Career News

Clumsy people have continued to spark laughter and lighten up the workplace for years. Both the clumsy employee and the onlookers need a good laugh to break up the day. After all, who wouldn’t want a little bit of comic relief? The answer: small business owners. For small businesses, clumsiness is more expensive (and nerve-racking) than it is funny. Small mishaps occur day to day, but one slip and a small mishap can turn into a serious injury. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 3.1 million people in the US suffered a non-fatal workplace injury or illness last year, which equates to about 3.5 cases per 100 full-time workers. Industries such as construction and healthcare account for the largest majority, but accidents can (and do) happen in every industry. For this reason, companies are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Workers Compensation Insurance 101 For those who are unfamiliar, workers’ compensation laws are set in place to make sure an … [Read more...] about Top 5 Workers Compensation Claims

The U.S. government is finally coming around to a simple concept: no employee should have to choose between their health and their income. Senators around the nation have been voting favorably for legislation that mandates paid sick time off for ill employees. San Francisco and Washington, DC have already passed the laws and Connecticut appears to be next.  The Constitution State will allow workers to earn up to 40 hours of paid sick time a year to recover from illness, access preventive care or to look after a sick family member. According to Family Values @ Work, a national consortium of state organizations working for paid sick days and paid family leave policies, studies show that workers are healthier and more productive when they have access to paid sick days. Six in seven employers surveyed in San Francisco say that paid sick days have had no negative effect on profitability and two-thirds of employers support the law. “Job retention policies that fight unemployment should … [Read more...] about Paid Sick Days Bill Gains Momentum

Do you love animals? Do you want to travel around America? Are you ready to quit your job? If the answer is a resounding ‘yes,’ then we have good news for you! You can be the very first Purina Cat Chow correspondent!  You’ll be paid $50,000 for one year and have the opportunity to attend pet industry events and share your experiences on catchow.com and Purina Cat Chow’s other social media channels.   No formal training or expertise is required to apply, but you should be a cat lover and pet owner. Apply today by filling out a brief application and uploading a photo.  If you are chosen, you’ll need to put in your two weeks notice soon; the position runs from May15, 2011 to May 15, 2012. "We're searching for a passionate and enthusiastic cat owner as the Purina Cat Chow Correspondent to connect with other cat owners across the country," said Dr. Karen Sueda, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behaviorist and member of the Purina Cat … [Read more...] about Cat Chow Contest: This Dream Job Is the Cats Meow

I've never had a job where I received a holiday bonus.  Well, not unless you count the plastic cowboy hat my boss gave me last year.  (Don't ask.)IKEA workers, all 12,400 of them, received a pretty cool holiday bonus this year.  Last week every worker received a swanky mountain bike.  Silver with a touch of IKEA yellow and blue, assembly IS required.Jobacle gives IKEA a big thumbs up.  The gift promotes healthy lifestyle and gives workers access to alternative transportation.Surprisingly, only one bike has made it to eBay so far.Sure beats a year's supply of Swedish meatballs and lingonberries.  And it beats the hell out of a plastic cowboy hat!Has your boss put something special in your stocking this year? … [Read more...] about IKEA Employees Get Mountain Bikes as Holiday Bonus

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and although this year celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the level of unemployment for those with physical disabilities is more than twice as high as that of non-disabled Americans.”Nick Gutwein, President of The Braun Corporation, the world’s largest manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vans, ramps, and wheelchair lifts offered that astounding statistic. I asked him to address some of the myths about hiring people with special needs that prevail in employers minds.Gutwein shares some statistics, addresses those myths and offers tips for job seekers with disabilities::Statistics show that employers assume it would be challenging to hire people with special needs. But many are simply myths:* Myth #1: The changes and costs associated with accommodating a person with a physical disability outweigh the benefits.Studies by the President’s Committee’s Job Accommodation … [Read more...] about National Disability Employment Awareness Month

October is typically recognized as the month for goblins and scary images in celebration of Halloween, however few recognize it as a time for confronting “real life fears” as Diversity Awareness Month.  Diversity Awareness brings to the forefront the issues that make us different but equal. The things that make our nation great as a global force.Oftentimes stigmas, stereotypes and fears are byproducts of being “in the dark” about various religions, races, and regions. So this post on diversity awareness seeks to highlight some relevant themes and thoughts to increase your level of consciousness, shed some “light” and broaden your horizons!Let's face it. We all feel more comfortable in the company of those with whom we share commonalities. Right? It's why you'll often find athletes scoring time with other athletes, creative artists hanging out with other cool kats, nerds pondering the complexities of life with one another, or P.T.A. Parents … [Read more...] about Creating Awareness for Diversity Awareness