EEOC Sees Increase in Male Sexual Harassment Charges
Sexual harassment in the workplace is on the rise for men who feel victimized by same-sex aggressors, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The percentage of men filing charges for sexual harassment doubled to 16% from 1992 to 2008, the EEOC reported. Although the EEOC doesn’t always keep track of the gender of the aggressor, a spokesperson for the EEOC confirmed a growing trend in the number of men filing same-sex sexual harassment. A desire to humiliate someone and tough economic times seem to be the biggest motivators in all sexual harassment incidents, according to experts, who suggest offering training programs on sexual harassment at least once a year to help prevent it in the workplace.
Newsweek.com – Jan. 13, 2010
Business Owners Try to Motivate Employees
Keeping your employees motivated is more important now than ever before, according to human resource experts. A recent survey of 5,000 U.S. households by the Conference Board showed that only 45% of respondents are satisfied with their jobs. Employee turnover is expected to increase as the job market turns around, and employers should take extra measures to make sure employees feel valued to ensure low attrition and high productivity going into 2010.
WallStreetJournal.com – Jan. 14, 2010
Jump Start for Stalled Business Lenders
A program included in the February 2008 stimulus package to help banks increase lending to small businesses and spur job growth is being pressured by President Obama to begin soon. In the program, the Small Business Administration (SBA) will guarantee up to $3 billion in 504 loans sold into the secondary market. These loans give small businesses financing that is more favorable than traditional business loans when investing in fixed assets like property or machinery. The program will protect investors who bought the loans from primary lenders if borrowers fail to pay. The SBA expects the program to start soon; however, they don’t currently have a set date.
BusinessWeek.com – Jan. 8, 2010
Consumer Confidence Increases
The Consumer Confidence Index increased again in December to 52.9, up from a revised reading of 50.6 in November, according to the Conference Board. The Expectations Index, which measures consumer outlook on future economic conditions, increased to 75.6 in December, up from 70.3 in November. This is the highest level the expectations index has been in two years, when it reached 75.8 in December 2007. The Present Situation Index, a measure of consumers' opinions on current economic conditions, declined to 18.8, slightly lower than the 21.2 level in November. It continues to stay at levels not seen in 26 years, the Conference Board reported. To read more about the Consumer Confidence Survey, click here. The monthly Consumer Confidence Survey is based on 5,000 U.S. households.
The Conference Board – Dec. 29, 2009
Manufacturing Increases in Final Month of 2009
According to the Institute for Supply Management, the Manufacturing Index increased to 55.9 in December, up from 53.6 in November. A reading above 50 indicates growth in the sector. This is the fifth straight month for expansion. The increase is attributed to manufactures ramping up production to replenish inventories that businesses let shrink throughout 2009. The increase in the Manufacturing Index is the latest evidence that the U.S. industrial sector is growing stronger, experts said. TheWashingtonPost.com – Jan. 5, 2010
Low Retail Sales End Tough Year
Retail sales fell by 0.3% in December after a 1.8% increase in November and a 1.2% gain in October, the Commerce Department reported. This reading is weaker than the 0.5% increase economists expected. Sales only decreased by 0.2% when automobiles were excluded. The report showed that sales fell by 6.2% for 2009. This is the biggest decline on government records that goes back to 1992. The only other decline on record is in 2008 when annual sales fell by 0.5%.
The Associated Press – Jan. 14, 2010
Pending Home Sales Fall
After nine straight months of gains, pending home sales fell by 16% in November, according to the National Association of Realtors. Experts expected only a 2% decline in pending home sales. Economists blame this decline to the original scheduled end of the first-time homebuyers tax credit and expect sales to pick back up in early spring as buyers take advantage of the extended deadline to the end of June.
CNNMoney.com – Jan. 5, 2010
December 2009
The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 10% in December. Job declines were seen in manufacturing, construction, and wholesale trade, while temporary help services and health care saw an increase in jobs. Learn more from the most recent employment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. View the unemployment rate in your state.
Major Industry Employment:
• Construction: - 53,000
• Manufacturing: - 27,000
• Retail Trade: - 10,000
• Professional & Business Services: + 50,000
• Educational & Health Services: + 35,000
• Leisure & Hospitality: - 25,000
• Government: - 21,000
Employment Trends is a publication of Express Services, Inc., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. © 2010.