Human Resources


Poll: Nearly 3 in 10 U.S. Adults Have Received Mental Health Therapy

"It's a paradox of sorts that therapy for mental health has become commonplace and rather normal, even though a sizeable proportion of Americans say it's either difficult to afford, or hard to understand how it works," said Dr. Richard Millard, Harris Interactive group president.

Study: Workers with Balanced Diets Have More Energy

ComPsych Corporation has released its 2008 Health & Productivity Index, a workplace wellness study which revealed only 5 percent of employees with unbalanced diets had high levels of energy, while 50 percent of workers with balanced diets had high energy. ComPsych is the world's largest provider of employee assistance programs and worldwide leader in GuidanceResources (EAPs, behavioral health, wellness, work-life, and crisis intervention services).

Fiserv to Sell Majority Interest in its Insurance Business

The transaction is expected to close this month and will impact nearly all of Fiserv's Insurance segment.

New Law Allows Volume Discounts for Homeland Security Goods

"This is wonderful news for the American people and a big improvement to the status quo," said GSA Acting Administrator David Bibb.

DOT Rule Makes Cheating on Drug Testing Harder

Under the terms of the rule, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters said labs would be required to test every specimen for possible adulterants and urine substitutes.

Study Shows Worksite Weight Loss Programs Work

Employer-sponsored programs for weight loss are at least partially effective at helping workers take off extra pounds, according to a new review of recent studies.

The Untapped Secret of Selling Safety

You may be thinking, “I’m not in sales, I’m a safety professional!” You’re half right: You are a safety professional. The Truth — as we often learn the hard way — is that if we are in safety, we are indeed in sales. The fact of the matter is that we are at the mercy of our ability to sell, no matter how “tight” the presentation. Regardless of our education or the facts surrounding an issue, we are still in a position where we have to make the sale in order for a positive change to take place. And the better we are at selling, the greater our results.

DOT Issues Final Rule on Drug Testing Procedures for Transport Workers

The final rule calls for "observed collections" for all return-to-duty and follow-up drug testing and any time there is a specific reason to believe an employee may be attempting, or have sufficient reason, to evade the testing process.



DOL Seeks Nominations for 2009 ERISA Advisory Council

The U.S. Department of Labor is soliciting nominations to fill five three-year vacancies on the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, known as the ERISA Advisory Council. The deadline for receipt of nominations is Aug. 31, 2008.

Michigan Task Force Eyes Employee Misclassification

Today's public hearing by the interagency group will include the state's lieutenant governor.

U.S., U.K Sign International Expedited Traveler Initiative

"This agreement is an important step in fortifying our international cooperation between the United States and the United Kingdom," said CBP Commissioner W. Ralph Basham.

Treasury Department, IRS Release New Guidance on HSAs

Notice 2008-59 contains more than 40 new frequently asked questions and answers concerning Health Savings Accounts.

Expert Panel to Study Disasters' Mental Health Impacts

Within six months, the subcommittee will submit recommendations to a board that will then recommend actions to the HHS secretary.

Aging Workforce Presents New Safety Challenges

Chubb Group loss control specialists offer strategies designed to protect employees and mitigate losses.

NY State to Ban Nurses' Mandatory OT, Bolster Comp System

Gov. David Paterson Governor David A. Paterson said his first legislative session as chief executive produced 26 priority bills, including expanded health benefits for 9/11 rescue workers and stronger identity theft laws.

Several State Minimum Wages to Increase in July

Minimum wages in four states will be increasing on July 1, weeks ahead of the federal increase slated for July 24; others will increase on Sept. 1 and Oct. 1.

AARP Report: Bankruptcy Rates Rise among Older Americans

A declining economy, increasing health care costs, and a general lack of retirement preparedness puts older Americans and their families at greater risk for bankruptcy and continued financial stress.

Report: Guns-on-Campus Bills Fail at State Level Across Nation

"Arming college students is the wrong lesson to learn from Virginia Tech," said Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

U.S. Manufacturers Foresee Domestic Expansion, Cost Troubles

"Manufacturers cited controlling labor costs, enacting favorable tax policies, and assisting with the severe shortage of skilled manufacturing workers, including engineers, scientists, and technicians, as the top three areas that policymakers should address to help improve their global competitiveness," said NAM VP Emily DeRocco.

Survey: 28 Percent of American Workers Report On-the-Job Injuries

Among men, the figure climbs to more than one-third (36 percent) who say they have suffered work-related injuries. Of those injured on the job, 43 percent said they missed more than one week of work as a result of their injury. And 31 percent said they were off the job for more than a month.

Featured

Artificial Intelligence

Webinars