The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Dec. 2011 was 7.6 percent, down from 7.9 percent in November, according to the state’s Department of labor and Industry. Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was below the U.S. rate of 8.5 and has been below the national rate for 62 consecutive months. The rate…
Last week the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court agreed to allow the Workers’ Compensation Law Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association to certify attorneys in the field. The certification process will give consumers more information in choosing an attorney who is better qualified to handle workers’ comp cases. In 1995, the…
The state Department of Labor and Industry believes filing and managing unemployment compensation claims online is the easiest, most convenient way for claimants to work with the department. In a recent news release, L&I Secretary Julia Hearthway said many unemployment compensation services are available online, 24 hours a day, seven…
There may be some good news this week for the labor market. According to an article on CNNMoney.com, the Labor Department reported that 352,000 people filed initial unemployment claims last week, down from 402,000 claims the previous week. This is the lowest number filing for unemployment since the week ending…
We were sorry to hear the news reported on the TimesLeader.com that Kraft Foods Inc. will eliminate 60 positions at its Hanover Industrial Estates location as a result of company restructuring. In total, 1,600 Kraft jobs will be lost in North America this year. In the article, Kraft’s corporate spokeswoman…
A Lansdale company is looking out for both injured workers and insurers in the face of U.S. Post Office closings that could delay workers’ compensation checks. In response, InsurCard will begin offering the InsurCard Visa ® Prepaid Card for Workers’ Compensation payments. With more than 487 Post Office closings across…
Gov. Tom Corbett announced Jan. 9 the appointment of John E. Stevens as chairman of the state Civil Service Commission. Stevens was sworn in Jan. 3 after a unanimous senate confirmation Dec. 13. He will complete the four years remaining on the six-year term of former commissioner Marwan Kreidie. The…
On Jan. 30, regulations will take effect for a rule under the U.S. Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act that will exclude most workers who maintain or repair recreational boats and watercraft. According to an article on BusinessInsurance.com, an amendment under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 excluded…
Additional eligibility requirements have recently been added to the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Law. According to the state Department of Labor and Industry, if the effective date of your application for unemployment benefits is on or before January 1, 2012 you are required to do all of the following: 1. Register…
According to insurancenewsnet.com, the Memic Group has acquired Vermont-based Granite Manufacturers Mutual Insurance. The purchase will allow Memic to continue its growth plan for the Eastern United States in the commercial workers’ compensation insurance market according to Memic President and Chief Executive Officer John T. Leonard. Also, Memic said it…