employment

Greater access to child care is central to Japan's "womenomics" policy. The hope is that more day care will mean more women remain in the workforce after they become mothers.

Most jobs added since the recession are going to workers either in the top third or the bottom third of income. Those in the middle are getting squeezed out — especially men.

The Labor Department has suggested standards an employer must meet to consider a worker an independent contractor. Employment lawyers say this will lead to more lawsuits against employers.

A simple job as a cook at a school can help women in Northern India make big changes in their lives — including escaping domestic violence. For Saroj, it freed her from decades of abuse.

Younger workers are likely to find more job opportunities and better wages. But still, it's tough out there. The May unemployment rate for teens was 17.9 percent, about triple the national average.

It works for singing competitions. What about landing a job? To beat hiring bias, some applicants could first complete an online challenge with companies that are in the dark about their background.

Some companies are using surveys or brain games to assess what kind of workers candidates are. Employers say the tests can help reduce turnover and surface talent recruiters might otherwise overlook.