Car insurance for young people and especially cheap vehicle insurance is difficult to get! However, if certain processes are followed, it is very possible to get cheap car insurance for young drivers. There are certain insurance companies that have specially tailored offers, of vehicle insurance for young drivers. You can save money if you’re young just by being female. You’ll find that your rates are less because statistics show that men drive more recklessly up to age 25.

Men have a common conception that women can’t drive. Men usually say that women can’t be good drivers because they lack good reflexes and they don’t use common sense while driving. But the irony of the situation is that women drivers have to pay less insurance than men. Statistics show that lady drivers have less chances of being involved in an accident. Statistics also show that even if lady drivers are involved in accidents, the damage done to the vehicle or driver is significantly less than in those instances when only men were involved. Studies have shown that women drivers are more mindful of traffic regulations and speed restrictions while driving.

Attempting to find the cheapest car insurance is something that most drivers spend some time doing once a year when their policy comes up for renewal. Everyone knows that women get cheaper quotes than men due to the fact that they represent a lower risk to insurers, but women can still make great savings if they are willing to do some research before deciding on which company to get their instant car insurance from. Although cheap car insurance for women has always been easy enough to find we now have the Internet to help us search for the best deal around meaning it shouldn’t be hard to make significant savings without much effort.

The secret of getting affordable term life insurance can be quite difficult; there are many methods to look at the matter and the question is how to get it right on your first try. The best way to do this is to focus on developing the positives and minimizing the negatives. The positives in this situation are any factors that will minimize your cost and the negatives are anything that will drive up the cost of your quote. But enhancing your positives and reducing the negatives means that you have to accomplish this legally and not by providing any false facts as to your current circumstances.

When you desire a special life insurance policy, looking for things such as life insurance for seniors could be an important part of the process. Without a good insurance quote, you have few other details to evaluate and compare insurance companies and their offers. However when getting insurance quotes you are advised not to take the quote 100% literally since there are providers are known to be lacking somewhat in accuracy. You may need to ask questions and make more inquiries with regards to the specific offer at hand.

Here’s a piece of advice that is very obvious but must not be neglected: Applicants must not lie on their applications for life insurance or quotes request. The temptation to do so is strong since you aren’t being watched over. You may even be breaking the law and there could be repercussions if someone makes a mistake of this kind. If the company discovers that you have not been telling the truth, they will probably forfeit your insurance policy. On the other hand if you die from a health related condition such as smoking and they find out that you provided the wrong information, your beneficiaries are not likely to be compensated at all.

When searching for term life insurance quote make sure you are truthful about your present personal state. It is also advised that you are well aware as to what specific life insurance you would want. If you follow these simple guidelines you will find yourself a good life insurance that will satisfy your needs and aspirations.

Some insurance companies take a long time to issue you insurance applications while others waste a lesser amount of time and will offer you affordable insurance rates in a matter of minutes as long as you can provide some basic information as to what sort of life insurance you’re after.

Dog collars are to dogs what shoes are to women.  Dogs take pride in their collar so it is so important to find one that gives your dog a positive self esteem. It is no joke! Look at the pride in a dog’s face when they are sporting a fancy collar.

The best dog collars are typically found in specialty stores or online.  It is hard to find a unique, stylish dog collar at the mega pet stores.  That is like people clothes shopping at Target.

If you want to go the extra mile, matching dog leashes make quite a splash as well.  This is the accessorie that will put a glow like never before on your pooches face.  Again, these are most often found in specialty stores or online.

Dog Collars for different occasions are important as well.  For hunters, get a camoflauge or bright orange collar that will make the dog feel like he is part of the hunt.  For parties, the favorite for lotso pooches are the studded Harley Davidson collars.  There are also collars made specialy for running, hiking, camping, or swimming.

So go get a stylish collar for your dog and get out to the Dog park, Doggy Day Care, or just go for a ride in the car and let him or her show it off. They will be the bark of the park.

Just like the women in our lives need more shoes that you can imagine, if our dogs could talk, they would tell the same thing about their collars.

Thinking creatively about fitness is a sure way to turn tedious and dreary workouts into something to which you actually look forward. Oftentimes people join a gym, and then proceed never to go, because fewer people find it easy to work out in that environment than do actually sign up. The best way to devise a routine is to reflect on activities you already enjoy, and transforming that into a physical fitness routine. Digging out your olympic fencing gear from your college days – or better yet, treating yourself to new gear to help motivate – is just one of the ways you can devise a physical fitness routine that will last.

fencing gear can be purchased at reasonable prices, and it’s just one of many unusual yet appealing sports that can help you meet your fitness goals. Fencing requires continuous movement, and demands mental focus. Fencing engages the mind and the body, making it an “all-around” sport.

Bicycling is another option when you’re looking for a new sport for your fitness regimen. Perhaps there is a bike gathering dust in the garage that you pull out every once in a while for a jaunt; why not make it part of your fitness regimen? Stationary bikes at gym are a good choice, but consider riding a traditional bike in the open air. Not only do you do wonders for your cardiovascular health, you enjoy the sights of nature, fresh air, and your neighborhood. Bike races might attract you if you have the competitive spirit. Competitions are a motivation tool that is useful for those with that kind of spirit.

Are you sans any type of exercise equipment in your home or office? No problem. Light jogging or walking is something anyone can do, and it fits every budget. Whether on a treadmill at the gym watching the news or in your neighborhood while listening to your favorite mp3s, walking is something everyone can do. Beginners should start slowly, working up to greater distances at faster speeds. Experts say that walking is as good for your health as running, provided that you maintain an elevated heart rate for at least 20 to 30 minutes.

Thinking very creatively about what you can do to make your workouts effective and enjoyable will pay off in the end. Go for it, you won’t be sorry!

Introduction

In the current economic climate, it’s not just employees who are coming under scrutiny in many organisations, but the effective use of work space as well.

With major advancements in the use and availability of mobile technology, it’s much easier and in some cases much more efficient for both the employer and employee to agree a flexible working arrangement. So as well as the more traditional arrangements for office based personnel, employees are now able to work from home and work from several locations during the working week. Even when in an office environment, hot-desking, touch-down areas or hotelling are all common arrangements being made for the mobile employee.

In providing this flexibility, it’s important that the employer considers how to ensure that the business premises are used to their maximum efficiency. It’s a major challenge for any employer, who will not want to see rows and rows of empty desks day after day.
Effective workplace planning is something that many organisations are now considering. There is much to consider such as minimum space requirements, lighting requirements, fire exit and disabled access considerations , to name but a few. So seeking the advice of a specialist workplace planning contractor could prove a effective investment.

It’s not just about effective planning and utilisation of space. Is mobile working and the creation of touch down areas right for your business? In some organisations, the company culture and the flexibility of employees will mean that such initiatives will work. In other companies it may not. There are many things to consider in planning the workplace environment. No two companies are the same. For one organisation, it may be decided that a stimulating working environment for employees is required, whereas with other organisations effective use of space around the office location will be a priority. Which ever is effective for your organisation, you will want to ensure that the company’s culture and values remain clearly understood by employees.

The work schedule can take several weeks or in the case of larger projects several months to complete. Either way, from the outset the project needs to demonstrate a clear plan to maximise the use of space, office and layout design, construction timescales and management of contractors whilst on site. The company’s employees will also need to be temporarily relocated whilst the work is undertaken. There are also stringent health and safety regulations concerning the office environment, which must be adhered to in the planning of the project.

Workplace planning contractors will undertake a site survey of the business premises to try and understand if such a scheme is likely to be a success. From the contractors point of view, it is a valuable exercise, to take time to discuss and agree the options with the client to ensure that once the plan of action is agreed, work will be scheduled to ensure the minimum disruption to the business.

It is important to ensure workplace regulations are complied with in all office or building refurbishment projects.

What should be taken into consideration when planning the workplace area?

One of the most critical considerations when undertaking workplace planning is to be absolutely clear about what tasks will be performed in the designated areas. Different layouts, different furniture, the amount of space required, should all be considered depending upon the tasks to be employed in the area. So whether the workplace is to be for permanent staff or mobile workers, consideration needs to be given to the comfort of the working environment, to aid productivity.

Permanent workers will spend many hours at their desk so it is important that consideration is given to individual work areas. The correct provision of the appropriate office furniture and equipment all aid productivity and efficiency levels. Each employee will require their own personal space around their work station. No one likes to be closed in and there are many variations of desk design, from single to multi desk designs to ensure enough space for each employee.

Comfort at the desk is a key priority to ensure that health problems are avoided through being in the seated position for long periods of time, so a comfortable chair is essential. Lighting is also a key consideration. A more pleasant working environment is created where the office has good natural light , but consideration will also need to be given to avoid glare on computer screens. Telephone communication also needs to be well appointed on the desk. Equally, for the mobile worker, ease of connecting up a laptop and mobile phone will be essential.

It is important to take into account all of these issues to, as far as possible prevent distractions from other areas of the office which could interfere with work. However, employers need to get the balance right, as it is just as important to maintain good communication and working relationships within the office. Ensure that every employee has sufficient space to effectively and efficiently undertake their tasks, without being distracted by other colleagues close by. Therefore, in some cases, the inclusion of a conference room to enable one-to-one or group discussions to be held, may be another effective element of the office design.

In my opinion, the most effective way in which to ensure that employees buy-in to what the employer is trying to achieve is to consult with the employees. Through consultation, the employees can give their views on what type of workstation will be best suited to performing the tasks.

For example if the environment is to be used by a sales person, where regular communication with clients is required, then a slightly more secluded working environment may be preferred to avoid background noise, particularly if discussing detailed proposals or contracts. A sales person is one type of employee who will have flexible working requirements, where a small amount of their working week will be spent in the office, whilst the rest of their time will be spent out on the road visiting potential and existing clients.

If the environment is in a finance department or call centre, then the use of system desking or multi seated work stations may be a more appropriate solution, where a number of employees can be seated in a work area together..

Maximise interior space with an office refurb and re-design of the working environment.

Health and Safety in the office

Whatever the office conditions, the employees should be allowed a degree of flexibility to set up their work station to suit their own needs. As long as the employer has provided and considered the requirements of the working environment to allow employees to undertake their work effectively, employees will want to add a personal touch to their own work area. As long as employees do not place their own health and safety or that of others at risk, then there is nothing wrong with the employer allowing some flexibility with this.
Guidelines for use of equipment at the workstation

Taking time to ensure the comfort of employees at the workstation can reduce health and safety problems in the future. Every one enjoys working near a window and if this is possible, the reflection from windows onto a computer screen can make reading of the screen difficult. Therefore, window blinds or shades need will need to be installed to enable employees to control lighting conditions.

In situations, where the workstation is to be used for longer periods of time, guidelines recommend that the use of computers may require an anti-glare filter to be placed across the screen to eliminate problems with reflection. A computer monitor is recommended to be at least 25cm from eye level.

It is also necessary to ensure that enough electrical points are available, for additional communications equipment such as mobile phone chargers and laptops.

Employees may also require printers or scanners to be located on their workstation.
The correct seating is critical of any workstation design. Perhaps the most important feature of the workstation is the provision of the correct type of office chair. Many hours will be spent seated at the workstation, so the better the quality of office furniture, the less likelihood there will be of receiving complaints from employees about discomfort in the back, shoulder or neck area of the body. The chairs comfort and design can impact upon how effective or productive the employee will be. So it is good practice to test some desk chairs for comfort before purchasing too many.

Good morale amongst employees is positive for your business and a comfortable working environment will help the cause. I was recently involved in a project to set up a new call centre to house eighty call centre agents. Following much discussion with the office design contractor and consultation with around twenty existing agents, plans for the new look office were agreed before the contractor went away to draft the plans. The existing agents felt that team working was important and therefore it was agreed that the most effective office layout would be for the call centre agents to be located in teams of six around a circular desk system.

Once the plans were finalized, over a three month period the office layout was developed. Taking time to involve the existing agents has proved very effective indeed, with all call centre disciplines showing good signs of improvement.

Search on line to find companies who supply industrial shelving systems to meet your requirements.

Fire Exit Considerations

No matter what type of business you operate, employers must comply with regulations around safety at work, and this includes what to do in the event of a fire.In today’s health and safety led environment whether it is at home or in the office, the installation of fire alarms is common place.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, was introduced to provide advice for businesses on what reasonable steps should be taken to reduce the risk from fire, to occupants of the premises . More importantly the Order contains advice to business owners to ensure that a safe escape plan is in place should fire occur.

Generally speaking, ensuring fire safety within premises is a common sense approach. It is important that in any workplace planning programme, that time is taken to identify for example, where the nearest exit routes are for employees to safely leave the building and where employees should congregate upon evacuation of the premises.

In some premises of course, hazardous materials may be in use within the building and therefore it is wise to seek further advice from fire safety advisors who can advise on how to take specific precautions. Equally, office buildings on several floors will also require advice from fire safety experts to ensure safe exit routes are identified. Many businesses now appoint fire marshals whose responsibility it is, to make sure that every one within the building is aware about what they should do in the event of a fire.

In any work place , escape routes should be safely and immediately accessible at all times and suitable for the number of people likely to use them. They should not be obstructed in any way and accessible for emergency services.

Guidelines do recommend that at least two fire exits should be available if a premises is to be occupied by more than 60 people. The guidelines also extend to the number of flights of stairs and passages of corridors, so your workplace planning considerations will need to comply with the regulations.

Disabled Access

There are many considerations for employers to be mindful of when planning to accommodate disabled people within offices and premises. Under the Disability Discrimination Act every business is required to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to the working environment to ensure that people with disabilities are not discriminated against.

These include making adjustments to the workplace to ensure ease of access for the disabled and providing suitable modified office furniture to provide the same level of office comfort as able bodied employees. The inclusion of a stair lift may also be necessary to accommodate disabled employees in areas other than the ground floor area.

Conclusion

It can be a cost effective solution to engage with a workplace planning specialist to review the layout of your current workenvironment. There are many rules and regulations to comply with, so taking time to consider the implications of exactly what is required is imperative. Do not under estimate the amount of issues to consider in making your workplace a pleasant working environment.

Unfortunately we live in a society where employees are quick to point the finger of blame at their employer for failing to provide the correct workstation or office furniture. So the contractor and client should take time to undertake a site survey, establish what is required from both the employer’s point of view and that of the employee to ensure that the end result meets both the needs of the employer and the employee. Productivity and morale will be greatly improved in a pleasant working environment.

Considering the purchase of a treadmill for home, Is it worthwhile?  Is it worth investing in a treadmill for use at home? . I think it can be a great investment for anybody who exercises regularly. Treadmills offer a number of benefits people of all fitness levels and ages. Elite runners use treadmills to prepare for competition, while at the same time, older individuals use them to maintain mobilization and movement.

The factors that favor the purchase of treadmill for use at home include the ease of use, cushioned surfaces and an accurate visual display of speed, heart rate and incline. An appropriate use of treadmill helps to have a better cardiovascular fitness. Heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis can all be combated by regular cardiovascular exercise.

Often a treadmill incorporates a visual display to inform the users of the time spent on exercising, the speed of running and the grade of incline. You can learn more about these details on treadmill reviews sites. Such features facilitate the user to keep a track of fitness levels, calories burnt and to exercise in the targeted zone of hear rate.

Documenting gains in fitness, even small improvements, can act as a valuable motivational tool as it allows you to set objectives and achieve them. We are all aware that for achieving any goal, we have to plan the connected activities at different levels, leading to the ultimate success| There are no big things, only an accumulation of the little things done right.

It’s safe to be using a treadmill because all the time you have a control on your speed, and hence the amount of energy that you pump out thereby avoiding undue strain.

Having a treadmill at home allows you to have your runs even when it’s cold or cloudy outside. Also, sunburn and heat stroke from exposure to dangerous sun rays can be avoided by exercising indoors.

Drive smart, save green. It’s a great phrase, and if more people took up the challenge, the whole country - no, the whole world - would benefit immensely. How can you make a difference to the environment with your driving? This article provides you with 7 great tips that you can put into action right away. You’ll save money and help the environment too. OK, time to drive smart, save green…

1. It has to be said: the very best thing you can do to help the environment with your car is stop driving it! However, you may not have that option, so drive slower instead. Most cars perform best at speeds of between 50 mph to 60 mph. Not too slow and not too fast is how to drive smart, save green.

2. A staggering 20% of your car’s fuel consumption is used up just overcoming tire roll resistance! How can you drive smart, save green in these circumstances? Buy quality tires that get great reviews. They may cost a little more, but they will perform better. And remember too that under inflated tires will cost you more in gas bills!

3. Lighten the load in your car. I’ll bet there are things in your car’s trunk that don’t need to be there. Go through each item you regularly carry. If you don’t really need it, dump it. You can drive smart, save green with a lighter load. That will let your car be more fuel efficient.

4. Switch off your engine while you wait if you are likely to be waiting more than one minute. Restarting your engine burns roughly about the same amount as one minute of idle time, so if you think you will be idling for more than a minute, cut the engine. You’ll save gas and money - drive smart, save green.

5. Drive smoothly. This one shouldn’t need to be mentioned. It should be the unspoken part of drive smart, drive green. Erratic driving with sudden accelerating and hard braking uses up extra gas. It puts extra wear and tear on your car, which means extra costs to you and the environment.

Learning to drive smart, save green is largely common sense. If you really need your car, then learn to drive it responsibly and sensibly. However, if you can walk easily to where you need to go, then do so! Only drive smart, save green when you can’t walk.

An Introduction to Working from Home

Ask anyone to describe their perfect job and working from home would come high on their wish list. Whether home working is an option provided by your employer or a decision you have taken yourself in starting your own business, the thought of just getting out of bed, walk over to a workstation and just start work is very appealing. No commuting to and from the office and working hours to suit yourself.

But is home or flexible working right for you as an individual, or good for your business as an employer? Well there are many advantages and disadvantages. Home or flexible working brings new responsibilities for both the employer and employee. Equally with advances in mobile technology it has never been easier to set up your own business to work from home.

An Increasing Trend

From a business point of view, allowing staff to work at home on either a full or part-time basis can bring a range of business benefits, from increased productivity, greater staff motivation to effective use of your premises. Advancements in mobile technology has contributed enormously to the increase in opportunities for home working.

The spread of home working using the internet or telephone opens up a new range of possibilities with regards to the way a business works and structures itself. Computers, mobile phones, broadband and mobile broadband all play a role. For the individual, becoming self employed and working from home has also never been easier. If you have a laptop and mobile phone the opportunity is there, it’s just deciding what you want to do. So home working is becoming a way of life for many individuals and businesses, but what is home working?

Some employers will offer selected employees the opportunity to become a teleworker, whereby an employee can undertake their role from home utilising various types of technology, which is installed at the employees home by the employer. The employee will remain in touch with the business and other teleworkers. Some businesses, for example the utility companies who require gas, electric and meter readers, will class employees undertaking this type of work as teleworkers or outworkers.

Some individuals opt for the self-employed work life. The self-employed will operate their business from home, offering a product or service such as web development or business consultancy from home. In these types of roles, the individual can often plan their day to suit their own needs. I know one web developer who often works well into the early hours of the morning as this is when he feels most productive.

Others such as a painter and decorator, plumber or gardener, whilst providing their services away from the home, use home as the office for paperwork such as pricing future jobs and preparing invoices. I know of several painters and decorators who work Monday to Thursday, but use Friday’s to go out and price up future potential work. That is one thing to bear in mind when setting up as self employed, you need to allow time to find or prospect for future work.

Some types of work are more suitable for flexible working than others, the following list is not exhaustive, but will give some guidance:

• Telesales and Marketing
• Customer Services
• Professional services & consultancy i.e. HR Administration & Accountancy
• Certain types of administration work
• Data input
• Creative/Graphics
• Writing, editing, translation and research.
• I.T. Support & Programming

Many of the above have a common theme and that is that as long as you have access to a computer and a phone, you can undertake almost all of these tasks from home.

The shift towards flexible working does not mean employees only work from home. Splitting time between the workplace and home is the most productive solution, as you want employees to attend meetings, therefore keeping them informed and involved. Continued face to face interaction within the business remains a key requirement.

With the introduction of flexible working regulations, employers now have to seriously consider employee requests to work flexibly from home, especially if they have parental responsibility for children under 16 years old, disabled children or they are carers for other adults with disabilities.

Employers and individuals also need to consider what equipment will be required to ensure that an efficient business operation and working environment is set up.

The increase in home working has required that manufacturers develop a wider range in office furniture to fit in with varying home decoration styles.

The Pros and Cons

So what are the advantages and disadvantages of an employer allowing employees to work from home or use their home as a base for at least part of the working week? It’s clear there are a number of benefits to the employer:

• Staff Retention is increased
• Wider pool of applicants to recruit from e.g. disabled people who prefer to work from home.
• Productivity gains through having fewer interruptions and less commuting time.
• Reduced stress and sickness increasing staff motivation.
• Savings on office space and facilities.
• Sales staff closer to clients, rather than being based at the office which could be miles away.
• As with life if there are advantages then there are also disadvantages to home/flexible working:
• Management of staff and monitoring performance
• Possible deterioration of key skills and quality of work.
• Capital costs - training and providing suitable equipment, this could include adaptations to meet Health & Safety standards or meet the needs of disabled workers.
• Difficulties maintaining staff development and upgrading of skills.
• Information security risks
• Increased telecommunication and I.T. costs
• Sense of isolation and communication problems amongst home workers.
• Staff morale and difficulties in maintaining team spirit.
• Home working may not be suitable for certain types of jobs.

One thing I particularly miss is the Monday morning office banter about what you did at the weekend of how your football team has fared compared to others. Often the camaraderie that is unique to an office where you get to know people well over many years is also lost where flexible working becomes an option.

Are You Suited o Working at Home?

Having identified the types of work that is suitable for flexible working, the employer must satisfy themselves that employees are suited to this type of work. It’s likely they will need a number of skills in key areas to allow them to work away from base.

• Time management and self discipline
• Motivation
• Communication
• Technology

We must make it clear that home working is not suitable for everyone and care should be taken, because allowing one person to work from home will set a precedent that others will want to follow. Others will see an attraction to working at home particularly on a lovely summer’s day, rather than being stuck in an office. I must confess that as I write this article, I am sitting in our summer house at the bottom of the garden with the laptop on a glorious summer’s day in June.

An employer you must have a clear idea of how home/flexible working could fit in with the needs of the business. A set of house rules need to be established and maintained, i.e. priority is given to requests from parents of young or disabled children. My wife for example, plans her day around the hours of taking the children to school and collecting them later. She maintains that she is extremely focused on what she needs to achieve within those six hours in between. No distractions or idle chit-chat that will occur in an office environment.

In some cases the employer is legally obliged to seriously consider requests for home/flexible workers. Employee with parental responsibility for children aged 16 or under, or disabled children who are under 18 and receive disability living allowances can request a range of flexible working patterns from their employers, this includes the right to work from home. There are similar rights for employees who are carers of adults.

The introduction of flexible working can also lead to an changes to employment contract terms and conditions. In a majority of cases an employee’s place of work is listed in the written schedules of their employment contract. It’s important that when an employee starts to work from home it may be necessary to review and amend their employment contract.

The following is a list of contractual aspects an employer should consider when implementing a home/flexible work policy:

• Stated hours of work
• Identify core times when employees undertake to work and/or are contactable.
• Extra duties or responsibilities that may need to be assigned in addition to those already agreed
• Identify the terms regarding the supply and insurance of any equipment that may be required, these should clearly state ownership and use, especially that its not to be used for personal use.
• Clearly identify what the employer will reimburse to cover additional expenses the employee may incur, its especially important to identify the calculation method when costs are shared i.e. utility bills and telecommunications
• Procedures to be put in place if either the employee or employer wishes to terminate the home/flexible working arrangement.

Allowing flexible working the employer should remember that they still have health and safety responsibilities for people who work at or from home; and you are likely to have to provide and maintain equipment for employees to use, these include:

• Workstation complete with suitable task chair
• Filing cabinet, shelves or storage
• PC/Laptop with office software, email and broadband internet connection
• Dedicated business telephone line
• Printer & fax machine
• Stationery and Office Supplies

Whilst working at home you may wish to create a more luxurious environment where executive office furniture will create the feeling of luxury and a pleasant work environment.

IT equipment and software can be expensive so it’s important to ensure it meets your genuine business need and is compatible with your existing systems. Technology changes almost daily and with today’s advances the establishment of virtual teams where employees work together despite working at home can be set up easily and at reasonable expense. These teams could be two employees talking over the phone or you could use more hi-tech solutions like high speed internet, instant messaging, webinar and video conferencing.

Providing all this kit and equipment it is important to ensure your business insurance cover is extended to cover home workers, as their home insurance is unlikely to cover this, however they should check with their insurer and extend their policy to include working from home.It is also a good idea to find out who would be responsible for a claim should you have an accident at home, during working hours.

Workers who adopt home working should check with their local council and mortgage company the position regarding using their home as a work base, and whether they may have to pay business rates for the portion of their home they use as an office. Some self employed businesses will involve use of a vehicle which will need to be parked up at certain times of the day. For example painters and decorators and builders are likely to utilise a transit van or pick up truck in the work. You should therefore ensure that neighbours will not be offended by having the vehicle parked in the street or to block light out of their homes. If you are to park a vehicle at home, let the neighbours know, it may save a lot of hassle later.

The employer needs to ensure that employees take care of business equipment and information in their possession, it’s important to establish procedures to be followed if any item is damaged or lost, especially data and intellectual rights.

We all agree that home working offers a wide range of benefits to both the business and employees, but it needs to be carefully managed to be successful. Procedures should be put in place for managers to monitor and assess home workers, this is the most significant managerial challenge an employer will face. It can be helpful to measure their effectiveness in terms of output rather than the hours of work. Agree set goals and deadlines for particular projects, and ensure these are being met, give feedback promptly and sensitively if things go wrong.

Ensuring home workers have access to training can prepare and help employees develop the necessary skills they need.For staff who work alone a sense of isolation is one of the main factors most likely to make home working fail, therefore it’s important to ensure procedures are put into place to make people feel part of the team, these should include:

• Frequent 2-way feedback sessions about work and work related issues
• Regular visits to the workplace
• Inclusion in social activities for home based workers.
• Clear procedures to be followed and contact lists if things go wrong.

When the employees job is home-based from the start, make sure their induction is undertaken at your premises, this helps the home worker focus and be productive if they have a chance to establish a clear idea of the people they will be working for. The most successful home workers are those who have worked from the business premises previsouly.

Seeking the advice of office fit out contractors to make good use of space, will help an employer to maximise the office space available.

A Brief Health & Safety Obligations Check List for Home Workers

If you use your home as your business workplace, you must carry out a health and safety risk assessment to identify any possible hazards to yourself, workers, visitors and other members of your household.

Possible hazards include:

• Using work equipment at home, including electrical appliances
• Your workstation set-up
• Handling loads
• Hazardous substances and materials
• Psychological hazards, such as stress or loneliness
• Fire
• Slips, trips and falls
• Excessive noise or vibration

Slips, trips and falls are one of the most common causes of injury in the work place. Even something we take for granted on a daily basis, such as walking up and down the stairs, should be regarded as a risk to safety. Evaluate whether a hazard is significant and if it is, whether you have taken enough precautions to make the risk as low as you reasonably can.

You need to consider:

• Your home and those who live there - including vulnerable persons, e.g. children, the elderly, and new and expectant mothers
• The work done in your home
• The equipment in your home
• Emergency procedures
• First aid provision

Five steps to a health and safety risk assessment

1. Identify any hazards.
2. Decide who might be harmed and how.
3. Assess the risks and remove them or, otherwise, reduce them as far as is reasonably possible.
4. Record your findings.
5. Check the risks regularly and take further steps if needed.

Conclusion

With advancements in mobile technology, working at home has become far easier to do. It can offer a very balanced way of life and the rewards can be significant. In the current economic climate, many who have been unfortunate to suffer redundancy or reduced hours are considering setting up their own business to work at home. Having worked in the corporate world for over twenty years and just suffered redundancy, it is certainly something to consider.

But home working needs to be considered carefully. Is it right for you? Is it right for your employer? What impact will it have on my homelife? Many advantages, but also many disadvantages and bear in mind the health and safety requirements and risks. Your health is important so choosing the correct office furniture to meet your needs is a must for any home worker to ensure you have the proper facilities for home working.

For years a friend of mine worked from home with his desk in his living room and eventually he realised that he could never get away from work, which is as important as doing the work in the first place because we all need time away from work.

If you are lucky enough to really love your work the temptation can be to do it all day long. Eventually this can lead to burn out and can also take away some of the pleasure of working, even if it is something you really love. Therefore it is important to have balance in your life, even more so when you work from home. Some suggestions to help to achieve this are to make sure that when you have lunch, for example, remove yourself from the work space and don’t eat at your desk, get some separation from the work when you are not doing it.

Remember that just because you work from home it doesn’t mean that work has to take over your life.

English to Portuguese
One says Portuguese is a very treacherous language! Apart from the difficulty in the pronunciation foreign people may feel (with ditongs like “ão” that should sound somewhat like “auum”or something like that) it’s really necessary to have a very good knowledge of the language in order to do a good translation. I’ll give 2 very simple examples:
The word “canto” in Portuguese has the following meanings:
1 - corner (the corner of a room)
2 - song
3 - It is still each part of the “Lusíadas” by Luís de Camões

The word “decorar” has the following meanings:
1 - to learn by heart
2 - to decorate

The problem is that the majority of Portuguese dictionaries don’t give definitions of the different meanings a word may have. They normally give synonyms. So if one doesn’t know the idiom well one can build some weird sentences!

Another difficulty is the difference between Portuguese from Portugal and from Brazil. For example in Brazil they say “cara” to mean “buddy”, “guy”. In Portugal “cara” means “face” or “expensive”. These type of “nuances” in the idioms may be a problem if one doesn’t have a solid knowledge of the language! But it may also be quite a challenge, and that’s the fun of it!

Check out our Portuguese Translation Services website.

Portuguese to English
Couldn’t agree more with previous forum comment in this respect - the main difficulty (apart from the sound of “ão”, although this is more for spoken Portuguese) is the difference of terms between Brazil and Portugal.

Example:

English: The left pocket of the brown suit.
Brazil: O bolso esquerdo do terno marron.
Portugal: A algibeira canhota do fato castanho.

English: The boy kicked the ball, scored a goal, and lay on the grass.
Brazil: O menino chutou a bola, fez um gol, e deitou na grama (= no gramado).
Portugal: O menino chutou o esférico, marcou um golo e deitou-se sobre o relvado.

Some situations are potentially embarrassing, like “bicha” which in Portugal is a queue, and in Brazil is a gay.

Another difficulty in Portuguese is that sometimes pairs of words can be inverted with a change in meaning: we have “homem grande” (big man) as opposed to “grande homem” (great man). In English we do have the same idea, but a lot simpler: “passenger train” (a kind of train) v. “train passenger” (a kind of passenger).

Check out our Portuguese Translation Services website.

In reply to comment about “ão”, a good tip for non-Lusophones is:

1. to say “ão”, say “ow” while holding your nose.
So: to say “não” (no), just say “now” while holding your nose.

2. to say “ãe”, say “I” while holding your nose.
So: to say “mãe” (mother), just say “my” while holding your nose.

3. to say “õe”, say “oin” while holding your nose.
So: to say “põe” (puts), just say “poin” while holding your nose (probably red by now after so much nose-holding!)

These tips are brought to you by Translation Services UK who also offer a free translation service on their website. Remember, if you are going to get your document(s) translated then printed please make sure you use people and NOT software.

Travel Information

Economists wear many different hats. They may determine fair prices for securities, goods and services. They may conduct economics research to analyze and predict consumer purchase behavior or make recommendations on policies that will strengthen our economy. They may create plans to help local government officials or corporations implement plans, or are involved with capital transfers, monetary policies or global trade issues. Sometimes economists manage staff, employ individuals or assign tasks. Economists may even be called to testify at legislative hearings or regulatory commissions, where their educated opinion is valued. In essence, the academic journey of someone pursing an economics education is full of hard work and tough courses, but with salaries averaging between $50,000 and $200,000, it’s ultimately rewarding.

People who have obtained bachelor’s degrees in economics education have a good selection of job opportunities, according to data collected by www.payscale.com. Currently, the top jobs held by individuals holding a bachelor’s degree in economics are Financial Analysts ($54,100), Accountants ($45,900), Financial Controllers (F($84,100), Operations Managers ($70,600), Operations Managers ($70,600), Corporate Financial Analysts ($63,400), IT Project Managers ($94,700), Business Process Consultants ($104,000), Personal Bankers ($37,600) and Business Analysts ($65,900). During undergrad, students will take tons of math courses, as well as philosophy, economic theory, business management and business writing courses.

Other jobs for students pursuing economics education at the bachelor’s level may include Financial Research Analysts ($85,500), who gather information and determine how a company or individual should spend their money to maximize profits, or Underwriters ($63,200), who assesses new clients for potential risk and insurance liability. Management Consultants ($124,000) provide advice on the strategy, structure and operations of an organization to provide added value and improve performance. Construction Project Managers ($86,000) plan, direct, coordinate and budget the completion of infrastructure projects. Credit Analysts ($46,700) determine the creditworthiness of prospective borrowers. Banking Branch Managers ($58,500) ensure branch profitability goals are met and manage losses. Regional Sales Managers ($104,000) forecast, review inventory, travel, recruit, train and ensure that growth goals are met. These are just a few of the positions that can be secured with just a bachelor’s Degree in education economics, although obtaining higher degrees will make an individual more competitive.

Most of the growth in economics education based careers will come in the private sector, as scientific research firms and consulting firms expand. More and more emphasis is placed on statistical analysis to predict market trends for businesses. While the federal government has cut some positions, more are expected to open up in local government. Competition is fierce for these top-paying jobs, particularly for those with only a bachelor’s degree from an economics college. The candidates with higher degrees, stronger mathematical skills and a penchant for analysis will ascend to high-paying specialist positions with ease. There is, however, strong competition for professorships and tenure at the nation’s top universities, so many economists may opt to teach at public high schools instead.

Beth Kaminski is the leading expert in the field of stop panic attack and cure for anxiety disorders. For more information on tips to stop these attacks as well as how to deal with panic attacks, visit her site today.