We celebrated Labor Day this past Monday.  While many people got their last hurrah of summer and sun, the day should not pass without a more than passing thought on the state of labor.  Statistics out this week claim that layoffs are finally down, and while unemployment remains high, employers are holding on to their pared down workforces but not hiring new employees while they figure out what is coming up down the road.  While this may sound like good general economic news, it may not really be so.  There is never a bad time to take stock of employees -- reward hard working, good employees and let them know that loyalty and hard work go in two directions.  That should mean hiring new employees when workflow causes the current workforce to become overworked and overtaxed.  On the other hand, no economic fears, or even hopes of increased business should keep a fair employer from fairly evaluating those employees whom time and again have shown that they do not have what it takes to contribute.  Let what happens in the workplace dictate how employees are treated, not hopes and fears about a slow to recover economy.  Fair employers and fair employees.  It is what every labor day really celebrates.