AOL Jobs

Modlet Helps Consumers and Businesses 'Go Green'

Lauren Fairbanks — 2011-01-12T04:24:00+00:00

Tons of businesses are riding the "green" wave, but few are really succeeding at making a discernible difference in their energy usage. Although, it's rarely for lack of trying, and more often due to the fact that most companies have absolutely no idea where to start with implementing greener policies.

Luckily tech companies have realized this and started creating products geared toward helping people make a start on energy conservation -- in the easiest and most time-conscious ways possible.

ThinkEco is an example of a company that's working to help other companies (and soon, individual consumers) make a dent in their energy usage and electric bills.

Skype Introduces Group Chats for Individuals and Businesses

Lauren Fairbanks — 2011-01-11T09:28:00+00:00

Skype isn't new to the tech scene, but this year they are releasing new and upgraded technology that will allow more people to connect more easily via their television and smartphones.

While Skype calls and video chats have been around for a while (Skype-to-Skype calls are free, while Skype to cell phones or landlines cost a nominal per-minute fee), the new big thing is group video chatting. This is major for a few reasons: Group video chats are fantastic for families who want to keep in touch, and are spread over the world. And it's even better for businesses -- especially small and medium-sized companies looking for an affordable and workable conference solution.

Skype multi-person video chats will be able to host up to 10 callers at a time. With a sleek and minimal interface, the calling screen looks fantastic -- especially on a large high-definition screen. Since many small businesses and even individual freelancers are turning to an increasingly mobile office, the Skype Group Chats are a powerful and cost-effective way for employees and contractors to keep in touch without losing the personal touch that's often lost communicating solely through e-mail.

The most notable capability with group chatting is the sound recognition technology that detects which user is speaking during the group hat and zooms in on the user automatically, leaving thumbnails of the other callers below. Once that person stops talking or another person takes over, Skype quickly readjusts the screen to allow for the next person speaking.

Like Skype to phone calls, the group chatting service isn't free. Pricing per user is a flat-rate of $8.99 per month, regardless whether the service is being used for personal or business use. For businesses, this is a fantastic deal and well under the price points of many competing conferencing systems -- especially considering that there isn't any expensive peripheral technology that's needed to run the software.

The other latest news from Skype is the partnership with Panasonic, revealing a built-in Skype calling app into Blu-ray televisions. There is no additional feel to use Skype on the Panasonic TVs, except for the standard Skype-to-phone and group chatting costs.

Gazelle Allows Small Business to Recycle Gadgets and Get Paid

Lauren Fairbanks — 2011-01-07T04:46:00+00:00

Small businesses often get the short end of the stick when it comes time for them to upgrade their electronics -- be it laptops, desktops, phones or PDAs. While larger corporations can take advantage of asset disposal, the same can be extremely costly for small and medium-sized businesses. Which is precisely why Gazelle, a gadget recycling company, saw the perfect market for under-served business owners and even individual freelancers.

The way it works is simple: You do a search for the type of gadget you're getting rid of (example: a first generation iPhone) and then Gazelle asks you for basic information regarding the wear and tear of the device. After going through a quick questionnaire, they quote you a price, send you a box to mail the item in and you receive a check. Business transactions work in a similar fashion, though since most businesses tend to get rid of old tech in bulk, the website lets you input one item at a time along with the number of units to be sent and then they get back to you with a quote within 30 days.

While the company's main website page focuses on instructing individual consumers on how to send in their gadgets for cash, there's a link at the bottom that takes you to the "Gazelle for Business" section.

Gazelle can be a godsend for companies who don't have the funds or supply to liquidate large amounts of old tech, and it gives them an avenue to return on old gadgets the cash from which can be used toward purchasing new items -- a win/win for a business of any size.

Scooping Ice Cream Now Considered a Potential Job Hazard

Lauren Fairbanks — 2010-11-17T15:00:00+00:00

An Alberta woman has successfully completed a workers compensation claim for re-injuring a past shoulder injury from repeatedly scooping ice cream at her job at a convenience store. Her claim, which was initially denied, was finally approved after she appealed it after finding out that her injured shoulder would require surgery to repair the rotator cuff.

Social Media Plays a Huge Role in YOUR Job Search -- Whether You Realize It or Not

Lauren Fairbanks — 2010-11-04T17:03:00+00:00

Social media has had an iffy relationship with job seekers over the past few years, with many people claiming that using sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and even Twitter were helping people in their job searches. But many social media users are still baffled at how these sites bring together companies and job seekers. Is it true or are we still just singing the (possibly unwarranted) praises of social media?

Domino's Pizza Hiring Delivery Person for $31,000 per Hour

Lauren Fairbanks — 2010-11-03T13:05:00+00:00

No, that's not a misprint. The behemoth pizza chain, Domino's, is embarking on quite the marketing gimmick. For its 25th anniversary in Japan, the company is offering up 25 different offers, ranging from free food and discount coupons to a delivery job at the rate of $31K (2,500,000 yen) an hour.

Want to Retire by 65? Think Again!

Lauren Fairbanks — 2010-10-18T05:06:00+00:00

Americans may have shot themselves in the foot when it comes to retiring in a timely fashion. A recent study conducted by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College recently reported that American workers (ages 32-64) are a stunning $6.6 trillion short of budget.

Weak Economy is Killing Off Office Romances

Lauren Fairbanks — 2010-09-22T05:32:00+00:00

In a time of massive uncertainty in the job market, there are many economic side effects. But one surprising product of a slimming job market has been the steep decline of office romances. But unlike the most likely of reasons - stress levels of workers - it's actually because of an increase in legal complaints from third parties. Or in laymen's terms, office tattle tales.

Americans Forgo Vacation Time Fearing Job Security

Lauren Fairbanks — 2010-09-17T06:00:00+00:00

Americans have a love/ hate relationship with their vacation time. We're always complaining of how little of it we actually get, while sweeping it to the side when we get the opportunity to take advantage of it. Top that off with the consistent, nagging worry of losing our jobs, and it's a miracle that the majority of working Americans aren't chugging away for 52 straight weeks a year.

Before You Take an Assistant Job, Read This: An Interview with Lilit Marcus

Lauren Fairbanks — 2010-09-08T06:00:00+00:00

Lilit Marcus, Editor of The Gloss, and newly published author, is a beacon of shining light for the beleaguered and battered assistants of the working world. Her new book, Save the Assistants: A Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the Workplace, helps young adults transitioning to the workplace in the be-all end-all of crappy jobs. She's hoping this book will help bridge the gap of confusion that many newly minted graduates feel when starting their first jobs. We sat down with her to talk about what inspired her to write this book and what helpful tips she has for other assistants who are feeling the stress of being their boss's whipping boy.

Burden of Health Insurance Costs Falling More Heavily on Employees

Lauren Fairbanks — 2010-09-06T07:04:00+00:00

It seems as if American workers just keep getting shafted in the workplace. A recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation and The Health Research and Educational Trust found that while employer contributions to health plans have been decreasing -- down 0.9% this year -- employee contributions have continued to rise astronomically. The average American worker's health care coverage contribution rose 13.7% in just this year and has risen 47% since 2005.

U.S. employers are cutting costs by continuing to shift the financial burden of health care costs onto their employees. And while it would seem that moving those additional expenses over to the workers may help companies keep some jobs in tact, added to longer hours and stagnant or lowered pay, it's still another blow to workers struggling to make ends meet.

To further cut health care costs, a steep 30% of employers this year have downgraded their benefits packages, offering more high deductible plans to employees. The Washington Post reported that "Twenty-seven percent of employees with health benefits now face annual deductibles of at least $1,000."

Two Cents on Tipping: Who, When and How Much

Lauren Fairbanks — 2010-09-02T04:06:00+00:00

Tipping can be an awkward and uncomfortable situation for many people. How much is too little versus how much is too much? Is it customary to tip your garbage worker and you mailman? What about the guitar playing songstress at your local coffee shop? Luckily there are rules of thumb for the myriad of service industry professionals that rely on tips to get by. We spoke to Coupon Sherpa writer Kate Forgach, who spilled the beans on whom to tip, how much to leave, and what the unspoken rules are of tipping.

Real Company Provides Fake Receipts to Pad Your Expense Report

Lauren Fairbanks — 2010-09-01T12:58:00+00:00

There are services that help you fake your way through college essays and school papers, and now it seems that there are services that allow you to lie and scheme your way through your professional adult life as well. The Sales Receipt Store, an online receipt printing service, flaunts the tag line "Create phony sales receipts from any store." For a mere $14.99, you can have 15 receipts printed out on legit EPOS paper to create fraudulent receipts that could allow one to claim more expenses on an expense report, among other things.

Safety More Important Than Money to Most Workers

Lauren Fairbanks — 2010-08-31T13:16:00+00:00

A study from the University of Chicago's National Opinion Research Center shows that safety in the workplace is the top priority for workers, ranking higher than minimum wage, paid sick days, maternity leave and overtime. According to the study, which drew on polls and surveys from 2001 - 2010, most people tend to notice the importance of workplace safety once a workplace disaster happens - like the recent oil rig explosion in the Gulf.

Helpful Co-Workers Are Least Liked in the Workplace

Lauren Fairbanks — 2010-08-30T12:58:00+00:00

The old adage "misery loves company" was found to ring true after a recent study done on personalities in the workplace. Craig Parks, co-author of the study and a professor at Washington State University, found out that helpful and unselfish co-workers were the least liked in office. While conventional wisdom would have you believe that helpful workers would be admired and liked within the workplace, Parks found out that they are, in fact, liked less for "raising the bar" for overall employee expectations.

Man Gets Drunk and Shoots Company Server -- 'Office Space' Style

Lauren Fairbanks — 2010-08-27T06:00:00+00:00

It's as if the movie 'Office Space' has come to life with the story of a drunk mortgage company employee in Salt Lake City, Utah, opening fire on a company server. Joshua Lee Campbell, a 23-year-old Salt Lake City resident, apparently showed up at his office inebriated after attending a concert and shot his .45-caliber pistol at the company's $100,000 computer server and then passed out next to his gun.

Chicago Cop Blasts "Political Hacks" via Blog for Destroying the Department

Lauren Fairbanks — 2010-08-25T02:39:00+00:00

It seems that one of the silver linings of a global recession is that once people take enough abuse at the hands of an incompetent employer, it lends an unwavering courage to stand up and voice complaints - regardless of reprisal. That was the case for Lt. John R. Andrews, a Chicago cop who posted a thoughtfully written 3,000 word assessment on the workings and issues that are currently plaguing his department. [Read the blog post here]

Fired Cop Hijacks Bus to Get His Job Back

Lauren Fairbanks — 2010-08-23T03:17:00+00:00

A cop who was fired in the Philipines over drug, robbery and extortion allegations has taken the drastic step of hijacking a tour bus filled with tourists from Hong Kong. Rolando Mendoza, who held the position of Senior Police Inspector, hijacked the bus in an attempt to be reinstated in the police force. The tour coach, which was carrying 20 passengers - mostly Chinese - was scheduled to return to Hong Kong this evening.

According to The Telegraph, Mendoza's brother, also a policeman, was one of the hostage negotiators and explained that Mendoza, along with four other policeman, were unfairly removed from the police force after a false allegation was registered by a hotel boss claiming the police officer attempted to blackmail him. According to his brother, Mendoza was "unjustly removed from service. There was no due process, no hearing, no complaint". According to reports, only six of the hostages survived, and Mendoza was shot and killed after using hostages as shields in the final moments.

Busted Department of Education Workers Need a Refresher Course in Being Discreet

Lauren Fairbanks — 2010-08-23T03:01:00+00:00

The NY Daily News reported yesterday that over a dozen teachers and other DOE professionals have been busted for playing hooky from their jobs. According to the NYDN, over 13 employees have been terminated or fined over the past two years for calling in sick and taking paid vacations - all on taxpayer dimes. While the number of professionals that do this are surely higher, these workers were caught by posting photos of vacation on social media profiles like Facebook and returning to their jobs with trademark vacation signs, like tans.

The Department of Education stated that aside from the myriad of paid holidays and summer vacation time off, teachers have an additional 10 days each year for illness, three of which can be converted into personal days with prior granted permission. Ann Forte, a spokesperson for the Department of Education stated "If teachers or staff are found to be abusing the policy to take a vacation, we will take action."

Work Theft: Sams Club Employee Busted for Stealing Credit Cards from Customers

Lauren Fairbanks — 2010-08-21T13:31:00+00:00

A Sam's Club employee in Hanover, MA has been charged with stealing cash from customers, using their credit cards to scam cash back from their accounts. By quickly swiping a customer's credit card after an initial transaction, 22-year-old Guy Diatta would enter a false transaction and choose to receive cash back, which he would then pocket.