Retail Workweek Hits 3-Year Low In ObamaCare Shift [View all]
The fly in the ointment of January's jobs report was the apparent shift to part-time work ahead of a key ObamaCare deadline.
Although retail payrolls grew by 32,600, total hours worked in the industry dipped, Labor Department data out Friday showed.
The explanation? Rank-and-file retail workers logged the shortest workweek since early 2010: just 30.1 hours, on average, vs. 30.4 in December.
While the data are volatile and the shift to shorter workweeks in January was less than dramatic, this may be the start of something big. All signs suggest that businesses are starting to adjust their employment policies in response to ObamaCare. It's possible that much of this shift may occur in the next few months.
The 30 Or 50 Rule
New Treasury Department guidelines released early last month give businesses until June 30 before their staffing levels begin to influence fines that may apply in 2014 when the ObamaCare exchanges launch.
Read More At IBD: http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials-perspective/020113-642941-retail-leisure-jobs-hours-down-obamacare-looms.htm#ixzz2JjIhZLMd
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