• U.S. Employment Cost Index – June 2014

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Civilian Workers: Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 2.0 percent for the 12-month period ending June 2014. In June 2013, the increase in compensation costs was 1.9 percent. Prior values for this series, which began in June 1982, ranged from 1.4 percent to 7.5 percent. Wages and salaries increased 1.8 percent for the 12-month period ending June 2014, compared with 1.7 percent in June 2013. Benefit costs increased 2.5 percent for the 12-month period ending June 2014, compared with a 2.2 percent increase for the 12-month period ending June 2013. Private Industry Workers: Compensation costs for private industry workers increased 2.0 percent over the year. In June 2013 the increase was 1.9 percent. Wages and salaries increased 1.9 percent for the current 12-month period ending June 2014, the same as June 2013. The increase in the cost of benefits was 2.4 percent for the 12-month period ending June 2014, primarily due to increases in the cost of retirement plans. In June 2013, the increase in the cost of benefits was 1.9 percent. Employer costs for health benefits increased 2.7 percent over the year. In June 2013 the increase was 2.6 percent. State and Local Government Workers: Compensation costs for state and local government workers increased 2.0 percent for the 12-month period ending June 2014, compared with 1.8 percent for June 2013. Wages and salaries increased 1.3 percent for the 12-month period ending June 2014, compared with 1.0 percent in June 2013. Benefit costs increased 3.2 percent in June 2014. In June 2013, the increase was 3.3 percent. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims – 26 July 2014

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In the week ending July 26, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 302,000, an increase of 23,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 5,000 from 284,000 to 279,000. The 4-week moving average was 297,250, a decrease of 3,500 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since April 15, 2006 when it was 296,000. The previous week's average was revised down by 1,250 from 302,000 to 300,750. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.9 percent for the week ending July 19, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending July 12 were in Puerto Rico (4.3), New Jersey (3.5), Alaska (3.1), Connecticut (3.1), Pennsylvania (2.9), California (2.8), Nevada (2.7), Rhode Island (2.7), Illinois (2.5), Massachusetts (2.5), Michigan (2.3), and New York (2.3). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending July 19 were in Kansas (+867), Maine (+296), Ohio (+292), and South Carolina (+206), while the largest decreases were in New York (-18,663), Pennsylvania (-7,233), California (- 6,222), Georgia (-4,661), and Indiana (-4,283). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Real GDP – Q2 2014

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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 4.0 percent in the second quarter of 2014, according to the "advance" estimate. In the first quarter, real GDP decreased 2.1 percent (revised). See the complete report at this link: USDOC-BEA

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• U.S. Major Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment – June 2014

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Jobless rates were lower in June than a year earlier in 359 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 10, and unchanged in 3. Nonfarm payroll employment was up in 307 metropolitan areas over the year, down in 55, and unchanged in 10. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Social Security Board of Trustees: No Change in Projected Year of Trust Fund Reserve Depletion

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”The Social Security Board of Trustees today released its annual report on the long-term financial status of the Social Security Trust Funds. "The combined asset reserves of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Trust Funds are projected to become depleted in 2033, unchanged from last year, with 77 percent of benefits still payable at that time. ”The DI Trust Fund will become depleted in 2016, also unchanged from last year's estimate, with 81 percent of benefits still payable.” See the complete report at this link: Social Security Administration

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• Employee Benefits In The United States - March 2014

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Employer-provided medical care was available to 86 percent of full-time private industry workers in the United States in March 2014. By contrast, only 23 percent of part-time workers had medical care benefits available. Access, or availability, also varied by establishment size: 57 percent for workers in small establishments (those with fewer than 100 employees), compared with 84 percent in medium and large establishments (those with 100 employees or more). Retirement benefits followed a similar pattern as medical care benefits. In private industry, 74 percent of full-time workers had access to a retirement plan, significantly higher than 37 percent of part-time workers. Retirement benefits were available to 50 percent of workers in small establishments and 82 percent of workers in medium and large establishments. Paid sick leave benefits were also more commonly offered to full-time workers and those in medium and large establishments in private industry. Plans were offered to 74 percent of full-time workers and 24 percent of part-time workers. Similarly, 52 percent of workers in small establishments and 72 percent in medium and large establishments had access to a paid sick leave benefit. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

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• Median Weekly Earnings of U.S. Full-Time Wage And Salary Workers In Q2

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Median weekly earnings of the nation's 106.6 million full-time wage and salary workers were $780 in the second quarter of 2014 (not seasonally adjusted). This was essentially unchanged from a year earlier, compared with a gain of 2.1 percent in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims – 19 July 2014

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In the week ending July 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 284,000, a decrease of 19,000 from the previous week's revised level. This is the lowest level for initial claims since February 18, 2006 when they were 283,000. The 4-week moving average was 302,000, a decrease of 7,250 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since May 19, 2007 when it was 302,000. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 309,000 to 309,250. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.9 percent for the week ending July 12, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending July 5 were in Puerto Rico (4.0), New Jersey (3.4), Alaska (3.2), Connecticut (3.2), Pennsylvania (2.9), California (2.8), Nevada (2.7), Rhode Island (2.7), Massachusetts (2.6), Virgin Islands (2.4), Illinois (2.3), and New York (2.3). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending July 12 were in New York (+14,427), California (+11,126), Georgia (+6,112), Texas (+5,147), and Indiana (+4,748), while the largest decreases were in Michigan (-6,846), New Jersey (-5,886), Kentucky (-1,673), Ohio (-1,552), and Massachusetts (-1,259). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Business Economists Report Q2 Business Conditions Improved…More Growth Expected

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”A growing percentage of respondents noted that employment levels increased at their firms inthe second quarter—rising to 36% from an average of 28% in the previous four quarters. Thirty- seven percent of survey respondents expect to see employment growth at their firms in the next three months. In contrast, only 9% of respondents expect employment levels to decline, and the majority, 55%, expects them to remain unchanged. ”Wage increases continued to spread, as 43% of respondents reported that their firms raised wages last quarter, the third straight quarterly rise in that share and more than double the share reporting increases a year ago. Somewhat fewer panelists (35%) expect their companies to increase wages in the next three months. See the summary report at this link: NABE.com

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• U.S. Employers Face Minimum Wage Increases in 15 States Plus D.C.

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"Employers get ready! Minimum wage increases will affect numerous states across the country during the remainder of 2014 and into 2015. ”The map…shows the states that are increasing their minimum wages, including the new rate and amount of the increase." See the complete report at this link: HR.BLR.com

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• U.S. Consumer Price Index – June 2014

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CPI-U: The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 2.1 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 238.343 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index rose 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment. CPI-W: The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 2.0 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 234.702 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index rose 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment. C-CPI-U: The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 1.9 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index rose 0.2 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis. The Consumer Price Index for July 2014 is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, August 19, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Real Earnings – June 2014

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Real average hourly earnings for all employees was unchanged from May to June, seasonally adjusted. This result stems from a 0.2 percent increase in the average hourly earnings being offset by a 0.3 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). Real average weekly earnings was unchanged over the month due to both real average hourly earnings and the average workweek being unchanged. Real average hourly earnings declined 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, from June 2013 to June 2014. The decrease in real average hourly earnings, combined with an unchanged average workweek, resulted in a 0.1 percent decline in real average weekly earnings over this period. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Regional and State Employment and Unemployment - June 2014

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In June, 22 states and the District of Columbia had over-the-month unemployment rate decreases, 14 states had increases, and 14 states had no change. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 33 states and the district and decreased in 17 states. See the complete report at this link: USDOL

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• Connecticut Employment Situation – June 2014

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June preliminary nonfarm employment estimates from the national establishment survey indicate steady ongoing job growth for Connecticut. The state added 1,700 total nonfarm positions (0.1%) in June for the fifth straight monthly increase and has now added 5,300 jobs (0.3%) over the year. May’s initial nonfarm job gain of 5,800 was revised higher to 6,000 (0.4%). The June level of seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment, at 1,667,400, is now at another new employment recovery high. See the complete report at this link: CTDOL

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• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims – 12 July 2014

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In the week ending July 12, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 302,000, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 304,000 to 305,000. The 4-week moving average was 309,000, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since June 2, 2007 when it was 307,500. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.9 percent for the week ending July 5, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the previous week's unrevised rate. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending June 28 were in Puerto Rico (3.9), Alaska (3.4), Connecticut (3.0), New Jersey (3.0), Pennsylvania (2.8), California (2.6), Nevada (2.6), Rhode Island (2.6), Illinois (2.4), Massachusetts (2.3). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending July 5 were in Michigan (+9,821), New York (+5,272), Ohio (+3,532), Arkansas (+1,981), Missouri (+1,844) and Kentucky (+1,844), while the largest decreases were in California (- 4,008), New Jersey (-3,953), Texas (-2,923), Massachusetts (-1,981), and Connecticut (-1,135). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Producer Price Index - June 2014

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The Producer Price Index for final demand rose 0.4 percent in June. This increase followed a 0.2-percent decline in May and a 0.6-percent advance in April. In June, the index for final demand goods rose 0.5 percent and prices for final demand services increased 0.3 percent. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Population – July 2014

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The United States population on July 4, 2013 was: 316,148,990. This is a result of: • One birth every 8 seconds, • One death every 13 seconds, • One international migrant (net) every 40 seconds... • Leading to a net gain of one person every 13 seconds. See the complete report at this link: Census.gov

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• U.S. Online Help-Wanted Advertising – June 2014

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”Online advertised vacancies were up 155,900 to 5,060,100 in June, according to The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine® (HWOL) Data Series…. The May Supply/Demand rate stands at 2 unemployed for each vacancy, with a total of 4.9 million more unemployed workers than the number of advertised vacancies. “’The June increase of 155,900 is positive news. However, the net effect is that labor demand was basically flat for the first six months of 2014,’ said June Shelp, Vice President at The Conference Board. ‘There is churn in the labor market as people change jobs. Most of the gains since last June were in the lower-paying service jobs, not the higher-paying professional jobs.’” See the complete report at this link: The Conference Board

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• U.S. Absentee Rates by Industry - 2013

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Absences from work of employed full-time wage and salary workers in the U.S. averaged 2.9% in 2013. Absence rates varied from a high of 4.6% in healthcare support occupations to a low of 1.8% in mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction. Government, federal, state, and local, all experienced above-average absenteeism with absences in the federal government highest at 4.1%. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS Cartoon from www.EmployeeFactor.com

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• Survey: U.S. Salary Budgets at 3.0%

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WorldAtWork’s annual salary budget survey and forecast shows U.S. firms are budgeting salary increases of: • 3.0% for 2014 and • 3.1% for 2015. See the summary report at this link: WorldAtWork.org

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• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims – 05 July 2014

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In the week ending July 5, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 304,000, a decrease of 11,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 315,000. The 4-week moving average was 311,500, a decrease of 3,500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 315,000. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.0 percent for the week ending June 28, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending June 21 were in Puerto Rico (3.8), Alaska (3.4), Pennsylvania (2.9), Connecticut (2.8), New Jersey (2.8), California (2.7), Nevada (2.6), Illinois (2.4), Massachusetts (2.2), Oregon (2.2), Rhode Island (2.2), and Virgin Islands (2.2). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending June 28 were in New Jersey (+8,579), Massachusetts (+4,566), Connecticut (+1,409), Michigan (+983), and New York (+916), while the largest decreases were in California (-7,294), Pennsylvania (-4,608), Illinois (-1,243), Maryland (-1,092), and Wisconsin (-1,063). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Job Openings and Labor Turnover – May 2014

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Not Seasonally Adjusted Data: Job Openings: There were 4.69 million job openings on the last business day of May, down from 4.94 million in April, but up 21% from 3.89 million in May 2013. Hires: There were 5.33 million hires in May, up from 5.25 million the prior month and up 3.9% from May 2013. Separations: Total turnover was 3.2% the same as in April but up from 3.1% a year ago. Within separations, the quits rate, 1.9%, was up from 1.8% in April and 1.6% May 2013. Layoffs and discharges ran 1.1% down from 1.2% and 1.2% a year ago. This release includes estimates of the number and rate of job openings, hires, and separations for the non-farm sector by industry and by four geographic regions. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

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• 04 July 2014

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• U.S. Employment Situation – June 2014

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Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 288,000 in June, and the unemployment rate declined to 6.1 percent. The number of unemployed persons decreased by 325,000 to 9.5 million. Over the year, the unemployment rate and the number of unemployed persons have declined by 1.4 percentage points and 2.3 million, respectively. Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for adult women (5.3 percent) and blacks (10.7 percent) declined in June, and the rate increased for teenagers (21.0 percent). The rates for adult men (5.7 percent), whites (5.3 percent), and Hispanics (7.8 percent) showed little change. The jobless rate for Asians was 5.1 percent (not seasonally adjusted), little changed from a year earlier. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims – 28 June 2014

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In the week ending June 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 315,000, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 312,000 to 313,000. The 4-week moving average was 315,000, an increase of 500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 314,250 to 314,500. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.0 percent for the week ending June 21, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending June 14 were in Puerto Rico (3.9), Alaska (3.8), New Jersey (2.9), California (2.8), Connecticut (2.7), Pennsylvania (2.7), Nevada (2.6), Illinois (2.4), Massachusetts (2.2), and Virgin Islands (2.2). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending June 21 were in New Jersey (+3,235), Connecticut (+1,864), Maryland (+1,624), New York (+1,430), and Wisconsin (+1,233), while the largest decreases were in Pennsylvania (- 1,593), Ohio (-1,381), Florida (-1,341), Illinois (-1,327), and South Carolina (-591). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Metropolitan Area Employment And Unemployment -- May 2014

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Unemployment rates were lower in May than a year earlier in 357 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 11 areas, and unchanged in 4 areas. Twelve areas had jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent and 93 areas had rates of less than 5.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 295 metropolitan areas, decreased in 68 areas, and was unchanged in 9 areas. The national unemployment rate in May was 6.1 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 7.3 percent a year earlier. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

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