Everyone looks forward to Labor Day.  It is the holiday that marks the unofficial end of summer.  But, how many people know when the first Labor Day was celebrated?

The first Labor Day was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882.  Two years later, the holiday was moved to Monday.  On June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed the bill that made Labor Day a federal holiday and designating that it be the first Monday in September.

A lot has changed since Labor Day was first celebrated.  Below is a list of some of the legislation that has changed the workplace since 1900.

·        Fair Labor Standards Act (1938) – established a minimum wage ($0.25) and 44 hours in a week. In 2009, the Fair Minimum Wage Act increased the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour.

·        Work Hours Act (1962) – provided time and a half pay for over 8 hours worked in a day or over 40 hours in a week

·        Age Discrimination Act (1967) – prohibits employment discrimination against people 40 and older

·        Occupational Safety and Health Act (1970) – provides a safe environment for workers

·        Family Medical Leave Act (1993) – allows an employee to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for certain medical reasons.

The original Labor Day celebrations included parades and festivals.  Nowadays, backyard barbeques and picnics are more popular.  No matter how you choose to celebrate Labor Day, the paid day off is well deserved.

You heard me right it’s that time of year…..cold and flu season, this year experts predict a harsher season with the outbreak of swine flu. Never fear there are ways to keep you, the ones you love and let’s not forget the ones you work with free from the virus.  Center for Disease Control recommends that the best way to protect yourself is by getting vaccinated and I’m happy to report that both CVS and Walgreens are providing FREE vaccines to people are unemployed. Way to step up and help the community, these organizations are the largest national drug store chains and you should be able to find one in your community.

In addition to getting vaccinated you should also practice good health habits to keep yourself flu free this season.

Avoid Close Contact: Avoid close contact with people who are sick

Stay home when You are Sick: You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

Cover Your Mouth and Nose: It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

WASH your Hands: And was them often, washing your hands will protect you from germs.

Get Sleep and Exercise: This will keep your body able to fight off germs.

Remember when you are looking for a job you will encounter more germs; it’s important to take all precautions to keep yourself healthy to start your new job.