Category: The Daily Staple

When the weather warms up, it’s the perfect time to get out on the water. While boating is one of summertime’s best outdoor activities, it’s important to take safety precautions to help prevent accidents and injuries. Here are 8 tips to keep your friends and family safe while you’re on the water.

1. Make sure all passengers wear life jackets that fit properly—especially children.

The U.S. Coast Guard estimates that life jackets could have saved the lives of over 80% of people who died in a boating accident.
When an accident happens, there’s rarely time to reach for stowed life jackets, so make sure your passengers wear them whenever the boat is in operation. Today a wide variety of lifejackets are available, with many being thin and flexible. Some life jackets for adults are inflatable and can be worn like a scarf or fanny pack until hitting the water, when they automatically fill with air.

2. Take a boating safety course.

Human error is the #1 cause of boating accidents, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, so it’s important to learn how to properly operate and navigate your boat. Check out these boating safety courses (many of them with online options), which cover boat handling and navigation, reading the weather, safety instruction and more.

3. Don’t drink alcohol while operating the boat.

Not only is drinking and boating against the law, but it also risks the safety of everyone on board. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that the use of alcohol is involved in about a third of all recreational boating fatalities, with the majority of those being due to a capsized boat or a person who fell overboard. It’s important for everyone on board to understand the danger of drinking alcohol while boating.

4. Have the proper safety equipment on board.

At minimum, make sure you have a fire extinguisher, flares, navigation lights, a sound-producing device (such as a whistle, horn or siren), a first-aid kit, an anchor and a life jacket for every person on board. If you’d like your boat to have a courtesy Vessel Safety Check performed by the U.S. Coast Guard, you can learn more here. The Vessel Safety Check is free of charge, and there are no consequences if your boat doesn’t pass.

5. Watch weather and water conditions carefully.

Always check the weather forecast before going out on the water. Especially in summertime, what starts out as a warm sunny day can quickly turn into a dark afternoon thunderstorm. If it looks like a storm is brewing (increased wind and choppy waters are key signs), get to shore as soon as possible.

6. Maintain a safe speed.

Just like on land, you can face fines and penalties for speeding on the water. Plus, there aren’t “lanes” on water, and various types of watercraft zig-zag all over the place, which can make it more challenging to avoid collisions. Make sure to obey speed limits while you’re boating, and take any curves or turns with excess caution.

7. Don’t overload your boat.

It’s important to follow your boat’s capacity restrictions. Having too much weight on board, whether from passengers or equipment, can cause your boat to become unbalanced and risk capsizing.

8. Protect yourself with boat insurance.

Even when exercising extreme caution, an accident can still happen. Make sure you’re covered with boat insurance, which can protect you from damage to your boat, injuries to your passengers, or your liability if you’re involved in a boating accident with another vessel. 

Share this article!

DO YOU NEED PERSONAL UMBRELLA COVERAGE?

DO YOU OWN A HOME, CAR, OR HAVE PERSONAL INVESTMENTS?

The more personal investments and assets you have, the more likely you are to be sued. Those with higher net worth are more susceptible to losses above and beyond your regular homeowners or auto coverage.

DO YOU OFTEN POST TO SOCIAL MEDIA?

While social media can be a fun way to relax and pass the time, some users have been placed at financial risk due to lawsuits related to libel or defamation. Be careful what you post. If you can’t say it publicly, don’t post it socially.

HAVE A DOG?

Some dog breeds are excluded from homeowners’ coverage. An umbrella policy may be necessary to protect from hefty losses as a result of a dog bite or other dog related claims.

WHAT ABOUT FIREARMS?

Firearms can be considered high risk to insurers. The possibility of a catastrophic loss is considered likely. The legal settlements can often fall above the underlying policy limits when a firearms related incident happens.

PERHAPS YOU HAVE A POOL?

Pools without a locked gate may be declined by insurance companies. No. problem, add a fence. But what if someone leaves the gate open? Similar to a firearm accidents can be financially damaging.

ARE YOU READY TO PAY $1 MILLION DOLLARS?

That’s correct. You could be sued for more than 1 million and you will need a lot of assets and cash to completely resolve a settlement or judgement. Ensure that your Insurance company is supporting your financial needs. Get a personal umbrella policy today!

Share this article!

If others depend on you for financial support, part of your financial plan should include how you will provide for them in the event of your death. To help you decide which option is the best for you, we’ve covered the basics.

The Basics of Life Insurance

If you are married, it’s important for both spouses to have a life insurance policy. If both people bring in an income, a death can be a difficult financial loss. Also, if a stay-at-home parent should pass away, expenses such as childcare and other domestic items can create financial hardship, too.

There are two basic types of life insurance: term life insurance and permanent life insurance. The type of life insurance policy that best suits you will depend on your unique needs.

Option #1: Term Life Insurance

Just as its name implies, term life insurance covers you for a specific period of time, or term, that you choose. Since it offers a death benefit but no cash value, term life insurance is an inexpensive way to protect your beneficiaries for a specified period of time.

Renewal term life insurance can be renewed at the end of the term, at the option of the policyholder and without evidence of insurability, for a limited number of successive terms. It can also be converted, or exchanged for a permanent insurance policy, without evidence of insurability down the road. It’s important to note that rates generally increase along with the insured’s age.

Option #2: Whole Life Insurance

Permanent life insurance is any form of life insurance other than term. Examples are whole life, universal life and variable life. These policies combine term life insurance with a long-term, tax-sheltered savings plan.

Whole life is the most basic type of permanent life insurance. It provides coverage that lasts a lifetime and also builds up a cash value that you can borrow against, withdraw or use to pay future premiums.

A life insurance policy with a cash value is ideal for those who have a lifetime need for insurance protection, prefer stable premiums over the life of the policy, want a policy that allows them to build tax-deferred values, and value the high degree of coverage the policy affords. While rates for a whole life insurance policy remain stable over the life of the policy, premiums are initially more costly than for term insurance. 

How Much Insurance Do I Need?

To find the right amount of coverage, it’s important to weigh your dependents’ current lifestyle and spending needs against their future sources of income and assets. We can help you figure out how much your family will need to replace this lost income over this length of time should something happen to you. Call us today at 419-720-6446 to learn more.

Share this article!

​Summer heat can be more than uncomfortable—it can be a threat to your health, especially for older adults and children. Whatever your age, do not let the summer heat get the best of you.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion occurs when a person cannot sweat enough to cool the body, usually the result of not drinking enough fluids during hot weather. It generally develops when a person is playing, working, or exercising outside in extreme heat. Here are some symptoms:
• Dizziness, weakness, nausea, headache and vomiting
• Blurry vision
• Body temperature rising to 101°F
• Sweaty skin
• Feeling hot and thirsty
• Difficulty speaking
A person suffering from heat exhaustion must move to a cool place and drink plenty of water.
For some employees, working from home is business as usual. For others, this may be the first time they’ve telecommuted. This working arrangement may seem exciting at first, but it can lose its luster over time, resulting in disengaged employees. And, when employees aren’t engaged, their productivity and motivation can suffer.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is the result of untreated heat exhaustion. Here are some symptoms:
• Sweating
• Unawareness of heat and thirst
• Body temperature rising rapidly to above 101°F
• Confusion or delirium
• Loss of consciousness or seizure

Heat stroke is a serious medical emergency that must be treated quickly by a trained professional. Until help arrives, cool the person down by placing ice on the neck, armpits and groin. If the person is awake and able to swallow, give him or her fluids.

Tips for Staying Cool

Below are some tips for staying safe in the heat:
• Drink plenty of water—In hot weather, drink enough to quench your thirst. The average adult needs eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day—more during heat spells.
• Dress for the weather—When outside, wear lightweight clothing made of natural fabrics and a well-ventilated hat.
• Stay inside if possible—Do errands and outside chores early or late in the day.
• Eat light—Replace heavy or hot meals with lighter, refreshing foods.
• Think cool! Take a cool shower or apply a cold compress to your pulse points. Try spending time indoors at an air-conditioned mall or movie theater.

Share this article!

​The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused unprecedented changes for many industries. As social distancing is encouraged, gatherings with over 10 people are banned and stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders for all nonessential employees are issued, many employers are asking their employees to work from home.

For some employees, working from home is business as usual. For others, this may be the first time they’ve telecommuted. This working arrangement may seem exciting at first, but it can lose its luster over time, resulting in disengaged employees. And, when employees aren’t engaged, their productivity and motivation can suffer.

It’s up to managers to keep their telecommuting employees engaged during these times. Listed below are five ways you can keep employees engaged while they work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prioritize Communication

Remote employees can often feel like they’re left out of the loop. As such, it’s important for managers to communicate on a daily basis. Consider scheduling a daily check-in to see how employees are doing during this new working arrangement and if you can do anything to help them. Be sure to communicate any important company news as it presents itself, too.

Remember that communication is a two-way street, and be sure to listen to any concerns that employees may have. The COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly evolving situation and many employees may be feeling overwhelmed or anxious. Listen to their concerns and evaluate whether there’s anything that you can do to help mitigate those feelings. Remote employees may start to feel isolated, so it’s important to remind them that they’re not alone, especially during these uncertain times. Since burnout is the result of prolonged and chronic workplace stress, it’s important to know how to recognize the signs of workplace stress.

Set Clear Expectations

Be sure to communicate your expectations of your employees while they work from home. Employees who are aware of what your expectations are will be more motivated to meet those expectations. If you want employees to be online for specific hours of the day, communicate that. If you want a daily report of what they are working on, be sure to ask.

With that being said, you should be mindful that not all employees may have the ideal telecommuting setup as daycares and schools are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, be patient and understanding with your employees. Encourage them to take paid time off if they need it during these times to tend to their other responsibilities. .

Recognize Good Work

Recognizing and rewarding employees for their hard work is a key factor in boosting engagement among your telecommuting employees. Employee recognition can take many different forms, but the main goal is to incentivize continued productivity and dedication from your employees.

For example, you could send out a team- or company-wide email detailing what an employee did and why it’s exceptional. If you want to offer a reward for their good work, consider sending an electronic gift card for a local restaurant or delivery service.

Sometimes, recognition doesn’t need to be formal or grand for it to be effective. For example, a personal thank-you email or message can go a long way in making employees feel valued and engaged while they work from home.

Encourage Work-life Balance

Remote employees may have difficulty establishing a healthy work-life balance. Because there may not be a physical separation between their workspace and their personal space, employees may feel like they need to be available for work 24/7, which can lead to unnecessary stress and, eventually, burnout.

As such, you should communicate the importance of creating boundaries to your employees. Suggest that they work their normal hours and then step away from their computer until it’s time to start working the next day.

Demonstrate a Collaborative Culture

Employees tend to be more engaged when they feel like they’re part of a team. When they’re working from home, it can be hard for them to buy into that mentality. As a manager, it’s your responsibility to make sure that employees understand that even though you may not be in the office together, you’re all working together toward the same common goal.

Consider sending out regular communications reminding that you’re there to help them meet any deadlines or provide any assistance while they work from home.

Summary

Leveraging technology in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic can help keep employees healthy while they do their job from home. By keeping these five tips in mind, your organization can keep your remote employees engaged during the pandemic.

Share this article!

As workplaces across the nation focus on employee engagement, attraction and retention, workplace trends such as flexible scheduling and various ancillary offerings have become commonplace.

One emerging trend is designed to help employees who have been out of the workforce for a few years. These types of programs are called returnships, and they essentially operate as paid internships for adults re-entering the workforce after putting their career on hold.

What is a returnship?

While returnship specifics vary by company, the general goal remains the same. A returnship is typically a paid period of time for adults to acclimate to the workforce through developing relevant skills, building professional experience and expanding networks. Returnships can last between a few weeks to a few months, depending on the company and industry.

How popular are returnships?

According to Deloitte, about 160 companies worldwide offer some sort of returnship initiative. In the United States specifically, 38 programs were launched between 2016 and 2018, according to iRelaunch, a firm that specializes in returnship program implementation.

As experts predict that the tight labor market in the United States will persist, companies may view returnships as an attractive way to attract new and unique talent.

Benefits of Returnships for Employers

Employers that offer returnships can benefit in a few different ways. First, returnships entice workers who may already have niche industry experience to come back to the workforce. Often, finding entry-level or new employees with this depth of industry knowledge is difficult. Attracting workers who have already developed such knowledge can greatly benefit various industries.

Returnships are also a way to onboard employees at an organization with minimal risk for both parties. Because returnships typically involve acclimating an employee at a slower pace than a traditional new hire, employees generally demonstrate a better understanding of company expectations and culture.

Moreover, if program participants find that returning to work isn’t right for them, or if a company finds that hiring a participant isn’t the best option, they don’t have to accept or be offered a full-time position. This can potentially save employers the cost of trying to fill a full-time position, which can be as high as six to nine months of a full-time position’s salary.

Benefits of Returnships for Employees

In addition to providing employers with benefits, there are also employee advantages with returnships. These initiatives are designed to help employees slowly acclimate to the workforce, regardless of their reasons for stepping away from it for some time.

Share this article!