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Disability benefit cheat referee jailed
A local league football referee who claimed £17,000 in disability benefits has been jailed after being filmed officiating at matches.
Steve Paskin, from Newport, had claimed he could not walk more than a 100 yards (91m) without extreme discomfort.
But investigators caught the 46-year-old in action as a referee at several games. A local league football referee who claimed £17,000 in disability benefits has been jailed after being filmed officiating at matches. ... more -
Bill will ensure 'sole survivor' veterans get full benefits
It's been more than 65 years since Thomas and Alleta Sullivan of Waterloo, Iowa, lost all five of their sons as the result of combat action in the Guadalcanal Campaign during World War II.
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The tragic loss of the Sullivan brothers in 1942 led the U.S. military to adopt a "sole survivor" policy. The policy provides that when several siblings are in the military, and all but one is killed, the sole survivor can be discharged before his or her enlistment period is complete.
But the policy has a catch, which Jason Hubbard discovered after he and his two younger brothers all served in Iraq. After Jared and Nathan Hubbard were killed, Jason Hubbard left the Army under the sole survivor policy.But then the California resident discovered that his discharge left him without any of the Army benefits to which he normally would have been entitled, such as health coverage and access to the GI Bill for educational benefits. He even was asked to repay some of his enlistment bonus.
Lawmakers were justifiably shocked to learn of Hubbard's predicament, and last month the U.S. House of Representatives passed the "Hubbard Act," to ensure that sole survivors are entitled to the same benefits as others who are honorably discharged from the military. The U.S. Senate passed the bill last Friday and President George W. Bush is expected to sign it soon.
The Hubbard Act is retroactive to Sept. 11, 2001, and the Defense Department says there are at least 50 sole survivors who stand to benefit from the measure. That is the least that we as taxpayers can do for people whose families have endured the ultimate sacrifice - sometimes multiple times - on behalf of this nation and our freedom. It's been more than 65 years since Thomas and Alleta Sullivan of Waterloo, Iowa, lost all five of their sons as the result of com... more -
Want dole money? Earn it!
"Benefit claimants will have to take part in a new "work for dole" plan as part of a package of welfare reforms to be unveiled next week that will aim to get millions back to work."
I have to say I am a firm believer in this even though it is a touchy subject for some. I hate being idle and would generally do any job rather than no job. Too often unemployment becomes a habit that is hard to shake. If you can live off your benefit why would you even look for work? Perhaps this will break the cycle whilst at the same time providing much needed staff to those in need.
What are your thoughts? "Benefit claimants will have to take part in a new "work for dole" plan as part of a package of welfare reforms to be u... more -
House Democrats cut unemployment extension to fund wars
By: John Byrne
Published: Wednesday June 4, 2008
Seeking to find a way to win over fiscally conservative "Blue Dog" members of their own caucus, House Democrats are planning to ax a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits to find a way to pay for the Iraq war.
The move comes against the wishes of the Senate: the unemployment benefit passed without incident there, with 75 senators supporting the final bill.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) told the Washington Post yesterday that the unemployment insurance provision would "probably not" be part of the final package of war and domestic spending.
The bill provides funding for President Bush's Iraq and Afghan wars. It also provides a new educational benefit for military servicemembers -- at $52 billion. The Senate has passed Bush's war bill already, at $250 billion for 10 years; the House bill settles at $165 billion, and also includes funding for some domestic measures.
Bush and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) oppose the military educational benefit, saying it is too expensive and will drain troops from active service. The benefit, introduced by Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA), offers enough money to cover all university charges, up to the cost of the most expensive public university in a veteran's home state.
Hoyer told the Post the final version of the bill won't come to the House floor until at least next week, while members negotiate between the chambers. By: John Byrne Published: Wednesday June 4, 2008 ... more -
Japanese Company Offers Lovelorn Workers Heartbreak Leave
Have you just found out your partner's cheating on you with your best friend? Did someone just dump you by text message? Are you likely to burst into tears every time you hear "Nothing Compares To You" on the radio? Then Hime & Company could be your dream employers, since the enlightened Japanese company is offering heartbreak leave as one of its many employee benefits.
The company's website explains that, "Many companies have maternity leave and claim they are kind to women because of this... People may take sick leave, yet not for heartache. But people would find it harder to be at work in such a situation, making simple mistakes, doing strange things."
As anyone who's ever shown up to work red-eyed and fuzzy brained after a particularly heinous row with a loved one knows, heartbreak leave makes sense not only for the employee but for the employer too. The recently heartbroken are in no mental state to make competent decisions, or deal in a cool and collected way with fellow workers or members of the public.
Employers may also want to consider the man-hours lost as co-workers rally round to cheer up the heartbroken. All those serial heart to hearts by the coffee machine add up, making a day or two of official heartbreak leave look like sound economic sense.
Those with perpetually tragic love lives have their heartbreak capped at Hime & Company however. Those in their early 20's are allowed one heartbreak day a year, those in their mid-twenties are allowed two, while those who are thirty-plus are allowed a full three-days heartbreak vacation. (The Japanese are famous for their love hotels, perhaps they should have heartbreak hotels with classic back & white movies, tissues and chocolate on tap too.)
Interestingly, none of Hime & Company's workers have taken advantage of the company's heartbreak holidays, though another benefit has seen a much higher uptake rate. 100% of employees have taken advantage of the company's "bargain leave," which is offered to workers twice a year so they can take advantage of the sales. This leads us to conclude that companionship from coworkers and retail therapy tops solace when it comes to dealing with a broken heart. Have you just found out your partner's cheating on you with your best friend? Did someone just dump you by text message? Are you ... more -
Viacom's Slave System
Things were bad with benefits when I worked there. I was W2, but only freelance. My fellow permalancers had to wait 3 months before getting benefits. I for one did not like the 50 hour work weeks and left. Now, the seemingly "optional" 50 hour weeks will not only be mandatory, but lead to a possibility of the worst benefits system ever.
Those that work there have heard about "changes" but haven't actually heard what is going on. If this is true, it sounds awful for everyone there. Things were bad with benefits when I worked there. I was W2, but only freelance. My fellow permalancers had to wait 3 months before ge... more -
Benefits in small businesses
We have the same needs as those who are employed by big businesses.
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Scientists discover why garlic is good for you!
So all those garlic supplements you've been taking were really just guessing until now...
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GM Workers Start the Picket Lines
Representatives from the United Auto Workers Union say the number one issue in the first nationwide strike against the U.S. auto industry since 1976 is job security, followed by protecting benefits for employees.
I covered a LOT of strikes while working for KPFA, and right on cue, GM has said they are disappointed in the union's decision to strike.
Both parties are scheduled to return to the bargaining table today. Representatives from the United Auto Workers Union say the number one issue in the first nationwide strike against the U.S. auto indus... more -
Bloggers Becoming One??
The great debate is on in the Blogosphere. Should we unionize?
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