What Kind Of Claims Are Heard By The Employment Tribunal?

If an employee wants to pursue their workplace related grievance to an Employment Tribunal then they must be aware of what kind of claims the Employment Tribunal will be able to hear. Although the Tribunals have the statutory right of jurisdiction over employment related disputes in England and Wales, in reality they only hear claims related to a certain number of core issues. It is also of key importance that the employee has taken their grievance as far as the company's own in-house grievance procedures will allow. This is because the Tribunal panel will tend not to look favourably on an employee who has decided to make a claim to the Tribunal instead of attempting to resolve the dispute themselves with their employer.

The types of claims that can be brought before an Employment Tribunal are:

• Claims of unfair or constructive dismissal. If an employee has been dismissed for reasons that they feel are unjustifiable or in breach of their employment contract, such as unfair selection for redundancy, then they may possibly have a claim of unfair dismissal. If the employee feels that they have had to leave their job because of the actions of their employer, such as a serious breach of contract, then they can file a claim of constructive dismissal before the Tribunal.

• Claims of workplace discrimination. If the employee feels that they have been subjected to discriminatory behaviour, such as harassment or victimisation, on the basis of their race, gender or disability, and they feel they can provide adequate evidence of this behaviour to the Tribunal they can file a claim of workplace discrimination.

• Redundancy claims. If an employee has been the subject of redundancy, either fairly or unfairly, but have not been paid their redundancy payments by their former employer, then they will be able to make a claim to the Employment Tribunal.

• National Minimum Wage or equal pay claims. If the employee feels that they are not receiving the national minimum wage or that they are not being adequately paid for the services they provide in relation to other employers, they will be able to pursue this grievance in the Employment Tribunal.

An employee can make a claim to the Employment Tribunal based on any of these examples as long as the claims are lodged with the Tribunal within three months of the dismissal, the last act of discrimination or the date of a failed redundancy payment. As long as these time limits are followed there should be no problem. Remember that the Tribunal process is free to all unless they decide to employ the services of an employment law solicitor to help with the hearing.

Students Can Get On Their Car Insurance Policy

For any car user, the importance of an auto insurance policy can never be overstated. Whether one is a student or an adult going about their life, car insurance is compulsory if one wants to drive on the roads that are used by other auto owners. It is however important to point out that students sometimes can have a lot of pressure emanating from their tight study schedules and the demand to achieve great results out of their education. There are many varying insurance discounts available to students whether they are in college, high schools or universities and one can easily be able to benefit from them and especially by doing a little bit of research on the available insurance companies.

It is however important to point out that even with these discounts are only available as a reward to the students who shows some level of responsibility on the roads and therefore one will need to drive carefully and have a good record as far as past driving is concerned. The different discounts available to students fall under different categories and it will be important to check out on the one that best suits your needs in order to save some money while enjoying the peace of mind that results from being insured.

Below are some of the available student car insurance policy discounts:

• Discount #1:

Resident student discount: This kind of car insurance discount is tailored to benefit students who are away at school. This simply means that due to their residence in schools, accessibility to cars is minimized and only has to drive regularly. It is however important for such a student to be listed under their parent's policy since there are chances that they will be driving during the vacations or when they go home. One will however be required to verify their status when looking for this policy with different insurance companies requiring different types of verifications.

• Discount #2:

Good student discount: This discount is available for those students who perform well in their studies. Many insurance companies offering this discount normally do it assuming that well performing students are also good and responsible drivers. Different insurance providers normally have different requirements although there are basic rules which govern the provision of this discount. For one to benefit from this offer, they must be licensed drivers aged between 16 and 25 years. It is also required that the beneficiaries of this discount should achieve a grade of 3.0 and above. One will also need to be studying full time in a high school or have 12 credit hours or more if a college student. Those homeschooling can also benefit as long as they have proper documentation.

• Discount #3:

Teen driver monitoring discount is another discount offered by numerous providers for students within the teen age bracket. Some companies however have stringent requirements before giving out this discount and one will need to ensure that they are adhered to. Fr example some companies will demand that the vehicle operated by the teen be equipped with Global Positioning System which enables for speed limit monitoring among other things.

New Trends in Patio Sets

Backyard renovations are becoming an increasingly popular choice for home improvement. Patio sets often become a key design feature in a renovated backyard, being a focal point for aesthetic appeal but also a focal point for social events for the summer. There are so many options for patio sets these days, casual patio furniture is especially popular now as well as wicker patio furniture sets.

Casual patio furniture has replaced the typical patio table and chairs in many outdoor design schemes these days. New technologies have allowed durable padding that are water and element resistant to stay outside without having to worry about weathering. This has led to more love seats and coffee table like patio sets to popularize design schemes. The couch or lounge type atmosphere is definitely a more comfortable luxurious feel for modern day outdoor design, often this type of furniture promotes a more social atmosphere for your outdoor party or BBQ. When outdoor fabric was introduced into this type of design it also opened up opportunities to add lots of colour and style to the deck or patio setting. Often time's casual patio furniture literally makes the backyard design. It can turn an ordinary deck into a quiet reading nook or a fun social hangout for friends and family.

Wicker patio furniture sets are a great alternative to metal or wood furniture for your outdoor living space. Wicker is considerably cheaper than metal or wood furniture because it is made from any number of materials including bamboo, rattan, reed, willow or even synthetic materials. Although wicker is typically cheaper, hand woven wicker furniture is a staple of outdoor fashion, making it more exclusive and often of the best quality materials. Wicker furniture is lightweight and easy to move about; making it ideal for a patio set that will need to be stored indoors for a cold winter. It is a good idea to buy furniture covers for wicker furniture even though it will hold up in stormy weather. It will simply last longer with some furniture covers that keep it safe from the elements. Wicker also brings aesthetic appeal to the table, something that plastic furniture simply cannot match. Wicker furniture makes a space look elegant and luxurious without sacrificing comfort. In fact wicker furniture is some of the most comfortable outdoor furniture that you can own. It is soft feel makes it a rarity for outdoor furniture options, this is great because it means that pillows do not have to be used. Pillows seats can be incorporated into your but they are not a necessity which gives you the option of adding colour and design options by selecting outdoor throw pillows for your outdoor oasis.

Weather you choose wicker or a casual patio set, there is no doubt that patio sets as a whole are evolving to meet the needs of modern day patio use. Patio sets are comfortable for sleep, durable enough to last being outside all day and night long, all without sacrificing anything in style or design.

Good Low Carb Foods

Many people don't begin a low carb diet, or don't stay with it, simply because they can't find tasty choices that are also low in carbohydrates. Actually, there are many foods that can be used for meals, in recipes or for snacks, when you're trying to maintain a diet that is low in carbs. Consuming a variety of foods that are naturally low in carbohydrates will allow you to eat a healthy diet that's tasty and also good for you.

Everyone is unique, and the same foods won't work for everyone, but there are foods that are very popular on low carb diets, and you can tailor your recipes to suit your tastes. Fish is a popular staple on low carb diets. But you don't need to restrict yourself to just the well-known types. There are many good low carbohydrate foods, and fresh fish are a healthy part of your low carb diet that you should eat at least several times a week. The best fish for your diet may include orange roughy, Alaskan halibut, trout, wild caught salmon, sea bass, cod and mackerel. Shellfish are healthy low carb choices that are full of taste, too. They include scallops, crab, shrimp, oysters, clams and lobster.

Eggs and egg whites can be included as breakfast essentials or as ingredients in other meals. Free range eggs are often preferred in low carb diets. You're not limited to chicken eggs, either. You might wish to try quail or duck eggs, to keep your diet alive and different from one day to the next.

Red meat is an important staple in low carbohydrate diets, because it allows you to get enough protein for a healthy diet. Lamb is a good choice, as is venison or deer meat. Cattle that have been grass-fed will be a positive choice, as will buffalo or bison meat, as long as the animals were not treated with antibiotics or growth hormones.

Poultry can be included in many low carbohydrate recipes, to make them tasty. Consume only poultry that was never treated with antibiotics or hormones. Some of the most popular poultry choices are chicken, duck, goose and turkey. Wild bird meat is also on the list of good low carb foods that provide quality low carbohydrate recipe mainstays, so add pheasant, wild turkey and quail to your list.

You should include vegetables and fruits in any diet, too, so that you reap the rewards of their many vitamins and nutrients. Vegetables that are not starchy are the best for your diet, including collard greens and spinach. Good tasting vegetables to use for recipes and healthy snacks or salads include Romaine lettuce, cauliflower, asparagus, cucumbers, mushrooms, turnip greens and celery. You can also add cabbage, zucchini, cilantro and mustard greens. Vegetable leaves and stems can help you to prepare healthy salads that are low in carbohydrates.

Fresh fruits are good choices, as parts of recipes or as snacks. Include fresh strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, and deduct any carb count from your allowance for each day. These do contain sugar and carbs, so they should be enjoyed sparingly.

Oils add omega fatty acids to your diet, so use them as desired in your recipes. Some of the best choices are extra virgin olive oil, flaxseed and canola oils. By using all these different good low carb foods, you can add good taste to your low carb, heart healthy diet.

Need a Big Marketing List Fast?

Since every guru that you meet will tell you that the money is in the list then, not surprisingly, every newbie will rush to do just that.

With such a large number of willing potential customers it is of no surprise that many opportunities exist to obtain a monster list immediately. You just have to part with some money and you can buy lists of email addresses. Depending on the amount of money that you wish to spend, the list can be specific in size, location or any number of variables.

So, there you have it. If your need was for a big list, fast, here it is.

But right now you are thinking there's a catch. Well, you have been supplied with a list of email addresses but how many other people have been supplied with the same list? If you bulk email all of the addresses on the list your email will be one among how many?

Did you get confirmation from the supplier that it was a new list? Did they tell you that the list had been up-dated? (That is where those no longer in use have been excluded). How old were all those letters of commendations from previous customers?

Yes, you have a list, but now it dawns on you that it is not your list. What you need is indeed a big list, but it must be a big list of people that know you and will become buyers of your products. Customers that trust your judgement and will therefore be more likely to take your recommendations for future purchases. That is a list that will be of real value to you and for a long time.

My advice is not to try the short cut of buying a list. Instead, grow your own. Yes, you are going to have to have a site with good relevant content. More importantly you are going to have to keep on providing up to date relevant content. You are going to have to give before you receive and any offers that you give will need to provide real value.

Once you feel that your site provides real value you will need to get in front of the largest number of people. This will mean promoting your site. You are looking to get a good position with the search engines. Keep up to date with your keywords/search terms. Maximise your back-linking to other relevant sites. If you are not an expert at search engine optimisation get some professional help.

Now that you have a following you can use a capture page to get the email addresses of like-minded individuals that will remain with you longer and represent true value.

How to Set Up an RSS Feed in WordPress

An RSS feed is a good way of marketing your latest content to your readers. When you write your latest informative article your audience are immediately informed of this and are able to read it. In this article I will show you how to set up an RSS feed in WordPress.

RSS or real simple syndication as it is better known is a way of getting your latest articles, posts, ideas around the web to your target audience 365 days a year. Imagine all the effort you put in and how much time is spent researching and writing your article. Doesn't it make sense to propel that content to people interested in listening to what you have to say? RSS makes this easy.

Many websites already have their own RSS facility in motion. Take for example the article sites. When you sign up to receive the service, the content will be delivered to you by way of a feed. Essentially this is what is known as an XML file containing the content such as headlines, posts, news etc. When content is delivered like this via the feed, it is known as syndication.

You can subscribe to the feed and you will receive the latest content from these sites without you having to do anything more. You can set up many feeds from many different sites and the beauty of this is that you never have to visit each site individually to receive their content again. I'm sure you are already beginning to appreciate the benefits of this.

If you have your own website you too can send your latest posts across the web. In order to do this you first need to set up your own RSS feed.

How to set up an RSS Feed

Now let's talk about how we can create a feed for our site. Do a search in Google for Feedburner and go over to the site. This site is owned by Google so if you have a Gmail account you can just log right in. If not then you can create a new Gmail account and sign in with the details.

You will see a box with some text: 'Burn a feed right this instant. Type your blog or feed address here:'

Go ahead and type in your blog address and click the 'Next' button

If Feedburner has found more than one feed at your blog then it asks you which one you would like to use. Personally I like to take the one that looks the simplest. When you have selected one click the 'Next' button.

You are now shown the title of your new feed. You may change this if you so wish.

Now click the 'Next' button.

You will now see the link for your feed at the top. It will be of the format:

<a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/">http://feeds.feedburner.com/</a> YourWebSiteName

Highlight and copy this link.

That's really all you need. You can keep clicking the 'Next' button all the way to the end.

Go back to your WordPress blog and log in.

You now need to add the orange RSS symbol on your site.

In the WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance > Widgets

In there, you need to locate the RSS (Entries from any RSS or Atom feed) widget.

If it's not under "Available Widgets", drag it from "Inactive Widgets, and drop it into "Available Widgets"

Then drop the RSS widget into the Primary, or one of the Footer choices on the far right.

Enter the Feedburner URL, choose 1 item to display then click Save.

The RSS widget should appear wherever you've put it on the site.

And that's all there is to it. Now the world can see your latest content whenever you release it. This should bring you good traffic as more people sign up to your RSS feed.

How Did President Obama Handle the Hurricane Sandy Storm of 2012?

Although, Hurricane downgraded to a recombined Super Storm Sandy didn't quite unleash as much damage as was anticipated onto the US as some had projected, it was a pretty large storm covering almost 1000 miles. So close to the 2012 elections, some political analysts assumed this was going to make or break Obama's chances for reelection. Still, the reality may not be quite as important as how the media portrays it all to the American People. Okay so, let's discuss the Internet news and their attempts to rewrite current history shall we?

There was an article in the political news on All Voices on October 29 2012 by Prairie Dog Press titled; "Hurricane Sandy: Opportunity for Obama to show steady leadership," which applauded Obama's leadership during Super Storm Sandy, obviously purposefully giving credit for political gain just one-week before the election. The article reminded us of the statements by Obama prior to the storm;

"Anything they need, we will be there," Obama said. "And we are going to cut through red tape. We are not going to get bogged down with a lot of rules. We want to make sure that we are anticipating and leaning forward."

Still, really this goes without saying, as that is FEMA's exact charter. That's how it works and how and why it was created. The fact that Obama said it shouldn't give any credit to him personally, and FEMA doesn't need his okay on anything, that's how they do it, they are not beholden to rules or regulations and may bypass them at will, as would be the case during a Martial Law event with the military.

This political article further went out of its way to compare President Bush's handling of Katrina to this storm. Seriously, there is no comparison. This Hurricane Super Storm Sandy was estimated at $20 Billion in property damage, Hurricane Katrina $100s of Billions.

Now then, if you will recall President Bush warned the people along the Gulf Coast and in New Orleans 3-days in advance, unprecedented pre-warning. Further President Bush did handle things well. It was a huge storm and local officials allowed 1800 buses in New Orleans to drown which could have taken people out before the storm. It was the media that crucified Bush, not the actual performance of Brown at FEMA.

Lastly, I doubt Obama did much at all during all of this, he skated and the media let him - he looked like he didn't know what he was doing during all the media made events on the Storm I saw, his words wrung hollow - it's like he was disengaged, or I don't know maybe over-Prozac'ed that day (my opinion).

What we have now are political operatives attempting to make President Obama look good, when he didn't do anything. This is another example of a Pro-Obama piece trying to show he's a good leader - he's not. Not only that, it's largely PR and no actual name was attached to it; Prairie Dog isn't a name, it's an Internet Handle.

The article also stated that President Obama said before the storm: "If the public is not following instructions, we could get fatalities that could have been avoided," said Obama, as reported on CNN, after he declared a State of Emergency in nine states."

Really, declaring a State of Emergency in 9-states, and then telling people that if they didn't follow the warnings we "could get fatalities, that could have been avoided," how is that strong leadership? That's just obvious, so obvious in fact that every local jurisdiction emergency response person said the same thing in their local media alerts. Nothing Obama did in this Super Storm event was Presidential or anything a third grader couldn't have said or done. Obama didn't do anything but sit in the "situation room" at the White House and read urgent memos and watch CNN. That's not leadership, that's being a spectator. I am not impressed.

What bothers me is the attempts by the Obama Campaign to make it look like Obama was actually doing something and providing superstar leadership. We have political pundits participating in propaganda at the podiums and in the press. There is no honor in propping up a myth onto the American People. Please consider all this and think on it.

Low Cost Pet Insurance Is a Vital Aspect of Pet Ownership

Have you considered low cost pet insurance and its importance in your life? Having a pet brings its joys for the whole family, but unfortunately, it also comes with its worries. Such as wondering what you'll do when your beloved pet gets sick or injured.

Do you know where to find low cost pet insurance? This could be one of the most important things you do as a pet owner since no one wants to be in the terrible position of having to choose between a pet's life or paying for its medical bill.

In this article you will learn why having a pet policy is so important, what kind of insurance is available, and also where you can find the lowest costs.

Why it's so important...

The first thing you have to remember is that dog insurance is very similar to regular health insurance and that not all are created equally. Some may cover the majority of emergency visits, while some may only cover half. Also, you have to keep in mind the costs of regular checkups that are not only important to make sure your pet is healthy and that nothing has come up, but also because of necessary immunizations.

When the unfortunate and unexpected sickness or accident happens, you want to be prepared to take your pet to the vet as soon as possible without having to worry about expenses. With insurance, you will never have to think twice about what you're going to do - and this is a very comforting position to be in.

What kind of low cost dog insurance is available?

The range of pet insurance is very similar to regular health insurance. You can get practically full coverage - which includes really low co-pays for regular visits and low deductibles for major vet visits - but then you'll also be paying a premium.

The age, health history, and breed of your dog or cat will have a big effect on the cost of the insurance. Pure breeds are more expensive than mixed breeds, because the latter tend to carry less genetic health issues. Also, dogs are generally more expensive than cats because of their size and other factors.

What you want to do is compare prices, but you have to do it in a smart way. When looking at different pet policy sources you want to be comparing apples to apples, meaning you look at the prices while maintaining the same criteria...like deductibles, co-pay, where your animal is covered in your area, and so on.

Where to find the lowest costs...

There are quite a few different places to find low cost pet insurance. One of them is to ask your current vet, or even to go into a local vet and ask for different pet insurances that are available in the area. There are also numerous places to price compare online.

From my experience, I have been able to find some for only $12 a month, which is really good in comparison to what I've seen other people pay for pet emergencies.

To give you a real life example, I had a friend whose small dog's toe got stuck in an escalator and had to be rushed to the vet immediately.

Unfortunately, the dog lost the toe, and because they didn't have pet insurance, they were stuck footing the $1200 medical bill. Luckily, the dog ended up being fine, but it wasn't until about a year later before my friends were able to finally finish paying off the bill.

Don't put yourself in that situation. Start comparing your different low cost pet insurance options today so you can have peace of mind before something comes up.

4 Home Inspection Tips for a Buyer's Peace of Mind

Buying a home is a major event for most people. Since we do it so infrequently, there are many facets of the process which are not familiar to the average buyer. One very important aspect of the home buying process is getting a professional home inspection.

Home inspections can uncover hidden flaws an untrained person would not notice. Sometimes the inspectors discover defects that could cost hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars to correct. Even when they discover minor flaws, you can add to your contract that the seller will correct them. Alternatively, you will have some ammunition to possibly negotiate a lower price. Here are a few inspection tips:

Home Inspection Tip No. 1

Be sure to select an inspector who has had training and a lot of experience in inspection. An experienced inspector will be familiar with good construction methods, and will recognize any visible defects in the structure, or in the installation of ancillary systems such as electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. He or she will likely be aware of current recalls of various appliances and what options are available to owners.

Home Inspection Tip No. 2

Choose an inspector from the local area. An inspector from the area will be familiar with local building codes. He or she will also be familiar with common problems associated with the neighborhood, and with individual home builders in the area.

Home Inspection Tip No. 3

Be sure you are present and tag along with the inspector while he or she inspects your potential purchase. Most inspectors prefer you to be there so they can point out specific defects, as well as the good features of your prospective purchase. This will give you a much better understanding of the items in his or her report. Ask questions about anything you see or don't understand.

Home Inspection Tip No. 4

Don't plan on doing your own inspection. There are hundreds of items that need to be inspected. Without formal training or years in the home construction trades, the average person will not be able to recognize many potential defects. A professional home inspection only costs a few hundred dollars to protect your investment of more than 500 times as much. This is no time to be penny wise and pound foolish.

You will get an unbiased evaluation from your inspector. You should expect to get a detailed report, with a description of both good and bad findings, along with appropriate diagrams and photos as necessary to document those findings.

Following the tips above will make you aware of any potential problems, and allow you to proceed with your transaction with the confidence that you are buying a sound property, or will be once any potential defects are addressed. A thorough inspection takes the emotion out of the equation, and gives you peace of mind knowing you are making your decision based on the facts.

What Are the Benefits of Eating a Salad Every Day?

Salad recipes with chicken is a popular type of salad at home and in restaurants as well. Eating a salad a day could be a simple thing to do but it can change your life dramatically while enjoying the rich menu of salad choices.

To start with, a salad normally contains vegetables and it does not matter which salad you prefer, you will find this as the best way to provide your body the veggie and fruit that you need. There are lots of people who are not comfortable eating vegetables and fruits. To solve this issue you can create salads recipes with chicken that may contain these vegetables and fruits which can really help boost your health.

Being part of your total health a salad can likewise help lower the danger of having cancer. Because there are lots of vegetables that has antioxidants a salad a day can essentially help lower the possibility of having this life threatening illness.

Another great benefit of eating salads recipes with chicken a day is weight loss. Are you aware that those who include salad in their diet will feel hungry less frequently? This is because of the high fiber content of the salad. These high fiber foods do not only help to improve the function of the digestive tract that can aid in lowering your weight but it may also help boost your metabolism while acting as a natural colon cleanser. Because most individuals do not have enough fiber in their diets a salad every day could be a great help in your bowel movement.

Naturally, salads recipes with chicken are low in calorie that helps you complete your plate with lots of other healthy foods. Of course it is best to eat a low-calorie dressing and make sure that you use it with moderation. It might look like as a healthier alternative but fat free dressing blocks some of the best benefits of consuming that salad. It is best if you choose a dressing which has at least some fat for best health benefits.

If you are thinking of making some healthy changes in your lifestyle and are not actually certain where and how you will start, eating salads recipes with chicken for lunch every day is a good start. By doing this you will have a better chance to get a healthier body and likewise gives you lots of choices for the ways that you will be satisfied and a chance to eat out at various restaurants. Consuming a salad a day could simply beat out the apple as the best way to keep the doctor away.

How to Write Headlines for How-to Articles

Want to write a how-to article but can't come up with a topic?

Start by naming the three biggest problems your customers or clients face. You've just come up with three ideas for three different articles. Be sure the topics tie into a service you provide, a product you sell, or a cause or issue you want to promote.

Once you've chosen a topic, it's time to select a title. Here's a list of possibilities. Simply fill in the blank, depending on what you've decided to write about.

A Part-Timer's Tactics for a Full-Timer's ______________

A Quiz: Test Your ______________ Smarts

Cash in on _______________ Trends

Chasing the Right ______________

Cool Tools for Today's ______________

Common Errors That Kill ______________

Discover the 7 Essential Elements That Guarantee ______________

Finding the ______________That is Uniquely You

Good News for ______________

How to Bounce Back from ______________

How to Get Other People to ______________

How to Handle ______________

How to Make ______________ Work for You

How to Make Your ______________ Dreams Come True

How to Turn ______________ into ______________

Mastering the Art of ______________

No More ______________

Part-Time ______________, Full-Time Success

Questions and Answers About ______________

Straight Talk from a ______________

The Great _____________ Dilemma

The Most Beginner-Friendly ______________

The Last Word on ______________

The Amazing Solution for ______________

The Best and Worst Ideas for ______________

The Complete Guide to ______________

The Worst Mistakes You Can Make When ______________

Top 10 ______________ Do's and Don'ts

What's HOT and NOT in ______________

When Not to ______________

Your Must-Know Guide to ______________

_________________ with Pizzazz!

_________________and Grow Rich

______________ on the Cheap

5 Ways to Get More from Your ______________

5 No-Fail Strategies for ______________

6 Secrets to Successful ______________

7 Ways to Keep Your ______________ Dreams Alive

7 Ways to Avoid the Most Deadly ______________ Mistakes

8 Ways to Avoid the Worst ______________ Mistakes

9 Formulas for Fantastic ______________

10 User-Friendly Facts for ______________

10 Tips to Jump-Start Your ______________

11 Questions You Must Ask When You're ______________

12 Tactics to Open Up ______________

13 Tips That Will Make a _______________ Smile

10 Time-Tested Tips for Becoming a ______________

25 Quick ______________ Tips to Use Now

26 Holiday Gifts for ______________

Nos, start writing! Somewhere out there, there's an editor just waiting for your story.

Work Injuries That Can Result in a Lawsuit

When you are injured on the job, your injuries are typically covered by worker's compensation insurance. This coverage provides you with payment for your medical bills and security in your job. This insurance is meant to prevent unnecessary lawsuits against companies when workers are injured on the job. However, there are still some types of injuries that can still result in a lawsuit against a company.

Defective Products It is an employer's responsibility to ensure that its employees are reasonably safe. When a company utilizes products that are found to be defective, the injured employee has the basis for a lawsuit. If the company for which the employee works was unaware of the product defect, the employee may need to sue the manufacturer of the product instead.

Intentional or Careless Acts An employee works a job with the assumption that his employer won't do anything that will put him in harms way. If an employee is injured due to the carelessness of the employer or through an intentional action, a lawsuit is likely to attain the results the employee deserves. These types of injuries are often not covered by worker's compensation insurance, so a lawsuit may be the only way to receive payment when the employer is at fault.

Toxic Substance Injuries Injuries due to exposure to toxic substances are often not covered by worker's compensation policies because of their dangerous nature. However, an employer is still obligated to keep employees as safe as possible. Because of the unique nature of these cases, it is covered under its own area of law called toxic tort law. Through this area of law, injured parties can potentially sue the manufacturers of the substance for their injuries.

Lack of Coverage Even though many employers are required to carry worker's compensation insurance, not all employers do. This creates problems for employees who are injured on the job. If an employee is injured on the job and finds out that the employer does not carry insurance to pay for employee injuries, he should seek the guidance of an attorney who specializes in work injuries. Any time an employee is injured on the job, it is the responsibility of the employer to take care of the injured employee's needs.

When an employee takes a job with an employer, he does so with the impression that he will remain safe on the job. Each employee must take the required precautionary measures to ensure his own safety; however, an employer must also do everything possible. When an employee is injured, he may be able to sue his employer or the manufacturer of the product in some cases. To determine if your situation applies, visit a lawyer who specializes in employee injury law.

Creating a Pinterest Board for Your Business

Pinterest is out of its invite only period and on fire at the moment.

My clients in the gifting/product area are seeing great traffic from the site, particularly if their target market is women - who are Pinterest heavy users. But how do you make the most of this very visual platform in an authentic way that makes you stand out from the crowd? Is it even worth the bother? Some businesses are making the Rookie mistake of using Pinterest just to display endless pics of their widgets. IMHO they're missing a real opportunity to promote their brand - not to mention sailing close to the wind with the Pinterest terms and conditions. So how can a "widget business" improve their Pinterest participation? Let me give you a few examples...

A] Your bizz sells hiking boots: instead of photos of the boots let's see those beauts in action - being worn by real peeps doing adventurous things? Perhaps your customers wearing their boots on holiday?

B] You sell wooden toys online: You'll know that many of your customers choose your enviro-friendly wooden toys because they are interested in sustainability or green issues. Create a board which reflects your commitment to these issues too and build a rapport. If you are a service based bizz then try focusing on the parts of your brand that give your clients a little bit extra. Do you give great customer service? Then, create a board of testimonials or videos where your customers talk about their experiences.

Perhaps you can create a board for team members where they can pin an image that they feel best represents your brand? Some simple steps to create a Pinterest board for your business:

1. Set up a Pinterest account - use your real name not a brand or business name. Or log in to your current Pinterest account if you are already active.

2. Create a board that reflects something about your business you want to share with the online world. So if you're selling products, you could show those products in action, people using/wearing them or the products being created [think video]

3. Create a board showing off an aspect of your brand - customer service, innovative design, environmental commitment - have some fun thinking laterally and really make your pinboard stand out from the crowd!

4. Drop a link to your new Pinterest board over at your Facebook page so you can get the word out to friends and colleagues: The link will look something like this http://pinterest.com/yourusername/name-of-your-board/

How To Run A Recruitment Company - The 3 Step Plan To Develop Big Billers

Running a recruitment company is not what you really want? I suspect you want a well-oiled machine that has high revenues month on month. The key to this is simple. Place more candidates with more clients. Apologies for stating the obvious. There is a step before that and it is how do you create a team of big billers than perform consistently and are actually pleasant to be around? Here are three important steps that you must follow. The majority of successful recruitment companies have this process in place

1. Select that right recruiter

It still astounds me that recruitment business owners are meticulous when it comes to placing candidates, and yet somehow don't apply the same focus and thought to bringing on board the best recruitment consultants for their own team?

First step is are they a fit and a match with your company brand and values. This might not come to you as the first criteria and yet longer term it could come back to haunt you. The problems some recruitment business owners have with star (aka prima donna) recruiters normally starts here. You can teach people great prospecting skills and how to sell and convert. Their core values have been with them a long time. Imagine if one of your companies' values is going the extra mile for clients and your new recruiter likes to place the candidate and then onto the next position. This would not be a fit and a match. If this scenario were real you would have issues from the get go. Ask them at interview what is important to them. This answer is revealing and will help you get a real sense of what they are about. You can then make a factual recruitment decision.

2. Systematic Induction

Systems work in business and are one of the key areas for any business who wants to leverage their profits. It is the same with people. Get them into the system. Let them know what is expected and what is OK and not OK. Problems with recruiters normally start here. Usually because it has not happened. The best start is at the start. From day one introduce them to a structured process. Time taken to create a process could save you thousands over time. The beauty of this is that the systematic induction can be used as a yard stick. You will be amazed at how well your new recruiter will fit in if this technique is used. As humans we like structure and routine. We need to know our boundaries. It helps us perform.

3. Spend time with them

Did you know that over 68% of people leave their current position because of their relationship with their line manager. Just to clarify their lack of relationship. The great thing is it does not take that much effort to have a good relationship with your recruitment consultants. A classic question to ask is; "how is it going Jane?" Corny I know and yet it works. Why? Because you are tapping into a fundamental need. People want to feel like they matter. Checking in with your team every day is vital. Not by email or text either. Walk over to their desk and start a conversation. The more you do it the more they open up and the more you can help them.

Are You Putting Off Productivity?

I recently took a good look at what was keeping me from accomplishing what I needed to do. After all, I had my goals. I had them written down. I read my affirmations daily. And still, I was not achieving what I wanted to do. Leaving town was a major undertaking. And that's not good when you're a professional speaker! I need to be able to leave at a moment's notice and arrive ready to give my full attention to my audience. So it was time for a look at what was holding me back. Here's what I found. 1. I used my desktop computer in the office. However, my accounting program and contact databases were on that machine, so my assistant also needed to use it. We sometimes found ourselves waiting for the other person to get off the machine before we could do what we needed to do. 2. I used a 3-lb laptop on the road. Though I rarely used them, I had to pack the CD player and floppy drive, plus the docking bar with the parallel port on it - just in case I needed any of those items. 3. I often found myself without a file I needed or a contact's information. It took me up to an hour or two before I left town each time to decide on and transfer what I needed to my laptop, then another 30 minutes or more when I returned to update my desktop with all I had worked on while I was gone. 4. I had an early 2MB Palm V that could not hold any e-books and did not sync with my Outlook calendar and contacts. So again, I spent a lot of time copying and pasting information between my desktop or my laptop and my Palm. In general, things were not working well and the problems were pretty obvious. Here's how I resolved most of my issues. 1. I bought a new laptop. This is 3 years newer than the other, but it's four times faster and has a larger screen. And while I traded a 3-pounder for a 7-pounder, my new laptop has a built-in floppy and a built-in CD burner. That means all the pieces are with me all the time. And with the CD burner, I can back up data quickly or move it to another computer easily - very nice when you need to use someone else's computer! 2. I moved my desktop to another office for my assistant. That means she and I can be working at the same time on the rare occasions I'm in the office - what a concept! 3. I only put the programs I need for my tasks on my laptop. So if I don't think I should be doing it, I didn't load the software. I did not put my accounting program or my databases on my laptop; instead, I'm delegating those tasks to my assistant (another new concept!) If I need to look at anything on those programs, I'll walk into her office and check. 4. I purchased a new color Palm. It's color with lots of memory. Best of all, it syncs with Outlook contacts, tasks, calendar and notes. Plus it uses Word and Excel, as well as Adobe Acrobat Reader. This is truly revolutionary! To ensure I have the information I need with me, I put the Palm into its cradle and it automatically syncs everything. No more deciding what to take, then copying and pasting it! I find I'm editing Word documents on the plane, plus I'm getting a lot of the e-books read in airports and sitting alone in restaurants. When I want to create an article from scratch (as I'm doing with this one), I use the keyboard. In short, my travel life has changed dramatically in the past 2 weeks! And as I walk back into my office this afternoon, I'll pull my laptop out and put it on my desk, then sync it with my Palm. I will have everything with me that I've had on the road for the past 10 days. My assistant's work life won't be interrupted and we'll never lose a beat in getting the job done! Just the sense of calm and control are worth it. No more frantic transferring of files as I leave. No more waiting to use my computer while she prints invoices for the month. No more... well, you get the idea! I'm thrilled with the make-over! Do you need to review your productivity? Take this short quiz and see: 1. Do you always have the information you need with you - either on your cell phone, your laptop, and your PDA (personal digital assistant, such as a Palm Pilot or IPAQ)? 2. Are you trying to share a computer with anyone else? 3. Can you get on the Internet as often and as long as you need to? 4. If you need a client file while you're traveling do you have it? Can you get it within 15 minutes - even after hours? 5. If you need to move a file or print a file, so you have a way to do that while you're traveling? 6. Are there tasks that are not getting done? Why? Could it be cured by shifting or adding technology? Remember: Technology is a tool that works FOR us. If you're working harder and longer because of the technology, it's not working the way it should. Don't put off productivity! For more on productivity, get Jeanette's special repor "Ten Most Overlooked Productivity Tools" at TechTamers.com