Over 2,000 could lose govt jobs
Posted: June 22, 2012 at 2:21 am
Over 2,000 could lose govt jobs
NICHOLAS MOKWENA Correspondent
The Department of Geological Survey (DGS) is expected to be turned into a parastatal to be known as Botswana Geosciences' Institute (BGI)). The ministry is expected to end up with only 800 specialist employees. "We will only have employees with scarce skills. We currently have 1,600 employees. As at the end of May 2012, we will relieve some of the employees of their duties through the early exit policy. The Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) has assumed the water supply duty and even though we are aware of the water problem, we believe it will be restored within the next two to three years. The Department of Water Affairs is to be realigned to its new mandate of policy and programme development following the hiving-off of water supply component to WUC", Paya told the members of Ntlo ya Dikgosi on Wednesday.
Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU) Secretary General Topias Marenga said discussions regarding Early Exit Policy started as early as 2000. He said at that time there were only staff associations. "The negotiations started in May 2003 and issues like notice pay, separation pay and gratuity and how the payment should be done are being discussed. In 2005, the government wanted to improve the service in the water sector and felt that this could only be done when most of the work is given to the WUC.
"Early exit was the last option as there was nowhere the affected employees could be redeployed. Negotiations have so far been running smoothly. We started off with the water sector then preceded to the support staff. We are currently on the verge of dealing with staff from the Department of Geological Survey, which is also going through a restructuring process. Currently as concerned unions, we do not have any complaint," Marenga stated.
He said the early exit is being done both voluntarily and involuntarily but that the good thing about voluntary exit is that the employee will get a better package. Marenga stated that the unions are represented in the assessment board which scrutinises who should benefit from the policy.
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Over 2,000 could lose govt jobs
Lynne Begier talks about her Hip Hop yoga class
Posted: at 2:21 am
WHO
Lynne Begier
WHAT
Begier, 40, started practicing yoga in 1991 and completed her teacher training in 2001. In 2002, she opened Back Bay Yoga Studio, now one of Bostons most popular yoga studios. Yogis choose from a wide variety of yoga styles, including Forrest, Vinyasa, Yin and Hip Hop. This original genre, started by Begier, combines downward dogs with Beyonc, for a fun and unique yogic experience.
Q. What first brought you to yoga?
A. I first started doing yoga when I was in college. I struggled a lot with eating disorders and depression, so much that I was actually hospitalized twice and left school for a while. My doctor at Johns Hopkins Hospital recommended yoga to me. At that time, there really werent studios everywhere like there are now, so I just started with a book.
Q. You studied a variety of different styles of yoga. Is there any one that you like best?
A. My initial training was in Kripalu, and it has always really spoken to me very strongly. But in 2002, I met Ana Forrest [founder of Forrest yoga], and shes been one of my main teachers since then. Ive always done different styles exclusively, working solely on one style for a period of time, and just meandered through different styles. I appreciate each style for what it has.
Q. How has yoga changed since you started?
A. Yoga has progressed so amazingly, and its become very fitness-oriented, but when I learned yoga, it wasnt what it is now. There was some breathing, some stretching. It was still really coming over to the United States. Ashtanga yoga, which is the father of Vinyasa and power yoga, became more popular in the 90s, but until then yoga wasnt as athletic. Things have progressed a lot. Now, there are a lot more styles and people are inventing new styles. It evolves.
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Lynne Begier talks about her Hip Hop yoga class
Life Coach Strategies – Do Not Take Anything Personal – Video
Posted: June 21, 2012 at 9:25 pm
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Life Coach Strategies - Do Not Take Anything Personal - Video
The Wellness Corporation announces Life's WORC will offer Wellness Work/Life Program to employees
Posted: at 9:25 pm
Shrewsbury, MA (PRWEB) June 20, 2012
Life's WORC has contracted with The Wellness Corporation to provide a Wellness Work/Life Program beginning late this summer for all eligible employees.
Life's WORC is a non-profit agency based in New York whose mission is to provide services that facilitate an independent and productive life experience for individuals with developmental disabilities and autism. Founded in 1971, the organization has expanded with the creation of residential facilities across New York State. In addition to these homes, Life's WORC offers other services including Art & Music Therapy for children with autism and At-Home Residential Habilitation.
Laura Lovelock, Senior Director of Human Resources at Life's WORC stated that "Life's WORC decided to use The Wellness Corporation because of all the great services they provide for our employees, such as Counseling, Legal Consultations, Work/Life Resources and Financial Planning. Also, The Wellness Corporation's wellnessworklife.com website and Health Coaching fit into our agency's focus on wellness and will help with our efforts to stabilize our rising health insurance costs. Additionally, the fact that The Wellness Corporation was able to offer all of these great services at a competitive cost made the switch a 'no-brainer' !"
Since 1984 The Wellness Corporation has worked to provide innovative and comprehensive organizational assistance programs, with a goal of delivering services at the highest level to exceed client expectations. Their new partnership with Life's WORC will afford them the opportunity of providing these high quality services to an organization with an equally strong focus on wellness.
The new Life's WORC Wellness Work/Life Program will provide free and confidential resources and referrals on a wide range of subjects including but not limited to Legal Counseling, Financial Consultations and Health and Wellness Coaching, in addition to EAP counseling, consultation and referral services.
The Wellness Corporation is a national provider of Organizational Assistance Services to colleges, corporations and other institutions. These services include Work/Life Programs, Employee Assistance Programs, Student and Graduate Student Assistance Programs, Organizational Development Services, Professional Development Training, and Wellness. For more information, please visit http://www.wellnesscorp.com or call 1-800-361-5527 ext. 103.
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The Wellness Corporation announces Life's WORC will offer Wellness Work/Life Program to employees
Choice Health
Posted: at 9:25 pm
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Choice Health
TV fitness trainer took own life
Posted: at 9:25 pm
21 June 2012 Last updated at 15:32 ET
A television fitness trainer fell to her death at Beachy Head in Sussex after battling drink, drug and personal problems, an inquest heard.
The body of Angie Dowds, of ITV's weight-loss show The Biggest Loser, was discovered at the bottom of the 535ft (163m) cliff in November 2011.
The Eastbourne inquest was told the 42-year-old sent her girlfriend a phone text saying she was "broken hearted".
Assistant deputy coroner Catherine Palmer recorded a verdict of suicide.
She said she was satisfied that although Ms Dowds, of north London, had alcohol and diazepam in her system, her intention to kill herself was clear.
The inquest heard the trainer, who worked on the programme hosted by Davina McCall from 2005, had previously talked about ending her life.
Her brother, Kevin Dowds, saw her the weekend before her death and said he was shocked by the toll drinking had taken on her health.
He added: "I could see the effect of her drinking but at the same time I felt a sense of optimism that she was going to let go of her career and just get well."
Mr Dowds also said she told him she had "had enough" and "I want to go to God" during a phone call two days before she died.
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TV fitness trainer took own life
Calling All Rockstars and Runners: Join BMO Harris Bank in Celebrating Summerfest's Rock 'n Sole Run and Health …
Posted: at 9:25 pm
MILWAUKEE, June 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Presenting sponsor BMO Harris Bank invites the community to celebrate the "SOLD OUT" Summerfest Rock 'n Sole Run with the event's Health & Fitness Expo and a race day full of activities for runners, friends and family.
Visitors of the two-day Health & Fitness Expo can drop by the BMO Harris Bank booth to join the bank's mascot Hubert the Lion in making good luck banners and signs to cheer on the runners. Summerfest Rock 'n Sole Run participants can also visit the booth to pick up a complimentary pair of runner socks for race day.
The Expo will feature speakers from Summerfest, the Performance Running Outfitters Pace Team, Froedtert & Medical College Sports Medicine Center and other organizations.
"BMO has a long history of sponsoring successful runs, both in the U.S. and Canada, so this was a natural extension of M&I's many years of support," said Brad Chapin, Executive Vice President, Personal Banking, BMO Harris Bank. "Both runners and visitors alike are welcome at this year's Health & Fitness Expo -- a new and vibrant event that is sure to jump start another great Summerfest season!"
The Expo and packet pick-up will take place on June 21 from 4pm to 8pm and June 22 from 11am to 9pm at the Italian Community Center at 631 East Chicago Street in Milwaukee. The Summerfest Rock 'n Sole Run takes place Saturday, June 23.
Many new additions were made to this year's Summerfest Rock 'n Sole Run including changes in race distances and live entertainment at various points throughout the courses.
Visit the official Summerfest Rock 'n Sole Run website for more information.
About BMO Harris Bank
Based in Chicago, BMO Harris Bank N.A. provides a broad range of personal banking products and solutions through over 650 branches and approximately 1,350 ATMs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Nevada, Arizona and Florida. BMO Harris Bank's commercial banking team provides a combination of sector expertise, local knowledge and mid-market focus throughout the U.S.Deposit and loan products and services provided by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC. BMO Harris Bank(SM) is a trade name used by BMO Harris Bank N.A.BMO Harris Bank is part of BMO Financial Group, a North American financial organization with 1,600 branches, and a retail deposit base of approximately $180 billion.
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Calling All Rockstars and Runners: Join BMO Harris Bank in Celebrating Summerfest's Rock 'n Sole Run and Health ...
Weekend Preview: Fitness Expo, Pride Festival
Posted: at 9:25 pm
Around town
Health & Fitness Expo: Exhibits of running gear, sports apparel, health and nutrition products, and information; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, CenturyLink Field Event Center, 800 Occidental Ave. S., Seattle; free (runrocknroll.competitor.com).
Capitol Hill Pride Festival: Community festival celebrating diversity and community pride with music, food, entertainment, vendors, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Broadway between Denny Street and Roy Street, Seattle (206-465-9601 or http://www.capitolhillpridefestival.info).
Bellevue Strawberry Festival: Entertainment, carnival games, bounce toys, strawberry shortcake eating contest, rock climbing wall, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; Auto Show, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Crossroads Park, 16000 N.E. 10th St., Bellevue (www.bellevuestrawberryfestival.org).
At the movies
"Brave": Pixar's tale of a princess in ancient Scotland features the voices of Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Kevin McKidd and Craig Ferguson. It has midnight previews Thursday, and opens Friday at several theaters (at many in 3D).
"Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter": This historical/fantasy mashup (with a screenplay by Seth Grahame-Smith, based on his novel) pits our 16th president against the undead. It also has midnight previews Thursday, and opens Friday at several theaters (at many in 3D).
"Grassroots": Jason Biggs and Joel David Moore star in Stephen Gyllenhaal's political comedy about a journalist who becomes campaign manager to a Seattle City Council candidate. It opens Friday at the Harvard Exit.
"Seeking a Friend for the End of the World": This comedy/drama about the end of the world concerns an insurance man (Steve Carell) and his upstairs neighbor (Keira Knightly). It also has midnight previews Thursday and opens Friday at several theaters.
"I Wish": A drama from director Hirokazu Kore-eda about a 12-year-old who lives with his mother and grandparents in a small town in Japan. It opens Friday at the Varsity Theatre.
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Weekend Preview: Fitness Expo, Pride Festival
A retirement plan for the working 99 percent
Posted: at 9:25 pm
(MoneyWatch) Following a challenge from a reader, my last post addressed how a typical retiree can make ends meet. This new post looks at the situation for a working couple who are both age 60 and who have about $200,000 in retirement savings, along with some home equity.
As with the current retiree, the financial solutions are limited for this couple. Their most important decisions will be when to start taking Social Security benefits, how long to work, how to deploy their retirement savings, and how to manage their living expenses to make ends meet. Let's look at the most important decisions one at a time.
Social Security
For the sake of this example, let's assume the primary breadwinner has been the husband, who currently earns about $75,000 per year. To make the most of his Social Security income, he should delay starting Social Security until age 70, when his benefits would be about $2,700 per month. Let's also assume the wife has only worked sporadically throughout her career -- not enough to earn her own Social Security benefits -- so her Social Security income will consist of her spouse's benefit based on his earnings history. In this case, I suggest that she start her spouse's benefit at age 66, which would amount to roughly $1,000 per month.
Retirement plan for the 99 percent Delaying retirement? Here's how to make it work 10 ways for retirees to cut their cost of living
In this scenario, they would have a combined Social Security income of about $3,700 per month starting at age 70, or $44,400 per year. In addition, they would receive about $12,000 per year from age 66 to 70 from the spouse's benefit.
How long to work
In this couple's case, the best choice would be for them to not touch their retirement savings until age 70 in order let them grow as much as possible until they fully retire. To cover their living expenses until that time, the husband and wife will need to continue working.
They don't need to make as much money in their sixties as they did when they were younger, since I'm assuming that they're no longer saving for retirement. All they need is to earn enough money to cover their living expenses until Social Security kicks in for the husband at age 70, at which point they can start drawing from their retirement savings. AARP and T. Rowe Price have called this strategy "practice retirement."
They can ease up a little at age 66, when the wife's Social Security benefit adds an income of $12,000 per year. An important job criterion would be for one of them to be eligible for medical insurance from their employer, at least until age 65 when they're eligible for Medicare.
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A retirement plan for the working 99 percent
Retirement planning checklist for LGBT Americans
Posted: at 9:25 pm
By Mark Miller
CHICAGO (Reuters) - June is Gay Pride Month in the United States. And you can tell the times they are a changing when U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta salutes the event by taping a video personally thanking gay members of the military for their service.
But when it comes to retirement security, LGBT Americans still have a long way to go. The federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is a core obstacle to equality for a range of important benefits and legal protections, because it defines the word "spouse" as applying only to different-sex married couples for any purpose involving interpretation of federal law.
The ground is shifting quickly, though. Legal challenges related to DOMA and same-sex marriage are making their way toward the Supreme Court. And the workplace is changing quickly as companies reshape their benefit programs to ensure equality.
But LGBT individuals and couples also can take action on their own to improve their retirement security. Here's a checklist of five key areas LGBT Americans should be sure to address.
401(k) BENEFICIARIES
Until 2010, it wasn't possible for a workplace retirement saver to name a non-spouse beneficiary. That changed starting in 2010 due to provisions of the Pension Protection Act of 2006. Non-spouse beneficiaries, including employees' partners, are permitted to roll their inherited retirement benefits directly to an individual retirement account or an annuity.
Gay workers who started with their employers before 2010 should re-visit their beneficiary designations. But they also should check to make sure their employers are complying with the new law. Only 86 percent of corporations that have rollover provisions have made the adjustments needed to extend benefits to same-sex partners, according to the 2012 Corporate Equality Index, an annual survey of corporations by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), a non-profit research, education and advocacy group.
"For many companies, this is an administrative fix that just hasn't been on the radar screens of human resources departments," says Deena Fidas, deputy director of corporate programs for HRC.
PENSION SURVIVOR BENEFITS
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Retirement planning checklist for LGBT Americans