The Conference Board Reports Online Job Demand Down 66,700 in June

Modest growth in job demand evident in Florida and Georgia over last few months.


/PRNewswire/ -- Online advertised vacancies declined 66,700 to 3,294,800 in June, according to The Conference Board Help-Wanted Online Data Series (HWOL)(TM) released today. In the five months since January, online labor demand has dropped a relatively modest 71,000, in sharp contrast to the 1,200,000 decline in the previous five months from August 2008 to January 2009.

"We are not out of the woods yet, but job demand has definitely stabilized since January," said Gad Levanon, Senior Economist at The Conference Board. "Although there is some bounce in the monthly numbers, the number of online advertised vacancies has held steady in the last three months (up a modest 35,000). Across the U.S., it is an increasingly mixed picture with some states, like Florida and Georgia, showing some modest gains, others such as New York, North Carolina holding steady, and some, like California and Pennsylvania, yet to show real improvement."

Regional and State Highlights

Modest strength seen in the South in states like Florida and Georgia.

Among the 20 most populous states, unemployed people outnumber advertised vacancies (Supply/Demand) and range from a low of roughly 2 to 1 (Maryland) to about 10 to 1 (Michigan).

The number of advertised vacancies declined in June in all four regions of the country (Northeast, South, Midwest and West), ranging from a modest drop of 3,400 in the Southern region to 18,100 in the Northeast, 13,400 in the Midwest and 10,300 in the West. "The June data shows an almost even split between the number of states with increases (24) and the number with declines (26)," said Levanon. "But there are clear signs that the employers are advertising again for workers and in some states the trend over the last few months has improved."

The June decrease of 3,400 in the Southern region reflected the contrasting movement of some of the largest states. Of these states, Florida experienced a sizeable gain, 9,200, and was followed by Georgia (2,900), North Carolina (900) and Virginia (100). Texas and Maryland both experienced declines, -5,100 and -1,400 respectively. Among the smaller states in the South, West Virginia (4,100), Kentucky (3,700) and Arkansas (1,600) increased in June. Oklahoma (-1,100) and Louisiana (-800) both declined in June and continued their relative flat trends since January.

In the Northeast, all four of the largest states posted declines in June. New York showing the largest decrease (5,300), however looking at the trend since January, job demand in New York is basically flat. New Jersey, which was down 2,600 in June, has experienced a modest increase of 1,700 over the last four months. Pennsylvania (-2,700) and Massachusetts (-2,200) decreased modestly in June, and both states continue their downward trend. Among the states with smaller populations in the region, Maine dropped a modest 100 in June and overall has shown a flat trend since January.

In the West, changes in labor demand among the four most populous states in June were split between increases in Arizona and Colorado and decreases in California and Washington. Arizona and Colorado increased 4,600 and 3,400 respectively and thereby returned to their levels at the beginning of the year, although still 40 percent below their levels in June 2008. California was down 15,900 in June and continued its downward trend. Washington reversed only a small number of last month's gains with a decline of 1,300 jobs. Among the states with smaller populations, Hawaii and New Mexico are two states in the West where the trend has been steady since January. In June, Hawaii rose 800 while New Mexico was up 1,000.

In the Midwest, Wisconsin declined by 4,300, Minnesota decreased by 2,300, and Missouri declined by 1,800. Illinois experienced the largest increase (1,900) and was followed by Michigan (800) and Ohio (700). Ohio continues to be the Midwest state where drops in labor demand have leveled off over the last couple of months.

The Supply/Demand rate for the U.S. in May (the latest month for which unemployment numbers are available) was at 4.32, down slightly from 4.40 in April but still indicating that there are more than 4 unemployed workers for every online advertised vacancy. Among the states, the highest Supply/Demand rate is in Michigan (9.95), or nearly 10 unemployed people for every advertised vacancy. Other states where there are over 6 unemployed for every advertised vacancy include Indiana (7.73), Kentucky (7.33), Ohio (6.54), North Carolina (6.49), and Mississippi (6.30). North Dakota (1.41) and Nebraska (1.44) have some of the lowest rates.

It should be noted that the Supply/Demand rate only provides a measure of relative tightness of the individual State labor markets and does not suggest that the occupations of the unemployed directly align with the occupations of the advertised vacancies.

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U.S. Labor Department assesses Atlanta-based Demon Demo Inc. maximum child labor penalty following death of teen at demolition site

/PRNewswire / -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has fined Demon Demo Inc. a child labor civil money penalty following an investigation into the death of a teenage worker at the company's Gwinnett Place mall demolition site from a second floor fall.

This penalty is the first assessed by the division under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008. That statute increased the maximum level of civil money penalties to $50,000 for each child labor violation that results in the work-related death or serious injury of a minor. In cases where the employer's violation is repeated or willful, the maximum penalty is $100,000. In addition to the $50,000 penalty, child labor fines totaling $3,162 were assessed because the company failed to keep accurate records and allowed the minor to work in an occupation deemed hazardous by the secretary of labor.

"The federal rules governing the employment of minors are clear, and the consequences for failing to comply are serious," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Young workers must be employed safely and legally."

A listing of hazardous occupations for minors is available on the Wage and Hour Division's Web site at http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/youthlabor/hazardousjobs.htm. Certain industries allow individuals under age 18 to perform certain tasks at worksites where primary work activity is dangerous, but these tasks are very specific, and state and federal government closely monitor compliance.

The company has 15 days from receipt of the civil money penalty assessment letter to file an exception with the Labor Department if it wishes to contest the $53,162 civil money penalty assessment. Civil money penalty appeals are heard by a Department of Labor administrative law judge.

The Wage and Hour Division also cited the company for failing to pay 126 workers overtime compensation as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The company will pay $108,869 in back wages as a result of the wage violations.

The FLSA requires covered employees to be paid at least the federal minimum wage for all hours worked, and time and one-half their regular rates of pay for hours worked over 40 per week. Employers must also maintain accurate time and payroll records. The current federal minimum wage for covered, nonexempt employees is $6.55 per hour. Effective July 24, 2009, the minimum wage will increase to $7.25 per hour. For more information about the FLSA, call the Department of Labor's toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Information is also available on the Internet at www.wagehour.dol.gov or by contacting the Georgia District Office of the Wage and Hour Division, 61 Forsyth St. S.W., Room 7M10; phone 404-893-4600.

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U.S. Department of Labor Announces Boost in Weekly Unemployment Benefit Amounts

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced a weekly increase in unemployment compensation, as provided for in the stimulus legislation, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, enacted on Feb. 17.

The new temporary Federal Additional Compensation program will provide a $25 weekly increase in unemployment compensation for eligible workers. These extra benefits are 100 percent federally-funded.

The stimulus legislation also extended the Emergency Unemployment Compensation program, which was scheduled to expire on Aug. 27, 2009. "The program has been extended to Dec. 31, 2009, for new applications, with a 'phase-out' period ending May 31, 2010," said Secretary Solis. "Both the Emergency Unemployment Compensation and the Federal Additional Compensation programs provide temporary financial support to unemployed workers to help them pay for basic necessities such as food, clothing, medicine and gasoline while they look for new jobs."

To qualify for these benefits, unemployed workers must first be determined eligible for unemployment benefits by the appropriate state workforce agency. Workers must have earned sufficient wages from prior recent employment and have been separated from employment for non-disqualifying reasons (as determined under state law). Eligible workers must also be able to work and be available for work while receiving these unemployment benefits.

All 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have executed agreements with the U.S. Department of Labor to administer these programs. States will begin to make the extra payments as early as the week of March 1, 2009, for weeks of unemployment effective Feb. 22, 2009.

For information on unemployment compensation, visit http://www.dol.gov/.




FACT SHEET

EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION AND FEDERAL ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION UNDER AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009

Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008 (EUC08) - Program Extension
-- The EUC08 program, created on June 30, 2008, provides up to 20 weeks
of federally-funded benefits to eligible unemployed workers who have
collected all their regular state unemployment benefits. An
additional 13 weeks of EUC are available in states with high levels of
unemployment.
-- The EUC08 program was scheduled to expire on Aug. 27, 2009. The
stimulus legislation, Public Law Number 111-5, which was enacted on
Feb. 17, 2009, extends the expiration date of the EUC08 program to May
31, 2010.
-- The period during which an individual may establish eligibility for
EUC08 is extended from March 31, 2009, to the week of unemployment
ending on or before Dec. 31, 2009, and the "phase-out" or expiration
date of the program is extended from Aug. 27, 2009 to May 31, 2010.
-- The stimulus legislation does not provide additional weeks of benefits
for individuals who have or will exhaust their EUC08 benefits.
Federal Additional Compensation (FAC)
-- The stimulus legislation also created a new FAC program that provides
a $25 supplement that is payable to individuals receiving state
unemployment compensation (UC) or Federal UC. The $25 supplement does
not apply to state-financed Additional Compensation programs.
-- All 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands executed agreements with the
secretary of labor to administer this new program on behalf of the
federal government on or before Feb. 21, 2009; therefore, the program
is effective Feb. 22, 2009, in all states/jurisdictions.
-- States are modifying their automated benefit payment systems to
implement FAC. Many states will begin to make payments during the week
of March 1, 2009, for weeks of unemployment effective Feb. 22, 2009.
However, due to the complexity of changing automated systems, some
states have advised that they may implement later, making payments
retroactively.

States will calculate the individual's weekly benefit amount and make any adjustments in accordance with state law to account for any earnings, and any other deductions (for example, severance and retirement/pension payments).

-- The $25 supplement is taxable. Therefore, states will include the
total benefits received including the $25 increase(s) in issuing a
1099G to claimants.
-- The $25 supplement/payments will be paid from federal general
revenues. States will receive administrative costs associated with
implementing the $25 add-on.

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U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA revises its Voluntary Protection Programs

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today published in the Federal Register final changes to its Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) that, among other enhancements, allow participation by companies with mobile workforces.

The VPP, the agency's recognition initiative for workplace safety and health excellence, will provide new options for construction contractors and other employers who may have employees at various locations. Other VPP changes for eligible organizations include a streamlined application process, outreach and mentoring, and onsite workplace evaluations.

"OSHA is proud to recognize the outstanding efforts of employers and employees who have achieved exemplary occupational safety and health," said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Thomas M. Stohler. "These program revisions will allow more companies to participate in the VPP, which has contributed to improved workplace safety. Since 2001, participation in the VPP has increased almost 200 percent. During that same period, there has been a 14 percent decrease in workplace fatalities. Establishing partnerships and encouraging continual process improvement are part of OSHA's balanced approach to workplace safety and health."

The VPP was established in 1982 to recognize employers and employees who focus on the prevention of injuries, illnesses and fatalities through the implementation of effective safety and health management systems. Currently, there are 2,161 federal and state plan VPP participants.

Changes to the VPP are effective May 9. For more information on the VPP and these latest revisions, contact the nearest OSHA area or regional office or the OSHA National Office, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, at 202-693-2213. The Federal Register notice can be found at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-165.htm.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

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Employment Guide: Seniors in the Labor Force Enjoy More Than the Paycheck

GFP Note: There is no admission fee to attend, however business attire is required. Bring your resumes.

The Atlanta Spring Diversity Job Fair will be held at the Cobb Galleria Centre on Tuesday, August 26th from 10a.m. until 2p.m.

Hosted by The Employment Guide in partnership with the AARP Foundation, the event will feature approx. 30 companies recruiting for sales, retail, skilled/tech, restaurant, law enforcement, government, factory/warehouse, customer service, entry-level management, career training institutions, and more.

BUSINESS WIRE --The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the share of the labor force aged 55 and older, currently at 17 percent, is rising rapidly and, by 2020, it is projected to be nearly 24 percent. The graying of the labor force can be attributed to many factors: longer life expectancy, significant increases in healthcare costs—and boredom.

Chuck Byes spent his entire career as president and owner of Carriers Traffic Service, Inc., a consultant to the motor common carrier industry assuring strict adherence to government regulations for its truck-line clients. As deregulation increased, Byes’ client base dwindled, and he was forced to close the office and retire. Byes was only 59.

Finding himself with unexpected free time, Byes took to the road in his RV: “I visited every traceable relative, some more than once, enjoyed every national park, forest and monument, some more than once, and learned that travelling with your own kitchen, bath and sleeping accommodations doesn’t save you that much money in restaurant and motel expenses,” he mused. “Truth be told, I was bored.”

For several years Byes took on odd jobs in consulting and real estate, yet he says he was unfulfilled and, at his age, thought he had few prospects for finding a rewarding job: “I was 72 years old, reasonably healthy, reasonably alert, but with nothing useful to do. To my way of thinking at the time, I had little chance of finding anything beyond greeting customers at the local supermarket.”

Enter AARP Foundation and The Employment Guide. Thanks to the guidance of AARP Foundation representative Donna Martin at the Department of Economic Security office in Mesa, Arizona, Byes secured a job as circulation manager for The Employment Guide’s Phoenix office.

“I’m useful here, I get to use my mind, and I get paid every two weeks! Life is good!” he exclaims.

To help bring together more older workers with meaningful jobs, The Employment Guide (www.EmploymentGuide.com) and AARP Foundation (www.AARP.org/foundation), have partnered in the Employ the Older Workers Job Fair Series—a national effort, reaching more than 55 cities. From late August through October, thousands of job seekers age 40 and older will have the opportunity to meet and interview with employers for a wide variety of positions in industries such as hospitality, retail, government, transportation, telecommunications and customer service.

The job fair series is being held in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Employ Older Workers Week, Sept. 22-26, 2008.

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