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Proposed Chicago teachers’ contract could break new ground in education…
Michelle R. Matisons EducationU.S. labor has been at forefront of the news recently, as the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), along with the allied nonteaching staff from SEIU Local 73, will soon look to ratify a new contract with Chicago Public Schools (CPS). This follows the contract ratification between UAW and GM and a tentative Ford contract. This holiday season could offer a pay increase, workload reduction, and a social justice cornucopia for CTU teachers.
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The cities of the future, here today
Dave G. Houser Construction & Building MaterialsAbout 12,000 years ago, the Neolithic Revolution marked the transition in human history from nomadic hunting and gathering to settling in permanent communities. In all probability, from that time forward mankind has fantasized about a city of the future. Today, we've discovered a number of real-life brick-and-mortar — or rather, glass, steel, ashcrete and carbon fiber — developments that suggest that the cities of the future may be nearer at hand than we think.
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The terrible nature of expedient principles
Anne Rose Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementThe word "principles" is bandied about often, as in, "It’s against my principles to do XYZ," or, "My life is built on solid moral and ethical principles." Principles are good. They are a guideline how to live your life consistently to the standards you profess to espouse. Not having any principles is typically not good. It's fairly easy to discern the principled from the unprincipled people, and you can easily choose which group of people you'd prefer to associate with. What’s tricky is discerning the people with expedient principles.
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To fight crime, engage kids in quality after-school programs
Sheilamary Koch Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityWhen kids have access to after-school programs, crime and incarceration go down, shows a new report by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, a nonpartisan organization of over 5,000 law enforcement professionals. Juvenile arrests around the country have declined 70% while participation in after-school programs has increased by over 50% since 2000. Yet more programs are necessary to meet the need, especially in rural areas and communities of concentrated poverty.
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Tips for planning a reduction in force if the economy loses steam
D. Albert Brannen Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementOur economy has been hot over the past few years, but signs indicate a slowdown may be coming. Employers planning a reduction in force must consider the possibility that a third party may eventually judge the lawfulness and "fairness" of their decisions and that such judgment could result in significant consequences. It may be impossible to avoid litigation, but employers can do some things to make litigation less likely and reduce potential liability, as outlined in this article.
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Is there a public utility option for California’s PG&E?
Michelle R. Matisons Waste Management & EnvironmentalDamage from 13 different wildfires has affected California during the past week. Sonoma County’s Kincade fire grew to 77,000 acres, ravaging large land swaths, whole neighborhoods, and grape-ripening vineyards. At 80% contained, it is nowhere near the size of 2017’s Thomas fire, which caused $2.2 billion in damages and heated debate about fire prevention. But all the fires combined will yield more damages incurred for the already embattled energy industry in the state. Poor air quality is now commonplace in the health-focused state, and this issue alone may press more people to consider radical solutions.
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US payrolls add 128,000 jobs; unemployment rate rises to 3.6%
Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementIn October, total U.S. nonfarm payrolls added 128,000 new hires, as the unemployment rate rose to 3.6% from 3.5% in September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment growth has averaged 167,000 per month in 2019. Federal government employment dropped by 17,000 in October, as temporary workers ended their assignments for the 2020 Census. Further, the now-resolved General Motors strike reduced automotive employment in October.
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Congress may give dental coverage to millions of Medicare recipients
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareDid you know around 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 each day and can sign up for Medicare? While the program’s 60 million beneficiaries can access dental, vision and hearing through supplemental options such as Advantage plans or standalone insurance policies, original Medicare — Part A and Part B — excludes dental, vision and hearing coverage except in very limited circumstances. But Medicare recipients might just see better coverage and more services in the new year. Several bills now before Congress would give Medicare participants access to dental, vision and even hearing coverage if passed.
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Infographic: Why cybersecurity awareness training is essential
Chris Usatenko Science & TechnologyIf your data security strategy focuses mainly on the antivirus software you use, your business is at risk. Infecting a computer with a virus is just one attack vector that criminals might use to get sensitive data. This infographic will highlight other potential cybersecurity risks and go through your best line of defense.
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5 ways to leverage this holiday season to build community at work
Simma Lieberman Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementAround this time of the year, I begin to get calls and emails from managers desperate to figure out how to celebrate the holidays inclusively. One CEO forbade their employees from posting any kind of decorations, or even mentioning the holidays. "We just told everyone that since some people might feel left out if we had a Christmas party, we were going to do nothing." He was surprised when I told him that might not have been the best idea. Not all employees are Christian and not everyone celebrates Christmas. But pretending Christmas and other holidays don’t exist doesn’t make people feel more included.
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