A new survey of employers across Iowa offers an optimistic view of the upcoming second quarter for anyone who's looking for a job. Kathy Joblinske, executive vice president of Central Iowa Manpower, says the results fell slightly in the hiring category, but remain very good overall. "We have a … [Read more...]
State unemployment payments delayed by processing error
State unemployment benefits didn't go out as scheduled today. Iowa Workforce Development says a systems processing error did not allow the unemployment benefits to be loaded onto debit cards of recipients. The agency says there will be a one-day delay in the payment. Iowa Workforce Director … [Read more...]
Treasurer worries workplace misconduct a ‘real problem’ in state government
The state treasurer says he was "kept in the dark" for too long about an agreement to pay more than $4 million to two women who say a state agency director sexually harassed them. State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald and two other members of a state board approved paying those legal settlements … [Read more...]
Report says most Iowans ever in workforce as unemployment rate holds
Iowa Workforce Development reports the state unemployment rate did not change in January. The rate held at 2.4% and has been at that level since October. The Workforce Development report says the number of Iowans in the workforce is the highest it has been in the history of the state at … [Read more...]
Tour planned to review state technical schools
A tour of some of Iowa's top technical schools and academies is scheduled this week for a group of key state lawmakers and officials with the Association for Career and Technical Education, or ACTE. Jarrod Nagurka, the public affairs manager for ACTE, says eight stops are planned. "There's a huge … [Read more...]
House Democrat seeks data on state workers’ sexual harassment complaints
A Democrat in the Iowa House says after six months of trying, she's been denied records showing how many sexual harassment complaints have been filed by state government employees. State Representative Amy Nielsen of North Liberty has asked the Iowa Public Information Board to intervene because … [Read more...]
E-Verify requirement gets Senate panel’s approval
A bill to force every Iowa business to check a federal database to confirm prospective employees are legal residents or U.S. citizens has cleared a senate committee. Republican Senator Julian Garrett of Indianola said it's time for the state to act. "Employers who hire people in the country … [Read more...]
Association leader tours Iowa to tout manufacturing careers
The president of the National Association of Manufacturers made a few stops in Iowa Thursday as part of his nationwide tour. Jay Timmons says the purpose of the tour is to spread the word about the industry. "We spend a lot of time talking to young people and those who are trying to figure out … [Read more...]
E-Verify check mandatory for all Iowa businesses under senate bill
Two Republican senators are advancing a bill that would require every Iowa business -- even businesses with just one employee -- to use the federal E-verify system to check the citizenship status of prospective workers. Businesses caught "knowingly" employing an "unauthorized alien" would lose … [Read more...]
President appoints Iowa’s governor to national workforce advisory group
Governor Kim Reynolds will serve on a newly-created American Workforce Advisory Board alongside Apple's CEO and Ivanka Trump. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross will lead the 25-member group, which President Trump created by executive order. Trump is asking the board to come up with strategies to … [Read more...]