Labor

Getty Images By Jason Lange WASHINGTON -- The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits fell sharply last week to its lowest level since the early days of the 2007-09 recession, suggesting the job market is still healing despite weakness in the broader economy. Initial claims for state ...

NEW YORK -- Companies are on a tear in terms of productivity and profits, but they aren't sharing much of the gains with their workers. The gap between hourly compensation and productivity is the highest it's been since just after World War II. This divergence is one of the major drivers of the nation's growing ...

With millions of unemployed competing for jobs, many Americans are returning to school to learn new skills that will hopefully lead to a new job. With college expenses on the rise, however, pursuing a four-year degree may not be financially feasible for many of them. But there a plenty of good-paying jobs ...

When Kathryn Sobilo first considered becoming a home care aide, she was told the work included light housekeeping, assisting patients in getting dressed, running errands, shopping, and helping to prepare meals. "I thought, well, that would be an easy thing to do," Sobilo (pictured below) told AOL Jobs. What ...

Working in coal mines can bring to mind dirty and dangerous labor. But for more than century, it often was lucrative. Joe Caudill, who worked as a roof-bolter in an underground coal mine in Knott County in eastern Kentucky, brought home $105,000 last year, after factoring in overtime pay. But Caudill and ...

By Paul Wiseman WASHINGTON -- The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits surged last week, although the figures may have been distorted by seasonal factors. The Labor Department says applications rose by 34,000 to a seasonally adjusted 386,000. The increase reversed a big drop the previous week. ...

By Christopher S. Rugaber WASHINGTON -- The number of people seeking unemployment aid last week fell to its lowest level since mid-May, suggesting layoffs are easing and hiring could pick up. The Labor Department says weekly unemployment benefit applications dropped by 14,000 to a seasonally adjusted ...

Even casual observers of business news have likely noticed that the federal government spews out information about the nation's economy and its people at a seemingly unstoppable pace. From weekly reports on initial claims for jobless benefits to monthly reports on prices, employment, goods production and ...

Fed up and ready to bolt from your job? You're not alone. A recent online survey shows that nearly half of workers are considering quitting this year. But given last week's dismal jobs numbers, it's worth asking, "Are they crazy?" ...