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Organization

This is how you ensure that the right people are sitting next to each other

Seating: How to make sure the right people are seated next to each other

In general: At banquets, receptions and official celebrations where there is a menu, there are fixed rules for seating: the highest-ranking seat is to the right of the host. Invite as a (married) couple, sit across from each other. The most senior woman sits to the right of the host, the most senior male to the right of the hostess. The farther away a guest sits from you, the lower their rank.

When working out a seating arrangement, you should always keep in mind the goal that everyone present has a pleasant evening with pleasant conversations. So: who gets along with whom, which guests have similar interests?

Seat your guests in such a way that two women and two men sit next to each other. This solution has even proven itself in diplomatic practice because it contributes to better communication. If the men delve into a topic that is not exciting for everyone – football and stocks are notorious – those women who do not want to participate quickly find other material. No one is annoyed, and every lady has a table gentleman, as the classic seating plan envisages.

Separating married couples is an optional provision when it comes to seating arrangements. If you need to organize an invitation and place cards around the table, you should at least consider a good British dining rule: don’t seat married couples next to each other! When spouses are not sitting next to each other, it is easier for them to get to know the other guests. And this seating arrangement has another advantage: afterwards you have something to talk about at home.

You can avoid time-consuming searches by guests for their seats with a placement board. And this is what it could look like: The shape of a table is indicated on a panel wrapped in leather or linen – size: 40 x 60 cm. Plug-in devices for small name tags measuring 2 x 6 cm are incorporated around the table sketch. These can be quickly repositioned if necessary, for example in the event of cancellations at short notice. The placement board is positioned in front of the event room so that it is clearly visible.

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Travel

Get a healthy tan

How to get a healthy tan quickly

Enjoy sunlight in moderation

Sunlight has healing powers. UV radiation helps against psoriasis and neurodermatitis, sunlight releases endorphins and stimulates the circulation and metabolism. For these positive effects of sunlight, however, it applies that the sun should only be enjoyed in moderation – everything else is unhealthy. Sunbathing that is too intense causes sunburn, rapidly aging skin and, in the worst case, even skin cancer. A healthy tan is therefore achieved by tanning slowly and judiciously.

How can you achieve a healthy tan?

Especially when the skin is not yet used to the sun after the winter, it is important that it slowly comes into contact with UVA and UVB radiation again.

Therefore, at the beginning of the summer season, spend most of the time in the shade, because you get a tan there too. Time in the sun should be increased very slowly. You should avoid the sun between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. It is then too hot and too intense, the skin burns too quickly. In the solarium you can tan your skin before the summer, in the sun it is not quite as sensitive as untanned skin. However, you should also use the solarium extremely sparingly.

Self tanner as an alternative to dangerous sunlight

Another way to get a healthy tan is to use self-tanner. It does not cause sunburn or too much UV radiation on the skin, but unfortunately it is not always easy to apply. Especially in places where the skin is a little thicker or not a large smooth area – such as B. on the knees on the elbows or on the palms of the hands – it can quickly lead to yellowish discoloration and streaks that look unsightly. It also takes time for them to go away, as the self-tanner penetrates the top layer of skin.

It is also important that you know that the self-tanner does not have a sun protection factor and that you are therefore not pre-tanned. It is helpful to start taking carotene tablets three to four weeks before summertime. These strengthen the skin’s own protection and also ensure a light tan after prolonged use.

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job

Tax-free Corona special bonus up to EUR 1,500

Tax-free Corona special bonus up to EUR 1,500

Especially in times of Corona, many employees are very challenged and often do almost superhuman things to ensure that everything goes well and the system is kept running. A certain degree of appreciation from society, but also from the employer, is good.

Government decision of these bonus payments

The government recently thought the same thing and considered making this appreciation easier for employees in the form of financial bonuses from a tax point of view. It therefore decided in April of this year that an employer can grant its employees tax-free allowances or benefits in kind. Up to a maximum value of EUR 1,500 in the form of a ​Corona special bonus​.

Since this is specifically a service related to work in the Corona crisis, the period from 1.3. until December 31, 2020.

The specifics of these bonus payments

The special feature of this special bonus is that the bonus payments are not taxable. The payments are not limited to specific industries. This means that not only “systemically relevant” employees can benefit from it, but everyone. Even mini-jobbers can take advantage of such bonuses. The benefits of a bonus payment to hard-working employees need only be mentioned briefly – the appreciation shown increases employee satisfaction. For employers, this means that satisfied employees work more motivated, more productively and usually stay longer with the company. To name just a few of the benefits from which both sides can benefit.

What should be considered with the special bonus?

The legal basis for the bonus is ​§ 3 number 11 in the EStG​. The only requirement that must be met is that this type of bonus must be paid in addition to normal wages. That means, also in addition to the contractually agreed Christmas and vacation pay and not instead. Because these are still taxed in return for the Corona premium. In addition, the special payment cannot be paid to employees as wages for overtime worked.

Importantly, the granting of such a payment must be recorded in the employee’s payroll account. It should be clearly stated that this tax-free bonus was granted in the form of a corona bonus.

Conclusion on the new Corona special bonus

The government has thought about something with the Corona special bonus in order to be able to reward hard-working employees (regardless of whether they are systemically relevant or not) and to make this attractive to employers. The result is the possibility of a tax-free bonus payment of up to 1,500 euros, which employers can grant to their employees. This regulation was for the period from 1.3. to 21.12.2020 and is therefore clearly intended for the Corona crisis.

It should be noted that this bonus must be paid out in addition to the wages owed, i.e. also in addition to the holiday and Christmas bonuses. In addition, the wage record must clearly show that such a bonus has been granted. In addition to being tax-free, the bonus has the advantage that it is not limited to a specific industry – even mini-jobbers can claim it.

With this, a small thank you can be expressed and even shown to all employees who work hard during the crisis, who contribute every day to keeping the system and the economy running. Because many of them deserve more than mere applause.

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Home Garden

Solar Energy: The tangible benefits of solar power

Solar Energy: The tangible benefits of solar power

A photovoltaic system fits on (almost) every roof

Provided that the house roof has a sufficiently large area, a solar system can be mounted on almost any roof without any problems. The prerequisites that applied in the early days of the technology – roof pitch angle of 30 to 35 degrees plus orientation to the south – still deliver the optimum energy – but they are no longer a prerequisite for profitable operation. On the contrary: The urgency of sustainable climate protection, especially in energy production, has already prompted some federal states to adopt a “solar obligation” for all new buildings and all existing buildings whose roofs are being renovated. The federal government has initiated a draft law for a nationwide obligation to install PV systems.

Investing in solar energy pays off financially

Your own solar power is cheaper than any tariff from an electricity provider. You generally pay more than double, sometimes even triple, for electricity from the grid. In addition, you are protected against increases in the long term. Depending on the size of the respective photovoltaic system and individual consumption, the investment costs are amortized after an average of ten years. Also because you can feed excess electricity into the grid for a fixed fee. At the same time, the federal and state governments are promoting the purchase of photovoltaic systems and electricity storage systems with grants and low-interest loans, so that the financial burden is “stretched” over time.

Solar energy and electricity storage ensure independence

With a holistic system consisting of a photovoltaic system and electricity storage, you can usually cover more than two-thirds of your electricity consumption from your own production. The power storage guarantees that you also have light when it has long been dark outside and that you can take a hot shower even in winter. Your balance will be even better if you decide to work with a high-performance solar cloud provider. The solar cloud is a kind of huge electricity storage that is filled by many self-sufficient solar power producers. If your own production is no longer sufficient for your needs at a certain point in time, you can retrieve your additional requirements from the memory. Additional benefits for you as a homeowner:

– You are 100% independent of electricity from the grid.

– You can become a member of powerful solar cloud providers at any time.

– Access is compatible with all complete PV and storage systems.

A solar system increases the value of the property

A good solar system with the appropriate performance has a positive effect on the property value. In particular, buyers of existing properties are willing to pay significantly more money for a house if it has a photovoltaic system on the roof. It also plays a not insignificant role that solar modules are certified to have an average service life of 20 to 25 years. And: An in-house charging station operated with solar power also increases the attractiveness of the property under the sign of increasing e-mobility.

Conclusion

Investing in a solar system is a safe investment in the future for homeowners. You benefit directly from low energy prices and attractive federal and state subsidies. A complete system with electricity storage ensures long-term independence from the rising prices of network providers and has a positive effect on the value of the property. As part of the promotion of e-mobility, the solar power from the home charging station ensures that you can actually get behind the wheel of your e-car with a clear conscience. Solar energy is practical climate protection with many advantages.

Categories
Organization

How to properly reject an applicant

Unfortunately no: This is the correct way to reject an applicant

Cancel individually

It is a mistake to just write a standard letter for the candidates who could not be considered, where you only exchange the addresses. This does not speak for your company and can also have a negative impact on you. The standard phrases of a rejection letter can certainly be pre-formulated, but you should always address individual circumstances with regard to qualifications or from the interview itself in a few sentences.

You don’t have to give a reason for your rejection, but it’s good form to give the candidate a little hint as to why he or she wasn’t successful. Under no circumstances should you give the candidate the feeling that he or she is rejecting the application because of race, ethnic origin, gender, religion or belief, a disability, age or sexual identity (AGG-compliant rejection). Such violations of the legal principles are subject to sanctions and may result in a lawsuit.

Contents of a rejection after a job interview – guidelines

  1. First of all, thank them for the application and the trust that the applicant has placed in your company and that you are very pleased that he or she considered your company when choosing a future employer.
  2. Then go into the interview briefly, and in particular, what you particularly liked about the candidate or that particularly impressed you. If you wish, you can also include parts of the qualifications of the applicants.
  3. Then inform the candidate that unfortunately he or she could not be considered and that the reasons for this are neither personal nor related to qualifications. A good reason is always to mention to the applicant that another candidate had even better knowledge of the industry.
  4. Then encourage the candidate by assuring him or her that the candidate’s profile and qualification overall and in general is very interesting and you are confident and it is only a matter of time before the candidate will be taken into account.
  5. Wish the candidate every success and all the best for the future. Please also mention that the candidate should not let this rejection discourage him or her from applying again for future vacancies.

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Travel

Short break on Ascension Day

Short vacation on Ascension Day: How to use the bridging day

Short break on Ascension Day: Thanks be to the bridge day

Four days off! Namely, because according to the Christian faith, Jesus Christ, as the son of God, went to heaven to his father 39 days after Easter Sunday. In 2019, this holiday is on May 30th and since it always falls on a Thursday, Friday is always a bridging day. Lucky are those who have taken time off and can thus enjoy the extra long weekend. Even a small holiday or a short trip is worthwhile for 4 days. We’ll tell you the best places to travel to.

Short vacation on Ascension Day: This is the best way to use the bridging day to relax

An extended stay in a wellness hotel is great for a 4-day weekend. Let your mind wander, relax and forget everyday worries. There are numerous hotels throughout Germany that offer wellness packages, and you should definitely be able to book something spontaneously.

If you want something more unusual, you can also take a last-minute trip to the Germans’ favorite island. 4 days of beach, palm trees and sea on Mallorca offer a great change from the everyday work week. Short trips to other European or German cities are also varied, although not as relaxing as beach holidays. Southern Europe is great, especially in spring, as are Scandinavian countries and Great Britain.

If you just want a little change of air, you can go to the Baltic Sea or North Sea within Germany and relax a bit there. However, keep in mind that there will be a lot of traffic on the motorways in both south and north directions from Wednesday afternoon.

Short vacation on Ascension Day: You can also use the bridging day at home

In the event that it is too exhausting for you to plan your vacation, travel to your destination, etc. in the four days off, just spend a few nice days at home. If the weather is nice, you can sunbathe, go to the outdoor pools that are already open, or go to a lake. Even a simple picnic in a meadow with your loved ones or a really nice barbecue in the evening can give you a great holiday feeling. Enjoy it, because everyday life goes on on Monday.

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job

The best reasons for a height-adjustable desk

The best reasons for a height-adjustable desk

Height-adjustable desks – ergonomic and intelligent

With the age of computers, not only are our ways to work becoming increasingly digital, but also back health is becoming increasingly important. Back pain has almost become a widespread disease – after all, more than half of Germans have pain in their back, neck or shoulders from time to time. One of the reasons for this is that we sit long and crooked at work, which weakens the trunk muscles and puts strain on the spine. Height-adjustable desks are therefore becoming increasingly popular. We have compiled what height-adjustable desks can do. Here we go!

Back-friendly work with a height-adjustable desk

The human body is not designed for monotonous positions. Blaise Pascal once said: “Movement is part of our nature, complete stillness is death.” While back pain used to be treated with bed rest, it is now clear that exercise is much more helpful when there is a pull, muscles are tense or a dull ache is spreading in the neck area. In 2012, a study was conducted on 222,497 Australians. The result: long periods of sitting increase mortality. This is precisely why sitting and standing phases should alternate – and this is what height-adjustable desks offer, which can be brought to the desired height either manually or at the push of a button, so that the spine can look forward to a little variety. You should be able to feel the relief, and your intervertebral discs and muscles will thank you for it. In addition, however, you should also integrate a few strengthening exercises for your torso and shoulders into your fitness routine, because after all we not only sit a lot at work, but also when watching TV or gambling, when eating, in the evening on the couch, in the car and in the commuter train. Rail.

What else do height-adjustable desks bring?

The back is spared – wonderful. But what are the other advantages of choosing a height-adjustable desk as a workplace? Here come the answers.

  1. More focus

The brain likes to fall asleep in monotony – and sitting for hours is monotonous. The German company Hammerbacher, which has published an ergonomics primer in cooperation with the association of back school teachers – IGR for short – has also found this out. It contains tips and exercises for a healthier working life. The editors also recommend standing phases of around 20 minutes, which should improve concentration and increase brain power. The rule of thumb for variety in the office is: 10% movement, 30% standing, 60% sitting. This can be combined with various tasks. If you make a call while standing, you sound more alert and motivated to the person you are talking to. Short walks to the printer, to the meeting room or to the office supply store also help to keep the brain cells active. Up to 20% more performance should be possible through a variable workplace – not so bad, right?

  1. Promote leg muscles and posture

When sitting, the use of the leg muscles is zero. It is important, however, that good posture is not possible without leg muscles, because the leg muscles begin in the foot and extend to the hips. After all, the body is a system in which one cog depends on the other – this also applies to questions of posture. And a straight posture is good for the back, the spine, the intervertebral discs and the trunk muscles. This also damages the supporting and musculoskeletal system – and in the worst case, bone loss occurs, which is irreparable, which is why it is best not to get that far in the first place.

  1. reduce heart attack risk

If you sit for a long time, you not only lose muscle, the risk of a heart attack also increases, since the long periods of sitting cause the high density lipoprotein level (HDL) to drop. The so-called HDL is responsible for the transport of excess cholesterol in the body. This is transported to the liver and broken down there. HDL thus indirectly cleans the blood vessels. When the HDL level drops, the cleaning power in the body is weakened and the arteries calcify over time. And you probably already knew that this is dangerous. An adjustable desk is therefore not only an investment in your back health and performance, but also improves your life expectancy and reduces the risk of suffering a potentially fatal heart attack. In the long term, chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes can also be avoided by sitting and standing in the office.

  1. counteract obesity

“After eating you should rest or take 1000 steps.” But why should you only do this after a meal? After all, there are also opportunities in the office to move at least briefly. And standing consumes a few more calories than sitting forever. Standing phases alone not only do something for your health, but also for your figure – although standing in one place does not have the same effect as an extensive jog or a high-intensity workout. But as we all know, small cattle also make crap.

  1. Save money in the long term – privately and in the company

Your child comes to school and needs a desk for the upcoming homework? A height-adjustable desk isn’t just a good idea for adults, but also for those who are new to basics and teenagers who love gaming. The desk grows with you and can always be adjusted to the right standing or sitting height. This means that the height-adjustable desk will remain in place for an indefinite period of time and will also get your child used to learning and working while sitting and standing right from the start. This allows your offspring the best prevention against back pain and Co.

Companies also benefit from providing their employees with height-adjustable desks. This not only improves employee concentration and productivity, it also reduces absenteeism due to doctor visits and illness. The purchase of sit-stand desks therefore pays off in the long term.

Why you should get a height-adjustable desk

If you want to do something good for your health, you should not hesitate and find out about height-adjustable desks. These are now available in various designs and colors, some pre-assembled or with simple click-flip technology, so that even people with two left hands can easily use them. Some models can even save several heights, so that a single push of a button is enough to achieve the perfect working height. Alternatively, there are also versions with a crank, so that a few more calories are burned when you switch. Just take a look around to see what’s available and find a suitable height-adjustable desk for your workplace.

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Home Garden

Design cabling flexibly with corrugated pipes

Design cabling flexibly with corrugated pipes

What is a corrugated pipe?

Corrugated pipe is also called empty pipe or installation pipe and is used under the plaster, in the ground or in cavities in walls to later to lay cables in it. This is a flexible or rigid plastic tube that usually has a diameter of 13 mm to 35 mm and is usually made of polyvinyl chloride, PVC for short. However, if a particularly high level of fire protection is desired, empty conduits made of metal should be used.

You need a corrugated pipe for this

When using corrugated tubing, it depends on the place of use. In electrical installations, for example, it is used to lay cables. In general, it can be control lines, network cables, telephone cables and much more. If it is then necessary to replace various lines, that can be done without much damage be resolved.

In the heating and plumbing sector, this type of pipe is used to protect the pipelines from corrosion (decomposition).

Lay corrugated pipes

In the following we show different ways of laying a corrugated pipe:

brick walls

In brick houses, corrugated pipes are placed in pre-milled openings, which is often the case when renovating old buildings. Openings are milled vertically into the masonry with special slot cutters so that corrugated pipes can be used later.

concrete walls

Concrete walls are very similar to brick walls. Slot milling machines are also used here. However, the procedure is different in a modern concrete slab construction method. The pipes are already incorporated into the ceiling or floor during manufacture.

lightweight walls

In the case of lightweight walls, it is possible to attach the corrugated pipes directly to the uprights with cable ties. These usually have cut-outs that are specially designed for this.

So the cable goes through a corrugated pipe?

But how does the cable get through the corrugated pipe? Here there are a trickwhich only requires some Vaseline, a piece of string and a vacuum cleaner and which also works if the pipes were walled in at an angle:

The cable should first be rubbed well with Vaseline or another lubricant so that it slides more easily through the corrugated tube and can be pulled through without any problems. A cord made of wool is then attached to the end of the corrugated tube. A knot is tied at the end of the string (or sometimes a weight or rubber ball is attached) before it is placed in the tube. At the beginning of the pipe, the vacuum cleaner is used, which pulls the cord up and to which the cable is now attached, which is then pulled through again down.

Corrugated tube cable protection also for the car

A corrugated pipe is made of PVC extremely weather and temperature resistant and therefore also suitable for the automotive industry. It is particularly used to protect the cable from martens, but also from the weather, excessively high or low temperatures, friction, escaping liquids and oils, strong vibrations and excessive heat build-up. In addition, also as abrasion protection and impact protection through to noise reduction.

Conclusion

Corrugated pipes are available in many different diameters and can also be used in different ways. You can find them in new buildings and renovations, but also in the interior of cars. Everywhere they serve to protect cables and thereby make them durable. Since various articles are available in stores, you should inform yourself well in advance and also pay attention to customer reviews in order to obtain high-quality products.

Categories
Organization

Work organisation: How to keep your appointments under control

Work organisation: How to keep your appointments under control

The organization of work is a thing in itself. To learn how to master them better, follow these tips:

First strategy: Always plan in writing

An ancient rule that has not lost its validity even in times of smartphones, laptops and tablets. Unfortunately, your brain cares whether you write something by hand or just type on a keyboard with your fingers. Scientists discovered that writing by hand activates different regions of the brain, which makes it much easier to remember what you have written.

The brain, on the other hand, can do much less with typed information. The main thing, however, is that planning becomes second nature to you and a habit of it. Then it will be much easier for you after a while. You can also use this suggestion for your spontaneous ideas or notes. Because once written down, you always have them at hand, otherwise they will be gone from your memory forever.

Second strategy: coordinate daily and weekly planning

Both planning variants have advantages. The advantage of weekly planning: you schedule certain appointments in the way that is best for you (e.g. tricky tasks in your high-performance time). This not only applies to professional goals, but also to your personal priorities. You avoid stress and time pressure because you can devote yourself to your tasks in peace.

This is not so easy with the daily planning, because you usually only have the acute and urgent tasks in mind that you have either set yourself or that have been forced on you by others. But that increases the pressure and regularly leads to mistakes that you have to compensate for later, which takes a lot of time. A coordination between daily and weekly schedule offers you the best solution and time saving.

Third strategy: reduce effort

A problem that often occurs with many of our contemporaries: The planned time for, for example, the e-mail check is far exceeded. Why? Because first the emails are read in order to then process them “properly” later. My suggestion: do what you can do immediately. Because a plan shouldn’t just be on paper, it should help you to complete your tasks efficiently.

So what can be done immediately (within about five minutes), you also work on immediately. This will help you stick to your plan and become more productive. Anything that cannot be done in five minutes can be resubmitted (if you are dependent on the work of others) or set a new deadline for completion. Feed the tray with the rest.

Categories
Travel

Protect hair from chlorine and sun on vacation

How to protect your hair from chlorine and the sun on vacation

Why does chlorine and the sun damage hair?

Beach, swimming, tanning, lounging and eating: For many people, this is the epitome of vacation. You come back refreshed, have refueled a lot of energy and sun and maybe also gained 2 kilos from too much good food.

But no matter how relaxed and brown you are, the holiday was anything but a blessing for your hair. Due to the UV radiation of the sun, the hair loses its elasticity, becomes brittle and porous, chlorine and salt water attack it even more. With the right precautionary measures, however, you can prevent hair damage: uncomplicated and worthwhile.

Tips and tricks on how to protect your hair from chlorine and the sun on vacation

  • Before going into the sea or pool, dampen your hair with water from the beach or pool shower. The already wet hair can then no longer absorb so much chlorine that it is damaged.
  • Blonde dyed or tinted hair can take on a green tint from chlorinated water. If this happens to you, rinse your hair with an aspirin pill dissolved in water after swimming. This pulls the green tint out of the hair again.
  • Wear a sun hat, a cap or a nice scarf, it protects your hair and scalp and is fashionable at the same time. It is particularly important for bald people to cover their scalp, as the skin there is very sensitive and burns easily.

Hair protectant in summer

  • There are special scalp sprays for the parting of the head, at least a sun protection factor of 20 should be used here.
  • There are sun protection sprays for the hair, which are recommended for any lengthy sunbathing because they protect the hair from UV radiation and keep it supple.
  • If you go to the hairdresser before you go on holiday, remember that the sun will lighten your hair. So choose a shade darker than usual when coloring or toning.
  • Wash your hair with warm, not too hot water and a moisture-regulating shampoo with ingredients such as panthenol, jojoba or keratin, especially after going to the beach or swimming in the pool.

Diet for healthy hair

Hair needs a lot of moisture in summer. So eat lots of fruit. This is not only healthy, but also contains vitamins A and B, which are important for the hair structure.

Avoid the sun during the times when it shines most (11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.). Not only your hair, but also your skin will thank you. If you tend to wear your hair in a ponytail when you go to the beach or swim, don’t always wear the hair tie in the same spot. There, the hair quickly becomes brittle, which is further intensified by the sun’s rays. Feel free to wear your hair loose or braid it in a ponytail. The hair can rest and you look great on the beach.