|
Total Disability: Section 31-309 of the Connecticut General Statutes as amended by Public Act 93-228 sets the maximum weekly compensation rate to be the same as the average weekly earnings of all employees in Connecticut.
The State Labor Commissioner has determined that the estimated average weekly earnings of all employees in Connecticut effective October 1, 2012 will be $1,172.00. Therefore, the maximum compensation rate for total disability and decedents' dependents will also be $1,172.00 for injuries occurring on or after October 1, 2012. Partial Disability: The maximum compensation rate for partial disability (incapacity) is equivalent to the average weekly earnings of production and related workers in manufacturing in Connecticut. The State Labor Commissioner has determined that the average weekly earnings of production and related workers in manufacturing in Connecticut effective October 1, 2012 will be $1,001.00. [Ergo conclusio est?] |
30 September 2012
• Connecticut Maximum Workers’ Comp Benefit Now $1,172 / Week
• U.S. Payrolls Increased at Slower Rate – August 2012
|
Private wage and salary disbursements increased $4.7 billion in August, compared with an increase
of $9.3 billion in July.
Goods-producing industries' payrolls decreased $6.4 billion, in contrast to an increase of $3.2 billion; manufacturing payrolls decreased $5.2 billion, in contrast to an increase of $3.4 billion. Services-producing industries' payrolls increased $11.2 billion, compared with an increase of $6.0 billion. Government wage and salary disbursements increased $0.7 billion, in contrast to a decrease of $0.7 billion. Source: USDOC-BEA |
29 September 2012
• Connecticut Unemployment Maximum Benefit Now $591 / Week
|
The maximum Unemployment Insurance benefit
increases to $591 per week from the current $573, effective Oct. 7.
The annual revision of the maximum weekly unemployment benefit is based on average manufacturing wages for the year ending June 30, 2012. An increase is limited by law to $18 a year . or 60 percent of the average wage . whichever is less. In 2011]2012, manufacturing earnings averaged a record $1,046 weekly, up from the 2010]2011 average of $996 per week. The new weekly rate of $591 will apply to claims filed for the benefit year starting on and after Oct. 7, 2012. Individuals who established a claim prior to the Oct. 7 date and who have been collecting Unemployment Insurance benefits will be unaffected by the increase. The weekly dependency allowance for each dependent, at $15 with a maximum of $75, remains unchanged. For the 12 months ending Aug. 31, 2012, regular jobless benefits averaged $308 per week and claimants received an average 18.6 weeks of compensation, not including federal extensions. A year earlier, weekly benefit payments averaged $298 for an average of 19.6 weeks. Regular state unemployment benefits are funded by a separate assessment paid by 98,300 Connecticut employers. The tax is based on the first $15,000 of each worker's annual wage. Source: CTDOL |
• “Hiring Best Practices To Avoid National Origin Discrimination”
|
“Inaccuracies in your hiring and screening procedures could lead to you unfairly denying someone a job.
”This is of particular concern when trying to avoid claims of national origin discrimination while still trying to stay in compliance with IRCA, whichtbars employers from hiring individuals, including illegal aliens, who are not legally entitled to work in the United States. ”How do you stay legally compliant without unfairly discriminating against anyone?” Source: Business & Legal Resources |
28 September 2012
• U.S. Personal Income Increased at Slower Rate – August 2012
|
In August, personal income increased $15.0 billion, or 0.1 percent, and disposable personal income (DPI)
increased $12.5 billion, or 0.1 percent.
Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $57.2 billion, or 0.5 percent. In July, personal income increased $18.5 billion, or 0.1 percent, DPI increased $15.4 billion, or 0.1 percent, and PCE increased $45.4 billion, or 0.4 percent. Source: USDOC-BEA |
• U.S. Consumer Sentiment Perked Up – September 2012
|
“Confidence among U.S. consumers climbed in September to a four-month high as Americans became less pessimistic about the outlook for the economy.
”The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan final sentiment index rose to 78.3 this month from 74.3 in August. Economists projected 79 for the measure after a preliminary September reading of 79.2, according to the Bloomberg survey median.” Source: Bloomberg.com |
• Sleeping Problems? Maybe Not!
|
”Typically, mention of our ever increasing sleeplessness is followed by calls for earlier bedtimes and a longer night’s sleep. But this directive may be part of the problem. Rather than helping us to get more rest, the tyranny of the eight-hour block reinforces a narrow conception of sleep and how we should approach it. “Some of the time we spend tossing and turning may even result from misconceptions about sleep and our bodily needs: in fact neither our bodies nor our brains are built for the roughly one-third of our lives that we spend in bed." Source: NYTimes.com |
• Connecticut Workers' Compensation Commission Posts New CRB Opinions”Read the following Compensation Review Board Opinions, newly posted to our website: "Lessard v. Dattco, Inc., (Case No. 5685 CRB-6-11-9), September 17, 2012; "Marchand v. The Phineas Corp. d/b/a Sunrise Group, (Case No. 5687 CRB-2-11-10), September 18, 2012."
|
27 September 2012
• The Future of Human Resources
|
”Business leaders increasingly realize that to adapt to changing business conditions and customer/investor/community expectations, they have to do more that articulate a future direction or strategy.
"They have to make sure that where they say they are going actually happens. “HR professionals help turn aspirations into actions by focusing on three things…” Source: Forbes.com |
• U.S. Wages by County – Q1 2012
|
The U.S. average weekly wage increased over the year by 5.4 percent to $984 in the
first quarter of 2012.
Williamson, TX had the largest over-the-year increase in average weekly wages with a gain of 27.4 percent. New York, NY experienced the largest decrease in average weekly wages with a loss of 6.3 percent over the year.  As the table shows, Fairfield County, CT had the highest average weekly wage in our state in Q1, but New Haven County experienced the greatest gain in average wage from Q1 2011 to Q1 2012. Hampden County, MA includes Springfield. Source: USDOL-BLS |
• U.S. GDP Continues Declerated in Q2
|
Real gross domestic product -- the output of goods and services produced by labor and property
located in the United States -- increased at an annual rate of 1.3 percent in the second quarter of 2012
(that is, from the first quarter to the second quarter), according to the "third" estimate. In the first quarter, real GDP increased 2.0 percent.
The GDP estimate released today is based on more complete source data than were available for the "second" estimate issued last month. In the second estimate, the increase in real GDP was 1.7 percent. The increase in real GDP in the second quarter primarily reflected positive contributions from personal consumption expenditures (PCE), exports, nonresidential fixed investment, and residential fixed investment that were partly offset by negative contributions from private inventory investment and 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 decelerations in PCE, in nonresidential fixed investment, and in residential fixed investment that were partly offset by smaller decreases in federal government spending and in state and local government spending and an acceleration in exports. Source: USDOC-BEA |
• U.S. Durable Goods Orders – August 2012
|
New orders for manufactured durable goods in August
decreased $30.1 billion or 13.2 percent to $198.5 billion.
This decrease, down following three consecutive monthly increases, was the largest decrease since January 2009 and followed a 3.3 percent July increase. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 1.6 percent. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 12.4 percent. Transportation equipment, down following four consecutive monthly increases, had the largest decrease, $27.8 billion or 34.9 percent to $51.9 billion. Source: USDOC-Census |
• U.S. New Home Sales – August 2012
|
Sales of new single-family houses in August 2012 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 373,000.
This is 0.3 percent (±9.3%) below the revised July rate of 374,000, but is 27.7 percent (±18.8%) above the August 2011
estimate of 292,000.
The median sales price of new houses sold in August 2012 was $256,900; the average sales price was $295,300. The seasonally adjusted estimate of new houses for sale at the end of August was 141,000. This represents a supply of 4.5 months at the current sales rate. Source: USDOC-Census http://www.census.gov |
• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims Down 26k
|
In the week ending September 22, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 359,000, a decrease of 26,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 385,000 and down 8.7% from the same week a year ago. The 4-week moving average was 374,000, a decrease of 4,500 from the previous week's revised average of 378,500. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending September 15, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending September 15 was 3,271,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the preceding week's revised level of 3,275,000. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending September 8 were in Puerto Rico (3.9), Alaska (3.6), New Jersey (3.5), Pennsylvania (3.4), California (3.1), Connecticut (3.1), Nevada (2.9), New York (2.8), Oregon (2.8), and Arkansas (2.7). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending September 15 were in California (+18,522), Michigan (+3,522), Florida (+2,018), New York (+1,969), and Indiana (+1,739), while the largest decreases were in Louisiana (-4,150), Puerto Rico (-854), Missouri (-811), Kentucky (-710), and Mississippi (-518). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. Source: USDOL-BLS |
• U.S. Employee Family Health Coverage $15,745/Year Average
|
”Annual premiums for employer-sponsored family health coverage reached $15,745 this year, up 4 percent from last year, with workers on average paying $4,316 toward the cost of their coverage, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation/Health Research & Educational Trust (HRET) 2012 Employer Health Benefits Survey released today. ”This year’s premium increase is moderate by historical standards, but outpaced the growth in workers’ wages (1.7 percent) and general inflation (2.3 percent). Since 2002, premiums have increased 97 percent, three times as fast as wages (33 percent) and inflation (28 percent).” Source: Kaiser Family Foundation |
26 September 2012
• "Common FLSA Exemption Misconceptions"
|
”FLSA exemption misconceptions and confusions abound. The FLSA sets the minimum wage and also dictates that overtime must be paid at 1.5 times the regular rate of pay for hours worked in excess of 40 in a workweek. However, some employees are exempt from one or more of these requirements, such as overtime pay.
”Do you know the rules and when FLSA exemptions do or do not apply? ”For example, is it possible to have to pay overtime to a salaried employee? Who bears the burden of proving the proper classification status when in doubt – the employer or employee? What if a job is posted as an exempt position – is the employee automatically exempt from overtime pay by accepting the position?” Source: Business & Legal Resources |
• U.S. Regional and State Employment and Unemployment -- August 2012
|
UNEMPLOYMENT Regional and state unemployment rates were generally little changed in August. Twenty-six states, including Connecticut recorded unemployment rate increases, 12 states and the District of Columbia posted rate decreases, and 12 states had no change. Forty-two states and the District of Columbia registered unemployment rate decreases from a year earlier, seven states, including Connecticut, experienced increases, and one had no change. EMPLOYMENT In August 2012, 13 states and the District of Columbia recorded statistically significant over-the-month changes in employment, 7 of which were increases; Connecticut recorded an employment decrease. The largest statistically significant increases in employment occurred in Texas (+38,000), Florida (+23,200), and Missouri (+17,900). The largest statistically significant decline in employment occurred in Virginia (-12,400), followed by the District of Columbia (-11,200) and Washington (-8,800). Source: USDOL-BLS |
• VETS100/100A Filing Deadline Extension
|
“The filing deadline for VETS100 and/or 100A report(s) in the 2012 cycle was extended to October 31, 2012.
”All paper reports and electronic files received at the Service Desk by October 31st will be included as part of the 2012 filing cycle and will not be considered late.” Source: USDOL-VETS |
• Connecticut Personal Income in Q2: Below National Average
|
Nationally, state personal income growth slowed to 1.0 percent in the second quarter of 2012, from 1.7 percent in the first quarter. Growth slowed in 39 states plus the District of Columbia, accelerated in 10, and was unchanged in Nevada. Personal income growth ranged from 2.1 percent in North Dakota to 0.4 percent in New Mexico. Inflation, as measured by the national price index for personal consumption expenditures, slowed to 0.2 percent in the second quarter from 0.6 percent in the first quarter. Connecticut’s personal income rose 0.9% from an annual estimate of $210,069M in Q1 to $211,966M in Q2. Note-- Millions of dollars, seasonally adjusted at annual rates. Dollar estimates are in current dollars (not adjusted for inflation). Detail may not add to totals because of rounding. Source: USDOC-BEA |
• “Contractors Being Cited for Discrimination Against Men, Other Nonminorities”
|
” “Although the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) is charged with pursuing cases of discrimination against any individual—whether male or female and no matter the race—the agency has traditionally focused on discrimination involving females, minorities, veterans, and those with disabilities. ”However, affirmative action experts are noticing that OFCCP is paying more attention to cases of discrimination involving men and nonminorities.” Source: Business & Legal Resources |
25 September 2012
• Connecticut’s Job-Recession Recovery
|
”Connecticut has recovered 30,100, or 25.6%, of the 117,500 total nonfarm jobs lost in the March 2008 - February 2010 recessionary downturn. “The private sector has regained 40,400 (36.7%) of the 110,200 private jobs lost in that same recessionary period. Financial activities, other services, government, and construction have continued to lose jobs even after the recovery began in February 2010. “The current job recovery high point in Connecticut (1,634,900) was reached in February 2012 during the record warm winter.” Source: CTDOL |
• Connecticut Employers Held 7 Mass Layoffs in August
|
CONNECTICUT
Connecticut employers took 7 mass layoff actions in August involving 540 workers, nsa, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month. Each mass layoff involved at least 50 workers from a single employer. Connecticut mass layoff events in August increased by 4 from August 2011, and the number of associated initial claims increased by 260. NATIONWIDE  Nationally, employers took 1,063 mass layoff actions involving 104,045 workers, nsa. U.S. mass layoff events in August increased by 102 from the same month a year ago, and the number of associated initial claims increased by 4,832. Source: USDOL-BLS |
• U.S. Consumer Confidence Improved in September
|
“The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had declined in August, improved in September. The Index now stands at 70.3 (1985=100), up from 61.3 in August. The Expectations Index increased to 83.7 from 71.1. The Present Situation Index rose to 50.2 from 46.5 last month.
“Says Lynn Franco, Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board: ‘The Consumer Confidence Index rebounded in September and is back to levels seen earlier this year (71.6 in February 2012). Consumers were more positive in their assessment of current conditions, in particular the job market, and considerably more optimistic about the short-term outlook for business conditions, employment and their financial situation. Despite continuing economic uncertainty, consumers are slightly more optimistic than they have been in several months.’” Source: The Conference Board |
• U.S. Medicare Open Enrollment - 2012
|
This year Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7. Medicare Open Enrollment ends earlier this year. You have until December 7 to make sure your health and drug coverage still meets your needs.  If you want to change plans, or if you need help choosing the right plan, visit www.medicare.gov and get personalized information about plans in your area. Source: www.medicare.gov |
24 September 2012
• Connecticut's Average Wages, Hours - August 2012
|
Average Wages: Average hourly earnings at $27.75,
nsa, are now down thirty-two cents, or -1.1% below August 2011. The resulting average
private sector weekly pay estimate was $943.50, down $13.69, or -1.4% over the year.
Year-to-year change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U, US City Average) in August was 1.7%. Hours of Work: The workweek for employees in the private sector, not seasonally adjusted, averaged 34.0 hours in August 2012, down one-tenth of an hour from the August 2011 figure. Source: CTDOL |
• Connecticut Employment Changes - By Industry - August 2012
|
GAINERS Growing industries in August were led by education and health services (500, 0.2%). This group continues to lead all industries in over-the-year job growth (11,000, 3.5%). The information industry came in with a significant 400 job gain (1.3%) and the broadcasting segments have been doing well. The financial activities industry (100, 0.1%) also gained jobs. Finance and insurance lost jobs (-100, -0.1%) but real estate (200, 1.1%) perked up, adding positions. The professional and business services industry (100, 0.1%) showed a slight gain. LOSERS Leisure and hospitality led job losing industries (-3,100, -2.2%) over the month with a significant decline. Employment in this sector can be volatile, particularly in seasonal transitions such as the end of summer. The arts, entertainment, and recreation (-1,000, -3.9%) and the accommodation and food services (-2,100, -1.8%) components combined for large monthly job losses. The trade, transportation, and utilities (-1,400, -0.5%) industry had the next biggest job loss. Retail trade experienced a large decline (-1,900, -1.0%) which could not be made up for with gains in wholesale trade (100, 0.2%) and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (400, 0.8%). The construction & mining industry endured another drop this month (-1,300, -2.6%). The small mining component was unchanged last month and all the employment losses occurred in construction (-1,300, -2.7%). Manufacturing (-1,200, -0.7%) faced significant job losses this month after gains in July, with both durable goods manufacturing (-1,000, -0.8%) and the nondurable goods (-200, -0.5%) segments showing weakness. There is some evidence that aerospace and defense–related durable manufacturing are seeing a softening in contract work. Government (-500, -0.2%) continues to counterbalance overall job gains with another decline in August. Local government (-800, -0.5%, Indian casinos measured here) is still revealing the bulk of the declines, as federal (100, 0.6%) and state government (200, 0.3%) had slight over-themonth gains. The other services (-400, -0.7%) industry job level was lower last month. Membership, professional, and religious organizations seemed to be cutting back to end the summer. Source: CTDOL |
• Connecticut Employment by Labor-Market Area
|
Two of the six major Connecticut Labor Market Areas had job gains in August 2012 and four LMAs declined: Danbury (+1,200, 1.8%) and Waterbury (700, 1.1%) had favorable job growth in August but could not offset declines from the larger Connecticut metros. Coastal Connecticut LMAs were all lower this month, led down by both Norwich-New London (-1,900, -1.5%) and New Haven (-1,900, -0.7%). Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk (-400, -0.1%) experienced a slight job loss as well. Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford (-1,400, -0.3%) was lower as well with education on summer vacation influencing local government.” Source: CTDOL |
• More Bad News for Connecticut Employers’ Health Care Costs
 Source: CTPost.com |
23 September 2012
• E-Verify Likely Extended for Three Years
|
On Thursday “…the House of Representatives approved, with almost unanimous support, a bill that extends E-Verify for another 3 years.  Source: NumbersUSA.com |
22 September 2012
• “Employee Attacks Co-Worker: What Should You Do About It?”
 Source: Business & Legal Resources |
”
21 September 2012
• 4,609 U.S. Workers Died On the Job in 2011
|
A preliminary total of 4,609 fatal work injuries were recorded in the United States in 2011, down from a final count of 4,690 fatal work injuries in 2010, according to results from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) program conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rate of fatal work injury for U.S. workers in 2011 was 3.5 per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, as compared to a final rate of 3.6 per 100,000 for 2010. Fatal work injuries in the private construction sector declined to 721 in 2011 from 774 in 2010, a decline of 7 percent and the fifth consecutive year of lower fatality counts. Fatal construction injuries are down nearly 42 percent since 2006. Violence and other injuries by persons or animals accounted for 780 fatalities, or about 17 percent of the fatal injuries in the workplace in 2011. Included in this count are 458 homicides and 242 suicides. Work-related fatalities in the private mining industry (which includes oil and gas extraction) were down 10 percent in 2011 after an increase of 74 percent in 2010. Coal mining fatalities fell to 17 in 2011 from 43 in 2010. Fatal work injuries in private truck transportation rose 14 percent in 2011-the second consecutive year that counts have risen in this sector after reaching a series low in 2009. Fatal work injuries increased among non-Hispanic black or African-American workers and among Hispanic or Latino workers in 2011, but declined among non-Hispanic white workers (down 3 percent). Fatal work injuries involving workers 55 years of age and older as well as workers under the age of 18 were both lower in 2011, but fatal work injuries among workers in the 20 to 24 age group were up nearly 18 percent. Source: USDOL-BLS m |
• CTDOL’s Take on August Employment/Unemployment Data
|
”Preliminary monthly employment statistics…indicate at least a significant slowing of job growth in Connecticut’s labor market.
”’Both monthly labor statistics programs point toward employment losses in Connecticut,’ said Andy Condon, Director of the Office of Research at the Connecticut Department of Labor. ‘However, to date we can find no corroborating evidence that the record losses in employment and increases in unemployment, indicated by the household survey, are occurring at this magnitude. ”’Other indicators, such as unemployment insurance claims, layoff events and reports of business expansions and contractions, do not support the sudden and steep decline in these indicators. ”’We continue to monitor the situation carefully and are working closely with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to investigate every possibility.’” Source: CTDOL |
20 September 2012
• Connecticut’s Job Picture in August: Bleak
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Employment: Connecticut’s August 2012 total nonfarm job estimate, seasonally adjusted, decreased by 6,800 positions or -0.4% to 1,624,800. Since August 2011, the state’s job market has added 1,100 positions, or 0.1% growth. This is the fourth monthly job loss in 2012, along with three months of gains and one month with no change in employment.  The unemployment rate vaulted higher five-tenths of a percentage point to 9.0%. This is back to the same level measured for April 2011. Source: CTDOL |
• Medical Marijuana Law Does Not Protect Fired Worker
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”The firing of a former Battle Creek Walmart [sic] worker, who was dismissed for failing a drug test but claimed he should be exempt because of Michigan's medical marijuana law, has been upheld by a federal appeals court that ruled the provision doesn't cover private business decisions. "The medical marijuana law “does not regulate private employment,” the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals panel said….” Note: A decision in the Sixth Circuit has no necessary application to Connecticut. Source: MLive.com |
• U.S. Employees Can Expect 2.9% Raise in 2013
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According to Mercer’s 2012/2013 US Compensation Planning Survey: ”Some positive news prevails despite continued mixed economic signals – salary budget increases for US employees are improving. ”New survey results reveal the average raise in base pay is expected to be 2.9% in 2013, up slightly from 2.7% in 2012 and 2011, and 2.3% in 2010. These results are indicative of a steadily increasing trend. ”Moreover, for top-performing employees – 8% of the workforce – salary increases will remain higher as companies strive to balance compensation planning budgets with retention of critical talent.” Source: Mercer.com |
• U.S. Leading Indicators Nudged Downward in August
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”The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the U.S. declined 0.1 percent in August to 95.7 (2004 = 100), following a 0.5 percent increase in July, and a 0.5 percent decline in June. ”Says Ataman Ozyildirim, economist at The Conference Board: ‘The U.S. LEI has declined in three of the last six months. While its six-month growth rate has slowed substantially, it still remains in growth territory due to positive contributions from the financial components including stock prices, yield spread and the Leading Credit Index. "'Over the last several months, the U.S. LEI seems to be fluctuating around a flat trend, while strengths and weaknesses among its components remain balanced. Meanwhile, the coincident economic index, a measure of current economic activity, edged up in August. The strengths among the coincident indicators have become less widespread, with three out of four components advancing over the past six months.’ ”Says Ken Goldstein, economist at The Conference Board: ‘The economy continues to be buffeted by strong headwinds domestically and internationally. As a result, the pace of growth is unlikely to change much in the coming months. Weak domestic demand continues to be a major drag on the economy.’” Source: The Conference Board |
• U.S. Existing Home Sales – August 2012
|
”Existing-home sales continued to improve in August and the national median price rose on a year-over-year basis for the sixth straight month, according to the National Association of Realtors®.  Source: National Association of Realtors |
• U.S. Housing Starts and Building Permits – August 2012
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Building Permits: Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 803,000. This is 1.0 percent (±1.2%) below the revised July rate of 811,000, but is 24.5 percent (±1.7%) above the August 2011 estimate of 645,000.  Housing Starts: Privately-owned housing starts in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 750,000. This is 2.3 percent (±10.2%) above the revised July estimate of 733,000 and is 29.1 percent (±12.8%) above the August 2011 rate of 581,000. Single-family housing starts in August were at a rate of 535,000; this is 5.5 percent (±10.4%) above the revised July figure of 507,000. The August rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 208,000. Source: USDOC-Census |
• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims Down 3K
|
In the week ending September 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 382,000, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 385,000 but 8.4% below the same week a year ago. The 4-week moving average was 377,750, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's revised average of 375,750.  The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending September 1 were in Puerto Rico (4.1), New Jersey (3.6), Alaska (3.5), Pennsylvania (3.5), Connecticut (3.3), California (3.1), New York (3.0), Nevada (2.9), Oregon (2.8), and Massachusetts (2.7). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending September 8 were in Louisiana (+6,678), Puerto Rico (+1,679), Mississippi (+1,067), Wisconsin (+988), and Washington (+833), while the largest decreases were in California (-8,163), New York (-3,449), Michigan (-2,115), Pennsylvania (-1,624), and Iowa (-1,214). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. Source: USDOL-BLS |
• Windsor Locks, CT Facility to Lay Off, Close
 At least some of the workers are represented by the Transportation Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO. Source: CTDOL |
• Employee Retention Q&A: Job Counter-Offers
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”Job counter-offers don’t tend to work. Either they're declined, or perhaps accepted but the employee doesn't remain very long after. While there are exceptions, they're the minority, and they may not be worthwhile in the big picture.  Source: Business & Legal Resources |
19 September 2012
• Pawcatuck, CT Employer to Lay Off 144, Close Doors
 According to the organization's website, "YARDNEY TECHNICAL PRODUCTS, a subsidiary of ENER-TEK International, is a technology driven corporation that focuses on specialty battery technology for research and product development in high performance niche markets. We are a veteran owned small business with 100% of operations in the United States. Current chemistries include Lithium-ion and Silver-Zinc." At least some of the workers are represented by Local 81485, IUE-CWA of the International Union of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine and Furniture Workers, AFL-CIO. Source: CTDOL |
• U.S. Labor Turnover – July 2012
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July Total Turnover: U.S. employers experienced the loss of 4.510 million workers during July; this included 2.504 million quits, 1.587 million layoffs and discharges, and 0.419 million “other” separations. July’s turnover was higher than that of the prior month’s 4.456 million, but about equal to the same month a year ago, 4.511 million. This yielded a monthly turnover level of 3.4% [the number of total separations during the entire month as a percent of total employment] which, if maintained at the same level for the next twelve months would result in an annual turnover rate of 40.8%.  July Quits: The monthly quit rate in July was 1.9% or 22.8% if projected for a year. This is up from 1.7% in the prior month, and up from 1.8% in July 2011. For the Past 12 Months: Total turnover is actually 37.0%, the same as in the prior month but up from 35.9% a year ago. The quit rate on annual basis for the last year is 18.7%, up from 18.6% last month and 17.2% a year ago. Quits: …which composed only 43.5% of total turnover two years ago…now account for 50.5% of total separations. SOURCE: USDOL-BLS |
• Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission Posts New CRB Opinion
 ”Herbert v. State of Connecticut/Department of Correction, (Case No. 5547 CRB-8-10-4) - September 13, 2012.” |
18 September 2012
• U.S. Job Openings and Hires – July 2012
|
Job Openings: There were 3.988 million jobs open in the U.S. on the last business day of July 2012 [nsa]. This is up 9.5% from 3.642 million openings in the same month a year ago.  Hires: U.S. employers hired 4.703 million workers in July, up 2.7% from 4.578 million the same month last year. SOURCE: USDOL-BLS |
• Connecticut FMLA Law Does Not Apply to Employers with Fewer Than 75 Workers In Connecticut
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The Connecticut Supreme Court, in JOAQUINA VELEZ v. COMMISSIONER OF LABOR ET AL. (SC 18683) (SC 18684), has ruled that the state Family and Medical Leave Act applies to only those employers that have 75 or more workers within the state of Connecticut.  Comment: Our state’s FMLA law is one of the most useless, duplicative, complicated messes our glorious legislature has ever foisted upon state employers. The federal FMLA applies to those with 50 or more employees, and it is extremely unlikely that an employer of 75 or more would not also fall under the federal law. To further complicate matters, the Connecticut FMLA is just different enough in its requirements so as to make it nearly impossible to comply with both state and federal law, which an employer of 50 or more must do as neither law supersedes the other. So what do we need the Connecticut law for? The Connecticut FMLA should be subtitled “Attorney’s Retirement-Supplement Act” as the only persons who benefit from it are the lawyers who have to defend employers that run afoul of this legislation. Source: Velez v. Commissioner |
• U.S. Workers Have Been with Same Employer for Average of 4.6 Years
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The median number of years that wage and salary workers had been with their current employer was 4.6 in January 2012, up from 4.4 years in January 2010. By Gender: In January 2012, median employee tenure (the point at which half of all workers had more tenure and half had less tenure) for men was 4.7 years, little changed from 2 years ago. For women, median tenure iwas 4.6 years, up from 4.2 years in January 2010.  By Age: Older workers tend to have more years of tenure than their younger counterparts. For example, the median tenure for employees age 65 and over was 10.3 years in January 2012, over three times the tenure for workers age 25 to 34 (3.2 years). By Race and Ethnicity: Among the major race and ethnicity groups, 20 percent of Hispanics had been with their current employer for 10 years or more in January 2012, compared with 31 percent of whites, 26 percent of blacks, and 23 percent of Asians. The shorter tenure among Hispanics can be explained, in part, by their relative youth. Almost half of Hispanic workers age 16 and over were age 16 to 34, compared with just over a third of whites, blacks, and Asians. By Industry: Wage and salary workers in the public sector had almost double the median tenure of private sector employees, 7.8 versus 4.2 years. Within the private sector, workers in manufacturing had the highest median tenure among the major industries (6.0 years). In contrast, workers in leisure and hospitality had the lowest median tenure (2.4 years). By Occupation: Workers in management, professional, and related occupations had the highest median tenure (5.5 years) among the major occupational groups. Workers in service occupations, who are generally younger than persons employed in management, professional, and related occupations, had the lowest median tenure (3.2 years). Among employees working in service jobs, food service workers had the shortest median tenure, at 2.3 years. Source: USDOL-BLS |
• Connecticut In For Another Year-and-A-Half of Miserable Economy
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”The next 18 months will be dismal, the executive editor of The Connecticut Economy predicts, headlining his forecast 'another round of un-recovery.'  ”Now, he says, job growth is likely to be about half that by the summer of 2013. And a pace of 12,000 jobs a year wasn't that strong to begin with.” Source: Courant.com |
• Drug Testing in Connecticut
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Employer Education Breakfast Seminar presented by the Connecticut Department of Labor, Office of Program Policy: “Drug Testing in Connecticut: Are You Confused Yet?” Thursday, October 18, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Connecticut Department of Labor 200 Folly Brook Boulevard Wethersfield, CT 06109. Further Details: CTDOL |
17 September 2012
• U.S. Employment Growth Expected to Be Slow in Q4
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” Among U.S. employers surveyed, 17 percent expect to add to their workforces, and 9 percent expect a decline in their payrolls during Quarter 4 2012. ”Seventy-two percent of employers anticipate making no change to staff levels, and the remaining 2 percent of employers are undecided about their Quarter 4 2012 hiring plans.  ” In the Northeast, 16 percent of employers indicate plans to increase staff levels, while 10 percent expect to decrease payrolls, resulting in a Net Employment Outlook of +6% for Quarter 4 2012.” Read the full report: Manpower.us |
• Racial and Ethnic Characteristics of the U.S. Labor Force, 2011”Non-Hispanic Whites made up about two-thirds of the U.S. labor force in 2011. About 15 percent of the labor force in 2011 was Hispanic or Latino. Non-Hispanic Blacks made up 11 percent of the labor force, and non-Hispanic Asians accounted for 5 percent. American Indians and Alaska Natives composed about 1 percent of the labor force, as did persons of two or more races. Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders made up less than 1 percent.  ” Differences among racial and ethnic groups in unemployment rates reflect a variety of factors, not all of which are measurable. These factors include variations across the groups in educational attainment; the occupations and industries in which the groups work; the geographic areas of the country in which the groups are concentrated; and the degree of discrimination encountered in the workplace.” Source: USDOL-BLS |
16 September 2012
• OSHA 300 Recordkeeping - What Does and Does Not Need to be Recorded
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August 24, 2012 class was full....additional class added on November 6, 2012: 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.  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. 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. |
15 September 2012
• Sept. 18 CONNOSHA Breakfast Examines Safety and Health Program Challenges
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”A Sept. 18 roundtable discussion sponsored by the
Connecticut Department of Labor’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CONNOSHA)
will provide an in‐depth look at the various reasons why company safety and health
programs struggle ‐‐ and often fail completely.
”Peter Susca, Senior Vice President at Loureiro Engineering Associates in Plainville will discuss “Diagnosing Safety Management Impasses” and lead the breakfast meeting taking place from 8:15 to 9:45 a.m. in Conference Rooms A‐B of the agency’s Central Office, 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield.  ”Admission to the event is free, but pre-registration is required. To register for the breakfast roundtable or for additional information, please contact Able at able.john@dol.gov.” Source: able.john@dol.gov |
• Contiguous U.S. Experiences 3rd Hottest Summer On Record
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The average temperature for the contiguous U.S. during August was 74.4°F, 1.6°F above the long term average, marking the 16th warmest August on record. The warmer than average August, in combination with the hottest July and a warmer than average June, contributed to the third hottest summer on record since recordkeeping began in 1895.  Source: NOAA |
14 September 2012
• U.S. Business Sales, Inventories – July 2012
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Sales: The combined value of distributive trade sales and manufacturers’ shipments for July, adjusted for seasonal and trading-day differences but not for price changes, was estimated at $1,240.6 billion, up 0.9 percent (±0.1%) from June 2012 and up 2.8 percent (±0.3%) from July 2011.  Inventories: Manufacturers’ and trade inventories, adjusted for seasonal variations but not for price changes, were estimated at an end-of-month level of $1,592.0 billion, up 0.8 percent (±0.1%) from June 2012 and up 5.4 percent (±0.3%) from July 2011. Inventories/Sales Ratio: The total business inventories/sales ratio based on seasonally adjusted data at the end of July was 1.28. The July 2011 ratio was 1.25. Source: USDOC |
• U.S. Consumer Sentiment Up in September 2012
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Confidence among U.S. consumers unexpectedly improved in September, providing an impetus for the household spending that makes up more than 70 percent of the economy.  The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary index of consumer sentiment climbed to 79.2 from 74.3 the prior month. The gauge was projected to fall to 74, according to the median forecast of 71 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News. Source: SFGate.com |
• U.S. Industrial Production Dropped 1.2% in August 2012
 Industrial production: Fell 1.2 percent in August after having risen 0.5 percent in July. Manufacturing output decreased 0.7 percent in August after having risen 0.4 percent in both June and July. At 96.8 percent of its 2007 average, total industrial production in August was 2.8 percent above its year-earlier level. Capacity Utilization: Capacity utilization for total industry moved down 1.0 percentage point to 78.2 percent, a rate 2.1 percentage points below its long-run (1972--2011) average. Source: Federal Reserve Board |
• U.S. Retail Sales – August 2012
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U.S. retail and food services sales for August, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $406.7 billion, an increase of 0.9 percent (±0.5%) from the previous month and 4.7 percent (±0.7%) above August 2011. Total sales for the June through August 2012 period were up 4.0 percent (±0.5%) from the same period a year ago.  Retail trade sales were up 0.9 percent (±0.5%) from July 2012 and 4.4 percent (±0.7%) above last year. Auto and other motor vehicle dealers were up 12.3 percent (±2.5%) from August 2011 and nonstore retailers sales were up 10.6 percent (±3.1%) from last year. Source: USDOC |
• U.S. Workers Pay Declined in Real Value – August 2012
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Change From July Hourly Earnings: Real average hourly earnings for all employees fell 0.7 percent from July to August, seasonally adjusted. This decline resulted from unchanged average hourly earnings combined with a 0.6 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).  Weekly Earnings: Real average weekly earnings fell 0.6 percent over the month due to the decline in real average hourly earnings combined with an unchanged average workweek. Since reaching a peak in October 2010, real average weekly earnings have fallen 1.3 percent. Change From August 2011: Real average hourly earnings were unchanged, seasonally adjusted, from August 2011 to August 2012. The unchanged real average hourly earnings, combined with a 0.3 percent increase in the average workweek, resulted in a 0.3 percent increase in real average weekly earnings over this period.” Source: USDOL-BLS |
• U.S. Consumer Price Index Rises 0.6% As Gasoline Index Rises 9.0% – August 2012
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The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 1.7 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 230.379 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.6 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.  The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 1.7 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 227.056 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.7 percent prior to seasonal adjustment. The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 1.5 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 131.940. For the month, the index increased 0.4 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis. The Consumer Price Index for September 2012 is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, October 16, 2012, at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).” Source: USDOL-BLS |
• Connecticut WC Commission Posts New CRB Opinion
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”Read the following Compensation Review Board Opinion, newly posted to our website: "Arsenault v. City of Shelton (Case No. 5679 CRB-4-11-9) - September 6, 2012.” |
• U.S. Industry Employment – August 2012
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Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 96,000 in August. Since the beginning of this year, employment growth has averaged 139,000 per month, compared with an average monthly gain of 153,000 in 2011.  Click on chart to enlarge. Employment in food services and drinking places increased by 28,000 in August and by 298,000 over the past 12 months. Employment in professional and technical services rose in August (+27,000). Job gains occurred in computer systems design and related services (+11,000) and management and technical consulting services (+9,000). Health care employment rose by 17,000 in August. From June through August, job growth in health care averaged 15,000 per month, compared with an average monthly gain of 28,000 in the prior 12 months. Within financial activities, finance and insurance added 11,000 jobs in August. Employment in wholesale trade continued to trend up. Employment in temporary help services changed little over the month and has shown little movement, on net, since February. Manufacturing employment edged down in August (-15,000). A decline in motor vehicles and parts (-8,000) partially offset a gain in July. Auto manufacturers laid off fewer workers for factory retooling than usual in July, and fewer workers than usual were recalled in August. Employment in other major industries, including mining and logging, construction, retail trade, transportation and warehousing, information, and government, showed little change over the month. Source: USDOL-BLS |
13 September 2012
• EEOC Seeks Input on Strategic Enforcement Plan
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The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has released for public comment a draft of its Strategic Enforcement Plan. The agency lists the following as its “Nationwide Priorities”: 1. Eliminating Systemic Barriers in Recruitment and Hiring. The EEOC will target class-based intentional hiring discrimination and facially neutral hiring practices that adversely impact particular groups. 2. Protecting Immigrant, Migrant and Other Vulnerable Workers. The EEOC will target disparate pay, job segregation, harassment, trafficking and discriminatory language policies affecting these vulnerable workers who may be unaware of their rights under the equal employment laws, or reluctant or unable to exercise them. 3. Addressing Emerging Issues. The EEOC will continue its efforts to address emerging employment issues in the nation's workforce. Given EEOC's research, data collection and receipt of charges and complaints in the private, public and federal sectors, the agency is well-suited to identify emerging trends and potential discriminatory practices 4. Preserving Access to the Legal System. The EEOC will also target policies and practices intended to discourage or prohibit individuals from exercising their rights under employment discrimination statutes, or which impede the EEOC's investigative or enforcement efforts. These policies or practices include retaliatory actions; overly broad waivers; settlement provisions that prohibit filing charges with EEOC or providing information in EEOC or other legal proceedings; and failure to retain records required by EEOC regulations. 5. Combating Harassment. For many years, the EEOC has focused administrative and enforcement efforts to curtail workplace harassment on the basis of race, color, sex, ethnicity, age, disability and religion. Nevertheless, these practices - often the most pernicious and direct - persist. ”Comments must be submitted by 5:00 pm ET on September 18, 2012 at strategic.plan@eeoc.gov or received by mail at Executive Officer, Office of the Executive Secretariat, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 131 M Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20507. The Commission plans to vote on the draft plan at the end of this fiscal year.” Source: EEOC |
• U.S. Producer Price Index Takes Biggest Jump Since 2009
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The Producer Price Index for finished goods rose 1.7 percent in August, seasonally adjusted. This increase followed advances of 0.3 percent in July and 0.1 percent in June, and marks the largest monthly rise since a 1.9-percent increase in June 2009.  On an unadjusted basis, prices for finished goods climbed 2.0 percent for the 12 months ended August 2012, the largest advance since a 2.8-percent increase for the 12 months ended March 2012. Source: USDOL-BLS |
• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims Up 15K
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In the week ending September 8, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 382,000, an increase of 15,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 367,000 but down 9.3% from the same week a year ago. The 4-week moving average was 375,000, an increase of 3,250 from the previous week's revised average of 371,750.  The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending August 25 were in Puerto Rico (4.0), New Jersey (3.8), Pennsylvania (3.8), Alaska (3.6), Connecticut (3.6), Virgin Islands (3.5), California (3.3), New York (3.1), Rhode Island (3.1), and Oregon (2.9). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending September 1 were in Pennsylvania (+1,639), Nevada (+1,351), Michigan (+915), Texas (+804), and Iowa (+691), while the largest decreases were in Florida (-1,923), North Carolina (-1,566), Georgia (-1,199), Puerto Rico (-1,101), and New Jersey (-789). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. Source: USDOL-BLS |
• IRS Awards $104 Million to Guilty Whistleblower
 ”The now-former employee spent three years in prison after he pleaded guilty in 2008 to helping one of his clients evade taxes. He remains under house arrest for another several months.” Source: JacksonLewis.com |
• U.S. Average Income Drops to 1995 Level
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”The median income of American households dropped to its lowest level since 1995 last year...highlighting the depth of the damage to the middle class inflicted by the recession and weak recovery.  Source: Financial Times |
• U.S. Average Hours of Work – AUG 2012
The average workweek for all U.S. employees on private nonfarm payrolls was unchanged at
34.4 hours in August.
 August data for Connecticut not yet available. Click on chart to enlarge. The U.S. manufacturing workweek declined by 0.2 hour to 40.5 hours, and factory overtime was unchanged at 3.2 hours. The average workweek for U.S. production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls was unchanged at 33.7 hours. Source: USDOL-BLS |
12 September 2012
• U.S. Wholesale Trade – July 2012
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Sales: July 2012 sales of merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers’ sales branches and offices, after adjustment for seasonal variations and trading-day differences but not for price changes, were $402.4 billion, down 0.1 percent (+/-0.4) from the revised June level, but were up 2.7 percent (+/-0.7%) from the July 2011 level.  Inventories: Total inventories of merchant wholesalers were $485.2 billion at the end of July, up 0.7 percent (+/-0.4%) from the revised June level and were up 5.3 percent (+/-1.1%) from the July 2011 level. Inventories/Sales Ratio: The July inventories/sales ratio was 1.21. The July 2011 ratio was 1.18. Source: USDOC |
• 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Terminating An Employee
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”Several employment law experts have recently focused on terminations, producing lists of varying lengths of mistakes employers make when firing someone. ”We’ve distilled the best of their advice here.” Source: Business & Legal Resources |
• U.S. Employer Costs for Employee Compensation – June 2012
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Private Industry: Private industry employers spent an average of $28.80 per hour worked for employee compensation in June 2012. Wages and salaries averaged $20.27 per hour worked and accounted for 70.4 percent of these costs, while benefits averaged $8.52 and accounted for the remaining 29.6 percent.  Click on chart to enlarge State & Local Government: Total compensation costs for state and local government workers averaged $41.10 per hour worked in June 2012. All Civilian Workers: Total compensation costs for civilian workers, which include private industry and state and local government workers, averaged $30.61 per hour worked in June 2012. Source: USDOL-BLS |
• U.S. Average Wages – AUG 2012
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In August, U.S. average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls edged down by 1 cent to $23.52.  August data for Connecticut not yet available. Click on chart to enlarge. Over the past 12 months, U.S. average hourly earnings rose by 1.7 percent. In August, U.S. average hourly earnings of private-sector production and nonsupervisory employees edged down by 1 cent to $19.75. Source: USDOL-BLS |
11 September 2012
• U.S. Consumer Credit - July 2012
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In July, total consumer credit decreased at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1-1/2 percent.  Revolving credit* decreased at an annual rate 6-3/4 percent. Nonrevolving credit* increased at an annnual rate of 1 percent. Source: Federal Reserve *Note: Nonrevolving credit can be used only once, such as with a car loan or student loan. Revolving credit can be used multiple times, such as with a credit card. |
• U.S. Balance of Trade – July 2012
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Total July exports of $183.3 billion and imports of $225.3 billion resulted in a goods and services deficit of $42.0 billion, up from $41.9 billion in June, revised. July exports were $1.9 billion less than June exports of $185.2 billion. July imports were $1.8 billion less than June imports of $227.1 billion.  Services: The services surplus decreased $0.3 billion from June to $15.3 billion. Exports of services were virtually unchanged at $52.5 billion, and imports of services increased $0.3 billion to $37.2 billion. From A Year Ago: The goods and services deficit decreased $3.6 billion from July 2011 to July 2012. Exports were up $4.9 billion, or 2.8 percent, and imports were up $1.4 billion, or 0.6 percent.” Source: USDOC-BEA |
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