In case you missed it: Dec. 11

Posted by: Matt Rivera

The country’s employment situation has been getting a lot of attention as a result of President Obama’s White House Jobs Summit, and also last week’s surprising U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) unemployment report. Here are a few articles that recount this news, and explore other talked about topics over the past two weeks.

The Washington Post: Obama lays out strategy for jobs. President Obama’s proposal for promoting job creation includes tax cuts for small businesses, incentives to hire new workers, and a fresh round of infrastructure spending. He suggested a “cash for caulkers” plan, which offers financial incentives for home weatherization to boost hiring in the construction and manufacturing sectors. He also called for an extension of unemployment insurance, aid to senior citizens, and health-care help for the jobless.

Reuters: Obama urges bipartisan effort to boost jobs. President Obama’s series of initiatives to boost job creation draws skepticism from both parties. Republicans say Obama’s other priorities, particularly climate change and healthcare reform, could be obstacles to hiring. And Democrats think the plan is modest, and want him to do more to alleviate unemployment.

The Wall Street Journal: Working two jobs and still underemployed. The number of employees who are underemployed, those who are working multiple part-time jobs who want full-time work, is on the rise. Economists don’t anticipate this situation to improve for at least a few years.

Compensation Force: Throwing in the towel: Are employers resigned to impending departures? A survey by Right Management found that 60 percent of employees plan to leave their current employer in the next year. Another poll by BLR.com shows that half of the employers surveyed believe the primary reason their top talent hasn’t left yet is simply that no one else is hiring.

Have a great weekend!