State Worker Buyouts: The Hidden Costs Six states have turned to worker buyout programs this year to cut costs while the U.S. economy remains sluggish, state officials said. The incentives offered some states should trim state payrolls, but doesn't necessarily consider the fallout: cheaper, less experienced workers mean are training costs and slower productivity.

Employee Wage Trends Are Worrisome

The national jobless rate flirted with hitting 10 percent before falling a notch in July. Still, the economy is troubled. But, really, the jobless rate isn't what most people stress about. After all, nine out of 10 who want to work are working. No, what a good share of the 90 percent really care about is the remarkable slowdown in employee wage growth.

Big Law Firms Still Facing Big Problems

Manufacturing is showing signs of life, employment is steadying, and the stock market has come way off its lows. So it is only a matter of time before big law firms return to the go-go climate of just a few years ago, right? Well, actually, no. Many of the smartest law-firm managers, industry consultants, and academics who follow the economics of big firms say fundamental changes are under way and a return to business as usual is unthinkable.

Outlook for Jobs is Still Gloomy

Another "jobless recovery" is likely -- at least for several months to come. The slight drop in the national unemployment rate in July, from 9.5 percent to 9.4 percent, sent the optimistic signal that employment may have begun a rebound. But economists say some crucial job market indicators remain flat.

Report: West Losing Fewer Jobs

This is the first recession to wipe out all job gains that the previous recession's recovery produced, but Western states except California are holding up better than the nation as a whole, according to the Western States Blue Chip Economic Forecast released recently.