Thursday, November 28, 2019

The Pros and Cons of Bringing Your Pet to Work

The Pros and Cons of Bringing Your Pet to WorkThe Pros and Cons of Bringing Your Pet to WorkPet-friendly workplaces are becoming increasingly common in todays business culture.Google, Amazon, Ben Jerrys, Etsy, and many other large companies allow their employees to bring pets to work. Pet-related businesses have even higher percentages of pet-friendly workplaces. While having pets in the geschftszimmer can be associated with many benefits, it can also open the door to a variety of interpersonal and legal issues.Lets take a look at the pros and cons of having pets in the workplace. Pros of Pets in the Workplace Having pets in the office has been shown to reduce stress and make employees feel more relaxed and comfortable.A pet-friendly workplace tends to increase employee satisfaction and to improve morale.Pets are also a point of common interest that can help to promote an atmosphere of teamwork and communication- they are a great vehicle for social interaction. Allowing owners t o bring their pets to work also provides a significant financial benefit- it eliminates the additional costs of doggie daycare or dog walkingservices for employees who work long hours or commute a significant distance from their home each day.Daycare or walking services can be quite costly, so this can be an excellent perk for a pet-owning employee. Allowing pets in the office can boost a customers perception of the business.Most customers have a positive reaction when they are offered a chance to interact with an employees pet, and it can help them to relax and enjoy their visit to the business.Having pets in the office also tends to soften the companys image and makes a business seem more progressive and forward thinking. Allowing pets in the office can be a great recruiting tool for potential hires and for retaining employees long-term. Employees of pet-friendly businesses tend to work longer hours and have fewer absences.They dont have to worry about rushing home to let the dog out or staying home to watch a pet that may be feeling under the weather. Pets in the Workplace Cons Pets can certainly be a distraction for both the owner and their neighboring coworkers. A dog will need to go outside for a few walks, and there could be noise issues from barking or whining.Pets also can draw small crowds of employees seeking entertainment, when those employees should be at their desks working. Not every employee can be around animals due to allergies, which for some individuals can be quite severe.Others may have deeply ingrained phobias about being around certain types of animals.Employers may need to create pet-free zones in the office for those suffering from these conditions. Pets can cause damage to office equipment by having occasional accidents on the carpet or chewing the furniture.While the offices pet population may maintain a very high standard of good behavior, accidents do happen. There are always potential legal and insurance issues related to sce narios where a dog could bite or trip an employee, customer, or service anbieter while on company property.It is important to discuss such issues with a lawyer. Creating a Pet Policy Allowing pets in the office generally makes it necessary for an employer to draft a comprehensive pet policy. This should include consequences for misbehavior such as placing an animal on probation (or permanently banning them), specifying what types of pets are allowed, quantifying the frequency with which pets may visit the office, and clearly stating how animals are to be leashed or contained during their time in the building.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

High school athletes are taking professional routes abroad to get paid now

High school athletes are taking professional routes abroad to get paid nowHigh school athletes are taking professional routes abroad to get paid nowWill professional sports start to rethink the way it approaches youth athletes?In light of two prominent amateur prospects in baseball and basketball deciding to bypass traditional standards of either entering college or the draft, its become pretty evident The kids want to get paid.Five-star basketball recruit R.J. Hampton, who welches expected to be a bonafide top pick in the 2020 NBA draft, decided Tuesday to spurn college basketball to cash-in now by signing with the New Zealand Breakers, a professional basketball team in Australias National Basketball League.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreHampton, who had interest from college basketball powerhouses including Kansas, Memphis, and Texas Tech, told USA Today that he wanted to pla y in the NBA and believes playing overseas will help him develop and better prepare him for it.He is ranked No. 5 on ESPN top 100 recruits from the class of 2019.Hampton isnt the first basketball player to go this route. NBA guard Brandon Jennings became the trendsetter when he bailed on Arizona to play in Italy back in 2008. Others like Knicks guard Emmanuel Mudiay and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Terrance Ferguson did the same. All three were drafted in the first round when they eventually entered their respective drafts. Most recently LaMelo Ball, who dropped out of high school to play professionally in Lithuania as a junior, took a similar plan.USA Today reported, citing sources, that Hamptons contract to play abroad is well beyond what he couldve made in the G League, the NBAs startup league designed to offer a route for players who want to bypass college. The G League offers a salary of $125,000.While contract details were not released, 247Sports reported that Hamptons father s aid his son was offered over $1 million to play in China, but ultimately they decided that New Zealand was a better fit because itsan English speaking country and they have a really good partnership with the NBA.The Breakers said Hampton would join the leagues Next Star program, which is aimed at younger players who do not want to go to college or had their college careers cut short. Former Louisville top recruit Brian Bowen became the leagues first player to join the program after he was ruled ineligible when he transferred to South Carolina last year following a massive Adidas lawsuit which resulted in legendary coach Rick Pitino losing his job at Louisville.Is this trend likely to have legs? Perhaps not. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the leagues one-and-done rule isnt a policy that benefits the league, The Washington Post reported. Under the current rules, high school players have to attend one season in college before turning pro but Silver said the 2022 draft will be the en d of the rule. But bypassing traditional routes could become a new avenue in baseball.MLB prospect forgoes the minors for a bigger payday in JapanNineteen-year-old pitcher Carter Stewart decided to cash in when he agreed to a six-year, $7 million contract with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in May, The Athletic reported. Stewart became the first to go this route in what is truly an odd, yet fascinating route to avoid toiling in the minors and potentially reaching your maximum worth in his youth.Stewart was drafted No. 8 overall out of high school by the Atlanta Braves in 2018, but the team said he had an injury, which resulted in a $2 million offer, much lower than the $4.98 million slot value where Stewart was drafted. He declined the contract and opted to attend junior college in Florida.Baseballs draft system is different compared to other leagues. Players can be drafted out of high school or after their junior or senior years at a four-year college. Players who are at least 21-years -old, regardless of academic standing, are also eligible as are junior college players of any age.Stewart couldve reentered in Junes draft, but he wasnt guaranteed to get more or even close to what he wanted before he was reportedly injured. With his reputation already damaged, his agent, Scott Boras, toyed the idea of player abroad which both he and his parents fell in love with, according to The New York Times.What does it mean in the short term? Stewart will start in Japans minor leagues but will become a free agent when hes 25. Compared to younger players who go through arbitration years in the MLB, he could become a one-of-a-kind prospect who could truly benefit financially at a much younger age if all pans out.These talents have a value, and we have had a system that has depressed the value of unterstellung players due to an artificial reserve, Boras told The New York Times. Major League Baseball has to create a system whereby these young men - and there are not many, thats i mportant to note, there arent many that are of this value - can fairly achieve their true value to a professional baseball franchise.When they do that, I believe that Major League Baseball will attract the majority of the talents. But if they refuse to do that, you will see international portals like this develop, because these talents are so valuable to leagues in both Japan and Korea.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Learn About Being a Riding Instructor

Learn About Being a Riding InstructorLearn About Being a Riding InstructorRiding instructors provide coaching to their students in a wide variety of equestrian disciplines. They design skill-building exercises to improve performance and communication between horse and rider. Job Duties Riding instructors work with horses and their riders, designing exercises for the pairs to work through during lesson sessions. Instructors provide advice on proper technique for the discipline and troubleshoot communication issues between horse and rider. At times the instructor may get on horses to demonstrate the correct technique. They also teach horsemanship skills such as grooming, saddling, and tack cleaning. Instructors may offer group or private lessons. They are usually responsible for scheduling lessons, collecting lesson fees, and keeping track of payments. They may also schedule other instructors in the discipline to visit their facility and provide training clinics or provide special training clinics themselves. Some instructors offer training services for young horses or those being trained for a new discipline. They may also be involved with barn management duties such as turning out horses to paddocks or pastures, wrapping legs, feeding, and performing basic medical treatments. Riding instructors often travel to provide coaching for their students at competitions and shows. They must be familiar with the rules for competition in their discipline and make sure their students comply with those rules. The instructor may also drive a horse van to transport horses to the events. It is common for instructors to work varied hours including evenings and weekends. Unless the facility has an indoor riding arena, you must be prepared to work outside in changing weather conditions. Patience and good communication skills are key traits of a good instructor. Career Options Riding instructors can work in a wide variety of locations such as equestrian centers, camps, tra ining facilities, ranches, and colleges or universities. Some instructors work exclusively as clinicians, traveling to various riding centers. Instructors can specialize in many different disciplines such as dressage, hunt seat, show jumping, saddle seat, western pleasure, reining, cross country, driving, and vaulting. Some instructors specialize in working exclusively with young students or adults. Some go on to coach intercollegiate equestrian teams. Some obtain additional certifications to coach therapeutic riding lessons for handicapped students. Training Certification No formal training is required to be a riding instructor, but many instructors were upper-level competitors in their division of the sport and have a certificate or degree to enhance their credentials. While a college degree is not necessary for this career, several colleges offer equine programs. The University of Findlay (OH) and Meredith Manor (WVA) are two such options. The most prominent certification in the U.S. is granted by the American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA). ARIA certifies riding instructors in 15 different disciplines. The initial certification costs $595 and consists of oral, written, and practical tests. Re-certification is required at 5-year intervals and costs $200. The Certified Horsemanship Association offers a 3-year certification after completion of a week-long clinic. During the clinic, the candidate must pass written tests, riding evaluations, practice lessons, and attend seminars. Every three years the certified instructor must complete 25 hours of continuing education. Certification costs around $200 and recertification is $75. Yearly membership to the organization is $60. In Great Britain, there are two major certification organizations the British Horse Society (BHS) and the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS). The British certifications are particularly well recognized worldwide. Salary As usual with most careers, a riding instructor s salary can vary based on years of experience, geographic location, certification, and specialty. Indeed.com cites a yearly salary of about $39,000. Simplyhired.com quotes a yearly salary of $37,000. Generally, an instructor will charge from $25 to $40 per hour for a group lesson and $45 to $60 per hour for a private lesson. The facility that hosts the lessons may be entitled to a portion of that fee, especially if they provide lesson horses for the students to ride. Attending students generally contribute to the instructors travel expenses when they require coaching at competitions. Common perks for instructors can include housing on the farm, freeboard for a horse, use of farm horses, and paid show entry fees. As independent contractors, most instructors are not offered paid health insurance. Job Outlook Equestrian events have steadily grown in popularity through the years, and there is always demand for good instructors. It is quite possible for most experienced equestrians to follow this career path if they are committed to the endeavor and take the time to build up a steady clientele. Adding certifications and continuing education only increase the riding instructors potential for success.