Long Commutes Mean Less Sleep
A study of commuters on New York's Long Island Rail Road has found that workers who spend more than two hours each day getting to and from work are not getting nearly enough sleep. The researchers report that not only do long commuters get fewer hours of sleep, they are also more likely to suffer from sleep disorders -- such as sleep apnea, a breathing problem -- that interfere with the shut-eye they do get. The recommendation: Workers should live no more than 75 minutes from their job.

Unemployment Down Again
The Labor Department reported the number of Americans filing first-time unemployment claims last week was down by 4,000 from the previous week. The monthly unemployment rate is also down slightly. Economists say the nation's labor market has been extremely tight all year -- which means higher wages, but more worries about rising prices.

California Companies Can Make Workers Accept Arbitration
California companies can force their workers to accept arbitration in labor disputes, giving up their right to sue their employer, a state court has ruled. The decision means that the state's employers can refuse to hire -- or may even fire -- workers who refuse to sign an agreement that any future disputes will be decided by private arbitration and not in public court trials. The case involved a legal secretary who was fired by two separate law firms after he refused to sign their mandatory arbitration agreements.

Liberal Arts Grad Can Prove Tech-Savviness
A new certification exam that tests liberal arts students for technology skills was launched last week by the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC). The test is designed to open up more job opportunities to liberal arts graduates. The group says its aim is to help the 4.5 million liberal arts students nationwide, who often have trouble proving their technical and problem-solving know-how to potential employers.