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Background: The 134,000 member American Psychological Association (APA) has a division called the Center For Organizational Excellence. That entity sponsors the APA’s Psychologically Healthy Workplace Program, whose purpose is to “raise public awareness about the...

Once upon a time, monitoring employees consisted primarily of sprinkling around a few video cameras in the warehouse to detect inventory pilfering. Times have changed: Today you can harness “behavioral modeling” software to try to assess employee productivity, using...

To take a 2014 charitable donation deduction, the gift must be made by Dec. 31, 2014. According to the IRS, a donation generally is “made” at the time of its “unconditional delivery.” But what does this mean? Is it the date you, for example, write a check or make an online gift...

Another year is winding down. Before the hustle and bustle of the holidays sets in, it’s a good time to brainstorm ideas to lower your 2014 tax bill. Here’s an overview of what’s happening in the world of tax — and 10 simple tax-saving strategies that you...

Have you ever wondered why Ebenezer Scrooge didn’t throw holiday parties for his employees? Not only can they be expensive, but a year-end bash can also lead to liability claims and human resource complaints. Despite these downsides, 88 percent of companies are planning...

The authorities on tracking the expectancies of Americans is known as the Society of Actuaries. The information they collect and process is then used for pricing insurance contracts and making pension benefit cost projections. Recently, they have reset the longevity averages for...

With the 2015 tax year right around the corner, there is good news coming from the IRS. According to a recent announcement, the tax agency has increased several tax breaks due to inflation adjustments. Here is a rundown of some of the changes: Contributions to 401(k) and 403(b)...

Unless you have capable successors and employees, your closely held business may not survive. Therefore, strategies to identify, retain and reward key employees are a must. There are numerous methods for rewarding a key employee’s commitment, loyalty and hard work. The most...

Appreciating investments that don’t generate current income aren’t taxed until sold, deferring tax and perhaps allowing you to time the sale to your tax advantage. Review your year-to-date gains and losses now to see if selling any additional investments by Dec. 31 can reduce...

If you’re contemplating buying a second home by the ocean, mountains or warmer surroundings, you’re not alone. Approximately 717,000 vacation homes were purchased in 2013. That equals about 13 percent of the total homes bought last year — their highest market...