• Analysis: Prospects for U.S. economy truly have improved
  Despite skepticism from conspiracy theorists, data showing significant improvement in the U.S. labor market are real, according to The Economist. "Although the drop in the unemployment rate was surprisingly sharp, there is no obvious reason for it to reverse," the magazine notes. "The [Bureau of Labor Statistics] actually revised up its payroll employment figures for July and August to more robust levels, and in September found people working longer hours at higher pay." The Economist (10/13)      

• 40 signs you're part of an outstanding recruiting program
  Recruiters can determine whether they're among the best in the profession with this checklist of 40 items, John Sullivan writes. Great recruiting functions, for instance, are led by executives with business-oriented mentalities, and are held accountable by well-defined recruiting metrics, he writes. ERE.net (10/15)      

• Why recruiters should consider making YouTube videos
  Few employers do a good job building their brand using YouTube videos, which means the few that do have a distinct recruiting advantage, Jessica Miller-Merrell writes. According to an infographic included with the article, job postings that include video generate 34% more candidate applications. Blogging4Jobs (10/12)      

• Other News

• Survey: 14% of laid-off workers relocated for a new job
  American City Business Journals/Dayton, Ohio/Morning Call blog (10/12)      

• Calif. workers get huge payouts from unused vacation, analysis finds
  California public employees are storing up vacation days and cashing them in when they retire, in some cases getting more than $500,000 extra in their final paychecks, according to an analysis of government salary data. The state paid nearly $1 billion between 2009 and 2011 to reimburse employees retiring with unused vacation days, the analysis found. San Jose Mercury News (Calif.) (free registration) (10/13)      

• D.C.-based company helps firms reward employees
  A firm in Washington, D.C., finds discount tickets to arts and sporting events, and makes them available to employees of certain companies. "Really our mission is to make that employer look good. And make the employee appreciate where they work, but also where they live," said Michael Civello, director of client relationships at Plum Benefits. The Washington Post (10/12)      

• Editorial: All NYC workers should get paid sick leave
  New York City should pass a law requiring paid sick leave, this editorial argues. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn have opposed such a law, saying one should not be implemented during difficult economic times. "The best answer, of course, would be a Congressional law requiring sick leave benefits for the whole country," the editorial argues. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (10/14)      

• 8 ways to connect with your workers
  A boss' behavior has a big impact on a team's level of engagement, writes Gretchen Rosswurm. Be honest, available and outgoing, and you'll soon see results. "In today's cookie-cutter corporate world, people long for connection. Use your leadership to help create that with your team," Rosswurm advises. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Leadership (10/11)      

Top five news stories selected by SmartBrief on Workforce readers in the past week.

• The traits that new hires must have for your company to survive (ERE.net)

• What employees need to know about benefits this year (CNNMoney)

• Study: 75% of employees are interested in working elsewhere (BusinessNewsDaily.com)

• 7 reasons your employees are unhappy and unengaged (TLNT.com)

• Need a nap? This work pillow might help (NBC News)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

• What is the greatest B2B pain your company feels?
  

Meeting customers' B2B requirements

Errors, delays and cost from manual steps in B2B processes

Inability to scale B2B processes with company growth

Lack of visibility across B2B transactions and supply chain

On-boarding a new customer or supplier

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I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night." --Galileo Galilei, Italian astronomer, philosopher and physicist