Work At Home Safari

“Internet giant Google filed a lawsuit against Pacific WebWorks and other not-yet named defendants for allegedly using the Google name and logo to promote work-at-home money-making scams.”

“Thousands of people have been tricked into sending payment information and being charged hidden fees by questionable operations,” Google said in a recent blog post.

“The Better Business Bureau has received 382 complaints about Pacific WebWorks in the last year, and 84% of them are related to billing or collection, refund or exchange, and sales practice issues.”

“The company, which rates an F on BBB’s scale of A+ to F, negleted to respond to 107 complaints filed, and did not resolve 45 of them.”

Read this entire article to learn more details.

I read a story this morning that reminded me of my days working in a physical office with other colleagues.  There’s an interesting tidbit about the best time to call a meeting … it’s 3pm on Tuesday.  Here’s why.

“A meeting? First thing on Monday? For many office workers that’s a little early, an intrusion into time reserved for a hurried coffee, checking e-mails, steeling yourself for the working week, and, well, getting stuck into some actual work.

But by 3pm, the day is well under way, and many staff are better able to take the change of pace and focus that a meeting can bring. Begin any later, and wage earners will start to clock-watch.

A new study says 3pm on Tuesday is the best time to call a meeting as most prospective attendees will be free. The hour in question is an office diary sweet spot – representing a confluence of employee availability, motivation and willingness, say those responsible for the finding.”

If you’re like me, you’ve been hearing a lot of buzz on the news and radio about flu shots, Swine Flu, colds, seasonal flu, and many other things to avoid this upcoming season and frankly, it can be a little confusing. As a work-at-home mom, I want to keep my family healthy so I can keep my business going instead of tending to a sick child.

Here’s some information I found online that may help you decipher between the symptoms of a cold and the possible Swine Flu or H1N1 flu.

Cold

• Fever is rare with a cold.
• A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
• Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
• Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
• Chills are uncommon with a cold.
• Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
• Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.
• Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
• A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
• Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.
• Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.

Swine Flu

• Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
• A nonproductive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
• Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
• Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
• 60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
• Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
• Sneezing is not common with the flu.
• The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
• A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
• Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu..
• Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

For detailed information, the Centers for Disease Control has tons of free information to help you and your family stay healthy this cold and flu season.  Also, if you have any questions, please consult a nurse or physician.

I saw a segment about Moms Re-Entering the Workforce on the Today Show and thought it had a few valid points.

1. Having a career builds self-esteem.
2. It also keeps your resume and skills up to date.
3. Working allows you to keep one foot in the [workforce] door too.
4. Most importantly, never apologize to your kids for working.

The mom featured started working again after her husband lost his job through and found her job through Mom Corps. Their selection of work at home jobs is pretty limited, but you may find one you like.

The U.S. Government Department of Homeland Security is urging small businesses to prepare for disruptions due to the H1N1 virus or more commonly known as, Swine Flu.  With influenza season lurking upon us, now is the time to educate your employees, business partners, friends, and family not only about about the H1N1 flu virus, but the seasonal flu as well.  The Swine Flu has gotten a lot of media attention lately, but some say the seasonal flu is just as dangerous.  It has just become a common household name that we don’t think about it as much. 

According to the CDC, “seasonal influenza can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Each year, in the United States, on average 36,000 people die from flu-related complications and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related causes.”  

Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.

My family and I got our flu shots today.  I also recommend sending small care packages to your close business contacts with tissues, hand sanitizer, and an instant read thermometer so they can stay healthy too.  We small businesses depend on each other for success so let’s make sure everyone stays healthy and business can continue as usual.  

Scammers are using Twitter to lure victims into work from home scams. During this economic recession, workers are desperate for job opportunities and not paying as close attention to potential scams, especially if the job posting is only 140 characters long.

According to the consumer alert, “The ads say “Twitter needs workers..so apply now,” or make cash with Twitter.  Twitter is a hugely popular site where people communicate with short phrases.  The ads promise big money and say they are trusted ways to make cash.  All you have to do is buy something first.”

“It’s the latest twist on the old work from home scam.  The Better Business Bureau says these websites have just surfaced, with names like TwitterProfitHouse.com and EasyTweetProfits.com.  They promise a risk-free trial period, but the time starts the day you place the order.  And if you don’t cancel in time, they charge you.”

There are many legitimate work at home opportunities out there, but equally as many scams. With a little research and careful reading, you can avoid the latter.

Read the rest of this article here.

ForbesWoman published their Best Cities for Working Mothers list and awarded New York, New York, Austin, Texas and Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota the top three slots.

As a local Austinite and working mom, I believe the city should be number one, but I’m not biasted at all.  According to the article, Austin “professional moms have their pick of career paths, including academics at the University of Texas, state government and big tech outfits like Dell and Samsung.”  In addition, the city offers a high quality of living for all age groups, schools, low unemployment rate.  New York’s public education system and the amount they spend on it gave that city the edge. 

Like New York City, it has an abundance of outdoor places for the kids to work off steam.  Additionally, both cities score high for plentiful childcare options.  Speaking of outdoor places, the article made a glaring mistake, it refers to some of Austin’s greatest assets as “Butler Park (also known as Town Lake)”.  I think the writers actually meant to say Zilker Park and Lady Bird Lake.

See complete list.