30 April 2015

• U.S. Employment Cost Index — March 2015


Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.7 percent, seasonally adjusted, for the 3-month period ending March 2015, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Wages and salaries (which make up about 70 percent of compensation costs) increased 0.7 percent, and benefits (which make up the remaining 30 percent of compensation) increased 0.6 percent.

Civilian Workers: Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 2.6 percent for the 12-month period ending March 2015, rising from the March 2014 increase in compensation costs of 1.8 percent. Wages and salaries increased 2.6 percent for the 12-month period ending March 2015, which was higher than the 1.6-percent increase in March 2014. Benefit costs increased 2.7 percent for the 12-month period ending March 2015, compared with a 2.1-percent increase for the 12-month period ending March 2014.

Private Industry Workersa: Compensation costs for private industry workers increased 2.8 percent over the year, higher than the March 2014 increase of 1.7 percent. Wages and salaries increased 2.8 percent for the current 12-month period ending March 2015, also higher than the March 2014 increase of 1.7 percent. The cost of benefits rose 2.6 percent for the 12-month period ending March 2015, which was higher than March 2014, when the increase was 1.8 percent. Employer costs for health benefits increased 2.5 percent over the year. The 12-month percent change for March 2014 was an increase of 2.4 percent.

State and Local Government Workers: Compensation costs for state and local government workers increased 2.1 percent for the 12-month period ending March 2015, compared with a 1.9-percent increase for March 2014. Wages and salaries increased 1.8 percent for the 12-month period ending March 2015. In March 2014, the increase was 1.2 percent. Benefit costs increased 2.8 percent in March 2015. In March 2014, the increase was 3.0 percent.

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NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

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URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/


• U.S. Personal Income and Compensation — March 2015


Personal income increased $6.2 billion, or less than 0.1 percent, and disposable personal income (DPI) increased $1.6 billion, or less than 0.1 percent, in March, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $53.4 billion, or 0.4 percent. In February, personal income increased $66.4 billion, or 0.4 percent, DPI increased $61.2 billion, or 0.5 percent, and PCE increased $20.8 billion, or 0.2 percent, based on revised estimates.

Real DPI decreased 0.2 percent in March, in contrast to an increase of 0.3 percent in February. Real PCE increased 0.3 percent, in contrast to a decrease of less than 0.1 percent.

Wages and salaries increased $16.3 billion in March, compared with an increase of $24.2 billion in February. Private wages and salaries increased $15.2 billion, compared with an increase of $22.6 billion. Government wages and salaries increased $1.0 billion, compared with an increase of $1.7 billion.

Supplements to wages and salaries increased $4.2 billion in March, compared with an increase of $5.1 billion in February.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOC-BEA

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

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URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/


• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims — 25 April 2015


In the week ending April 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 262,000, a decrease of 34,000 from the previous week's revised level. This is the lowest level for initial claims since April 15, 2000 when it was 259,000. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 295,000 to 296,000.

The 4-week moving average was 283,750, a decrease of 1,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 284,500 to 285,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.7 percent for the week ending April 18, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending April 18 was 2,253,000, a decrease of 74,000 from the previous week's revised level.

The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending April 11 were in Alaska (3.6), New Jersey (3.1), Connecticut (2.8), Puerto Rico (2.8), California (2.6), Pennsylvania (2.6), the Virgin Islands (2.6), Massachusetts (2.5), Rhode Island (2.5), and Illinois (2.4).

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending April 18 were in New York (+8,902), Connecticut (+1,831), California (+1,343), Michigan (+387), and Vermont (+212), while the largest decreases were in New Jersey (-5,997), Pennsylvania (-5,566), Kentucky (-3,338), Texas (-2,163), and Kansas (-2,030).

Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits.

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NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

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URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/


29 April 2015

• U.S. Gross Domestic Product — Q1 2015


Real gross domestic product -- the value of the production of goods and services in the United States, adjusted for price changes -- increased at an annual rate of 0.2 percent in the first quarter of 2015, according to the "advance" estimate. In the fourth quarter, real GDP increased 2.2 percent.

The increase in real GDP in the first quarter primarily reflected positive contributions from personal consumption expenditures (PCE) and private inventory investment that were partly offset by negative contributions from exports, nonresidential fixed investment, and state and local government spending. Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, increased.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOC-BEA

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

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• U.S. Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment — March 2015


Unemployment: Unemployment rates were lower in March than a year earlier in 358 of the 387 metropolitan areas, higher in 28 areas, and unchanged in 1 area. Six areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and 14 areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent.

Employment: Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 344 metropolitan areas, decreased in 41 areas, and was unchanged in 2 areas.

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NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

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28 April 2015

• U.S. Productivity and Costs By Industry: Manufacturing and Mining Industries — 2014


Labor productivity - defined as output per hour - rose in about three-quarters of detailed manufacturing and mining industries covered in 2014. This was higher than 2013, when labor productivity rose in about 60 percent of the covered industries. Output and hours also increased in more industries in 2014 than in the previous year.

Unit labor costs, which reflect the total labor costs required to produce a unit of output, declined in 53 percent of manufacturing industries and three out of four mining industries in 2014. Almost two-thirds of industries with productivity increases posted declines in unit labor costs.

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NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

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URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/


23 April 2015

• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims — 18 April 2015


In the week ending April 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 295,000, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 294,000. The 4-week moving average was 284,500, an increase of 1,750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 282,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.7 percent for the week ending April 11, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending April 11 was 2,325,000, an increase of 50,000 from the previous week's revised level.

The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending April 4 were in Alaska (3.6), New Jersey (3.1), Connecticut (3.0), Puerto Rico (2.8), Massachusetts (2.7), Rhode Island (2.7), Pennsylvania (2.6), California (2.5), Illinois (2.5), and West Virginia (2.4).

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending April 11 were in California (+10,575), New York (+8,356), New Jersey (+4,319), Kentucky (+3,471), and Michigan (+3,043), while the largest decreases were in Illinois (-1,002), Oregon (-854), Arkansas (-356), Minnesota (-262), and Idaho (-177).

Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits.

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NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

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URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/


22 April 2015

• U.S. Large Employer Health Premiums Up 9.4% Since 2011


Study: ”Among the findings on premium increases:

• “Since 2011, total premiums (including both employer and employee portions) increased for large employers by 9.4 percent, or about 2 percent every year.

• “From 2014 to 2015, total premiums increased 2.6 percent, which is relatively modest when compared to the previous decade.

“’This could be partially due to more employers offering high-deductible plans with higher co-pays and implementing flexible spending accounts and consumer-directed health plans,’ according to ADP’s researchers.

”Other research indicates that small employers were likely to have faced larger premium increases than the biggest employers over this period….”

Please visit this link to read the full report: SHRM

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

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21 April 2015

• Usual Weekly Earnings of U.S. Wage and Salary Workers — Q1 2015


Median weekly earnings of the nation's 107.2 million full-time wage and salary workers were $808 in the first quarter of 2015 (not seasonally adjusted). This was 1.5 percent higher than a year earlier, compared with a decline of 0.1 percent in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) over the same period.

Gender: Median weekly earnings of full-time workers were $808 in the first quarter of 2015. Women had median usual weekly earnings of $730, or 81.6 percent of the $895 median for men. The women's-to-men's earnings ratio varied by race and ethnicity. White women earned 81.3 percent as much as their male counterparts, compared with black women (88.5 percent), Asian women (79.7 percent), and Hispanic women (89.4 percent).

Race and Ethnicity: Among the major race and ethnicity groups, median weekly earnings for black men working at full-time jobs were $694 per week, or 75.6 percent of the median for white men ($918). The difference was less among women, as black women's median earnings ($614) were 82.3 percent of those for white women ($746). Overall, median earnings of Hispanics who worked full time ($590) were lower than those of blacks ($650), whites ($835), and Asians ($966).

Education: By educational attainment, full-time workers age 25 and over without a high school diploma had median weekly earnings of $478, compared with $669 for high school graduates (no college) and $1,227 for those holding at least a bachelor's degree. Among college graduates with advanced degrees (professional or master's degree and above), the highest earning 10 percent of male workers made $3,862 or more per week, compared with $2,420 or more for their female counterparts.

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NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

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• U.S. Regional and State Employment and Unemployment — March 2015


Unemployment: Regional and state unemployment rates were little changed in March. Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia had unemployment rate decreases from February, 12 states had increases, and 15 states had no change.

Forty-six states and the District of Columbia had unemployment rate decreases from a year earlier, three states had increases, and one state had no change.

Employment: In March 2015, nonfarm payroll employment decreased in 31 states and the District of Columbia, increased in 18 states, and was unchanged in Idaho.

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NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/


• U.S. 2014 College Graduate Salaries — Spring 2015


”Overall, Class of 2014 new college graduates at the bachelor’s degree level commanded an average starting salary of $48,127, according to a new report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

”NACE’s Spring 2015 Salary Survey report shows that the median starting salary is slightly lower at $45,478....

”Graduates with degrees in the engineering and business fields beat that overall average; their average starting salaries were $64,891 and $49,807, respectively.

Please visit this link to read the full report: NACE

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/


• Connecticut Labor Situation — March 2015


Preliminary estimates of Connecticut nonfarm payrolls indicate Connecticut gained 4,000 nonfarm jobs (0.24%) in March 2015, seasonally adjusted. Connecticut has now added 27,100 jobs over the year (1.63%, 2,258 jobs per month).

February’s original estimate of a 3,700 (-0.22%) decline was revised up 800 to a 2,900 job loss (-0.17%).

Seasonally adjusted year-to-date employment growth in the first quarter of 2015 was estimated at 8,600, compared to 6,600 jobs over the same period in 2014.

Connecticut’s unemployment rate was calculated at 6.4% in March 2015, seasonally adjusted, unchanged from the February figure.

Please visit this link to read the full report: CTDOL

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

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20 April 2015

• U.S. Business Economists Report Higher Wages, Employment — April 2015


National Association for Business Economics:

Wages: "The share of respondents reporting rising wages and salaries at their firms increased again in the first quarter, to 45%, up from 31% in the January 2015 survey and 35% a year ago.

"After surging in January 2015, the April BCS results show expectations for rising wages and salaries were relatively stable from the previous survey. Forty-six percent of respondents anticipate increases, for an NRI of 44, compared to an NRI of 46 in January’s of 2015, with 35% indicating additional hiring compared to 34% in survey.

Employment: "There was a modest increase in the share of survey respondents reporting increased employment at their firms during the first quarter January (for the fourth quarter of 2014) and 28% in April 2014 (for the first quarter of 2014). In addition, the share of respondents reporting employment declines in the April survey edged lower over the quarter to 7%. As a result, the NRI edged up slightly from the previous survey to 28, the highest employment NRI since July 2014.

"As measured by the NRI, expectations for hiring in the second quarter of 2015 are unchanged from those reported in January for hiring during the first quarter of 2015. The overall NRI held steady at 29. However, the steady NRI reflects equivalent increases in the shares of respondents expecting both increases and decreases in hiring.

Please visit this link to read the full report: NABE

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

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17 April 2015

• U.S. College Grad Hiring To Increase for Class of 2015


”Employers expect to hire more new college graduates this year than they did last year, according to a new report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

”Organizations responding to NACE’s Job Outlook 2015 Spring Update survey reported plans to hire 9.6 percent more Class of 2015 graduates for their U.S. operations than they hired from the Class of 2014….”

Please visit this link to read the full report: NACE

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/


• U.S. Consumer Price Indexes — March 2015


CPI: The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) decreased 0.1 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 236.119 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index rose 0.6 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

CPW: The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) decreased 0.6 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 231.055 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index rose 0.7 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

C-CPI-U: The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) decreased 0.4 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index rose 0.7 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis. Please note that the indexes for the past 10 to 12 months are subject to revision.

The Consumer Price Index for April 2015 is scheduled to be released on Friday, May 22, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).

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NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

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• U.S. Real Earnings – March 2015


Real average hourly earnings for all employees increased 0.1 percent from February to March, seasonally adjusted. This result stems from a 0.3-percent increase in average hourly earnings being partially offset by a 0.2-percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).

Real average weekly earnings decreased by 0.2 percent over the month due to the increase in real average hourly earnings being more than offset by a 0.3-percent decrease in the average workweek.

Real average hourly earnings increased by 2.2 percent, seasonally adjusted, from March 2014 to March 2015. This increase in real average hourly earnings, combined with no change in the average workweek, resulted in a 2.2-percent increase in real average weekly earnings over this period.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOL-BLS

*Note: Real earnings show the effect of inflation on your pay. If your salary went up by 2.1% over the year while the cost-of-living (CPI-U) rose 2.3%, then the “real” value of your salary fell by 0.2% [differences in some of the data are due to rounding and seasonal adjustment]. The figures reported here are earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls, seasonally adjusted.

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

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16 April 2015

• U.S. College Enrollment and Work Activity: 2014 High School Graduates— October 2014


Of the 2.9 million youth age 16 to 24 who graduated from high school between January and October 2014, about 2.0 million (68.4%) were enrolled in college in October. The college enrollment rate of recent high school graduates in October 2014 was little different from the rate in October 2013 (65.9%).

Gender: For 2014 graduates, the college enrollment rate was 72.7% for young women and 64.0% for young men.

Race: The college enrollment rate of Asians (86.1%) was higher than for recent black (70.9%), white (67.3%), and Hispanic (65.2 percent) graduates.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOL-BLS

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/


• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims — 11 APR 2015


In the week ending April 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 294,000, an increase of 12,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 281,000 to 282,000.

The 4-week moving average was 282,750, an increase of 250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 282,250 to 282,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.7 percent for the week ending April 4, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending April 4 was 2,268,000, a decrease of 40,000 from the previous week's revised level.

The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending March 28 were in Alaska (3.9), New Jersey (3.2), Connecticut (3.0), Rhode Island (3.0), Massachusetts (2.9), Pennsylvania (2.9), Puerto Rico (2.7), California (2.6), Illinois (2.6), Montana (2.5), and the Virgin Islands (2.5).

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending April 4 were in Pennsylvania (+3,478), New Jersey (+2,572), Illinois (+2,012), Wisconsin (+1,401), and Maryland (+1,091), while the largest decreases were in California (-3,647), New York (-1,004), Indiana (-399), North Carolina (-358), and Louisiana (-324).

Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits.

See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/


14 April 2015

• U.S. Producer Price Index — March 2015


The Producer Price Index for final demand increased 0.2 percent in March. Final demand prices moved down 0.5 percent in February and 0.8 percent in January.

In March, the index for final demand goods advanced 0.3 percent and prices for final demand services rose 0.1 percent.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOL-BLS

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/


09 April 2015

• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims — 04 APR 2015


In the week ending April 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 281,000, an increase of 14,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 268,000 to 267,000.

The 4-week moving average was 282,250, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since June 3, 2000 when it was 281,500. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 285,500 to 285,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.7 percent for the week ending March 28, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending March 28 was 2,304,000, a decrease of 23,000 from the previous week's revised level.

The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending March 21 were in Alaska (3.9), New Jersey (3.4), Connecticut (3.2), Rhode Island (3.1), Massachusetts (3.0), Pennsylvania (3.0), Puerto Rico (2.8), California (2.7), Illinois (2.7), Montana (2.6), and West Virginia (2.6).

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending March 28 were in Oregon (+1,044), Wisconsin (+880), Arkansas (+570), Illinois (+549), and South Carolina (+418), while the largest decreases were in Pennsylvania (-2,338), Tennessee (-1,226), California (-999), Texas (-976), and Idaho (-944).

Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits.

See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/


• U.S. Major Metro Area Employment and Unemployment — February 2015


Unemployment: Unemployment rates were lower in February than a year earlier in 366 of the 387 metropolitan areas, higher in 18 areas, and unchanged in 3 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Three areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and 16 areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 355 metropolitan areas, decreased in 29 areas, and was unchanged in 3 areas.

Employment: In February, 355 metropolitan areas had over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 29 had decreases, and 3 had no change. The largest over-the-year employment increases occurred in New York-Newark-Jersey City, N.Y.-N.J.-Pa. (+162,300), Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, Calif. (+152,400), and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas (+132,400). The largest over-the-year percentage gain in employment occurred in Midland, Texas (+8.8 percent), followed by Ocean City, N.J. (+8.6 percent), and Lake Charles, La. (+8.5 percent).

The largest over-the-year decreases in employment occurred in Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, Miss. (-2,600), Atlantic City-Hammonton, N.J. (-1,300), and Duluth, Minn.-Wis. (-1,000). The largest over-the-year percentage decreases in employment occurred in Great Falls, Mont. (-2.3 percent), Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, Miss. (-1.7 percent), and Florence-Muscle Shoals, Ala.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOL-BLS

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/


07 April 2015

• U.S. Job Openings and Labor Turnover — February 2015


Job Openings: There were 5.1 million job openings on the last business day of February, little changed from January. This was the highest level of job openings since January 2001. The job openings rate for February was 3.5 percent. The number of job openings was little changed for total private and government and no industries posted significant changes from January. Job openings increased in the Midwest region.

The number of job openings (not seasonally adjusted) increased over the 12 months ending in February for total nonfarm, total private, and government. Job openings increased over the year for many industries including professional and business services, health care and social assistance, and accommodation and food services. Job openings decreased over the year in mining and logging.

Hires: There were 4.9 million hires in February, about the same as in January. The hires rate in February was 3.5 percent.

Over the 12 months ending in February, the number of hires (not seasonally adjusted) was little changed for total nonfarm, total private, and government.

Turnover: There were 4.7 million total separations in February, about the same as in January. The separations rate was 3.3 percent.

Quits: There were 2.7 million quits in February, about the same as in January. The quits rate in February was 1.9 percent.

[1] The job openings rate is the number of job openings on the last business day of the month as a percent of total employment plus job openings. [2] The hires rate is the number of hires during the entire month as a percent of total employment. [3] The total separations rate is the number of total separations during the entire month as a percent of total employment; includes quits. [4] The quits rate is the number of quits during the entire month as a percent of total employment; included in "total turnover."

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOL-BLS

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/


03 April 2015

• U.S. Employment Situation — March 2015


Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 126,000 in March. Employment continued to trend up in professional and business services, health care, and retail trade, while mining lost jobs.

The unemployment rate held at 5.5 percent, and the number of unemployed persons was little changed at 8.6 million. Over the year, the unemployment rate and the number of unemployed persons were down by 1.1 percentage points and 1.8 million, respectively.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOL-BLS

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/


02 April 2015

• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims — 28 MAR 2015


In the week ending March 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 268,000, a decrease of 20,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 6,000 from 282,000 to 288,000.

The 4-week moving average was 285,500, a decrease of 14,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 3,250 from 297,000 to 300,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.7 percent for the week ending March 21, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending March 21 was 2,325,000, a decrease of 88,000 from the previous week's revised level.

The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending March 14 were in Alaska (4.1), New Jersey (3.5), Connecticut (3.3), Pennsylvania (3.3), Rhode Island (3.2), California (3.0), Massachusetts (3.0), Illinois (2.9), Puerto Rico (2.9), and West Virginia (2.9).

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending March 21 were in Texas (+2,035), Oklahoma (+429), Nebraska (+396), Arizona (+297), and Rhode Island (+216), while the largest decreases were in Tennessee (-3,589), California (-2,535), Pennsylvania (-1,692), Michigan (-1,555), and Maryland (-609).

Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits.

See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/