U.S. employers have modest hiring plans for the second quarter, according to the results of the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, conducted quarterly by Manpower Inc.

This quarter’s research concludes:

Year-over-Year increase: With a seasonally adjusted outlook of +5 percent, employers indicate a moderate increase in hiring expectations compared to one year ago, when the seasonally adjusted outlook was -2 percent. read more »

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) and Washington Retail Association (WRA) are urging retailers to e-mail their U.S. Senators to protect them from further increases in so-called interchange fees.

These fees imposed by credit card companies and issuing banks for processing credit and debit transactions have been skyrocketing. For example, they tripled in the United States between 2001 and 2008, to $48 billion. read more »

Independent contractors would face possible fines under Senate bill 6575 now in the House Rules Committee.

The bill would cause workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance costs to rise for contractors who hired more than one subcontractor to do work for them. The requirement, in an amendment to the bill, aims to make sure that all contractors working in the state are registered with Labor & Industries. read more »

Only a few days remain of the 2010 legislative session. During these final days, the Legislature must adopt a balanced supplemental budget. A few days ago, the governor signed the bill that suspends the Taxpayer Protection Act, Initiative 960 www.sos.wa.gov/elections/initiatives/text/i960.pdf. This is the measure voters approved in November 2007 that required the Legislature to reach a two-thirds majority to raise taxes. Now that the measure is suspended, only a simple majority is needed to raise taxes. read more »

As part of its ongoing efforts to encourage window sellers to be transparent in their marketing, the Attorney General’s Office reached a settlement with Mukilteo-based Penguin Windows.

“Our case alleged that Penguin’s claims just didn’t fly,” said Assistant Attorney General Jack Zurlini. “Our agreement sets out in black and white the acceptable marketing practices in the window sales industry and those bad practices that will put companies on thin ice.” read more »

Macy’s CMO Peter Sachse spent the majority of his keynote speech at the Retail Innovation & Marketing Conference talking about a shift in company focus. Instead of its traditional tunnel-vision focus on the product, he said, Macy’s has started focusing on the customer. Sachse’s presentation offered a fascinating insight into how — and why — a major retailer has changed its approach to interacting with and listening to shoppers. read more »

The Liquor Control Board (LCB) adopted revised alcohol advertising rules that will restrict outdoor alcohol advertising at licensed locations.

The revised rules are based on extensive public input requesting that the Board restrict the size, amount and location of alcohol advertising at liquor-licensed locations. read more »

Liberty Bay Books will host international Norwegian crime novelist Jo Nesbo at a special appearance presentation and book signing on March 21, 12:30 p.m. at the Sons of Norway, 18891 Front St. NE in Poulsbo; when Nesbo will present his newest novel “The Devil’s Star.” read more »