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Is it time for your company to go to a 4-day workweek?
D. Albert Brannen Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementThe world of work may never be the same after the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. One casualty of the pandemic could be the structured five-day, in-the-office workweek. According to a survey conducted before the pandemic, over 40% of organizations offer some form of telecommuting and an even greater 57% offer some form of flexible work hours arrangement. This article examines some of the advantages of going to four-day or flexible workweek, along with some of the disadvantages and challenges to implementing a shortened or compressed schedule.
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For now, a lack of transparency for the Paycheck Protection Program
Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementHow is Uncle Sam’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) helping small firms with forgivable loans during the COVID-19 pandemic that has closed businesses across the U.S. and put tens of millions of Americans out of work? The answer is unclear. On that note, we turn to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. He wants to prevent the taxpaying public from knowing PPP borrowers’ names. They are "confidential" and "proprietary," Mnuchin said in sworn testimony to the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship recently.
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10 ways to start promoting equity and stop racism
Simma Lieberman Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementI've worked in diversity, equity and inclusion for over 25 years. Because of my work, I get calls and emails every day from non-black, mostly white people who want to know what they can do end racism and inequality, particularly in the workplace. The people who contact me range from hourly employees to clients who are CEOs of corporations and executive directors of nonprofits. In response, I decided to put together a starter list of actions. Below are 10 basic actions you can begin taking.
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Busting the myth of the iron grip for shooting
Mike Ox Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityFor some reason, I've been getting questions and finding myself in conversations about grip quite a bit lately. There’s a lot of misinformation on grip…especially on how firmly you should grip; how to improve grip; and what to do about reduced grip from arthritis, carpal tunnel, and other pain issues. Take the 100% grip or "iron grip" as an example. Grab anything with 100% grip and your hand is going to shake. Drop off to the max intensity that you can grip without shaking and your ability to isolate trigger finger movement is going to be compromised.
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Qualified immunity and why changing US policing will be very difficult
Patrick Gleeson Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityLess than a month after four Minneapolis policemen were charged with the killing of George Floyd — one of them on a second-degree murder count — public opinion in the country on race and criminal justice has shifted dramatically. By a remarkable 28-point margin, Americans now support Black Lives Matter. Additionally, by a three-to-one majority, citizens believe that U.S. police departments need major reform. Unfortunately, achieving this will be much harder than most Americans understand.
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A closer look at police reform and defunding proposals
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityAmericans have hit the streets to demand justice and accountability from the police, with many proposing some level of defunding departments. One of the first to put such proposals into motion is Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who said he is planning to defund the Minneapolis Police Department heavily following a veto-proof vote by the Minneapolis City Council. He is prepared to heed to demands that some of the department's funding be redirected toward mental health resources, affordable housing, and solutions for the opioid epidemic. Frey, however, is not in favor of abolishing the city's police department.
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A look at the places where law enforcement has shown solidarity with protesters
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityGeorge Floyd's death has shaken the nation. Protests sparked by the video of his killing have erupted in violence and looting in some places. That has, in turn, led to news of how law enforcement organizations are dealing with the protesters. Social media is filled with graphic images and video of officers using tear gas, rubber bullets, and batons to quell crowds. Some places have had to enforce strict curfews as well. But that's not the whole story. Some law enforcement organizations around the country have joined in with the protesters in solidarity, expressing their stance against racism and police brutality.
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What everyone should know about payroll fraud
Grace Ferguson Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementPayroll is often an employer's biggest expense, making it a prime target for fraud on many levels. Employers, employees, third parties, and others all contribute to payroll rackets. For example, one type of fraud happens when companies misclassify employees as independent contractors. This type of misclassification strips the employee of their labor rights, as independent contractors are not protected by most employment regulations, including minimum wage and overtime pay laws.
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Law enforcement access to COVID-19 patient details sparks controversy
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityA national investigation by The Associated Press found that there has been widespread information sharing between emergency dispatchers and public health officials across the U.S. concerning individuals testing positive for COVID-19. Per the AP, local governments in at least 35 states have shared COVID-19 patient details with dispatch centers. The premise behind this information sharing is to keep law enforcement informed of potential risks. However, it has also caused concern among some civil liberties groups.
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Even the FBI recommends using a VPN, and here’s why
Daniel Markuson Science & TechnologyFree public Wi-Fi is now one of the most prevalent cybersecurity threats. The risks are becoming so common that even the FBI recommends avoiding free internet hotspots. Along with that, it advises using a virtual private network (VPN) as a precautionary measure. In an official video, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) informs about the risks of public internet networks. The main reason is that users can "control the security standards of a public Wi-Fi network." But even the Bureau has to admit that sometimes it’s more than essential to access the web, especially when traveling or working remotely.
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