According to a recent survey from the Society for Human Resource Management, 33 percent of companies said they'll increase hiring in the second quarter of 2011. In addition, 54 percent of human resource professionals have some degree of optimism in regards to the U.S. job market. With this in mind, HR services should be looking…

New Jersey government workers are expected to see a hike in contributions to employee benefits as a result of a new bill likely to be signed into law by Governor Chris Christie. The bill will raise pension and health benefit costs for teachers, police and other public workers by requiring them to pay healthcare premiums…

Bringing on contract workers has become an especially popular business decision in light of the uncertain economy. This strategy gives companies the opportunity to hire individuals to fill temporary gaps while providing them with ample flexibility. One new subset in this trend involves businesses re-hiring retired employees, according to the Rockford Register Star. This gives…

Reports may have the small business outlook up one month and down the next, but a recent survey seems to echo the belief that the economy is improving, albeit slowly. According to research from TD Bank, 51 percent of American small business owners said they are optimistic about the future of the economy, with 73…

With the large number of candidates applying for any one job, a company's HR administration is increasingly forced to look for creative ways to identify standout applicants. One strategy businesses are beginning to employ is personality tests. Through personality tests, employers and HR departments are able to supplement information commonly found on resumes with more…

As the economy continues its slow but steady recovery, businesses are turning to contract workers to help them address their employment needs while also continuing to keep overhead costs low. "A lot of companies have recognized it's a tremendous, time-consuming challenge to hire people," Paul LaFrance, an employment expert, told Crain's Detroit Business. "We're having…

Despite a job market that favors employers, businesses are still running into walls when searching for qualified and skilled candidates to fill openings. As a result, many industries are looking to temporary workers to fill these positions. Connecticut manufacturing is one such sector, as a recent survey from the Connecticut Business & Industry Association reports…

Many business owners and managers are not aware of all the applicable laws and requirements related their company's HR services. They are liable for wrongdoing, even if they break rules unknowingly. Administering an HR audit to stay updated on best practices can be an effective way to reassure an employer that its department meets current…

Despite once being an entrance into a life of prestige and power, the legal profession has felt the blow of the economic recession. According to the Wall Street Journal, the legal industry is increasingly relying on temporary workers - or contract attorneys - instead of hiring in-house lawyers. There is a rising backlog of unemployed…

The Massachusetts House is considering a bill that would bring temporary staffing agencies under the supervision of the state Department of Labor Standards. The measure - a reform of the outdated Employment Agency Law - would require agencies that employ blue-collar workers to provide written information to employees about safety, job details and compensation, the…