Sexual Harassment… An Article I Read

In the business world of today, sexual harassment against women in the workplace is still a controversial topic. This article is based around sexual harassment and how it has evolved out of a stereotypical definition. However, “Sexual harassment is broadening to include harassment of men by women, homosexual harassment and even more recently, incidents involving harassment of workers by customers or clientele, commonly known as third-party harassment.” (Mauricio Velasquez, New Era in Sexual Harassment). In order to battle this, companies have created sexual harassment policies in response to the court’s treatment of Sexual Harassment complaints.

This article explains how the how sexual harassment has changed over the past few years. The reading explains that “Sexual harassment is broadening to include harassment of men by women, homosexual harassment and even more recently, incidents involving harassment of workers by customers or clientele, commonly known as third-party harassment.” (Mauricio Velasquez, New Era in Sexual Harassment).

Also, how these incidents are being treated. Procedures for dealing with harassment cases should be consistent, regardless of gender or status. Employers are responsible for the conduct of supervisors and managers. Employers also have a responsibility to protect their employees from harassment by non-employees.

Velasquez discusses how third party harassment has become more recognized and how companies and practitioners respond to such issues. Third party harassment is committed by clients, customers or vendors. “The law is interpreted to apply only to “employees,” clearly excluding self-employed individuals. This leaves those victims in professional services such as law, accounting, medicine and consulting with no legal recourse.” (Mauricio Velasquez)

The article covers a company’s affect when Upper management investigates and responds quickly to every complaint. Many businesses have found that a company works well when all of the parts are striving towards the same goal. For situations where people are fighting amongst themselves or a person has a grievance against their co-workers, human resource departments feature a variety of remedies to help the process of coping or solving the problem along.

“Companies should not tolerate such behavior from their staff or management at any time and will suffer grave consequences if they choose to ignore complaints and take no action to stop the behaviors.” (Mauricio Velasquez) Sexual harassment today is much easier to do in the workplace with business to business interactions, internet availability, changes in gender roles; however it is also something that has been taken seriously especially in recent decade.

Here is the link to the article itself: http://stopharass.com/article-sexual-harassment.htm

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Budget Building

Projecting cash flow is only part of the battle. After finding a basis for my budget, I followed a simple system to manage my money. I recommend using two different bank accounts to make this work:
The first is your “business” account (without quotes for those of you who actually own businesses), which is where you deposit all of your income. My business account is a high-yield savings.
The second is your personal account, and it’s from this that you’ll pay your ongoing expenses. There’s no need to open a new account if you already have one that will work. I just use my existing credit union checking account.
Every month as you earn income, receive it (and leave it) in your business account. This is where you accumulate your cash. Because it’s in a high-yield savings account, it earns interest as it waits for you to use it. From this money, pay yourself as if you were an employee. Your monthly salary is whatever you calculated as your monthly budget, your minimum monthly income from the past twelve months.
First, you reset your salary. Based on the previous year’s numbers, your income might increase — or it might decrease.

Next, you use the “extra” money you’ve been accumulating in your business account to pay taxes. I could write an entire article on budgeting for taxes with an irregular income, but for now let’s just note that it’s very important that you remember to account for them, especially if nobody else is withholding them from your paycheck.
Finally, if you have anything left after paying taxes, you pull this money out of the business account as personal income. It is, in essence, a year-end bonus. You can use it for whatever you see fit: debt reduction, long-term savings, a Corvette.

Here is  display to better picture how things should come together.

At first glance, this system may seem complex. It’s not. It’s actually very easy. To summarize: I base my budget on my lowest monthly income from the previous year. When money comes in, it sits in a bank account. Each month, I pay myself based on my budgeted amount. The rest of the money is saved.  If there’s any left over at the end of the year, I get a bonus.

Whatever you do, remember: It’s easier to deal with a budget surplus than it is to deal with a budget deficit!
If possible, live off just one income. If you have an irregular income but you have a partner who makes steady money, explore the possibility of living solely on her income. Use your partner’s money to meet the necessities, and use yours to pay for savings and extras. This isn’t an option for most people, but if you can manage it, it’s a great way to budget.

snap shot at risk

You borrow something, let’s say from your neighbor – say a power tool, and at some point you return it. If you did not break it and returned it to its proper owner, next time, your neighbor will lend you the tool more happily. But if you broke it, did not bother to fix it, and returned it, you will make it harder for your neighbor to lend you the tool next time. Your credit works in an almost similar ways.

In essence, a credit score gives a snapshot of your credit risk at any given time. The higher the score, the less risk and more trustworthy you are to the money owner. Lenders, insurers, landlords, employers and utility companies use your credit score to determine if:

-you qualify for a loan,
-at what interest rate and
-at what credit limit.

It helps predict how creditworthy you are. It is weighted even more heavily when you apply for unsecured credit, or credit lines and credit cards that do not require collateral such as a mortgage.

Creditors collect information about you and your credit experience from your credit application and credit report. This information may include:

-Bill-paying history
-The number of accounts you have
-types of accounts you have
-Late payments
-If you have applied for new credit recently
-Outstanding debt
-How long you have had existing accounts
-Collection action
– any history of bankruptcy

Creditors can compare your information to the credit performance of consumers with similar profiles.

In a summary
Generally, negative information remains on your credit report for about 7 years, while bankruptcy filings typically stay for about 10. A negative rating can make it more difficult to get loans or credit, and often mean you will pay more interest because lenders consider you a high risk. However, taking steps to improve your score can help you qualify for better rates from lenders. To learn about these steps, please refer to my posts!

Thanks

Reasons people have to not leave a bank

With all the bad press and negative comments made about big banks, from the financial collapse and bailout through the latest round of fee increases, you’d think big bank customers would be fighting each other to push through the doors of community banks and credit unions.

I hear my people complain about the fact that they are still involved with a bank that they hate, yet keep justifying why they need to stay. This is what I have found.

My top five reasons why big bank customers are afraid or nervous to move their accounts to community financial institutions.

Extensive ATM Networks — The customers claim the smaller institutions don’t give them enough convenient access to their money. If your bank or credit union is part of an ATM network, you can see how important it is to get that fact in front of the public. If you have free ATMs or rebate ATM fees, be sure you point out those facts.

Easy Online Banking and Automatic Bill Pay — This one stumps me. Smaller institutions don’t sit with a hammer and chiseller to create statements. Sure, there might still be some online banking systems that aren’t as user-friendly, but I can’t see how big banks have an edge in online access and convenience over the majority of community institutions. Point out your abilities in your marketing materials and, especially, on your website.

More Locations — Most people choose a financial institution based on geographic affinity to the location. Close to home. Close to work. Along the commute. So arguing that a community institution doesn’t have enough locations seems like a bogus claim. But apparently, it exists. How do you counter it? Show all your locations on your website, for instance. Include a list in your marketing materials, or show a number, like “10 locations in the your area,” if space is short. If your credit union is a member of a shared network, point out the fact.

Lack of Services — Small business owners, to use one example I saw, say smaller institutions don’t have transaction services comparable to big banks. Other consumers simply think smaller institutions don’t offer as many services, although my guess is they never checked. Your acquisition promotions should include information about the benefits (services) your institution offers. Make sure you show your services on your website and point out what each includes.

It’s a Hassle — This may be the most precise reason of all, I think, and people make up other excuses so it doesn’t sound like they’re lazy. Anyway, these customers complain they need to switch their automatic payments, their debit card and credit card information with vendors, their bill pay data, and so on. Obviously, you promote your switch kit and the fact your staff will help, and even make the changes for these people. Offer to close the account at the big bank so they don’t need to — and avoid second thoughts.

It’s not impossible to overcome these reasons. Also, not every big bank customer will be bothered by these issues. But take steps to assure prospects that you offer them as much as the big banks…and maybe more.

4 Tips for the Holidays

4 Tips to Save this Holiday Season

Every holiday season, consumers find a way to spend than they ever wanted to by the end of the year. Some fall victim to the power of the “deal”, others are just tired of waiting to buy their item later, and all of these people complain about the debt they are in long after the buy.

“As we approach the 2011 winter holidays – the fourth straight season set against a condition of economic uncertainly – Americans remain fixated on finances: their own and that of the nation,” said Tod Marks, Consumer Reports senior editor and resident shopping expert. “So it’s not surprising that people are even more intent on watching their dollars, shopping on a set budget and, of course, bargain-hunting.”

Tips to help you stay on budget this holiday season:

1. Pay with cash
Shoppers who use credit cards spend more on holiday gifts than those who don’t, we’ve found time and again in our shopper surveys. Stores don’t have to pay a transaction fee for cash purchases, as they do with debit and credit cards, so you might be able to get a discount if you pay with cash, particularly on big-ticket items. If layaway appeals to you, Kmart, Sears, and Walmart have programs.

2. Be Careful with Credit Cards
Try to resist the temptation to charge more than you can afford or you’ll be nursing a debt hangover long after the holidays are over. Only take the bait for a store credit card and its one-time extra savings if you’re buying something expensive and know you can pay the balance on time and in full. Store credit cards typically carry interest rates of 20 percent or higher. To avoid lowering your credit score, don’t apply for more than one store card in a season.

3. Check the warranty
Extended warranties for most electronics and household appliances aren’t worth the money. Those items usually don’t break during their warranty period, and if they do, the average cost of repair isn’t much more than the cost of an average warranty. And extended warranties often have loopholes, such as not covering problems caused by wear and tear. However, a plan that covers theft or accidental damage might be worth considering for a laptop, netbook, or tablet you’ll use on the go.

4. Ship for free
Online shoppers can stay on budget by taking advantage of free shipping offers, many of which are listed atFreeShipping.org. The site also sponsors Free Shipping Day, Dec. 16, one of the last opportunities for online shoppers to get free shipping from popular retailers for delivery by Dec. 24. Merchants who have signed on include the Apple Online Store, Bed Bath & Beyond, Cabela’s, eBags, Kohl’s, Lands’ End, REI, Zales, and Ghirardelli and Godiva chocolatiers.

Gift Cards this Holiday

Before you buy or use a gift card this holiday season, check out the card for potential fees and restrictions.

Below are things you should watch for.

What to Watch for

• The fine print – First, look at the fine print on the card or call the toll-free number listed. You may find that some cards come with fees. A fee could be charged when you buy the card or make a high number of transactions. Fees can also be levied if you haven’t used the card for a year and then you may be charged a fee every month. Other fees may be applied when you make a balance inquiry, add funds to the card or replace a lost or stolen card.

• The expiration date – Next, see if the card has an expiration date. By law, gift cards issued after August 22, 2010 may not expire for at least five years after purchase. Also, money added to a card is good for at least five years after being added. If an expired card still has money left, find out whether the card can be reissued with a new expiration date.

• Replacement if lost or stolen – For lost or stolen cards, find out whether you can get a replacement. Is there a fee for the new card? If someone else uses the card after it’s lost or stolen, is that money credited to the replacement card? Keep the receipt for the gift card purchase and write down the card number. These may be needed if you or the person you give it to needs a replacement.

• Where you can use the card – Find out where you can use the card. A store gift card can often be used only at the store where it was purchased (or related stores). Other gift cards, such as those with a connection to American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa, can be used at many locations around the world. Some gift cards can even be used to withdraw cash at an ATM machine.

Holiday Budgeting.

It’s never too late to create a budget for the holidays. Remember to include more than just the presents you plan to buy. Money spent on wrapping paper, holiday cards, decorating, entertainment and travel adds to your overall expenses during the holidays.

Also don’t forget to include your upcoming expenses not related to the holiday. Will you be facing a tuition bill in January? Will you have more money deducted from your paycheck to pay for health insurance after the New Year as well?

One approach is to make a list of all the gifts you plan to buy and add up those costs. Remember to include the other holiday expenses, such as travel, and see if it comes to more than you spent last year.

“There’s no law against you spending different amounts on different family members. And if you go over your $50 budget for Mom and Dad, you can always spend less on someone else on your list,” said Sally K. Palaian, Ph.D, author of “Spent Break the Buying Obsession.” Just be sure to record all purchases made.

Remember what your intention is for the holidays. It’s probably not to spend $2,000.