Workforce Articles

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  Iowa Senate GOP advances relaxing of child labor laws

  DES MOINES — Iowa teenagers under 18 would be able to work more jobs and for longer hours under legislation advanced early Tuesday by Republican lawmakers. Republicans passed the bill shortly before 5 a.m. after roughly seven hours of debate that spanned late Monday into early Tuesday, and included multiple starts and stops as legislators became...
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  Outage at part of state site for unemployment claims persists

  DES MOINES — Iowans who want to use the state website for job search information remain unable to do so, as the iowaworks.gov website remained down Friday, as it has been all week. The outage is an issue with the site’s vendor, Geographic Solutions, which is dealing with a similar challenge in other states the company serves.
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  Lawmakers advance parents ‘bill of rights,’ tuition voucher plan

  DES MOINES — Education policy affecting K-12 schools, including creating a “parental bill of rights” and a voucher program allowing families to use public money for private tuition, was front and center Wednesday at the Iowa Capitol. Up for discussion were legislative proposals that would:
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  Can Iowa businesses use 401(k)s, other benefits as a recruitment lure?

  Coffee Emporium is far from the only place for a Cedar Rapidian to get a caffeine fix. But the baristas have something that many of their counterparts at other coffee shops in Iowa might not have — 401(k) and retirement benefits.
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  Urban Dreams partnership helps address Iowa’s labor shortage

  There are winners and losers in the business world, as Ronald Cox sees it. As other states see a population boom and Iowa’s population growth lags, businesses here must compete to draw new people into the workforce. Cox, director of Iowa State University’s Center for Industrial Research and Service, said Iowa historically has had a higher labor ...
• Iowa Ideas 2020 replay: Automation in Iowa

  Iowa manufacturers are turning to automation as a way to continue to keep production up and to grow despite tight labor supply. What does this mean for employers, and what opportunities and risks does it make for Iowa's economy? Will Iowa be able to grow enough people to keep Iowa's manufacturing sector competitive with other regions? Panelists ...
• Iowa Ideas 2020 replay: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategy for the Workplace

  2020 has shined light on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategies (or lack of) among employers of all shapes and sizes. While some may seek a quick fix solution, others are pursuing a deep assessment of their workplace culture, team dynamics, hiring and retention practices and beyond. Hear from employers along with d&I resources and th...
• Iowa Ideas 2020 replay: School-Business Partnerships

  After getting real momentum behind building school-business partnerships, the COVID-19 pandemic brought traditional work and learning experiences to a halt last spring. How can the state regain the momentum behind the school-business partnerships that were blossoming across the state? How have groups pivoted or adjusted? We'll check in with some...
• Iowa Ideas 2020 replay: Imagining New Industries in Iowa

  Iowa has seen significant economic growth in the energy and food industries, but what's on the horizon? Some say ed tech, while energy still has significant potential. Our panel will discuss that as well as other policy ideas as the state looks to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and derecho. Panelists include: Ron Corbett, Business Retention ...
• Iowa Ideas 2020 replay: Working From Home

  The coronavirus pandemic has radically changed the ideas of working from home. What does the work from home change mean for employees and workers? How will this change the ideas of the work day, burnout, the need for large offices and what might need to change for employers and employees? Panelists include: Scott Olson, Broker Associate, Skogman...