The QPS Blog
Updates. Advice. Insights. Find it all on the QPS blog.
Workplace safety is an ongoing priority for organizations, and recent reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveal encouraging trends. In 2023, both...
As winter sets in, factory workers face unique challenges that demand our attention. The cold can be relentless, and without proper workwear, it poses significant...
Read the full article on PR Newswire here.
...November’s job report saw a gain of 227,000 nonfarm jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly employment report. Employment gains happened in health...
More than half of US workers, 51%, reported experiencing burnout in the past year, according to a survey released Nov. 4 by accounting firm Grant Thornton....
In October, QPS Employment Group had the pleasure of participating in The Assembly Show in Rosemont, Illinois, where thousands of engineers and manufacturing executives gathered...
An employee’s relationship with their organization begins before their first day of work. The experience an organization provides to candidates during the recruitment process directly...
October’s job report saw a gain of 12,000 nonfarm jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly employment report. Employment gains happened in government...
Job hunting can be tough, especially when you feel qualified but keep getting overlooked. Sometimes, small details can make the difference between getting noticed by...
More technology professionals are looking for jobs, according to new research by Indeed. It also noted compensation and benefits — such as sign-on bonuses and...
Job seekers are more interested than ever in seasonal work, as demand for those roles returns to prepandemic norms, according to an analysis by Indeed...
September’s job report saw a gain of 254,000 nonfarm jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly employment report. Employment gains happened in food...
At QPS, our associate employees are the heart of everything we do. Their dedication, talent, and hard work drive our success and enable us to...
The number of job openings was little changed at 8.0 million on the last business day of August, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports....
Medical care benefits were available to 72% of private industry workers and 89% of state and local government workers in March 2024, according to the...
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index fell in September, to 98.7, from an upwardly revised 105.6 in August. The Present Situation Index fell 10.3 points...
At QPS Employment Group, we believe that our success is directly tied to the success of our associate employees. That’s why we go beyond just...
If you find yourself in the position to see what other career opportunities may be out there, follow these steps to learn how to leave...
After declining steadily following an early 2022 peak, posted wage growth stopped declining by late spring 2024. Now, with a couple more months of data,...
Manufacturing activity in the region was mixed overall, according to the firms responding to the September Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey. The survey’s indicator for current...
Applications for US unemployment benefits fell to the lowest level since May, indicating the job market remains healthy despite a slowdown in hiring. Initial claims decreased...
A new survey of corporate America reveals that base salary budget increases for 2025 are projected to continue close to the fastest pace in two...
Applications for US unemployment benefits ticked up for the first time in three weeks, consistent with a gradual slowdown in hiring. Initial claims increased by 2,000...
As we notice changes in the labor market from what it was two years ago, many key factors (unemployment rate, quite rates, and the ratio...
What are your strengths? It’s a common interview question that can stop many candidates in their tracks. Crafting an answer that is both self-perceptive and...
August’s job report saw a gain of 142,000 nonfarm jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly employment report. Employment gains happened in...
You’ve gone through the difficult process of finding and accepting a job while still employed. But now your employer has given you a counteroffer in...
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index rose in August to 103.3 from an upwardly revised 101.9 in July. The Present Situation Index improved to 134.4,...
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell slightly last week as the U.S. labor market remains healthy in the face of high interest...
We’re excited to announce the opening of a new branch location in Colorado. After years of service to a large QPS One client in the...
The proportion of individuals who reported searching for a job in the past four weeks rose to 28.4%—the highest level since March 2014. This is...
In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) introduced a rule aimed at banning most post-employment non-compete agreements, sparking significant controversy and legal challenges. The rule,...
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant future concept; it’s here, deeply integrated into the fabric of our daily lives and business operations. As...
At QPS, one of our four company pillars is Community because we believe in supporting the communities we serve. Our Cedar Rapids branch recently hosted...
On Friday, Governor Pritzker signed Senate Bill 3650 (SB 3650), marking the third major amendment to the Illinois Day and Labor Services Act in just...
The outlook for the US economy is now more mixed than three months ago, according to the third-quarter Survey of Professional Forecasters. The Federal Reserve...
U.S.-based employers are budgeting for 3.5% raises for 2025, according to a survey of compensation professionals at 1,550 organizations globally by compensation management firm Payscale....
July’s job report saw a gain of 114,000 nonfarm jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly employment report. Employment gains happened in...
Initial applications for US unemployment benefits fell last week by the most in nearly a year, potentially alleviating some concerns that the labor market is...
QPS has been keeping you informed about the significant legislative changes affecting business in Illinois. As these developments continue to unfold, we want to provide...
As summer winds down, families across our communities are gearing up for a new school year. This past month, QPS’ Community Involvement Committee allocated money...
Hourly earnings growth for U.S. workers at small businesses has held steady since May, reporting 3.16% growth in July, and weekly earnings growth remains below...
Private sector employment increased by 122,000 jobs in July and annual pay was up 4.8 percent year-over-year, according to the July ADP® National Employment Report™ produced by the...
US job openings came in above forecast last month after May’s reading was revised higher, defying a recent trend of a gradual softening in the...
At QPS, we strive to make every employee feel valued and appreciated, especially on their birthday. That’s why we’ve made it a priority to celebrate...
Amid speculation of entering a second Great Resignation, 28% of US workers are “somewhat” or “highly likely” to quit their jobs in 2024, according to...
Nearly two-thirds (62%) of Americans don’t use all of their paid time off, according to a survey of 1,500 U.S. employees by financial technology company...
AI is increasing the workloads of full-time employees, according to The Upwork Research Institute. It found 77% of employees say AI has added to their...
Job seeker confidence fell for all but the highest-earning job seekers in the second quarter, according to ZipRecruiter. The Job Seeker Confidence Index fell 5.8...
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has dropped its appeal of a Texas federal judge’s order striking down its new, expansive joint employer rule. As...
The U.S. skilled labor market is facing record-high pressure, particularly for companies with manufacturing and construction operations. Increasing labor scarcity, amplified by the COVID-19 disruptions,...
U.S. filings for unemployment benefits rose again and appear to be settling consistently at a slightly higher though still healthy level that the Federal Reserve...
U.S. job openings rose slightly to 8.1 million in May despite the impact of higher interest rates intended to cool the labor market. Vacancies rose...
With more people online than ever, follow these tips for using social media in your job search. LinkedIn currently boasts around 397 million monthly active...
The median pay raise in 2024 fell to 4.1% from the previous year’s median increase of 4.5%, according to the Salary Budget Planning Report released...
June’s job report saw a gain of 206,000 nonfarm jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly employment report. Employment gains happened in...
We surveyed clients and prospects across a diverse range of industries around our Midwest footprint to gather valuable insights into business expectations heading into the...
At QPS, we have been keeping you informed about the significant legislative changes affecting business in Illinois. As these developments continue to unfold, we want...
This month, Quality Magazine, a print and media organization focused on manufacturing professionals, released the results from their 2024 State of the Profession Survey. As...
Employers often include experience requirements in job postings to screen for strong candidates, lower training costs, and reduce the risk of hiring unqualified workers. However,...
U.S. job openings fell in April to the lowest level since 2021. But they remained at historically strong levels despite high interest rates and signs...
The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits jumped to the highest level in 10 months, a sign that the labor market is likely cooling...
An invested learning and development team improves employee retention, helps make employees more productive, and increases overall effectiveness. The learning and development team at QPS...
May’s job report saw a gain of 272,000 nonfarm jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly employment report. Employment gains happened in...
New college graduates from the class of 2024 are prioritizing economic security and benefits as they enter the workforce, according to a report released today...
Job openings fell in April and reached a new three-year low, according to seasonally adjusted data released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics....
At QPS, we believe in being actively involved in the communities we serve. Recently, team members from our Marshalltown, IA branch took this commitment to...
Business activity contracted in the US manufacturing sector in May for the second consecutive month, according to the Institute for Supply Management. “After breaking a...
Are you a go-getter? Good at math? You’re hired! A growing share of employers are relaxing demands that job candidates have a certain amount of...
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits jumped to its highest level in more than eight months, another indication that the red hot U.S....
U.S. workers who switched jobs since the pandemic’s onset are much more dissatisfied than those who stayed, according to a survey by The Conference Board....
Gen Z workers say they’re open to jobs in manufacturing. But getting them to take these jobs, engage, and stay will mean changing a work...
U.S. jobs openings slid in March to the lowest level in more than three years, but stayed at historically high levels in a sign that...
For the 15th year in a row, QPS Employment Group has been named a top workplace in southeastern Wisconsin by The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and...
Today’s work environments have never been more complex. Companies can have some combination of remote, hybrid, or in-office employees. Employees do their best work...
April’s job report saw a gain of 175,000 nonfarm jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly employment report. Employment gains happened in...
The US manufacturing industry may need as many as 3.8 million new employees by 2033, according to a report by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute....
The practice of switching jobs on a frequent basis has its fair share of critics. But in this blog, we’ll be looking into both the...
As a person that may be responsible for hiring, think of some of the some of the best and worst interviews you have had. Everyone...
U.S. job openings barely changed in February, staying at historically high levels in a sign that the American job market remains strong. The Labor Department...
Fewer Americans have applied for jobless benefits as the labor market continues to thrive despite the Federal Reserve’s efforts to cool it. The Labor Department...
The US manufacturing sector expanded in March for the first time since September 2022, the Institute for Supply Management reported. Its Manufacturing PMI composite index...
U.S. wage growth returned to 2019 levels, according to data from jobs website Indeed. It found national posted wage growth slowed to year over year...
Thursday, April 11, 2024 was National Pet Day, and members of our Gurnee team brought their pups to the office to celebrate!
...Branches across QPS took time out of their day to view the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Also known as the Great North American...
An interviewer may open with the common question, “Tell me about yourself,” or a variation of it as an icebreaker to get the conversation going....
A big topic on everyone’s minds recently is employee burnout. How do you prevent it? How do you recognize it? What do you do about...
March’s job report saw a gain of 303,000 nonfarm jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly employment report. Employment gains happened in healthcare,...
Businesses are strategically positioning themselves for the challenges and opportunities the second quarter of 2024 may bring. We recently surveyed clients and prospects across a...
North American CFOs are more upbeat about the economy, but bringing in talent with generative AI skills is a concern, according to the CFO Signals...
What are your weaknesses? Interviewers ask this question for several reasons: to gauge your level of self-awareness, learn more about your character, and find out...
Many sales reps deliver pens, notepads or the usual trinkets that recipients either quickly throw out or shove in a desk drawer. For nearly 20...
You’ve been working for a company for a while, you’ve taken on new responsibilities and excelled at them all. But there’s one thing that hasn’t...
More than 300 Co-Owners gathered in Lake Geneva, WI for a weekend of learning, laughing, and fellowship. This year’s Annual Owners Meeting showcased the best...
During the interviewing process, it is easy to reference your resume and tell of your experiences that get your hard skills across. But what many...
Injuries on the job happen and as an employer, your follow up after these can either be an asset or a liability. Having a step-by-step...
Wondering how to stand out from your competitors? Most companies can’t afford a huge marketing budget, but there are still plenty of cost-effective options that...