Latest News for Connecticut HR Professionals

• Tattoos & Body Piercing:  CTHRR has a new Quick Survey online to learn about Connecticut employers’ policies on employee tattoos and piercing.  Whether you have a policy or not, we’d appreciate your input.  As usual, it’s all done online…nothing to print out…nothing to mail…totally confidential, and takes about one minute to complete.  Thanks for your help

* Please click here:  CTHRR’s Quick Surveys

 

• U.S. Initial UC Claims Down 6k:  In the week ending Aug. 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 472,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 478,000.

* Source:  USDOC.  For detailed information, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Labor Day Weekend Reminder:  “The National Safety Council is reminding drivers to buckle up and drive sober during the Labor Day weekend, a deadly time on America’s roadways. From 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3, through Monday, Sept. 6, NSC estimates there will be 368 traffic fatalities and an additional 19,900 nonfatal disabling injuries.  “Safety belt use is the most effective protection against serious crash injuries. Studies show safety belts reduce the risk of crash injuries by 45 percent. NSC estimates 281 lives will be saved this Labor Day weekend because people wore safety belts, and an additional 96 lives could be saved if all people buckled up.”  We hope you have a great, safe weekend.

* Source:  NSC.  For further information on this topic, see the section on: Commuting, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• Tuition Tax Break Expires December 31:  “Section 127 of the Internal Revenue Code enables employers to provide up to $5,250 per year in tax-free educational assistance to employees. Section 127 is set to expire at the end of this year.  The Coalition to Preserve Employer Provided Education Assistance is working to get the provision extended or made permanent. 

* Source:  NACUBO.  For further information on this topic, see the section on: Tuition Assistance, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

• Long-Term Disability Insurance…in Connecticut:  Long-term disability insurance is designed to provide wage-continuation benefits to employees who are absent for extended periods because of accident or illness.  LTD benefits typically begin after short-term benefits have been exhausted.  Our Internet Quick-Survey found that 74% of responding Connecticut employers carry long-term disability insurance for their employees.  Of these, 93% insure through conventional insurance and 7% are self-insured.

* Source:  CTHRR’s Quick Surveys  For detailed information, see the August 30^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Workplace Deaths:  Economic Factors Yield Significant Reduction:  “A preliminary total of 4,340 fatal work injuries were recorded in the United States in 2009, down from a final count of 5,214 fatal work injuries in 2008.  The 2009 total represents the smallest annual preliminary total since the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) program was first conducted in 1992….  Economic factors played a major role in the fatal work injury decrease in 2009.  Total hours worked fell by 6 percent in 2009 following a 1 percent decline in 2008, and some industries that have historically accounted for a significant share of fatal work injuries, such as construction, experienced even larger declines in employment or hours worked….”

* Source:  USDOL.  For further information on this topic, see the section on: Accidents, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

• Violence in the Workplace:  Workshop: September 14, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in Wethersfield.

“A very real day-to-day trend of workplace threats, aggression, and assaults has grown to epidemic proportions. Contrary to common misconceptions, fatalities are not involved in most cases. But even incidents without assaults or physical injuries can devastate the sense of personal security people once felt at their place of employment. This workshop is designed to make you more aware of the issues related to workplace violence and to provide tools to help manage, defuse, and prevent it.”

* To register for this class contact John Able, able.john@dol.gov.  For further information on this topic, see the section on: Violence in the Workplace, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• WNV Skeeters in 12 Connecticut Towns:  “The State Mosquito Management Program…announced that mosquitoes trapped in Fairfield, Manchester, Milford, Westport and Wethersfield from August 5-11, 2010 have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV).  These are the first positive mosquitoes identified in these five towns by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) this year.  Earlier this season positive mosquitoes were trapped in Bethel, Bridgeport, Meriden, Norwalk, Orange, Stamford and West Haven bringing the total to 12 towns.  So far this season, only one probable human WNV infection has been identified.”

* Source:  CTDPH.  For further information on this topic, see the section on: Disease, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

• Hours and Earnings in Connecticut in July:  The workweek for employees in the private sector, not seasonally adjusted, averaged 33.4 hours, which is up 0.4 hours from the July 2009 figure of 33.0 hours.  Average hourly earnings at $27.74, not seasonally adjusted, were up $0.10 from a year ago at this time when the number was $27.64. This resulted in an average weekly wage for private sector employees of $926.52, up $14.40 over the year, an increase of 1.6 percent.

* Source:  CTDOL.  For further information on this topic, see the section on: Wage & Salary Administration, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.. 

 

• Unemployment in Connecticut Labor Markets:  Unemployment rates and the number of unemployed people, not seasonally adjusted, were up over the year in all but one of the state’s labor market areas.  Danbury had the lowest unemployment rate at 7.9 percent in July, followed by Bridgeport-Stamford at 8.7 percent, and Norwich-New London at 8.8 percent.  Waterbury has the highest unemployment rate at 12.2%.

* Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the August 23^rd issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Unemployment in Connecticut:  The estimate of people unemployed, seasonally adjusted, increased in July by 1,300 to 167,300 while the unemployment rate increased from the June 2010 rate of 8.8 percent to 8.9 percent. This is 0.6 percentage points lower than the national rate of 9.5 percent. Compared to the state’s unemployment rate of 8.5 percent in July 2009, this month’s rate represents an increase of 0.4 percentage points over the year. The number of people unemployed increased by 6,800 from last year at this time.

* Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the August 23^rd issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• U.S. Initial UC Claims Down 31k:  In the week ending Aug. 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 473,000, a decrease of 31,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 504,000.

* Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the August 30th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Jobs in Connecticut, By Labor Market in July:  The state’s job recovery in the past several months is most evident in three of the state’s major Labor Market Areas (s). Since December of last year when the state overall began adding jobs, there were job gains in Danbury (+1,800), New Haven (+1,400) and Waterbury (+ 300). There were job losses in Hartford and Norwich-New London, while employment in Bridgeport-Stamford was unchanged.

* Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the August 23^rd issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Connecticut: 13 Mass Layoffs in July:  Last month Connecticut employers took 13 mass layoff actions, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month.  Each action involved at least 50 persons from a single employer; the number of workers involved totaled 977. The number of mass layoff events was two more than in the prior month, and the number of associated initial claims increased by 9. As compared to the same month a year ago, the number of mass layoff events dropped by 2 and associated initial claims fell by 79.

* Source:  USDOL.  For further information on this topic, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of August 23.  Also see the section on: Layoffs, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

• Jobs in Connecticut, By Industry in July: Over the month, the largest increase was in trade, transportation and utilities, up 1,400 jobs – with most of these jobs in retail. This was followed by manufacturing, up 1,000 jobs, and construction with 600 new jobs. Smaller gains in July were seen in the leisure and hospitality and information sectors. The largest job loss in July was in the government sector, down 2,900. Many of these losses were in federal government where temporary Census employees were let go. The professional and business services, and other services sectors each shed 800 jobs, while educational and health services was down 300 jobs. Employment in the financial activities sector was unchanged from June.           

* Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the August 23^rd issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Short-Term Disability Insurance in Connecticut:  Sometimes referred to as weekly sickness and accident insurance, disability insurance is designed to provide wage-continuation benefits to employees for off-the-job accidents or periods of illness.  Our Internet Quick-Survey found that 77% of responding Connecticut employers carry short-term disability insurance for their employees.  Of these, 59% insure through conventional insurance, 38% are self-insured, and 3% are partially self-insured.

* Source:  CTHRR’s Quick Surveys.  For further information on this topic, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of August 23.  Also see the section on: Disability Insurance, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

• Connecticut DOL On State’s Labor Situation:  “’Although the state lost jobs in July, many of these were temporary federal Census workers. There was a 1,600 increase in the number of private sector jobs in July,’ said Labor Statistics Supervisor Salvatore DiPillo. ‘Indeed, the private sector accounts for all of the job gains realized during 2010. Additionally, July was the first time since June 2008 that Connecticut saw a year-to-year growth in jobs, having added 1,500 jobs since July 2009.’”

* Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the August 23^rd issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Labor Day Weekend:  “The National Safety Council is reminding drivers to buckle up and drive sober during the Labor Day weekend, a deadly time on America’s roadways. From 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3, through Monday, Sept. 6, NSC estimates there will be 368 traffic fatalities and an additional 19,900 nonfatal disabling injuries.”

* Source:  NSC.  For detailed information, see the August 23^rd issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter.  Also see the section on: Holidays, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

• H1N1:  World Health Organization Declares End to 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic:  “On August 10, 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) International Health Regulations Emergency Committee and the WHO Director-General, Dr. Margaret Chan, declared an end to the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. This declaration was based on strong indications that influenza, worldwide, is transitioning toward seasonal patterns of transmission.”

* Source: USDHHS.  For further information on this topic, see the section on Disease in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• Connecticut’s Job Growth Stalled in July:  Though most of the job losses came with the layoff of federal Census workers. July’s decrease brings the state’s nonfarm employment to 1,620,100. On a seasonally adjusted basis, this represents an increase of 1,500 jobs over the year, when nonfarm employment for July 2009 totaled 1,618,600. While the unemployment rate increased slightly to 8.9 percent, private sector jobs in Connecticut rose over the month, as they have in six of the past seven months, to add a total of 12,500 new jobs since December 2009.

* Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the August 23rd issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Wethersfield:  Complying with State and Federal FMLA:  Friday, September 17, 2010, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Connecticut Department of Labor, 200 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield, CT.  Attorneys Heidi Lane and Jennifer Devine of the Labor Department's Office of Program Policy will conduct this seminar. Both state and federal FMLA will be discussed.

* Full details: CTDOL.  For further information on this topic, see the section on: FMLA in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims Up 12k:  In the week ending Aug. 14, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 500,000, an increase of 12,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 488,000. 

* Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the August 23^rd issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Danbury:  CTDOL Announces Career Fair:  Tuesday, September 21, 2010, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, Ethan Allen Hotel, Danbury, CT.

* Full details: CTDOL.  For further information on this topic, see the section on: Hiring & Recruiting, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• OSHA Proposes $16.6 Fine re Connecticut Natural Gas Explosion:   “The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration… cited three construction companies and 14 site contractors for 371 alleged workplace safety violations, and proposed $16.6 million in penalties, following an investigation into the causes of February's deadly natural gas explosion at the Kleen Energy Systems LLC power plant construction site in Middletown, Conn. The explosion took the lives of six workers and injured 50 others.  “Each employer has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed fines to comply, meet with OSHA or contest the findings to the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. This inspection was conducted by OSHA's Bridgeport Area Office in Connecticut….”

* Source: OSHA.  For further information on this topic, see the section on: OSHA in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

• Connecticut WARN Act Layoffs:  A WARN Act* notice has been received by the State of Connecticut Labor Department for Wood Group, GTS in East Windsor; 85 employees to be separated on 9/28/2010; the company is not closing.  The WARN Act requires employers to notify the state and other entities sixty days before any layoff affecting a significant number of employees, typically 50 or more. 

* For further information on this topic, see the section on: Layoffs, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• U.S. Employment in Manufacturing:  Manufacturing employment increased by 36,000 during July. Motor vehicles and parts had fewer seasonal layoffs than normal for July, contributing to a seasonally adjusted employment increase of 21,000. The industry had added 32,000 jobs in the first 6 months of the year. In July, employment in fabricated metals rose by 9,000. Manufacturing employment has expanded by 183,000 since December 2009.

* Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the August 9^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Please Participate:  2011 Pay Budgets in Connecticut:  We’re now collecting data for our annual merit budget forecast; the survey also looks at year-end “Christmas” bonuses. 

Even if you don’t yet have your budgets/bonuses figured out, your response is important to us.  It’s all done online…takes about 45 seconds.  Thanks very much.

* To participate, please click here: CTHRR’s Quick Surveys

 

• Business Travel Policies…in Connecticut: CTHRR has just completed an Internet Quick Survey of the mileage-allowance and frequent-flyer policies of state employers.

As to mileage, we asked, “What is your organization’s mileage allowance for business use of a personal vehicle?”  Results:

Not surprisingly, as 50¢ per mile is the current maximum rate considered to meet the substantiation and adequate accounting requirements of the IRS, and although mileage reimbursement policies do vary all over the field, most employers reimburse at 50¢ per mile.

* Source:  CTHRR’s Quick Surveys.  For detailed information, log in to CTHRR.com and go to “Surveys.” 

• Average U.S. Wage:  Nationally, average hourly earnings of all employees on private nonfarm payrolls increased by 4 cents, or 0.2 percent, to $22.59 in July. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 1.8 percent. In July, average hourly earnings of private-sector production and nonsupervisory employees increased by 2 cents, or 0.1 percent, to $19.04.

* Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Health Insurance Premiums:  Nation-wide, employers pay 82 percent of the cost of premiums for single coverage and 70 percent of the cost for family coverage, for workers participating in employer sponsored medical plans. The employer share for single coverage was greater in state and local government (89 percent) than in private industry (80 percent). For family coverage, the employer share of premiums was similar for private industry and state and local government, 70 and 73 percent, respectively.

* Source:  USDOL.

• Hamden CTWorks Center Offers Jobs Help:  “Connecticut Department of Labor employees in the agency’s Hamden CTWorks Center will, during September, offer a variety of training and employment workshops to assist area residents with their career needs. The no-cost workshops will be held in the office, which is located at 37 Marne Street.

* Click for list of workshops: CTDOL

 

• Hours of Work in the U.S.:  In July, the average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls increased by 0.1 hour to 34.2 hours. The manufacturing workweek for all employees increased by 0.1 hour to 40.1 hours, following a decrease of 0.5 hour in June. The average workweek for production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls increased by 0.1 hour to 33.5 hours in July.

* Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Mosquitoes Test Positive for WNV in 5 More Connecticut Towns:  “The State Mosquito Management Program today announced that mosquitoes trapped in Bethel, Bridgeport, Meriden, Norwalk and Orange from July 22-27, 2010 have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV).  These are the first positive mosquitoes identified in these five towns by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) this year.  Positive mosquitoes continue to be identified at sites in Stamford and West Haven.  There have been no confirmed human WNV infections reported this season so far.”

* Source: CTDPH

 

• Health Benefits: Medical care benefits are available to 71 percent of private industry workers, compared with 88 percent among state and local government workers. About half of private industry workers participated in a plan, less than the 73 percent of state and local government workers.

* Source:  USDOL.  For further information on this topic, see the section on: Health Care Insurance, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

• Wethersfield, August 17th, Hearing Loss Prevention:  “Hearing loss, as attendees at an Aug. 17 Breakfast Roundtable Discussion meeting will learn, is permanent and irreversible.  By taking proper precautions, however, it is 100 percent preventable.   “The Connecticut Labor Department’s CONN-OSHA event, which will take place in the agency’s Wethersfield Central Office, located at 200 Folly Brook Boulevard from 8:15 to 9:45 a.m.  It will be facilitated by Chris Caron of American Safety and Supply Inc. of Springfield, and John Able, CONN-OSHA Safety Training Specialist, who coordinates the breakfast series.”

* Source:  Admission to the roundtable is free; to register for the event, or for additional information, please send an email to John Able at able.john@dol.gov.

 

• Manchester Shootings:  The news of the death of nine workers at the hands of a fellow employee who reportedly felt he had been treated unfairly has been widespread in the media.  Violence in the workplace is an important safety and health issue, one that is too often overlooked or ignored.  In many cases, a violent incident can be avoided, because occurrences are often preceded by warning signs.  However, these signals frequently go unrecognized—or are recognized but disregarded.  Generally, violence develops over time—which means that with proper implementation of an antiviolence policy, employers have a chance to recognize the early signs of violence and stop it before it explodes.  Employers do not have to wait until something happens before responding—the optimal time to address workplace violence is now, before any incidents have occurred. 

What to Do:  The section on Violence in the Workplace, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut points out some key components of a workplace violence plan.

Source:  CTHRR.com

• Retirement Plans:  Sixty-five percent of private industry employees have access to retirement benefits, compared with 90 percent of state and local government employees. Eighty-five percent of state and local government employees participated in a retirement plan, a significantly greater percentage than for private industry workers, at 50 percent.

* Source:  USDOL.  For further information on this topic, see the section on: Retirement, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• U S Unemployment:  Both the number of unemployed persons, at 14.6 million, and the unemployment rate, at 9.5 percent, were unchanged in July.  Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for adult men (9.7 percent), adult women (7.9 percent), teenagers (26.1 percent), whites (8.6 percent), blacks (15.6 percent), and Hispanics (12.1 percent) showed little or no change in July. The jobless rate for Asians was 8.2 percent, not seasonally adjusted.

* Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the August 9^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• U S Employment Situation:  Total nonfarm payroll employment declined by 131,000 in July, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 9.5 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Federal government employment fell, as 143,000 temporary workers hired for the decennial census completed their work. Private-sector payroll employment edged up by 71,000.

* Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the August 9^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Connecticut Still Among States with Highest UC Rates:  The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending July 17 were in Puerto Rico (7.2 percent), Pennsylvania (5.3), Oregon (4.8), Massachusetts (4.7), New Jersey (4.7), California (4.6), Connecticut (4.5), Nevada (4.5), Alaska (4.4), Rhode Island (4.3), and Wisconsin (4.3).

* Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the August 9^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• U.S. Initial UC Claims Jump 19k:  In the week ending July 31, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 479,000, an increase of 19,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 460,000.

* Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the August 9^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Social Security Kaput By 2037:  “The Social Security Board of Trustees…released its annual report on the financial health of the Social Security Trust Funds and the long-range outlook remains unchanged.  The combined assets of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Trust Funds will be exhausted in 2037, the same as projected last year.”

* Source:  Social Security Administration.  For detailed information, see the August 9^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter.  Also see the section on: Social Security & Medicare, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

• President Says He’ll Push for EFCA:  President Obama told the AFL-CIO Executive Council on Wednesday, “We are going to keep fighting for the Employee Free Choice Act.”

CTHRR:  This is a pro-union law which, if enacted, would actually take away employees’ free choice in deciding whether or not to vote for union representation.  For CTHRR’s insight into the EFCA, go to “Hot Topics” at CTHRR.com and scroll down to “Employee Free Choice Act - CTHRR Commentary.” 

* Source of President’s Comment:  AFL-CIO.  For further information on this topic, see the section on: Unions and Solicitation, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• Health Care Benefits:  Access to medical care benefits and paid sick leave benefits were provided to 86 and 74 percent of full-time private industry workers, respectively. Only 24 percent of part-time workers had access to medical care and 26 percent to paid sick leave benefits.

* Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the August 2^nd issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Pensions:  Employer-provided retirement plans are a common employee benefit in the United States, available to 74 percent of all full-time workers in private industry in March 2010.  By contrast, 39 percent of part-time private industry workers had access to a retirement plan. 

* Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the August 2^nd issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Personal Income Steady, but Payrolls Fell in June:  :  Personal income increased $3.0 billion, or less than 0.1 percent, and disposable personal income (DPI) increased $5.1 billion, or less than 0.1 percent, in June.  Private wage and salary disbursements decreased $5.2 billion in June, in contrast to an increase of $19.2 billion in May.  Goods-producing industries' payrolls decreased $8.9 billion, in contrast to an increase of $10.4 billion; manufacturing payrolls decreased $6.0 billion, in contrast to an increase of $7.8 billion.  Services-producing industries' payrolls increased $3.7 billion, compared with an increase of $8.8 billion.  Government wage and salary disbursements decreased $0.6 billion, in contrast to an increase of $7.0 billion. 

* Source:  USDOC.  For detailed information, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• New CTHRR Quick Survey Now Online:  We’re now collecting data for our annual merit budget forecast; the survey also looks at year-end “Christmas” bonuses. 

Even if you don’t yet have your budgets/bonuses figured out, your response is important to us.  All participants receive the results of the survey.  All results are held in strict confidence.

* Please click here to take the budgets/bonuses Survey: CTHRR Quick Survey

 

• Connecticut Employers Say Growth Expected:  CTHRR asked participating Connecticut employers whether or not they expected their number of employees to grow during the coming 12 months. Thirty-nine percent of respondents indicated they expect workforce expansion, the highest percentage we’ve seen since January 2008 when that number was also 39%.

* Source:  CTHRR’s Quick Surveys.  For detailed information including employment expectation by area of our state, size of employer, and industry, see the August 1^st issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Connecticut Mass Layoffs Increased in June:  Both the number of mass layoffs [involving at least 50 persons from a single employer] and the number of individuals affected by these layoffs increased from the previous month.  Our report shows how the number of mass layoffs changed nationally, in New England, and in Connecticut and surrounding states from May to June and compared to June 2009.

* Source:  For detailed information, see the July 26^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• August Connecticut HR Reports Newsletter:  The latest issue of our monthly newsletter discusses Connecticut’s “Mini-COBRA” law and its effect on HR in our state.

* Source:  Subscribers can log in to CTHRR.com and go to “Newsletters.”       For more information on this newsletter:  Click here

• U.S. Initial UC Claims Down 11k:  In the week ending July 24, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 457,000, a decrease of 11,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 468,000. The 4-week moving average was 452,500, a decrease of 4,500 from the previous week's revised average of 457,000.

* Source:  For detailed information, see the upcoming August 2^nd issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Connecticut Human Resource Reports eNewsletter: For the most up-to-date Connecticut HR news and information, subscribe to our weekly Connecticut HR Reports eNewsletter. Annual subscriptions (48 issues) are just $99.

* For a FREE sample issue, E-mail us.

• Government Contractors Must Report Top Salaries to the Government:  The U. S. Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and NASA have issued a rule requiring contractors to report executive compensation and first-tier subcontractor awards on certain contracts.

* Source:  For detailed information, see the July 26^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Salaries:  U.S. Average Wages:  In the 2^nd quarter of 2010, women had median weekly earnings of $672, or 83.0 percent of the $810 median for men.  For detailed information, including wage differentials based on race, ethnicity, and educational attainment, see the July 26^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

* For further information on this topic, see the section on: Equal Pay, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

• OFCCP Plans to Reinstitute the EO Survey:  You may recall that contractors had to deal with this monstrosity from 2000 until 2006 when the OFCCP rescinded it as it was of no value to either enforcement or contractor compliance.  For some reason it took OFCCP six years to figure that out.

* Source:  For detailed information, see the July 26^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter.

 

• August National News Update:  Our latest national newsletter monthly issue is now available online at www.cthrr.com; login; go to “Newsletters.” 

* Source: CTHRR’s National News Update newsletter

• Vacation Policies in Connecticut:  Our latest CTHRR Internet “Quick Survey” shows that employees in Connecticut typically have to work for their employers for five years to be eligible for three weeks of paid vacation.  To see the length-of-service requirements for other amounts of vacation, see the July 26^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

* For further information on this topic, see the section on: Vacations, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• Connecticut In Top 10 For Unemployment:  The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending July 3 were in Puerto Rico (7.0 percent), Oregon (4.9), Pennsylvania (4.8), Alaska (4.5), Nevada (4.5), Connecticut (4.4), Massachusetts (4.4), New Jersey (4.4), California (4.1), and Wisconsin (4.1).

* Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the July 26th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• U.S. Initial UC Claims Jump 37k:  In the week ending July 17, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 464,000, an increase of 37,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 427,000.

* Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the July 26^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Connecticut Unemployment, by Labor Market:  Unemployment rates and the number of unemployed people, not seasonally adjusted, were up over the year in all but two of the state’s labor market areas. Danbury had the lowest unemployment rate at 7.3 percent in June, followed by Bridgeport-Stamford at 8.2 percent, and Torrington at 8.4 percent. Waterbury had the highest unemployment rate at 11.8 percent.”

* Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the July 19th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Connecticut Unemployment:  The estimate of people unemployed, seasonally adjusted, decreased in June by 3,300 to 165,900 while the unemployment rate decreased from the May 2010 rate of 8.9 percent to 8.8 percent.

* Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the July 19^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Connecticut Average Wages:  Average hourly earnings at $27.94, not seasonally adjusted, were up $0.51 from a year ago at this time when the number was $27.43. This resulted in an average weekly wage for private sector employees of $924.81, up $22.36 over the year, an increase of 2.5 percent. Information for the manufacturing production workweek and earnings can be found in the table section of this release under the “Hours and Earnings” data category.

* Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the July 19^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Connecticut Jobs, by Labor Market:  The state’s job recovery in the past several months is concentrated in four of the state’s major Labor Market Areas. Since December of last year when the state overall began adding jobs, there were job gains in Bridgeport-Stamford (+2,400), Danbury  (+2,100), Hartford (+400) and New Haven (+1,600). Employment in Norwich-New London and Waterbury has been mostly unchanged.

* Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the July 19^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• CT State Police Release Final 4^th of July Statistics:  The Connecticut State Police holiday stats for the July 4th weekend showed a total of 187 accidents with 31 injuries and 4 deaths.  The weekend count began at 12:00 midnight on July 2nd and ran until midnight July 5th.

* Source:  Connecticut Department of Public Safety.  

• CTDOL Construction Safety Seminar:   “July 30, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon:  Construction managers, first line supervisors, and construction employees will be provided with an overview of four areas of concern on the construction site.  Program contents include: Fall protection, scaffolding and ladders, electrical hazards, and trenching safety.

* Information: CONN-OSHA

 

• Connecticut Jobs, by Industrial Sector:  Over the month, the largest increase was in educational and health services, up 2,400 jobs, followed by trade, transportation and utilities, up 1,500 jobs, and there were 1,000 job gains in other services. There were fewer gains in manufacturing, up 700 jobs, leisure and hospitality, up 600 jobs, and professional and business services, up 400 jobs. The largest job loss in June was found in the government sector, down 3,500. Many of these losses were in federal government where temporary Census employees completed their work. The construction sector was down 1,400 jobs, financial activities was down 1,000 jobs, and jobs in the information sector were down 200.

* Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the July 19^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Connecticut Prevailing Wages:   The annual adjusted Connecticut 2010 prevailing wage rates are now available.

* Source: CTDOL    For detailed information, see the section on: Prevailing Wages, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• CTDOL on Connecticut’s Labor Situation:  “Connecticut’s pace of job growth fell off in June as federal Census employment decreased, but we saw some good growth in private sector employment,” noted Labor Statistics Supervisor Salvatore DiPillo. “And, many of our other indicators - the unemployment rate, new claims for unemployment benefits, and the average workweek for all employees and manufacturing production workers, showed improvement, however slight, giving some promise to the prospect for a better state economic condition.”

* Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the July 19^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Connecticut Jobs Up Slightly:  Connecticut added jobs to its economy for the sixth consecutive month, though at a 500 gain, it is the smallest monthly increase since February of this year. June’s gain makes for a total of 13,500 new jobs since December 2009.

* Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the July 19^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• USDOL Issues Rule on 401(k) Fee Disclosure:   The Employee Benefit Security Administration-USDOL has issued an interim final regulation under ERISA requiring that will require employee pension benefit plan sponsors and fiduciaries and certain service providers service disclose information on 401(k) fees.  Many employees are unaware that more of the several administrative and indirect fees that can be charged against their 401(k) accounts.  Providers will have a year to get their acts together on this rule.

* Source:  EBSA.  For detailed information, see the July 19^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Editorial Says P&W Case Reflects State’s Attitude Toward Business:  “The state could have at least stood aside and let the International Machinists Union fight its own battle over Pratt’s attempt to shift work out of Connecticut to save money. Instead, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Gov. M. Jodi Rell sided with the union….

“This “victory” simply confirms what a Pratt official told Wall Street analysts last year: anywhere outside of Connecticut has lower business costs….”

* Source: New Haven Register

 

• Need To Find Out About Hospitals?  “Important new information about the quality of care available in America’s outpatient and emergency departments, including how well hospitals care for patients with heart attacks and protect outpatients from surgical infections was added to the new HHS website HealthCare.gov.

* Source: Hospital Comparisons  For detailed information, see the July 12^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Connecticut Ranks 49^th in Adult Obesity:  “A new national report says,,,Twenty-one-point-four percent of Connecticut adults were obese, second lowest to Colorado's 19.1.”

* Source: Courant.com  

 

• OSHA Cites Connecticut Xpect Stores:  “The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Marc Glassman Inc., doing business as Xpect Discounts, for alleged repeat and serious safety hazards identified during OSHA inspections at four locations in North Haven, East Haven and Derby, Conn. The Cleveland, Ohio-based retailer faces a total of $140,700 in proposed fines.”  The company can appeal this citation.

* Source:  OSHA.  For detailed information, see the July 12^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Connecticut’s Per-Pupil Spending Among Highest in U.S.:  “Connecticut spent about $13,848 per pupil in public elementary and secondary schools in 2008, ranking it among the states that spent the most on each student's education.

“The biggest spender was New York, which spent $17,173 per pupil….

“Connecticut received the second-smallest percentage of public school funding from the federal government, at 4.2 percent….”

* Source:  Courant.com .    

 

• Connecticut Human Resource Reports eNewsletter: For the most up-to-date Connecticut HR news and information, subscribe to our weekly Connecticut HR Reports eNewsletter. Annual subscriptions (48 issues) are just $99. For a FREE sample issue, E-mail us.

• Connecticut in Top 10 States with High Insured UC Rates:  The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending June 19 were in Puerto Rico (6.7 percent), Oregon (4.9), Alaska (4.8), Pennsylvania (4.7), Nevada (4.5), California (4.3), Wisconsin (4.2), Connecticut (4.0), North Carolina (3.9), and South Carolina (3.9).

* Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the July 12^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Employee Compensation Problems: Are you paying your employees too little, too much?  Employee Compensation in Connecticut gives you all the tools you need to set up and maintain a sound, defensible program of wage & salary administration in your organization in an easy-to-use online format.

* Source:  CTHRR.com

• Connecticut Sees Big Jump in Initial UC Claims:  The largest increases in initial unemployment compensation claims for the week ending June 26 were in New Jersey (+7,951), Massachusetts (+4,681), New York (+3,473), Florida (+2,838), and Connecticut (+2,560), while the largest decreases were in Pennsylvania (-2,841), Tennessee (-1,375), Illinois (-1,346), Iowa (-1,230), and Alabama (-869).

* Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the July 12th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Average Hourly Earnings of all employees in the private nonfarm sector decreased by 2 cents, or 0.1 percent, to $22.53 in June. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 1.7 percent. In June, average hourly earnings of private-sector production and non-supervisory employees were unchanged at $19.00.

* Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the July 5^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Connecticut Saw Fewer Online Job Ads in June:  Total online job ads in Connecticut were 66,800 last month, down from 70.100 in the prior month, but an increase of 41% from a year ago....

*  Source:  The Conference Board.  For detailed information, see the July 5^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• U.S. Initial UC Claims Drop 21k:  In the week ending July 3, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 454,000, a decrease of 21,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 475,000.

*  Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the July 12^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• CT Alert Emergency Notification System:  “The State of Connecticut today announced the opening of the registration website for CT Alert (www.ctalert.gov), the nation’s first statewide emergency notification system (ENS) enabling Connecticut authorities to communicate critical information to hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents and businesses before, during and after emergencies.”  CTHRR:  Employers may want to consider signing up for these notifications.

*  Source:  CT Emergency Notification System.  For further information on this topic, see the section on: Emergencies, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• U.S. Employment:  Weak Job Creation in June:  Private-sector payroll employment edged up by 83,000, however, total nonfarm payroll employment declined by 125,000 in June, and the unemployment rate edged down to 9.5 percent. The decline in payroll employment reflected a decrease (-225,000) in the number of temporary employees working on Census 2010. So far this year, private-sector employment has increased by 593,000 but in June was still 7.9 million below its December 2007 level.

*  Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the July 5^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Paid Time-Off Plans…in Connecticut:  CTHRR has just completed an Internet-based Quick Survey on state employers’ policies on paid time-off [PTO] plans.  Under a PTO plan employees are allowed a certain number of paid days off per year (20 days, for example) that they may use for all eligible purposes, including sick days, vacation, personal leave, and bereavement leave.  Once they’ve used this “bank” of days, that’s it; they have no more paid days coming. 

We found that 58% of respondents have PTO plans....

*  Source:  CTHRR’s Quick Surveys.  For detailed information [number of days allowed, carry-over provisions, types of absences included] see the July 5^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Employment Picture Continued Bleak in Metro Areas in May:  Unemployment rates were higher in May than a year earlier in 222 of the 372 metropolitan areas, lower in 141 areas, and unchanged in 9 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Thirteen areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 9 areas registered rates below 5.0 percent.

*  Source:  USDOL.  To see how Connecticut metropolitan areas fared in comparison, go to the Jluy 5^th  issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Payrolls Expanded Nationally in May:  Private wage and salary disbursements increased $22.8 billion in May, compared with an increase of $28.5 billion in April.  Goods-producing industries' payrolls increased $10.3 billion, compared with an increase of $6.1 billion; manufacturing payrolls increased $7.8 billion, compared with an increase of $4.6 billion.  Services-producing industries' payrolls increased $12.6 billion, compared with an increase of $22.2 billion.

Government wage and salary disbursements increased $6.6 billion in May, compared with an increase of $2.5 billion in April.  Census decennial temporary and intermittent workers boosted government wages and salaries by $5.7 billion in May.

*  Source:  USDOC.  For detailed information, see the June 28^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Windsor Locks:  Bank Employee Charged with WC Fraud:  “A bank account representative was arrested today and charged with collecting workers' compensation benefits for a reported on-the-job injury that actually occurred at home.”

*  Source:  State of Connecticut.  For detailed information, see the June 28th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• July Connecticut HR Reports Newsletter Now Online:  The latest issue of our monthly newsletter is posted at: www.cthrr.com; login; go to “Newsletters.”  Topic:  The “Perfect Storm” of regulatory issues facing Connecticut employers.

 

• July 5^th Holiday:  Connecticut General Statutes provide that any holiday falling on a Saturday must be observed on the preceding Friday, and Sunday holidays are to be observed on Monday.  This statute generally applies to the state and its agencies…private employers typically follow this practice, but are not required to do so.

*  Source:  CTHRR.  For further information on this topic, see the section on: Holidays, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

• CTHRR’s Latest Quick Survey Now Open:  Please take our “Quick Survey” on mileage allowance, std and ltd insurances, and shift premiums.  It’s all done online…takes about 45 seconds.  Thanks very much.

*   To participate, please click here: CTHRR’s Quick Surveys

 

• U.S. Initial UC Claims Up 13k:  In the week ending June 26, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 472,000, an increase of 13,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 459,000.

*  Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Paid Personal Leave…in Connecticut:  CTHRR has just completed an Internet-based Quick Survey on state employers’ policies as to paying employees who are absent for personal reasons other than bereavement and sickness.  We asked survey participants, “How many paid days are allowed per year for personal leave?” 

*  Source:  CTHRR’s Quick Surveys  For detailed information, see the June 28th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Stamford:  First WNV Mosquitoes of the Year:  Employers with outdoor workers should know… “The State Mosquito Management Program has announced that mosquitoes trapped in Stamford on June 14, 2010 have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). These are the first positive mosquitoes identified in the state by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) this year.”

*  Source:  CTDPH.  For detailed information, see the June 28^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

Latest News for Connecticut HR Professionals

• Connecticut Mass Layoffs in May: In May, Connecticut employers took 10 mass layoff actions, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month.  Each action involved at least 50 persons from a single employer; the number of workers involved totaled….

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the June 28th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• New Connecticut Law Affects Government Employers:  A new Public Act prohibits certain state employers from asking about a prospective employee's past convictions until the person is deemed otherwise qualified for the position. The prohibition does not apply if a statute specifically disqualifies someone from a position due to a prior conviction.

Source:  Connecticut General Assembly.  For detailed information including links to the Public Act, see the June 28th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Affordable Care Act Notices:   The Employee Benefits Security Administration’s [USDOL] has issued three notices related to the Affordable Care Act that have to be issued in applicable situations.

Source:  EBSA.  For detailed information, see the June 28th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• The “Patient’s Bill of Rights”: The Employee Benefits Security Administration’s [USDOL] has issued an interim final rule and request for comments on the Preexisting Condition Exclusions, Lifetime and Annual Limits, Rescissions, and Patient Protections aspects of the Affordable Care Act. 

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the June 28th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Administration Expands FMLA Rights of Gay Workers:  Allows federal family and medical leave to care for sick or newborn children of same-sex partner.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the June 28th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Connecticut Building Permits Up in May: “A bump-up in May for permits issued for new housing construction in Connecticut reversed three straight months of year-over-year declines, but the gain was modest, according to a report released Thursday.”

Source:  Hartford Courant.  For detailed information, see the June 28th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• U.S. Initial UC Claims Drop 19k; Connecticut Among States with Highest Insured UC Rates:  In the week ending June 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 457,000, a decrease of 19,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 476,000. The 4-week moving average was 462,750, a decrease of 1,500 from the previous week's revised average of 464,250.

            The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending June 5 were in Puerto Rico (6.3 percent), Oregon (5.2), Alaska (5.1), Nevada (4.5), Pennsylvania (4.5), California (4.4), Wisconsin (4.2), Connecticut (4.1), North Carolina (4.1), and Washington (4.0).

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the June 28^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Connecticut’s Unemployment…by Labor Market:  Unemployment rates and the number of unemployed people, not seasonally adjusted, were up over the year in all of the state’s labor market areas. Danbury had the lowest unemployment rate at 7.4 percent in May, followed by Bridgeport-Stamford at 8.1 percent, and Norwich-New London at 8.4 percent. Waterbury represents the highest unemployment rate at 11.8 percent.

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the June 21^st issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Connecticut’s Unemployment:  The estimate of people unemployed, seasonally adjusted, decreased in May by 2,400 to 169,100 while the unemployment rate decreased from the April 2010 rate of 9.0 percent to 8.9 percent. This is 0.8 percentage points lower than the national rate of 9.7 percent. In comparison with the state’s unemployment rate of 8.2 percent in May 2009, this month’s unemployment number represents an increase of a 0.7 percentage point over the year. The number of people unemployed increased by 13,900 from last year at this time. Average weekly initial unemployment claims in May 2010 for first-time filers increased over the month by 115 to 5,448 and were down 21.6 percent, or 1,501 claims from this time last year

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the June 21^st issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Administration Expands federal FMLA Rights of Gay Workers:  Federal FMLA regulations define in loco parentis as including those with day-to-day responsibilities to care for and financially support a child.  Employees who have no biological or legal relationship with a child may nonetheless stand in loco parentis to the child and be entitled to federal FMLA leave.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the June 28^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter.  Information is also available in the “Hot Topics” section at CTHRR.com.

• Connecticut Average Earnings:  The workweek for employees in the private sector, not seasonally adjusted, averaged 33.7 hours, which is up 0.6 hours from the May 2009 figure of 33.1 hours. Average hourly earnings at $28.57, not seasonally adjusted, were up $1.00 from a year ago at this time when the number was $27.57. This resulted in an average weekly wage for private sector employees of $962.81, up $50.24 over the year, representing an increase of 5.5 percent. Information for the manufacturing production workweek and earnings can be found in the table section of this release under the “Hours and Earnings” data category.

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the current issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• The “Patient’s Bill of Rights”:  The Employee Benefits Security Administration [USDOL] is issuing its interim final rule and request for comments on the Preexisting Condition Exclusions, Lifetime and Annual Limits, Rescissions, and Patient Protections aspects of the Affordable Care Act. 

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, CTHRR maintains up-to-date information on health care reform at CTHRR.com.  Log in and go to “Hot Topics.”  The fact sheet on this latest rule is found under “Affordable Care Act.”

• Jobs and Connecticut’s Labor Markets:  Job growth occurred in two of the six major Labor Market Areas between April and May. These gains were found in Bridgeport-Stamford (+1,400) and Hartford (+3,400). Jobs in New Haven were down 1,000 over the month. There were smaller declines in Danbury, Norwich-New London and Waterbury.

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Connecticut among 17 States with Lower UC Rate:  Regional and state unemployment rates were slightly lower in May. Thirty-seven states [including Connecticut] and the District of Columbia recorded unemployment rate decreases over the month, 6 states had increases, and 7 states had no change.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the current issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Connecticut Gains Jobs…Thanks to the Census:  For the fifth consecutive month, Connecticut added jobs to its economy, which now represents a total of 14,700 new jobs since December 2009…the majority of this increase was the result of Census jobs. The increase brings the state’s nonfarm employment for May to 1,622,800, and the unemployment rate ticked down slightly to 8.9 percent. On a seasonally adjusted basis, this represents a decrease of 8,000 jobs over the year, when nonfarm employment for May 2009 totaled 1,630,800.

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the June 21^st issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Supremes Say NLRB Couldn’t Make Decisions with Just 2 Members:  “The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that the National Labor Relations Board, a federal agency that referees labor-management disputes, cannot make decisions when it has only two of its five board members…. The board had operated for more than two years with just two members, making decisions in more than 600 cases.”

CTHRR:  This effect of this decision is to open the 600 cases to reconsideration; however, most sources say they doubt that many, if any of the decisions will be changed.

Source:  Reuters.com.  For detailed information, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

U.S. Rate of Employee Turnover Increased in April:  The turnover [total terminations] rate rose six-tenths of a percent from the prior month; however, it was below the turnover rate we saw in the same month a year ago. 

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the June 14^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Connecticut Human Resource Reports eNewsletter: For the most up-to-date Connecticut HR news and information, subscribe to our weekly Connecticut HR Reports eNewsletter. Annual subscriptions (48 issues) are just $99. For a FREE sample issue, E-mail us.

• Compensation Costs:  $29.71/Hour:  Employer costs for employee compensation averaged $29.71 per hour worked in March 2010.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the June 14^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• June Connecticut HR Reports Newsletter:  The latest issue of our monthly newsletter discusses “HR Strategy.”

Source:  Log in to CTHRR.com and go to “Newsletters.” 

• Wethersfield:  Powered Industrial Truck Operator Training:  Operators of “fork” trucks” must meet the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Powered Industrial Truck Standard which includes formal instruction, practical training, and periodic grading by certified instructors.  Operators of powered industrial trucks can fulfill training requirements by attending a “Powered Industrial Truck (Fork Truck)” seminar on July 13. 

The session, which will run from 10 a.m. to noon, will be held Conference Room A of the agency's Central Office, located at 200 Folly Brook Boulevard in Wethersfield.  Admission to the seminar is free, but registration for the seminar is required. To register for the session, or for additional information, please contact John Able via email at able.john@dol.gov.

*  Source: CONN-OSHA.

 

• July National News Update:  Our latest national newsletter monthly issue is now available online at www.cthrr.com; login; go to “Newsletters.”  Topic:  IRS Guidance on Affordable Care Act

*  Source: CTHRR.

• Illicit Drug Use in Connecticut:  The federal Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration estimates that 6% of Connecticut residents age 26 or older have used illicit drugs in the past month.

Source:  SAMHSA.  For detailed information, see the June 14th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• U.S.  Unemployment Rate:  Unemployment edged down to 9.7 percent in May, while the number of unemployed was little changed at 15.0 million.  The rate had been 9.7 percent in the first 3 months of the year before ticking up to 9.9 percent in April.  In May, 6.8 million people had been jobless for 27 weeks or more.  These long-term unemployed made up 46% of all unemployed persons, essentially the same as in April.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the June 7^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Connecticut:  WARN Act Layoffs:   A WARN Act notice has been received by the State of Connecticut Labor Department from First Student, located in Bridgeport; 210 employees will be laid off on June 30.

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the June 7^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• U.S. Average Hourly Earnings:  Average Hourly Earnings of all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 7 cents in May to $22.57.  Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 1.9 percent. From April 2009 to April 2010, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose by 2.2 percent.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the June 7^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• New Connecticut Law Requires Domestic Violence LOA:  Effective 10/1/2010 all employers in Connecticut with three of more workers will be required to allow family violence victims to take paid or unpaid leave (including compensatory time, vacation time, personal days, or other time off) during any calendar year in which the leave is reasonably necessary to:  1. seek medical care or counseling for physical or psychological injury or disability,  2. obtain services from a victim services organization, 3. relocate due to the family violence, or  4. participate in any civil or criminal proceeding related to or resulting from such family violence.

Source:  CT Legislature.  For detailed information, log in to CTHRR.com and go to “2010 CT Legislative Summary”  in the “CT Laws, Regulations, and Resources” section.

 

• Connecticut FMLA:  Count Out-of-State Employees:  A Connecticut Superior Court has overruled a CTDOL practice of counting only in-state employees when determining if the Connecticut Family & Medical Leave law applies to an employee. 

Source:  Superior Court, Judicial District of New Britain.  For detailed information, see the June 7^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• U.S. Employment in Health Care:   ,,,changed little (+8,000) in May. The industry had added 20,000 jobs per month on average over the prior 12 months.  Construction employment fell by 35,000 in May, largely offsetting 2 months of gains.  May's decline was spread throughout the sector.  Employment in other major industries showed little or no change.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the June 7^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Connecticut UC System Announces Web Changes:  “The upgrades will also include a new paperless system of benefit payments called DirectBenefits. Once implemented, claimants will receive their unemployment insurance benefits via direct deposit or debit card.

Source:  CT Unemployment Insurance Tax Information.  For detailed information, see the June 7^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Federal Government Employment Rose Sharply:  …in May, reflecting the addition of 411,000 temporary workers for Census 2010.  Total temporary census staffing was 564,000 during the May survey reference period.  Employment in state government excluding education decreased by 13,000.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the June 7^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• New CTHRR Quick Survey”:  We have a new Quick Survey with which we need your help [vacations, flex time, and dress codes]; takes about 30 seconds to complete.

*       Kindly click here: CTHRR’s Quick Surveys

 

• U.S. Manufacturing Employment Continued to Rise: …with a gain of 29,000 in May.  The industry has added 126,000 jobs thus far in 2010.  Employment growth also continued in temporary help services.  A gain of 31,000 jobs in May was in line with the average increase over the prior 3 months.  Mining employment increased by 10,000 in May; this industry has added 50,000 jobs since October.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the June 7^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Military Duty Pay in Connecticut:  The results of our Internet-based Quick Survey on Connecticut employers’ practices on compensating employees called to military service showed that 44% of respondents provide some form of compensation; however, practices are widely varied.

Source:  CTHRR’s Quick Surveys  For detailed information, see the June 7^th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• U.S Employment Rises Due to Census Hiring:  Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 431,000 in May, reflecting the hiring of 411,000 temporary workers for Census 2010.  Private-sector employment showed little change over the month (+41,000) but has increased by 495,000 since December.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the current issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Connecticut Online Job Ads Up Slightly in May:  Total online job ads in Connecticut were 69,300 last month, up only slightly from 68,500 in the prior month, but an increase of 35% from a year ago.

 Source:  For detailed information, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• National Employment Picture Continued Bleak in Metro Areas in April:  Unemployment rates were higher in April than a year earlier in 291 of the 372 metropolitan areas, lower in 73 areas, and unchanged in 8 areas. Fourteen areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 8 areas registered rates below 5.0 percent.         

Source:  USDOL   For detailed information, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Connecticut Again Last to Celebrate Tax Freedom Day:  “Each state has its own Tax Freedom Day. Because of modest incomes and low state and local tax burdens, Alaska and Louisiana celebrate Tax Freedom Day earliest on March 26, the 85th day of the year. Connecticut celebrates last on April 27, the 117th day of the year….”

Source:  Tax Foundation.  For detailed information, see the current issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

Refusal to Perform Unsafe Operations:  “The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has ordered United Parcel Service to pay an Earth City, MO., truck driver $111,008 in back wages, benefits, compensatory damages, punitive damages and attorney's fees… UPS terminated his employment in retaliation for his refusal to drive after raising safety concerns.”

Source:  OSHA.  For detailed information, see the current issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Jury Duty Pay in Connecticut:  The results of our Internet-based Quick Survey on Connecticut employers’ practices on compensating employees called to jury duty service showed that only 8% of respondents provide no compensation at all.  Practices among those that do pay are widely varied.

For detailed information, login at CTHRR.com and go to “Surveys.”

 

• Speaking of Our Internet Surveys:  They’re completely confidential and all participants receive the results.  To participate in our current survey which covers vacation policies, please go to:

Source:  CTHRR’s Quick Surveys. 

• Shelton Man Charged with Workers’ Compensation Fraud:  “…for allegedly running an ice cream shop while supposedly unable to work because of an on-the-job injury at a New Haven hospital…David P. VanWart, III, age 58 was charged with one count of Workers' Compensation Fraud, a class B felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison…the charges against Mr. VanWart are merely allegations, and he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Source:  State Division of Criminal Justice.  For detailed information, see the current issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• June Connecticut HR Reports Newsletter:  Our latest monthly issue is now available online at cthrr.com; login; go to “Newsletters.”  This month’s major topics:  HR Strategy  and New Connecticut Laws.

Source:  To access the newsletter, login at CTHRR.com and go to “Newsletters.”

• Connecticut Among States with Highest Insured Unemployment Rates:  The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending May 8 were in Puerto Rico (6.2 percent), Alaska (5.9), Oregon (5.4), Nevada (4.9), California (4.8), Pennsylvania (4.7), Wisconsin (4.5), North Carolina (4.4), Montana (4.3), and Connecticut (4.2

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the Current issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• June National News Update:  Our latest national newsletter monthly issue is now available online at www.cthrr.com; Topic:  Health Care Reform.

*       Source: CTHRR [login; go to “Newsletters.”]

• New Holiday in Connecticut:  Public Act 10-40 requires the governor to proclaim March 30 annually as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans' Day” to commemorate and honor Vietnam veterans return home.  While this holiday is not likely to be observed as a paid holiday by state employers, organizations may wish to recognize this day through their company newsletter or electronic bulletin boards.  

Source:  Connecticut Legislature.  For detailed information, see the current issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Connecticut’s Hours of Work:  The workweek for employees in April in the private sector, not seasonally adjusted, averaged 33.3 hours, which is up 0.6 hours from the April 2009 figure of 32.7 hours.

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the current issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Average Hourly Earnings in Connecticut:  Average hourly earnings at $28.41, not seasonally adjusted, were up $0.43 from a year ago at this time when the number was $27.98. This resulted in an average weekly wage for private sector employees of $946.05, up $31.10, which is an increase of 3.4 percent over the year. 

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the current issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• West Hartford:  OSHA Proposes $78k Fines:  “The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Har-Conn Chrome Co. Inc. for 45 alleged serious violations of safety and health standards at its West Hartford metal finishing plant.”

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the current issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter.

• Connecticut Unemployment in April:  The estimate of people unemployed, seasonally adjusted, decreased in April by 3,600 to 171,400 while the unemployment rate decreased from the March 2010 rate of 9.2 percent to 9.0 percent. This is 0.9 percentage points lower than the national rate of 9.9 percent.

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the current issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• State Unemployment by Labor Market:  Unemployment rates and the number of unemployed people, not seasonally adjusted, were up over the year in all of the state’s labor market areas except for the Danbury LMA, which had the lowest unemployment rate at 7.0 percent, followed by Bridgeport-Stamford at 7.9 percent, and Norwich-New London at 8.3 percent. Waterbury has the highest unemployment rate at 11.6 percent

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the current issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Connecticut Job Gains by Labor Market:  Job growth occurred in only two of the six major Labor Market Areas (LMAs) between March and April. These gains were found in the Danbury LMA (+700) and Norwich-New London LMA (+400). Hartford was unchanged over the month.

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the current issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• New Connecticut Public Act Lengthens COBRA Commitment:  Public Act 10-13 extends the period for which certain individuals and their dependents may continue group health insurance in the event of layoff, reduction of hours, leave of absence, or termination of employment, from 18 to 30 months.   The law applies to group policies issued or renewed in Connecticut regardless of the size of the employer group, but does not apply to self-insured plans.

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the HOT TOPICS section at CTHRR.com 

• Connecticut’s Employment Up:  The state’s nonfarm employment in April was 1,617,000, an increase of 3,000 jobs from the revised March 2010 figure of 1,614,000. On a seasonally adjusted basis, this is a decrease of 14,100 from the April 2009 total of 1,631,100 jobs.

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the current issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter.

 

• State’s Job Gains by Service Sector:  The largest gain was found in the professional and business sector, which added 5,100 jobs, followed by government with an increase of 1,700. This was followed by leisure and hospitality, up by 1,600 and manufacturing which gained 800 jobs.

Education and health services, a consistent job grower, relinquished some of those gains in April, losing 3,600 jobs, and trade, transportation and utilities dropped 1,700 jobs. The financial activities sector had an over-the-month loss of 700, while the construction and information sectors were both down slightly, each losing 200 jobs.

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the current issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Connecticut’s Population Up 7%—Jobs, Down 2%:  “Jobs in Connecticut decreased by 1.75% from 1990 to 2010. In February 1990, Connecticut had 1,638,800 non-farm jobs, compared to 1,610,200 in February 2010. Jobs in Connecticut have not been on a steady decline for the past 20 years. Instead, job totals have ebbed and flowed.

“For example, in December 1992, Connecticut had only 1,521,900 jobs, the lowest amount over the 20-year sample period. But in March 2008, Connecticut had 1,711,500 jobs, the highest amount over the sample period.” 

Source:  Connecticut Legislature.  For detailed information, see the May 24 issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• H-1B Visas:  New USDOL Web Tool:  “The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has a new tool to help employers and others understand how to comply with requirements under the H-1B visa program, which allows for the temporary employment of foreign workers in the U.S. in certain specialty occupations.”

Source: H-1B Advisor.  For further information on this topic, see the page: Visas, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

• Connecticut Added 3,000 Jobs in April:  The state’s nonfarm employment in April was 1,617,000, an increase of 3,000 jobs from the revised March 2010 figure of 1,614,000.  This is a decrease of 14,100 from the April 2009 total of 1,631,100 jobs.  Unemployment fell two-tenths to 9.0%.

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• June National News Update:  Our latest national newsletter monthly issue is now available online at cthrr.com; login; go to “Newsletters.”  This month’s major topic:  Health Care Reform 

*       Source: CTHRR’s Newsletters

• Connecticut AAP Data Updated:  “Connecticut Labor Force Data for Affirmative Action Plans provides quarterly labor force information for Connecticut and its nine labor market areas (LMAs). The data presented are designed to meet the requirements of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance (OFCCP) and/or the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) for companies, state agencies, and municipalities that submit an Affirmative Action Plan.

“Includes statewide and labor market area estimates of total labor force, unemployment rates, and unemployed women and minorities. Information on the broad occupational skills of women and minority job seekers registered with the CTWorks Career Centers can also be found here.”

Source: Connecticut 1st Quarter 2010 AAP Data.  For further information on this topic, see the page: Overtime, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• Salaries and Prices Both Rose 2.2% in Last Year:  The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 2.2 percent over the last 12 months.  At the same time, average weekly salaries also rose 2.2% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  In terms of purchasing power, U.S. employees made no gains.

Source:  USDOL-BLS.  For detailed information, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Overtime:  Working OT Is Bad for Your Heart:  “The finding, which was published in the European Heart Journal, found that rates of angina, nonfatal heart attacks and death from heart-related conditions were 60 percent higher in people who worked at least three hours beyond ‘the normal, seven-hour day’ compared with those who didn't work that amount of overtime.”

Source: Courant.com.  For further information on this topic, see the page: Overtime, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• New Quick Survey Now On-Line:  Paid Leave:  Does your organization provide paid sick leave?  A paid-time-off plan?  Pay for jury duty service?  Bereavement Leave?

Please—if you haven’t already participated—take our new Quick Survey.  All done on-line…takes about 45 seconds.

Click here: CTHRR Quick Surveys

• Green Cards:  USCIS Redesigning the Permanent Resident Card:  “Some existing Green Cards bear an expiration date, and those cards will remain valid until they expire.  Holders of those cards will receive the redesigned version when seeking a renewal or replacement.  Other existing Green Cards have no expiration date, and those cards remain valid.”

Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services:  Fact Sheet.  For further information on this topic, see the page: Immigration, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut

• Do Employers Use Floating Holidays in Connecticut?  Many employers find that "floating holidays" selected each year are useful for creating long weekends when regular holidays occur on a Tuesday or a Thursday.  They are further useful for individual holiday observances that are not included in the employer’s closing schedule, such as holidays recognized by certain religious groups.  Our recent survey of more than 150 state employers showed that 57% of participants make use of “floaters.”  Of these, 68% have more than one floating holiday in their work calendars.

Subscribers to What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut can see the complete results of our holiday survey at www.cthrr.com.  Login, go to “Survey Reports” and then to “Benefit Survey Reports.”

Source:  CTHRR’s Quick Surveys   For further information on this topic, see the section on: Holidays, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

To participate in our next survey…paid leave policies…please click here: CTHRR’s Quick Surveys

• Hours of Work in April:  Nationally, the average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls increased by 0.1 hour to 34.1 hours. The manufacturing workweek for all employees increased by 0.2 hour for the second straight month to 40.1 hours, and factory overtime was up by 0.1 hour over the month. The average workweek for production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls increased by 0.1 hour to 33.4 hours in April.

Source:  USDOL.  For further information on this topic, see the section on: Hours of Work, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

• What’s the Most Popular Holiday in Connecticut?  CTHRR has just completed a survey of more than 150 Connecticut employers’ paid-holiday practices.  Result:  After the “Standard Six Holidays,”  [New Year's, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas] which are observed by most everyone, the next-most-observed holiday is the Friday after Thanksgiving which in 2010 will be observed by 78% of survey participants.

The next most-frequently observed holiday after the Friday after Thanksgiving will be Good Friday [2011], observed by 55% of survey participants.

Subscribers to What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut can see the results of our holiday survey at www.cthrr.com.  Login, go to “Survey Reports” and then to “Benefit Survey Reports.”

Source:  CTHRR’s Quick Surveys   For further information on this topic, see the section on: Holidays, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

To participate in our next survey…paid leave policies…please click here: CTHRR’s Quick Surveys

 

• Wethersfield:  Safe Driving Course:  “Long time motorists, as well as novice drivers, can hone their skills and pick up some new tips during a May 25 Safe Driving course sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Labor’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CONN-OSHA.). The 10 a.m. to noon training session will take place in the agency’s Wethersfield headquarters, 200 Folly Brook Boulevard.

Admission to the Safe Driving class is free, although pre-registration is required. To register for the program, or for additional information, please contact Catherine Zinsser at (860) 263-6942, or via email at zinsser.catherine@dol.gov. Source: CTDOL

• New Connecticut Public Act:  PA 10-12 “Employee Misclassification”:        Increases the penalty for any employer who misrepresents the number of its employees or casts them as independent contractors to defraud or deceive an insurance company to pay lower workers' compensation insurance by specifying that each day of the violation constitutes a separate offense. Violators are liable to the Labor Department for a $300 civil penalty.  Effective 10/1/2010.

Source:  CTHRR.  For detailed information, there are hot links to the 2010 Public Acts affecting HR listed at www.CTHRR.com.  Log on; go to “Connecticut Laws, Regulations, and Resources”; then click on “2010 CT Legislative Summary.”  

 

• CTHRR’s Latest Quick Survey Now Open:  Please take our “Quick Survey” on Paid Leave:  Does your organization provide paid sick leave?  A paid-time-off plan?  Pay for jury duty service?  Bereavement Leave?  It’s all done online…takes about 45 seconds.  Thanks very much.  All data held is strict confidence.  All participants receive the results.

*       To participate, please click here: CTHRR’s Quick Surveys

• How Many Paid Holidays in Connecticut?  CTHRR has just completed a survey of more than 150 Connecticut employers’ paid-holiday practices.  Result:  The average number of paid holidays for participants is 10.1 per year.  Our survey results show the number of paid holidays by area of our state, size of employer, profit vs. non-profit, and industry.  All participants receive a copy of the results.

Subscribers to What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut can see the results at www.cthrr.com.  Login, go to “Survey Reports” and then to “Benefit Survey Reports.”

Source:  CTHRR’s Quick Surveys  For further information on this topic, see the section on: Holidays, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• Manufacturing Employment Up:  Nationally, Manufacturing continued added 44,000 jobs in April.  Employment in this industry has increased by 101,000 since December.  Three industries--fabricated metal products, machinery, and primary metals--have accounted for more than half of factory job gains so far this year.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the current issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter.

• Affordable Care Act:  [1] Reducing the Cost of Covering Early Retirees and [2] Extending Dependent Coverage:  CTHRR.com has added detailed information on these aspects of the Act:

[1] Reducing the Cost of Covering Early Retirees goes into effect on 6/21/2010 [note that HHS says “HHS will begin the Early Retiree Program on June 1, 2010, in advance of the June 21 start date required by the Affordable Care Act, allowing more claims to qualify for reinsurance payments for plans this year.”]

[2] Extending Dependent Coverage goes into effect for plan or policy years beginning on or after 9/23/2010 [note that USDOL says that more than 65 companies “…will voluntarily continue coverage for young adults who graduate or age off their parents' insurance before the implementation deadline.”]

Source: Login to CTHRR.com and go the “Hot Topics.”

 

• May Connecticut HR Reports Newsletter:  The latest issue of our monthly newsletter is posted at: www.cthrr.com; login; go to “Newsletters.”

Source: CTHRR

• U.S. Employment Situation for April:  Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 290,000 in April. The unemployment rate edged up to 9.9 percent. Details: http://www.cthrr.com

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the current issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter.

 

• A Hard Look at State Salaries:  “The average annual salary of a state employee in 2009 was $65,830, 37 percent higher than the average in Connecticut's civilian sector, which the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports as $47,739.”

Source: Waterbury Republican-American

• Employment Picture Continued Bleak in Metro Areas in March:  Unemployment rates were higher in March than a year earlier in 321 of the 372 metropolitan areas, including all six of the Connecticut metro areas that are included in the USDOL report.  Unemployment was lower in 41 areas, and unchanged in 10 areas.  Twenty-eight areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 3 areas registered rates below 5.0 percent.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the current issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter.

 

• U.S. Initial UC Claims Down 7k:  In the week ending May 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 444,000, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 451,000. The 4-week moving average was 458,500, a decrease of 4,750 from the previous week's revised average of 463,250.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Connecticut Woman Claims Genetic Discrimination:  “Pamela Fink says in discrimination complaints filed this week that MXenergy of Stamford hired someone else for her duties while she was recovering from a preventative double mastectomy, then fired her shortly after she returned.”

Source: ABC News   For further information on this topic, see the section on: Civil Rights ∙ Discrimination, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• High School Grads:  70% of 2009 Class Enrolled in College:  Of the 2.9 million youth age 16 to 24 who graduated from high school in January through October 2009, 2.1 million (70.1 percent) were enrolled in college in October 2009. The college enrollment rate of recent high school graduates has been trending up....

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the current issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter.

 

• Connecticut Holidays:  Most State Employers to Close Day Before Christmas:  Friday, December 24, 2010 will see about three-quarters of Connecticut respondents to our Holiday Survey closing for a three-day weekend.  The complete results of this survey will appear in our monthly Connecticut HR Reports Newsletter for May.

Source: CTHRR’s Quick Surveys

 

• 2009 High School Grads:  Most Are in College:  High School Grads:  70% of 2009 Class Enrolled in College:  Of the 2.9 million youth age 16 to 24 who graduated from high school in January through October 2009, 2.1 million (70.1 percent) were enrolled in college in October 2009.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the current issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

Wethersfield:  OSHA Recordkeeping Session:  OSHA recordkeeping requirements will be discussed at a May 21 training sponsored by the Department of Labor’s CONN-OHSA Division.  The session will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at the Department of Labor’s Central Office – 200 Folly Brook Boulevard in Wethersfield.  

To register for the free workshop, contact CONN-OSHA Training Officer John Able at (860) 263-6902 or via e-mail at  able.john@dol.gov.

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the current issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter.

 

• Aging:  More Americans Expect to Work Longer:  “Although the age at which workers report they expect to retire shows little change from 2009, a longer-term look finds significant change. In particular, the percentage of workers who expect to retire after age 65 has increased over time, from 11 percent in 1991 to 14 percent in 1995, 19 percent in 2000, 24 percent in 2005, and 33 percent in 2010.”

Source: EBRI.org.   For further information on this topic, see the section on: Retirement, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.. 

• U.S. Initial UC Claims Down 11k:  In the week ending April 24, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 448,000, a decrease of 11,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 459,000.

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending April 17 were in Puerto Rico (+3,549), Iowa (+1,606), Georgia (+1,412), Connecticut (+768), and Florida (+422), while the largest decreases were in New York (-21,010), California (-15,380), Pennsylvania (-4,512), Oregon (-4,317), and New Jersey (-3,777).

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see this week’s issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter.

 

• Employment Costs:  Index Rising On Benefit Costs:  Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.6 percent, seasonally adjusted, for the 3-month period ending March 2010. Wages and salaries (which make up about 70 percent of compensation costs) increased 0.4 percent while benefits (which make up the remaining 30 percent of compensation)--increased 1.1 percent.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see this week’s issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter.

• Connecticut: 9 Mass Layoffs in March:   In March, Connecticut employers took 9 mass layoff actions, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month.  Each action involved at least 50 persons from a single employer; the number of workers involved totaled 746. The number of mass layoff events this month decreased by 1 from the prior month, and the number of associated initial claims dropped by 101. As compared to the same month a year ago, the number of mass layoff events dropped by 2 and associated initial claims fell by 182.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the April 26 issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter.

 

• Ninety Percent of Connecticut Employers Predict Stability or Growth in Employment:  The percentage of respondents to a CTHRR suvey that said employment in their organization should stabilize or grow during the next 12 months has increased from a low of 54% in January 2009 to the mid-80 percents in our last three surveys to 90% in our latest survey.  This continues to be a sign of an improving economy for our state.

Source:  CTHRR’s Quick Surveys.  For further information on this topic, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of May 3. 

• Healthcare Webcast:  Do you have questions about how the new bill will affect your healthcare…more specifically, the insurance industry?  Check out the HHS webchat this Friday April 30 at 2:30 P.M. ET, to learn more about how the Affordable Care Act will hold insurance companies accountable.

Watch live at www.hhs.gov/live.

Send your questions to healthreform@hhs.gov and HHS will answer as many as possible during the webchat. HHS will also take questions live from Twitter using handle @HHSGOV.

Source:  United States Department of Health and Human Services.

 

• Flags to Half-Mast:  Governor M. Jodi Rell has ordered U.S. and State of Connecticut flags lowered to half-staff from dawn to dusk on Thursday, April 29 at all public buildings in Connecticut in honor of the late civil rights leader Dorothy Height.  Height has been called “the godmother of the civil rights movement.”  

Height began her activism in the 1930s, marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and led the National Council of Negro Women for 40 years.  Funeral services for Height will be held Thursday at Washington National Cathedral.

Source:  Governor’s Office. 

• Sick Leave Bill:  It’s Still Around:  “After much debate Friday, the legislature's appropriations committee voted 28-18 to approve a bill that would require businesses with 50 or more employees to let workers accrue up to 40 hours of paid sick time a year. The measure, which would take effect in 2011, now goes to the full Senate for debate.”

Source: Courant.com

 

• Holidays:  78% of Connecticut Employers to Close Friday after Thanksgiving:  Friday, November 26, 2010 will see more than three-quarters of Connecticut respondents to our Holiday Survey closing for a four-day weekend. [Good opportunity to get off the couch and walk off those Thanksgiving dinners.]  The complete results of this survey will appear in our monthly Connecticut HR Reports Newsletter for May.

Source: CTHRR’s Quick Surveys

• Shelton:  Persson to Speak at GVCC Forum Friday:  CTHRR's own Chris Persson will be speaking to the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce HR Forum this Friday morning in Shelton.  Chris will discuss the latest happenings in employment and HR-related issues.  Sponsored by the Schegg Group, admission is free, but a reservation is required.

   When: Friday, April 30, 8am – 9am

   Where: Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce - 900 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton, CT (map)

   Description:  This is a monthly meeting for HR Professionals.  For speaker information contact: Jackie Fedor, jfedor@schegggroup.com or Antoinette Dulin, amurray@schegggroup.com

 

• Connecticut’s Employment Situation:  “We have now seen three months of job gains in Connecticut, possibly one of the best indications we have seen to date that our economy is beginning to take a more positive turn,” noted Labor Statistics Supervisor Salvatore DiPillo. “We saw healthy gains in six of our major industry sectors, including manufacturing and construction – two areas that have suffered heavy losses as a result of the economic downturn. The gain of 3,000 new jobs parallels the growth we are seeing at the national level and gives us hope that this recession may be nearing its end.”

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter.

• Connecticut’s Unemployment by Labor Market Area:  Unemployment rates and the number of unemployed people, not seasonally adjusted, were up over the year in all of the state’s nine labor market areas.  Danbury had the lowest unemployment rate at 8.1 percent, followed by Bridgeport-Stamford at 8.5 percent, and Enfield is now at 8.8 percent.  Waterbury has the highest unemployment rate at 12.6 percent.

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter.

 

• East Hartford Career Fair :  Urban League 10^th Annual Career Fair, Thursday, April 29^th, 10 am – 3 pm, Rentschler Field, 615 Silver Lane, East Hartford, CT.

Source: CTDOL

• Connecticut’s Unemployment in March: The estimate of people unemployed, seasonally adjusted, increased in March by 900 to 175,000, while the unemployment rate increased from the February 2010 rate of 9.1 percent to 9.2 percent. This is 0.5 percentage points lower than the national rate of 9.7 percent. In comparison with the state’s unemployment rate of 7.7 percent in March 2009, this month’s unemployment number represents an increase of 1.5 percentage points over the year.

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of April 19.

 

• Connecticut Learns and Works Conference:  “A conference for educators, counselors, employment and training specialists and business persons interested in career and workforce development issues.”  Friday, May 14:  The Water’s Edge Conference Center, 1525 Boston Post Road, Westbrook, Connecticut 06498.

Source: Further Information

• Connecticut’s Average Earnings in March:            Average hourly earnings at $27.88, not seasonally adjusted, were down $0.45 from a year ago at this time when the number was $28.33. This resulted in an average weekly wage for private sector employees of $920.04, down $17.68, which is a decrease of 1.9 percent over the year. Information for the manufacturing production workweek only can be found in the table section of the release under the “Hours and Earnings” data category.

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of April 19.

 

• Connecticut Among States with Still-Increasing Unemployment:  Regional and state unemployment rates were little changed in March. Twenty-four states [including Connecticut] recorded over- the-month unemployment rate increases, 17 states and the District of Columbia registered rate decreases, and 9 states had no rate change. Forty-four states [including Connecticut] and the District of Columbia recorded jobless rate increases from a year earlier, 5 states had decreases, and one state had no change. For the third consecutive month, the national unemployment rate was 9.7 percent, up from 8.6 percent in March 2009.  Connecticut’s unemployment rate for March was 9.2%.

Source: USDOL

• Connecticut’s Nonfarm Employment:  With job gains in six of Connecticut’s 10 major industry sectors, losses in three, and one sector unchanged, net gains exceeded losses. The biggest employment gain was found in leisure and hospitality up 1,400 jobs, closely followed by the educational and health services sector, which added 1,300 jobs.

Smaller gains occurred in the manufacturing sector, up 700; trade, transportation and utilities, up 600 jobs; information, up 500; and construction, up by 400. The other services sector experienced the greatest loss of jobs, down 900, followed by government, with a loss of 700 jobs, while the financial activities sector was off by 300. Employment in the professional and business sector was unchanged between February and March.

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of April 19.

 

• Most Connecticut Employers Closing on July 5^th:  Early data from our 2010-11 Holiday Survey indicate that 84% of surveyed Connecticut employers will close on Monday, July 5^th in observance of Independence Day.

Please take a few moments to complete our on-line holiday survey.  All participants receive the survey results.  All responses are held in strict confidence; only aggregate data are reported.  Takes about 45 seconds to complete. Thanks for helping with this:

*  Source:   Click here to take the Special Holiday Survey

• Connecticut’s Employment Situation in March:  The state’s nonfarm employment in March was 1,614,500, an increase of 3,000 jobs from the revised February 2010 figure of 1,611,500. On a seasonally adjusted basis, this is a decrease of 30,600 from the March 2009 total of 1,645,100 jobs.

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of April 19.

• More on the COBRA Premium Subsidy Extension:  As reported yesterday, the COBRA subsidy now extends to May 31, 2010.  CTHRR has posted a full explanation of the requirements of this extension.

For detailed information, go to the “Hot Topics” section at CTHRR.com. 

• IRS Notifying Small Businesses of Healthcare Reform Tax Credit:  The Internal Revenue Service is mailing postcards to more than four million small businesses and tax-exempt organizations to make them aware of the benefits of the recently enacted small business health care tax credit.

Included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act the credit, which takes effect this year, is designed to encourage small employers to offer health insurance coverage for the first time or maintain coverage they already have.

In general, the credit is available to small employers that pay at least half the cost of single coverage for their employees in 2010. The credit is specifically targeted to help small businesses and tax-exempt organizations that primarily employ low- and moderate-income workers.

Source:  IRS.  For detailed information, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of April 19.

• COBRA Premium Subsidy Extended:  COBRA subsidy now extends to May 31, 2010. Notices should be sent to qualified employees terminated after March 31, 2010 and through May 31st.

Source:  Robert Noonan & Associates.  For detailed information, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter.

 

• CTHRR's Special Holiday Survey Available:  Please take a few moments to complete our on-line survey on holidays observed by Connecticut employers.  All participants receive the results of the survey.  All responses are held in strict confidence.  Only aggregate data are reported.  Thanks for helping with this:

Click here to take the survey:  Special Holiday Survey 

• Bachelor’s Grads Getting Lower Offers:  “Starting salary offers to the college Class of 2010 are down compared to last year at this time, according to a new report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).  The Spring 2010 issue of NACE’s Salary Survey shows the overall average salary offer to a bachelor’s degree candidate is $47,673, which is 1.7 percent lower than the average offer of $48,515 made to Class of 2009 bachelor’s degree candidates.”

Source:  NACEweb.com.  For detailed information on salaries by undergraduate major, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter.

• Waterbury Worker’s Overtime Scam:  “A Waterbury school maintenance worker has been disciplined after officials said he punched in for overtime shifts at the school and then went to work at his part-time job at BJ’s Wholesale Club.”

Source: WFSB.com  For further information on this topic, see the section on Overtime in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• U.S. Initial UC Claims Jump 24k:  In the week ending April 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 484,000, an increase of 24,000 from the previous week's unrevised figure of 460,000. The 4-week moving average was 457,750, an increase of 7,500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 450,250.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Connecticut New Swine Flu Cases Slowed:  In its report of April 13, the Connecticut Department of Public Health showed a one-week increase of 0.1% in laboratory-confirmed H1N1 cases statewide; this is down from 0.3% in the prior week’s report.   Results released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show as a region, New England’s H1N1 vaccination coverage rates were consistently above the national average. In fact, the New England region’s vaccination rates were the highest in the country in eight of nine target populations surveyed.

Source:  Connecticut Department of Public Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.  For detailed information on swine flu cases by area of our state, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter.

 

• COBRA Premium Subsidy:  May be extended again…this time to those terminated in April…U.S. Senate to vote. 

For the most up-to-date Connecticut HR news and info, subscribe to our weekly Connecticut HR Reports eNewsletter. Annual subscriptions (48 issues) are just $99. For a FREE sample issue, E-mail us.

• CTHRR's Special Holiday Survey Available:  Please take a few moments to complete our on-line survey on holidays observed by Connecticut employers.  All participants receive the results of the survey.  All responses are held in strict confidence.  Only aggregate data are reported.  Thanks for helping with this:

Click here to take the survey:  Special Holiday Survey 

 

• Electrical Safety:  “That’s the purpose of a Breakfast Roundtable Discussion meeting sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Labor’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CONN-OSHA) scheduled for 8:15 to 9:45 a.m. April 20 at the agency’s Wethersfield Central Office, 200 Folly Brook Boulevard.  Warren Rogers of CL&P/Northeast Utilities, and CONN-OSHA Safety Training Specialist John Able will outline what contractors need to know – including electrical safety, overhead power lines, portable power tools and temporary power.”

Source:  CONN-OSHA.  For the most up-to-date Connecticut HR news and info, subscribe to our weekly Connecticut HR Reports eNewsletter. Annual subscriptions (48 issues) are just $99. For a FREE sample issue, E-mail us.

• Connecticut’s Employment Situation:  “Despite the loss of 1,100 jobs in February, we continue to see subtle signs that Connecticut’s economy may be on track toward recovery,” noted Labor Statistics Supervisor Salvatore DiPillo. “At this point, Connecticut’s recession has now lasted 23 months, yet certain indicators suggest that the dramatic downturns we saw in 2009 are beginning to decelerate. While robust job growth is not anticipated for 2010, the decrease in initial unemployment claims—as well as the slower rates of job losses—offer small, but promising signals that the economic tide is beginning to change in our state.”

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 29^th.

• Connecticut’s Unemployment By Labor Market Area:         Unemployment rates and the number of unemployed people, not seasonally adjusted, were up over the year in all of the state’s nine labor market areas in February 2010. Danbury had the lowest unemployment rate at 8.5 percent, followed by Bridgeport-Stamford at 9.0 percent, and Norwich-New London at 9.3 percent. Waterbury had the highest unemployment rate at 13.4 percent.

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 29^th.

• U.S. Unemployment in March: The unemployment rate held at 9.7 percent in March.  Over the month, jobless rates for the major worker groups showed little or no change.  Of the 15.0 million persons unemployed in March, 6.5 million had been jobless for 27 weeks or more, an increase of 414,000 over the month.  These long-term unemployed made up 44.1 percent of all unemployed persons, a record high.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of April 5^th.

• U.S. Initial UC Claims Up 18k:  In the week ending April 3, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 460,000, an increase of 18,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 442,000. The 4-week moving average was 450,250, an increase of 2,250 from the previous week's revised average of 448,000.

 Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of April 12^th.

• Connecticut’s Unemployment in February:  Unemployment: The estimate of people unemployed, seasonally adjusted, increased in February by 3,900 to 174,000 while the unemployment rate increased from the January 2010 rate of 9.0 percent to 9.1 percent. This is 0.6 percentage points lower than the national rate of 9.7 percent. In comparison with the state’s unemployment rate of 7.4 percent in February 2009, this month’s unemployment number represents an increase of 1.7 percentage points over the year. The number of people unemployed increased by 34,100 from last year at this time. Average weekly initial unemployment claims in February 2010 for first-time filers decreased over the month by 151 to 5,460, and were down 20.4 percent, or 1,398 claims from last year.

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 29^th.

 

• HIRE Act:  IRS Issues Tex-Exemption Form: The HIRE Act created two new tax benefits designed to encourage employers to hire and retain new workers. As a result, employers who hire unemployed workers this year (after Feb. 3, 2010, and before Jan. 1, 2011) may qualify for a 6.2-percent payroll tax incentive, in effect exempting them from the employer’s share of social security tax on wages paid to these workers after March 18.

The Internal Revenue Service has released a new form that will help employers claim the special payroll tax exemption..

Source:  IRS.  For detailed information, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of April 12^th.

• Connecticut’s Hours and Earnings in February:  The workweek for employees in the private sector, not seasonally adjusted, averaged 32.5 hours, which is down 0.9 hours from the February 2009 figure of 33.4 hours. Average hourly earnings at $28.32, not seasonally adjusted, were up $0.15 from a year ago at this time when the number was $28.17. This resulted in an average weekly wage for private sector employees of $920.40, down $20.48, which is a decrease of 2.2 percent over the year..

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 29^th.

 

• U.S. Hours and Earnings in March:  Average hourly earnings of all employees in the private sector declined by 2 cents in March to $22.47.  Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 1.8 percent. >From February 2009 to February 2010, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose by 2.2 percent.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of April 5^th.

• Connecticut’s Job Gains in February:  On the plus side, healthy gains were seen in the educational and health services sector, which added 1,100 jobs, while professional and business was up by 1,000 jobs and employment in manufacturing increased by 700. The trade, transportation and utilities sector provided the smallest job gains, with 200 additional jobs. February employment in the construction sector was mostly unchanged from the previous month, for a total of 52,000 jobs. 

            Overall, since the beginning of the recession in March 2008, Connecticut has shed 101,300 jobs, which represents an overall employment decline of 5.9 percent..

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 29^th.

 

• U.S. March Job Losses and Gains: Federal government employment rose over the month, reflecting ramped-up hiring for Census 2010.  In March, the Census Bureau brought on 48,000 temporary workers.  Employment in state and local governments was essentially unchanged. Manufacturing employment continued to trend up in March. Over the last 3 months, manufacturing has added 45,000 jobs, with most of the gains in durable goods industries.

            Construction employment held steady in March.  This industry had shed an average of 72,000 jobs per month in the prior 12 months. Employment continued to decline in financial activities (-21,000) and in information (-12,000) in March.  Other major industries showed little change in employment.

            Overall, nonfarm payroll employment rose by 162,000 in March, and the unemployment rate was 9.7 percent for the third month in a row.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of April 5^th.

• Connecticut’s Job Losses in February:  Overall, since the beginning of the recession in March 2008, Connecticut has shed 101,300 jobs, which represents an overall employment decline of 5.9 percent.

            February’s jobs losses were spread across several industry sectors, although there were some significant increases in others. The biggest employment decline was found in government, down 1,200 jobs, followed by the leisure and hospitality sector, down by 1,100. Additional declines were seen in the other services and information sectors, with losses amounting to 900 and 600 jobs, respectively.

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 29^th.

 

• U.S. Job Gains and Losses in March: Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 162,000 in March, and the unemployment rate was 9.7 percent for the third month in a row.  Job gains continued in temporary help services and in health care, while job losses occurred in financial activities and in information.  The March employment increase also included 48,000 workers hired by the federal government for Census 2010.

            Temporary help services employment increased by 40,000 in March.  Since last September, employment in this industry has grown by 313,000, or 18 percent.  Health care added 27,000 jobs in March, compared with an average monthly gain of 18,000 over the prior 12 months.  Mining employment rose by 8,000 in March.  This industry has added 31,000 jobs since last October.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of April 5^th.

• Connecticut Unemployment in February:  Unemployment: The estimate of people unemployed, seasonally adjusted, increased in February by 3,900 to 174,000 while the unemployment rate increased from the January 2010 rate of 9.0 percent to 9.1 percent. This is 0.6 percentage points lower than the national rate of 9.7 percent. In comparison with the state’s unemployment rate of 7.4 percent in February 2009, this month’s unemployment number represents an increase of 1.7 percentage points over the year. The number of people unemployed increased by 34,100 from last year at this time. Average weekly initial unemployment claims in February 2010 for first-time filers decreased over the month by 151 to 5,460, and were down 20.4 percent, or 1,398 claims from last year.

Source:  CTDOL.  For further information on this topic, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 29^th.

 

• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims Fall 6k:  In the week ending March 27, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 439,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 445,000. The 4-week moving average was 447,250, a decrease of 6,750 from the previous week's revised average of 454,000.

Source:  USDOL. 

 

• U.S. Employment Up:  Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 162,000 in March, and the unemployment rate held at 9.7 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Temporary help services and health care continued to add jobs over the month. Employment in federal government also rose, reflecting the hiring of temporary workers for Census 2010. Employment continued to decline in financial activities and in information..

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

• Hours and Earnings in Connecticut…in February:  The workweek for employees in the private sector, not seasonally adjusted, averaged 32.5 hours, which is down 0.9 hours from the February 2009 figure of 33.4 hours. Average hourly earnings at $28.32, not seasonally adjusted, were up $0.15 from a year ago at this time when the number was $28.17. This resulted in an average weekly wage for private sector employees of $920.40, down $20.48, which is a decrease of 2.2 percent over the year.

Source:  CTDOL.  For further information on this topic, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 29^th.

• Health Care Reform Webcast March 31, 7pm:  Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius and Small Business Administrator Karen Mills will host a webcast on Wednesday, March 31 at 7pm at www.HealthReform.gov to discuss the recent health care reforms and their impact on the small business community.  Participants can email their questions in advance to HealthReform@hhs.gov.

Source:  USDOL. 

 

• Connecticut Job Losses, Gains in February:  Job gains were found in just one of the six major Labor Market Areas between January and February, with Norwich-New London adding 300 jobs. New Haven lost the most jobs – 700, while Danbury shed 300 jobs and Waterbury was down 200. The number of jobs in Bridgeport-Stamford and Hartford remained steady over the month.

Source:  CTDOL.  For further information on this topic, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 29^th.

• Connecticut WARN Act Layoff:  The Connecticut Department of Labor has been notified by the Greenfield Publishing Group, Westport, CT, that the firm will layoff 15 employees by June 30, 2010; the facility is closing.

Source:  CTDOL. For further information on this topic, see the section on: Layoffs, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• Hiring:  A New Work Credential:  “The National Work Readiness Credential (NWRC) is based on an employer-defined standard of the critical skills needed by entry-level workers in a variety of fields.”

Source:  www.workreadiness.com/

• Connecticut WARN Act Layoff:  The Connecticut Department of Labor has been notified by the Hartford Fire Insurance Company, Bloomfield, CT, that the firm will layoff 101 employees between May 26 and June 12, 2010.

Source:  CTDOL. For further information on this topic, see the section on: Layoffs, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• Connecticut Career Fair:  “…our main concern is connecting skilled and qualified job seekers with employment opportunities that local companies have to offer.”  Danbury Career Fair: Tuesday, March 30, 2010, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, Ethan Allen Hotel, Danbury, CT

Source:  Connecticut Department of Labor:  www.ctdol.state.ct.us/jobfairs/default.htm

 

• Employee Misclassification:  Connecticut’s  “Attorney General, Richard Blumenthal…announced measures enabling a crackdown on companies that illegally misclassify employees as independent contractors -- recommendations of a state commission on worker misclassification that he co-chairs.”.

Source:  Connecticut Attorney General.  For further information on this topic, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 22.  Also see the section on: Independent Contractors, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• Connecticut Unemployment Rises Again:  The state’s nonfarm employment in February was 1,610,200, a decrease of 1,100 jobs from the revised January 2010 figure of 1,611,300. On a seasonally adjusted basis, this is a decrease of 45,400 from the February 2009 total of 1,655,600 jobs.  Unemployment rose one tenth to 9.1%.

Source:  CTDOL. For further information on this topic, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 29.

 

• U.S. Initial UC Claims Down 14k:  Nationally, in the week ending March 20, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims decreased by 6,000 from the previous week's figure.  For further information, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 29.

 

• Connecticut: 9 New Swine Flu Cases:  In its report of March 23, the Connecticut Department of Health showed a one-week increase of 0.3% in laboratory-confirmed H1N1 cases statewide.  More details are presented in CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 29.

 

• Healthcare Reform:  What employers face as a result of the new law…summarized on our website.  Login to the Subscribers’ area on CTHRR.com and click on “Hot Topics.”

 

• Healthcare Reform:  A timeline for implementation of the provisions of the new Act…posted on our website.  Login to the Subscribers’ area on CTHRR.com and click on “Hot Topics.”

 

• Healthcare Reform:  Attorneys general in 14 states sue to block healthcare reform law...Connecticut's AG is not one of them.

For further information on this topic, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 22.   

 

• Healthcare Reform:  How Will It Affect Employers?  Most provisions of the bill don’t take effect until 2014; however, employers will face some changes as soon as six months from passage of the reform bill.

For further information on this topic, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 22. 

 

• U.S.  Earnings Rose Over Last 12 Months: U.S. Average weekly earnings grew 1.0 percent, seasonally adjusted, from February 2009 to February 2010.  During the same period, average hourly earnings grew by 1.9%.

Source:  USDOL.  For further information on this topic, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 22.

 

• Employment Picture Continued Bleak in Metro Areas Nationwide in January:  Unemployment rates were higher in January than a year earlier in 363 of the 372 metropolitan areas, lower in 7 areas, and unchanged in 2 areas. Thirty-five areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 2 areas registered rates below 5.0 percent.

Source:  USDOL.  For information on Connecticut’s number and percent unemployed, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 22.

 

• Consumer Prices Up 2.1%: The cost of living rose 2.1 percent over the last 12 months.

Source:  USDOL.  For further information on this topic, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 22.  Also see the section on: Consumer Price Index, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

• Connecticut Human Resources: For the most up-to-date Connecticut HR news and info, subscribe to our weekly Connecticut HR Reports eNewsletter. Annual subscriptions (48 issues) are just $99. For a FREE sample issue, E-mail us.

 

• Last Week’s National Economy:  Housing starts and new building permits were both down in February, however, industrial production rose slightly as did the Leading Economic Index; producer prices fell, but consumer prices rose. Initial unemployment compensation claims were lower.

Source:  CTHRR.  For detailed information, see the March 22 issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• New H2A Notice:  Employers of H2A workers must display a new poster.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information on who must post and where to download posters, see the March 22 issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• HIRE Act Yields Two New Tax Breaks for Employers:   Two new tax benefits are now available to employers hiring workers who were previously unemployed or only working part time. These provisions are part of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act which is now law.

Source:  IRS.  For detailed information, see the March 22 issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Weekly Salaries Lost Buying Power in February:  Weekly salaries may have increased, but after the cost-of-living is factored in, salaries lost ground last month.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the March 22 issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• U.S. Initial UC Claims Down 6k:  In the week ending March 6, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims decreased by 6,000 from the previous week's figure.  For detailed information, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR Reports eNewsletter

 

• Connecticut New Swine Flu Cases:  In its report of March 16, the Connecticut Department of Health showed a one-week increase of 0.5% in laboratory-confirmed H1N1 cases statewide. Source:  CTDPH.   For detailed information, including a breakdown of new cases by Connecticut county, see the March 22nd issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter

 

• U.S. Rate of Employee Turnover was 4.2% in January:  The turnover rate rose in the U.S. to 4.2% in the latest report [not seasonally adjusted], from 3.0% the prior month; however, it was well below the 5.1% turnover rate we saw in the same month a year ago.

Source:  USDOL.  For detailed information, see the March 15th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Unemployment in Connecticut Labor Markets:  Unemployment rates and the number of unemployed people, not seasonally adjusted, were up over the year in all of the state’s nine labor market areas in January 2010. Danbury had the lowest unemployment rate at 8.5 percent, followed by Bridgeport-Stamford at 9.0 percent, and Norwich-New London at 9.3 percent. Waterbury had the highest unemployment rate at 13.3 percent.

Source:  CTDOL.  For information on other Connecticut Labor Market Areas, see the March 15th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Job Gains/Losses in Connecticut Labor Markets:  There were job gains in four of the six major Labor Market Areas (LMAs) between December and January, with the New Haven LMA adding the most number of jobs while the Bridgeport-Stamford LMA’s job count remained steady over the month. All of Connecticut LMAs lost jobs over the year.

Source:  CTDOL.  For information on other Connecticut Labor Market Areas, see the March 15th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Connecticut: Only 8 New Swine Flu Cases:  In its report of March 9, the Connecticut Department of Health showed a one-week increase of 0.2% in laboratory-confirmed H1N1 cases statewide.

Source:  CTDPH.   For detailed information, see the March 15th issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter

 

• Job Growth/Losses in Connecticut Industrial Sectors:  In January, six major Connecticut industry sectors added jobs. Leisure and hospitality saw the most growth in jobs, adding 3,800, followed by educational and health services, which added 3,200 jobs.   The sectors with the largest job losses in January were professional and business sectors, down 2,100 jobs, and manufacturing down 2,000 jobs.

Source:  CTDOL.  For information on other Connecticut Industrial Sectors, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• OSHA Sends Notice to Employers:  A letter has been sent to about 15,000 workplaces with the highest numbers of injuries and illnesses resulting in days away from work, restricted work activities or job transfers, known as the DART rate.

Source:  OSHA.  For complete details on this letter, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 8th.

 

• Many Connecticut Employers Giving No Pay Increases in 2010:  Roughly 39% of respondents to our recent follow-up Quick Survey on 2010 salary budgets. said they were not going to raise salaries in 2010; this is up from approximately 30% that indicated a zero increase for 2010 in last fall’s preliminary survey.

Source:  CTHRR Quick Surveys.  For detailed information on the survey results, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 8th.

 

• U.S. Initial UC Claims Down 6k:  In the week ending March 6, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims decreased by 6,000 from the previous week's figure.  For detailed information, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter

 

• Connecticut Human Resources: For the most up-to-date Connecticut HR news and info, subscribe to our weekly Connecticut HR Reports eNewsletter. Annual subscriptions (48 issues) are just $99. For a FREE sample issue, E-mail us

 

• Connecticut Unemployment Rises: The estimate of people unemployed, seasonally adjusted, increased in January by 4,200 to 170,100, while the unemployment rate increased from the December 2009 rate of 8.8 percent to 9.0 percent. This is 0.7 percentage points lower than the national rate of 9.7 percent. In comparison with the state’s January 2009 unemployment rate of 7.1 percent, this month’s unemployment number represents an increase of 1.9 percentage points over the year.

Source:  CTDOL.  For detailed information, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Job Openings:  Nationwide there were 2.7 million job openings on the last business day of January 2010. The job openings rate rose over the month to 2.3 percent from December’s level of 1.7%.

Source:  USDOL.  Our table shows job opening, hire, and total separation rates for the latest month, prior month, and one year ago, nationwide; also shows quits, layoffs & discharges, and other separations—all of which are included in total separations; see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

• Connecticut Added Jobs in January:  Our state’s nonfarm employment in January was 1,610,400, an increase of 2,300 jobs from the revised December 2009 figure of 1,608,100. On a seasonally adjusted basis, this is a decrease of 52,500 from the January 2009 total of 1,662,900 jobs.

Source:  CTDOL  For detailed information, see the next issue of CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter. 

 

 • Drug-Testing Labs in Connecticut:  On March 3rd we sent the following email to Connecticut employers:  “We are looking for recommendations on pre-employment drug testing firms. If you use such an organization and would recommend it to other employers, kindly note the name, city, and state….”

A table in our Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 8th summarizes the responses to our request, including the number of respondents that selected the particular firm:.

Source:  CTHRR Quick Surveys.  For detailed information on the survey results, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 8th.

 

• Connecticut Human Resources: For the most up-to-date Connecticut HR news and info, subscribe to our weekly Connecticut HR Reports eNewsletter. Annual subscriptions (48 issues) are just $99. For a FREE sample issue, E-mail us.

• Connecticut Salary Budgets Update [Survey]: Last fall Connecticut employers told us what they were planning for salary increase budgets [including both merit and general increases] for 2010.  At the end of February we asked employers to update this information so we could see what changes they’ve have made in their budgets as the current economic crisis continues.  We found that most employers have not revised their budgets; however, of those that have made changes, downward revisions overshadowed upward revisions by a ratio of about 5 to 1.

Source:  CTHRR Quick Surveys.  For detailed information on the survey results, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 8th.

 

• Connecticut: 28 New Swine Flu Cases: In its report of March 2, the Connecticut Department of Health showed a one-week increase of 0.8% in laboratory-confirmed H1N1 cases statewide; this is up from 0.5% in the prior week’s report.  

Source:  CTDPH.  For further information on this topic, including a breakdown of cases by county, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of 01 March.

 

• Connecticut Human Resources: Are you paying your employees too little, too much?  Employee Compensation in Connecticut gives you all the tools you need to set up and maintain a sound, defensible program of wage & salary administration in your organization.  Available online, in print, or both.

Source:  CTHRR.com

 

• U.S. Initial UC Claims Down 29k:  In the week ending Feb. 27, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial Unemployment Compensation claims nationwide was 469,000, a decrease of 29,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 498,000. The 4-week moving average was 470,750, a decrease of 3,500 from the previous week's revised average of 474,250.

Source:  USDOL. 

 

• Connecticut UC Claims Jumped: The largest increases in initial Unemployment Compensation claims for the week ending Feb. 20 were in New Jersey (+4,879), Massachusetts (+4,744), Connecticut (+2,018), Missouri (+1,920), and Maryland (+1,499),.

Source:  USDOL.  For further information on this topic see the section on: Unemployment Compensation, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• Feds Extend COBRA Premium Subsidy: The bill, H.R. 4691, extends the 15-month 65% premium subsidy that expired on the last day of February from March 1 through March 31.

For further information on this topic, watch for CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of March 8th.

 

• Eligibility for Paid Holidays: A CTHRR survey of 143 Connecticut employers shows that new employees most typically become eligible to participate in their employer’s paid holiday benefit program from the day of hire.  They may have to work at least the day before the paid holiday [and perhaps the day after] to be paid, but for 64% of responding firms, employees get paid holidays right off the bat.  Nineteen percent of employers have workers on the payroll for 30 days before paying them for holidays, 4% for 60 days, and 13% for 90 days or more before receiving pay for a holiday not worked.

Source:  CTHRR’s Quick Surveys.  For further information on this topic, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of 18 January; also, see the section on: Holidays, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• IRS Publications: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently updated Publication 15, This document explains an employer’s tax responsibilities, including the requirements for withholding, depositing, reporting, paying, and correcting employment taxes. It also contains tax tables for figuring the taxes to withhold for each employee. In addition, the 2010 version reflects numerous changes of interest to compensation and benefits professionals.

The IRS has also updated Publication 509, Tax Calendars, for use in tax year 2010.  Publication 509 provides specific due dates for filing tax forms, paying taxes, and taking other actions required by federal tax law.

Source:  IRS Publications.  For further information on this topic see the section on: Deductions from Pay, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• U.S. Initial UC Claims Up 22k: In the week ending Feb. 20, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 496,000, an increase of 22,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 474,000. The 4-week moving average was 473,750, an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's revised average of 467,750.

Source:  USDOL.  For further information on this topic see the section on: Unemployment Compensation, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• New CTHRR Internet-Based Quick-Survey on Pay Increases:  This is our annual follow-up to our current-year pay budget forecast so we can see what changes employers may have made in their budgets as the current economic crisis continues.

Survey is completely done on-line [no paperwork, nothing to mail] and takes about a minute.  Please:   Click here for CTHRR’s Quick Survey

 

• March 9:  Fork-Lift Seminar:  Operators of powered industrial trucks will receive detailed training by attending a “Powered Industrial Truck (Fork Truck)” seminar scheduled for March 9 being sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Labor's Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CONN-OSHA). The session, which will run from 10 a.m. to noon, will be held in Conference Room A of the agency's Central Office, located at 200 Folly Brook Boulevard in Wethersfield. 

Source: CTDOL:  Admission to the seminar is free, but registration for the seminar is required. To register for the session, or for additional information, please contact John Able via email at able.john@dol.gov.

 

• Winsted Woman Caught Fishing for WC Benefits?  “A Winsted woman who was videotaped hauling in a boat anchor while claiming to be too badly injured to work as a department store [Wal-Mart] greeter was arrested…on workers' compensation fraud charges.”

Source:  State of Connecticut.  For more details on this case, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of 22 February.

 

• Consumer Prices Up 2.6%: The cost of living rose 2.6 percent over the last 12 months.

Source:  USDOL.  For further information on this topic, see CTHRR’s Connecticut HR eNewsletter for the week of 22 February.  Also see the section on: Consumer Price Index, in What to Do about Personnel Problems in Connecticut.

 

• Older Americans:  Staying Longer in the Workforce:  “The labor-force participation rate is increasing for older Americans (those age 55 and older) as older workers are faced with higher health costs and economic losses, according to a study published…by the nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI).”

Source: EBRI.org  For further information on this topic see the section on: Age Discrimination, in