General Employment

Though the economy seems to be sliding ever closer to a recession, current numbers released by the US Department of Commerce do not yet confirm it. The economy outperformed estimates and grew at a rate of 0.6 percent for the first quarter of 2008, and has not yet shown a decline in growth for two consecutive quarters, the textbook definition of a recession.

Initial jobless claims in the US fell to a three month low in December, an encouraging sign in a period when the US economy seems headed for a recession. But as large job cuts from some of the nation’s biggest employers continue coming, the housing market continues to weaken, and consumer spending slows, bad news about the job market may be just around the corner.

Early returns indicated that social web sites focused heavily on the dangers of sharing personal information online.

Now, those same sites are responsible for helping professionals and companies network for business, career and job-search purposes. Employers have begun to increase their use of networking sites to seek and screen potential candidates.

Sometimes, little white lies become a part of self-preservation in the workplace.

Whether it's the voicemail that never reached us or the e-mails we forgot to reply to, white lies are a part of everyday life in the office.

The adage goes that you can come home again. Unfortunately, the rules for returning to a previous employer or company are different.

However, there are ways to maintain your dignity while convincing a former manager to rehire you. The process begins with giving your boss at least a two-week notice and finishing as many projects as possible. It's also important to be honest regarding the reason that you're leaving.

Working in a big, open office space- usually in cubicles - can leave an employee open to having their privacy invaded.

The lack of privacy could lead to overheard conversations as well as the possible moment in which you look foolish in front of co-workers.

Despite Wall Streets misfortunes and big business deals going bad, small businesses are continuing to flourish.

A monthly report released by Automatic Data Processing Inc. and Macroeconomic Advisers showed an increase in private sector employment in October of more than 100,000 - including a surge of 63,000 in businesses with fewer than 50 employees.

Productivity reached a four-year high at a rate of 4.9 percent, the most significant increase since the third quarter of 2003. The report was a result of a stoudy by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.

The third-quarter increase was the biggest jump since a 10.4 percent increase in the third quarter of 2003.

A recent survey shows that about one third of all employees faked an illness to take a day off last year.

While 75 percent of the employers said they generally believe excuses given by employees, 35 percent reported they checked up on at least one employee who called in sick.

Among the best paying jobs that require an Associate's degree or post-secondary education, careers as computer specialists are at the top.

Tech jobs make up the majority of the list with 12 of the top 25 highest-paying occupations belonging to technicians and technologists.