Learn About Employer Paid Sick Days

Learn About Employer Paid Sick Days Learn About Employer Paid Sick Days Paid sick days allow employees to take time off from work while they are ill without losing pay. Employees accrue sick days based on their employers policies. Some base the number on years of service and the level of their position within the company, and some allocate the same number to everybody. Some employers allow sick days to roll over from one year to the next, often capping at a certain number of days or hours, while others do not allow them to accumulate. Historically, sick days have been a common perk employers voluntarily provided. There is no federal law requiring employers to offer paid sick leave, but as of 2018, 10 states and the District of Columbia require employers to provide some form of paid time off for employees who are sick. A Standard Benefit Paid sick leave is part of the benefits package for 85 percent of full-time workers and 74 percent of all U.S. workers, according to a March 2018 survey by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Full-time workers in state and local government had access to paid sick days in 99 percent of jobs. Among all jobs, union employees received paid sick leave 90 percent of the time, while the number was 71 percent for nonunion employees. Part-time employees receive paid sick leave in only 40 percent of jobs, and service industry employees, at 56 percent, are the least likely to receive paid sick leave. In most full-time positions, employees simply expect that some form of paid sick leave will be part of the benefits package. While paid sick days generally are viewed as an employee benefit, they are beneficial to employers as well. Paying an employee to stay home sick may not seem like its good for the bottom line, but if that employee is contagious and comes into work, there is a risk that numerous employees could become sick, hurting the bottom line even more. With paid sick leave, employees can be more comfortable with the prospect of staying home when sick, knowing they arent losing a days pay. Hopefully, this helps limit the number of contagious employees in the workplace, reducing the total number of work days lost to illness. Legislative Requirements There are no federal laws in the United States that require an employer to offer paid sick days as a benefit, but states and other local municipalities can enact such ordinances and laws. In 2006, San Francisco became the first city in the U.S. to mandate employers to provide paid sick days, and Connecticut became the first state to do so in 2011. Californias law, enacted in 2015, requires employees  to earn at least one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked. Accrual began on the first day of employment or July 1, 2015. As of 2018, other states to require paid sick leave include Arizona, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. Allocation Most organizations use a formula that assigns a certain number of sick day hours accrued during each pay period. Other employers make the paid sick days available at the beginning of a calendar year- although that is an option that may increase the  risk for employers. For example, if an employee uses all of his paid sick days in the first couple of months of the year, then quits, the employer has paid a years worth of sick time to an employee who worked only a couple of months. Some employers opt for a paid time off (PTO) policy that folds sick days, vacation days, and personal days into one bank of days that employees can use at their discretion. However, when employees have a bank of days, there is the risk that they will view all of the days as vacation time, failing to keep sick employees out of the workplace.

24 life skills every adult should master before turning 30

24 life skills every adult should master before turning 30 24 life skills every adult should master before turning 30 There’s no handbook for adult life.Somehow you’re just supposed to know that you should have more money coming in than going out and you shouldn’t wear a fuzzy orange sweater to a job interview.We’ve put together our own handbook of sorts for anyone transitioning from their 20s to their 30s, which lists many of the skills you’ll need to survive as an adult in the modern world.It’s based on the Quora thread, “What are some of the most useful skills to know?” as well as scientific research and expert opinion.Ladders is now on SmartNews!Download the SmartNews app and add the Ladders channel to read the latest career news and advice wherever you go.We can’t promise we’ve outlined every skill, but if you’ve mastered these, you’re off to a good start:1. Accepting feedback gracefully“For most of us it is hard to hear how we made a mistake or could have done something better,” writes Quora user Pedram Keyani. “An amazing skill (which you can learn through practi ce) is to set aside your emotional response in the moment and focus on the information presented to you. Some of it will be valid and some of it invalid but let your brain decide that, not your ego.”Depending on what kind of feedback you’re receiving, there are different strategies for responding with a cool head. For example, if your boss points out what she thinks is an error and you’re not sure she’s correct, you can say, “I hadn’t thought of that, and I’m going to look into it right away.”2. Apologizing sincerelyTo err is human - but to craft a believable apology isn’t a universal skill.The apology “needs to be sincere, not qualified, not quantified, and also needs [to] outline how X will not happen again,” Keyani says.According to one CEO, there’s a six-step strategy for successfully saying you’re sorry: Act quickly. Apologize in person. Explain what happened. Show how you are going to avoid the problem in the future. Apologize. Make restitution. Keyani gives an example of what you might say if you were tardy for an appointment:“I’m sorry I was late for the meeting. It must have been frustrating because you spent a lot of time preparing and got up early. I did a poor job accounting for traffic and didn’t give myself enough buffer. That is my bad and I’m going to give myself an extra 10 minutes instead of five moving forward.”3. Managing your time wiselyThere will probably never be a time in your life when you aren’t juggling multiple personal and professional priorities. Time-management skills are a must, unless you want to feel constantly frazzled.Perhaps the most important time-management lesson is that you should stick with one task at a time. Research suggests that multitasking is generally counterproductive because the brain expends energy as it readjusts its focus from one activity to another.You’d be wise, too, to limit the hours you spend working. Decades ago, Henry Ford discovered that productivity star ted to decline after employees logged more than 40 hours per week. Other research suggests that, after three weeks, 60-hour workweeks become less productive.4. Using keyboard shortcuts“Since most of the work we do nowadays involves computers,” says Arpit Jain, “using keyboard shortcuts definitely gives you an edge and saves you a lot of time.”Jain posted a list of some of the handiest shortcuts in her Quora answer. For example, simultaneously pressing the “Alt” and “F4” keys when using Microsoft windows lets you close a selected item or program. Keep the list somewhere close to your computer at work to supercharge your productivity.5. Saying ‘no’ respectfullyMany of us fear the word “no” because we don’t want to let other people down. But when you’re already swamped and your coworker asks you to take an hour to help him with his project report, “yes, of course” might not be the best answer.“It might sound a cliché, but saying NO when needed can sav e you lot of time, confusion, guilt, attachment, commitments, stress and other social evils,” writes Yogi Raj.There’s another Quora thread dedicated to learning how to say “no,” where Eva Glasrud writes, “we routinely overestimate the cost of saying ‘no.'”According to Glasrud, the best way to muster up the confidence to turn down a request is to recognize that “[t]here are some things you can never have back. Your time, your health, your virtue, your life. Don’t mess around with those things. It’s fine for people to ask - most likely, in their mind, they’re trying to help introduce you to a great person or opportunity or meaningful cause. And it’s just as fine for you to say ‘no.'”6. Empathizing with othersA number of Quora users mentioned the importance of learning to empathize with other people - to listen to them and try to see things from their perspective.Psychologists say empathy is a fundamental part of human interaction. In fact, people who lack the ability to empathize and take an interest in other people are often narcissists.7. Communicating through body language“Sometimes your body language tells people everything they need to know before you ever open your mouth,” writes Dean Bokhari.Experts have highlighted specific body language techniques that can make you more likable. For example, don’t break eye contact with your conversation partner, even after they’ve finished speaking. And make sure not to fidget or touch your face too much, which can give the impression that you’re lying or anxious.You can also read other people’s body language to help figure out what they’re thinking and feeling. For example, if they mirror your body language, the conversation is probably going well. If they smile but there are no crinkles around their eyes, they might be faking it.8. Making friends in any environmentMayeesha Tahsin says she thinks of forming relationships as a skill, as opposed to leaving things to chance.Tha t skill is especially important to develop during young adulthood, once you’re off the college campus, where it’s generally easy to forge close friends.One way to make friends as a grown-up is to trade confidences. Research suggests that “self disclosure” predicts liking, closeness, and relationship building. Another, surprisingly simple, tactic is to simply spend more time with the people you’d like to befriend. According to the “mere exposure effect,” we tend to like things and people we’re familiar with.9. Mending your clothesButton popped off your shirt at work? There’s no need to panic if you’re handy with a needle - which you should be.“Learn how to stitch that button to your shirt collar or sew back the tear on your sleeve from the edge of the table,” writes Zehra Alvi. “You will save a lot of money by just knowing how to handle that two-centimeter sword.”10. Speaking a second languageLearning a second language “opens up the mind to an entirely new way of thinking,” says Noe Villela. You’ll notice and appreciate parts of the world you never before experienced.It’s also possible that learning a new language can make you smarter - though the jury is still out on this issue. Some studies have found that being bilingual can improve cognitive skills, but more recent research disputes these findings.One of the best ways to learn a new language is through immersion. Get started with this free online tool that replicates the immersion experience.11. Sticking to a budget“It’s amazing how many people can’t do the simplest of things - like balance a checkbook, fill out a tax form, make sure that there’s more coming in than going out, [set] aside reserves for contingencies,” writes Miles Fidelman.Let’s start with “mak[ing] sure that there’s more coming in than going out,” which is essentially about adhering to a budget. We recently rounded up the best budgeting tips from readers who have shared their budgets with Business Insider.For example, you’ll want to anticipate any major costs in the near future - like if you’re planning to have a kid or go back to school. It’s also wise to set aside an emergency fund with several months’ worth of expenses in case the unexpected occurs.12. Using basic PhotoshopThere’s no need to call in a professional to touch up the headshot you’re posting to your personal website - you can do that yourself, using a few basic Photoshop tools.“In the professional world few things have helped me more than knowing Photoshop,” says Brad Sanzenbacher.13. Spending time aloneAs an adult, you should be able to spend a full day alone without going crazy for want of social interaction.Take a tip from Sanzenbacher, whose partner travels often for grad school:“I approach being alone with a very specific list of things that only I want to do. I go to weird museums, see movies that only I want to see, take mini-road trips, or see bands that only I like.” If you’re planning to live alone, which many Americans do today, you should accept that you will occasionally feel lonely. It’s nothing to be ashamed of or upset by, but it might be a signal that you should incorporate some more socializing into your daily schedule.14. Public speakingYou may not ever be required to perform in a Superbowl halftime show, but you’ll almost certainly be tasked with making presentations at work. For that reason, it’s important to hone your public speaking skills.“[T]he ability to speak confidently to a large mass of people is a skill to be learnt,” writes Ramachandra Bhakta in a since-deleted answer. “It makes a lasting impression and brings you to the notice of several people at once.”If the mere prospect of walking your coworkers through a Powerpoint gives you nightmares, there are strategies to quell your fear. One research-backed tactic is to reframe your anxiety as excitement, which can make you seem more competent and persuasive.15. NegotiatingSeveral Quora users cited negotiation skills as important for any professional.If you’re negotiating your salary (which you should do), the best strategy both for getting what you want and still coming off as friendly is to ask for a range including and above your target number. For example, if you’re aiming for a $100,000 salary, you’d suggest a $100,000 to $120,000 salary.Another trick is to frame your proposal in terms of what you’re giving the other person as opposed to what they’re losing. So instead of saying, “I want $10,000 for my car,” you’d say, “I’ll give you my car for $10,000.”16. Cooking basic mealsYou don’t need to be Julia Child to sustain yourself, or to impress fellow guests at a potluck.“Know how to cook at least five dishes,” writes Erin Nakano O’Quinn. “These are likely to be dependent upon the culture you live in, but be able to cook at least one vegetarian dish, a breakfast dish, a dish that you can serve to a group of people, a dessert, and a starch. Try to be able to do these without a cookbook, and you can look like a rockstar wherever you go.”17. Making small talkConversation skills always come in handy, whether you’re chatting up cuties at your local bar or networking at a professional conference.One of the most important rules of making small talk is to demonstrate interest in your conversation partner and let him share information about himself. Another tactic is to flatter your partner, so that she feels better about herself after having spoken to you.18. Backing up your electronicsHaving your phone die or your computer stolen is nerve-wracking enough. Saying goodbye to all your important information with those gadgets is even worse.Be responsible and back up your data. We’ve rounded up all the tools you’ll need.19. Asking for helpThere’s nothing shameful about asking for a little advice or assistance, especially at work.In fact, research suggests that soliciting advice can ma ke you look more competent. That’s likely because people feel flattered that you turned to them in the first place.If you’re looking for general career advice, entrepreneur and author Tim Ferriss told Inc., it’s best to ask someone who became successful quickly and against the odds, instead of someone with a more conventional story.20. Picking up a dateApproaching an attractive stranger and starting a conversation is a terrifying prospect for pretty much every normal person.But there are ways to reduce both your anxiety and the chance that you’ll come across as a bumbling fool.One study found that men tend to prefer direct approaches, like “You’re cute - can I buy you a drink?” Women, on the other hand, generally prefer more open-ended questions, like “What do you think of this band?”Very few people in the study said they preferred standard pick-up lines - so it’s best to avoid those, no matter how clever you think you are.21. Dressing appropriately for a job i nterviewWe’re not supposed to judge books by their covers, but it’s no secret that hiring managers judge job candidates by their appearance.So avoid wearing too much makeup and definitely don’t show up wearing a hat. Instead, you’ll want to dress relatively conservatively. Even your shoes should be clean and tidy.The color of your clothes matters, too: According to a CareerBuilder survey, blue and black are the best colors to wear to a job interview, while orange is the worst.22. Waking up on timeIn college, rolling out of bed five minutes before class starts and showing up late because you stopped to get a latte is (sort of) understandable.In the professional world? Not so much. Pull it together and figure out a personal strategy for getting up and out the door on time.It really starts with your nighttime routine - so try doing something relaxing like taking a hot shower or meditating before bed.In the morning, experts generally advise against hitting “snooze” and goin g back to sleep. Instead, hit the snooze button once and use the time until your alarm goes off again to turn on a lamp and do some light stretching.23. Giving a good handshakeOne poll found that 70% of people don’t feel confident in their ability to give a proper handshake.But when you meet your company’s CEO for the first time, you don’t want to present her with a limp noodle - especially since a weak handshake suggests that you’re insecure.The best shaking strategy is to get a good grip, with your elbow nearing a right angle. Be sure to smile and make eye contact as well.24. Power nappingYou’ve heard it a thousand times: Most people need seven to eight hours of sleep a night.But pressing work deadlines, family obligations, and the siren call of your Facebook newsfeed mean that you probably don’t get as much sleep as you need.Enter the power nap. It’s just 10 minutes long and you sit slightly upright, so that you don’t wake up groggy from a deep sleep. This brief rest period can leave you feeling refreshed and alert.This article first appeared on Business Insider. 24 life skills every adult should master before turning 30 There’s no handbook for adult life.Somehow you’re just supposed to know that you should have more money coming in than going out and you shouldn’t wear a fuzzy orange sweater to a job interview.We’ve put together our own handbook of sorts for anyone transitioning from their 20s to their 30s, which lists many of the skills you’ll need to survive as an adult in the modern world.It’s based on the Quora thread, “What are some of the most useful skills to know?” as well as scientific research and expert opinion.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!We can’t promise we’ve outlined every skill, but if you’ve mastered these, you’re off to a good start:1. Accepting feedback gracefully“For most of us it is hard to hear how we made a mistake or could have done something better,” writes Quora user Pedram Keyani. “An amazing skill (which you can learn through pra ctice) is to set aside your emotional response in the moment and focus on the information presented to you. Some of it will be valid and some of it invalid but let your brain decide that, not your ego.”Depending on what kind of feedback you’re receiving, there are different strategies for responding with a cool head. For example, if your boss points out what she thinks is an error and you’re not sure she’s correct, you can say, “I hadn’t thought of that, and I’m going to look into it right away.”2. Apologizing sincerelyTo err is human - but to craft a believable apology isn’t a universal skill.The apology “needs to be sincere, not qualified, not quantified, and also needs [to] outline how X will not happen again,” Keyani says.According to one CEO, there’s a six-step strategy for successfully saying you’re sorry: Act quickly. Apologize in person. Explain what happened. Show how you are going to avoid the problem in the future. Apologize. Make restitution. Keyani gives an example of what you might say if you were tardy for an appointment:“I’m sorry I was late for the meeting. It must have been frustrating because you spent a lot of time preparing and got up early. I did a poor job accounting for traffic and didn’t give myself enough buffer. That is my bad and I’m going to give myself an extra 10 minutes instead of five moving forward.”3. Managing your time wiselyThere will probably never be a time in your life when you aren’t juggling multiple personal and professional priorities. Time-management skills are a must, unless you want to feel constantly frazzled.Perhaps the most important time-management lesson is that you should stick with one task at a time. Research suggests that multitasking is generally counterproductive because the brain expends energy as it readjusts its focus from one activity to another.You’d be wise, too, to limit the hours you spend working. Decades ago, Henry Ford discovered that productivity star ted to decline after employees logged more than 40 hours per week. Other research suggests that, after three weeks, 60-hour workweeks become less productive.4. Using keyboard shortcuts“Since most of the work we do nowadays involves computers,” says Arpit Jain, “using keyboard shortcuts definitely gives you an edge and saves you a lot of time.”Jain posted a list of some of the handiest shortcuts in her Quora answer. For example, simultaneously pressing the “Alt” and “F4” keys when using Microsoft windows lets you close a selected item or program. Keep the list somewhere close to your computer at work to supercharge your productivity.5. Saying ‘no’ respectfullyMany of us fear the word “no” because we don’t want to let other people down. But when you’re already swamped and your coworker asks you to take an hour to help him with his project report, “yes, of course” might not be the best answer.“It might sound a cliché, but saying NO when needed can sav e you lot of time, confusion, guilt, attachment, commitments, stress and other social evils,” writes Yogi Raj.There’s another Quora thread dedicated to learning how to say “no,” where Eva Glasrud writes, “we routinely overestimate the cost of saying ‘no.'”According to Glasrud, the best way to muster up the confidence to turn down a request is to recognize that “[t]here are some things you can never have back. Your time, your health, your virtue, your life. Don’t mess around with those things. It’s fine for people to ask - most likely, in their mind, they’re trying to help introduce you to a great person or opportunity or meaningful cause. And it’s just as fine for you to say ‘no.'”6. Empathizing with othersA number of Quora users mentioned the importance of learning to empathize with other people - to listen to them and try to see things from their perspective.Psychologists say empathy is a fundamental part of human interaction. In fact, people who lack the ability to empathize and take an interest in other people are often narcissists.7. Communicating through body language“Sometimes your body language tells people everything they need to know before you ever open your mouth,” writes Dean Bokhari.Experts have highlighted specific body language techniques that can make you more likable. For example, don’t break eye contact with your conversation partner, even after they’ve finished speaking. And make sure not to fidget or touch your face too much, which can give the impression that you’re lying or anxious.You can also read other people’s body language to help figure out what they’re thinking and feeling. For example, if they mirror your body language, the conversation is probably going well. If they smile but there are no crinkles around their eyes, they might be faking it.8. Making friends in any environmentMayeesha Tahsin says she thinks of forming relationships as a skill, as opposed to leaving things to chance.Tha t skill is especially important to develop during young adulthood, once you’re off the college campus, where it’s generally easy to forge close friends.One way to make friends as a grown-up is to trade confidences. Research suggests that “self disclosure” predicts liking, closeness, and relationship building. Another, surprisingly simple, tactic is to simply spend more time with the people you’d like to befriend. According to the “mere exposure effect,” we tend to like things and people we’re familiar with.9. Mending your clothesButton popped off your shirt at work? There’s no need to panic if you’re handy with a needle - which you should be.“Learn how to stitch that button to your shirt collar or sew back the tear on your sleeve from the edge of the table,” writes Zehra Alvi. “You will save a lot of money by just knowing how to handle that two-centimeter sword.”10. Speaking a second languageLearning a second language “opens up the mind to an entirely new way of thinking,” says Noe Villela. You’ll notice and appreciate parts of the world you never before experienced.It’s also possible that learning a new language can make you smarter - though the jury is still out on this issue. Some studies have found that being bilingual can improve cognitive skills, but more recent research disputes these findings.One of the best ways to learn a new language is through immersion. Get started with this free online tool that replicates the immersion experience.11. Sticking to a budget“It’s amazing how many people can’t do the simplest of things - like balance a checkbook, fill out a tax form, make sure that there’s more coming in than going out, [set] aside reserves for contingencies,” writes Miles Fidelman.Let’s start with “mak[ing] sure that there’s more coming in than going out,” which is essentially about adhering to a budget. We recently rounded up the best budgeting tips from readers who have shared their budgets with Business Insider.For example, you’ll want to anticipate any major costs in the near future - like if you’re planning to have a kid or go back to school. It’s also wise to set aside an emergency fund with several months’ worth of expenses in case the unexpected occurs.12. Using basic PhotoshopThere’s no need to call in a professional to touch up the headshot you’re posting to your personal website - you can do that yourself, using a few basic Photoshop tools.“In the professional world few things have helped me more than knowing Photoshop,” says Brad Sanzenbacher.13. Spending time aloneAs an adult, you should be able to spend a full day alone without going crazy for want of social interaction.Take a tip from Sanzenbacher, whose partner travels often for grad school:“I approach being alone with a very specific list of things that only I want to do. I go to weird museums, see movies that only I want to see, take mini-road trips, or see bands that only I like.” If you’re planning to live alone, which many Americans do today, you should accept that you will occasionally feel lonely. It’s nothing to be ashamed of or upset by, but it might be a signal that you should incorporate some more socializing into your daily schedule.14. Public speakingYou may not ever be required to perform in a Superbowl halftime show, but you’ll almost certainly be tasked with making presentations at work. For that reason, it’s important to hone your public speaking skills.“[T]he ability to speak confidently to a large mass of people is a skill to be learnt,” writes Ramachandra Bhakta in a since-deleted answer. “It makes a lasting impression and brings you to the notice of several people at once.”If the mere prospect of walking your coworkers through a Powerpoint gives you nightmares, there are strategies to quell your fear. One research-backed tactic is to reframe your anxiety as excitement, which can make you seem more competent and persuasive.15. NegotiatingSeveral Quora users cited negotiation skills as important for any professional.If you’re negotiating your salary (which you should do), the best strategy both for getting what you want and still coming off as friendly is to ask for a range including and above your target number. For example, if you’re aiming for a $100,000 salary, you’d suggest a $100,000 to $120,000 salary.Another trick is to frame your proposal in terms of what you’re giving the other person as opposed to what they’re losing. So instead of saying, “I want $10,000 for my car,” you’d say, “I’ll give you my car for $10,000.”16. Cooking basic mealsYou don’t need to be Julia Child to sustain yourself, or to impress fellow guests at a potluck.“Know how to cook at least five dishes,” writes Erin Nakano O’Quinn. “These are likely to be dependent upon the culture you live in, but be able to cook at least one vegetarian dish, a breakfast dish, a dish that you can serve to a group of people, a dessert, and a starch. Try to be able to do these without a cookbook, and you can look like a rockstar wherever you go.”17. Making small talkConversation skills always come in handy, whether you’re chatting up cuties at your local bar or networking at a professional conference.One of the most important rules of making small talk is to demonstrate interest in your conversation partner and let him share information about himself. Another tactic is to flatter your partner, so that she feels better about herself after having spoken to you.18. Backing up your electronicsHaving your phone die or your computer stolen is nerve-wracking enough. Saying goodbye to all your important information with those gadgets is even worse.Be responsible and back up your data. We’ve rounded up all the tools you’ll need.19. Asking for helpThere’s nothing shameful about asking for a little advice or assistance, especially at work.In fact, research suggests that soliciting advice can ma ke you look more competent. That’s likely because people feel flattered that you turned to them in the first place.If you’re looking for general career advice, entrepreneur and author Tim Ferriss told Inc., it’s best to ask someone who became successful quickly and against the odds, instead of someone with a more conventional story.20. Picking up a dateApproaching an attractive stranger and starting a conversation is a terrifying prospect for pretty much every normal person.But there are ways to reduce both your anxiety and the chance that you’ll come across as a bumbling fool.One study found that men tend to prefer direct approaches, like “You’re cute - can I buy you a drink?” Women, on the other hand, generally prefer more open-ended questions, like “What do you think of this band?”Very few people in the study said they preferred standard pick-up lines - so it’s best to avoid those, no matter how clever you think you are.21. Dressing appropriately for a job i nterviewWe’re not supposed to judge books by their covers, but it’s no secret that hiring managers judge job candidates by their appearance.So avoid wearing too much makeup and definitely don’t show up wearing a hat. Instead, you’ll want to dress relatively conservatively. Even your shoes should be clean and tidy.The color of your clothes matters, too: According to a CareerBuilder survey, blue and black are the best colors to wear to a job interview, while orange is the worst.22. Waking up on timeIn college, rolling out of bed five minutes before class starts and showing up late because you stopped to get a latte is (sort of) understandable.In the professional world? Not so much. Pull it together and figure out a personal strategy for getting up and out the door on time.It really starts with your nighttime routine - so try doing something relaxing like taking a hot shower or meditating before bed.In the morning, experts generally advise against hitting “snooze” and goin g back to sleep. Instead, hit the snooze button once and use the time until your alarm goes off again to turn on a lamp and do some light stretching.23. Giving a good handshakeOne poll found that 70% of people don’t feel confident in their ability to give a proper handshake.But when you meet your company’s CEO for the first time, you don’t want to present her with a limp noodle - especially since a weak handshake suggests that you’re insecure.The best shaking strategy is to get a good grip, with your elbow nearing a right angle. Be sure to smile and make eye contact as well.24. Power nappingYou’ve heard it a thousand times: Most people need seven to eight hours of sleep a night.But pressing work deadlines, family obligations, and the siren call of your Facebook newsfeed mean that you probably don’t get as much sleep as you need.Enter the power nap. It’s just 10 minutes long and you sit slightly upright, so that you don’t wake up groggy from a deep sleep. This brief rest period can leave you feeling refreshed and alert.This article first appeared on Business Insider.You might also enjoy… New neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happy Strangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin’s daily schedule that will double your productivity The worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs 10 habits of mentally strong people

FREE Webinar How to Job Search in 2013

FREE Webinar How to Job Search in 2013 FREE Webinar How to Job Search in 2013 FREE Webinar: 2013 State of the Job Search Presenter: Kevin Kermes, Founder and Editor of Career Attraction. Kevin Kermes is career management expert whose advice has been featured by the Wall Street Journal, Yahoo! Careers, the Military Times, and other outlets. A reformed headhunter, talent acquisition consultant and former Infantry Offer, Kevin offers insights, advice and hacks to help you get ahead both in career and life. We are thrilled to have Kevin deliver an assessment of the 2013 Job Search landscape â€" EXCLUSIVELY for. Hell provide actionable advice to accelerate your search, while pointing out pitfalls and disturbing trends to avoid. Read Kevins great guest blog post, Cover Letter Writing: Perfect the Art. Date and Time: Tuesday, April 23rd at 1pm Eastern Time (U.S.) Topics: Unemployment numbers don’t tell the real story…where you need to look and, more importantly, what you can do about it How conventional wisdom is sabotaging your search by making you a commodity versus a “MUST HIRE TODAY!” Why most “expert advice” on using social media is making your search more difficult How to shift the way you find new jobs so you stand out from the crowd and even create opportunities for yourself!  Space is limited, register for the 2013 State of the Job Search today!

Hydraulic Fracturing Mature Technology Modern Marvel

Hydraulic Fracturing Mature Technology Modern Marvel Hydraulic Fracturing Mature Technology Modern Marvel Most people are surprised to learn that hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is fairly old technology. Its been around since the 1940s, actually. Today it is a household word, thanks to its prevalent and controversial use in recovering oil and gas from deep shale deposits in the continental U.S. These unconventional reserves consist of petrocarbons trapped in tight shale rock, often miles below the surface, essentially out of reach until the 1980s, when horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing were successfully combined to make it technologically and economically viable to exploit deep oil shale. As a result, says Michael Economides, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineeringat University of Houston, shale rock has been transformed from being seen as a barrier rock between lackluster formations to becoming a target rock that contains massive quantities of trapped gas. And what a transformation it has been. In 2005, for example, 19 million cubic feet of gas was produced in the U.S., about the same amount the country produced in 1968. In 2012 that number was 25 million cubic feet, a new national record and more gas than any other country produced that year. About 80% of Americas gas industry exists because of the success of hydraulic fracturing. So what is it, exactly? Hydraulic fracturing is the process by which water, sand, and chemicals are injected, under high pressure, into deep shale deposits through a previously drilled well, fracturing the surrounding sedimentary rock and releasing trapped oil and gas. Particles of sand hold the fractures open to allow the hydrocarbons to flow freely to the surface. Recovering gas and oil through hydraulic fracturing is actually a two-step process: The well is drilled first, followed by hydraulic fracturing. The time-consuming part is drilling and prepping the hole; hydraulic fracturing typically takes only three to ten days, after which oil and gas can be recovered for years. Horizontal drilling (bottom image) helps consolidate gas wells onto one small pad site, reducing the number of roads and pipelines needed to service dozens of wells. Horizontal Drilling Typically the oil-bearing shale is a gently dipping formation thousands of feet below the surface. Horizontal drilling starts with a vertical hole that stays vertical until it hits the shale horizon, at which point it is turned 90 degrees to follow the center of the oil-bearing rock. Drill steel is surprisingly flexible. All it takes is a short radius of 20 to 45 feet to start a horizontal well from the bottom of a vertical well. Increasingly sophisticated rotary steerable systems, combined with logging-while-drilling tools, help engineers accurately steer the well path in real time to keep it within the target formation. Horizontal wells can extend up to a mile or more from the vertical part of the well. Blasting the Pipe The next step involves setting off high-order explosives to fracture the shale along the productive sections of the well. This involves blasting holes through the steel casing and cement and into surrounding rocka high-precision affair that lasts only a few seconds. A carrying device transports the carefully calculated and spaced explosive charges down the hole, where they are detonated at precise locations to create the first fracture patterns in the shale. Perforating guns deliver tremendous high-velocity pressure waves that travel up to 7,000 m/s and exert as much as 103 GPa. Hydrofracturing Hydrofracturing can now begin. Pump trucks deliver a highly pressurized solution down the drill hole that is 99.5% water and sand; the remaining half a percent consists of anti-bacterial compounds (bacteria can corrode pipes and reduce production) and other additives that change the surface tension of the water so it is easier to pump down the hole. Under this extreme pressure of up to 20,000 psi the fluids fill or enlarge the perforation cracks that can extend several hundred feet away from the well. The sand grains become wedged in the fractures, keeping them open when the pumping pressure is reduced. After fracturing is completed, the internal pressure of the geologic formation causes the fluids to rise to the surface, bringing along oil and gas, which are then separated. The well will typically produce oil and/or gas without further stimulation for many years. Modeling Matters Many key advances in drilling and hydrofracturing have resulted from sophisticated modeling programs. Hydrofracturing is really a study in applied fracture mechanics, states Ron Dusterhoft, a mechanical engineer and Technology Fellow with Halliburton in Houston. This is an exciting field because we are looking at the intersection of fluid dynamics and complex fracturing dynamics. Dusterhoft is serious about modeling; his production-enhancement group includes nine Ph.D. mathematicians. So is Mukul M. Sharma, professor of petroleum, geosystems, and chemical engineering at the University of Texas, Austin. His research group uses modeling to study fracture growth, the coupling of pore pressure effects with geomechanical effects, and better methods for fluid placement. Modeling allows us to see the interaction between multiple fractures in multiple wells in a single pad location through the use of tracers and microseismic data, he says. Combine this with geomechanical modeling and the picture becomes even clearer. Before we had these tools we had very little idea where the fractures were actually going. Mark Crawford is an independent writer. Register here for a free webinar on hydraulic fracturing. For Further Discussion This is an exciting field because we are looking at the intersection of fluid dynamics and complex fracturing dynamics.Ron Dusterhoft, Halliburton

Why Higher Education Still Matters

Why Higher Education Still Matters Why Higher Education Still Matters However, in recent times, many have questioned the importance of higher education.  The reasons for this doubt are varied: some are skeptical that higher education will do them much good in their careers, some are afraid of the costs involved, and some are not sure whether the investment of time and finances will really pay off. The truth is simple: despite what you may have heard, higher education is too important to miss. Heres why: Get an Edge Over the Competition In todays world, competition is all around us. From jobs to social status, every person is competing with everyone else. Higher education is the most important tool you can have in your arsenal to stay ahead. It opens up  important ways for you to advance yourself, both personally and professionally. Find Employment Thanks to the rapidly changing global economy and the development of technology, finding and maintaining employment has become more challenging and demanding in the last several years. Employers no longer look for simple manpower; they look for knowledge  and skills, much of which you can only attain through rigorous schooling. Higher education will make you stand out among all the other job candidates. The more educated you are, the better your chances of landing a great job. Better Understand the World Around You We live in complicated, nuanced times. Higher education teaches you the mental techniques you need to navigate this world successfully. If you plan to become an entrepreneur or a businessman, you wont get very far unless you know how to think outside the box and handles complex situations. Higher education teachers you how to do just that. Pursue the Path You Want To The biggest advantage of pursuing higher studies is that you can walk the career path of your choice. Attending college gives you choices. You dont have to settle for a job you can get; you can chase after the job you truly want with your degree in hand. You Need Higher Education but How Do You Choose What to Study? Important as it is, higher education  can also be confusing. With so many majors, programs, and areas of study out there, many students feel overwhelmed when it comes time to choose an educational path. Some believe that they should pursue a course of study that will enable them to earn more money, while others choose programs based on well-meaning, but one-sided advice from parents, teachers, and friends. Students shouldnt choose their programs or their attendant careers based on mere whims or questionable advice. They should select the study and life paths that align with their passions and goals. They need to think long, hard, and carefully about it. For students in need of some direction, a career counselor may be the right way to go. Career counselors use a wide range of techniques to determine which career will be suitable for a particular student. They measure the aptitude of a student and gauge their interests in various areas. Based on their findings, career counselors can suggest career paths that may be right for a student. They can also help the students in developing educational plans that will lead them to the perfect professional life. - Higher education is important but its even more important to make sure that you choose the  right  higher education path for you. The wrong choice may result in not only wasted years, but also serious debts with nothing to show for them. On the contrary, the right choice will ensure not only your personal development, but also your continued satisfaction for years to come.

Top 12 Worst Jobs in America

Top 12 Worst Jobs in America Top 12 Worst Jobs in America Which are the worst jobs to work at? The answer, as with  best jobs lists, is that it depends. What might sound like a horrible job to one person, might not seem so bad to someone else.  There are other factors than the job responsibilities to consider when you’re evaluating occupations. There are jobs that don’t pay well. There are also jobs where the projected hiring of new employees is expected to decline. Health and safety are also factors to consider. Some occupations are much more stressful than others. The risk of getting hurt, or even killed, is much higher in occupations  designated as dangerous. A high-stress job combined with low pay or a poor safety rating isn’t going to be a good option for most people. There are some industries where the job outlook is worse than others and wage growth is low. Everyone’s experience differs, of course, but these are some of the jobs you may not want to consider if you’re exploring career options or a change in your  career path. 12 Worst Jobs Here’s a list of some of the worst jobs in America, in alphabetical order, based on salary, benefits, job opportunities, and worker health and safety concerns. 1. Assembly Worker Assembly workers fit together the component parts of a product or segment of a product using tools, machines, and their hands.   Factors Impacting RatingAccidents and injuries are fairly common in production facilities. Tasks can be very repetitive, adding to the stress level of workers. Jobs are expected to decline by 14% percent from 2016 through 2026 due to increased automation and outsourcing of production to countries with lower labor costs and environmental standards. About the Job: Assembly Worker Job Description     2. Bank Teller Bank tellers assist patrons with deposits and withdrawals, cash checks, reconcile balances, and communicate information about fees, policies and bank services. Factors Impacting RatingBank teller jobs are projected to decline by 8 percent from 2016 through 2026 due to the increase in mobile and online banking and the use of ATMs. Wages are low, averaging about $13.52 per hour and many jobs are part-time without benefits. About the Job:  Bank Teller Job Description 3. Coal Miner Coal miners extract coal from underground mines or participate in strip mining activities. They dig tunnels, operate machinery, transport coal out of the mines, and secure the mines. Factors Impacting RatingA shift to cleaner fuels due to climate change and pollution concerns has limited mining industry opportunities. Health and safety risks due to exposure to fumes, mine collapses, and other accidents diminish the appeal of this occupation. Mine workers are more likely to be killed or to incur a non-fatal injury or illness, and their injuries are more likely to be severe than workers in private industry as a whole, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. About the Job:  The Most Common Mining Accidents 4. Farm Worker Farm workers cultivate and fertilize fields, plant and harvest crops, and operate farm machinery. They convey harvested crops to storage areas. Factors Impacting RatingMany farm jobs are seasonal and carry limited benefits and low pay ($11.41 per hour). Consolidation of farms into large, automated operations has limited opportunities with a projected 0% increase in jobs from 2016-2026. Long hours in often unpleasant weather conditions are negative factors for farm workers. About the Job:  Farm Worker Job Description       5. Fast Food and Short Order Cook Fast food and short order cooks prepare meals for patrons of fast food establishments, diners, and other non-premium eateries. Factors Impacting RatingCooks often work long hours and have frequent evening and weekend shifts. Kitchens can be overheated, and burns, cuts, and minor accidents are common. Wages are low, averaging $11.52 per hour and job growth is expected to be only 6% from 2016-2026. About the Job:  Fast Food Worker Job Description 6. Fishing Worker Fishing Workers prepare and maintain poles, nets, and other fishing gear. They catch, extract, and store fish. Fishers unload their catch upon return to the docks. Factors Impacting RatingFishers experience one of the highest rates of fatalities among all classes of workers. They must stay at sea, away from loved ones for extended periods, and withstand adverse weather and sea conditions. Depleted supplies of fish in many waters add an element of uncertainty regarding the success of expeditions. Low pay, averaging $13.72 per hour does little to offset the risk factors associated with this line of work. About the Job:  Commercial Fisherman Job Description 7. Logger Logging workers cut down trees, operate machinery to transport logs, cut logs into desired lengths, and maintain equipment. Factors Impacting RatingLogging jobs are expected to decrease by 13 percent from 2016 through 2026 due to international competition, lands designated for conservation and depleted forest lands. Accidents and job-related injuries are constant threats to worker health and safety. Loggers often work in isolated locations and in adverse weather conditions. About the Job:  Logger Job Description 8. Medical Transcriptionist Medical transcriptionists convert recordings of patient interactions by physicians and other healthcare professionals to written documents. They interpret medical terms and abbreviations. Factors Impacting RatingOpportunities are expected to decline by 3 percent from 2016 through 2026 due to productivity gains and an increase in direct recording of case notes by physicians. Salaries are relatively low, averaging $16.95 per hour. About the Job:  Medical Transcriptionist Job Description 9. Newspaper Reporter Newspaper reporters research and write stories about local, regional, and national events.   Factors Impacting Rating Print media opportunities are expected to decline by 9 percent from 2016 through 2026 due to a shift to online media. Salaries are relatively low, averaging $35,130 per year. Deadline pressure and depleted staffing add to job stress. Opportunities often require relocation to areas that may not be appealing to candidates.  About the Job: Newspaper Reporter Job Description 10. Postal Service Worker Postal workers sort and deliver the mail and assist post office patrons with their mailing needs. Factors Impacting RatingAutomated bill paying and the increase in electronic mail have reduced opportunities to work with the post service. The BLS estimates a 13 percent decline in jobs from 2016 to 2026. Delivery workers must cope with adverse weather conditions, expanded territories, and close monitoring of productivity.     About the Job:  Post Office Jobs 11. Retail Sales Associate Retail sales associates stock and display merchandise, advise customers, promote products, and process transactions. Factors Impacting RatingRetail employees are often asked to work evenings, weekends and holidays. Many positions are part-time and do not carry benefits. Pay is low, averaging $11.24 per hour. Job growth is expected to be lower than average from 2016-2026, only 2%.The rise in online shopping has reduced the number of jobs available at some stores. About the Job:  Retail Sales Associate Job Description 12. Taxi Driver Taxi drivers transport customers to airports and other destinations. They collect fares and conduct conversations with passengers. Factors Impacting Rating Taxi drivers must cope with the stress of traffic and are confronted with the potential danger of accidents. The emergence of driving services like Uber and Lyft have made it more challenging for full-time taxi drivers to earn a good living. Wages averaged only $11.96 per hour in May 2017.   About the Job:  Taxi Driver Job Description Projected growth and occupational data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Twitter and Your Job Search How to Filter the Noise

Twitter and Your Job Search How to Filter the Noise Twitter and Your Job Search How to Filter the Noise You want to get ‘out there,’ but you’re not interested in an onslaught of annoying messages. No fear. Use these 12 resources to cut through the clutter, fast.I recently watched a documentary called “Hear and Now” about a deaf couple who decides to get cochlear implants at the age of 65.I couldn’t help but compare this couple’s frustration to the frustration many job seekers feel when they try to incorporate the microblogging tool Twitter into their job searches.While the surgery allows the characters in the movie to hear, they are unable to process what they hear, and they find it difficult to translate the words they hear into their intended meaning. They can still only read lips, as they have been doing for 65 years, in order to follow a conversation.Twitter can help job seekers “hear” multiple short messages (known as “tweets”) about job-search strategies and job leads, but it can sometimes be quite difficult to process so much information and figure out what to pay attention to and what to block out.Unfortunately, many abandon Twitter quickly if they can’t get the hang of it and end up not taking advantage of what could be an excellent tool for complementing their job search. Below are some tools to help you better manage your Twitter account and remove some of the frustration that using it may provoke.Research Twitter Search is like Google for Twitter. Put in any search term and see what’s being discussed on Twitter.Tweetscan works like Google alerts and searches tweets based on keywords.Twist allows you to view popular trends discussed on Twitter or show more recent tweets on a particular topic.Twubble lets you search who your friends are following and pick out others you may want to follow.Twemes follows tweets that have embedded tags that start with a # character. This is particularly useful for keeping up with real-time activities associated with a live event such as a conference.Twitterholic lists the top 100 Twitters based on number of followers.These tools can help you locate other like-minded people who are discussing topics that interest you. They can also help you come up with content for your own tweets and find more people to follow and build community with.Organization/Time management Tweetdeck is a personal browser for staying on top of your tweets and peeps and connecting you with your contacts across Facebook and Twitter.Tweetake allows you to backup your Twitter followers, favorites, direct messages, friends and tweets.My Tweeple lets you alphabetize and manage your followers. You can easily locate and follow others and block followers.TwitterSnooze lets you block tweets temporarily from your “verbose” Twitter friends.TweetLater preps you to schedule tweets for future release, automatically follow new users and send automated thank you notes to new followers.Twitsay lets you leave a voice message that is converted into a tweet.Twitter can get very crowded and very noisy very quickly. These tools are great for creating efficiencies and ensuring that you are using Twitter to optimize its value rather than rob you of critical job-search time.