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What to Do if an Employee Won’t Go Quietly

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workplace-1245776_640When business owners let an employee go, it is not an easy task to undertake in most cases.

Whether the individual was there for years or only a few months, you are still removing someone from a job.

You also have to take into consideration if dismissing that employee could lead to a lawsuit.

With that being the case, layoffs and firings can go down in many different ways.

He or she may actually find happiness for one reason or another to be leaving your business.

On the flip side, there are those individuals who decide they do not want to go in peace. When this occurs, you could very well have a problem on your hands.

In running your business, how do you go about telling an employee that their time with you is over?

Steps to Take Before and After a Dismissal

Even though letting a worker go may be the toughest thing you have to do, you can learn from each experience.

As you mull over whether to let the individual go, keep these questions in mind:

As you mull over whether to let the individual go, keep these questions in mind:

  • Am I letting them go due to work performance, budgetary constraints, or both?
  • Could dismissing this employee lead to positive or negative changes in office morale?
  • Is there a chance the employee will not go in peace?

Never feel intimidated about a layoff or firing. That said you are wise to think about the ramifications of dismissing them.

Once you have initiated the dismissal, what do you do if in fact there is any negative fallout?

If the fallout is from his or her co-workers, you’re best-served by addressing why the move took place.

Even though you do not owe the other employees a reason, you more times than not might be better off doing so.

Safeguarding Your Workplace

In the rare instances when an employee doesn’t want to go away, business owners have few options.

For example, what if the former employee continues to contact the office by phone or email?

If they chose the former, you may not know it is them behind hang-up calls.

You could opt for a reverse phone lookup, allowing you to see where the call is originating from. Such a move will help you pin down whom is on the other line.

If the calls continue, you are often left with no other choice than to get law enforcement involved.

While you could also send out a warning letter threatening legal action, it may not be enough to stop the calls.

If the former employee threatens you or other staff, take the threats seriously.

The last thing you want is a tragic preventable situation unfolding.

When any threats come via email or by letter, you have more evidence on-hand to pursue legal action.

Unlike hang-up calls, written threats prove to be better evidence.

If you discover there is a credible threat against your workplace contact authorities.

While many such threats never result in actions, don’t dismiss them.

Running a business is taxing enough for most. This is especially the case when it comes to keeping companies afloat.

Your financial well-being can be taxed even more so when the layoff or firing process does not go smoothly.

When you’ve said goodbye to one or more employees, make it clear the move is final.

By handling it the proper way on your end, you can oftentimes sidestep potential problems.

Photo credit: Pixabay

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.

11 Stress Relievers You Can Try At Your Desk

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Even the easiest and most enjoyable job can get stressful at times.

If you take a few minutes to de-stress, however, it will make your job easier to handle, and also will prevent you from suffering the ill effects of continued stress.

Here are 11 stress relievers for inter-office relaxation you can exercise at your desk.

1. Do relaxing exercises while sitting in your chair. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, release it, and concentrate on relaxing your whole body from your toes to your head. This is something you can do on your break, perhaps in the employee lounge or somewhere else other than your desk, so you can put all thoughts of work out of your mind for a few minutes.

2. If your job is particularly stressful, ask your supervisor if you can take shorter but more frequent breaks, instead of one long lunch and two extended breaks. Offer to shorten your lunch hour in exchange for them. The more frequent breaks may leave you feeling more refreshed than long ones. If you get permission, take those opportunities to do a few stretching exercises.

3. Keep a book of short devotionals, jokes, poems, or similar subjects at your desk. Take a few minutes to read one after you have finished one project and before you start on another one.

4. Diversify your snacks. Prepare some healthy, yet delicious snacks that have proven to give you joy. Mine is fruit and berries. I love doing some fun stuff with fruit (salads, smoothies, etc.) and enjoy it as snacks.

BucknBear Knives has a great infographic teaching you cut fruit in various creative ways. Steal the idea!

Fruit

5. Play “trashcan basketball” by simply wadding up paper and aiming for the wastebasket. Just remember to pick up the ones that missed! You can do this on one of your frequent breaks or on your lunch hour.

6. Ask your supervisor if you can set up a basketball goal for quick lunchtime games during nice weather. In cold weather, ask if you can bring in portable exercise or indoor game equipment and borrow some empty space. If you can’t think of any type of indoor game equipment, remember this: A ping-pong net stretched across a couple of unused tables will work perfectly. Just add paddles, balls, and players.

7. Play trivia games during downtime. Use online or hard copy materials, or the Trivial Pursuit game. Challenge co-workers to compete against you.

8. Work puzzles during downtime. Keep an actual puzzle book at your desk instead of using online puzzles, unless you have received permission to use online resources for this.

9. Take a walk during your lunch break. On nice days, get outside. On the days with bad weather, walk around the different floors. Not only will you be getting exercise, you may even meet new people.

10.Video games (played only on your personal time, of course) can be a great way to clear your mind. Find someone to play a game that requires two people and get a game going during your lunch break.

Teksocial lists some free meditation apps to help relieve stress.

Meditate

11. If the stress is getting too bad, take advantage of employee-sponsored counseling services. Confidentiality is observed, so nothing you say will get back to anyone.

Don’t be afraid to use de-stressing techniques while at work. Your physical and mental health is more important than any project will ever be. If you’re too stressed to perform at work to your peak capacity, then everyone, yourself included, will be affected.

Get Your Career Back on Track after a Serious Incident

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car-wreck-1618179_640For many workers all across the nation, their jobs are their lifelines.
Stop for a moment and think about where you would be if you were not working.
Among the factors to consider:

  • Money – How would you support yourself without a regular job? For most people, the answer is they would not be able to. Even if they are in a low paying job or jobs, that works keeps them off the streets.
  • Career – Any significant breaks in your working life can lead to more problems. Many employers will avoid individuals who have sizable gaps on their resumes. As a result, it can be hard to get back into the working field.
  • Trouble – Without a regular work routine, would you end up getting into trouble? For some folks, too much free time on their hands can be trouble.

For you to avoid your career get sidetracked, you need to see that your work life stays together.

That said a serious incident in your life can derail your career at the snap of a finger.

If that happens, will you be able to rebound?

What Kind of Events Can Derail You?

Among the types of serious incidents in life that can derail your work life:

  1. Accident

If you’re hurt rather seriously in an accident, the ripple effects can be tough to overcome.

You are trying to get your physical and mental health back, two tasks that can be difficult to achieve.

Making matters worse is when the accident wasn’t even your fault.

For instance, did the driver who injured you get away?

Unfortunately, hit-and-run accidents are all too common nationwide.

If there is no police report, you already are behind the eight ball. Were there any eyewitnesses or video evidence? Again, if you can’t find either, where do you turn for help?

If you were able to catch the vehicle plate of the hit-and-run driver, you at least have something to work with.

License plate searches following a vehicle accident can help you out. In finding the other driver, police can look for damage to their vehicle. They may have also sought medical attention right after the accident.

Even though it may seem at first like a long-shot, be sure you exhaust all your options.

Not only has someone hurt you and, they may have put your career on hold for a significant amount of time.

  1. Illness

A serious illness is another obstacle you might need to overcome to get back to work.

Examples of this can include treatments for cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

While many employers will work with employees, some may choose otherwise.

If you find yourself dealing with that latter, you may have to fight for your job through the legal system.

As if the physical suffering from cancer isn’t bad enough, now you’re dealing with the mental stress too.

The best thing you can do is focus on your health.

Yes, your ability to work is important, but how can you do a good job if your health is far from what it should be?

If you do get a serious cancer diagnosis, take time to sit down with your employer and discuss your options.

By being upfront, there’s a good chance you two can come to an understanding to benefit both parties.

  1. Death

Losing a loved one can be one of the hardest things many people deal with on a regular basis.

Not only is there the physical loss of having that person in your life, but also the emotional fallout.

Any point in the day can remind you of that person. When that occurs, the thoughts are happy ones. Even when they are, yet, it can give you a sense of grief and loss.

Although some people are able to immerse themselves in their jobs to dull the pain, many others can’t.

If you are having trouble focusing on or even going to work after the death of a loved one, don’t be afraid to seek help.

By getting things off your chest, you can bring some comfort to the situation.

Sure, you will likely never get over losing that individual.

That said you will be able to get back some semblance of normalcy in your life, including in the workplace.

Photo credit: Pixabay

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business and career topics on the web.

Types of Commercial Real Estate Leases: Finding the Right fit for Your Business

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By Kris Lindahl

Commercial real estate leases are vastly different than those used for residential properties. While a residential lease is typically a pretty straightforward matter with the tenant being responsible for the rent, as well as any utilities, commercial real estate leases are typically determined by the type of commercial business. Four of the most common types are outlined below.

1. Gross Lease

Sometimes also referred to as a full-service lease, a gross lease is one in which the landlord is responsible for paying for the insurance, taxes and maintenance of the property. In most cases, the landlord collects a fixed amount from each tenant and pays the expenses noted above from it. Many gross leases also contain escalation clauses that build in rent increases over time in an effort to offset the higher landlord costs that are projected in the future.

A gross lease is the ideal choice for industrial properties, as well as single- and multi-tenant office buildings. Accountants, attorneys and some types of consultants would also find a gross lease to be a good fit. Prior to signing a contract on a gross lease, however, it’s a good idea for the tenant to be able to project their rent expenses in the future given the presence of the escalation clauses and avoid any surprise rent increases.

2. Triple Net Lease

A popular commercial real estate lease option that is often found in use for those retail and industrial properties that have multiple tenants, a triple net lease works for the landlord when renting to those businesses whose expenses fluctuate widely. The bulk of the expenses associated with operating the property is placed squarely on the tenants.

Because businesses such as manufacturing plants, auto repair shops and other commercial ventures that are utility-heavy and/or tend to be harder on the structure, the triple net lease is the ideal choice for the landlord.

Tenants, on the other hand, need to be more vigilant about their expenses to ensure that their costs don’t spiral out of control. Tenants that rent space in older buildings might find that their utility and maintenance bills are higher because the building needs to be renovated due to its age.

3. Percentage Lease

A percentage lease could be the ideal fit for those commercial tenants whose sales fluctuate a great deal depending on the time of year and other economic factors. This type of lease works by the tenant paying a base rent, as well as an additional percentage that is determined by their monthly sales volume.

Ideal for a retail business that must rely on much of its sales around a season such as the holidays or summer to stay solvent, a percentage lease doesn’t mean that the landlord is entitled to all of the company’s earnings. In fact, because the landlord only gets a percentage of the sales volume once a certain threshold is met, this type of lease is ideal for businesses located in a mall setting or whose sales vary over time.

4. Modified Net Lease

The modified net lease can be described as a compromise between a triple net lease and a gross lease. It leaves more room for negotiations between the tenant and landlord with the maintenance expenses typically being split between them in some fashion. Utilities are another aspect of a modified net lease that is likely to be split between the two entities.

That being said, with a modified net lease, the tenant is typically responsible for paying taxes and insurance, along with their rent. Modified net leases are a popular compromise for those commercial businesses that have high expenditures for utilities. Older buildings that require more and higher maintenance costs are another good candidate for a modified net lease.

The above overview of the most common commercial real estate leases gives tenants a starting point when finding a good fit for their business. Reading over a proposed contract carefully before signing provides clear expectations for both parties.

 

Author Bio:

Minnesota real estate broker Kris Lindahl’s “All In” approach to life is key to success in his career as a leading real estate professional. His energy and devotion are a perfect fit for the lighting-fast pace of today’s real estate industry.

Find him at https://www.krislindahl.com/ or on Twitter @krislindahl.

 

Featured image via Flickr CC: Travis Wise

Is Your Small Business on Solid Financial Ground?

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dollar-1362243_640Does anything scare you when it comes to managing your small business?

If you are like many other small business owners, you know all too well how things can change in a heartbeat.

At one point and time, things are humming along. Take a look a couple of months down the road and you’re nearing or in the red.

So, how do you go about doing all you can to keep your small business on solid financial ground?

While there are many ways to approach this, some work better than others.

Are You on Top of Your Business Needs?

To do your best to keep your small business running along, file away these tips:

  1. Expenditures

One area of major importance is of course your office expenditures.

Are you spending too much money, money that can be saved with some ingenuity on your part?

Always look to see where you can cut costs without cutting performance.

Areas to scale back on include supplies, transportation, and how many hours the office is open.

With that last one, letting employees work from home one day a week can lessen your need to be open five days a week. How much could you save with an extra day a week having the office closed?

Also, go back and review what you spend for office supplies.

In many instances, you are not doing needed things like recycling or buying supplies in bulk.

And when it comes to transportation needs, think how you use any office vehicles.

For instance, if you have to make deliveries to and/or meet with customers, think about how you schedule them.

Try and get with several customers all in a period of time the same day, avoiding running in and out of the office.

  1. Growth

Understanding when to grow your small business is important.

While you might be timid, know that increasing your company’s capacity can be what the doctor ordered.

In doing this, you might need some fast cash for your small business.

If you do need some cash infusion, be sure to research the options available to you.

Knowing where that money will be coming from, what to expect in return etc. are both quite important.

Take the time to think about any growth plans.

The worst thing you could do is rush into an expansion. This would be one in which you were not prepared on many fronts.

  1. Security

Even if wanting to grow moving forward, don’t fall asleep on your company’s security.

As an example, has your company ever faced a security breach? If not, consider yourself lucky.

Too many companies over the last decade have in fact suffered security breaches. They can be even more impactful when it is the small business owner taking the hit.

To keep on solid financial ground, be sure to invest in whatever security needs are necessary.

From your online efforts to what you do as a small business owner offline, never think it can’t happen to you.

So, as you move forward this year, do you consider your small business to be on solid financial ground?

Photo credit: Pixabay

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.

Don’t Let a Workplace Injury Derail Your Future

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accident-1238329_640Whether you have been in the workforce for many years or a short time, you know how important a good job is in today’s world.

Now, what happens when you’ve suffered a serious workplace injury, one that can very derail your future?

For too many workers, that scenario is all too familiar. When it happens to them, their worlds can turn upside down.

If you’ve suffered a serious injury while on the job, where will you turn for help?

Yes, your medical well-being is of course of the utmost importance, but your financial health can’t be overlooked either.

With your future up in the air, getting the legal help you need is a must.

Whether in need of Idaho workers comp or help in another state, don’t wait a day to make that call.

Give Your Legal Counsel All the Facts

Once you’re injured on the job, you have two choices in front of you.

One, you can deal with the medical costs and injury/injuries on your own, hoping things work out for the best.

Two, you can reach out to a workers comp lawyer, someone who will stand by your side and fight with you.

In working with a legal pro, make sure he or she has all the facts as you know them on how you were injured.

Among the areas of focus:

  • Accident – Of utmost importance, how were you injured? If the injury in your mind is the fault of your employer, can you prove so? It would be worthwhile to have evidence in the form of an eyewitness and/or video evidence to show you were not to blame.
  • Safety – What safety protocols did your employer have in place? In the event you’re injured in a construction accident, did your employer have the necessary safety procedures in place? If not, were you still told to go about the work anyway?
  • History – Does your employer have a history of non-fatal and/or fatal injuries on the job? If so, has this problem been discussed and/or acted upon? An unsafe work environment is a breeding ground for health issues, workers’ safety.

Financial Fallout
As bad as the physical pain can be from a serious workplace injury, the financial fallout can be as troublesome if not worse.

Even if you have medical coverage, the bills can mount quickly, especially if you will need long-term rehab.

In the event this will lead to you not being able to work, how will you pay your everyday bills?

When your finances are in doubt, this is yet another reason to seek a workers’ comp attorney, someone who will go to work for you.

If there is a pattern of workplace injuries with your employer, see if other current or former employees will speak out on the issue.

Also be sure to hold any other negligent parties besides your employer accountable for your injuries.

This can include product manufacturers etc.

When injured on the job, time is of the essence.

Fight back so your future is not left in doubt.

Given how serious workplace injuries can be, it is imperative that you don’t let someone’s negligence derail your future.

With that being the case, are you prepared to stand up and fight today?

Photo credit: Pixabay

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.