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New law bans firms from asking workers about their guns:
(Important HR issue for your clients): Indiana employers won’t be allowed to ask workers about guns and ammunition that they might have in their vehicles under a bill that Gov. Mitch Daniels has signed into law. Read more here…SHRM Supports Plan to Keep Military Spouses Working: The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has thrown its support behind an initiative designed to create workplaces supportive of employees with connections to the military. Led by first lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden on April 12, 2011, the program was announced in the East Room at the White House. Read more here…
From Staffing Industry Analyst: Survey: Employee Confidence Rises: Workers are becoming more optimistic about the job market, according to a quarterly employee confidence survey conducted and released last month by Glassdoor.com. Forty percent of workers believe it is "likely" they could find a new job matched to their experience and compensation levels within six months if they lost their current job. This was the highest level in the past six quarters for the employment confidence survey. Thirty-eight percent of respondents expect to leave their job for a new one in less than three years, 28 percent expect to do so in less than two years and 14 percent expect to do so in less than one year. Younger workers (18-34 years old) and single employees are more likely to seek out a new job within three years (56 percent each). This survey was conducted online within the United States from March 9-11, 2011. It included 2,045 adult workers. Visit the SIA website here…
Fed Reports U.S. Economy Continues to Improve: The Federal Reserve’s latest report on regional economies (known as the "beige book") indicates that business conditions in the U.S. showed general improvement in late February and March. The manufacturing sector continued to lead economic gains across the 12 Federal Reserve districts, and business service activity was varied across the nation. Most districts reported improvements in labor market conditions. Many business contacts indicated they continued to prefer hiring temporary employees to meet increased demand due to persisting uncertainty about long-term economic conditions. From American Staffing Association
Administrative Professionals Day: April 27, 2011: Since 1952, the International Association of Administrative Professionals has honored office workers by sponsoring Administrative Professionals Week. Today, it is one of the largest workplace observances outside of employee birthdays and major holidays. Read more here…
Most CEOs Prize Growth, But Other Priorities Vary (from the Wall Street Journal): Chief executives have to juggle multiple priorities, but according to a recent study, they tend to rank some higher than others. Top of the list? Business growth followed by talent management and cost optimization, according to the Conference Board Inc., a nonprofit research organization. Of the 10 priorities that CEOs were invited to rank, business growth far outpaced all other challenges in the No. 1 spot. Read more here…
Anti-gay remarks aren’t part of religious accommodation: You’re used to the concept of religious accommodations for employees. Could that extend to accepting a worker’s using religion as a rationale for assaulting a co-worker with anti-gay invective? Read more here….
Review Hiring Procedures Before Screening Candidates: Many economists project increased hiring in 2011. This welcome forecast presents employers with an opportunity to revisit their screening practices, particularly in light of the activity of the Equal Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) in regard to credit and background checks. Read more here….
State’s unemployment rate drops to 8.5 percent: Indiana’s unemployment rate continued its downward slide, dropping to 8.5 percent in March, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development said Tuesday morning. Read more here…
Court clarifies employer rights for granting medical leave: The situation: A chronically absent employee takes yet another absence, even though he has no sick leave. Upon his return, you fire him. He says, “You can’t do that. I’m claiming federal family and medical leave.” Here’s what a federal court said about it. Read more here…
Department of Labor Issues Updated FLSA Regulations: Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final rule updating regulations issued under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Portal-to-Portal Act. The rule takes effect 30 days after publication. A summary of the key provisions included in the updated regulations can be found here…
