Collecting Wages from Unethical Companies

There are so many unethical companies, refusing to pay their employees wages, after they lay them off, I thought I would make this suggestion. Yes, I know it is a recession, but that does not give these companies the right to not pay you what is owed. Your bills don't go away, just because these unethical companies won't pay up. Being Green, means showing respect to everyone, and everything on Gods planet. We all must be good stewards of planet earth, and paying our bills on time is part of this picture.

The first thing I suggest you do, is to document everything. Dates, times and what happened, along with any witnesses to the events. I would also suggest that you contact the labour board for your city, province, or state. If you work a government job, then contact your union representative, as they will have more pull then you do on your own. If you work for a charity, then contact the Chairman of the Board, and let them know what is happening. If you are being discriminated against, document it, and then contact Human Rights.

If, you are still unable to collect wages that are owed to you, then the next step is to collect all your pay stubs, and photocopy your last pay check, provided it is a check. Write down your story, explain how much money is still owing to you, and why you feel it is still owing to you. If the unethical company has taken too much money off your pay check for taxes, and any other discreprencies.

Then phone REVENUE CANADA, or the IRS if your American, and ask to speak to an agent. Get an appointment to come in and talk to them, and take all your documentations with you. When you get there, be sure to be on time, and use your manners.

The agent will go through everything with you, if they agree with you, they will tell you to deposit your last pay check in your bank account, if it has not already been deposited. They will also tell you, that when you file your income tax for this year, you will be given a credit for the amount of money, that Revenue Canada feels you are owed.

Then they will FREEZE the unethical companies bank account(s), this usually takes about a week. They take that long, because they are waiting for your pay check to clear, before the funds are frozen. After this happens, the unethical company will be notified that they will be audited. In some cases, the company is forced into bankruptcy. This is nothing to worry about, as these companies, charities, or any other business should not be in business, when they do not know how to treat people with respect. The more unethical companies that are put out of business, because of poor business practices, the less likely good, honest working people are to end up working for them, and that is good business.

One last thing, don't bother telling the company what you are prepared to do, as in most cases, they will not believe you. Besides, the element of surprise is best, as they will not know what hit them, and you will be able to get some satisfaction knowing another person will not fall prey to them.

Moving on, the next job that you take, ask lots of questions, and pay attention to how your gut feels. If you are unable to sleep, and feel uneasy about that job that you just interviewed for, then perhaps you need to ask more questions, or maybe that job is not for you. Check with the better business bureau, and see what their track record is. Also, google the company, and see if there are any complaints about them. In other words, really do your homework, and see if they are the company you want to work for, or if they are just a "washroom break" to the next job?

Ultimately, you want to work for a company that pays fairly, treats all their staff well, offers benefits that include medical, dental, holidays, where you feel comfortable to work, and where you feel like you really belong, as you spend a lot of time there everyday. When you find that great position, hang on to it, and treat the company with the same respect that you recieve. I even offer silent blessings to everyone I work with, as it really changes the atmosphere at work, and I am happier being there.

Many Blessings & Success to your next great job.

LEED Certified Commercial Buildings More Popular

Canada is experiencing a surge of interest in LEED certified commercial buildings. In Toronto, will undergo renovations that will help apply for LEED status, and thus it will eventually help get those commercial buildings rented out again.

According to Avison Young, most tenants are looking to reduce costs, and the focus is on retro fitting older buildings to make them more energy efficient. Vacancy's in green buildings don't stay vacant long, as the tenant is happy to be saving money, and the owner is happy to be making money again.

There is a partnership between B.C. Hydro, the Ministry of Energy and BOMA to make 17,000 commercial buildings more energy efficient. The B.C. Government wants to see a reduction by 1/3 greenhouse gasses by 2020. Presently, commercial buildings make up about 5% of B.C.'s emissions, and the goal is to reduce energy demand by 9% per square meter of commercial space.

Thank You

I would just like to thank everyone that came out yesterday for my presentation on "Recycled Glass". I hope all of you enjoyed yourself, as much as I did. I would also like to thank the Calgary Public Library and Patrick and Mia for helping me out so much. I hope that everyone stuck around for the movie "FRESH", as Joye went to so much work to get it in. It was really great to see everyone there.

FRESH is a movie about growing sustainable food against overwhelming odds, but it also is important for all of us to adopt a new attitude, and understand our relationship to each other, and the world. FRESH is a great movie that empowers us, by showing that we are not passive by standers, and that we are the creators of our own world, and we can change what is happening, by being responsible consumers, and only buying produce that is grown using sustainable practices.

You can view the trailer here http://www.freshthemovie.com/, and you can also ask to schedule a viewing in your city.

Funky Cardboard Benches

These cardboard benches are made entirely from industrially discarded cardboard, and a small piece of EVA rubber for added comfort and color. It is low tech, recyclable and easy to disassemble, is assembled without any glue or tools, which makes it easy to ship flat.

It can hold up to 198 pounds, and measures 6X15X16 inches approximately when disassembled. It sells for $40 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is perfect for that first appartment, or for the students dorm rooms.

EVENTS - Downtown Library - Saturday Sept. 26, 2009

If anyone is downtown this Saturday, I will be doing a recycled glass presentation at the Library downtown. Admission is free, and you can purchase my book there. The time of this presenation is 2 PM, and there will be signs up once you enter the library...just ask for directions.

METHOD - One of the GREENEST in the business

Have you seen the METHOD products, that are available at Target? This company does more then just talk about being GREEN, they actually walk the walk. Absolutely every single ingredient in their formulas, even the packaging - has been assessed and scored by the environmental protection and encouragement agency, which is an independent institute led by Dr. Michael Braugart, who is the author of Cradle to Cradle.

Dr. Michael Braugart, and his team recognize METHOD as a Cradle to Cradle company. The US Environmental Protection Agency recognizes 50 of Methods products to be safe for people and the environment. All of Methods bottles are made from 100% recycled plastic whenever possible and are completely recyclable.

Method even goes the extra mile as they strive to make the company completely carbon-neutral, by purchasing wind and solar energy credits to offset their carbon footprint. Their business is housed in a LEED certified building and has a recycling and composting system set up throughout. Then there is the fact that they offer financial incentives to encourage employees to use public or self propelled transporation to work. Oh and lets not forget, that they ship their products in trucks that run on biodiesel. Yes, Method actually walks the walk!

Make Do and Mend

John Lewis department store in the UK, is publishing a booklet filled with old fashioned advice to help consumers ride out the recession. The booklet, which runs to more than 30 pages, taps into a desire by families to return to a more sustainable way of life, getting full use out of products rather than dumping them in the bin and buying new.

These tips range from how to use the inside of a banana skin as a substitute for shoe polish, to protecting the screen of your MP3 player or mobile phone by cutting out a piece of peel-off plastic overlay - or the excellent money-saving idea to freeze leftover wine in ice-cube trays which can be added to stews and casseroles without the need to open a full bottle.

Managing director Andy Street said: 'This guide is designed to help households to get the very best out of what they have. 'Our lives are far more complicated than they were in the 1940s and we've forgotten some of the basic principles that can save a lot of time and money.

Mr Street pointed out that the recession appears to have triggered a cultural change.

'We're witnessing a reawakening of interest in traditional skills, including creating and maintaining things,' he said. 'We believe there has been a sea change in our attitudes towards possessions.