The U.S. Department of Justice claims the private contractor retained to perform background searches on potential government employees provided phony information. A lawsuit filed this week alleges the firm, USIS, defrauded the government between 2008 and 2012. “USIS management devised and executed a scheme to deliberately circumvent contractually required quality reviews of completed background…(Read More)
Several construction-related jobs are among those listed as the deadliest occupations by the federal government. The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics’ dubious list includes construction workers, roofers, and steel and structural iron workers. http://www.hrmamerica.com/hr-news/10-deadliest-jobs-in-the-usarevealed-17019.aspx…(Read More)
Commercial real estate is a key driver to the success of the world’s premier cities. Jones Lang LaSalle, a global real estate investment firm, finds that Shanghai, London, New York and San Francisco are among the urban areas worldwide that demonstrate the combination of strong short term socio-economic and commercial real estate momentum…(Read More)
Frigid, stormy weather across much of the U.S. isn’t dashing the optimism of contractors. Even though some work has slowed a bit because of the extreme weather, contractors are more optimistic about 2014 than they have been in a long time, according to Stephen Sandherr, chief executive of Associated General Contractors of America…(Read More)
It’s all about pent-up demand. At the World of Concrete 2014 conference in Las Vegas, Ed Sullivan, chief economist at the cement trade association, predicted the construction industry will be helping drive growth in his sector in the next few years. “My forecast is based upon the loosening of credit availability, steady and…(Read More)
Do you need a reality check when it comes to harnessing various construction-related expenses? The last seven decades have seen steady price increases for industry products and services. This article is a good reminder that you may be missing opportunities to save money. Suggestions on managing outside labor costs and the accuracy of estimates…(Read More)
Reed Construction Data has encouraging economic news for the construction industry. In a company press release, Bernard Markstein, U.S. Chief Economist, Reed Construction Data, explained, “With an Expansion Index greater than 1 in 41 states plus the District of Columbia, the expected improvement in construction appears widespread across the country.” The December Expansion Index…(Read More)
Employers can expect bigger and better lawsuits from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2014. Specifically, the federal agency is looking for patterns of discrimination against pregnant women and people with disabilities. An annual report from Seyfarth Shaw, a management litigation practice, says that while several claims were litigated last year, internal control problems at…(Read More)
DPR Construction, David Weekley Homes, and PCL Construction Enterprises have been named to Fortune’s esteemed list of ‘100 Best Places to Work.’ What separates these companies from others? The pay-it-forward mindset that helps local charities, business cards without job titles, and open floor plans have impressed employees. A number of energy companies…(Read More)
Punch lists are a basic tool used in the construction industry, and now Congress has one that’s been provided by the American Institute of Architects. AIA CEO Robert Ivy notes that the list of ‘unfinished business’ should help lawmakers focus on key issues, such as job creation and energy efficiency. “Congress left town in…(Read More)
