Temp- tation                                                                               March 2017 
In this issue
UC Benefit Claims Near 44-Year Low

At the end of February the number of Americans filing initial claims for unemployment benefits dropped to a seasonally adjusted 223,000.  The lowest level in nearly 44 years!  This further shrinking of the labor market and rising inflation could prompt the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates in the very near future.   

The national unemployment rate of 4.7% is considered to be at, or close to, full employment, and the unemployment rate for Wisconsin is actually well below that. 

Wisconsin's unemployment rate dropped to 3.9% in January (the most current statistic available), from 4.1% in December. 

A search for jobs in Wisconsin on Indeed.com shows more than 68,000 open positions posted.       
Temptation Trivia  
This fitness and weight loss guru is known for his colorful workout attire (typically featuring short shorts), his curly red hair, and his eccentric, energetic, and flamboyant personality. 
 
Name this fitness advocate, and the fitness videos he created where people do aerobics to classic hits from the 50's, 60's, and 70's.    
  
If you know the answer, call or e-mail your local branch office by noon this Friday.  One winner in each branch will be chosen at random from those that answered correctly, and that person will get treats delivered!  
 
Last issue answer: According to legend, before the boogie man goes to bed, he checks under his bed for Chuck Norris, whose real first name is Carlos.   

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Flex-Staff
Fun Facts  
Many in the midwest grew up hearing stories of Paul Bunyan.  A lumberjack of extraordinary stature who traveled the country with his blue ox, Babe.  

While several towns in Michigan, Minnesota, and even Idaho claim to be the origin of this legendary figure, legends of Paul Bunyan were first documented north of Tomahawk, Wisconsin beginning in 1880.   

In Michael Edmonds' book, 
Out of the Northwoods, he credits James Rockwell - a writer at the Milwaukee nature magazine Outer's Book - for debuting the the first collection of Paul Bunyan stories to a national audience.

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      Celebrating Over 40 Years of Staffing Excellence!   

Antitrust Guidance for HR Professionals  
The Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department's Antitrust Division issued guidance for human resource (HR) professionals and others who are involved in hiring and
compensation decisions.
 
Going forward, the Justice Department intends to criminally investigate no-poaching or wage-fixing agreements that are unrelated or unnecessary to a larger legitimate collaboration between the employers.  These types of agreements eliminate competition in the same irredeemable way as agreements to fix the prices of goods or allocate customers, which have traditionally been criminally investigated and prosecuted as hardcore cartel conduct.  Agreements that do not constitute criminal violations may still lead to civil liability under statutes enforced by both agencies.
 
Follow this link to the antitrust guidance pdf.:   Antitrust guidance

www.ftc.gov

One Minute Ideas
One-minute tips that will make you more productive

1. Say "no" to three things - This week, say "no" to three commitments that might zap you of your energy, time, or motivation. 

2. Turn off all of your email alerts - New email alerts don't cost you much time, but they cost you a lot of attention.  Every time a new alert comes in you have to re-orient yourself to what you were trying to focus on before. 

3. Start keeping a list of everything you're waiting on - When you maintain a list of everything you're waiting for, you can make sure nothing slips through the net and you can worry a lot less about the things you need to stay on top of. 

4. Live by the two-minute rule - The moment you realize you have to do something, if it will take less than two minutes, do it.  If it will take more than two minutes, schedule completing it later.  

5. Find one activity that gives you more energy, and schedule doing it - Are there certain things you do that give you lots of energy, like going to the gym before work, meditating, or spending time with your children?  Schedule time for them.
 
6. Take more breaks - It might sound counter intuitive, but taking breaks prevents you from becoming fatigued and tired, and they help you slow down, step back from your work, reflect, and come up with better ideas.
 
7. Define the very next steps you need to take to do something you're procrastinating on - This will make the task less ambiguous, and it will also give you the push to get it done.
  
  
From Rosie Hobbs' "10 one-minute tips that will make you more productive"    
Recipe
45 Minute Cinnamon Rolls  

Ingredients
2 and ¾ cups all-purpose flour
3 T granulated sugar
1 t salt
1 package instant yeast
½ C water
¼ C milk
2 T unsalted butter
1 egg

Filling:
¼ C (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
2 T ground cinnamon
¼ C brown sugar

Glaze:
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
7 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions
To make dough:  In a large bowl, mix the flour, the sugar, salt, and yeast together until evenly dispersed. Set aside. In a small microwavable bowl, heat the water, milk, and butter together in the microwave until the butter is melted (about 30-45 seconds). Stir the butter mixture into the flour mixture. Add the egg and knead with hand or with stand mixer for 3-4 minutes or 
until the dough is no longer sticky. Place in a lightly greased bowl and let rest for about 5 minutes.

To make filling:  After the dough has rested for 5 minutes, roll it out in a 15x9 inch rectangle. Spread the softened butter on top. Mix together the cinnamon and sugar and sprinkle it all over the dough. Roll up the dough tightly and cut into 9 (large) even pieces. Place in a lightly greased 9-inch or square pan (or cut into 12 small pieces and place in a 9x13 pan) and lightly cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. 

To make glaze:  Beat together the cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer in a large bowl until creamy. Mix in the vanilla and milk, then gradually mix in the confectioners' sugar and salt until smooth and fluffy.

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees and TURN OFF after 10 minutes. P lace the cinnamon rolls in the oven to rise for 20 minutes. (If you have time, the longer you let them rise, the bigger they'll get...)  Keep the buns in the oven, REMOVE THE FOIL OR PLASTIC, and turn on the oven to 375 degrees. Bake the cinnamon rolls for 15-20 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and top with glaze.  
 
Inspirational Quote
 The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually afraid you will make one.   - Elbert Hubbard
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