….’ ”The system did force managers to have hard conversations with employees that they might otherwise have avoided…. “Put simply, it caused employee morale problems….” Source: Forbes.com |
∙ Connecticut Employment: By Labor Market Area
 Gains: Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk had the best gain in June, adding 1,900 jobs (0.5%). New Haven also increased employment strongly with a 1,700 gain (0.6%). Norwich-New London (900, 0.7%) had its second monthly gain in a row. Losses: Danbury lost the most jobs this month (-600, -0.9%). This was followed by Waterbury (-400, -0.6%) and Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford (-300, -0.1%). |
∙ Stamford, Connecticut Nursing Facility to Close
 The Center’s web page says, “The Tandet Center is a 130-bed skilled nursing center located in Stamford, Connecticut, that offers Acute, Long-term, Respite, and Hospice care services.” At least some of the workers at the Center are represented by the New England Health Care Employees Union District 1199. Source: CTDOL |
∙ U.S. Durable Goods Orders - June 2012
 Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 1.1 percent. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 0.7 percent. Transportation equipment, up four of the last five months, had the largest increase, $5.1 billion or 8.0 percent to $68.8 billion. Source: USDOC |
U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims Drop 35k
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In the week ending July 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 353,000, a decrease of 35,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 388,000 and down 12.2% from the same week a year ago. The 4-week moving average was 367,250, a decrease of 8,750 from the previous week's revised average of 376,000.  The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending July 14, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending July 7 were in the Virgin Islands (4.7), Puerto Rico (4.1), New Jersey (3.9), Pennsylvania (3.9), Connecticut (3.7), Alaska (3.7), Rhode Island (3.5), California (3.4), Wisconsin (3.4), and Oregon (3.4). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending July 14 were in California (+26,244), North Carolina (+11,948), Georgia (+8,372), Alabama (+4,148), and Oregon (+3,019), while the largest decreases were in New York (-10,794), Michigan (-7,453), Kentucky (-4,904), Pennsylvania (-4,186), and Ohio (-3,120). Note: “Insured rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. Source: USDOL |
∙ “New Jobs Go Mostly To Men“
 “Since the recession ended in June 2009, men have landed 80 percent of the 2.6 million net jobs created, including 61 percent in the past year….” Source: Rep-Am.com |
∙ U.S. Wage Differentials by Occupation - June 2012
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”Among the major occupational groups, persons employed full time in management, professional, and related occupations had the highest median weekly earnings--$1,342 for men and $945 for women. "Men and women employed in service jobs earned the least, $529 and $435, respectively." Source: USDOL |
25 July 2012
∙ U.S. New Home Sales Lower in June 2012
 The median sales price of new houses sold in June 2012 was $232,600; the average sales price was $273,900. The seasonally adjusted estimate of new houses for sale at the end of June was 144,000. This represents a supply of 4.9 months at the current sales rate. Source: USDOC |
∙ “Gender Discrimination: Is Your Dress Code in Violation?”
 ”In a recent BLR webinar, Gary Marx outlined some guidance for employers to ensure that their dress codes do not put them at risk for gender discrimination claims.” Source: Business & Legal Resources |
∙ Connecticut's Unemployment - June 2012
 The estimate of people unemployed, seasonally adjusted, was higher by 4,200 from May 2012 to 154,600 in June. The June 2012 nationwide unemployment rate was 8.2%, unchanged over the month. Initial UC Claims: June’s average weekly initial unemployment claims for first-time Connecticut filers increased over the month by 481 (+9.9%) to 5,353, and were higher by 274 claims (+5.4%) from June 2011. Source: CTDOL |
∙ “To Recruit Techies, Companies Offer Unlimited Vacation“
 ”He did it because he could: Zotto’s new employer, software startup Evernote, doesn’t limit or even track time off. “It’s a trust-based system,” says Zotto….” Source: BusinessWeek.com |
∙ U.S. Average Wages by Age Group - June 2012
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”Usual weekly earnings of full-time workers varied by age. Among both men and women, median weekly earnings tend to be higher in the older age groups. "Men between the ages of 45 to 54 had median weekly earnings of $1,003, about the same as the median for men age 55 to 64 ($1,015). "Usual weekly earnings were highest for women age 35 to 64; weekly earnings were $749 for women age 35 to 44, $733 for women age 45 to 54, and $760 for women age 55 to 64. "Workers age 16 to 24 had the lowest median weekly earnings, at $429. Source: USDOL |
24 July 2012
∙ U.S. Hiring and Growth Slowed Recently: Fed Survey
 "The key findings of the Federal Reserve survey echoed the gloomier outlook that Chairman Ben Bernanke offered to Congress this week. ”Three of the Fed's 12 banking districts —New York, Philadelphia and Cleveland — reported weaker growth….” Source: USAToday.com |
∙ OSHA 300 Recordkeeping
 ”The purpose of this workshop is to introduce the requirements and procedures related to OSHA Injury & Illness Recordkeeping. The class will help develop skills to accurately report occupational injuries and illnesses. Resources and reference materials will be provided. ”If you are responsible for completing the documents required by this rule (OSHA 300, OSHA 300A and OSHA 301), or if you supervise the person that completes the forms, or if you are a safety committee member, this class is a must! ”All classes are free and are held at the Connecticut Department of Labor, 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109, in Conference Room A. You must bring a photo ID with you on the day of the training or you will not be admitted to the building. ”Pre-registration is required. Source: "To register for any of these classes or if you would like information on an occupational safety and/or health event posted on this page, contact John Able, able.john@dol.gov, 860-263-6902, or Catherine Zinsser, zinsser.catherine@dol.gov, 860-263-6942." |
∙ U.S. Social Security, Medicare: Insolvency Approaching
 ”Medicare, which is expected to provide health insurance to more than 50 million elderly and disabled Americans this year, is expected to start operating in the red in its largest fund in 2024, according to the annual assessment by the trustees charged with overseeing the programs. ”And the Social Security trust fund, which will provide assistance to more than 45 million people in 2012, will be unable to fulfill its obligations in 2033, three years earlier than projected last year....” Source: Courant.com |
∙ U.S. Wage Differentials by Gender - June 2012
 "The female-to-male earnings ratio varied by race and ethnicity. Black women earned 92.2 percent as much as their male counterparts, compared with Hispanic (87.5 percent), white (78.7 percent), and Asian women (70.6 percent)." Source: USDOL |
23 July 2012
∙ U.S. Regional and State Employment and Unemployment -- June 2012
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Unemployment: Regional and state unemployment rates were little changed in June. Twenty-seven states, including Connecticut, recorded unemployment rate increases, 11 states and the District of Columbia posted rate decreases, and 12 states had no change. Forty-seven states, including Connecticut, and the District of Columbia registered unemployment rate decreases from a year earlier, while three states experienced increases. The national jobless rate, at 8.2 percent, was unchanged from May but 0.9 percentage point lower than in June 2011.  Alaska experienced the largest over-the-month percentage increase in employment (+1.0 percent), followed by South Dakota (+0.7 percent) and North Dakota (+0.6 percent). New Mexico, Vermont, and Wisconsin experienced the largest over-the-month percentage declines in employment (-0.5 percent each). Over the year, nonfarm employment increased in 44 states and the District of Columbia and decreased in 6 states. The largest over-the-year percentage increase occurred in North Dakota (+6.5 percent), followed by Louisiana (+2.8 percent). The largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment occurred in Rhode Island (-0.8 percent), followed by Wisconsin (-0.7 percent). Source: USDOL |
∙ Connecticut's Average Wages and Hours of Work - June 2012
 Average Earnings: Average hourly earnings at $27.75, not seasonally adjusted, are now down thirteen cents, or -0.5% lower than June 2011. The resulting average private sector weekly pay estimate was $937.95, down $4.39, or -0.5% over the year. Source: CTDOL |
∙ U.S. Average Wages - By Major Worker Group - June 2012
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"The difference was smaller among women, as black women's median weekly earnings ($616) were 87.9 percent of those for white women ($701). "Overall, median weekly earnings of Hispanics who worked full time ($576) were lower than those of blacks ($637), whites ($792), and Asians ($930)." Source: USDOL |
∙ PPA: An Act Looking for A Problem to Solve
 "What it hopes to do is to ‘enhance current law to assure that compelling of coercing employees into providing access to their own private systems and data…is prohibited.’ “In the Senate, the legislation was introduced by Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)…” Source: WebProNews.com Maybe if Congress spent less time frittering around with legislation of this sort and more time straightening out the economy…? |
22 July 2012
∙ Connecticut Employment by Industry - June 2012
 In June 2012, growing industries were led by education and health services (3,800, 1.2%); (health care and social assistance (+2,900, 1.1%) providing the most strength, educational services (+900, 1.4%) also grew. The leisure and hospitality industry added 2,000 positions (1.5%) over the month. The accommodation and food services component increased by 1,100 positions (1.0%) and the arts, entertainment, and recreation component added another 900 (3.8%). The construction and closely related mining industry increased by 500 (1.0%). Manufacturing added 400 jobs (0.2%) in June as the nondurable goods (700, 1.8%) segment produced a statistically significant increase that more than overcame a durable goods loss (-300, -0.2%). Professional and business services (100, 0.1%) posted a small gain. Overall, the private sector added 5,000 (0.4%) jobs in June and has gained 13,200 positions (1.0%) since June 2011. The five declining industries last month were led lower by government (-3,600, -1.5%). Local government (-2,900, -1.9%, including casino employment) led public sector losses. State government (-800, -1.2%) contributed to the decline as well, but federal government (100, 0.6%) experienced a slight gain. Other services (-600, -1.0%) industry was the next biggest decliner. Financial activities (-500, -0.4%) also lost jobs with both finance and insurance (-300, -0.3%) and real estate (-200, -1.1%), giving up positions. Information posted a large relative loss of 400 jobs (-1.3%) last month, mostly from weakness in telecommunications. Trade, transportation, and utilities (-300, -0.1%) experienced a small decline with wholesale trade’s (-900, -1.4%. |
∙ USDOL Provides Grant to Assist Connecticut Workers Affected By Mass Layoffs
 Klingberg Family Centers in New Britain, Moore Wallace North America Inc. (known as RR Donnelley) in Windsor, and Raytel Cardiac Services Inc. (which also operated as Philips Remote Cardiac Services) in Windsor…. ”Awarded to the Connecticut Department of Labor, this grant will provide dislocated workers with employment and training services, to be provided by Capital Workforce Partners, that will help them transition to other occupations in the business, finance, green jobs, health care, manufacturing and technology sectors….” Source: USDOL |
∙ Connecticut WC Commission Posts New CRB Opinion
 ”Cadore v. State of Connecticut UCONN Health Center; (Case No. 5581 CRB-4-10-8) - July 18, 2012.” |
21 July 2012
∙ Connecticut Endured 15 Mass Layoffs in June
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Connecticut mass layoffs were 15 in June up from 10 in the same month a year ago. Initial UC claimants were 2,233 compared to 807. Each mass layoff involved at least 50 workers from a single employer. Nationally, the number of mass layoff events in June was 1,890, not seasonally adjusted, resulting in 198,537 initial claims for unemployment insurance. This compares to 1,201 events in May that resulted in 109,259 initial UC claims.  As compared to June 2011, the U.S. number of average weekly mass layoff events decreased by 37 to 378, and associated average weekly initial claims decreased by 276 to 39,707. Eight of the 19 major industry sectors in the U.S. private economy reported over-the-year decreases in average weekly initial claims. The manufacturing sector accounted for 17 percent of mass layoff events and 18 percent of associated initial claims in the private economy. Source: USDOL |
• June global temperatures fourth highest on record
 "It also marks the 36th consecutive June and 328th consecutive month with a global temperature above the 20th century average.” |
20 July 2012
The Weekend: ∙ “The Hidden Costs of Cheap Lobsters"
 ”The downside, of course, is that while epicures can sample their favorite crustaceans for less than they typically pay for bologna, most lobstermen are struggling to just break even at per-pound prices as low as $2—about half what they typically receive for their catch.” Source: AmericanProgress.org |
∙ Connecticut Unemployment Rate Rises Three-Tenths
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Preliminary June employment estimates for Connecticut show mixed signs entering the summer months. The unemployment rate for the state rose by three-tenths of a percentage point in June to 8.1%, while the state added 1,400 jobs (0.1%).  Essential private sector job growth in June, however, came in at a strong 5,000 (0.4%) pace led by a gain in the education and health services supersector (3,800, 1.2%). Private sector statewide job growth continued to be offset by large government declines (-3,600, -1.5%) last month, especially from local public administration (-2,900, -1.9%). This sector also includes the state’s casinos. ”June’s mixed results are a mirror of the strengths and weaknesses of the current job market,” said Andy Condon, Director of the agency’s Office of Research. “Overall job growth is slow, though the private sector continues to show a decent recovery. Unfortunately, the jump in our unemployment rate indicates we are not growing jobs fast enough to satisfy the need in our economy.” Source: CTDOL |
∙ ”How Do We Respond To Arrests And Convictions?”
 Source: Business & Legal Resources |
∙ U.S. Average Earnings $771/week in Q2
 This was 2.4 percent higher than a year earlier, compared with a gain of 1.9 percent in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) over the same period. Source: USDOL |
∙ U.S. Existing Home Sales Down, Prices Up in June
 ”Total existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, declined 5.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.37 million in June from an upwardly revised 4.62 million in May, but are 4.5 percent higher than the 4.18 million-unit level in June 2011.” Source: Realtor.org |
19 July 2012
∙ U.S. Leading Indicators…Lead Downward in June
 ”The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the U.S. declined 0.3 percent in June to 95.6 (2004 = 100), following a 0.4 percent increase in May, and a 0.1 percent decline in April. ”Says Ataman Ozyildirim, economist at The Conference Board: ‘The U.S. LEI declined in two of the last six months, and its six-month growth rate has eased in the last three months. The strengths among the leading indicators have become less widespread as consumer expectations and manufacturing new orders offset gains in the financial, labor, and construction-related components….’ ”Says Ken Goldstein, economist at The Conference Board: ‘The U.S. economy is growing very slowly…pointing to no strengthening over the next few months, as the economy continues to sail through strong headwinds domestically and internationally.’” Source: The Conference Board |
• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims Up 34K
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In the week ending July 14, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 386,000, an increase of 34,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 352,000 and down 7.7% from the same week a year ago. The 4-week moving average was 375,500, a decrease of 1,500 from the previous week's revised average of 377,000.  The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending July 7, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending June 30 were in Puerto Rico (4.2), Alaska (3.8), Pennsylvania (3.7), Connecticut (3.5), New Jersey (3.5), Rhode Island (3.3), California (3.1), Massachusetts (3.0), Nevada (3.0), and New York (3.0). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending July 7 were in New York (+22,336), Michigan (+7,602), Ohio (+5,976), Pennsylvania (+4,775), and Wisconsin (+4,615), while the largest decreases were in California (-9,016), New Jersey (-5,282), Connecticut (-917), Massachusetts (-716), and Oklahoma (-671). Click on chart to enlarge: Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. Source: USDOL-BLS |
∙ “Problems with Obesity in the Workplace”
 "Yes, they do. ”Weight-related diseases account for nearly 10 percent of medical spending--everything from heart disease treatments to diabetes medications--meaning that each overweight employee can cost you almost $17,000 every year in extra absences, healthcare expenses, and presenteeism (showing up too tired or ill to work effectively).” Source: Business & Legal Resources Photo ©Connecticut Human Resources |
∙ Great Management: What Is Its Source?
 ”Management requires one to continuously be mindful of the details and attentive to follow-up. ”Management requires the constant due diligence that is embedded within each task at hand and delivering the tools and resources required to help advance people, projects and goals.” Source: Forbes.com |
18 July 2012
∙ Employee Benefits in the U.S. – March 2012
 Access, or availability of a benefit, was 57 percent for medical care benefits in small establishments (those with fewer than 100 employees), compared with 89 percent in large establishments (those with 500 employees or more). In private industry, retirement benefits were available to 50 percent of workers in small establishments, 79 percent of workers in medium size establishments (those employing between 100 and 499 workers), and 86 percent of workers in large establishments. Paid leave benefits followed a similar pattern: The difference was more pronounced in the availability of paid sick leave, which was offered to 52 percent of workers in small establishments and 82 percent in large establishments. Paid holidays and paid vacation were available to 69 percent of workers in small establishments and 91 and 90 percent, respectively, to workers in large establishments. Full Report: USDOL |
∙ U.S. Building Permits Down in June, Housing Starts Up
 Single-family authorizations in June were at a rate of 493,000; this is 0.6 percent (±0.8%) above the revised May figure of 490,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 241,000 in June. Housing Starts: Privately-owned housing starts in June were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 760,000. This is 6.9 percent (±13.3%) above the revised May estimate of 711,000 and is 23.6 percent (±16.8%) above the June 2011 rate of 615,000. Single-family housing starts in June were at a rate of 539,000; this is 4.7 percent (±10.1%) above the revised May figure of 515,000. The June rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 213,000. Source: USDOC |
∙ Connecticut's Average Gasoline Price Up for Second Straight Week
 Source: NorwichBulletin.com |
17 July 2012
∙ U.S. Average Real Hourly Earnings Up Only 0.3% in Year
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Hourly Earnings Change for Year: The average hourly pay in the U.S. in June 2012 was $23.50, up 2.0% from June 2011. However, after accounting for the effects of inflation, real average hourly earnings were $10.28 [1982 dollars] compared to $10.25 in the same month a year ago…a 0.3% increase.  Weekly Earnings Change for Year: The average weekly pay in the U.S. in June 2012 was $810.75, up 2.2% from Junee 2011. However, after accounting for the effects of inflation, real weekly earnings were $354.63 [1982 dollars] compared to $352.52 in the same month a year ago…a 0.6% increase. Hourly Earnings Change for Month: Real average hourly earnings for all employees rose 0.2 percent from May to June, seasonally adjusted. This change resulted from a 0.3 percent increase in average hourly earnings combined with an unchanged Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). Weekly Earnings Change for Month: Real average weekly earnings rose 0.5 percent over the month due to the increase in real average hourly earnings combined with a 0.3 percent increase in the average workweek. Since reaching a peak in October 2010, real average weekly earnings have fallen 0.5 percent. Source: USDOL |
∙ U.S. Industrial Production Up 0.4% in June 2012
 In the second quarter of 2012, manufacturing output rose at an annual rate of 1.4 percent, a marked deceleration from its strong gain of 9.8 percent in the first quarter. The largest contribution to the increase in the second quarter came from motor vehicles and parts, which climbed 18.2 percent; excluding motor vehicles and parts, manufacturing output edged up 0.1 percent. Outside of manufacturing, the output of mines advanced 0.7 percent in June, while the output of utilities decreased 1.9 percent. For the quarter, however, the output of mines fell at an annual rate of 1.2 percent, while the output of utilities rose 14.9 percent. At 97.4 percent of its 2007 average, total industrial production in June was 4.7 percent above its year-earlier level. Capacity utilization for total industry moved up 0.2 percentage point in June to 78.9 percent, a rate 1.4 percentage points below its long-run (1972--2011) average. Source: Federal Reserve |
∙ U.S. Consumer Prices Up 1.7% in Last Year
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CPI: The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 1.7 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 229.478 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index decreased 0.1 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.  CPI-W: The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers increased 1.6 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 226.036 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index decreased 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment. C-CPI-U: The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 1.6 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 131.557. For the month, the index decreased 0.1 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis. NY-NJ-CT: The CPI-U and CPI-W for New York, Northern New Jersey, Long Island, and parts of western Connecticut each were up 1.6% on the year. The Consumer Price Index for July 2012 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, August 15, 2012, at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). Source: USDOL |
∙ U.S. Labor Turnover: When Is It Highest…Lowest?
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There are definite patterns to labor turnover in the U.S. [Click on chart to enlarge.]  Turnover then takes a descending sleigh ride as the holidays approach...that time of the year when no one wants to be without without income if it can be avoided. Turnover jumps again right after the holidays as employees have pocketed their holiday bonuses...and perhaps had that week off between Christmas and New Year’s. Also, many temporary jobs end shortly after New Year's. And it snowballs downhill in February which, for much of the U.S., is a lousy time, weather-wise, to be out schlepping around looking for a job. Then the cycle repeats itself. Source: Data: USDOL…commentary’s ours. |
16 July 2012
∙ U.S. Total Business Sales Down in May, Inventories Were Up
 Inventories: Manufacturers’ and trade inventories, adjusted for seasonal variations but not for price changes, were estimated at an end-of-month level of $1,578.4 billion, up 0.3 percent (±0.1%) from April 2012 and up 5.2 percent (±0.3%) from May 2011. Inventories/Sales Ratio: The total business inventories/sales ratio based on seasonally adjusted data at the end of May was 1.27. The May 2011 ratio was 1.27. Source: USDOC |