The Health Benefits of Organizing Your Space & Life</h1> <article> <h1>The Health Benefits of Organizing Your Space & Life</h1> <p>Deb Lee — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:40:57 GMT</p> <h3 class="post-title"> The Benefits of Organizing Your Space and Life </h3> <div><br /><b><span style="color:#990000;">What are the health benefits of organizing your space and your life?<br /></span></b><br />There are many benefits to maintaining an organized environment. Besides being more efficient (i.e., finding things more quickly) and more productive (i.e., completing tasks fully and on time), living in an organized home or office space allows one to be more stress free. It's no secret what stress can do to the body. One of the biggest side effects of stress is high blood pressure. Stress also affects your critical thinking ability, how well you sleep, and can even make you more susceptible to illnesses. Less stress = happier, more productive life.<br /><br /><b><span style="color:#990000;">Top Five Recommendations</span></b><br /><br /><span style="color:#990000;">1. Set Organizing Goals.</span> Figure out what you want to accomplish, and put those items in order of priority. Sometimes it feels like our whole house needs help, and it might. However, there are likely to be specific areas that bother you the most. Start with those areas first.<br /><br /><span style="color:#990000;">2. Figure Out Your Peak Performance Time.</span> Do you know when you are most productive? Are you an evening or morning person? When do you feel the most alert? Finding out when you perform at your best will help you to complete tasks more efficiently and with greater success.<br /><br /><span style="color:#990000;">3. Figure Out Your Learning Style.</span> Finding out if you're a visual, auditory, or tactile (or combination) learner will help you to understand why it may be more challenging for you to do certain tasks. In addition, your space can be structured so that it matches your learning style which will increase your success with maintaining order.<br /><br /><span style="color:#990000;">4. Plan Your Time Wisely.</span> Schedule organizing tasks by putting them on your calendar with time frames. Be realistic about how long it will take you to complete a specific task, and then do a little bit each day. If you spend just 10-15 minutes each day attacking a cluttered area of your home, you will get some organizing accomplished, and yet not feel overwhelmed. After your 10 or 15 minutes are up (no more than 30 minutes), go about your usual day. If you've devoted a whole day to organizing, work in 30-60 minute sessions and take a 10 minute break before returning for another 30-60 minute session.<br /><br /><span style="color:#990000;">5. Relax!</span> Once you feel motivated to keep up with your organizing tasks, you may forget one very important thing - YOU! We all lead very busy lives, and have families that need our attention, too. So, don't forget to take breaks, to laugh, get a facial, take your vitamins, go for walks, take a vacation, make a healthy meal, etc. In other words, relax, have fun, and enjoy your life! When you're having fun, there's very little room for stress to take up your valuable time.<br /><br /></div><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>SOHO (no, it's not a place in New York City)</h1> <p>Gayley Knight — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 03:39:41 GMT</p> <p>I attended a women’s college in the 1960's at the beginning of a different social revolution, the modern Women's Movement. At our college, there was a quandry as to how to define ourselves: girls’ school or women’s college? </p> <p>Fast forwarding to today's business world, have you ever heard anyone say that organizations for women are just for “those women who are not really in business” because they are franchisers, or they don’t have employees, or because they work from home? </p> <p>Until the beginning of the 19th century, nearly all business worldwide, including industry, operated from small offices in the home -- some businesses even incorporated home visits to clients, patients, customers. Cottage industry aptly described the blacksmith, the cooper, the seamstress, the tanner, doctor, and educator. At the onset of the industrial revolution, and particularly with the advent of automobiles, we began to travel to work, forgetting that Ford and Packard started their companies in their garages, as did Apple Computer and Yahoo (among others). Regardless, success was defined as leaving the garage office for the modern factory and gleaming office park. </p> <p>Now, in the 21st century, with traffic jams, high gasoline prices, and major commutes, we are wondering how to take it all home again. With less focus on manufacturing products and more on manufacturing ideas, providing service and sharing knowledge, it is possible to build a significant business from a small office, often in the home -- a SOHO (small office, home office). The digital world, with its breakthroughs in communication, provides what the central office used to: a library, a conference room and phone, personnel support and even a personal assistant. </p> <p>The SOHO is where more and more professionals and business owners are found today -- the technology revolution and the newly-reinstated green movement, as well as residual family benefits the 60's women movement created, has brought us full circle. According to the International Telework Association and Council, the number of Americans doing some kind of work from home rose from 11.6 million in 1997 to 24.1 million in 2004 (this is 18% of the adult work force). Major US companies employing home-based personnel include Office Depot, Jet Blue Airways, and UnitedHealth Group. So, the next time someone questions the seriousness of your small home-based business, your response can be “we are so forward thinking that we never left home.”</p> </article> <article> <h1>How to Deal with Workplace Stress</h1> <p>Jill Rafalowski — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:45:05 GMT</p> <p>Stress, whether at the office or at home, is just a part of life: we may not like it, but occasionally we all have to deal with some kind of stress. A stress-free workplace may not exist, but the good news is that some stress is healthy. Stress gives us that extra push we need to accomplish a goal, and it can motivate us to do something about the negative things (which are often stressors) in our lives. Stress is also proof that we care about our jobs and are pushing ourselves to work hard and reach high goals. Stress can ultimately lead us to success.</p> <div> </div> <p>The bad news is that if ignored, stress can easily reach a point where it causes the opposite effect and leads us to mental, physical, and emotional damage. Stress can drag us down, impede on our performance at work, and cause problems at home. Thankfully, there are myriad ways to deal with stress. Although sometimes unavoidable, there are certain stressors that can be remedied and even prevented. Some stressful situations work themselves out. Stress can subside with the meeting of a deadline, the completion of a project, or the end of your industry's busy season. Sometimes all you need to relieve minor stress is a relaxing weekend away from the office. But stress does not always go away on its own; therefore, taking charge of the stressors in your life is necessary.</p> <div> </div> <p>One common workplace stressor is time management, or lack thereof. We've all had our "so much to do, so little time to do it" moments: projects pile up, you take on more responsibilities, you have to catch up after a sick day, and so on. Although stressful situations like this are always going to occur, a little organization can help you work more efficiently and ease some of the stress. Try organizing your to-do list by project size, deadline, workload, stress factor, or type. Then assign each project with a date by which you would like to see it completed. This delegation will keep you focused, and the satisfaction of completion is motivating and rewarding. If this does not help, talk to your supervisor about your workload. Informing him or her that you are struggling does not mean you're unqualified or failing. Your supervisor doesn't know your limits - only you do.</p> <div> </div> <p>If time management and workload organization aren't your major stressors, try exercise. The repetitive nature of workplace life can be taxing on both physical health and mental health. Breaking from the norm can offer a great amount of stress relief. One of the best stress relievers is a good workout, but any kind of physical activity will do. Can't fit in time to exercise before or after work? Try going on a walk or making a short trip to the gym during your lunch break. Even short breaks from your desk help recharge your mind, so don't hesitate to take a lap around the office every once in a while. Physical activity is self rewarding; not only does exercise release mood-improving endorphins, but it also boosts energy and makes you feel good about yourself. That extra bit of confidence can supply you with higher self esteem and the motivation you need to combat the stressors in your life.</p> <div> </div> <p>Sometimes the best way to deal with workplace stress is to talk to the right people. Notify your supervisor if you feel a lack of workplace communication is weighing you down, or if you feel you are pulling the weight of a slacking coworker. If you feel your workload is too much, talk to your supervisor about a compromise. Situations like harassment and discrimination are mental and emotional stressors that do not belong in the workplace setting; consequently, they can be more severe than other forms of stress and are more difficult to deal with. If you feel you are being treated unfairly or inappropriately at your job, talk to your human resources department and explain the situation—they have been trained to handle workplace situations of this type, and just talking with a neutral party can relieve some tension until the situation has been taken care of.</p> <div> </div> <p>A lot of work stress can be relieved at home, but only if you keep your work life out of your personal life. Arrange to meet with your friends or family once a week for dinner, on the condition that only non work-related subjects can be discussed. Focusing on the areas of your life that bring you the most joy is a great way to prevent and relieve stress. Use your free time to spend time with family and friends, to partake in your favorite hobbies, and to relax—leave work out of it.</p> <p> </p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Setting up a Home Office</h1> <p>MySolutionSpot Editor — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 03:39:13 GMT</p> <p>One of the challenges of working from home is how to draw the line between your personal and professional life. Family members (especially young children) may not understand that you're "busy" when you're just in the house, and may distract you right in the middle of an important call or letter. It may also be near impossible to stay organized and focused when your "work station" also happens to be the kitchen table, your bedroom, or the living room.</p> <p>The most important thing to remember is that you are still working. Like all office environments, you need structure and space. Find a room (preferably with a lock) and equip it with a desk, a comfortable chair, appropriate lighting, a phone, and computer equipment. You may also need a printer, fax, and depending on your business, a scanner. There are some hybrid products that combine these functions, and you can install software that will allow you to receive faxes on your printer. Be sure to invest in cable or DSL as well, especially if your business is web-based.</p> <p>You should set up a business email account; it looks more professional than sending or receiving business correspondence through your personal address, and at least protects your privacy. Your phone line should also be kept separate from your residential line; the last thing you need is your children tying up the phone or even answering it (some clients are put off by this).</p> <p>Do invest in a filing system. Depending on your available space, you can get a small cabinet or even a wicker basket where you can place folders with important documents, receipts, and other records of your business. Go through these at least once a month so you can throw out any papers that you no longer need.</p> <p>Now for office hours. It is recommended that you strictly follow a schedule: the specific times in the day, or days in the week, that you will focus on your work. Why? First of all, you want to have the discipline to shift into "work mode", and the habit of sitting at your desk at those times will steel you from the temptation to "put it off until later". It also helps manage the expectations of other people, who may think that since you follow your own hours that you are at their disposal. You can always say, "Oh, I'm sorry I can't go with you, since that falls within my office hours. But I'm free from (name a time)." </p> <p>Many people who work from home say that it helps them to actually dress up when they're ready to get down to business. It's psychological. It's hard to take yourself seriously when you're sitting in front of the computer in your pajamas; your mind still thinks that you're on a break. You don't have to wear a suit, but at least take a shower, brush your teeth, and put on a comfortable shirt and jeans. If you want, put on makeup as well-if you feel you look good, the confidence and enthusiasm will show in your voice.</p> <p><br />Author Bio<br />Philip Nicosia is the webmaster of Resources.eu.com an online resource centre covering many topics including work at home. </p> <p>Article Source: <a href="http://www.ArticleGeek.com">http://www.ArticleGeek.com</a> - Free Website Content</p> </article> <article> <h1>Traveling Employees and Family Stress</h1> <p>Dale Collie — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:48:57 GMT</p> <p>What do you do for families when you're ready to demand a lot from employees? Are families even a part of your plan? Experience shows that stress levels go up when people are concerned about other family members.<br /><br />The military has years of experience in dealing with the stress of long-term training and deployment to combat. These same principles can work for you in your business.<br /><br />As soldiers prepared for war in Iraq, for example, conscientious efforts were made to balance stress control with combat readiness. None of the leaders had to create a positive stress environment to maximize preparation, but the officers and key sergeants knew they had to control the mounting stress to minimize the negative reactions among those awaiting deployment.<br /><br />To help control stress, soldiers were informed of their combat mission and how long they might expect to be away from home, what their working and living conditions would be like, and details about the enemy.<br /><br />Families were informed of what could be expected at home and in Iraq. Additional medical care was provided to all family members to take care of lingering problems.<br /><br />Legal assistance was provided to inform everyone about wills, powers of attorney, and other matters that could be distracting to soldiers and their families after deployment.<br /><br />Financial counseling was made available for anyone who needed to open or close bank accounts or get additional names on signature cards.<br /><br />Whenever possible, soldiers were given additional time off to be with their families. Family counseling was provided to prepare everyone for the soldier's departure, their absence, and their eventual return.<br /><br />Chaplains made every effort to prepare and encourage those who needed spiritual direction.<br /><br />Some people cope well with all of these stressors and some don't. Many see the circumstances as difficult and inconvenient, but others who are just as dedicated become overwhelmed and see the situation as impossible.<br /><br />Therefore, anticipating reactions to stress is important. If stress is prevented or minimized, soldiers enter into situations with a better attitude that is geared more for success.<br /><br />You probably don't need to do all of this every time you expect employees to be away for lengthy periods, but you can adapt the principals to your particular situation. Some things you might do are:<br /><br /> * Include family members in a general information session about your company and what will be accomplished by the employees' travel<br /> * Get professional advice for employees and families regarding special financial situations<br /> * Establish a specific contact person who can assist family members during the employee's absence<br /> * Outline the schedule of expected return for visits or completion of the job<br /><br />Be sure to ask employees and family members about what would help them in completion of the job or for assistance to their families.</p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Juggling Your Business Ids</h1> <p>Ryan Keeter — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:17:53 GMT</p> <p></p> <h3>The Worker, the Manager, and the Entrepreneur</h3> <p> Welcome to the three. These are the people that are within you, the business savvy technical master. These three represent the three parts of your business personality that you probably do not know that you have.</p> <p> The worker is the part of you that wants to be at work all night, get work done, meet budgets, meet specs, productivity, Productivity, PRODUCTIVITY!</p> <p> The manager structures sandwiches. These are not any sandwiches, these are 90 degree angle, cross cut, perfectly sliced, expertly toasted, marvelously concocted, and dreamily defined sandwiches (ya dig?). The manager wants structure, the manager wants perfection and metrics. The manager wants to assess goals, manage schedules, created work breakdown structures, Gantt charts, Gantt Charts, GANTT CHARTS!</p> <p> We move onto the Entrepreneur. I call this guy the genius maker, the dream spinner, this is the man that created Google, the man that created the Chocolate factory, the 72 oz. steak, the all you can eat Chinese restaurant, and of course, the Pet Rock. This is the character that dreams the businesses that run our world.</p> <p> How do you recognize these people? You have to look at yourself closely, and your habits closer. Do you own your own business, are you thinking about it? Do you work at your business, or does your business work for you? If you work at your business, then you are a worker. A business is be worked <span style="text-decoration:underline;">ON</span>, not worked <span style="text-decoration:underline;">IN</span>.</p> <p> Do you write specs, drawings, marketing plans, logo designs, architectural diagrams, and stay up late into the night dreaming about the wonderment that will be your baby, your business? If this sounds like you then the Entrepreneur has his hands on your shoulders.</p> <p> Do you organize, measure, track, place and schedule? Do you lead, monopolize, order, un order, reorder, disorder, just in the name of potentially better results? If this is you, then you are probably a manager.</p> <p> I think we need to put this into context. Meet the many phases of Ed.</p> <h3>Hi Ed!</h3> <p> Ed is a worker. Ed loves to work, in fact, Ed has stayed late at his job every night this week. He worked extra hard to get 90% code coverage on all of his code and has been checking in code quickly and efficiently. However, Ed has issues. Ed has been working hard and not getting the approval that he so desperately deserves. Ed has been looking at Monster more, Yahoo! Jobs more, Dice more, he has been scopin' the market and he knows that he is wanted...it feels good to be wanted; better then how it feels here. Then it happened, an idle Tuesday, a random Monday, he gets the look from the PM that had obviously more awkwardness than usual...and he does it...he quits. Now Ed is a free man, and life is wonderful. He can write software alone twice as fast than on that convoluted team....life is good.</p> <h3>Hi Ed!</h3> <p> Ed is a manager. Ed comes in early. Ed stays late.Ed presses his ties and shines his shoes. Ed monitors his teams, checks code coverage, checks team productivity, and is diligently reading check-in-comments. Ed enjoys order and he enjoys people understand his need for order. Ed has fired the last three employees due to their lack of determination, motivation, innovation, and of course, inspiration. Ed has issues with his team, but he doesn't know it, this is a man that sees all decisions in binary; yes, no, stop, go, oh, no!</p> <h3>Hi Ed!</h3> <p> Ed is an entrepreneur. Ed dreams, but oh those dreams are beautiful mock ups of future millions just waiting to get plucked from the sky and put into work. The papers with design ideas lovingly scribbled on them scatter his walls, paint his floor in glorious white cleanliness, and control his view at every inch of his office. Ed doesn't work, Ed doesn't manage, Ed dreams...Ed dreams.</p> <h3>Can They Play Nice?</h3> <p> Yes, but one will be struggling to define themselves. In the end though, the worker wins; besides, some work has to get done right? But when the worker wins, the business does not become a business anymore, it becomes a job. No one wants a job but the worker. The way to make this situation work is to give the entrepreneur the room to dream, give the manager the ability to structure the dreams into workable specs, and let the worker take all those dreams and put them into physical creation. If you find that you do not have enough time, then you need to hire more people. But remember,the worker needs vision, the manager needs structure, and the entrepreneur needs room to grow.</p> <h3>Now Your Turn</h3> <p> Learn to see the many ids of your life. Understand how each one needs to be nurtured and act accordingly. But remember, not everyone is a manager, a worker, or an entrepreneur. If working all day or managing all night is your passion, then I salute you and hopefully we can work together some day.</p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Tips on How to Avoid Major Meltdowns on the Job</h1> <p>Kelly Stevens — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:22:41 GMT</p> <p>Everyone gets stressed at some point in time in their life and one major contributor to stress is work. Most people are able to deal with a little bit of stress, but there are times when there are several contributing factors that may make it hard for a person to deal with it resulting in them having a meltdown. Having a meltdown at work is not only embarrassing for the person, but also awkward for everyone witnessing it. It is important to take measures to recognize, handle, and even prevent stress in the workplace. <br /><br />If you or a coworker is stressed at work it can mean that there are things at work that are out of balance. It’s important to make sure that all work doesn’t rest on one person. Everyone in the office should be well versed and work should be divided evenly.<br /><br />When you or a coworker is stressed, it’s important to discuss the issues. Communication is very important in all aspects of business. The quicker you can address the issues or situations that are stressing you the less likely it will interfere with your ability to work.<br /><br />Everyone should take breaks at work, stressed or not. Working for eight, nine, or ten hours straight is not healthy. No matter how busy you are or how much work you have to get done everyone can afford a five minute break every few hours.<br /><br />If you notice that someone is having a hard time or seems to have issues with something you should do you best to help them work it out. Respecting a coworker’s privacy is important, so invite them to talk to you about their issue if they feel inclined to do so. If they do share what is bothering them, help them resolve the issue if you can or encourage them to find a solution.<br /><br />Depending on the severity of a meltdown, it could result in probation, suspension, or termination at work. It is important to address issues and resolve them as soon as possible so you never have to suffer these consequences.<br /></p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Companies Make Great Gains with Employee Wellness Programs</h1> <p>MySolutionSpot Editor — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 03:39:22 GMT</p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-family:Arial;">Companies can benefit greatly from adopting and maintaining employee wellness programs. Employee wellness programs can include things like health risk assessments, onsite health screening, health coaching, alcohol and drug counseling, mental health assistance, safety in the workplace, preventing violence in the workplace and diversity education. The tangible benefits of employee wellness program which directly result in economic savings can best be seen in these four areas:</span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-family:Arial;">1. Reduction in demand for medical services. Businesses that incorporate an employee wellness programs enjoy significant savings on medical expenses and other related costs. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-family:Arial;">2. Reduction in employee absenteeism. Simply put healthy employees miss less work. This is another factor that makes employee wellness programs a very cost effective maneuver.</span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-family:Arial;">3. Reduction in on-the-job injuries and worker's compensation costs. Employee wellness programs that educate employees about workplace safety have fewer injuries on the job thereby lower worker's compensation costs.</span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-family:Arial;">4. Reduction in Disability Costs. Healthy employees are less likely to require disability care. With employee wellness programs educating employees on health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, mental health issues and work related injuries, awareness leads to prevention.</span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-family:Arial;">While these four benefits are certainly persuasive in the argument for implementing employee wellness programs, there are other intangible benefits as well. Increased productivity is one area that can be easily overlooked. Studies consistently show that employees who engage in a wellness programs are more productive. Additionally, employees wellness programs help attract, recruit and retain the more productive and effective employees.</span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-family:Arial;">Morale is boosted with employee wellness programs and employees feel more valued. They are also given a sense of ownership and are encouraged to take control of their health. This makes the employee feel empowered. This adds to the increased productivity, but, more so, the positive attitudes and positive atmosphere that is created contributes to an overall better health. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-family:Arial;">When companies implement employee wellness programs they take a proactive approach to employee health, it is a win-win situation. The company wins with reduced tangible costs in the areas of healthcare, disability, absenteeism, worker's compensation and disability management, but the employee wins by learning how to lead a healthy lifestyle and how to be safe on the job. Employees have a better attitude toward their employer and they feel like a valued and important member of the corporate team. Therefore, while companies may enjoy lower costs and greater financial savings, they will also retain the better employees and cut down on money that is lost in training due to high turnover rates. Good employee wellness programs can be an asset to a company and worth every penny that is spent on it. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-family:Arial;">Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.articlecircle.com/">Free Articles</a></span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal" style="> </p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal" style=">About the Author: John Payton a staff writer for http://www.wellnessproposals.com , located in Winston Salem, NC. His company is a one of a kind, independent wellness consulting agency which assists groups in their search for affordable wellness programs. Utilizing their fast, free, no risk, and no obligation proposal service groups can receive proposals from up to 30 different wellness companies. John's work can also be found on http://www.infinitewellnesssolutions.com </p> </article> <article> <h1>Workplace Violence: A Growing Concern</h1> <p>MySolutionSpot Editor — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 03:39:13 GMT</p> <p>Workplace violence has become one of the biggest concerns for managers, corporate executives and Human Resource Departments in the past several years. In fact, the shear number of incidents of workplace violence is staggering.</p> <p>A report issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after an extensive study, showed that "homicide is the second leading cause of fatal occupational injury in the United States. The report stated that almost 1,000 workers are murdered, and 1.5 million - about 1-in-4 - employees are assaulted in the workplace each year. According to the BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), in 1998 alone, there were 709 workplace homicides which accounted for 12% of the over six thousand fatal work injuries in the United States that year."</p> <p>A Global Concern</p> <p>This issue is not limited to the United States, as some might assume. It seems that every country is showing a marked increase in the number, frequency, and severity of workplace violence incidents every year.</p> <p>Duncan Chappell and Vittorio Di Martino, in their work entitled: "Violence in the Workplace," say that a 1996 European Union Survey showed that during the prior year, four percent of workers (about 6 million) were subjected to physical violence while at work or on duty. They also say that, "workplace violence - be it physical or psychological - has gone global, crossing borders, work settings, and occupational groups.</p> <p>Who is at Risk?</p> <p>Statistics show that, although no single occupation is immune from violence, violence in the workplace can definitely be seen to be clustered in certain occupations. Occupations having many, if not all, of the following characteristics also show the highest rate of incidents:</p> <p>* Contact with the public<br />* Exchange of money<br />* Delivery of passengers, goods, or services<br />* Having a mobile workplace such as a taxicab or police cruiser<br />* Working with unstable or volatile persons in health care, social service, or criminal justice settings<br />* Working alone or in small numbers<br />* Working late at night or during early morning hours<br />* Working in high-crime areas<br />* Guarding valuable property or possessions<br />* Working in community-based settings</p> <p>Depending on the area, taxi drivers had, by far, the highest incident rates. But, again, this is not to be seen as a national or international thing, but something that is dependent on the region where the assaults occur. The number one occupational group suffering the greatest number of assaults is not police and security officers as is often believed. No, the occupation shown to be most at risk are retail sales people, including but not limited to, convenience store personnel. This group is followed closely by those in the service industries like administrative personnel, teachers, and medical professionals. In fact, a report on incidents in one of the "calmest" countries - Sweden - shows medical professionals to be the highest occupation victimized by assault and other workplace violence. And, contrary to popular belief as reported by the media, the greatest threat comes, not from within a company's ranks but from outside.</p> <p>The most difficult part of getting to the truth of the matter, as with all statistical data, is the fact that the numbers are probably far lower than what is actually occurring. Just as Human Resource managers and the companies that they represent are concerned about legal action in regards to giving reference information about past employees, most are also fearful of their public image should word spread about assaults against their employees.</p> <p>Prevention and Countermeasures The growing trend for dealing with the problem of workplace violence is in teaching employees, supervisors, and executive management how to spot trouble signs before they occur. This is an excellent place to start to build a sound program. As with anything involving danger, the more information and awareness that can be developed, the more effective we can be in preventing the danger from ever occurring.</p> <p>However, no program can be considered complete without including employee training for effectively handling, escaping, and surviving actual physical assaults. The fact is, that no amount of understanding and preventative measures will stop certain assailants from attacking. At that point, all that remains is for effective action that will ensure the physical safety and survival of the intended victims.</p> <p>Remember: Workplace violence is real. It can happen to any employee, in any company, at any time. And, it can happen to you or someone you care about. </p> <p> </p> <p>About the Author</p> <p>Jeffrey Miller is the founder and master instructor of Warrior Concepts International. He is a consultant for businesses, groups, and organizations on the topic of self-protection. For more info, you can subscribe to his newsletter at: <a href="http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/newsletter.html">http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/newsletter.html</a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.articlecircle.com/business/human-resources/workplace-violence-a-growing-concern.html">http://www.articlecircle.com/business/human-resources/workplace-violence-a-growing-concern.html</a></p> </article> </main></body></html>