A ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court over generic drug deals could impact the cost of workers’ comp for employers and health insurance coverage for employees. According to an article on BusinessInsurance.com, the high court is ruling on a case that involves whether or not it is legal for brand-name…
Many people thought the federal spending cuts that began on March 1 would mean interruption of government services for the public. Although there have been delays and cutbacks on furloughs, experts say the disruption is slowly but surely on its way. According to an article on CNN.com, federal courts will…
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry released its monthly report this week with good news for Schuylkill County: the jobless rate dropped one full percentage point to 9.1 in February. According to an article on the RepublicanHerald.com, the state’s rate decreased 0.1 of a point to 8.1 percent while…
The Pennsylvania Department of Insurance announced some good news this week for PA employers: a reduction in the workers’ compensation rate. According to a press release from the Department of Insurance, an overall decrease of 4.01 percent goes into effect April 1. The cut could result in a projected overall…
For the month of January, Schuylkill County’s unemployment rate hit doubles digits, increasing to 10.1 percent. According to an article on the RepublicanHerald.com, the state’s rate increased by 0.3 of a percentage point, bringing it to 8.2 percent. The nation’s rate increased by 0.1 of a point to 7.9 percent,…
Last week, Tobyhanna Army Depot in Monroe County announced that $309 million of budget cuts resulting from the federal budget sequestration will mean that 5,136 civilian employees will be furloughed. According to an article on the RepublicanHerald.com, the details of the furlough are still being worked out, but employees will…
There’s been much discussion and debate here in Pennsylvania regarding the safety and dangers of fracking, the term used to describe the process of making fractures in rock formations to release natural gas as an energy source. Some of those safety concerns came to light this week when the U.S.…
An article on the RepublicanHerald.com has reported the U.S. Sen. Bob Casey is looking into a financial shortfall at the federal Department of Labor Job Corps that has caused an enrollment freeze. According to the article, the Job Corps program provides job training and counseling for at-risk teens and young…
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited a Pennsylvania company with 18 serious safety violations after a worker was crushed by a pavement roller and killed in August 2012. Proposed penalties for Export Fuel Co. of Export, PA total over $41,000. Violations include fall…
A West Virginia company has been cited for serious safety violations by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after a gas well fire in August 2012 injured three workers. The director of OSHA’s Charleston Area Office, Prentice Cline, is quoted as saying, “The hazardous nature…