It can happen to the best of us — kids who seem to be doing fine in school may start slipping up at some point or another. Whether it’s because of the learning material, or even their teacher’s teaching style, sometimes kids start struggling in school out of the blue.

As parents, it’s our job to help them find their way back to improving their grades. While we can’t do their work for them, we can help them make improvements by giving them the right resources like classes from Hawkeye Primary School Tutoring. Here are some of the best tips for parents looking to help their child improve their performance at school.

Revise

One of the best ways to ensure that your child is understanding and retaining what they’re learning in school is by revising regularly. Go over their course materials, and talk about them in detail. Ask them questions, and try to get a feel for whether they understand or not.

If you feel that you can’t adequately help them understand, then you may want to consider hiring a tutor or getting them involved in a study group. Whatever you do, don’t make them feel like it’s their fault. If they’re trying their best and still can’t seem to understand the lessons, they need compassion and understanding so that they don’t get too frustrated and give up.

Praise Their Achievements

Children feed off of positive feedback. Rather than only focusing on the things they have to improve on, it’s important that you also acknowledge the things they’re doing well on. If they got a good grade in one class, then make sure that you praise them for it. Once you praise them for their achievements, then you can move on to the areas they have for improvement. A child who feels like they’re unworthy of praise will not be motivated to do their best.

Consistency is More Important Than Perfection

As they say, showing up and trying your best every day is more important than getting perfect results every time. As long as your child is trying their best, and showing up to do the work every time, you shouldn’t be too concerned. There are some kids who are C average students, yet they make wonderful musicians and artists. Not every child’s mind is meant to be academic. The most important thing is that they’re thriving socially and emotionally.

Stay in Contact With The Teacher

It’s important that you stay in contact with their teacher, so that you can communicate about the learning materials, and what they suspect the biggest challenges are standing in your child’s way. The more you can communicate with their teacher, the more that you can work as a team to help your child make improvements where necessary.

When you search “zero waste,” you’ll discover many photographs of glass jars everywhere. The zero-waste movement is full of glass objects, ranging from trash cans to jar lids that clutter our cupboards. What is the allure of glass and why do we have such an urge to use it? Is glass really more environmentally friendly than plastic? We’ve teamed up with Simply Plastics to perform an environmental audit of glass and plastic.

Plastic has a poor reputation among environmentalists, which is in part due to the fact that only 9% of it is recycled. However, there’s still so much more to consider when it comes to what goes into creation and recycling, not to mention its destiny, with plastic.

Sand is required to make new glass. While we have a lot of desert, beach, and underwater sand on hand, it is being used at a rate that exceeds the planet’s capacity to replenish it. We prefer sand to oil when it comes to filling our lakes and ponds, and only a specific sort of sand can do the task (no, desert sand won’t).

Sand is commonly dug out of riverbeds and seabeds. Taking sand away from its natural habitat damages the ecosystem by depleting microorganisms, who live on it and nourish the base of the food chain. Removing sand from the seabed exposes shore communities to flooding and erosion. We need sand to make new glass because you can see where this would be a problem.

Glass, on the other hand, is more expensive to ship and heavier than plastic. It releases more CO2 during transport than plastic, and it’s less expensive to send. Another issue with glass is that most of it aren’t really recycled. Only about 33% of waste glass is recycled in the United States, according to one study. Consider how many tons of glass are disposed of each year in the United States, when you consider that 10 million metric tons are generated every year.

Because glass is frequently employed as a low-cost landfill cover, it is difficult to recycle. Consumers who engage in “wish-cycling,” tossing non-recyclables into the garbage and polluting it, are one of the primary reasons for its scarcity. The majority of coloured glass is not recyclable because it contains various metals. It’s not recyclable since the manufacturing technique for windows and Pyrex bakeware is built to withstand high temperatures.

Glass, on the other hand, takes a long time to decompose in nature and may endure for many years in a landfill. That’s just four major concerns with glass that have an impact on the environment as a whole.

There are advantages and drawbacks to each material. We should strive to minimize our dependency on single-use products! If you just used it once, look for a different option. Of course, there are exceptions, and we will never be able to entirely eliminate single-use packaging, but we can make a significant impact by being more aware of our purchases.

In general, look for alternatives to plastic whenever possible. Choose glass if you can instead of acquiring new plastic bottles and jars. Are we really recycling if we don’t use recycled goods? You should recycle your glass containers and jars!

Campus sexual misconduct is a serious issue in the United States. According to data cited by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), 20 percent of female college students and 6 percent of male college students report that they have been a victim of sexual violence. In response to the problem, colleges and universities have strengthened their sexual misconduct policies. Here, you will find an overview of the key things to know about college policies and sexual misconduct allegations.

Federal Law Requires Colleges and Universities to Enact Sexual Misconduct Policies

Under federal regulations, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and The Jeanne Clery Act, colleges and universities that receive any form of federal funding are required to put certain sexual misconduct policies in place. The law requires these educational institutions to comprehensively investigate allegations of wrongdoing and take the appropriate action against the perpetrator. A student who violates a sexual conduct policy may face harsh penalties, including:

• Probation;
• A formal reprimand;
• Loss of ability to participate in certain activities;
• Loss of certain financial benefits, including aid and housing;
• Suspension for one or more semesters; and
• Expulsion from the school.

While educational institutions are required to comply with certain federal requirements, they also retain some discretion to enact their own rules and regulations. For this reason, it is imperative that students accused of wrongdoing obtain a copy of the specific policies put in place by their school.

Disciplinary Proceedings are Complicated: Unique Standards Apply

When a person is arrested and charged with a sexual crime, they are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. To obtain a conviction in a criminal case, a prosecutor has the burden of proving the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. However, these due process protections do not always apply in college/university sexual misconduct cases.

Under college policies, sexual misconduct cases generally fall under a preponderance of evidence standard—meaning a student can be sanctioned if the school determines that it is “more likely than not” that they committed the offense in question. Disciplinary proceedings can be especially complicated in college student sexual misconduct cases. Students accused of wrongdoing need to be aware of their rights.

Due Process Rights for College Students Accused of Sexual Misconduct are in Flux

What due process rights should apply to college students accused of sexual misconduct is a hotly-debated, controversial matter. In June of 2020, the Trump Administration under then Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos changed Obama-era rules that limited the due process rights of the accused. Earlier this year, the Associated Press reported that the Biden Administration is once again reversing course—President Biden ordered the Department of Education to review all rules and regulations on college policies for sexual misconduct.

Get Help From a College Sexual Misconduct Defense Lawyer

Colleges and universities across the country take sexual misconduct allegations very seriously. The stakes are high in these cases and the normal due process standards do not alway apply to defendants. If you or your college student is facing an investigation for violating a policy due to sexual misconduct, contact an experienced college student defense attorney for assistance.

If you are a young person living in California or Texas with immigrant parents who are struggling financially, your odds are better than average that you will receive encouragement and assistance from U.S.-educated adults to attend college and prepare for a career rather than seek immediate employment upon high school graduation. That’s according to a new study from the University of California at Los Angeles that takes a comprehensive look at college-going by first- and second-generation Americans.

The report, “First to the Finish Line: Immigrant Generation in College Admissions,” analyzes data from three very large public school systems— those of California, Texas, and Florida — as well as those from 20 other states. In these 27 states alone about 400,000 immigrant kids graduate from public high schools every year. According to the study’s authors, this amounts to about half – 48 percent –of all such grads nationwide. The results suggest that we need to rethink our assumptions about who is going to college and what role immigrants and children of immigrants play in making it happen.

For instance, the study found that there is no evidence for the persistent myth that first-generation immigrants gain access to college at the expense of native-born kids. Altogether, first- and second-generation immigrant seniors were slightly more likely than their native counterparts (45 vs. 43 percent) to be admitted to any four-year university in 2003. Are some immigrant kids getting preference over others? The data suggest not; they are about as likely as American students with U.S.-born parents (43 percent) to go on to college after high school graduation.

So if it’s not ethnicity or place of birth that makes the difference, what does? Wealthier families help by paying full tuition through private support or loans, or by paying full freight at public schools. Low-income immigrant families are more likely to be eligible for financial aid, which helps many of them pay part of the cost.

According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling, only about 30 percent of college-bound students receive ” merit” scholarship offers from universities, but that figure rises to 53 percent for first-generation immigrant students and 59 percent among second-generation kids. The study’s authors suggest one reason is that third- and later-generation Americans feel entitled to admissions preferences while first- and second-generation immigrants don’t question any preference given.

For minorities, there is another factor working in favor of children of immigrants: an underappreciated tendency on the part of admissions officers to view Caucasians of modest means more simply as “the disadvantaged” while minority students are thought of as representing specific ethnic groups. This may help explain why, according to the study’s authors, Hispanic immigrants were nearly twice as likely (by their calculations) to be admitted into four-year colleges in 2003 than third-generation Caucasian kids with family incomes at or below the poverty line.

The report concludes that children of immigrants are more likely to be seen by admissions committees as “stand-ins for disadvantaged communities.” It also points out that high school dropouts are seldom admitted on full scholarships, but first-generation immigrant seniors who have rejected college are sometimes offered waivers worth several thousand dollars. That makes their families eligible for tuition support programs that include a waiver of college costs.

What’s most surprising about the study – and this would be true even without the caveat I just mentioned – is that immigrants who have rejected college represent 11 percent of all children of immigrants, half again as many as those who are currently enrolled in colleges or universities. This suggests that immigration may be making significant contributions to post-secondary education at both ends of the spectrum: by keeping kids out (by rejecting them) and by letting them in (by conferring admission).

Many Americans are unaware that there is a wide range of educational experiences among children of immigrants. Some attend college while others never see the inside of a classroom after their high school graduation ceremonies. A new study explores how this divergence has come about and what it means for students, their families, and society at large. The report, “Immigrants’ Children: America’s Newest Working Class,” was released last week by Jobs for the Future (JFF), an independent Boston-based organization whose mission is to help young people move from poverty to careers in which they can build a future for themselves and their families. The data is based on an original survey of 2,000 young people who were tracked from their earliest days in elementary school.

The report does not include immigrants whose children have been granted legal status and green cards under proposed legislation in Congress (and who therefore would be citizens). If you count only the children of illegal immigrants, the percentage attending colleges drops slightly to 43 percent. This might suggest that if one could deport all parents with undocumented status there would be no need to worry about what would become of their offspring; but such a policy would require deporting some 3 million children, along with any number of siblings and other relatives dependent on them for emotional and economic support. You can see why, as a policy – and even as a public relations – measure, this is not going to happen.

The study found that 56 percent of all respondents have never been employed in a job where they were paid at or above the minimum wage. Only 26 percent said they had ever held down a full-time paying job longer than six months. This has been particularly true of young people from immigrant households where parents lack formal education beyond high school graduation. In these homes, only one out of every ten children makes it into college. The report’s authors say that having an unemployed parent does not significantly affect whether or how far along these kids will go toward earning their degree, but when household income is below $30,000 per year ” and when parents and siblings work alongside the student, ” college aspirations drop by half. It is always discouraging to see how difficult it is for children of poorly educated immigrants – or their parents – to climb out of poverty. Some observers have suggested that as a nation we just have to accept this as a consequence of an immigration policy that has brought us people who do not share our values. Others say that if we had more effective public policies in place these young people would be able to find better jobs and prosper.

For more information, you may ask or consult with Houston immigration lawyers.

Many reasons can result in a court deciding on the child’s physical placement and legal custody. The most common cause involves a marital dispute, an emotional rollercoaster for the child and those involved. During this period, a lot needs to be done by parents to ensure the well-being of the child or children is considered, to avoid putting the child under state care.

The court also conducts a thorough assessment of both parties before choosing the most suitable legal custody. However, there are many factors that most people who are undergoing a legal marital conflict forget, which ends up becoming a liability in proving their viability.

Avoid the following to ensure custody is in your favor

Verbal altercations with the spouse or the children are a common reason why most people are not granted the legal right to raise their children. Verbal altercations can be shouting at each other, getting into arguments, or badmouthing one another. If the court witnesses both parties are engaging in an oral argument, then the custody hearing is likely not to go your way.

If both parties are still not settled and arguments are constantly spiking, then it is up to the Court to conduct a discreet interview with the children. This is to ask the children brief questions about both parents to help make a final decision.

Physical confrontations can result in swaying the Court’s decision which is a disadvantage if you are the cause. Therefore, both parties need to remain calm despite the constant emotional spikes during the trial. If physical confrontations are serious, then a person risks having a restraining order implemented, taking the option of co-parenting out of the question.

After the separation is finalized and the child’s custody is impending, it is advisable to avoid introducing new partners. This helps avoid confusing the children further and doesn’t give them the chance to form their opinion regarding the partner. It also helps to downplay a sensitive situation that requires one to be cautious until the end of the trial.

Most people undergoing separation tend to neglect their parental duties, leading to the loss of custody of the other party. Therefore, whether the Court mandates it or not, whatever you had agreed on should continue to avoid putting the child under avoidable circumstances that play a significant role in the court’s decision.

The purpose of consulting a family lawyer

The separation period is traumatizing to the children and requires an expert understanding of children’s emotional conflict. A family lawyer is a legal consultant and an inspirational guide who is ready to offer legal advice and guidance. An expert is essential, especially since they have experience in dealing with families during this trying time.

Gift-giving can be stressful. Sometimes, it’s hard to know what to get for your loved ones, even if you know them well. By sticking with what’s trending and popular, there’s a good chance you won’t go wrong. Following your heart and paying attention to the gift recipient on your list won’t hurt either as you search for the perfect gift. For ideas on the best gifts for everyone you love, read on.

Gifts for the Women in Your Life

 

You can never go wrong giving the classic jewelry gift to any woman in your life. Whether it’s hoop earrings, the perfect sterling silver studs, or a gemstone pendant, if you put some thought into the woman you love’s personal style, your gift is sure to be a hit. When searching for a great stud earring or a birthstone ring, start by knowing your budget. It won’t matter if you buy her real fine jewelry or a costume statement piece if you put your heart into it and find a way to personalize the jewelry you pick. That could be as simple as picking a gemstone in her favorite color, finding a bracelet that matches her favorite outfit, or actually having it engraved.

Perks for the Pets in Your Family

 

Any pet owners will tell you that pets are just as much a part of the family as people. If you’re looking for a gift for your furry friend, start with pet relief CBD oil. While your pets are bound to love catnip and chewy toys, CBD products are the kind of gift that can help relieve joint discomfort, calm your pet’s anxiety, and even help them sleep. Free of negative side effects, many pet owners are having great luck with natural CBD products in the United States as ways of adding to their pet’s quality of life and ultimately giving themselves peace of mind. Before using a CBD product on your pet, it’s always best to check with your veterinarian. They may even be able to recommend the perfect dropper or potency to get.

Presents for the Men in Your Home

 

To shop for the men in your life, consider their hobbies and interests. Maybe your husband or sons are big into fishing or the outdoors. Consider camping equipment or other products that will support the things they love. From car gear and upgrades to that perfect pair of hunting thermals, finding gifts that encourage the men in your life to get outside and enjoy life versus being stuck inside and attached to tech gadgets is a great way to promote health, too. Help the men in your life unwind with the perfect gift.

Toys for the Kids in Your World

 

The best way to shop for the children in your life is to consider toys that serve an educational purpose. One of the best things about kids is that they are curious and naturally love to learn. When thinking about the perfect gift for your kids or family members, do a quick Google search for ‘toys for education,’ and you might be surprised to see how many options are out there. Books you can read with them and anything that inspires one on one time with a parent, grandparent, caregiver, or sibling is always a great choice, too.

 

In the end, the global market has made it easier than ever to pick out a special gift for anyone. By doing a little research and even asking family members what they want, you can’t go wrong. Follow your instincts and pay attention to what’s popular and trending, and your gift is sure to be a hit with each member of your family.

Like almost every sport in the world, soccer is on hold at the moment. In every major league in Europe, competition has been paused with championships undecided, fixtures unfulfilled, and players and fans waiting with bated breath. The focus is, quite rightly, on ensuring that conditions are safe before anyone can set foot in a football stadium again, but that hasn’t stopped fans from asking when they might be likely to see the current campaign resolved – if any resolution is possible at all.

One team that has more reason to be anxious than any other is Liverpool in the English Premier League. The Anfield side has been almost unstoppable this season, racking up win after win to the point where they’re 25 points ahead of Manchester City with only 27 points left to play for. City have one game in hand on their rivals, and so to be absolutely sure of lifting the trophy, Liverpool needs just six more points from nine games. In soccer terms, that’s as certain as anything could possibly be. It would seem wrong to rob them of their inevitable victory, but if the season is declared to be null and void – as some Premier League bosses believe to be the only way forward – that’s precisely what would happen.

The situation in soccer when it comes to cancellations is a little more complicated than it is with most American sports. If the English Premier League season is declared to be canceled and voided then not only are Liverpool denied their championship, but the three teams at the bottom of the table – currently Bournemouth, Aston Villa, and Norwich City, are rescued from dropping into the division beneath the Premier League via relegation. That would be a lucky break for them, but it would also deny promotion to the three highest-achieving teams in the division below. Those teams are currently Leeds United, West Bromwich Albion, and Fulham.

The amount of money that’s involved in promotion and relegation in the English Premier League is astronomical. Teams who enter the league via promotion receive a massive influx of cash from sponsorship and television money. Teams who are relegated lose out on it. That’s why the race to stay in the division is always as exciting as the race to win it. It’s like a constantly-spinning game fishing frenzy mobile slot, played with the highest stakes imaginable, with sometimes unforeseen consequences. This season it looks like it could be more like online slots than any season before it because the ultimate winners and losers could have no more control over their fate than an online slots player has over the next spin of the wheel – and it’s hard to imagine the teams vying for promotion accepting the cancellation of the season without a legal battle.

As unappetizing as a legal challenge from the teams denied promotion might be for the country’s football authorities, the reverse could be just as true if the season is allowed to stand. Should Liverpool be awarded the championship based on their current position, the bottom three clubs would also have to be relegated. As none of them are mathematically beyond salvation, they would be unlikely to accept that position. If the fixtures were fulfilled, all three of them could play their way out of danger with a few victories. Condemning the teams to relegation – with all the financial consequences that come along with it – would be a brutal way to treat them and their supporters.

As nobody knows when or if the current season can be resumed, all of the major European competitions have been watching and waiting to see who blinks first, and how they handle the situation. After a long wait, Scotland has been the first significant country to blink. Following consultation with their clubs and a vote on the matter, every Scottish division below the country’s top-flight has declared its season over, and awarded championship trophies to the teams currently sitting on top of the pile. Relegations have also been ordered. Partick Thistle, who were bottom of the Championship but only two points behind Queen of the South with a game in hand, have already indicated that they’re prepared to take legal action to protect their status. The battle may not be over, but the ball has started rolling. With every league below the Scottish Premiership declared, the Scottish Premiership must now decide its own fate. It’s hard to imagine how it could do anything other than follow suit.

The winners of the Scottish Premiership are entered into the qualification rounds of the European Champions League. So far, Champions League organizers UEFA have refused to be drawn on the issue of whether they’ll allow teams into the competition from leagues that have been declared early rather than played to completion. If the Scottish Premiership declares early, UEFA would be forced into making a decision on the matter. That, in turn, would probably inform the decisions of every other significant European league – from the English Premier League to Italy’s Serie A, Spain’s La Liga, and Germany’s Bundesliga. If one of the leagues says that carrying on is out of the question, it’s only a matter of time before the rest of them followed suit.

If the Scottish trend is followed, it’s actually good news for Liverpool. It would mean that their league position would be cemented, and they would be declared champions of their domestic league for the first time in thirty years. For some fans, though, that may not be enough. Their victory would always be marked by an asterisk, and it would have come at the expense of three teams being relegated from the competition who may not have been relegated if they’d been allowed to resume playing in July or August. These are huge, consequential decisions for the European heads of football to be taking, and there are no easy answers. With seemingly no realistic prospect of football being played between now and the end of summer, the window of opportunity for the season to be finished via normal means is closing rapidly. The choice is between letting results stand, or voiding them completely. It’s going to be a very interesting few weeks in football.

As we know, NSandI (known better as NS&I) is an acronym for National Savings and Investments. NS&I are investments backed by the treasury. In this article we will cover how to change NS&I details, including Premium Bonds change of address. We will also cover how Premium Bonds work and how to make the most out of them.

How Premium Bonds Work

Premium bonds don’t work like other investments. As we know, traditionally you invest money which earns you interest year on year – hopefully a lot. With Premium Bonds you can invest from £25 up to £50,000. Each ‘bond’ represents a ticket which is entered into a monthly raffle from which you can win prizes – up to £1,000,000. All of the prizes are tax free and if you were to translate the prizes into an interest rate it would work out to be around 1.25%. You can learn more about how premium bonds work here.

The odds of you winning for each £1 number are 24,500 to 1. It’s important to remember that Premium Bonds are not advised for people who:

• Would like a regular income (such as with a traditional investment account);
• Inflation is a concern for you (which is important as inflation will erode 1-3% off the value of your money each year);
• You would like to invest jointly with someone else; or,
• You would like guaranteed returns.

They are, however, recommended if you:

• Would like to take advantage of tax-free investment opportunities
• If you have at least £25 to invest
• Would like the chance to win up to £1,000,000 a month in prizes
• Prefer 100% security on your money (all the money is totally protected as it is Government-backed)
• Or, are looking for a gift for someone under the age of 16

Now we’ve provided an overview of how Premium Bonds work, let’s look at how you update your address or change your details with NS&I.

How to change address with Premium Bonds

Now, let’s look at how to update your details with Premium Bonds. Updating your address includes your name, email address, physical address. If you want to update your address with Premium Bonds you can get started on SlothMove’s moving home platform. If you’re looking to update your details you can log into NS&I and will need to provide your NS&I number, password and surname.

If you are unable to log in you can ask for a password reset. Alternatively, you can complete a change of details form which you can print out send across to: NS&I, Sunderland, SR43 2SB

Changing address for Premium Bonds and going forward

As we can see, updating your details and changing address with Premium Bonds isn’t all too difficult. We’ve also seen the benefits and drawbacks of using Premium Bonds. Ultimately, it needs to be a balanced and well thought-through decision based on your circumstances.

About the author

This article was written by Anna, founder of SlothMove an online change of address service created to make moving home and updating information straightforward and simple.

The legal practice known as family law focuses on those issues which involve all manner of family relationships. These include adoption, child custody, divorce and many more. Those attorneys who practice family law, like the ones you can find on this website, don’t only represent their clients in a family court proceeding. They also deal with any relatable negotiations and draft such legal documents as property agreements or court petitions. So why would you hire a family law attorney? Here are 5 reasons why.

Divorce

With half of all American marriages failing, the life of the divorce attorney is a busy and lucrative one. Where children are involved, however, the family law attorney will take care of that side of the proceeding. Most parents want their divorces to be as smooth and stress-free as possible to protect their children from any of the backlash, and it’s the job of the family law attorney to try and make that happen.

Child Custody

One of the nastiest aspects of a relationship breakdown is child custody. Whether married or not, if a couple cannot decide who gets custody of the kids it will become a legal matter. If mediation doesn’t work the last step is usually to go to court. The fact that the children involved may have to actually testify and say which parent they want to live with makes many parents stop before it reaches this stage. On the flip side, if one parent is known to be violent or a possible threat to the children the family law attorney will do their best to make sure the other parent gets custody and protect them from the other parent.

Alimony

Alimony payments are one of the most acrimonious parts of the whole divorce process. How much is enough? Is the wife being greedy or trying to claim a reasonable amount? If the alimony payment stops the custodial parent often stops the other seeing the children and that’s when it can get really nasty. A lot of family law attorneys have reported this is their most commonly undertaken work.

Domestic Violence

If you have suffered physical or mental cruelty at the hands of your partner then you should seek the guidance of a family law attorney. In recent years the reported incidents of domestic violence have risen sharply. Many believe this to be due to the recession as with so many losing their jobs, or homes, or both, they have taken out their frustration on their partner. There has also been a marked increase in the males of the partnership being on the receiving end. Again, this has been blamed on the recession with their partners being angry at them no longer supporting the family and resorting to violence. Whether this is true or just being used as an excuse, is for a judge to decide.

Relocation Actions

An example of a relocation issue is if the custodial parent wants to move to another state or country, and take the children with them, the estranged partner may hire an attorney to fight the relocation. Likewise, the custodian may research prior to the move to see what objections the other parent can raise.

Having a happy and healthy work environment has an impact that goes well beyond the wellness of your team. Happy and healthy employees are more productive, engaged and motivated to work towards the company’s goals. They’re also much less likely to suffer from absenteeism and presenteeism.

Unfortunately, creating a physically and psychologically healthy work environment is easier said than done, particularly if your company has a toxic culture that you need to overcome. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t be achieved. Here are 4 simple tips to help you get there.

1. Build trust

Before taking steps to increase the physical health of your workers, you need to create a culture that supports them psychologically. According to the staffing agency Adecco, honesty, trust and fairness are the most important attributes in the workplace for 90 percent of employees. Building trust takes time but it is achievable if you follow these simple rules:

• Own up to your mistakes and make amends
• Make promises and keep them
• Make firm commitments
• Communicate with your team and give them regular updates
• Discuss the obstacles you face and how you plan to overcome them

1. Promote wellness

You can put a range of benefits in place that will help to promote the physical and mental wellness of your team. Those benefits do not need to be expensive and any costs are likely to be repaid in the form of increased staff retention, reduced absenteeism and a boost to productivity.

Workplace exercise programmes like weekly yoga sessions and free massages can boost physical wellness, while supplying healthy food, such as regular office fruit baskets can give your team more energy and improve their concentration, outlook and mood. You can read more on these benefits here.

1. Recognise and reward

Another way to keep motivation and spirits high is to recognise the efforts of your team and make sure they are rewarded. It’s amazing how simple but incredibly effective a little recognition can be. Just 60 seconds out of your day can completely change the outlook of your team. It’s the little things that matter, and simply sending an email for a milestone achieved or taking the team to coffee or lunch can make a huge difference to morale.

1. Invest in ergonomic office furniture

Office workers can spend up to 8 hours a day sitting at a desk. Add in commuting time and you have a health problem that’s waiting to happen. 8.9 million working days were lost in the UK last year due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders. As well as the working days lost, the pain associated with such disorders can damage productivity and do considerable harm to morale. A Townsville office furniture expert reminds us that investing in ergonomic office furniture and installing standing desks can be a simple and cost-effective solution.

What changes have you made to create a healthier working environment for your team? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.