With the unpredictable stock market, the job front doesnt look like its headed in the right direction any time soon.

Even in a tough job market, employee retention is a problem many human resources departments face.

The U.S. Department of Labor is introducing a $1,825,595 National Emergency Grant for re-employment services for approximately 250 workers who were laid off by XL Four Star Beef after the company closed its beef processing and packing plant in June in Nampa, Idaho.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is adopting regulations by the Federal Railroad Administration that legalizes the number of consecutive hours passenger railroad employees can work in an effort to diminish risk, improve safety, and differentiate between freight and passenger services.

Employers are worried the proposed federal requirements on employee benefits communication could cause greater financial stress on businesses by demanding additional administrative work in an effort to remain compliant, says HighRoads, a benefits management and Employee Retirement Income Security Act compliance firm.

Considering todays uncertain economic state, U.S. employers are expecting to give employees moderate pay raises in 2012, though they anticipate fully funding annual bonuses for workers in 2011 because of increased corporate profits, according to new Towers Watson survey.

Two La Nopalera restaurants in Jacksonville, Fla., must pay 30 employees $934,425 in back wages and liquidated damages based on the requirement of consent judgments, says the U.S. Department of Labor.

The Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act, a new immigration reform program that may cancel deportation and authorize employment to 300,000 immigrants currently facing deportation proceedings, has been made into law, says U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.