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Labor

Rotten to the (Job) Corps - Summer 2009 - Vol. 21, No. 2 - available PDF file

This federally funded, educational and career training program costs taxpayers $1.5 billion annually to provide training for disadvantaged 16-24 year olds in higher skilled jobs --a segment of the U.S. job market currently experiencing a talent shortage.  This article examines the pitfalls the Job Corps has faced since its inception in 1964 and why the return on taxpayers’ investment for this program has been negligible.

"U6" Unemployment Stats Might Make "U Sick" - Summer 2009 - Vol. 21, No. 2 - available PDF file

The U.S. Department of Labor ranks unemployment stats in six categories, with U3 as the official rate and the media headline grabber.  But the U6 stats dig deeper into the nation’s unemployment situation and paints a more realistic, albeit bleaker, picture of the U.S. job market.

Motivation, Like Bathing, Doesn't Last - Spring 2009 - Vol. 21, No. 1 - available PDF file

When you read the torturous tactics one company implemented to motivate its employees, you will ask yourself: What were they thinking?

Oh Labor, Where Art Thou? - Some counties are frozen in amber. - Fall 2007-Vol.19, No.2 - available PDF file

Labor availability can be a site-selection deal breaker for corporations seeking locations for new industrial facilities. This article identifies U.S. counties that had chronically high and low unemployment rates during an 84-month study period (2000-2006), and showcases some interesting demographic differences between the two groups.

It Can’t Be Harassment If We Are Having Sex – Only in California… - Winter 2006 - Vol. 18, No.1 - available PDF file

A recent ruling by the California Supreme Court could broaden the definition of sexual harassment to include “sexual favoritism” thanks to the sexual escapades of Warden Lewis Kuykendall of the Valley State Prison for Women.

Just Another Manic Monday: Percent of Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Highest on Monday - Summer 2005 - Vol.17, No.2 - available PDF file

According to the first ever time-of-injury data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonfatal lost workday occupational injuries and illnesses are more likely to occur on Monday than any other day of the week. This detailed analysis breaks down what time of day nonfatal lost workday injuries and illnesses are likely to occur and how long a worker has been at work before the injury or illness occurred.

Baby, Oh Baby…We Need More Babies!: Overpopulation?…Overblown! - Winter 2005 - Vol.16, No.1 - available PDF file

Worried that the world is becoming overpopulated? Think Again. U.S. birthrates have been declining since 1957 – from 3.7 births per woman to just under 2.1 births, the rate required to maintain a level population. This article explores the reasons behind declining U.S. birth rates and what effect “depopulation” will have on the economy.

Offshoring of American Jobs: A Political Patsy - Fall 2004 - Vol.15, No. 4 - available PDF file

Worried that your white-collar job might be exported overseas? Some say it’s the cause of our sluggish economy. However, these statistics are misleading. This article explores the benefits of offshore outsourcing for America.

The Lady said, “ Show Me the Money!” - Winter 2003-Vol. 13, No.1 - available PDF file

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 75 percent of women, ages 25 - 34, were part of the workforce in 2000, compared to 50 percent in 1975. Not only are more women working, but they also are catching men in terms of pay.

Safety in the Workplace: Perception vs. Reality - Winter 2003-Vol. 13, No.1 - available PDF file

The 2002 Liberty Mutual Safety Index ranks the leading causes or workplace injuries based on the direct cost associated with each injury type. Comparing this data with the results from the 2001 Liberty Mutual Executive Survey of Workplace Safety helps highlight an interesting phenomenon. Executive perception of the main causes of injury in the workplace differs significantly from reality.

The Demographics of Death - Spring 2002-Vol. 12, No.2 - available PDF file

An examination of the distribution of deaths across working age population, including the leading causes of death for each sex, and statistics on the most dangerous occupations. The ray of sunshine in these morbid stats is that the rate of fatal injuries is on the decline.

U.S. Worker Earnings Up - Spring 2002-Vol. 12, No.2 - available PDF file

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is reporting that average U.S. worker earnings for calendar year 2000 were up 5.9 percent. However, the period from 3rd quarter 2000 to 3rd quarter 2001 did not exhibit the same robust growth.

Show me the Labor - Fall 2000-Vol. 10, No.2 - available PDF file

By using a labor commute analysis (completed with the WISERsm site selection optimization model) site selectors can profile their potential work force in any user-defined labor market.

The International Brain Drain - Winter 1999-Vol. 9, No. 3 - available PDF file

According to the Institute of International Education (IIE) the U.S. export of higher education is booming. Foreign students, particularly Asians, contribute over $7.5 billion dollars to the U.S. economy in tuition and living expenses.

Shorter Day, Greater Pay - Fall 1998-Vol. 9, No. 2 - available PDF file

Teachers may feel they are overworked, but a new study shows that low pay is not necessarily a problem relative to other workers. Actually the average worker earns less and works more than teachers.

The Glass Ceiling - Fall 1998-Vol. 9, No. 2 - available PDF file

Although the percentage of women managers in the U.S. has increased, they still receive less pay than their male counterparts in the same jobs. But women in the U.S. obtain access to more appealing jobs and administrative positions than women in other countries.

Go Girl - Spring 1997-Vol.8, No.1 - available PDF file

According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute workers have been changing jobs more frequently in recent years; however, women maintain a steady pace in median job tenure. Although job tenure for males is higher, the trend suggests that in the near future females could easily take over their male counterparts.

The Double-Edged Sword - Spring 1996-Vol. 7, No.2 - request reprint

With 300,000 illegal immigrants entering the United States each year, the government has placed the responsibility for weeding out illegal immigrants into the hands of the employer. However, employers face the problem of crossing that fine line between extreme selectivity and discrimination.

Legal “Ease” - Fall 1995-Vol.7, No. 1 - request reprint

Companies are slowly beginning to adopt the cafeteria-style plan that includes pre-paid legal aid to employees. This plan covers wills, house closings, divorce proceedings, debt collection problems, and the like.

Immigrants: Burden or Resource? - Spring 1995-Vol.6, No.3 - request reprint

A higher percentage of immigrants to the US rely on welfare assistance than US born residents. However, the data are somewhat skewed by the fact immigrants from US- favored war torn countries are eligible for immediate assistance.

Japanese Labor Shortage Creates Labor Shortage - Spring 1995-Vol.6, No.3 - request reprint

The low fertility rate in Japan has resulted in a labor shortage. The reduction in fertility is due to a significant increase in the number of women delaying marriage to pursue careers, and the higher quality of life these career-oriented women enjoy versus their married counterparts.

Today’s College Degree Equals Yesterday’s High School Diploma - Fall 1994-Vol.6, No. 1 - request reprint

The difficulty in finding a job results from the number of college graduates exceeding demand. Otherwise known as job shortage, this economic situation provides a problem for the fresh college degree.

Advanced Warning to White Collar Workers - Fall 1994-Vol.6, No. 1 - request reprint

The job displacement US manufacturing workers experienced with the growth of off-shore manufacturing may impact white collar workers as well, as the skills of foreign workers increase and begin to populate the ranks of white collar employees.

America’s Youth: The Best Educated Residents in the Poor House - Fall 1994-Vol.6, No. 1 - request reprint

The real income of younger workers has fallen over the years despite higher levels of educational attainment, the only age group to experience a decline. This article explores the reasons for this phenomenon.

Alternative Work Schedules and Productivity - Summer 1994-Vol.5, No.4 - request reprint

An examination of alternative work schedules and their benefits relative to flexibility and production efficiency.

Eat What You Kill: Variable Pay-An Increasing Trend - Spring 1994-Vol.5, No.3 - request reprint

The use of variable pay or incentive programs has increased as a means to improve productivity and profitability.