Employee Participation

Sometimes all President Barack Obama has to do is look out the window to get a firsthand look at the country's economic woes.

If theres a workplace that could use an employee assistance program, itd be Mad Mens Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. The workers in the fictional advertising agency openly drink like fish on and off the job and work in an environment that would make todays HR pros want to cringe.

U.S. manufacturing grew for the first time in four months, buoyed by a jump in new orders. The increase was a hopeful sign that the economy is improving.

Macy's Inc. plans to hire about 80,000 seasonal workers this holiday season, a 2.5 percent increase from last year when the Cincinnati-based operator of Macy's and upscale Bloomingdale's hired 78,000 workers.

U.S. manufacturing likely shrank in September for the fourth straight month, a troubling sign that growth will stay weak.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which has spent tens of millions of dollars on television ads to help boost Republican congressional candidates, launched an extensive effort on Monday to mobilize voters.