Workplace stress is a common aspect of employment, particularly if you often find yourself with a heavy workload. While it may not be possible to completely eliminate stress, it’s critical to manage it effectively.
One way to reduce workplace stress is through time management. Proper time management methods allow you to complete pressing tasks efficiently and allocate enough resources to finish future projects as well.
The following time management tips can help you reduce workplace stress caused by heavy workloads:
- Complete the most important tasks first.
- Learn how to say no to projects that aren’t time sensitive or fall outside of your responsibilities.
- Get plenty of rest so you are productive during the workday.
- Eliminate distractions and focus on the task at hand.
- Get an early start on upcoming projects whenever possible.
- Stay organized.
- Budget time between tasks to address any issues and to prepare for upcoming projects.
If workplace stress persists, it may be a good idea to speak with your supervisor. They will be able to provide ways to help limit your workload and improve your situation.
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Flooded barns and lost crops are just a couple of the emergencies farmers have to deal with after a natural disaster. Thankfully, there are federal programs and resources available to help with some of the costs, but seeking them out can be confusing and time consuming. The agency you contact will depend on the type of damage you have, so a farmer may have to go to three separate agencies for help.
Disaster Relief – Helpful Links
3 STEPS TO POST DISASTER RELIEF
It can be overwhelming trying to navigate the different programs available. Here, we break it down into three steps:
Step 1: Take pictures. Disaster programs need documented damage, so take pictures before you clean up, and take note of specific losses. Save receipts for any purchases you need to make during recovery.
Step 2: Know what programs for coverage are available. There are several different programs that address different needs of hurricane relief. For example, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) handles assistance specific to farms and farmland. The Small Business Administration handles disaster assistance for businesses. The Federal Emergency Management Agency handles household damages and reconstruction.
Step 3: Be aware of important deadlines. Each program has different application processes and different deadlines. Make sure you get your applications in on time.
- If seeking the help of an FSA program, be aware that most have an application deadline of 30 days after the damage or loss occurs.
- If damage prevents you from planting, complete a Notice of Loss form and submit it to your local FSA office within 15 days of the planned planting date to determine eligibility.
- If you participate in Risk Management Agency (RMA) federal crop insurance, report the damage within 72 hours of discovery, and follow up in writing within 15 days.
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Recently, Facebook announced that nearly 50 million user accounts were compromised in a data breach. The breach, which can be traced back to July 2017, is one of the largest in the company’s 14-year history.
While investigations are ongoing, the company said hackers exploited a software vulnerability in Facebook’s "View As" feature to steal access tokens and gain control of user accounts. Access tokens are effectively digital keys to specific accounts, and stealing them allows attackers to view private posts or compose status updates without the knowledge of the affected user.
In addition, the attack allowed the hackers to see anything that users can see on their own profile, including the names and birthdates of friends and family members. Such information could be used in future phishing attacks.
In response to the attack, Facebook reset 90 million logins automatically, fixed the software vulnerability and informed law enforcement officials. While the company says that users do not need to change their passwords, individuals experiencing login issues should navigate to Facebook’s Help Center.
As a safety precaution, users are encouraged to log in and out of all of their accounts on every device. Users can see all of the devices they’re currently signed into here.
To learn more about the breach, read Facebook’s official blog post.
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Several big names in food retail—like Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and Walmart—are pulling millions of pounds of premade products off their shelves following a massive nationwide recall due to possible listeria and salmonella contamination.
Major food manufacturers, including Bakkavor Foods and Ruiz Food Products, issued the recalls after notifying the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service on Oct. 17 that their products may include possibly tainted corn, onions and other vegetables sourced from McCain Foods.
The recall has been classified as a Class I recall, meaning there is a "reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death." This means that if you’ve purchased any of the contaminated products, you should throw them away immediately and not consume them.
What products are recalled?
The list of products being recalled is vast, but popular products that were pulled off the shelves include Whole Foods’ Santa Fe Style Salad with chicken and Trader Joe’s BBQ flavored chicken salad. Click here to see a full list of recalled products as detailed per manufacturer.
What is salmonella?
Salmonella is a bacteria that causes intestinal illness. If you experience the following symptoms, seek medical attention for possible salmonella infection:
- Diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps
- Symptoms beginning 12 to 72 hours after suspected ingestion
- Symptoms lasting four to seven days
What is listeria?
Listeria is a bacteria that causes listeriosis, a serious bacterial infection that primarily affects older adults, pregnant women, newborns and those with weakened immune systems. The most common symptoms of listeriosis are fever, muscle aches, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. If you experience flu-like symptoms within two months of eating contaminated food, contact your doctor right away so you can be properly treated.
What can I do?
To protect yourself, you’re urged to review the massive list of recalled products to ensure you don’t consume the possibly contaminated ingredients. If you exhibit any symptoms of either a salmonella infection or listeriosis, contact your doctor immediately.
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As with any cooking tool, it’s important to take caution when using a turkey fryer as it can be extremely dangerous. Here are some tips to consider when frying a turkey:
- Stay in the area where you are cooking. Leaving the turkey unattended may cause the fryer to overheat, resulting in a fire.
- Use your turkey fryer on a level surface. Anything that might cause the fryer to tip over may result in a hot oil spill.
- Thaw your turkey before cooking. Water from a still-frozen turkey can cause the oil to bubble or splash over the pot.
- Keep small children and animals away from the fryer while it is in use. There is a great risk that a child or pet could run into the fryer, knocking it down and causing serious injury. A safe distance of three to 10 feet away is recommended.
- Have safety equipment ready. Use oven mitts, goggles and an apron while cooking. Have a fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergency, and keep flammable items away from the fryer.
Your Safety Matters!
For your safety, only use a turkey fryer outside and away from your home. Never use a turkey fryer in a garage or on a porch. Also, be sure to keep some distance between yourself and the fryer as you monitor it—you wouldn’t want to accidentally get splashed with hot oil.
Did You Know?
The U.S. Fire Administration states that Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires. While preparing your Thanksgiving turkey can be a timeless tradition, it’s important to keep cooking safety measures in mind to protect yourself, your guests and your home.
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As of Sept. 21, 2018, employers that conduct credit background checks to screen job applicants or employees must use updated notices to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). On Sept. 12, 2018, the U.S. Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) issued an interim final rule that includes new models for these required notices. The new models reflect changes to the FCRA that were enacted in May 2018. Specifically, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act amended the FCRA to:
- Provide consumers the right to place “national security freezes” on their credit reports without charge; and
- Require that consumers be notified of this new right as part of a credit background check process.
Employers that conduct credit background checks to screen applicants or employees must ensure that they (and the credit reporting agencies they use to conduct the credit checks) use the updated models or substantially similar notices.
Background
The FCRA is a federal law that restricts how consumer credit information may be gathered, shared and used. While one of its main purposes is to promote accuracy in consumer credit reports maintained by consumer reporting agencies, the FCRA also:
- Regulates entities that use consumer credit information (such as employers); and
- Requires that certain notices be provided to individuals who undergo consumer credit background checks by their employers or prospective employers.
On May 24, 2018, Congress passed the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act to amend the FCRA as follows, effective Sept. 21, 2018:
- Nationwide consumer reporting agencies must provide national security freezes (which protect against identity theft by restricting prospective lenders’ access to a consumer’s credit report) free of charge to consumers who request them; and
- Whenever the FCRA requires that a consumer receive either the Summary of Consumer Rights or the Summary of Consumer Identity Theft Rights, a notice regarding the new security freeze right must also be provided.
The changes also extend the amount of time a “fraud alert” must remain in a consumer’s file with a nationwide credit reporting agency, from 90 days to one year. A fraud alert informs prospective lenders that a consumer may have been an identity theft victim and requires them to take steps to verify the identity of anyone seeking credit in the consumer’s name.
New Model Notices
On Sept. 12, 2018, the Bureau issued model notices that incorporate the newly required information about national security freezes. Employers must use these new models, or notices that are substantially similar to them, as of Sept. 21, 2018. The table below lists the new models and provides an overview of the events that trigger the requirement to provide them to a consumer.
|
Updated Model |
Must be provided: |
| Summary of Consumer Rights (also available in Spanish) |
- Before a background credit check is conducted; and
- When considering any potential adverse action based on the background credit check.
|
| Summary of Consumer Identity Theft Rights (also available in Spanish) |
Any time a consumer notifies a consumer reporting agency that he or she is a victim of identity theft (although the requirement to provide this notice does not apply to employers in general, an employer that uses a credit reporting agency to conduct credit checks should ensure that the agency uses the updated notice). |
Substantially Similar Forms
According to the Bureau’s interim final rule, an alternative form for either of the two notices listed above will be considered substantially similar to the new models (and therefore compliant with the FCRA) if it includes all the same information shown on the appropriate new model form but has the security freeze notice placed in a location that is different from where it is located on the new model form.
In addition, an alternative form for the Summary of Consumer Rights will be considered substantially similar to the new model (and therefore compliant with the FCRA) if it includes both:
- The Bureau’s old model form (published on Nov. 14, 2012) or a substantially similar form; and
- A separate page that includes the notice of security freeze rights (as stated on the new model form).
These two conditions also apply to an alternative form for the Summary of Consumer Identity Theft Rights, except that, for this notice, the separate page must also state the following before or after the notice of security freeze rights: “The minimum duration of initial fraud alerts changed from 90 days to one year effective September 21, 2018.” The interim final rule also allows an alternative form for the Summary of Consumer Identity Theft Rights to exclude the following sentence, which appears before the security freeze notice on the new model form: “The following FCRA right applies with respect to nationwide consumer reporting agencies.”
Considerations for Employers
Because both of the new models include updated contact information for certain FCRA enforcement agencies, employers that use alternative forms should also ensure that they update that information on their forms.
Furthermore, employers should consider any requirements that may apply to them under state consumer protection laws that are similar to the FCRA.
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