EDITORIAL: Manage government workforce better

In county government, as with businesses, the employees are the biggest cost. But county government hasn't followed the private sector's lead yet in managing that cost, or those employees, well.

DOUG ROSS: Pay attention to many pay disparities

When USW District 7 Director Jim Robinson railed about pay disparities last month, he was talking about the private sector. If he thinks that system is broken, he should see what's happening in the public sector.

Portage non-union employees offered changes in health insurance

PORTAGE | Reigning in health insurance costs has been a priority for the city.

EDITORIAL: Principals should be leaders, not bureaucrats

An education revolution is under way in Indiana, one that affects not just student performance, but the entire delivery process for education. These changes will require adjustment throughout the system.

Portage continues battling escalating health care costs

PORTAGE | Employee health care costs are continuing to plague the city's budget.

OT pay settlement causes Walmart to pay $4.83 million in wages, damages

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has agreed to pay more than $4.8 million in back pay and damages to more than 4,500 employees following a U.S. Department of Labor investigation that found violations of federal overtime provisions.

EDITORIAL: Portage needs to review workers' pay, benefits

Portage Clerk-Treasurer Chris Stidham wants his employees to enjoy the same benefits as the city's union employees. State law forbids unionizing employees in the clerk-treasurer's office. So why shouldn't they get the same benefits?

EDITORIAL: Yet another solid waste of money

The agency charged with managing Lake County's solid waste seems not to be concerned about wasting the taxpayers' dollars. The plan for an extra payout to its top leaders is further evidence in support of that notion.

Unemployment rule changes start Friday

Mandatory drug screening for employment seekers is one of the several rule changes for people collecting employment insurance benefits from the state of Indiana.

Taking a vacation benefits both employees and employers

For most employees, the highlight of the year comes with the time they take away from their workplace for a vacation. The reward of a couple weeks away from work spent with family or friends can keep most employees working and working and working for the remaining 50 weeks of the year.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Who really makes the minimum wage?

Indiana and Illinois share a border, but the similarities between the two end there.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Let me vent about pensions for police officers

Recently the subject of Public Safety Employee pensions have been the topic of much discussion in the media and especially in Springfield. Several sweeping reforms were enacted for new police and fire employees hired after Jan. 1, 2011.

Pension reform for new cops, firefighters going to Quinn

SPRINGFIELD | Gov. Pat Quinn is set to weigh in on a slate of new retirement benefits for future police officers and firefighters across Illinois.

Pension reform altered, moves ahead

SPRINGFIELD | Police and firefighters hired after Dec. 31 in Illinois would have different retirement benefits than their predecessors if some legislators and mayors get their way.