• Ohio officials report a 78% spike in initial unemployment claims from mid-May to the first week of July.
• Gallup reports that disengaged employees cost the world $7.8 trillion in lost productivity — equal to 11% of global GDP.
• A new survey shows HR professionals are concerned about the effects of inflation on their organizations, including how inflation will affect annual pay raises. (More than 80% of manufacturers that responded were concerned.)
• Nationwide, the average hourly wage growth was 5.1% annualized in June, down slightly from 5.2% in May, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. In manufacturing, the average hourly earnings were $30.86.
• The general counsel for the National Labor Relations Board has asked the Board to impose harsher penalties on employers that refuse to bargain with unions, according to OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips.
• OMA Connections Partner Frantz Ward says a federal judge’s ruling provides an important reminder for employers navigating the Family Medical Leave Act and Americans with Disabilities Act when managing leaves of absence.

Meanwhile, job seeker confidence — an indicator of future growth in wages and labor force participation — declined significantly in June, according to a survey by ZipRecruiter. 7/14/2022