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Why investing in your employees means retaining talent

Indiana Lee Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Your employees aren't just the heart of your business, they are your business. Without them, your company would cease to exist. But showing your employees how much you value them is about far more than being kind, paying them well, or offering a competitive benefits package. It's about investing in them. This article will provide you with the best tips and tricks for making the ideal workplace a reality for your employees.

Making up for lost time

Linda Popky Business Management, Services & Risk Management

As the lockdown for COVID-19 enters its second month in most locations, it's becoming apparent there are businesses that are thriving, but many more businesses are suffering. Some of these businesses will recover once the economy begins to breathe again. But some time-based purchases will never be made up. For example, we are not going to go get two haircuts because we missed one. Nor are we going to get two dental checkups at once or attend two meetings of the same association at once to make up for one that was canceled. So, what are we to do? Here are a few ideas.

Deforestation, human activity may be more responsible for viruses’…

Scott E. Rupp Waste Management & Environmental

Deforestation across the globe is negatively impacting the world's population and leading to the spread of disease, including coronaviruses. According to a new Stanford study, as large swaths of dense forestland are cleared for farming or other human use, viruses that jump from animals to people, like COVID-19, will likely become more common. Published in Landscape Ecology, the study suggests that deforestation puts people at higher risk of interactions with wild primates — and the viruses they carry — meaning the emergence and spread of infectious animal-to-human diseases.

Vintage trailer park resorts deliver retro bliss

Dave G. Houser Recreation & Leisure

Shortly after World War II and before the advent of modern motor homes, thousands of Americans hit the nation's highways and byways towing compact travel trailers. Well, guess what? They're back. Vintage trailer park resorts, brimming with brightly refurbished campers from makers such as Airstream, Alma, Boles, Kropf, Shasta, and Spartan are all the retro rage these days. So, please join us as we take a step back in time for a look at seven retro-chic trailer park resorts ready to book your stay — once the coronavirus goes away.

Why contractors need to prepare for legal disputes due to COVID-19

Justin Gitelman Construction & Building Materials

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the construction game. Contractors are trying to hold onto their cash as long as possible while still having to pay their subcontractors and suppliers. Cash is tight right now, and it’s leaving contractors with a major cash threat. Contractors already are faced with the longest waits for payment of businesses in any industry, which makes matters worse when the country is in the middle of a recession. As social distancing and stay-at-home orders remain in place, coronavirus will continue to impact the construction industry.

Employees are a weak link in cybersecurity: How to protect your business

Daniel Markuson Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Estimates show that 90% of corporate data breaches in the cloud happen due to hacker attacks that target employees, according to a report from Kaspersky Lab. With many of them forced to work remotely during the quarantine, companies are now more vulnerable than ever. Employee negligence is a great threat to business security. However, this particular risk is easy to control. There are many digital tools that can help protect organizations from data breaches.

As virus peaks, so does the conversion of temporary hospitals

Scott E. Rupp Facilities & Grounds

Among the daily deluge of coronavirus-related news, a theme among the headlines is the abundance of temporary medical hospitals that continue to be developed. The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is leading these efforts, operating under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Convention centers, hotels, and other large-scale gathering areas continue to be evaluated as the virus ravages the nation, from hotspots such as New York City to the county's interior, like Kansas City.

How technology can help prevent workplace injuries

Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk Management

A few months ago, we reported on workplace fatalities being at their highest levels since 2008, although workplace injuries are trending down. And now, the National Security Council recently released its first Work to Zero research report, "Safety Technology 2020: Mapping Technology Solutions for Reducing Serious Injuries and Fatalities in the Workplace." The report identifies the most relevant workplace hazards, along with technologies that can help to mitigate the risks.

How shrouds cause chimney fires

Derek Lidstrom Construction & Building Materials

Chimney fires are one of the most dangerous events that a house will typically endure. If the house is still standing when the smoke clears, the investigation that follows is usually worthy of a Sherlock Holmes adventure. Many factors come into play on most chimney fires, and it is the responsibility of the chimney professional to play lead detective and ferret out any and all factors, create a hypothesis and prove his theory to the satisfaction of the fire department, the homeowner and possibly an insurance company. This requires good, clean info. That is what I wish to share here.

Reform paves path for emergency mass prisoner release

Michelle R. Matisons Law Enforcement, Defense & Security

Because of U.S. prison conditions before the pandemic, federal, state and county prison and jail facilities were considering or enacting various early and mass release, or facility shutdown, plans. These pre-pandemic release plans are the very COVID-19 infection and death mitigation plans required now, but not enough officials are enacting emergency protocols to release inmates from this contagion danger. A recent article in The Intercept describes Rikers Island's jail infection rate as eight times higher than New York City's rate per 1,000 people.

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