Bloomberg (08/23/12) Michelle Jamrisko; Shobhana Chandra

Applications for U.S. jobless benefits rose by 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 372,000 in the week ended Aug. 18, the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. The median forecast of 41 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for 365,000. Initial claims from two weeks ago were revised up to 368,000 from an original reading of 366,000, based on more complete data collected at the state level. The average of new claims over the past month, meanwhile, climbed by 3,750 to 368,000.

Inc.com (08/21/12) Leigh Buchanan

According to Inc.com, companies that made the 2012 Inc. 500 list share two qualities: guts and optimism. Many of the companies on the list launched in 2008 during the recession. The 2012 list measures revenue growth from 2008 through 2011. The companies in the Inc. 500 represent the top tier of the Inc. 5,000. Many of the staffing firms among the Inc. 5,000 are listed here.

NJ.com (08/22/12) Bridget Clerkin

Waste Management in Trenton, NJ, and Labor Ready of Northeast Inc. in Ewing, NJ, have each been fined $7,000 for U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration violations connected to the death of sanitation employee Mark Jefferson. OSHA found the two companies failed to train employees on how to handle heat stress and failed to ensure employees working outdoors during periods of extreme heat consumed enough fluids.

“This tragedy underscores how critical it is for employers to ensure that workers have frequent access to water, rest, and shade to prevent heat illness and injuries during the hot summer months, and also why it is important that workers know how to recognize and respond to the signs of heat-related illness,” Paula Dixon-Roderick, director of OSHA’s Marlton Area Office, said in a release.