[Layoff relief]

The number of job seekers unemployed 15 weeks or more fell 7 percent to 2.9 million in July from 3.1 million in June. Their ranks had been growing steadily since last year. Among that group, those unemployed 27 weeks or more fell 8.2 percent to 1.5 million. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)

[Study projects future staffing issues]

A recent Towers Perrin study of approximately 100 senior executives in HR departments across North America projected the top people-related issues in the next 18 to 24 months.

The study indicated that retaining talent was foremost on the minds of executives at 72 percent. Other important issues include the following: Attracting talent with critical skills (58 percent), improving workforce performance (55 percent), gaining control of health-care costs (53 percent), and using the Web effectively for information/service delivery (49 percent). (Source: Workforce)

[California ponders nation's first paid leave bill]

California lawmakers are planning legislation that would extend federal and state laws requiring employers to provide employees with paid leave to care for sick family members or a new child.

The California plan would affect 13 million workers and would set up a fund paid for with equal contributions from employers and employees. Workers would be able to claim up to 55 percent of their salaries for 12 weeks of leave. The bill, if passed, would take effect at the beginning of 2004.

The bill's supporters contend that the United States is one of the world's few industrial nations that lacks a national paid leave program. Opponents of the bill contend that it will drive up costs for employers, which could lead to job cuts. (Source: BenefitsNext)

[Coming to a workplace near you: "Office rage"?]

According to a recent survey of 450 stressed-out British office employees, half said they have come close to punching out a colleague.

The survey indicated that overwork, faulty computers, and annoying workmates were the main cause of "office rage." Surprisingly, women are more likely to snap than men. Fifty-one percent of women polled had nearly punched a co-worker, compared to only 39 percent of the men questioned.

Pertemps, the British recruitment agency which commissioned the survey, said employees can reduce tension by avoiding gossip, talking to managers and not disturbing colleagues. It also suggested that bosses should defuse conflicts early, listen to staff complaints, avoid overcrowding, and set realistic workloads and deadlines. (Source: Reuters)