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<h2><b> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">How To Spot Fraudulent
Worker�s Comp Claims</font></b> </h2>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">In
a recent HR On The Job article, we reported on the advantages of cooperating
with, and in some cases even encouraging the use of, worker�s compensation (WC).
I have since received several responses from PLANET members regarding that article.
Although everyone agreed with the recommendations in the article, many told
of incidents where they saw clear examples of worker�s compensation (WC) cheating.
Some of those stories were outrageous enough to be on �Law and Order� and others
were funny enough to be on �Judge Judy�. </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">In
the middle of this valuable and appreciated feedback I also accessed a recent
report from BLR (Business and Legal Reports) on the subject of WC fraud.
BLR says that WC fraud represents only about 20 percent of all WC cases.
Members said that 20 percent is way too many. But together these folks
make a considerable team of experts. Here then is a compilation of tips
from our members and BLR on spotting WC fraud.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>Most
common indications of WC fraud include when claimant:</b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; margin-left: .25in"> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span style="font-family: Symbol">�<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span>Has filed more than one WC claim in the past. </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; margin-left: .25in"> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span style="font-family: Symbol">�<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span>Took longer absences than anticipated for minor injuries </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; margin-left: .25in"> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span style="font-family: Symbol">�<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span>Displayed a reluctance to return to work or to accept light duty</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; margin-left: .25in"> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span style="font-family: Symbol">�<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span>Reported injury immediately after a disciplinary action, notice
or being passed over for promotion</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; margin-left: .25in"> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span style="font-family: Symbol">�<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span>Reported injury just before or just after a strike, layoff, plant
closure, job termination or completion of temporary work</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; margin-left: .25in"> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span style="font-family: Symbol">�<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span>Had no witnesses to the incident or witnesses versions differ
from the claimant</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; margin-left: .25in"> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span style="font-family: Symbol">�<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span>Forwards first notice to company of injury via a letter from a
lawyer or a medical statement from a clinic </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; margin-left: .25in"> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span style="font-family: Symbol">�<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span>Incident was unusual or unusual type of incident for this type
of work</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; margin-left: .25in"> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span style="font-family: Symbol">�<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span>Complained often of financial difficulties or domestic problems
prior to claim</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; margin-left: .25in"> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span style="font-family: Symbol">�<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span>Has held many jobs for fairly short periods of time</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; margin-left: .25in"> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span style="font-family: Symbol">�<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span>While on disability is working another job, attending a gym or
doing vigorous remodeling on his/her house</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; margin-left: .25in"> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span style="font-family: Symbol">�<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span>Was a new hire working for a small family owned business</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; margin-left: .25in"> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span style="font-family: Symbol">�<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span>Uses P.O. boxes for addresses or the addresses of family or friends.
Or changes addresses frequently</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; margin-left: .25in"> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span style="font-family: Symbol">�<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span>Files accident reports that differ in versions to job report,
WC, medical reports or other statements</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; margin-left: .25in"> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span style="font-family: Symbol">�<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span>Income from WC, unemployment benefits, Social Security, long term
disability etc. exceed income from wages after taxes</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; margin-left: .25in"> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span style="font-family: Symbol">�<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span>New or additional medical problems are attributed to the original
incident</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; margin-left: .25in"> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span style="font-family: Symbol">�<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span>Demands a quick settlement, commitment or decision </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Of
course, not every example above is a sure sign of fraud. These are mostly
the results of examinations of known fraud cases and the information derived
from those cases. Don�t assume that because an employee has one of these
characteristics he/she is guilty of fraud. But in that these signs are
characteristic of fraud cases they should be signs that further investigation
is needed. </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Most
companies cannot or will not have access to such details. Many of these
reports came through video surveillance or third party administrators who hired
private investigators. Some larger companies have set up anonymous hot-lines
for reporting fraudulent WC claims. </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Reducing
or eliminating WC fraud is in yours and everyone�s interests. At an annual
cost of over $8 Billion dollars, WC fraud can cripple employers who are expweriencing
climbing employee costs on every front. WC premiums have put many small
to medium size companies out of business while moving others to look for ways
to cut costs, reduce workforce size and to outsource the work.</font></p>
<hr>
<h2 style="margin-left:.75in" align="center">
<font face="Verdana" color="#008000">Have an employment question?</font></h2>
<h3 style="margin-left:.75in" align="center"><font face="Verdana">Send it to
<a href="mailto:[email protected]?subject=From HR On The Job">
[email protected]</a></font></h3>
<p style="margin-left:.75in" align="center"><b><font face="Verdana" size="2">
Please include Company Name and Association in your e-mail. Company
identification will be kept confidential.</font></b></p>
<hr>
<h2 align="left"><b><u><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hitchhiking on the Information
Highway</font></u></b></h2>
<p align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><font
size="4" color="#FF0000">Dateline: August 2008</font></b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">Note. Although we attempt to provide the HRU update on the first
of each month, we are normally delayed awaiting the release of several
monthly government statistical reports. We will hereafter update the information
as each report becomes available without waiting for all of them to be
released.</font></i></p>
<p> </p>
<table border="0" width="100%" height="3030">
<tr valign="top">
<td width="100%" height="3075">
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
<div align="left">
<h2 class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b>
<font size="6" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">New
Federal Minimum is Too Low for Half the States</font></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Effective
July 24<sup>th,</sup> 2008 the new federal minimum wage rate for
non-exempt (hourly paid) workers moved from $5.85 per hour up to
<b>$6.55</b> per hour. That number will increase again on
July 24, 2009 to $7.25 per hour. Employers are also required
to display the new minimum wage poster (often available on your
states DOL web site free) by those dates.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">However,
this increase means little to companies in at least half of the
states as their minimum wage rate is higher and often automatic
as their based on cost of living and inflation rates.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Those
states are shown below:</font></p>
<table border="1" width="39%" id="table21">
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Alaska </font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$7.15</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Arizona </font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$6.90
indexed to inflation</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">California </font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$8.00</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Colorado </font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$7.02
indexed to inflation</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Connecticut </font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$7.65</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Delaware </font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$7.15</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Florida </font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$6.79
indexed to inflation</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Hawaii </font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$7.25</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Illinois </font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$7.75</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Iowa </font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$7.25</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Kentucky </font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$6.55</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Maine </font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$7.00</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Massachusetts </font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$8.00</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Michigan </font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$7.40</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Missouri </font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$6.65
indexed to inflation</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">New
Jersey </font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$7.15</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">New
York</font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$7.15</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Ohio </font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$7.00</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Oregon </font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$7.95
indexed to inflation </font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Pennsylvania </font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$7.15</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Rhode
Island </font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$7.40</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Vermont </font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$7.68
indexed to inflation</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Washington </font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$8.07
indexed to inflation</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">West
Virginia </font></td>
<td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"> $7.25
<i>(However many employers in WV are exempt from state minimum
wage laws and pay only the federal rate.)</i></font></td>
</tr>
</table>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </div>
<table border="4" width="50%" id="table17" cellpadding="2" height="102" bordercolor="#000000">
<tr>
<td valign="top" height="85">
<h3 class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center">
<b><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">�If you
want a friend in Washington, get a dog�</font></b></h3>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: center">
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><i>-Harry
Truman</i></b></font><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><i></i></b></font></h3>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<h1 align="center" style="text-align:center"> </h1>
<h2 class="MsoNormal" align="center"><b><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">A
Few More Laws for Employers</font></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">It
seems that every month some legislators somewhere aim another law
at employers. This month is no exception. </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>Ohio</b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">A
new Ohio law forbids companies from charging jury duty time against
the employees vacation or sick leave. In some areas local laws require
employers to pay for jury duty which some small businesses have difficulty
providing and charge it against employee�s vacation time. Ohio
is the first state to outlaw this practice.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>Maryland</b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">In
Montgomery County MD, A new law requires employers of domestic workers
to negotiate and enter into an employment contract with each employee.
The contract must include negotiated wages and all terms of employment.
In addition, the employer is required to give written notice to each
employee of all his/her legal state law rights. This new law
thereby negates the Employment at Will doctrine. This
is the first legislation in the US to require domestic employees to
be placed under employment contracts. However, in the summer
of 2007, the state of New York passed a similar statewide bill requiring
employment contracts for sales employees.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<span style="mso-ignore: vglayout">
<div align="center">
<table border="4" width="50%" id="table19" height="87" bordercolor="#000000">
<tr>
<td height="109" valign="top">
<div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border-top:solid white 1.0pt;
border-left:none;border-bottom:solid white 1.0pt;border-right:none;padding:
10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in">
<h3 class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center">
<b><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">�When
A annoys or injures B on the pretense of improving B, A is
a scoundrel�</font></b></h3>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: center">
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><i>-H.L.
Mencken</i></b></font></h3>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
</span>
<div align="center">
<h2 class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The
Top 10 Highest Paying Blue-Collar Jobs</font></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Think
you have to have a degree to make good money? Not always.
Blue collar jobs are considered to be those that typically are paid
hourly wages and do not include self-employed workers.</font></p>
<div align="left">
<table border="0" width="73%" id="table22">
<tr>
<td align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">1.
Elevator installers and Repairers </font></td>
<td width="261"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$32.69
hourly = $68,000 annually</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">2.
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation
and relay </font></td>
<td width="261"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$28.35
= $58,970</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">3.
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters </font></td>
<td width="261"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$28.20
= $58,650</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">4.
Locomotive Engineers </font></td>
<td width="261"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$27.65
= $57,520</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">5.
Power Plant Operators </font></td>
<td width="261"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$27.23
= $56,640</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">6.
Ship Engineers </font></td>
<td width="261"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$26.97
= $56,090</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">7.
First-Line Supervisors /Managers of Construction
trades and Extraction Workers </font></td>
<td width="261"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$26.90
= $55,950</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">8.
Gas Plant Operators </font></td>
<td width="261"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$26.27
= $54,640</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">9.
Farm, Ranch and Other Agricultural Managers </font>
</td>
<td width="261"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$25.83
= $53,720</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">10.
Transportation Inspectors </font></td>
<td width="261"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$24.73
= $51,440</font></td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">When
you consider that these jobs also pay one-and-one-half times that
rate for overtime (worker no 1 then gets $49.04 per hour) and they
have no college costs ($50,000?) and they were working/earning during
that 4-year college time, makes a lot of college grads take a second
look.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="left"> </p>
<table border="4" width="50%" id="table20" bordercolor="#000000">
<tr>
<td valign="top">
<div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border-top:solid white 1.0pt;
border-left:none;border-bottom:solid white 1.0pt;border-right:none;padding:
10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in">
<h3 class="MsoNormal" align="center"><b><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">�The
way to wealth is as plain as the way to market. It depends
chiefly on two words, industry and frugality�</font></b></h3>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center">
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><i>-Benjamin
Franklin</i></b></font></h3>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
<blockquote>
<hr width="75%">
<p></p>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<span style="text-decoration: none"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">
<table border="0" width="47%">
<tr>
<td width="37%" valign="top">
<div style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1; padding-left: 4; padding-right: 4; padding-top: 1; padding-bottom: 1">
<p align="left"><font size="-1"
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>Federal Minimum Wage:</b></font></p>
</div>
</td>
<center>
<td width="61%" valign="top">
<h3 align="left"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">$6.55/hr. </font></h3>
<p align="left"><i><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Increases
to $7.25 on 7/24/09</font></i>
</td>
</center>
</tr>
</table>
<table border="0" width="99%">
<tr>
<td width="13%" valign="middle" style="border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>Average
Income:</b></font></td>
<td width="67%" style="border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" width="100%" id="AutoNumber4" height="76">
<tr>
<td width="100%" height="76">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" width="100%" id="AutoNumber5">
<tr>
<td width="50%" align="center"><b><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Hourly</font></b></td>
<td width="50%" align="center"><b><font size="-1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Weekly</font></b></td>
</tr>
</table>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" width="100%" id="AutoNumber6" height="50">
<tr>
<td width="25%" height="50">
<p align="center"> <b><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><u>
July
2007</u></font></b><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><br>
$17.47</font>
</td>
<td width="25%" height="50">
<p align="center">
<b>
<span style="text-decoration: none"><u>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">
July</font></u></span><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span style="text-decoration: none"><u>
200</u></span></font></b><u><font size="-1"><b>8</b></font></u><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><u><br>
</u>$18.06</font>
</td>
<td width="25%" height="50">
<p align="center">
<span style="text-decoration: none"><b><u>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">
July</font></u></b><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b><u>
2007</u></b><br>
</font>
</span> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">
$590.49</font>
</td>
<td width="25%" height="50">
<p align="center">
<span style="text-decoration: none"><b><u>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">
July</font></u></b><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b><u>
2008</u></b></font></span><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><u><br>
</u>$606.82</font>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
<td width="20%" bgcolor="#C0C0C0">
<table border="0" width="99%" height="96">
<tr>
<td width="100%" height="40" colspan="2">
<h3 align="center"><span style="text-decoration: none"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>Federal<br>
Poverty Level:</b></font></span></h3>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="50%" height="48">
<p align="center"><b><u><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">One
(1) Person<br>
</font></u></b><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$10,400</font></td>
<td width="50%" height="48">
<p align="center"><u><b><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Family
of Four</font></b></u><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><br>
$21,200</font>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<hr noshade color="#000000">
<hr noshade color="#000000">
</font>
<table border="0" width="100%">
<b></b>
<tr> <b><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">
<td width="37%" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1">
<p align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"><b>IRS Mileage Allowance :</b></font></p>
</td>
</font></b>
<center>
<b></b>
<td width="63%" style="border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1">
<div align="left"><b> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><u>January
1, 2008, IRS mileage allowance:</u></font></b></div>
<div align="left"> </div>
<div align="left"><b> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">
Business Purposes: 58.5 cents per mile<br>
Medical or Moving Purposes: 27 cents per mile<br>
Charitable Purposes: 14 cents per mile</font></b></div>
</td>
</center>
</tr>
</table>
<table border="0" width="100%" bgcolor="#C0C0C0">
<tr>
<td width="32%" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1">
<p align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"><b>Postage:</b></font></p>
</td>
<center>
<td width="34%" style="border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1"> </td>
</center>
<td width="34%" style="border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1">
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>May
12. 2008</b></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="32%" style="border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">1 oz.</font></td>
<td width="34%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">.41</font></td>
<td width="34%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">.42</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="32%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">Each additional ounce</font></td>
<td width="34%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">.17</font></td>
<td width="34%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">2
oz. .27</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="32%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"><i>Postcards</i></font></td>
<td width="34%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">.26</font></td>
<td width="34%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">.27</font></td>
</tr>
</table>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">
<hr noshade color="#000000">
<b>
<p>
<table border="0" width="38%" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
</table>
<table border="0" width="98%">
<tr>
<td width="34%" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1">
<p align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"><b><u>Population:</u></b></font></p>
</td>
<center>
<td width="82%" style="border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1"> </td>
</center>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="34%" style="border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"><b>World</b></font></td>
<td width="82%">
<p align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">6.5 Billion</font>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="34%" valign="top"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"><b>U.S.</b></font></td>
<td width="82%" valign="top">
<p align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">300
Million</font>
<p align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><i>One
birth every 8 seconds<br>
One death every 13 seconds<br>
One new immigrant every 30 seconds<br>
Net gain = 1 person every second</i></font>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</b>
<hr noshade color="#000000">
<table border="1" width="99%" bgcolor="#C0C0C0">
<tr> <b>
<td width="48%" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1">
<p align="left"><b> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">U.S.
Workforce</font></b></p>
</td>
</b>
<center>
<td width="12%" align="center">
<b>
<span style="text-decoration: none"><u>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">
July</font></u></span></b><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><u><font size="-1">
2007</font></u></b></font></td>
<b>
<td width="12%" align="center">
<b>
<span style="text-decoration: none"><u>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">
July</font></u></span></b><u><span style="font-weight:700"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">
</font></span> </u><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><u>
<b> 2008</b></u></font></td>
</b>
</center>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="48%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">U.S. Civilian Workforce</font></td>
<td width="12%" align="center"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">153,182,000</font></td>
<td width="12%" align="center"><font size="-1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">154,603,000</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="48%"><font size="-1">Number Employed</font></td>
<td width="12%" align="center"> <font size="-1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">146,045,000</font></td>
<td width="12%" align="center"> <font size="-1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">
145,819,000</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="48%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">Number Unemployed</font></td>
<td width="12%" align="center"> <font size="-1">7,137,000</font></td>
<td width="12%" align="center"> <font size="-1">8</font><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">,784,000</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="48%"><span style="text-decoration: none"> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">Persons Who Currently Want A Job</font></span></td>
<td width="12%" align="center"> <span style="text-decoration: none">
<font size="-1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">4,773,000</font></span></td>
<td width="12%" align="center"> <span style="text-decoration: none">
<font size="-1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">4,997,000</font></span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="48%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">Unemployment Rate</font></td>
<td width="12%" align="center">
<p><font size="-1">4.7</font><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">%</font></p>
</td>
<td width="12%" align="center">
<p><font size="-1">4.9</font><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">%</font></p>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<hr noshade color="#000000">
<hr noshade color="#000000">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" width="100%" id="AutoNumber3" bgcolor="#C0C0C0">
<tr>
<td width="100%">
<h4><b><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">PRODUCTIVITY
OF THE AMERICAN WORKFORCE</font></b><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br>
(The amount of goods produced, divided by the number of work hours
it took to produce it)</font></h4>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" width="100%" id="AutoNumber2" bgcolor="#C0C0C0">
<tr>
<td width="32%">
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>1992</b></font></p>
</td>
<td width="68%">
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">3.7%</font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="32%">
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>1993</b></font></p>
</td>
<td width="68%">
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">0.5%</font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="32%">
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>1994</b></font></p>
</td>
<td width="68%">
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">1.3%</font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="32%">
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>1995</b></font></p>
</td>
<td width="68%">
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">0.9%</font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="32%">
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>1996</b></font></p>
</td>
<td width="68%">
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">2.5%</font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="32%">
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>1997</b></font></p>
</td>
<td width="68%">
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">2.0%</font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="32%">
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>1998</b></font></p>
</td>
<td width="68%">
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">2.6%</font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="32%">
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>1999</b></font></p>
</td>
<td width="68%">
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">2.4%</font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="32%">
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>2000</b></font></p>
</td>
<td width="68%">
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">2.9%</font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="32%">
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>2001</b></font></p>
</td>
<td width="68%">
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">1.1%</font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="32%">
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>2002</b></font></p>
</td>
<td width="68%">
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">4.7%</font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="32%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>2003</b></font></td>
<td width="68%"><font size="-1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">4.5%</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="32%"><font size="-1"><b>2004</b></font></td>
<td width="68%"><font size="-1">4.0%</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="32%"> <span style="text-decoration: none"> <font size="-1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>2005</b></font></span></td>
<td width="68%"> <span style="text-decoration: none"> <font size="-1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">2.6%</font></span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="32%"> <span style="text-decoration: none"> <font size="-1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>2006</b></font></span></td>
<td width="68%"> <span style="text-decoration: none"> <font size="-1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">3.0%</font></span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="32%">
<span style="text-decoration: none"> <font size="-1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>2007</b></font></span></td>
<td width="68%">
<span style="text-decoration: none">
<font size="-1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">1.9%</font></span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="32%"> <span style="text-decoration: none"> <font size="-1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>200</b></font></span><font size="-1"><b>8
1st Quarter</b></font></td>
<td width="68%">
<span style="text-decoration: none">
<font size="-1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">+2.6%</font></span></td>
</tr>
</table>
</font></span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="100%" height="21"> </td>
</tr>
</table>
<p><font face="Verdana" size="2">� William J. Cook</font></p>
</body>
</html>