Data collected by the US government show that people who were outside the labor market so long that they weren't counted as unemployed are seeking jobs and getting hired in numbers never seen before. The data have stimulated a debate within the Federal Reserve about whether it is wise to slow down the strong job-creation trend.

School districts in more than 40 states are facing shortages of teachers in science, math and special education, with schools serving minority and low-income students feeling the pinch the most, according to research by the Learning Policy Institute. In response, some schools are offering bonuses to recruit new teachers and mentors to keep veterans in the classroom.

Introducing yourself to a prospective mentor requires a respectful pitch and a bit of finesse, say executives with mentoring experience. They say the person seeking advice should explain why the relationship is mutually beneficial, express genuine interest in the work to be discussed and respect the potential mentor's time.

Northwest Indiana employers that offer creative wellness initiatives include American Licorice Co., which planted a community garden, and CL Vending, which offers micro-markets of nutritious snacks. City of Valparaiso employees get anti-fatigue insoles and mats and Franciscan Health has free health coaches available to staff.

Glassdoor has created a "know your worth" tool using the salary data the company has gathered over the last eight years, writes Stephanie Condon. The tool can be used to determine whether the salaries of professionals are in line with others in their field and how experience has affected their market values.

A successful company reorganization can unlock greater performance, write Stephen Heidari-Robinson and Suzanne Heywood. To change effectively, organizations must plan properly, get employee buy-in and specify clear objectives for the change.