JobsStat

If you’re a smoker, you might have a tough time getting though some companies’ employee selection process.

Many companies are basing hiring decisions on whether or not a potential candidate smokes. While not hiring someone because they are a smoker can be considered discrimination, there are only 26 states with laws that prohibit hiring practices discriminating against smokers.

In an article by Tobacco Control, Michael Siegel, a social and behavioral sciences professor at Boston University, said many young people may soon find themselves unemployed if hiring policies continue to target smoking.

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One area of employment where background checks have become increasingly important is healthcare. Because of the vulnerability of many of the patients that medical workers come into contact, employers have to know that their workers can be trusted. Since many people mislead hiring managers by putting inaccurate information on their resumes, conducting these investigations has become the only way to get the truth and protect those who are already going through the difficult time of dealing with an illness.

These are some of the reasons that government officials in Connecticut are pushing for legislation that will require agencies that deal manage home health aides to conduct background checks on every new employ. If this is passed, job seekers that have been convicted of a felony within the last 10 years will not eligible for these positions by law, according to the Hartford Courant. The newspaper also said that data from the Connecticut Association for Home Care Inc. shows that somewhere between 90 to 95 percent of the licensed agencies in the state already investigate their workers.

One of the government officials that are supporting this piece of legislation is Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. According to the Courant, Blumenthal and several others have had members of their families fall victim to home health aides who have taken items from their homes, despite the high occurrence of background checks. As long as some companies don’t handle their employees this way, there will still be incidences like this, which is one of the reason he fully behind passing the rule.



”Home health and homemaker aides are entrusted with profound responsibilities and should be held to powerful standards,” said Blumenthal according to the paper. “A criminal background check for home health aides is not only reasonable, but common sense.”

If this is passed it will apply to all licensed home health care agencies, homemaker companion service agencies and homemaker-home health aide agencies. Currently the legislation is waiting to be heard by several committees. Since this process can take a decent amount of time, it is unknown when or if all such agencies will have to require background checks on new and existing employees.

Finding internships this summer may be more difficult than usual. With the economy suffering, many employers are downsizing their staff. This means that there may be less money to spend on such programs. Because of this these programs may be much more competitive for a while, but a few tips can come in handy.

If you’re hoping to find an internship for the summer, start looking now. This way you can locate several promising programs and get your application into multiple companies. Since many programs will be taking on fewer people, applying to more than one business will increase your chances of getting picked for at least one program. If you are one of those lucky people who gets offered more than one internship, then you can weigh your options and make your decision.

Start off by talking to your advisor and other college professors who think highly of. Since these individuals usually know many professionals in their field in the local area, they often know which companies are currently hiring interns. This can also be a wonderful way for you to get your reference letters. Another great place on campus to find out about businesses that are looking for interns is your college’s career center.

Social networking can also be extremely helpful when looking for an internship. Both the friends and acquaintances of your parents and your friend’s parents and acquaintances can be great sources for information about internship programs in your area. These individuals are usually established in their chosen career, which means that they also have their own contacts that may be willing to help you with your search. Other places to consider trying to learn about programs include social clubs and churches.

The Internet can also be a great source for information about internships. Now that a large portion of jobs are being posted online, search engines now exist that deal solely or primarily with internships. These sites can be a great source of a variety of different possibilities that are out there. On the Internet you also find government websites that list the large amount of federal and local internships available.

After finding all of the opportunities that fit your criteria you can begin applying for a few or all of them. Remember a cover letter is extremely important and edit your resume as if you are applying for a job. If you are unsure as to how to create such a document, then have someone at your campus career center help you.

If you’re looking ahead to a law career, you should know many requirements must be met before you can begin searching for lawyer  jobs.

The first step to becoming a lawyer is to get the proper education. The amount and type of education required to become a lawyer varies from country to country, according to an article by Wikipedia. In the United States and other similar countries, law is usually taught at law schools by practicing or former lawyers and judges.

In these countries, law schools are graduate or professional schools that require a previously-earned bachelor’s degree. Most law schools are part of other universities, with the exception of a few independent institutions.

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New Jersey-based Hertz Global Holdings, Inc., the operator of the world’s largest general use car rental brand, has announced that as part of a comprehensive plan to further decrease costs, the Company, during the fourth quarter 2008 and through the first quarter 2009, is reducing its global workforce, bringing job search woes to more than 4000 employees.

There will be job reductions in the car and equipment rental businesses, corporate and support areas, and in all geographies, with an emphasis on eliminating non-customer facing jobs. The workforce reduction is expected to generate annualized costs savings in the range of $150 million to $170 million in 2009, and the Company expects to take a charge in the fourth quarter 2008, related to these job reductions, in the range of $20 million to $25 million.

Mark P. Frissora, Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Volume, pricing and residual values continued to decline during the most recently completed quarter, and we cannot predict when our markets will improve. As a result, we continue to take aggressive action to align our costs, including wage and benefit expenses, with business conditions. We are committed to our global airport and off-airport car rental and equipment rental businesses, and we are prepared to add necessary resources when the operating environment improves. Our actions will help ensure the Company remains financially strong; I’m especially pleased to report that our liquidity was approximately $4.9 billion as of December 31, 2008, and we expect to generate total net cash flow of approximately $1.75 billion* for the fourth quarter of 2008,” he added.

Hertz is the number one airport car rental brand in the U.S. and at 69 major airports in Europe, operating both corporate and licensee locations in cities and airports in North America, Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand.

Continental AG, a leading global automotive supplier, will transfer its South Carolina manufacturing operations to its Newport News, Virginia, facility, creating 318 new jobs. The consolidation will combine the diesel and gasoline fuel injector manufacturing operations into a single location. The company will invest $194 million to relocate diesel fuel injector manufacturing as well as expand the existing gasoline fuel injector business line.

“This consolidation project is tremendous news for Virginia,” said Governor Tim Kaine. “Valuable jobs could have been transferred out of state and not only did we retain more than 500 positions, we will gain an additional 318 employment opportunities. The infrastructure in place in Newport News fit Continental’s needs and the trained workforce in the region put the Commonwealth in the lead.”

Continental AG is the fourth largest automotive supplier worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for the powertrain and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, the corporation contributes towards enhanced driving safety and protection of the global climate. Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. Today, the corporation employs approximately 150,000 people at nearly 200 locations in 36 countries.

“Continental appreciates the assistance and cooperation of the City of Newport News and the Governor’s office to help make our expansion of the Newport News facility a reality during tough economic times,” said Kregg Wiggins, Senior Vice President Powertain, Continental Automotive Group - NAFTA region. “As a direct result in gaining these manufacturing efficiencies, we look forward to maintaining our position as a strong global supplier, producing high quality, cost effective products for our customers.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Newport News to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Kaine approved $3 million from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Newport News with the project. Governor Kaine also approved two performance-based grants of $1.5 million each, one for the consolidation and one for the existing business line expansion, from the Virginia Investment Partnership (VIP) program. VIP is an incentive available to existing Virginia companies. The company is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

“We are delighted that a company as valued as Continental AG will continue its success and expand its presence in Newport News,” said Mayor Joe S. Frank. “Our City’s ability to retain over 500 jobs and attract over 300 new jobs along with nearly $200 million in new capital investment in today’s challenged economy is a testament to our community’s resilient business climate and dedicated workforce. In addition to the Commonwealth and City staff, I want to commend the Continental employees and management for working together to ensure the company remains a prized member of our business community. I also want to acknowledge the outstanding work of City Council and the City’s Economic Development Authority and thank them for their commitment to the success of this effort. Newport News continues to be a center for advanced manufacturing in the nation. Canon, AREVA, Northrop Grumman and now Continental AG are advanced manufacturers choosing Newport News as a business location for new construction, reinvestment in existing facilities and new job creation. As the national economy struggles, I am proud to say that our City is both retaining critical businesses and attracting new business to Hampton Roads.”

Those with minimum wage jobs in Florida received a raise this week. As of January 1^st the state’s lowest legal pay went from $6.79 to $7.21 an hour. This 6.2 percent increase won’t be the last that workers in the Sunshine State get this year. In July the federal minimum wage will increase to $7.25, causing workers to earn a small amount more for every hour they are on the clock. Altogether, this equals an extra $17 a week during the course of a 40 hour work week.

Although this may sound great for the workers, many are concerned about what problems this will cause for those who provide jobs throughout Florida. The increase in the minimum wage will cause employers a lot of money, meaning that places of businesses that are already struggling may have to lay off more workers. This will certainly cause the unemployment rate to rise.

Another problem that often accompanies an increase in the minimum wage at any level is inflation. Since employers are having to pay out more to their workers, they often begin to charge more for their services. This enables them to keep their profit margins up and still pay the increase in wages to their workers. The problem is that their workers now have to pay more for everything since other businesses are having the same problem.

According to the Associated Press, approximately 900,000 people with jobs in Florida will be effected by the increase. Experts from the University of California at Irvine have said that, with 10 percent of the state’s workforce being effected, there will most likely be a backlash that causes a 8.5 percent decrease in employment for young minorities and those who dropped out of high school.

Despite all of these problems, an amendment was added to the state’s Constitution by voters back in 2004 which made it where Florida’s Agency for Workforce Innovation calculates the new minimum wage each year. Since the passing of this partial legislation, the lowest hourly wage a worker can make has increased by $2.06 an hour. Statistically, this costs a business with 20 workers at this pay level more that $80,000 each year.