In a recent statement, Thomas J. Balkin, vice chair of the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), stated: �Studies show fatigue creates long-lasting changes to one�s ability to think and function well during the work day.� According to the same study, prolonged workdays are causing many workers to fall asleep or feel sleepy at work. The report points out that Americans are working more hours and trying to cope with the resulting sleepiness. Astonishingly, 63% of those polled stated they simply accept this sleepiness, and just keep going. Unfortunately, where many of these workers are going is to the emergency room. The
When a job opens up in today’s economy, it receives a lot of attention. And no wonder: More than 15 million Americans need work. And if you’re a hiring manager, you may have found that the best way to shrink that pile of résumés on your desk is to weed out the seemingly “overqualified” workers first. After all, you reason, those candidates will want too much money and will jump ship the minute they find a better offer. Right? Not necessarily. Saying someone is overqualified is basically saying he or she is too skilled or too experienced. The truth is,
The Colorado Transportation Commission has awarded $15 million of FASTER (Funding Advancement for Surface Transportation & Economic Recovery) funds to governments and agencies statewide for local transit projects. Over the next three years, the Colorado Dept. of Transportation’s Division of Transit and Rail will distribute grants to 62 projects. FASTER is funding 80% of each project, with the local entity supplying the remaining 20%. “Since the requests exceeded the available funding, we needed to make sure each project was properly prioritized, requiring a collaborative effort between our six regions, the transportation planning regions and metropolitan planning organizations,” said CDOT Division
Thirty-six states lost construction jobs in 2010, as the industry shrank by 93,000 employees nationally, the Associated General Contractors of America reported in an analysis of state employment data released this week by the Labor Department. “While it is nice to see the industry adding jobs in the most states since February 2008, the challenges facing this industry are still very severe,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Despite slight improvements in the construction employment picture, the industry is coping with weak demand, declining stimulus activity and a growing political aversion to investing in aging infrastructure.” Simonson noted that
New construction starts in December climbed 19% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $450.2 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Cos. Nonresidential building rebounded after a weak November, and nonbuilding construction was lifted by the start of several large electric utility projects. Meanwhile, residential building in December showed slight growth, continuing the gradual upward trend of recent months. For 2010 as a whole, total construction starts dropped 2% to $412.5 billion, a less severe decline than the 24% plunge for 2009. Courtesy of McGraw-Hill Analytics “This won't be an easy year for most firms, but
More construction firms are planning to hire workers this year than are planning to make layoffs, according to the results of an industry-wide survey released this week by the Associated General Contractors of America and Navigant. The survey, conducted as part of the Construction Industry Hiring and Business Outlook, shows the industry may finally be emerging from a severe downturn that has left millions of skilled workers unemployed. “This won't be an easy year for most firms, but it will be better than last year,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association's chief executive officer. “If current trends continue, this industry
Photo courtesy of DLR Group The Fort Carson Soldier Family Assistance Center has been recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council with a LEED-Gold certification. The $8-million, design-build project is the first building of the new Warrior-in-Transition complex at Fort Carson. The center, designed by the Colorado Springs office of DLR Group, provides support services to wounded soldiers and their families during their recovery and the transition period after deployment. “Our design created the ideal healing environment for soldiers returning from deployment by incorporating large, inviting open spaces, harvesting natural light, maximizing views of the Colorado landscape and utilizing environmentally
Photo by Jeff Scroggins/Four Seasons The 500,000-sq-ft Vail Four Season includes 121 guest rooms and suites, 16 private residences and 19 Residence Club condominiums. Construction on Vail’s new five-star luxury resort, the Four Seasons, was complete late last year. Hyder Construction, along with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Barclays Capital and the town of Vail, celebrated completion of the resort to cap off Vail’s “Billion Dollar Renewal.” Hyder Construction assumed the role of general contractor on the Four Seasons in June 2009 and completed the project on time for the 2010/2011 ski season. The 500,000-sq-ft property includes 121 guest rooms
Union Pacific Railroad, the largest rail network in the U.S., is expected to break ground later this year on a new transportation hub that will expand its existing operations in the Southwest. The $400-million project will be constructed in Santa Teresa, N.M., not far from the Omaha-based rail company�s existing El Paso, Texas, facility. Photo courtesy Union Pacific The new hub is located along the historic �Sunset Route� between El Paso and Los Angeles. Image courtesy Union Pacific The $400-million hub is located in Santa Teresa, N.M., near Union Pacific�s existing operations in El Paso, Texas. Originally proposed in 2006,
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