Workforce

Nearly One-Third of Infrastructure Jobs are Tough to Fill, Research Finds

Job opportunities are likely to boom if Congress approves a pending infrastructure bill, but a National League of Cities report says the current workforce may not be able to meet the demand.

  • By Andrea Noble

Infrastructure, Budget Bills Estimated to Support 4M Jobs

The budget bill would add 1.1 million jobs related to caregiving alone, according to the Economic Policy Institute.

  • By Andrea Noble

10 States Didn’t Pay Off Unemployment Loans Ahead of Interest Deadline

States that borrowed money from the federal government to cover unemployment benefits began to accrue interest Monday. Together they have more than $45 billion in loans outstanding.

  • By Andrea Noble

The Secret to Happiness at Work

COMMENTARY | Your job doesn’t have to represent the most prestigious use of your potential. It just needs to be rewarding.

  • By Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic

One City’s Inventive Plan to Spark Employee Collaboration, Loyalty and Retention

Each of the five analysts hired as a team in San Rafael, California, will be based in a different department, but they’ll train and work together on special projects.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

States Borrowed Billions to Pay Unemployment Benefits. Soon Interest is Due.

Fourteen states owe $54 billion to the federal government for loans to keep unemployment trust funds solvent during the pandemic.

  • By Andrea Noble

Calling All Unvaccinated Nurses: This State Will Hire You

Job ads for open positions in Nebraska’s state-run facilities highlight optional Covid-19 vaccines, a move that contradicts federal mandates for health workers and could cost the state some of its insurance reimbursements.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Mayors Wade Into Contentious Labor Law Debate

A U.S. Conference of Mayors panel moved to endorse a federal bill meant to strengthen workers rights, that is drawing strong pushback from business groups.

  • By Bill Lucia

New York City Council Aides are Officially Unionized, After 21-month Campaign

The Association of Legislative Employees is now the country’s largest legislative staff group in organized labor.

  • By Jeff Coltin

States Can Pay Enhanced Unemployment Beyond Cut Off with ARPA Funds

Extra federal benefits end Sept. 6, but Biden administration officials said using some of the federal relief dollars will allow for a more gradual wind down.

  • By Andrea Noble

States Turn to Recruiting and Retention Bonuses for Police

Florida’s governor was the latest to propose such a perk, as law enforcement agencies across the country struggle to find and keep officers.

  • By Andrea Noble

States Snag $240M to Combat Unemployment Fraud

The federal grant funding can be used to pay for identity verification services, cybersecurity, or other expenses related to fraud detection.

  • By Andrea Noble
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Economic Recovery in America's Cities
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The New World of Work

In One City, 3 Days a Week in the Office May be a New Norm

That's according to a survey of about 200 companies in the San Francisco region. City leaders in other parts of the country are waiting to see how similar trends play out.

  • By Bill Lucia

One State to Spend $130M in Federal Funds to Tackle ‘Systemic Barriers’ to Employment

A Wisconsin workforce development official says the obstacles include things like the lack of transportation and child care, not necessarily inadequate training and skills.

  • By Sharon O'Malley

Public and Private Sector Jobs Are Increasing Despite Covid Surge

The U.S. added close to a million jobs in July, including 221,000 in local government. But much of that data is likely skewed by pandemic fluctuations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Lack of Time Off Worsens Mental Health Problems for Public Health Workers

A recent CDC survey of 26,000 public health workers found higher levels of depression, anxiety, PTSD and suicidal ideation among those who couldn’t take time off.

  • By Andrea Noble

Why Managers Fear a Remote-Work Future

COMMENTARY | Like it or not, the way we work has already evolved.

  • By Ed Zitron, The Atlantic

Companies Want Remote Workers in All States but One

Businesses such as Nike and Oracle are happy to let you work from home—just not in Colorado.

  • By Saahil Desai, The Atlantic

Community Colleges Begin Using Federal Coronavirus Funding to Erase Student Debt

The money, from the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan Act, is available for students who have struggled financially as a result of the pandemic.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Move to Berrien County, Michigan, for the Beaches—And the $15,000

Some of America’s shrinking towns are trying to lure remote workers with cash. It’s not going so great.

  • By Daniel Block, The Atlantic

New York City, California Mandate Vaccines for Public Employees

Public workers must receive the vaccine or submit to weekly testing starting Sept. 13, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday. California Gov. Gavin Newsom made a similar statement.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram