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Jul 08 17:47
SANTA FE (AP) -- Thousands of New Mexicans will qualify for additional unemployment benefits under a federal program to help workers unable to find jobs because of the national economic slowdown.
Unemployment benefits will be extended up to 13 weeks for individuals who have exhausted their regular 26 weeks of unemployment benefits.
About 20,000 New Mexicans no longer collecting benefits are expected to qualify for the extended assistance, according to Carrie Moritomo, a spokeswoman for the Department of Workforce Solutions.
The agency is sending letters to people notifying them of their potential eligibility for the extended benefits. Individuals can call the department -- (505) 841-4000 -- to file for the extra benefits but claims cannot be filed online.
Weekly benefits in New Mexico vary depending a worker's previous earnings.
Gov. Bill Richardson signed an agreement with the U.S. Labor Department for New Mexico to implement the extended unemployment benefits. The program was part of a federal spending measure signed into law last week by President Bush.
"Job seekers and their families are being put in a difficult position as they face a tightening job market while paying more than ever for gas, food and other goods," Richardson said in a statement. "With this extension we can offer some relief by helping them bridge the widening financial gap as they search for work."
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On the Net:
Department of Workforce Solutions: www.dws.state.nm.us/
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Jul 07 14:16
By TOM HESTER Jr.
Associated Press Writer
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey is renewing efforts to give more state contracts to small businesses owned by minorities and women.
Gov. Jon S. Corzine Monday marked the opening of the state Office of Supplier Diversity, which will help small, minority and women-owned businesses receive training and information on contracting opportunities in government and private industry.
"If we want to grow New Jersey's economy, we have to remove impediments that prevent women and minority-owned businesses from developing and prospering," Corzine said. "We raise the bar in the effort to promote minority- and women-owned small businesses throughout New Jersey."
In 2003, the state abolished a program meant to help businesses owned by women or minorities compete for state contracts.
The program required at least 25 percent of state contracts go to small, minority or female-owned businesses.
This came after a lawsuit alleged the state program was unconstitutional and two U.S. Supreme Court rulings declared government set-aside programs unconstitutional, unless there's evidence of a history of discrimination.
Corzine said the new program comes without quotas, but it was hailed Monday by women and minority business owners.
"I truly believe this is a first step in opening doors of opportunity for companies such as mine," said Kenneth Mbonu, CEO of Paterson-based Lintec Specialty Management Inc., which makes biodegradable chemicals.
During the last quarter of 2007, minorities and women combined received 7.9 percent of all payments on prime state contracts.
But Corzine said minorities account for 20 percent and women-owned firms 28 percent of the small businesses in the state.
"So eight percent is a small fraction of the prime contract payments that they should be reaping," Corzine said.
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On the Net:
New Jersey state contracting:
http://www.state.nj.us/njbusiness/contracting/
Jul 08 12:35
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- More than 800 pharmaceutical jobs will be leaving New Jersey starting in August.
Most of the job cuts and transfers are part of major previously announced restructurings at Johnson & Johnson and Schering-Plough Corp. This week, the companies specified how many of those jobs would be lost at New Jersey locations.
Schering-Plough, based in Kenilworth, is cutting 500 jobs. New Brunswick-based J&J is eliminating 22 jobs at its Ortho Biotech unit in Bridgewater, shifting another 260 to its Centocor unit in Horsham, Pa., and cutting another 267 Ortho Biotect jobs outside New Jersey. Centocor and Ortho Biotech are consolidating their operations.
Both J&J and Schering-Plough face slumping sales for key drugs.
Meanwhile, Abbott Laboratories in Parsippany is cutting 83 jobs.
Jul 08 17:09
By ERIN CONROY
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AP Business Writer
PRANKSTERS: Textless keyboards. Bottomless paper clip holders. Sticky notes blanketing the entire cubicle.
Most who've worked in an office can say they've either terrorized their colleagues with office pranks or been the victim of at least one hoax. Now, all the Dwights in the corporate world can get their revenge.
John Austin, a former toy designer, has written a manual of sorts for tricksters called "Cubicle Warfare" with instructions and illustrations for practical jokes.
The tools required for some traps include Velcro, fishing line and inflatable dolls.
"The office prank is like a gift -- sometimes you receive them and sometimes you give them," said Austin. "As long as they are lighthearted and not malicious -- and you don't try them on people that are up the ladder -- it can take the edge off of work a tad to bring in a little bit of the playground and some horsing around."
To avoid becoming a target, Austin said, employees should avoid letting co-workers know if they have "a case of the Mondays," and keep personal items on their desks to a minimum.
Austin's favorite prank?
"There's an episode of 'The Office' where Dwight's wallet is stolen, and he has to buy it back from the vending machine," he said of the NBC television show. "But of course he had to borrow a dollar from someone first."
SUPER TUESDAY: Thank goodness it's ... Tuesday?
A recent telephone survey found that 57 percent of executives found Tuesday to be the most productive day of the week for employees. Monday was the second most popular answer, but only 12 percent said so compared with 26 percent in 2006.
The survey of 150 senior executives including those from human resources, finance and marketing departments also found that only 3 percent said Friday was the most productive day of the week.
Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps and author of "Managing Your Career for Dummies," said that Tuesday often serves as a catch-up day.
"Many view Tuesday as an opportunity to focus their efforts and establish momentum for the rest of the week," Messmer said.
WHAT TO PUT IN THE WILL: How will you spread the wealth?
That's what some affluent Americans are asking themselves, as they debate whether to leave their fortune to their kids, charity or in some cases the government.
JPMorgan Private Bank interviewed 350 clients with $25 million or more, and found that more than a quarter said they didn't know how much money is too much to leave to their children.
About 30 percent said their greatest fear was family conflict over how investable assets were split, while nearly 40 percent were afraid of financial predators.
"What concerns parents the most about leaving money to the next generation is the risk associated with predators, and the climbing divorce rate adds to that fear," said Len Adler, wealth adviser for JPMorgan Private Bank in Palm Beach, Fla. "They're also worried about their children or grandchildren losing the incentive to work hard or go to school."
The interviews also revealed that only 9 percent thought it is appropriate to pass on a hefty inheritance to children under 30, while more than half would leave their riches to two or more generations.
About a quarter of the millionaires interviewed said they signed a will less than two years ago, while 6 percent said they have never signed a will and another 6 percent said they signed one more than 15 years ago.
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