Accurate, Focused Research on Law, Technology and Knowledge Discovery Since 2002

Daily Archives: December 22, 2008

Mass Layoffs In November 2008

News release and Tables: “In November, employers took 2,328 mass layoff actions, seasonally adjusted, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Each action involved at least 50 persons from a single employer; the number of workers involved totaled 224,079 on a seasonally adjusted basis. The number of mass layoff events in November increased by 188 from the prior month, while the number of associated initial claims decreased by 8,389. Over the year, the number of mass layoff events increased by 999, and the number of associated initial claims increased by 84,408. In November, 874 mass layoff events reported in the manufacturing sector, seasonally adjusted, resulting in 98,408 initial claims. Over the month, mass layoff events in manufacturing increased by 239, and initial claims increased by 11,005, the fourth consecutive over-the-month increase for both.”

  • Related postings on financial system
  • Recent CRS Reports: U.S.-Iraq Withdrawal/Status of Forces Agreement, Financial Market Turmoil and U.S. Macroeconomic Performance, U.S. Motor Vehicle Industry

    December 12, 2008 – U.S.-Iraq Withdrawal/Status of Forces Agreement: Issues for Congressional Oversight December 11, 2008 – The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: Final Part B Regulations December 08, 2008 – Chrysler Corporation Loan Guarantee Act of 1979: Background, Provisions, and Cost December 03, 2008 – Financial Market Turmoil and U.S. Macroeconomic Performance December 03,… Continue Reading

    New GAO Reports: Defense Logistics, DOD Personnel Clearances, UN Peacekeeping, Ryan White Care Act

    Defense Logistics: Improved Analysis and Cost Data Needed to Evaluate the Cost-effectiveness of Performance Based Logistics, GAO-09-41, December 19, 2008 DOD Personnel Clearances: Preliminary Observations about Timeliness and Quality, GAO-09-261R, December 19, 2008 United Nations Peacekeeping: Challenges Obtaining Needed Resources Could Limit Further Large Deployments and Should Be Addressed in U.S. Reports to Congress, GAO-09-142,… Continue Reading

    DOJ OIG: Investigation of Overtime Payments to FBI and Other DOJ Employees Deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan

    An Investigation of Overtime Payments to FBI and Other Department of Justice Employees Deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, December 2008 “This investigation began in October 2007 when an FBI employee (who asked to remain anonymous) alleged to the OIG that FBI agents were paid for working 16 hours per day, 7 days per week (112… Continue Reading

    HOPE NOW Projects Big Increases In Foreclosure Prevention Successes In 2009

    News release: “HOPE NOW, the private sector alliance of mortgage servicers, counselors, and investors that has been working aggressively to prevent foreclosures and keep homeowners in their homes, today announced that it expects to double the number of foreclosures prevented in 2009 by enhancing and expanding its very successful 2008 efforts.” Fact Sheet: 2008 HOPE… Continue Reading

    SEC Approves Interactive Data for Financial Reporting by Public Companies, Mutual Funds

    News release: “The Securities and Exchange Commission has voted to require public companies and mutual funds to use interactive data for financial information, which has the potential to increase the speed, accuracy and usability of financial disclosure and eventually reduce costs for investors. With interactive data, all of the facts in a financial statement are… Continue Reading

    Federal Financial Regulators Issue Revised Identity Theft Brochure

    News release: “The federal bank, credit union, and thrift regulatory agencies today announced publication of a revised identity theft brochure – You Have the Power to Stop Identity Theft – to assist consumers in preventing and resolving identity theft. The updated brochure focuses primarily on Internet “phishing” by describing how phishing works, offering ways to… Continue Reading

    Cities Officials Hold the Worst Outlook for the Nation’s Direction in Nearly 20 Years

    News release: “A record number of municipal officials expressed their growing pessimism for the nation’s direction, according to a survey released by the National League of Cities (NLC). The 2008 State of America’s Cities: Annual Opinion Survey of Municipal Officials demonstrates the widespread nature of the current economic crisis is having on cities’ bottom lines.… Continue Reading

    Women in the Labor Force: A Databook (2008 Edition)

    Women in the Labor Force: A Databook (2008 Edition), U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, December 2008, Report 1011 (PDF, 101 printed pages) “The past several decades have been marked by notable changes in women’s labor force activities. Since the 1970s, women’s labor force participation has risen substantially, particularly among women with… Continue Reading

    Privacy Impact Assessment for the Department of Homeland Security State, Local, and Regional Fusion Center Initiative

    DHS Privacy Impact Assessment for the Department of Homeland Security State, Local, and Regional Fusion Center Initiative, December 11, 2008 “This PIA examines the privacy implications of the State, Local and Regional Fusion Center Initiative, established by the 9/11 Commission Act, as well as for DHS’ State and Local Program Management Office (SLPMO) which has… Continue Reading