Tag: employment

Business, Government, Minnesota, PoliticsLeave a comment

Smithfield’s $2 million child labor penalty dwarfed by parent company’s annual $26 billion in sales

Gary Dickson

Smithfield will pay a $2 million penalty for child labor violations at its Minnesota plant, marking the state’s largest enforcement action. An investigation revealed that 11 minors worked hazardous jobs during late hours. The company denies knowingly hiring underage workers but has agreed to enhance compliance measures in response to the violations. Continue reading Smithfield’s $2 million child labor penalty dwarfed by parent company’s annual $26 billion in sales

Business, Economy, South Dakota1 Comment

Warning signs found in new South Dakota economic data

Gary Dickson

The South Dakota economy shows strong recovery post-pandemic, yet indicators suggest potential slowdowns. Key concerns include falling farm incomes, lower sales tax collections, and a job market mismatch with 30,000 openings and 10,000 unemployed. Despite these challenges, experts don’t foresee immediate threats, anticipating continued growth under favorable policies. Continue reading Warning signs found in new South Dakota economic data

Business, Healthcare, IowaLeave a comment

Judge finds nursing home worker was fired for being honest with inspectors

Gary Dickson

In a recent case, an Iowa nursing home worker was fired for being honest with inspectors. The worker revealed issues the employer didn’t want disclosed, leading to immediate termination. Similarly, another worker was fired for allegedly instructing a colleague to lie to state inspectors. These incidents resulted in unemployment hearings, with some workers being awarded benefits while others were denied. Lawton Bronson School and Hegg Memorial employees also had cases reviewed recently. Continue reading Judge finds nursing home worker was fired for being honest with inspectors

Economy, GovernmentLeave a comment

Reynolds, Congress members protest federal child labor law enforcement

Gary Dickson

The Iowa Legislature’s changes to child labor laws in 2023, including extended work hours and expanded job opportunities for teens, have triggered criticism from Gov. Kim Reynolds and the state’s congressional delegation. They accuse the US Department of Labor of unfairly penalizing Iowa businesses for complying with state regulations, raising concerns about excessive fines and federal interference. Continue reading Reynolds, Congress members protest federal child labor law enforcement

Community, Iowa, JusticeLeave a comment

Sioux Center police officer forced to quit after domestic abuse arrest

Gary Dickson

A Sioux Center police officer who was forced to resign after a domestic abuse arrest — a charge that was later dismissed — and a failed psychological test is entitled to unemployment benefits, a judge has ruled.

According to state records, Steve S. Topete began working for the City of Sioux Center as a full-time police officer in June 2023. When he was hired, he was required to take and pass the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory test, which is a 600-question survey designed to measure an individual’s integrity, character and suitability as a law enforcement officer, with the answers reviewed by a psychologist. All certified law enforcement officers in Iowa are required to take the test. Continue reading Sioux Center police officer forced to quit after domestic abuse arrest

Business, economic development, Education, Government, Siouxland, South DakotaLeave a comment

Employment on the rise, wages miss the mark In S.D.

Gary Dickson

Preliminary estimates show South Dakota’s unemployment rate increased from 0.1 percent to 2.0 percent in October 2023. The labor force increased over the month by 800 workers (0.2 percent) to 484,700 workers. The level of unemployment increased by 500 (5.3 percent) to 9,900 workers.

South Dakota’s October 2023 labor force of 484,700 increased compared to the October 2022 level of 475,000. The level of employed increased by 10,400 (2.2 percent); the level of unemployed decreased by 600 persons (5.7 percent). The unemployment rate decreased 0.2 percent to 2.0 percent.

The most recent year we have records for is 2021, for which data was released on Dec. 12, 2022. That census of wages and income shows that the median household income in the U.S. was $69,717, while the median household income in South Dakota was $66,8443 (95.88 percent of the national median).

But when you look at the salaries people are getting paid to be teachers (we still are one of the worst states in terms of teacher pay in the nation), natural resources and mining, construction, trades, transportation and utilities, leisure and hospitality services (shame on you tourism industry), and even local, state, and federal government a person has to wonder why we’re paying our workers such low wages? Continue reading Employment on the rise, wages miss the mark In S.D.