Tag Archives: business

Flooring For Your Retail Store

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Flooring For Your Retail Store

Commercial flooring may be something you are considering if you are opening up a new store or you have determined that it is time for a re-vamp. There are many different types of flooring to pick from, and below we will tell you what needs to be considered when choosing flooring for your retail store.

The first factor to keep in mind is how the commercial flooring looks. A lot of people will only shop in places that visually appeal to them. This is why selecting the right flooring is so crucial. Consider the color and the tone. In hidden corners, dark floors can carry connotations of dirt. Light floors have the benefit of opening up the store and making it look bigger. For excitement and warmth, consider the likes of melon, orange, paprika, and other warm colors. For a modern and refined style, flooring in shades of grey, navy, or mint works effectively.

You also need to consider the resilience, as your floor will need to be able to withstand a high amount of foot track. If you’re going to go for carpet, make sure you put together a carpet cleaning schedule to keep on top of things. High quality carpet extractors will definitely come in handy! You also need flooring that has a high level of friction. The last thing you want is for your clients to fall or slip while looking around. Not only would they end up being injured, but you’d be liable. When choosing commercial flooring, you also have to consider the product. A prime example would be a bike store. Most have non-slip flooring, as this is essential for when customers are trying out bicycles.

You might be surprised to find that there is so much more to selecting the best flooring than you originally thought. You really do need to consider the service your store is providing as well as its visual appearance for the best outcome. If you are having trouble making a decision with all of this new information, that’s okay! When you make an appointment with Carolina Commercial Flooring installers (or a similar company in your local area), your team of professionals will be able to talk through your ideas with you. Based on your conversation, they will be able to give you suggestions for flooring that meets your aesthetics and the functionality your store needs.

What About Flotex Flooring?

In the past, business owners had the option of wood, tiling, or carpet when it came to flooring. This was the case for many years. However, there are now lots of flooring choices available, and one of these options is Flotex.

Flotex commercial flooring is very much like a hybrid of vinyl and carpet flooring. It combines the best features of the two, resulting in commercial flooring that is cheap, practical, and aesthetically pleasing. You will find this type of flooring in a lot of public spaces, including classrooms, gyms, and libraries. So, what makes it so popular?

Flotex flooring is easy to look after and hygienic. Carpets trap everything, from allergens and spills to dirt. This is because the fibers are typically curved. Flotex flooring does not do this, as the fibers are upright. This makes the flooring a lot easier to clean.

You can also expect high levels of comfort and durability with Flotex flooring because it has more fibers than carpet, which makes it very comfortable. It also means that it is long-lasting and durable too, which is why it works well in environments where there is a high amount of traffic.

You can also expect better acoustic qualities when compared with other flooring alternatives due to the sheer number of fibers. As you can see, there are many benefits associated with Flotex, and this is why it is also popular in homes and businesses. Remember that you can usually get samples of commercial carpet squares from reputable flooring suppliers so be sure to use them in order to find the best solution for your space!

Signs You Need To Replace Your Carpet:

Nothing looks worse than a dirty or worn carpet. It can have a negative impact on the overall appearance of your business. Signs that you need to get rid of your current carpet includes stains that cannot be removed, as well as an excessive amount of wear and tear. Is your carpet giving off a bad odor? There is only so much air freshener you can use to disguise this. Plus, not everyone wants to smell artificial air sprays when at work.

Have you noticed that more and more people are suffering from allergies at your business? Allergies are made worse when a carpet is old. This is because the carpet retains more particulate matter and allergens. An increase in allergies is likely to come from your carpet. You also need to look at the state of the carpet padding. If you don’t have any padding, the carpet is essentially nothing but a layer of fabric. The padding improves insulation, buffers sound, and provides comfort. When this layer is worn, you need to replace your carpet with new commercial flooring, as it has lost its effectiveness.

Use the tips above and get your business looking its best with new flooring!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Taking Your Career To The Next Stage With Legal Management

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Taking Your Career To The Next Stage With Legal Management

It is no secret that working within the legal sector can be highly tiring, you are often working unsociable hours, working through complicated paperwork, or presiding over complex cases. As a result, it is easy to feel tired or burned out at work. You may even feel as though you are ready for a career change.

Often, when we are overly busy, we feel as though we get caught in a cycle that we cannot escape, where work consumes most of our day, and we have little time for anything else. It is often hard to find new ways in which you can continue to develop your skills and take the next step in your career. However, that is where companies such as Elite lawyer management come in.

Elite Lawyer Management is a unique PR and talent marketing agency, who works closely with elite lawyers across America, helping them advance their careers through close collaboration. Their services cover a broad range of topics, each of which will help you advance. Here’s how:

Personal Branding:

When developing your personal branding, you can demonstrate your unique skills and capabilities, whilst also building a reputation of excellence within your field. Your personal brand will also allow you the opportunity to express yourself, meaning you can voice opinions about causes that are close to your heart. As a result, you will receive more focused work that is built upon your personal interests, allowing you to develop on a personal and professional level. It is fair to argue that personal branding is essential if you wish to work successfully as a lawyer.

Opening Doors:

Elite Lawyer Management works with lawyers whose careers exceed far beyond the courtroom, allowing you to develop a unique and diverse skill set. For example, they can help you step into the world of publishing and academia or public speaking – both of which will allow you to use your expertise to enact positive change and inform others. If you have always wanted to appear on television, you may also want to consider working as a legal advisor for a local or national news channel.

Content Marketing:

To take the next steps in your career, you need to ensure that you are staying up to date with current trends so that your work remains on the public radar. One way in which you can do this is through crafting an online presence. In fact, in a world that becomes more and more reliant on technology, not having a web presence could harm your growth. Whether this means you focus on cultivating a social media presence or writing blogs, management services can help your work reach the right audience.

In conclusion, legal management services are a great way to progress in your career, providing you with valuable ways in which you can develop your skills and help you stand out from the crowd. Even better, they will not work with any other attorneys or law firms that could be considered your direct competitor, proving that your success remains their priority.

Featured Image By: Nick Morrison on Unsplash

7 Pandemic Proof Jobs You Could Try

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7 Pandemic Proof Jobs You Could Try

While COVID-19 has meant that many people have lost jobs, it has also highlighted those jobs which are needed more than ever. If you have been left unemployed or you are only just starting out in your career, then perhaps these jobs are something you should consider:

Teacher:

Parents have never appreciated teachers more now that they have had the experience of homeschooling their kids. Teachers are always going to be needed, and while a lot of teaching has or will move online, this will be an addition to the face to face learning meaning that there will be more jobs for teachers. Thanks to the use of video conferencing, it will be more commonplace to teach to people all over the world. So if teaching is something you have a passion for, then there are people who will always need you.

Skilled Tradespeople:

Plumbers and electricians, for example, can still do their jobs with little risk as they can social distance and wear PPE to protect themselves and their clients. You can also usually learn on the job with an apprenticeship such as this one here: https://www.abcksmo.org/training/plumbing-program/. Any kind of skilled trade you can learn is a wonderful thing because your job will always be needed. Certification programs in HVAC, for example, are often offered at community colleges. You will learn the ins and outs of your trade and become knowledgeable in various boiler supplies so you can expertly complete the task at hand. This is an especially enticing option for those who don’t want to spend time on a lengthier degree.

Healthcare Workers:

Again, healthcare workers have never been so important, and this will continue to be the case. While the world will be more prepared for a pandemic should one happen again, there will always be a need for more people to help people. Whether it’s those in a hospital or living in care homes, there are many vulnerable people who need health care.

Exercise Coaching:

While many gyms and exercise centers had to close due to the pandemic, exercise is still extremely important and very popular. A lot of personal trainers moved online, and this is something that will look to continue as people want to exercise from the safety of their own home but still want to learn and to be pushed by someone.

Delivery Drivers:

As more people order online, whether it be food or shopping, there is a higher demand for delivery drivers, and this doesn’t look set to change any time soon. You can start by working for somewhere like Amazon Flex or Deliveroo if you just want to make some money on the side.

IT Professionals:

We’ve also never been more reliant on technology and software engineers, web developers, and online security specialists are in demand. Digital skills are required in all industries, from e-commerce to automating processes in factories, so there is huge growth in this sector right now. There is also a lot of competition, but there’s no reason why you can’t beat that and be the one to get the job.

Cleaners:

Offices which are now open have to be extra vigilant with their cleaning, as do shops and services. Also, places like holiday homes need extra attention, so there is a greater need not just for more cleaners but for a deeper clean to eliminate the risk of COVID.

If you are on the hunt for a job, get inspired with the ideas above!

Featured Image By: 14995841 from Pixabay

La Marie Brow Club Update

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La Marie Brow Club Update

Hello!!! Just about two years ago, I had my first microblading appointment at my cousin, Laura’s, studio in Pittsburgh called La Marie Brow Club. At the time, she was renting out the back of a tattoo studio to do her amazing work. Now, for the past year, she owns her own shop with multiple artists working there who specialize in permanent makeup.

Over the weekend, my sister and I went on a road trip so Laura could work her microblading magic on Kristen. Not only does my sister look fabulous but Laura’s new shop is so awesome I just had to share it with all of you! Kristen and I are both already itching to go back for our touch up appointments in December. 🙂

Check it out:

Laura’s last studio was the size of just one of her new microblading rooms in the new shop so this is a major upgrade for her and I am so proud. La Marie Brow Club is closed on Sundays and Laura opened up special for us so we could hang out and Kristen could get her brows done. We had the best time having hours on end of girl talk and pampering and it was so fun to catch up because the last time we saw Laura was on March 19th AKA when all of the bars and restaurants in Ohio closed.

After Kristen’s appointment, we all headed to Laura’s parents for a social distanced take out dinner and then we made our way home to flat Ohio from hilly Pittsburgh. As always, I can’t recommend Laura’s services enough and if you are in the area it is a must to get microbladed by the best!

My touch up appointment in December will be my third time getting microbladed and I seriously cannot wait for round three and road trip round two with Kristen. It was a great day! ❤

Do you have any permanent makeup done? Would you ever get microbladed? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

5 Ways To Tell You’re Ready For A Career Change

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5 Ways To Tell You’re Ready For A Career Change

Many people aren’t actually doing what they want to do work wise or, unfortunately, only see their job as a means to an end. It’s common to feel a bit stagnant and decide to focus on furthering studies or learning something new. If you’re not feeling challenged anymore, it might be time to shake things up a bit with a career change. You’ll be more likely to be engaged and motivated at work, and will be able to start making realistic financial goals for your future. Here are five ways to tell you’re ready for a career change:

You don’t feel like your job makes a difference:

Many people opt for a career change because they want to do something more rewarding. This might mean a new job where you help make a difference in people’s lives. If you’re interested in this type of work, you could look into taking a course with an occupational therapy school. This is an example of a career where you can help people of all ages with any physical, developmental, and social challenges they may be facing.

You no longer feel challenged:

If you’ve been in the same job for a while, it’s easy to feel bored and in a rut. Often people are afraid to change careers because they don’t believe they can learn something new. This is not the solution, however, and it’s much more beneficial to seek out new challenges. This way, you’ll improve your skill set and have more opportunities in the future. It’s time to get focused and finally leave your comfort zone.

You would like to continue studying:

There are also many benefits to furthering your education. You’ll be a much more valuable member of staff to any employer, and you’ll be able to gain more experience and responsibility. Perhaps there’s a subject you’ve always wanted to study but haven’t got round to yet? It’s never too late to continue studying and if you don’t want to leave your current job you can opt for a part-time course online. Employers are generally on board with this idea, as it helps to motivate staff, so they might even offer to sponsor you.

There is a wide variety of online courses and certificate programs available. Local community colleges tend to offer fully online degrees or you can search online for well credited programs. From literary arts to home inspector training online, you are sure to find something that fits your interests.

You don’t feel financially compensated:

It’s also time for a career change if you don’t feel financially compensated. By focusing on gaining a new qualification you might be able to finally curb financial anxiety and get paid what you deserve. Money isn’t always the reason people decide on a career change, but it’s definitely a factor if you don’t feel valued at work.

Your priorities have changed:

Your priorities might have changed since you were younger. Whereas in your previous role you were more interested in travel or networking, for instance, you might now be looking for other challenges in order to progress. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for in the future, here are some tips on how to prioritize. Before you make the decision to change careers, you need to get your goals and priorities straight.

It’s never too late to try something new and, yes, that includes your career! Good luck!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Having Trouble Focusing While Working From Home?

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Having Trouble Focusing While Working From Home?

Many of us have had to get used to the prospect of working from home over the past few months. While there are undeniable benefits to being able to take care of business in your own space, a lot of people have trouble adjusting to it, as well. If you’re having trouble getting productive, here are a few solutions that might help you get back on top of things:

You’re not making time for it:

With the flexibility that comes with working from home, it might feel tempting to simply do work whenever it suits you and not have any solid plans. However, this tends to end up wrecking your work-life balance. It’s a good idea to find what time you’re more productive and create a daily schedule around that, complete with strict starting and finishing times. This way, your life and work-life don’t start to bleed together to the point that you feel like you have to be half “on” whenever you’re in the home.

You’re surrounded by clutter:

It might sound like the difference would be minimal, but a neat and organized desk actually has a big impact on your mental condition while you’re working. Clutter has been shown to be a more significant cause of stress than we otherwise give it credit for. Maximizing closet space and making use of things like desk trays in the home office can ensure that you’re not surrounded by bits and bobs all day long. You may find that your office space becomes cluttered quickly because you don’t have enough surfaces to work at. If that is the case, then it might be time to check out Office Monster to see if there is any furniture that you could add to your current set up to help better organize your space so you can complete your day’s work free of distractions.

Your office doesn’t give the right vibe:

This point might sound nebulous, but getting yourself in the right headspace to work is vitally important. As such, investing in decor that can help you create a quirky but professional vibe is important. You want to make sure that you’re surrounded by imagery and designs that inspire and energize you while also ensuring that the workplace is subtle enough that it doesn’t serve as an ongoing distraction.

For some people, it might be as simple as hanging a few pieces of art to give the room some life. For others, it could be a total change of scenery to complete a huge deadline. If this is the case, utilizing Hamilton Cabin Hire (or a similar service in your local area) could give you a welcome reprieve from your home office to focus fully. Your best work might just be a long weekend away.

You’re physically uncomfortable:

Of course, even if your office gives the vibe you need and is organized to perfection, you’re going to have a hard time enjoying it if you’re dealing with a sore back. You might not notice the impacts of poor posture immediately, but if you start to feel some aches and pains in your back and joints towards the end of the day, that means it’s time to look at your chair and desk setup. Ergonomic furniture design can help support these achy parts of you, leading to a more comfortable working day while decreasing the chances that you might actually injure yourself.

It isn’t always easy to create a home office that feels right for your working needs. However, it’s worth taking the time to implement fixes and find what works for you rather than letting yourself start to hate the prospect of working at home entirely.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Hold My Beer

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Hold My Beer

Hello! Being self employed is super rewarding and there is nothing better than being your own boss. However, I do have one complaint: Taking time off sucks! When I am sick or going on vacation, I don’t get paid time off so I often end up running myself ragged until all of it catches up with me. Like last week, for example.

I’d like for all of us to take a minute to laugh at what I told Johnny when I returned home from work last Monday. I believe it went a little something like this: “I’m really not trying to take time off until Thanksgiving”. Then, the world said “hold my beer” and I ended up having to take the rest of the week off from being sick.

When I woke up on Tuesday, it was like a switch flipped on and “Sick Mode” commenced. Oh my, was I miserable. I had a hell of a sinus infection and all of the drainage going into my stomach made me nauseous to the point of throwing up. I was so tired constantly even though some nights I slept for close to twelve hours. Needless to say, there was no way I was going into work.

It honestly took falling sick and feeling so yucky for me to realize that I need to be far more generous with my time off – even if I’m not getting paid for it. My health should always come first, especially in COVID times and I can’t take care of my clients or myself properly when I am so worn out and going for months on end without a week day or two off.

Being the CEO to two thriving businesses has its perks. I love making my own schedule, being one hundred percent in control of everything, and only having myself to answer to. But, being the boss also means knowing when an employee needs a break and I plan on being much more accommodating to that from here on out.

I’ll tell you what, being sick and all alone in my apartment while Johnny is at work is for the birds. And not having my parents take care of me like back in the day when I was under the weather is for the birds too. So, here’s to less days off from being sick and more days off for pure fun and relaxation. Let’s get it!

How do you keep sane while self employed? How did you spend your last day off? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Making Fitness Into Your Business

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Making Fitness Into Your Business

Fitness can be one of life’s greatest pursuits. Working out, creating healthy food, and looking after every aspect of your health can make for a very satisfying life, and a lot of people find themselves becoming near-obsessed with this part of their lifestyle. Of course, simply living the life of a fitness addict may not go as far as you’d like. To help you out with this, this post will be exploring some of the best ways to make fitness into your business, giving you the chance to take the next step with this part of your life:

Opening A Gym:

Gyms are getting increasingly popular in the modern world. Many people use this sort of resource, and even more would be motivated to do so if they had a gym close to their home. This makes opening a gym a safe and stable business option that will give you the chance to embrace your love of fitness. You will have to make sure that you are prepared for the work that can come with this, as it isn’t always easy to run a physical business. You will find that a big part of running a gym is keeping everything in working order for your customers. This will include hiring a team for commercial gym maintenance so that your machines are always running as they should. You cannot have a functioning gym without functioning equipment!

Becoming A Coach:

While most people don’t look at them this way, sports teams can be incredibly lucrative. With sponsors, ticket and merchandise sales, and a host of other ways to make money, coaching a successful sports team can be a great way to make a living out of fitness. Online schools like The Health Coach can give you the skills you need to pursue a career like this, making it incredibly easy to work up to this while you are still doing a normal job.

Personal Training:

With more and more people going to the gym, personal trainers are in high demand. Working in a role like this will involve helping people to achieve their fitness goals, using science and coaching to improve other people’s bodies. You can find courses around the web that will teach you how to handle this role, and you can choose to look for a regular job or work as a freelance personal trainer. As time goes on, the doors will open to bigger and bigger clients, giving you the chance to climb the ladder.

Fitness Competition:

Competitive sports are another area of fitness that can be a good money-maker, while also giving you the chance to show off your abilities to a much wider audience. Getting involved with competitive sports can be a long process, with many years of hard work going into achieving the results you want. Each major win will come with a prize, though, and this can make it possible to make a living from this type of work.

With all of this in mind, you should be feeling ready to take on the challenge of making your business out of your passion for fitness. This process can be tough, but will be well worth it if you are unhappy with your current work and are ready for a change!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

How To Choose A Moving Company

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How To Choose A Moving Company

Moving home is a huge task. It’s not like when you were younger and could move everything you owned in the back of your parent’s car. As you get older and have a family, you won’t believe how many items you accumulate. While the cheapest option would be to hire a truck and do it yourself, there are many advantages to hiring a specialist moving company. When looking at a removal company, make sure your stick to the following tips:

Get a recommendation:

Hiring an Austin moving company isn’t something you do every day, so you probably don’t know much about them. Ask family and friends for recommendations. If you don’t know anyone who has moved property recently, try going online and asking on a forum or local Facebook page.

The next best thing to a personal recommendation is to look at the online reviews. Check out Yelp, Google, and Facebook and see if they have a history of happy customers. This might not seem like much, but it is extremely important for your overall satisfaction with the moving process. The right moving company is there to make things less stressful! If you are lacking in person reviews, simply enter a search for “movers chicago” (or your local area) to begin researching different companies.

Ask for a free quote:

A good service like The Moving Company will typically send someone to your house to assess what needs to be done and give you a quote. They’ll also be able to view any large items or potential access problems. If they don’t send someone to do a survey, then you may get stuck with additional costs if the job is more complicated than either you – or they – expected.

They offer additional services:

Many companies will turn up and pack up your belongings, provide the boxes and packing materials, and even unpack them at your new property.

Check their license and insurances:

Different states have varying requirements on the permits and insurance needed. Check to make sure that your chosen removal company has these in place. If they don’t and your property is lost or damaged, you will not be able to claim compensation.

Professional employees/Customer service:

A removal company should have good hiring practices. Their employees should be reference checked and trustworthy. There’s an element of ‘gut feel’ in your decision too. When talking to removal companies, they should be professional, friendly, and responsive. It’s a good idea to call several different companies for quotes as well as to see if they have employees that you can work well with. To begin the vetting process, simply enter a search for “Montreal to Gatineau moving company” (or your local area) to find the best match for you.

Be aware of suspicious payment practices:

A reputable company will offer a range of options to pay. If they are demanding that you pay by cash, or pay the entire cost upfront, then you should probably steer clear of that particular company.

Also, ask them about their policy on delays. Things can often go wrong with a house sale, which causes the moving date to be pushed back. If the fees for this are extortionate, then you may need to look for a company that is more flexible.

Choosing a removal company is an important part of moving home.  You need to trust them to turn up, do the job, and take care of your most valuable possessions. Don’t just go for the lowest price, look at the services they provide and the guarantees against damage and delay.

Featured Image By: Erda Estremera on Unsplash

How To Embed Health & Safety Into Your Business

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How To Embed Health & Safety Into Your Business

All businesses have a duty of care to their employees, a series of legal requirements that they must meet with regards to the health and safety of those in their employ. Often, the health and safety guidelines are covered in an employees onboarding program, then forgotten about.

With injuries in the workplace costing businesses millions of dollars each year, you can’t afford to let things slip. Here’s how to ensure that health and safety are at the heart of your business:

Support should come from the top:

The importance of health and safety should be evident at all levels of the organization. Everyone from the boss on down should be promoting the importance of health and safety at work, or risk a call from a personal injury lawyer. Don’t just leave everything to one designated person.

Perform annual training:

Health and safety training should be covered when an employee joins the company. This way, you are ensuring that they are getting the very latest information on your policies. But what about those employees who have been with you for a long time? How do they get their information and how much of it can they actually remember? By making annual health and safety refresher courses mandatory, you can be sure that all employees are getting the latest information on a regular basis. These sessions can be completed by management or can be outsourced when you search for a “health and safety training UK company” (or your local area).

Annual training doesn’t have to be an onerous or expensive undertaking, you could put the training online and people can complete it with minimum interruptions to their working day. Remember that if new machinery or safety equipment has been added to your facility, training on how to use it properly should follow immediately. What good is a new piece of equipment or an eyewash station as seen here if no one knows how to use it? These trainings will only enhance the safety of your employees.

Include employees in your policy making:

Rather than making one person or department totally responsible for health and safety within the company, try and find ways to get others involved. You could make health and safety issues a standing agenda item on a team meeting or have some kind of forum that people can make suggestions or report issues. There are also other avenues you can take such as hiring a lawyer. With the help of a lawyer, such as this LLC attorney Colorado, or one tailored to your geographical location, you can receive assistance and guidance with business formations, employment agreements, and mergers. These are great meetings to get your employees involved in!

Show that you are listening:

If you have gone to great lengths to include your employees in the health and safety process, they will soon lose any enthusiasm if you aren’t listening. By failing to act on their concerns, they will assume that they are not being listened to and will eventually stop contributing at all. Make any health and safety changes or results of investigations available to them. Even updates on small changes like adding some White Hygienic Wall Cladding in the employee showers is worth mentioning. It could be the change someone was waiting for!

For example, the employees working in your warehouse might have more safety concerns than those in the main office. Hold a meeting and get them the proper equipment required to continue to perform their jobs safely. First aid and CPR training should be a must as well as knowledge on storing hazardous materials properly. Red Cross can help with the first while Storemasta products can help with the second.

Focus the benefits on the employee:

You have to pitch your health and safety policies in the right way. If you present it as something that is there solely to protect the company legally and financially, it will be difficult to get buy-in. Instead, show how the policy affects their own lives and is there to protect them and keep them safe.

In order to embed health and safety into the forefront of your workforce, you need to ensure that you include employees at every step, communicate often, and repeat training on a regular basis. Not only will it lead to reduced incidents in the workplace, but will also protect your company from potential litigation.

Featured Image By: Benjamin Sow on Unsplash