Human Resources


BNSF Agrees to Change Policies Involving On-the-Job Injuries

Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels said the agreement "sets the tone for other railroad employers throughout the U.S. to take steps to ensure that their workers are not harassed, intimidated, or terminated, in whole or part, for reporting workplace injuries."

Oklahoma Restaurant to Pay Thousands in Back Wages to Servers

The Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found numerous violations requiring a restaurant to pay current and former workers $84,864.

The Coming Revolution in Home-Based Work

"It would surprise me if OSHA didn't involve itself in home-based work," says John Michael, vice president and general manager of Business Interiors by Staples.

Ten States' Minimum Wages Rising Today

The new $9.19 per hour minimum in Washington state applies to workers in all industries, but 14- and 15-year-olds legally may be paid just 85 percent of it.

DOL Assists with Insurance for Jobless Workers

Six states and the District of Columbia were awarded funds that can help provide insurance for the unemployed.

New Presiding Judge Appointed for Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Court

The workers' comp reforms enacted in 2011 required Gov. Mary Fallin to appoint a new presiding judge to serve a two-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2013.

Secretary of Labor Announces Committee to Aid in Whistleblower Protection

Secretary Solis announced the Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee, a group that will aid and advise DOL in protecting whistleblowers.

Eurofound Report Illuminates Issues for Older Workers

Significant numbers of workers ages 50-54 say they must work night shifts, lift heavy loads, and work at high speed, causing one-third of this age group to say they believe they won’t be able to work to age 60 or wouldn’t want to do the same job until then.



Rising Suicide Rate Troubles Chief of Naval Operations

In a National Press Club speech Nov. 16, Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert said he is concerned about rising suicide and sexual assault rates, saying they rank high among the issues the Navy is addressing.

$220 Million Madoff Settlement Announced by DOL

The Labor Department had sued four firms and their owners and officers Oct. 21, 2010, asserting they had violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and breached their fiduciary duties to benefit plans by recommending, making, and maintaining investments with Bernie Madoff.

Report Reveals Conflict of Interest at Nuclear Sites

The Department of Energy has discovered financial ties between a contractor and a subcontractor at a nuclear cleanup site, raising questions of partiality.

Report Accuses Uranium Facility Guards of Cheating

A training test supplied to a guard force for the Energy Department allegedly was given to employees before they took the test.

Many Canadian Workers Concerned About Mental Health

Moreover, 20 percent of people said in the survey they are concerned for their physical safety in the workplace.

Bloomberg School's Dean Plans Symposium on Rx Drug Abuse

Writing in the Fall 2012 issue of Johns Hopkins Public Health, Dean Michael J. Klag calls for the same kind of collaboration as has been used to reduce annual traffic deaths significantly.

Working Longer Comes with a Price

A trio of NIOSH employees discussed the enormous cost of arthritis on the agency's Science Blog. They report its prevalence is expected to rise to 25 percent of the adult population by 2030.

Whistleblower Paid and Reinstated after OSHA Ruling

A Tennessee employee is reinstated and compensated after winning whistleblower case.

Online Toolkit Promotes Inclusive Workplaces

The U.S. Department of Labor launched the Workplace Flexibility Toolkit during National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

ISO Standard Proposed for Private Security Companies

ASIS International has proposed the quality management standard, with stakeholders’ comments due by Oct. 26, ANSI announced Oct. 4.

$188K Settlement in Hiring Discrimination Case

Minneapolis-based Nash Finch, described as the second-largest publicly traded U.S. wholesale food distributor, is paying that amount in back wages to 84 women rejected for entry-level order selector jobs at a distribution facility in Lumberton, N.C.

Get in the Game: Applying Gamification to On-the-Job Safety

Winning bragging rights can be rewarding in and of itself, but if there’s a carrot being dangled, we become even more determined.

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