Work-Life Balance | BizSieve.com

5 Great Ways To Skive Off Work Without Getting In Trouble

It’s hard getting up every day and driving into the office. You have to wait in traffic and it’s stressful. You then have to sit at the same desk doing the same thing over and over again. I bet you look at the clock on a constant basis because you want to go home, but it doesn’t make the time pass any quicker. It will actually slow it down and your day will feel like it’s going on forever, but you can’t help yourself. When will the day ever end?

Maybe you don’t need to look at the clock every 5 minutes. You’re in work until it’s time to go home whether you like it or not. I would tell you to start enjoying your work more, but it might not be possible. If all else fails you should learn to skive because it will give you a little break every once in a while. You need to be sneaky about it to avoid getting in trouble, so we’re going to look at a few ways to do it so your boss will never know.

Put a photo on top of your computer

If you have a photo inside a glass frame on the top of your computer you will be able to see if someone is coming. You can play on the Internet and if anyone walks behind you it will take a few seconds to switch back over to your work. Just make sure your employer doesn’t have any employee monitoring software installed on the computer because they will know exactly what you’re doing. Remember that work still needs to be done, so don’t get carried away.

Finish your work quicker

You might only have a certain amount of jobs to get done in a day. If you finished them quicker you would have the rest of the day to chill out. It’s obviously nice to help your workmates who are a little slower than you, but if they never offer to help you it’s possible you might not want to help them. You don’t necessarily have to sit doing nothing until the end of the day. You could look over your work to make sure it’s perfect, but at least you won’t need to start a new task from scratch.

Carry something about with you

Some of your friends might work in different departments and you won’t be able to email them if there is monitoring software installed on your computer, but you can go and speak to them. Just walk about with paper in your hand and you will look like you’re doing something important. You obviously won’t be able to spend ages away from your desk, but you will get a nice 5 minute break on occasion.

A fake emergency

Later on in the afternoon you might have had enough. You can’t take the stress anymore and you need to get out of there, but how can you do it without raising any suspicions? Text one of your friends and ask them to call your work phone. Pretend they have given you some bad news and it will give you a good excuse as to why you need to leave early. Your child might have been involved in an imaginary fight at school and you need to go pick them up.

Sit back and relax

Whenever you are in a meeting it’s a great time to sit back and relax. This only applies if you’re not the one doing all the speaking. You can just listen to what people are saying, but don’t get too involved in the discussion. Don’t ask any questions at the end and it means the whole meeting will have passed without you doing anything. If someone asks you a question you can just give them a quick reply and they will hopefully move on.

About the Author: James Kirby is an employee of WellResearchedReviews.com and he is a blogging enthusiast. He likes to write on a wide range of topics that interest him, be it lifestyle, technology or his personal experiences.

Is a Company Softball Team A Good Idea?

If most of us are honest with ourselves, we’d much rather be out with our friends having fun than at work. Even when we like our coworkers, it’s preferable to meet outside of the confines of work. While it’s true that coworkers sometimes find time to hang out away from the office, it’s hard to get everyone together at once. Many companies, however, have solved this issue by starting company softball teams. Workers all over the country get a kick out of participating in these “leagues,” but it’s important to remember that, with everything in life, a little bad always comes with the good.

Benefits of Company Softball Leagues

1) Morale Some benefits of hosting or being involved in a company softball league are rather obvious. Most people would automatically, and correctly, assume that this practice can increase worker morale. Additionally, a great deal of good publicity can come when the surrounding public recognizes that the company is engaged in enjoyable events. Honestly, who wouldn’t want to frequent an organization that takes the time in life to have fun?

2) Networking There are, however, a few lesser known benefits that those involved in a softball league can gain. For instance, these gatherings are a great way for employees to meet others to whom they’ve yet to be introduced. Knowing more people in the company is a quick way to get called on for special projects and even potential promotions.

3) Teamwork Additionally, the company will also benefit because the games will strengthen the relationships between workers and increase their ability to work together. This is really a priceless benefit when it comes to team and worker productivity. Some of the benefits for the employees, however, are even more important than they could imagine.

4) Performer Rewards Employees who choose to participate will also see benefits if the company ever falls onto difficult times. If employers have to choose a few specific people to let go, they’re much less likely to lay off those who actively made an effort to be part of the company’s social network.

Disadvantages of Company Softball Leagues

1) Behavior Issues Sadly, there are going to be some disadvantages related to company softball leagues, but most of these issues are related to mistakes and outright misbehavior by those in attendance. Bad sportsmanship, for instance, can ruin the entire atmosphere of the day and turn a fun event into a serious issue. Even worse, if the general public sees an employee act out of line, it will reflect badly on the entire company.

2) Injuries It’s also a problem when employees become injured during these games. A bit of unfair play or a simple misstep on the field can lead to a serious injury. This is bad for the employee, but it can also be detrimental for the company. Asking a Calabasas or a Charlotte personal injury attorney, you’ll find that laws governing work-related injuries not really “work-related” are complex, and this can lead to serious legal issues for the employer and their injured worker.

3) Compensation Disputes The bigger problem for an employee will arise after they’re injured at the game. They are often entitled to one form of compensation or another, but considering the fact that the injury didn’t actually happen during the course of one’s work duties, it’s likely that an employer will want to avoid paying extensive benefits. This makes it likely that an injured worker will want to get an injury attorney.

It’s a great thing for coworkers to come together and enjoy each other through a bit of outside-of-work competition. Even with the potential hazards of hosting a company softball team, the act itself carries numerous benefits which usually outweigh the potential risks. It’s simply important to have a few ground rules laid out, including sportsmanship and safety issues, to ensure that a company softball game is an enjoyable success.

A recreational athlete, Ann Bailey posts these notes to encourage company team sports, for benefit to both the business and the employee. Working to protect the rights of clients in injury cases, the Charlotte personal injury attorney group, Auger & Auger Attorneys at Law, advises both business owners and workers in all aspects of resolving compensation issues in company sports incidents.

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Team Building Motorcycle Trips: How to Plan Ahead

There are multiple team building exercises that a small business staff can utilize to become a tighter unit, but going on a motorcycle trip is one of the most effective. After all, most people love going on an adventure, and the positive feelings that they develop while they are riding a bike will become associated with all of their co-workers. Additionally, this is a great way to get everyone out of the office so that they can get away from the stress and begin looking at each other as unique individuals.

What is the Best Way to Plan the Trip?

It is easy to plan a group outing by utilizing one of the many online motorcycle trip planners. These comprehensive websites enable you to select the state of your choice so that you can see all of the best options in your targeted area. For example, if you want to take a motorcycle trip in Florida, you will find 33 different routes throughout the state. However, before you begin looking through routes, you should determine how long you want the trip to be. Florida’s routes range from just a couple of miles to loops that will take several days, so it should be easy to find exactly what you are looking for.

How can We Keep Everyone Safe?

Business owners often worry about liability issues, and this might make the idea of going on a motorcycle trip seem intimidating. Instead of letting this get in the way, you should simply take steps to protect the company and each employee. The first step would be to get everyone to sign an agreement that they cannot sue the company if something happens to them during the trip. You can discuss your state’s local laws with a motorcycle accident attorney West Palm Beach to Fort Walton Beach based to ensure that everyone remains compliant. Aside from that, you should make it mandatory for everyone to wear a helmet.

What Should We do if an Accident Happens?

If one or more of the motorcycle riders are involved in an accident, it is important for the entire group to pull over in a safe location. However, if you are on the freeway, it is not a good idea for everyone to stop on the side of the road. Therefore, you should agree in advance that everyone will get off at the next exit and pull into a parking lot until the situation has been resolved. Meanwhile, the supervisor of the group should contact the police immediately, and it is important to write notes about the accident in case someone ends up in court.

Should We Call an Attorney?

If anyone is injured as a result of the accident, it is definitely a good idea to contact a motorcycle injury attorney. This is especially important if the responsible party is not a member of your group. After all, it can be very expensive to pay for the necessary medical assistance, and the injured person’s insurance may not cover everything.

Going on a motorcycle trip with your small business team is a good way to encourage teamwork because it will give everyone a chance to get to know each other outside of the office. As long as you take the proper precautions to keep everyone safe, your group should return from the outing refreshed and with a stronger bond.

As an event planner for a small non-profit business, Ann Bailey offers these tips for a unique road trip and business team building experience. Keeping riders safe, and defending their rights if injured, the Steinger, Iscoe & Green motorcycle accident attorney West Palm Beach based group represents all manner of injury claims for motorcycle enthusiasts in Florida.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8363028@N08/2381263912/

Alcohol Addiction on the Job: Is the Company Liable for a DUI?

For both practical and legal reasons, employers cannot control the actions of an employee when the employee is off the clock. Employers may proscribe certain behaviors such as drug usage or speech that reflects poorly on the company, but employers can only react to wrongful conduct after it has occurred. Such is the case with an employee who is charged with driving under the influence. This unexpected development can be unpleasant for both the employer and the employee.

Alcohol Addiction and the Law

While an employer’s first reaction to an employee who is intoxicated at work is usually to terminate the employee, employees have some rights under the law. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, employers may not discriminate against employees with certain disabilities if the employee can perform his or her essential job functions with reasonable accommodations made for the disability. If there is a legitimate business purpose to exclude employees with a certain disability, employers may do so; for example, a trucking company looking for drivers may reasonably decline to hire the visually impaired.

The Americans with Disabilities Act applies to a wide array of disabilities, including alcohol addiction. If an alcoholic can perform the essential duties for which he or she was hired without the disability affecting his or her performance, the employer may not make hiring or termination decisions based upon that disability. However, if the disability affects the employee’s work and cannot be reasonably accommodated, the employee may be terminated.

Driving Under the Influence and the Five-Minute Meeting

An employer will almost certainly terminate an employee who is arrested for driving under the influence while on the job. The primary reason for this is liability. Employers are vicariously liable to third parties for the actions of their employees assuming that the employee was acting within the course and scope of his or her employment when he or she committed the tortious act. Intoxicated motorists are a hazard and a lawsuit waiting to happen for the employer.

Additionally, an employee who is convicted for driving under the influence will be unavailable to perform the essential duties of his or her job. While it’s true that, as offered by The Wilson Law Firm, “There are many possible defenses to a drunk driving charge,” in Virginia, persons convicted of driving under the influence face a license suspension for up to one year. If an employee is driving while acting within the course and scope of his or her employment, it is likely that the employee is involved in an occupation in which driving is an essential duty. In such a case, the employee may be released from his or her employment.

Assisting an Employee with a Legal Defense

Mounting a legal defense to a charge of driving under the influence can be expensive for the employee, and most employees should expect no assistance. Very few employers would even consider contributing to the legal defense of an employee charged with driving under the influence while on the job. However, it can happen. If the employee is particularly valuable to the firm and his or her absence from the company would cost the firm significant revenue, an employer may provide assistance to the employee.

If the employer does elect to retain and assist the employee, the employer must proceed carefully. A jury may consider an employer who knowingly allows employees accused of driving under the influence to operate vehicles for him or her to be negligent. If an accident occurs, the employer may be liable for negligence, which can result in an award of punitive damages. Punitive damages can greatly exceed the cost of the injury.

While employers can be liable for injuries to third parties for an employee’s act, the employer will generally owe no duty to the employee to assist him or her if he or she is arrested for driving under the influence. Employers have a strong interest in terminating such employees from employment and the few employers who choose not to will usually reassign the employee to a position in which he or she is not responsible for operating machinery. However, talented and highly trained employees are difficult to come by. Employers with an indispensable employee may consider providing assistance to the employee in the form of legal counsel or funds to pursue an independent legal defense.

Ann Bailey posts this research for employers with workers who are facing a DUI charge, particularly in Virginia. The Wilson Law Firm vigorously represents clients of intoxicated driving charges, aggressively fighting to keep their personal rights intact, within all boundaries of the law.

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Business Partners: Are You Responsible For Their Ethics?

Friction between business partners is common without a clear delineation of duties. Partners frequently have different ideas as to how to run the business and invest capital. Unfortunately, some businessmen seek to enrich their companies by committing fraud and tax violations. Whether an unwitting business partner is liable for that malfeasance depends upon the circumstances surrounding the people involved, the act, and even the company itself.

Privately-Held Companies and the Mens Rea

A wide array of federal crimes, including tax evasion and false claims made under the False Claims Act, require a certain level of intent to commit the act or knowledge that they were committing the act. Mens rea means “guilty mind” in Latin and is used to denote intent leading to culpability. Strict liability offenses do not require a mens rea, as intent is not required.

This means that individuals are generally not personally liable for the actions of their business partners, as the intent to commit the offense lies with the partner. Such actions can harm the company by resulting in regulatory backlash such as hefty fines. Since many business owners have not only an income interest but have also personally invested in the business, this can be painful to the partner. However, direct regulatory action against the innocent victim is unlikely.

Public Companies and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

The matter becomes considerably more complicated if the company is public. Congress passed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 after a series of accounting scandals around the turn of the century, most notoriously involving Enron and WorldCom. Sarbanes-Oxley imposed significant requirements upon publicly traded companies, most of which were aimed at ensuring the integrity of the company’s financial reports.

Among other requirements was the mandate for certain executives to certify the company’s periodic financial reports. The executives must certify that the statement contains no misstatements or omissions of any material facts pertaining to the company and its subsidiaries and fairly represents the financial condition of the company and its condition. Executives must also certify that the company has internal controls and that these controls have been audited in the last 90 days.

This means that if one company’s principal officers is involved in an ongoing fraud against the company and the other officers know about it, they are personally liable if they sign off on the corporate financial statements. Penalties range from a $1,000,000 fine to 10 years imprisonment or both per violation. This ensures that the controlling officers at a company cannot misrepresent their company’s financial position, including tax liability, without incurring personal liability.

Blowing the Whistle

Blowing the whistle on ongoing fraud is a personal decision with benefits and detriments. From a financial standpoint, whistleblowing activities aimed at a company in which one has a controlling interest are likely to reduce the value of that company as the government not only demands compensation but also high punitive damages. On the other hand, whistleblowers are generally entitled to a sizeable portion of the funds received from government actions. Additionally, from an ethical standpoint, fraud and misrepresentation are morally reprehensible activities that cost the taxpayers money.

Individuals interested in blowing the whistle on unlawful activity should contact an experienced false claims attorney such as Goldberg Kohn,Ltd. The whistleblowing process usually starts with a qui tam action served upon the Attorney General of the United States. The government will have the opportunity to pursue the claim itself or reject the claim, in which case the plaintiff may pursue it privately. In either case, the plaintiff is entitled to a percentage of the recovery.

No matter the source, federal investigations targeted at a company in which you own a sizeable stake are not fun. A prolonged investigation will take time and if the fraud is big enough, the ensuing regulatory action, lawsuits, and negative publicity against the company can destroy it. However, by failing to take action, executives who mistakenly went into business with a criminal condone such conduct. When a source of liability is discovered, the correct course of action is to stop all illegal activity and seek legal counsel immediately. Anyone who fails to do so may find that a lawsuit for a breach of a fiduciary duty is the least of his or her problems.

A former news journalist, Ann Bailey reports on this issue of ethics and consequences for anyone suspecting their partner of underhandedness. Goldberg Kohn,Ltd is an aggressive legal voice of protection for any client choosing to become a whistleblower to seek right from wrong in their business arena.

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