Lockdown Lay Offs: Life After Redundancy

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic that is currently causing chaos across the globe, the US has seen record levels of job losses and redundancies. In one month alone, more than 20.5 million jobs were lost, bringing the unemployment rate to 14.7%. This is the highest level since the Great Depression. That’s pretty scary, huh?

If you are one of the unlucky ones who have been affected by this or will be affected by it as the crisis continues to roll on, there are several important steps that you need to take. This will ensure that you receive the correct amount of severance pay if you are entitled to it, other unemployment benefits and get you on the right path for a new job.

Here, we look at a few of these so that you can start making moves to get yourself back to work.

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Talk to the right people

If you have been furloughed, laid off or fear that one of these may happen to you soon, you need to make sure you know how to get in touch with the HR department. They should be able to answer any questions and give you all of the relevant documentation that you will need. 

Gather your documents

The next step is to gather all of your documents and make sure you have them to hand for when you need them. What you will need varies from state to state, but generally speaking, you will need the following documents:

• Social security number

• Driving license number, if you have one

• Mailing address

• Phone number

• Your employer's name, address, and Federal Employer Identification (FEIN number)

• Bank account and routing number

File for unemployment 

Anyone who has been laid off should file for unemployment as soon as they can through their state. It is important not to hang about too long - there are additional and extended benefits available at the moment to help those affected by coronavirus related job losses.

Look at your finances

You might be in for a lean few months, even with severance pay and unemployment benefits, so it is wise to look at your finances now and see where you can cut back.

If you have an expensive gym or cable subscription, it might be time to look at cancelling it or at least reducing your package, for the time being, until you are back in work and on your feet. You never know, you may find that you can manage perfectly well without it and not need to reinstate it!

Take care of your mental health

Losing your job can be one of the most stressful things you can go through. One minute you’re in a great routine, surrounded hopefully by colleagues that you get on with and have a regular income coming into the house and then suddenly, all of that is whipped out from under your feet.

If this happens to you, you need to make sure that you take great care of your mental and physical health and wellbeing.

Unemployment can be lonely. Reach out to your family and friends - you have nothing to be ashamed of. As well as supporting your mental health and giving you a much needed social connection, they may be able to help you with looking for a new job.

You also need to change your narrative and realize that your job does not define you. One of the first things that people ask each other when they first meet is what they do for a living. This can be pretty tough going if you don’t have a job, but remember, you work to live, not live to work. You are not your job.

Look for a new job

Once you have got your head around everything, it is time to start to look for a new job. Maybe you are hoping to go back into the same field or industry that you have just come out of, or perhaps you see your job loss as a good opportunity to try your hand at something new, maybe something like open truck driving jobs at Knight Transportation. Perhaps you will even use the time to launch your own business doing something that you have always wanted to do. If you have a stimulus check and can afford to, why not look at using that to start something off?

Being laid off is not fun for anyone. It is a worrying time - losing your routine, some of your social connections and of course, the lack of income. However, remember you are never alone. There are lots of people in the same boat as you and no one is going to judge you, particularly at a time such as this.

5 Ways to Improve Your Dog's Quality of Life

Your pet will transform your life in a variety of ways, such as offering companionship, unconditional love, and loyalty. While you might want to care for their every need, improving their life goes beyond comfortable dog beds and tasty treats.

To ensure your dog is both happy and healthy with each passing year, read the below five ways to improve your dog’s quality of life.

1.    A Healthy Diet

Many pet owners associate food with love. Although you might believe that giving your dog an extra portion or two will make them happy, this could lead to rapid weight gain and various health issues.

To prevent obesity and future problems, you should feed your dog the right portion for their size, age, and breed. Contact a vet for advice if you’re unsure about the right foods and portion size for their diet.

2.    Daily Physical Exercise

It might be easy to overlook a daily walk with a dog if you have a busy lifestyle. It is, however, important for their health and wellbeing that they exercise regularly. The amount of physical activity they need will be determined by their breed.

Walk your pooch at least once a day, or twice, if possible. It could stop your loveable canine from developing a weight problem while also preventing a low mood and behavioral issues.

3.    Annual Veterinarian Visits

The thought of your pet pooch developing a health problem more than likely fills you with fear. Annual veterinary check-ups can identify an issue in its early stages, which could help a dog to make a full recovery. What’s more, a vet can provide advice on how to care for your pet each day to ensure they live a long, healthy life.

If you have yet to take your dog for a check-up with a vet, find a reputable practice to provide your pet with essential exams, vaccinations, and nutritional consultations, such as veterinarianmidlothianva.com.

4.    Regular Mental Exercise

Boredom can cause a dog to struggle with a low mood or even depression. Improve their wellbeing by providing activities to exercise their mind. Both you and your pooch will welcome a different form of exercise. 

For example, you could:

·        Buy various dog toys

·        Take trips to new places

·        Tackle different walking routes

·        Teach new tricks and skills

 

5.    Groom Your Pooch

Grooming cannot only improve your dog’s appearance, but it could transform their quality of life. For example, your canine will feel comfortable when they have a clean, trimmed coat, as it can stop matting from tugging at their skin.

Shorter toenails will help them to move around your home or outdoors comfortably, and trimming their fur can prevent it from hanging over their eyes and obstructing their vision.

However, you must avoid cleaning your dog too much, as it could dry out and irritate their skin. Unless your dog is dirty, shampoo your dog at least once every three months. You also can use water without shampoo once per week to help them enjoy a fresh and shiny coat.

Gift Ideas To Make Your Man Feel Like A Classy Gentleman

There are many different types of men out there, and many types of aspirations that these men might have. A lot of us have men in our lives who strive to act like the kind of gentleman who might seem rare nowadays: the composed, thoughtful, yet resilient type. The kind who goes the extra mile for others with nothing but class. If you want the man in your life to feel a little classy, himself, then here are a few gifts that help with just that.

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Keeping it classy

Is your mind the kind to care about what kind of impression he makes on others through his appearance? Considerate men tend to consider what messages they’re sending out with how they look and, for that type of man, a grooming kit can actually make for a really great gift. If you’re not entirely sure what he’s missing from his arsenal, then getting a full grooming kit with just about everything he needs from places like Mr. Porter might be able to make it easy for you.

Give him a sensory experience

We all like to be a little indulgent and finding out just what ticks your man’s boxes can really make him feel like he’s living the high life. For a lot of guys, a well-aged scotch might just work fine. For some, it might be a really great bag of imported coffee beans. For others, it might the chance of puff on a really good cigar from places like Cheap Little Cigars. If you’re a particularly good cook, you might even want to shell out for the best ingredients and make a truly sumptuous meal for him, too.

Incorporate what he loves

A lot of men derive a lot of value from what they perceive to be their “taste.” In being particular with the music, art, and cinema they consume, they shape what ideas are important to them. As such, you can choose a gift that has real meaning to him if you look a little deeper into his tastes. For instance, if the man in your life loves a particular musical artist or has a deep connection to a certain song, then you can use that by getting a personalized vinyl record label with the lyrics to that song on it.

Take the time to pamper him

Feel like the man in your life constantly takes the time to pamper you and treat you, whether with big gestures or even regular little moments of generosity, then you might want to return the favor. Plenty of men enjoy the opportunity to rest and relax as much as anyone else, so give him a gift that can really wow him, such as a romantic city-break with a stop in a hotel with a spa and give him the chance to really feel surprised and appreciated.

Every gentleman who gives his all for the people around him deserves to feel classy now and then, and you can very much make it happen. Hopefully, the gifts above give you some ideas of your own.

3 Things To Know About Pool Care

Owning a pool can be a rewarding experience. The thought of splashing around with friends during a pool party, or floating serenely on the clear, calm water is very enticing. Like many other parts of the yard and house, pools need regular maintenance to function properly.

1. Water Quality

An important part of maintaining a pool is keeping a close eye on the water quality. If the chemicals in the pool become unbalanced or are not added in a timely manner, then the pool water can become unsafe to swim in. Even if the water looks clear, things may not be perfectly in balance. If a water quality issue is suspected, then a sample can be taken for water testing Pittsburgh. Professionals can diagnose any problems and recommend solutions.

2. Sanitation System

There are different sanitation systems available and each one has its pros and cons. Chlorine systems are a popular choice and can be used for any type of pool. Saltwater and bromine systems are less harsh on skin than traditional chlorine systems but can be more costly. Mineral systems are also becoming more widespread, as they are generally easy to maintain. It is important to note that both saltwater and mineral systems do still utilize chlorine in different amounts.

3. Liner

Any pool with a liner should be monitored. They will last about 5-10 years before needing to be replaced. Replacing the liner is best done by professionals, as it is a tricky task. Done incorrectly, it can lead to an uneven liner with air bubbles or leaks. To replace the liner, the pool will need to be drained. If the pool is old, the walls may not be able to stand up without the support of the water.

Having a pool can be fun for everyone, whether it is a whole family or a single person who wants to enjoy calm afternoons doing laps. Take care of the system and it should last for a long time.

5 Easy Party Foods Your Guests Will Love

Most parties tend to center around the food. The food options will make or break the party, so choose wisely if you want to create an unforgettable event. Here are five easy party foods that your guests will love. 

1. Cookies

Cookies are the perfect sweet treat that everyone loves. You can offer a variety of choices to satisfy the pallet of everyone there. Cookies Schaumburg are an easy finger food that you can whip up a batch yourself or for even more ease go to your local bakery. 

2. Protein

When you think of party foods you might think of little smokies, chicken wings or meatballs. The classics are classic for a reason. Everyone will enjoy a good protein to nibble on. You can mix up the flavors and find a new recipe that tries something new instead of the normal bbq sauce. Your guests will be talking about the new flavors all night.

3. Bacon-Wrapped Anything

Bacon makes anything better. You can wrap other meat in bacon or add it to some bread pull-aparts or to chicken and veggie skewers. To make anything you are serving go to the next level just add some bacon. 

4. Fresh Fruits and Veggies

There is something about the perfect bite of watermelon that just gets people excited. Serving some healthier options will help add variety to all the savory and sweet treats. 

5. Chex Mix

Chex cereal mixes are such a versatile party food you can serve anytime. Make it sweet with chocolate and peanut butter to make Muddie Buddies or mix it with pretzels and nuts for a tasty salty treat.

If you want to host the perfect party that your guests will remember, serve great food. Don't stress as much about napkins that match the cups, but serve a variety of foods and add in a little surprise by trying new recipes of your favorite dishes.