Documents of the Month: Domestic Violence

For the rest of October, our display will highlight the topic of Domestic Violence.

• Office on Violence Against Women: Working together to end the violence 
• There's NO Excuse for Domestic Violence
• Violence Between Intimates
• Breaking the Cycle of Domestic Violence
• Domestic Violence: A workplace issue
• New Numbers for Domestic Violence Victims and Others (English & Spanish)
• Danger to Police in Domestic Disturbances - a new look
• Confronting Domestic Violence: The role of criminal court judges
• Understanding and Preventing Violence
• Domestic Violence, Stalking and Antistalking Legislation
• Domestic and Sexual Violence Data Collection
• STOP The Cycle of Violence: What you can do
• Domestic Violence by Police Officers
• Family Violence: A workshop manual for clergy and other service providers
• The Shelter Experience: A guide to shelter organization and management for groups working against domestic violence
• Violence Against Women: Causes and Prevention
• State Domestic Violence Laws and How to Pass Them: A manual for lobbyists
• The Effective Coordination of Volunteers
• Child Protection in Families Experiencing Domestic Violence

Heat Safety Tool

The new Heat Safety Tool app from the Department of Labor and OSHA will enable both employees & employers to determine the heat index which will then help employees to avoid heat stroke.

This is a welcome addition to the growing number of goverment apps.

Note, for now it's only available for Android users.

Let's Talk About Equal Pay

Equal pay can be a touchy subject because it involves money. The Women's Bureau section of the Department of Labor has pulled together a list of equal pay documents that show progress in the area along with the work that still needs to be accomplished in order to close the pay gap. While a lot of progress has been made, we still have a long way to go.

Do You Hire Teens During the Summer?

If so, consider making a commitment with the Department of Labor. They are trying to work with companies to create, publicize & fill 100,000 jobs for low-income, young people age 16-24 (from site). 

Just because it's beautiful:


Rocky Mountain National Park, CO from USGS images of National Parks

Alabama Tornadoes: Resources, Facts & Donation Information for April 27, 2011 event

For resources (help or assistance):

• State of Alabama Emergency Management Agency
• FEMA or Alabama Disaster site
• American Red Cross - Get Assistance
• USDA Offers Food Safety Tips In Aftermath of Devastating Storms
• What to do after a tornado
• Tree trimming tips
• Floods & Tornadoes: keeping disaster site workers safe during cleanup & recovery operations
• US Dept. of Labor provides grants to help Alabama residents recover from storms 
• Rebuilding after a natural disaster  

Victims have been asked to forward their mail to a new address in order to avoid identity fraud. Keep in mind that there's only one official site that offers free credit reports.

For facts (which are ongoing):

• National Weather Service
• Tornado Tracks in Mississippi and Alabama 
• State of the Climate: Tornadoes April 2011
• Unique Space Image of Alabama Tornado Tracks
• Satellite and Radar Data Reveal Damage Track of Alabama Tornadic Thunderstorms

Give:

• Christian Service Mission or use the Amazon Wish List 
• Red Cross Donations 

Documents of the Month: Women's History

Join us in celebrating Women's History Month by visiting our display.

• National Women's History Museum Act of 2009
• National Women's History Museum Act of 2003
• The Women's Army Corps 1945-1978
• Workers and Allies: female participation in the American trade union movement, 1824-1976
• Women in Congress 1917-1990
• Women in Congress 1917-2000
• Women's Rights
• Women's Rights National History Trail Feasibility Study
• Milestones: the women's bureau celebrates 65 years of women's labor history
• Breaking Codes Breaking Barriers: the WACs of the signal security agency world war II
• Free a Marine to Fight: women marines in world war II
• Women in the Army Policy Review
• Equal Pay: a thirty-five year perspective
• Facts on Working Women
• Benefits to Employers Who Hire Women Veterans
• Women with Work Disabilities
• Women Who Maintain Families
• 20 Facts on Women Workers
• Young Women and Employment: what we know and need to know about the school-to-work transition
• Women's History is Everywhere: 10 ideas for celebrating in communities
• United States Women in Aviation 1940-1985
• American Women Today & Tomorrow
• International Interdependence
• United States Government Documents on Women, 1800-1990
• The Women's Army Corps: a commemoration of world war II service
• March is Women's History Month (Random Samplings)
• Women in Development (USAID)
• Women in America: indicators of social and economic well-being (White House)

Worker ReEmployment

Questions regarding unemployment benefits? Or, do you need assistance with your job search? The Labor Department has upgraded it's re-employment web portal in order to proved answers & directions regarding employment, training & financial help for those dealing with layoffs.

Veterans Hiring Toolkit for Employers

Employers that hire veterans should include this toolkit as an hiring resource. The toolkit offers ideas on recruiting, hiring & accommodations along with how to retain veterans.

Labor & Economic Statistics

Issues in Labor Statistics - Ranks of those unemployed for a year or more up sharply (DoL Oct. 2010)

Regional Economic Conditions -RECON (FDIC)

A Variety of Resources

Today, I'm sharing a variety of resources with you.

Challenge.gov is a place where the public and government can solve problems together. And possibly earn some money.


mySkillsmyFuture is the new career website from the Department of Labor. The site will match your skills to a career. I noticed there are lots of openings for librarians in the US. 


It's never too early to plan for the summer. Need an internship? Consider the Department of State's internship program. 


Are you an organic farmer? Do you certify organic operations? The USDA has published an organic program handbook. 


Alabama is one of 6 states that will receive funding to support education jobs. As a matter of fact, our state will receive $149.5 million.

The State of the American Worker

Employment Situation Summary July 2010

How Do You Spend or Waste Your Time? Plus, an FMLA Definition Update

Exactly how do you spend or waste your time? How about your friends? The Census Bureau has released the 2009 American Time Use Survey Summary. See how you compare.

Good news from the Department of Labor regarding the definition of son and daughter within the FMLA. This news release states that an employee will receive parental rights to family leave regardless of the biological or legal relationship. Don't worry if the news release link disappears, the HR folks at your company will be able to explain this to you. As well, the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the Dept. of Labor has more information.

The Employment Situation January 2010 & People Are Asking

From the Department of Labor, The Employment Situation January 2010 PDF news release.

I also found the People Are Asking (which is in a box in the middle of the homepage) from the FAQs to be helpful. For example:

Question: When must breaks and meal periods be given?
Answer: The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not require breaks or meal periods be given to workers. Some states may have requirements for breaks or meal periods. If you work in a state which does not require breaks or meal periods, these benefits are a matter of agreement between the employer and the employee (or the employee's representative).