Employer-Paid

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell 23,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 340,000, a level consistent with solid job growth.

Although finance professionals have received compensation increases, the percentages fell for all levels except executives, according to a recent survey by the Association for Financial Professionals.

Beyond merely cutting jobs or the hours of part-timers, companies are turning to temp agencies, PEOs and other possible solutions.

Private exchanges may be gaining in popularity, according to a survey from a company that operates one of the bigger exchanges.

Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew says the Internal Revenue Service's targeting of conservative political groups was "unacceptable and inexcusable" and he has directed the agency's acting director to hold people accountable.

The House passed legislation this month amending the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 by giving all private-sector employees the same flexibility government employees have enjoyed for the past three decades.