The Paradiso Insurance Blog

Hiring and firing practices are the legal minefields that are best navigated by the use of Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI). It is important that a business has clear policies that are applied consistently to each employee. Such policies must directly relate to their job. Do you know what type of decisions could trigger a claim? For example, is it legal to terminate:

• a driver with a bad driving record?
• an employee who is rude to your customers?
• an employee who swears at customers?

The answer is not that simple. A business’ action may depend upon circumstances such as whether an employee’s duties involve driving a company vehicle, or directly involves customers and if the company can prove that such behavior fails to meet the applicable job standards.

One key issue is having access to legal counsel that has expertise in this special area of the law. Another key issue is documenting the essential job functions and establishing measurable standards for each position. Use of regular performance reviews and applying the standards equally to each employee is a smart employment practice. The best defense against employment practice claims is to know the law in your state and then having policies and procedures that meet or exceed its legal standards.

The U.S. Department of Labor offers a Small Business Handbook from their Website. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission also offers numerous publications addressing different employment laws from their Website. Contacting an insurance agent regarding Employment Practices Liability Insurance is another avenue to explore.

Policies and premiums for this type of CT Commercial coverage vary tremendously among insurers. Many companies offering the coverage also offer assistance in writing policy and procedure manuals and other ways to reduce the potential for claims involving sexual harassment, wrongful termination or discrimination. No business is immune from these claims.

Any successful business owner is a smart business owner.  One of the smartest moves a business owner can make is investing in the proper business insurance policy. Too many times businesses fail because of inadequate insurance that fails to cover the firm when unfortunate events occur.  Don’t let your company fall to the same fate as other failed businesses have. Be smart and invest in CT Commercial Insurance before your business becomes a victim.

Commercial property insurance protects your business’s property, as well as inventory or assets, against loss or damage caused by theft, an accident or some other means. Your business property insurance covers you even if the property is away from your business’s location when it is damaged or lost. The policy covers your costs to replace or repair the property and can compensate you for items that cannot be replaced, but only in certain circumstances.

If you don’t own the building where your business is located, you’ll only need to cover the building’s contents. The basic commercial property insurance policy protects your investment in fixtures, furniture, office equipment, inventory and the supplies that you store either at your business location or off-site.  Business property insurance premiums will vary depending upon either cover replacement cost or actual cash value (ACV). A replacement-cost policy ensures that your settlement is based on what you will have to spend to replace the items at current market prices, while an actual cash value policy reimburses you for the property’s depreciated value.  Replacement-cost small-business property insurance policies have higher premiums, but because they allow you to replace all lost or damaged property with new items, such policies can assist in the your business’s swift recovery.

Hopefully your business never experiences an event that would result in lost property, but if it does, make sure your firm is covered with the correct CT Commercial Insurance from Paradiso Insurance today!

Any successful business owner is a smart business owner.  One of the smartest moves a business owner can make is investing in the proper business insurance policy.  Too many times businesses fail because of inadequate insurance that fails to cover the firm when unfortunate events occur.  Don’t let your company fall to the same fate as other failed businesses have. Be smart and invest in CT Commercial Insurance before your business becomes a victim.

Commercial property insurance protects your business’s property, as well as inventory or assets, against loss or damage caused by theft, an accident or some other means. Your business property insurance covers you even if the property is away from your business’s location when it is damaged or lost. The policy covers your costs to replace or repair the property and can compensate you for items that cannot be replaced, but only in certain circumstances.

If you don’t own the building where your business is located, you’ll only need to cover the building’s contents. The basic CT Commercial Insurance policy protects your investment in fixtures, furniture, office equipment, inventory and the supplies that you store either at your business location or off-site.  Business property insurance premiums will vary depending upon either cover replacement cost or actual cash value (ACV). A replacement-cost policy ensures that your settlement is based on what you will have to spend to replace the items at current market prices, while an actual cash value policy reimburses you for the property’s depreciated value.  Replacement-cost small-business property insurance policies have higher premiums, but because they allow you to replace all lost or damaged property with new items, such policies can assist in the your business’s swift recovery.

Hopefully your business never experiences an event that would result in lost property, but if it does, make sure your firm is covered with the correct commercial property insurance.  Let Paradiso Insurance ensure your business’s success today.

Maintaining high morale in the office is key for any employer in order for your business’s continued growth.  Often though, employees feel they are mistreated or harassed.  These situations can lead to lawsuits that can end up costing you and your business thousands of dollars.  It is vital for every business owner to research and invest in an epli policy to cover any expenses or damages resulting from a harassment claim.

Wronged employees can file a claim for a variety of reasons, but the most popular of these is sexual harassment.  Within this type of harassment, a multitude of different scenarios factor in.  Listed below are the different types of sexual harassment that could happen at work:

Power-player – Legally termed “quid pro quo” harassment, these harassers insist on sexual favors in exchange for benefits they can dispense because of their positions in hierarchies.

One-of-the-Gang – Harassment occurs when groups of men or women embarrass others with lewd comments, physical evaluations, or other unwanted sexual attention.

Opportunist – Opportunist use physical settings and circumstances, or infrequently occurring opportunities, to mask premeditated or intentional sexual behavior towards targets

Confidante – Harassers of this type approach subordinates, or students, as equals or friends, sharing about their own life experiences and difficulties, sharing stories to win admiration and sympathy, and inviting subordinates to share theirs so as to make them feel valued and trusted.

Great Gallant – This mostly verbal harassment involves excessive compliments and personal comments that focus on appearance and gender, and are out of place or embarrassing to the recipient.

In the unfortunate event that an employee files a sexual harassment claim due to one of the above reasons, hopefully your business has the necessary epli in order to cover any expenses from a resulting trial.  No firm wants to be hampered by a lawsuit that costs thousands of dollars.  If your business is properly insured with epli coverage, then your company will maintain its stability even during a difficult situation.

Do you need Hartford flood insurance? Well, walk to the nearest mirror and ask the person you see if he or she owns much property that could be damaged or destroyed by water. If the answer is yes, then you should seriously consider buying flood insurance. Most persons who need the protection buy coverage offered by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). If your community doesn’t participate in the program, you’ll have to look into coverage from private insurance companies.

Is A Flood Loss Likely?

The chances of your business, home or personal property being damaged by a flood depends primarily upon where you live. They also depend on other factors such as:

• how much of a flood warning you receive
• the level of flood precautions you take (such as moving personal property from lower levels to higher levels), and
• the precautions taken by your community (such as the use of flood controls in construction standards or sandbagging threatened areas).

Floods are related to weather conditions and tend to affect very wide areas. This often makes chances of a flood loss higher than a loss from fires or windstorms. Many people have the obsolete belief that flood insurance is only needed if you live in a flood prone area.

I Live In A Flood Zone?!

If you hear the term “flood zone,” you may think that it refers to locations that are particularly vulnerable to flooding. Wherever you live in the USA, you live in a flood zone. While your area may have a lower chance of flooding than a coastal area or a location situated near a body of water, your area could still experience flooding. A very dry part of the country can be susceptible to flash floods; hilly locations may be harmed by drainage; snowy locations may suffer from heavy snow thaw; other areas may suffer deluges or flooding due to a heavy rain season which has soaked the surrounding soil. So, if you’ve insured yourself against fire, wind and other causes of loss, it certainly makes sense to also protect yourself from the potential of a flood loss.

Why Worry When Disaster Coverage Is Available?

Are you thinking that, after a flood, your loss may be handled by the government declaring a disaster area? However, you’re still taking a couple of large risks. First, your flooded locale may not be deemed a disaster area. Second, being designated as a disaster area is not a bargain. Disaster area status only gives citizens access to government disaster loans. IF you qualify for assistance, you have replaced insurance protection with an obligation to pay off a large, long-term loan. Is it worthwhile to gamble on an opportunity to pick up more debt? You’ll find flood insurance to be a cheaper and much more valuable alternative.

Don’t Be “All Wet”

You don’t have to leave yourself unprotected. Your agent, an insurance professional, can help you with detailed information on the National Flood Insurance Program. You can also ask for help in getting the coverage you need to “keep dry” and secure in the face of a flood.

An Equipment Breakdown Coverage under a Hartford Business Insurance policy handles a substantial loss exposure to items such as unfired vessels – Air, steam or water tanks, refrigeration systems, rollers, steam pressers, ironing equipment, steam cookers, generators, chemical processing tanks, motors, switches and controls, compressors, pumps, gears, etc. because commercial property policies typically exclude losses involving machinery or equipment breakdowns. The breakdown form provides the following coverages:

1. Property Damage – This coverage pays for direct damage to covered property (certain types of office machinery and equipment) that has to be listed (described) in the policy.

2. Expediting Expenses – This coverage applies to extra costs insured experiences in order to make temporary repairs and to speed-up (expedites) the permanent repair or replacement of damaged property.

3. Business Income and Extra Expense – Extra Expense Only – These coverages may be purchased together or extra expense coverage alone. For example, a covered business loses most of its records due to a breakdown of its main server. Most of the costs to restore the information would be handled under this option.

4. Spoilage Damage – Spoilage damage to raw materials, property in process or finished products is covered when that property is in storage or in the course of being manufactured. Coverage applies to such property that the insured owns or is legally liable under written contract and spoilage is due to a lack of or excess of power, light, heat, steam or refrigeration.

5. Utility Interruption – This coverage is available ONLY when a customer also purchases coverage for Business Income and Extra Expense – Extra Expense Only or Spoilage Damage. This coverage responds to loss involving equipment breakdown created by loss of utility service (gas, electric, water or communication). Also, the loss or service must last beyond the time-limit that appears on the policy (a sort of time deductible).

6. Newly Acquired Premises – This feature automatically covers newly acquired premises purchased or leased by the insured and the period of protection depends upon the length of time selected for this coverage (i.e. such as 30 days, 60 days, etc.).

7. Ordinance or Law Coverage – The Ordinance or Law Exclusion eliminates coverage for loss created by the imposition of ordinance or laws affect the rebuilding of the damaged property. This coverage pays such costs, within guidelines in the coverage, provided any increase in the loss amount is necessary due to the enforcement of any laws or ordinances in force at the time of the breakdown which regulate the demolition, construction, repair or use of the building or structure.

8. Errors and Omissions – This coverage pays for loss or damage that would have been covered except for the insured’s error or unintentional omission in describing covered property, a failure to include any premises owned or occupied by an insured when coverage began or, the insured’s error or unintentional omission that results in the company canceling coverage at one of the insured’s premises.

9. Brands and Labels – This provision pays part of a company’s expense to remove and re-label its own, salvaged merchandise.

10. Contingent Business Income and Extra Expense – Extra Expense Only Coverage – This Protection applies to loss resulting from a breakdown to equipment at premises upon which the insured is dependent upon in order to run its own operation, such as a key materials supplier.

Be sure to talk to a qualified insurance professional at Paradiso Insurance in case you need details on how to best protect your critical business equipment.

Running your own business is no small task.  Countless hours must be spent in order to insure that your life’s hard work hasn’t been wasted.  Every aspect of your company should be checked and tweaked just like a car engine to guarantee it operates at its highest performance.   One of these key aspects to assure your business is covered and working smoothly is Employment Practices Liability Insurance under Hartford Business Insurance.

Here are some common questions regarding EPLI:

• What exactly is Employment Practices Liabilities Insurance?

EPLI provides protection for an employer against claims made by former, present, or potential employees.

• What does it cover?

It covers any discrimination accusation (age, sex, race, etc.), wrongful termination, sexual harassment, and any other employment- related allegations.

• Who does it cover?

EPLI covers your entire firm, including any Directors and Officers.

• When does my firm need EPLI?

You need EPLI as soon as your business starts to hire employees.  Most if not all investors or directors will require that your business has it!

• Why does your business need EPLI?

These cases can happen to any firm! It is estimated now that three out of five firms will have at least one employee sue them. Even if the claim is groundless or fraudulent, the defense of a suit can be expensive in time, resources and financially.

So whether your business has two employees or two hundred, you need to be covered in case any employee decides to take action against your company! Pick up the phone and call a member of the Paradiso Team to make sure you have Employment Practices Liability Insurance.  860.684.5270

The office picnic, office-sponsored sports activities, holiday party, and client party are events that may involve serving and consuming alcoholic beverages. Can a business be held responsible for injuries or damages that result from serving alcohol? Is the current Hartford Business Insurance program sufficient to address this concern? Is it necessary to purchase special insurance? State alcohol laws (called Dram Shop Laws in most states) determine a business entity’s liability for injury or damage arising from serving alcohol. Laws vary, but most assign liability for serving persons who are minors or are visibly intoxicated.

The Commercial General Liability (CGL) policy provides coverage for Liquor Liability but EXCEPT for businesses ‘in the business of’ selling, serving, or manufacturing alcoholic beverages. If the event offers alcohol without a charge, it could be stated that the insured is not ‘in the business of’ selling or serving. If persons have to pay, even if the charge is only to offset the alcohol’s expense, that fact could create a different legal situation.

When hosting an event that includes liquor, some businesses have decided that hiring a bartender will reduce their risk of being held liable. This step at least offers the benefit of another party being held primarily responsible and reducing the amount the business might be required to pay. The main issue is obtaining proof from the bartender to confirm that he or she carries an adequate level of Liquor Liability insurance. Proof should be obtained PRIOR to the event. Otherwise, it may be too late when you find out that there isn’t a policy or that the limits are insufficient.

Society is less tolerant of drinking and driving. An impaired driver who causes an auto accident is much more likely to be sued. Besides the driver, a lawsuit will likely include a business that provided alcohol. Why, because such a business is considered as contributing to the loss and is called on to share (or fully bear) the cost of injury or damage. The Commercial General Liability policy could provide the necessary defense for the business.

Example: Business A and Business B are both insured by CGL policies and each company recently sponsored a Christmas party. After each party, a very inebriated employee leaves and, before reaching home, causes a collision. The injured drivers sue the businesses along with the drunken employees. Business A is an accounting office and its CGL handles the lawsuit. Business B is a tavern; its CGL denies the claim.

The solution is to discuss the types of events your business sponsors or hosts with your agent to determine if you need to purchase special coverage. This discussion may also help you take steps to reduce potential lawsuits. Some businesses may find it easiest and safest to ban drinking during business hours, including business lunches, dinners or other events. Your insurance agent and legal counsel can assist you in determining ways to protect your assets.

Courtesy of Rough Notes

Every square inch of your business should be important to you.  Your firm has needs that go beyond just your customers and employees.  That’s why the physical aspect of your business- the building, inventory, signs, or outdoor landscaping- should be covered under a specific policy known as Hartford business insurance, namely commercial property.

So what exactly is commercial property insurance?

This policy protects your property, as well as inventory or assets, against loss or damage caused by theft, an accident or some other means. Your commercial property insurance protects you even if the property is away from your place of business when it is damaged or lost. The policy covers your costs to replace or repair the property and, in some instances, compensates you for items that cannot be replaced.

How does property insurance protect your business?

Commercial property insurance is one of the first types of insurance you should look into when you launch a new enterprise.

If you don’t own the building where you do business, you’ll only need to cover the building’s contents. The basic commercial property insurance policy protects your investment in fixtures, furniture, office equipment, inventory and the supplies that you store either at your business location or off-site.

Commercial property insurance premiums will vary depending on whether they cover replacement cost or actual cash value (ACV). A replacement-cost policy ensures that your settlement is based on what you will have to spend to replace the items at current market prices, while an actual cash value policy reimburses you for the property’s depreciated value.

However, if your business owns its own equipment, and you could easily replace lost equipment with comparable used goods for the depreciated market value, an ACV policy’s lower premium may be more cost-effective.

Be certain that your business always has a commercial property insurance policy.  Let a member of Team Paradiso assist you with your business or any other policy questions you may have about Hartford business insurance.

(Source: businessinsurancenow.com)

If you thought $100,000 home insurance claim was expensive, think about what England’s insurance agencies are going to have to shell out for damage claims from the violent riots that rocked the country last week.   Chad Hemenway of Property Casualty 360 reports on the massive insurance claims filed by businesses across the pond:

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says it expects insured losses of more than 200 million pounds (about $328 million) from claims connected to the rioting and looting in London and other cities recently.  The estimate is more than double the ABI’s initial loss estimate.  The news comes as Prime Minister David Cameron extended the time to report claims under the Riot Damages Act of 1886.

The British police are required to compensate individuals and organizations who suffer property loss or damages from a riot—regardless of whether they are insured—and insurers can also make a riot-compensation claim for the amount of claims paid to policyholders who suffered riot-related property losses and damages.  Business-interruption losses are not covered under the act.  The ABI says it has offered assistance to the government and police in handling claims.

In lockstep, Zurich Financial Services Group extended the time period for property-insurance policyholders to report claims. Allianz says it expects about 25 million pounds ($41 million) in claims.  “The insurance industry is already paying out claims to people with insurance, but wants to do more to support the government in helping people get back on their feet,” says Otto Thoresen, ABI director general. “We will work in partnership with the government and share our expertise to make sure that the police compensation schemes work effectively and get compensation to people who need it quickly.”

ABI says home insurance should cover fire, looting and damages. Many policies also provide payments if homeowners cannot stay in their home.  Most commercial policies will cover damages and business interruption caused by fire, looting and other damages. Some policies will cover interruption to businesses that were not directly damaged by the riots.

Crawford & Co., an independent provider of claims-management services, says key considerations for businesses are adequacy of cover and—in cases where an insured takes damages at more than one location—whether or not the riots will be classified as one event for the application of deductibles.

Standard business-interruption policies may be extended in some cases to include coverage to a business owner who cannot access his business because of destruction or damage at neighboring businesses.  Also, some policies provide coverage for “loss of attraction.” This is relevant is the business depends on neighboring business to generate income, Crawford says.

For the policy to be triggered, a drop in business needs to be caused by damage rather than a “general decline in trade in the area because it is less popular,” Crawford continues.  Luckily these riots weren’t in the United States, but if any event like this were to occur and your business was damaged or destroyed, rest assured that Paradiso Insurance has you covered with the proper Hartford Business Insurance.

The issue of injured employees while at the worksite is always a unique situation, and since each is different, a case-by-case analysis is required.  Don’t think workers’ compensation is only limited to those occupations that require physical strain and activity.  Any job can result in an injury that can have an employee out of the office or off the work site for weeks.  Since an injured employee can happen to any business, maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of workers compensation is essential for any employer.

In the state of Connecticut, there are currently eight Workers’ Compensation Commission agencies that deal with all of the state’s claims.  Each office represents a district, listed below:

• District 1- Hartford
• District 2- Norwich
• District 3- New Haven
• District 4- Bridgeport
• District 5- Waterbury
• District 6- New Britain
• District 7- Stamford

According to Chapter 568 of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Workers’ Compensation Act was first enacted in 1913. There have been numerous changes to the Act since that time, but the main premise of the Act has always been to provide wage replacement and other benefits, as well as medical treatment, for those employees who have been injured, disabled, or killed while performing their jobs.  The Commission holds hearings to resolve disputes in workers’ compensation cases in each of the eight districts throughout the state.  The Commission facilitates voluntary agreements, adjudicates disputes, makes findings and awards, hears and rules on appeals, and closes out cases through full and final stipulated settlements.

New to state legislation as of July 1, 2011, part of the Workers’ Compensation Commission is now involved in an agency consolidation with the newly created Bureau of Rehabilitative Services.  Make sure you are aware of all workers’ compensation related topics like those previously listed.  Don’t let your business falter because of a claim that you aren’t covered for.

We at Paradiso Insurance are proud to congratulate Enzo Faienza on his selection into the Hartford Business Journal’s 2011 40 Under 40!  Mr. Faienza is the President and Co-owner of Universal Ceramic Tile Distributors Inc., located in our capital city of Hartford, Connecticut.  He started the business with his father, Antonio in 1996, and welcomed brothers Joe and Tony into the company soon thereafter.

Universal Ceramic Tile imports and distributes ceramic, porcelain, stone and glass tile throughout New England and the rest of the Northeast region.  They opened a 7,000 square foot design center in 2006 in conjunction with their wholesale business to allow the general public the ability to shop at the same location as businesses, contractors and designers. Aside from tile alone, you can also choose from a variety of carpeting, hardwood flooring, vanities and kitchen cabinets at the Hartford location.  His business has taken Enzo across the country, and across the world (Enzo attended a trade show in Bologna, Italy!) to gain knowledge and new ideas for the continued growth and success of his business.

Enzo and Universal Ceramic Tile have been a great teammate to Paradiso Insurance with their assistance in food drives and donations to the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.  Chris and Enzo have created not only a strong business partnership, but a lasting personal friendship as well.  From all of us at Paradiso Insurance, congratulations to Enzo Faienza and the entire Universal Ceramic Tile crew!

For many residents in Stafford Springs, a long commute is all we’ve  ever known due to job scarcity.  Not living in a large town, jobs for many of us have been located throughout the area.  With that said, there are some quick and easy ways for not only our residents, but those who are in similar situations to save on that expensive gas charge.

1. Buy gas in Massachusetts-  This might be an efficient plan for everyone in Connecticut, those of us located in the northern part of Connecticut have a great opportunity to save 25 -50 cents per gallon of fuel.  As of yesterday, BP in Monson Massachusetts was at $3.99/gallon versus the Gulf station in Tolland which was at $4.27/gallon.

2. Have a smartphone? Download This APP: Gas Buddy is an app that I recently purchased for free which tells me where the cheapest gas is within my vicinity.  Since having downloaded this app, taking an extra 2 minutes to figure out where the reasonable prices are, I have saved tremendously (or as much as I possibly can).

In addition to telling me the best deals around, GasBuddy.com also gives their 10 tips for saving fuel: 

3. Keep Tires Properly Inflated
Keep tire air pressure at the level recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. A single tire under inflated by 2 PSI, increases fuel consumption by 1%.

4. Use A/C Sparingly
When the air conditioner is on it puts extra load on the engine forcing more fuel to be used (by about 20%). The defrost position on most vehicles also uses the air conditioner.

5. Keep Windows Closed
Windows open, especially at highway speeds, increase drag and result in decreased fuel economy of up to 10%.

With our staff being spread across the entire state of Connecticut, We understand the frustration and financial tug the gas price increase has had on everyone.  If you have questions for our team in the office, but don’t want to drive to the office, you can give us a call at (860) 684-5270 or go to our website at www.ParadisoInsurance.com and use the button at the top to speak to a live member of our team!

For those of you who aren’t familiar, the Better Business Beaureau is a private, nonprofit organization that provides services and programs to assist consumers and businesses. The focus of a Bureau’s activities is to promote an ethical marketplace by encouraging honest advertising and selling practices, and alternative dispute resolution.

We have written many times before about the importance of hiring an ethical contractor for an service you have hired them to provide.  The better business bureau has created a several tips that they say can prevent any headaches or scams.

1.  Do your research – Research a contractor or handyman’s marketplace record at www.bbb.org.

2.  Compare costs – The least expensive bid is not necessarily the best bid.  BBB recommends consumers get project bids from at least three companies.

3.  Verify the credentials – Verify that the company you plan to hire is registered with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, (DCP) and that workers are properly insured and bonded.  

In the event of problems with a registered home improvement contractor, Connecticut property owners who meet certain criteria may be eligible for up to $15,000 in compensation from the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund.  The fund is a pool of money administered by the DCP, and maintained with money from annual assessments of registered contractors.

4.  References – Door-to-door contractors may claim to have done work for your neighbors, however, BBB recommends asking for references and contact information from their last three jobs that are similar to the work you’d like done.

5.  Get it all in writing – All contractors must provide a written contract specifying a payment schedule, details about the type of work to be done, exact costs, materials, a start and completion date and details about warranty information on products and installation.  Connecticut consumers have the right to cancel a contract within three days of signing, under the federal “cooling-off law.”

6.  Deposit and payment – A reasonable deposit would be between 25 and 33 percent of the estimated total project cost.  Pay by credit card or a check made out to a company rather than an individual.  Never pay with cash.

The group at Paradiso Insurance has become successful for many reasons but one in particular is enjoying what we do EVERY SINGLE DAY!

Sometimes, its not easy.  Between being incredibly busy and the stressful obligation of completing multiple tasks, the staff truly makes a conscious effort to enjoy their job and be productive all at the same time.

We came across an article that listed great steps to keeping happiness part of the everyday work environment.  Although they seem very obvious, sometimes it takes a reminder to keep them implemented.

1. Avoid Negativity- Choosing to be happy at work means avoiding negative conversations, gossip, and unhappy people as much as possible. No matter how positively you feel, negative people have a profound impact on your psyche. Don’t let the negative Neds and Nellies bring you down.

2. Practice Professional Courage- If you are like most people, you don’t like conflict. And the reason why is simple. You’ve never been trained to participate in meaningful conflict, so you likely think of conflict as scary, harmful, and hurtful. Conflict can be all three; done well, conflict can also help you accomplish your work mission and your personal vision. Conflict can help you serve customers and create successful products. Happy people accomplish their purpose for working. Why let a little professional courage keep you from achieving your goals and dreams? Make conflict your friend.

3. Make only commitments you can keep- One of the most serious causes of work stress and unhappiness is failing to keep commitments. Many employees spend more time making excuses for failing to keep a commitment, and worrying about the consequences of not keeping a commitment, than they do performing the tasks promised. Create a system of organization and planning that enables you to assess your ability to complete a requested commitment. Don’t volunteer if you don’t have time. If your workload is exceeding your available time and energy, make a comprehensive plan to ask the boss for help and resources. Don’t wallow in the swamp of unkept promises.

4. Take Charge of Your Own Professional and Personal Development-A young employee complained to me recently that she wanted to change jobs because her boss was not doing enough to help her develop professionally. I asked her whom she thought was the person most interested in her development. The answer, of course, was her. You are the person with the most to gain from continuing to develop professionally. Take charge of your own growth; ask for specific and meaningful help from your boss, but march to the music of your personally developed plan and goals. You have the most to gain from growing – and the most to lose, if you stand still.

5. Take Responsibility for Knowing What Is Happening at Work-People complain to me daily that they don’t receive enough communication and information about what is happening with their company, their department’s projects, or their coworkers. Passive vessels, they wait for the boss to fill them up with knowledge. And, the knowledge rarely comes. Why? Because the boss is busy doing her job and she doesn’t know what you don’t know. Seek out the information you need to work effectively. Develop an information network and use it. Assertively request a weekly meeting with your boss and ask questions to learn. You are in charge of the information you receive.

For these tips and more visit, About.com