Employer-Paid

A poll shows that almost half of small-business employers are optimistic about economic improvement this year. This is a cautious optimism, however, as the majority also expressed concern about revenue and hiring plans for the next six months.

Proposed cuts to pension payouts and health care would save Detroit about $120 million annually over four years and help leave the city with a budget surplus of $89 million, according to Mayor Dave Bing's deficit elimination plan.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has proclaimed Wednesday "State Employee Recognition Day," months after pushing a bill that would strip most of those workers of their collective bargaining rights.

Opposite-sex and same-sex and domestic partners of city employees in York City, Pa., may now be eligible for city-provided health insurance, provided they can prove the legitimacy of their relationship.

Florida's minimum wage will increase by 6 cents an hour to $7.31 on June 1 after a judge agreed the state's employment agency was miscalculating the rate.

A legislative plan to shore up Oklahoma's underfunded pension systems by requiring any cost-of-living increases to be funded by the Legislature received final approval on Tuesday and is heading to the governor's desk.

Drugstore operator Walgreen Co. said Wednesday a key measure of revenue rose in April, but the growth was slightly below Wall Street expectations.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that employees ages 45 to 64 will make up a full third of the workforce by next year. Along with job responsibilities, many in this age group also juggle family care-giving responsibilities.