Human Resources


Today is America Recycles Day; Report Shows U.S. Recycling Rate is 33%

EPA's new 2007 Municipal Solid Waste Characterization report shows Americans recycled and composted 85 million tons of the 254 million tons of total municipal solid waste produced last year.

Work Health Programs Beneficial to Productivity

The studies suggested that certain types of work health promotion programs had benefits in specific areas. For example, exercise programs seemed to increase overall and mental well-being and work ability while reducing absences due to illness.

USCIS Swore in More than 1 Million New Citizens in FY08

Among other achievements the bureau cited for the year was the reduction in naturalization application processing times to 9-10 months, down from the 16-18 months projected after the surge of applications in late FY07.

FDA: Beware of Impersonators

Several complaints have been made to the agency about callers attempting to entice people with discounted prescription drugs and then trying to extort them out of thousands of dollars.

Prep School Fined Nearly $1 Million for Firing Over Unequal Pay Inquiry

Jury found the Lake Ridge Academy in Cleveland guilty of firing an employee because he questioned the school about paying men more than women with similar education and work history.

University of Phoenix to Pay $1,875,000 for Religious Bias

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently announced that Federal District Court Judge Mary H. Murguia has entered a consent decree for nearly $2 million and significant remedial relief to resolve a class religious discrimination lawsuit against the University of Phoenix Inc., and its parent corporation, Apollo Group Inc.

Minn. Governor Unveils Green Jobs Initiative

“The development of green jobs will be one of the biggest changes in our economy since the industrial revolution,” the governor said.



VPPPA Seeks 2009 Conference Workshop Proposals by Dec. 5

The association's 25th annual conference will take place in August at the same San Antonio convention center where ASSE's PDC will be held June 28-July 1, 2009.

Report: Women Suffer from Workplace Stress Differently than Men

Fifty-six percent of women indicate that their "stress level was reasonable," while more than a quarter of women (26 percent) felt that their work stress has reached unreasonable levels.

Report Examines Depression among Veterans Ages 21-39

Severe or very severe impairment in role functioning was reported by 55.4 percent of these veterans for home management, 41.3 percent for ability to work, 50.4 percent for close relationships with others, and 57.7 percent for social life.

OSHA Finds Merit to Amtrak Whistleblower's Allegations

"This case sends a clear message that OSHA will not tolerate retaliation against whistleblowers," said Richard S. Terrill, OSHA's regional administrator in Seattle.

PBGC Announces Maximum Insurance Benefit for 2009

If a pension plan terminates in 2009 but a participant does not begin collecting benefits until a future year, the 2009 maximum insurance limits still apply.

doctor treating injured worker

Alaska Has Highest Workers' Comp Rates, Oregon Study Shows

The four states with the next-highest rates in 2008 are Montana, Ohio, Vermont, and New Hampshire. The lowest rate, $1.08 per $100 of payroll, belongs to North Dakota.

Gen Y Workers Want Technology Their Way

The findings point to a disconnect between the technology that organizations provide their workers and how young workers actually want to use technology and collaborate in the workplace.

First Wireless Group to pay $435,000 to settle EEOC Suit

A New York-based company that refurbishes cell phones at its factory in Long Island will pay $435,000 to settle a wage discrimination and retaliation suit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced recently.

OSHA Assistant Administrator Edwin Foulke Jr.

Foulke Reportedly Leaving OSHA on Sunday

The OSHA Underground blog reports he has accepted a job with Fisher & Phillips LLP, an employment law firm that has 19 offices. Foulke apparently will be working from its Atlanta headquarters.

Survey: Financial Crisis Causing Jump in Retirement Postponements

In addition to delaying retirement, nearly 30 percent of respondents report that defined contribution plan participants have decreased their overall retirement plan contributions and 34 percent believe plan participants have reduced their exposure to equities in favor of less risky investment alternatives.

Small Businesses' Compliance Challenges Addressed at OSHA Forum

Electronic tools helping small businesses evaluate workplace safety and health management programs was among the topics presented at a recent OSHA forum titled "Challenges Small Businesses Face in Complying with Regulations."

White Paper Calls for OSH Policy Change from New Administration

"We are frankly weary of the culture of confrontation that perennially pervades the debates over workplace safety and health policy, that leads to political stalemate and that has alienated much of the safety and health community," says ORC Senior VP Frank White, author of the report.

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