The Design Of Multi Level Car Parks Tourism Essay

The Design Of Multi Level Car Parks Tourism Essay Car sales, close to 8 lakh units a year, are growing at an average rate of 10 per cent while two-wheeler sales at 5 million are expected to grow 14-15 per cent. In order to accommodate the large volume of vehicles, small cities and towns must develop their infrastructure roads, flyovers, car parks and other facilities. Otherwise their arteries are most likely to get clogged like they do in big and mini metros.   One solution may be a multi-level car parking system to maximise car parking capacity by utilising vertical space, rather than expand horizontally. Although at a nascent stage in India, it is one of the options to decongest roads and solve parking problems.   However, with land in metros and A grade cities becoming scarce and dearer, and plots getting smaller, conventional parking is proving infeasible. Sometimes soil conditions rule out excavation for multiple basements, or multiple RCC parking slabs take total building height beyond permissible limits. Sometimes it is found that the ramp or car lifts eat up much parking area that no increase in parking capacity is possible. In such case, mechanised car parking systems make creation of extra parking capacity feasible. So far three types of mechanised car parking systems puzzle, tower and mini have been operating in India. In each of these, the car is always parked or retrieved at one level only, and the stationary vehicle is carried to different levels in steel pallets.   The number of vehicles in metros is approaching one million mark. Mumbai has over 13 lakh vehicles, and up to 200 are added everyday. Suburbia Mall, Kalptaru Builders, and Evershine Builders in Mumbai are equipped with multi-level car parking system. Even towns like Chittorgarh and Jaipur are interested in multi-level car parking (also called elevated car parking system).   The puzzle system is configurable and module capacity can vary. For instance, car parking space meant for two cars can accommodate three cars. The optimum capacity of the tower type system is 50 meant for three. Fully automatic systems generally cater to higher capacities per unit. Since conventional multi-level car parks have a clear height of 9 ft. to 10 ft. above each level, they can accommodate Small Utility Vehicles also.   The mechanised system does not cater to these. It is possible to customise systems to accommodate SUVs, but it has not been done so far. Any decent capacity parking plan invariably has ground parking slots (where no mechanized system can fit), and these usually suffice for the proportion of SUVs, says Rajeev Goel, CEO, Kinetic Escalator Elevator Ltd. Depending on the type of system and order size, the mechanised parking systems installed by Kinetic cost from Rs 2 to 3.5 lakh per car. A semi-mechanised (valet parking) option is also available per car cost under one lakh. Depending on the type, its configuration and position of the pallet, it takes half to two-and-half minutes from the press of a button to an approaching car to the drive way level to park a car on it or drive away the car parked on it.   Parking charges depend on what the user is wiling to pay, and whether he has an option to park nearby without paying. A parking slot may be permanently allotted/sold/leased to the built-up area buyer/lessee. Where an owner can charge parking fees by the hour, the fee depends on demand and supply of parking space, not on the parking system. It can vary from Rs 2 a day to Rs 25 an hour.   Many state governments and civic bodies, and some Central government departments are aware of these systems and are expected to give them push. Some civic bodies have liberalised bylaws to enable builders to maximise parking capacity in their projects. Some civic bodies have also floated BoT or like tenders inviting private investment in maximising public parking capacity, according to Goel. The government shouldnt allow parking on roads, states Shree Gopal Kabra, President, Ram Ratna Group.   Goel is quite confident that the demand for car parks is an integral part of a residential or commercial complex, rather than an independent commercial venture. However, it may take years before parking fees in India reach a level at which the investment in these systems and their maintenance cost can be recovered from parking fees alone. Kabra says that a multi-level car parking system will be a success in commercial layouts. One has to club towers with ad revenues or with some other alternatives like commercial activities so that the revenue keeps flowing to the owners who implement car parking systems. Design Image of the inside of a multi-storey car park Movement of vehicles between floors can be effected by: interior ramps the most common type exterior ramps which may take the form of a circular ramp (colloquially known as a whirley-gig in America) vehicle lifts the least common In locations where the car park is built on sloping land, the car park may be split-level. Many car parks are independent buildings that are dedicated exclusively to that use. The design loads for car parks are often less than the office building they serve (50 psf versus 80 psf), leading to long floor spans of 55-60 feet that permit cars to park in rows without supporting columns in between. The most common structural systems in the United States for these structures are either prestressed concrete concrete double tee floor systems or post-tensioned cast-in-place concrete floor systems. In recent times, car parks built to serve residential and some business properties are built as part of a larger building, and often are built underground as part of the basement. Motorcycle parking inside a multi-storey car park Car parks which serve shopping centres can sometimes be built adjacent to the shopping centre so as to effect easier access at each floor between shops and parking. One example is the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, USA, which has two large car parks attached to the building at the eastern and western ends of the mall. Another common position for car parks within shopping centres in the UK is on the roof, around the various utility systems, enabling customers to take lifts straight down into the centre. Examples of such are The Oracle in Reading and Festival Place in Basingstoke. Automated parking Automatic multi-storey car parks provide lower building cost per parking slot, as they typically require less building volume and less ground area than a conventional facility with the same capacity. However, the cost of the mechanical equipment within the building that is needed to transport cars internally needs to be added to the lower building cost to determine the total costs. Other costs are usually lower too, for example there is no need for an energy intensive ventilating system, since cars are not driven inside and human cashiers or security personnel may not be needed. Automated car parks rely on similar technology that is used for mechanical handling and document retrieval. The driver leaves the car in an entrance module. It is then transported to a parking slot by a robot trolley. For the driver, the process of parking is reduced to leaving the car inside an entrance module. At peak periods a wait may be involved before entering or leaving. The wait is due to the fact that loading passengers and luggage occurs at the entrance and exit location rather than at the parked stall. This loading blocks the entrance or exit from being available to others. Whether the retrieval of vehicles is faster in an automatic car park or a self park car park depends on the layout and number of exits. Advantages: The advantages of this can be seen immediately: there is no room to build conventional multi-storey car parks above ground in the areas they are required, and under-street parking is actually more cost effective than other schemes on a per parking space basis. In addition, an automatic system brings significant savings in engineering because elevators, ramps, stairways, lighting and ventilation do not need to be provided to the same extent. The construction, however, also means the transfer of sewer, storm drains and water services from beneath the centre of the road to conduits at the side of the roads. PARKING PROCESS Cars (maximum dimension 5.25m long, 2.2m wide and 1.7m high) must be driven to one of four receiving stations (marked A to D), the entry to which is actuated by a control device which responds to a transponder chip held in the car by the user. On gaining entry the driver proceeds to correctly position / park the car on a transfer ramp and then locks and leaves the vehicle. A combination of laser scanners and light barriers will then examine the car for its positioning and dimensions. The elevator ramp is then actuated and the car is raised to its parking level and stored (cars are parked side by side). In July 2007 the Wà ¶hr Multiparker 740 equipped garage was given the ADAC Award (German Automobile Association) for the best use of space, security and reliability. On returning, the driver comes to the same transfer station (they may pay by credit card at an automated paying station) and the car will be retrieved from its storage level according to the transponder chip still held by the driver. The car is retrieved on its transfer pallet and the driver simply drives away through automated exit gates. The pallet has a lighting system which illuminates the area for two minutes while the driver gets into the car. Customer help is available via an intercom system 24 hours per day in case of breakdowns or unforeseen problems. If a car is not retrieved for its owner within two hours then the owner receives compensation from the parking operator. PROJECT 1: TECHNOLOGY TYPE SIMPARK (Completed in November, 2001) CALCUTTA, INDIA We make Calcuttans proud by introducing the Worlds First Fully Automatic Mechanized Public Multi-Level Car Parking System on a Curve, at the intersection of Park Street-Rawdon Street crossing, in a Joint Venture with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. The ground plus two-storied computer based system, accommodates upto three times more than conventional parking. The system at Rawdon Street has been constructed to provide car-parking facility for around 210 cars on a ground area of 1260 Sq. Mtrs. Each row can individually hold on average 73 numbers of cars. The system is operated from both the ends of the structure. Each lift lobby having its own individually control panel and ticketing system. However, one can park and retrieve his/ her car from either end and vice versa. A steel pallet is designated for every car slot in the system. Whenever a car needs to be parked, the ticketing button is pressed and the entrance gate opens only after a pallet has been delivered. The driver parks his car on the pallet, engages a gear, locks his car (optional as nobody can go inside the system and your car is safe as in a vault), and walks out of the system. The tickets to the system is a simple the magnetic strip cards, which the ticket attendant swipes. From herein onwards, the computer takes over. One must remember not to lose the magnetic card as it contains information on the parked vehicle. Technologies : Simpark The beauty of this Parking system is inherent in its intrinsic simplicity. It is a modular Lego like system and therefore can be adapted to fit any size or shape of plot. Each grid has an independent lift and each floor or array of cars has its independent carrier. For every car to be parked in the system, there is a steel pallet designated when a car is to be parked, on a button being punched the entrance gate opens. The driver parks his car on the pallet, engages a gear, locks his car (optional), and walks out of the system. From herein onwards, the computer takes over. Uniquely designed lift, enables carriers to pass through lift shaft, when lift is not in the specific floor. More than one lift can be placed in each row at either end, or in the middle as required. THE PARKING PROCEDURE The PLC system computer decides, which floor, which and slot the pallet with the car is to be placed is to be parked on. Accordingly, the pallet with the car placed on it is taken up with the help of the vertical elevator system to the desired floor. The next step is that on reaching the particular floor the carrier system picking up picks up the pallet along with the car, and moving it horizontally along the structure over the other vehicles to the place assigned by the computerit slowly lowers it into the slot assigned by the system. It should be made quite clear here, that the height of each floor, is a little more than twodouble the cars height, so that the carrier transports the car above the already parked cars. Retrieval of parked cars is precisely the same operation, but in the reverse order. When the driver comes to collect his car, he gives the ticket/magnetic card, which was given to him on parking. The card is swiped and; automatically the bill for parking is generated for payment. Simultaneously the computer has issued the order for retrieval. Carrier picks up the relevant pallet, transports it over other cars and places it on the elevator. The elevator brings down the pallet. On retrieval retrieval, through a turntable, the pallet takes a turn and keeps the car is in a drive-out position. The Main gates opens automatically, driver walks in and drives out in his carfor the driver to drive out his car. The Gate close automatically and the system is on standby for the next requests. The entire system can operate, with just one ticket attendant in each lobby. In case of the remote eventuality of any problem, the same shall be reflected immediately in the master computer in the control room and the fault rectified within minutes. SERVICES OFFERED 1. Night parking. 2. Multiple Entry and Exit facilities. 3. Provision for long term booking of parking slots. 4. ATM and Vending Machine. 5. Public Call Booth. 6. Front / Backlit show windows for corporate and product advertising CONSTRUCTION DETAILS We have used RCC grid of Concrete Column and Beam only for the parking tower. There are no slabs for the parking tower. Top Roof is done with coated G.I. Sheets simply supported by Crush Structures. The structure has been designed for required dead load lift load as per I.S. Standard. Necessary construction instructions as per I.S. Construction have been provided. Elevators have been placed at both the end of the structures. The Control Panel with P.L.Cs will control the movement of the elevator and Electronic devices. Fire fighting with sprinklers system has been provided. The fire fighting system has been divided into various zones. Wet risers have also been provided. Other details have been met as per fire laws and by-laws. Round the clock, security cameras have been provided for recording the vehicles entering and exiting the system. These security cameras would also be utilized for recording the movement of people in the entire compound. Managing of a Multilevel Parking Lot using IPv6 Problem with multilevel parking lot now To find a parking space in a crowded multilevel parking facility now, the driver must be lurking around while driving. Even if not speeding, this is very dangerous. The possibility that a accident resulting in injury or death could happen is very high here. To solve this problem If a parking space at a multilevel parking lot can be found without the driver lurking around, the number of accidents can be decreased. So, I thought of attaching each curb at the parking space with a sensor using IPv6. And the open space can be checked at the entrance of the parking lot, and reach there without the driver lurking around. How to use IPv6 1) Each curb at the parking space is attached with a sensor by IPv6. First, each curb is attached with a sensor so the position and floor of the place open can be known. 2) The open space can be known by the screen placed at the entrance of the parking lot, using a sensor. Another problem If a car ahead of you parks at the place you were think of parking, this system will be useless. To solve this problem When deciding where to park at the entrance of the parking lot, a simple reservation is made, so the next person knows that the place is taken. By doing so, the driver does not have to lurk around when a person ahead of you parks at the spot he/she was thinking of parking. Image of Screen at Parking Entrance R e d- -The sensor shows that there is a car. B l u e- -It is open now, but the person ahead of you is trying to park there. White- -The space is open. The screen is a touch panel, and reservation can be done by pressing the screen, and the status of the 3rd, 4th, and all floors can be checked By making this facility, accidents at parking lots will decrease In the limelight Kolkatas first underground automated car parking system was now acting as a showpiece attracting municipal corporations from around the country. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has already signed an agreement with Simpark for such projects at more than one station. Hi-tech bay: Cars at the underground parking lot built by Simpark Infrastructure at the New Market complex in Kolkata. The facility will be opened to the public on April 20. Kolkata April 15 Simpark Infrastructure (P) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Simplex Projects Ltd, braving several odds has just completed an underground modern automated car parking system at one of the most congested areas of the city the New Market complex, a relic of the Raj to which all Kolkatans are emotionally attached. A trip to the Market for pre-Christmas shopping is a must for both young and old. The engineering marvel 30 ft below the ground has been achieved without disturbing the red brick-stoned heritage New Market structure facing the southern faà §ade, including the fabulous clock tower to the left. Initially planned as a multi-level car park above ground, the BOT project, facing stiff resistance from the market shop establishments, was shifted below with a shopping mall at the minus one level and the actual gantry system car parking at the minus two level. Sheet piling over a period of 18 months was done to safeguard the old buildings facing the market complex. Top down construction method has been adopted (no cannibalisation of the top surface), and the gantry system can be accessed through five entry points (gates) for cars to be placed on pallets, which will take them down to the designated parking slot. Fully computerised, there will be just one person each at the entry point to operate the system, and car recovery is said to take just 90 seconds. Showpiece Cited as Kolkatas first underground automated car parking system, the project, commissioned by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), according to Mr B.K. Mundhra, Chairman and Managing Director of Simplex Projects, was now acting as a showpiece attracting municipal corporations from around the country. He said the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has already signed an agreement with Simpark for such projects at more than one stations. Talking to Business Line on the various challenges faced during the four-year construction period of the Rs 34-crore BOT project (with a 20-year concession period) by the Simpark engineering team, Mr Mundhra said the company has been able to just about break-even. The gain for us is the immense satisfaction of having completed such a difficult project in a small stretch (just 40,000 sq ft), capable of accommodating some 280 cars. He said the KMC would get 5 per cent of the parking fees, which is projected to be around Rs 2.5 lakh annually. The main earning for KMC will be through secondary basic rent from shop owners in the plaza. This is expected to yield annually around Rs 10 lakh for KMC while providing hassle-free parking for Kolkatans. Some 150 shop owners are said to have booked space at the plaza. Asked on Simparks future plans, Mr Mundhra said the company was planning to enter the semi-automatic private retail parking segment with the Intelligent Cubicle Sliding system, for which it has entered into a strategic tie-up with a Korean company. He said orders for prototypes of the compact system, which can be installed easily at building sites to fulfil private parking needs, have already been placed. A base level model, for holding some 8-10 cars, may cost anything between Rs 1.75 lakh and Rs 2.5 lakh.

Benefits that are important to employees: A review of employee benefit programs Essay

When employees look for employment compensation is important. However, employee benefits programs can be the deciding factor when it comes down to decision making; accept or decline a job offer. Having a â€Å"good benefits package† is the most desired attributes in an employer and it attracts human talent (Conlin, 2008). Even the decision to stay with at an organization or to leave, the topic of employee benefits resurface. Human Resource Managers are tasked with the responsibility of administering the company’s benefit program. This includes keeping track of the benefits, giving the basic overview, managing enrollment period just to name a few which can be time consuming not to mention costly. Employers provide benefits to attract the best talent, to retain or incentivize employees for high performance, and because some benefits are required by the law (Bohlander & Snell, 2010). But employee benefits makes up a large part of administration cost in terms of payroll thu s creating an expense and major concern to the employer (SHRM, 2011). Employees want great benefits because of the security it provides by lowering their out of pocket expenses and preparing them for the unknown yet immediate future. A common theme, on both side of the spectrum for employer and employee is â€Å"expense† or â€Å"cost† and for that reason this research paper will evaluate what benefits are important to employees and what are employers doing about it; a review of employee benefit programs. Employee Benefits Program Available and HR There are many benefit programs available to the employee from the basics like healthcare, to benefits in form of employee service like prepaid law. However, a good and competitive benefit program aligns strategically with the goals and objective of the organization which may differ depending on  company. Additionally, the benefit program needs to cover the desires of the employee while meeting the demands of the law. Last, the benefit program must be managed properly to work and be cost effective. Human Resource intranet system (HRIS) allows the organizations to save money on administrative cost, empower the employee through self-service, relieves managers of time-consuming administrative work, and it’s an effective communication tools (Kumar &Pandya, 2012). Technology advances and globalization has made HRIS somewhat a standard in many but not all organizations. The word benefit has several meanings which many applies in terms of employee benefit program. Merriam-Webster defines benefits as an advantage; promoting well-being, it’s a financial help when sick, old or unemployment and as in health insurance as service or a right the employers provide in addition to wages or salary (Merriam-Webster, 2012). Organizations strategic plan for employee benefits considering today’s dynamic in the workforce, again may vary by industry. But some objectives that may be popular are improving employee work satisfaction, draw and influence employees, retain top-performing employees and maintain competitive edge (Bohlander & Snell, 2010). Benefit program offered by the employer should be decided by the employees needs while considering the organization’s objectives of meeting their goals thus fostering flexibility. Minimum Employee Benefits mandated by Law A required benefit implies that certain services must be done by law. There are two categories; mandated employer benefits and employer offered option compensation. Employee benefits that are required by law are social security, unemployment, workers’ compensation, and disability insurance (SBA.gov, 2012). These four benefits are forms of insurance therefore the employer can get group coverage for them at a premium. Social Security Insurance (SSI) permits the covered individual to have income security in event of loss earning such as retirement or disability (Socialsecurity.gov). Many of the millennials fear that by the time they retire there will be no social security; this adds to the importance of employees having good benefits (Conlin, 2008). If an employee is laid off, and paid into social security then the employee is eligible for up to 26 of unemployment benefits. Worker’s compensation is usually state mandated and can be private  or funding through the state i n case an employee is injured on the job (www.dol.gov, 2012). Disability insurance is only required in 5 states and Puerto Rico. Consolidated omnibus budget reconciliation act (COBRA), family and medical leave act (FMLA), and older workers benefit protection act (OWBPA) are acts in place by law under employee benefit. They are employer offered option compensation (www.dol.gov, 2012). Benefits Important to Employees and Cost Many of the benefits that are important to employees are optional such as healthcare, paid time off, retirement programs. Continuous rising cost of healthcare makes it the most important employee benefit to both employer and employee (Smerd, 2007). Annually, employers are spending $300 annually on health insurance for employees and their families with the numbers expected increase (Weatherly, 2004). Over the years health care cost increase due change in the law, Medicare, baby boomers causing a greater need for health, technological advances, elevated cost of malpractice insurance, prescription cost and misuse of health care services; just to name a few (Andrews,2004). The constant increase in cost and changes within healthcare legislation makes cost containment a priority in the HR department and the organization (SHRM, 2011). There are many cost containments companies are doing to lowering cost of healthcare such as reducing the benefits, including or increasing deduction and premi ums, adding copays, and coordination of benefits (Bohlander & Snell, 2010). In the last few years, health saving account (HSA), flexible saving account (FSA) are becoming more common and is a form of cost efficiently (Johnson, 2012). There is a growing interest in in HSA due to the low cost on CDHP plan with high deduction (Thomas, 2004). It’s important to note the 3 different medical delivery systems that aid in cost control and they are health maintenance organization (HMO), preferred provider organization (PPO) and consumer-driven health plan (CDHP). HMO’s regulators cost having the primary care physician (PCP) who coordinates the patients care within a close network and referrals are needed. PPO’s are a similarity however provides greater freedom and there is no referral need for specialist, nor do the patients have to choose a PCP. Consumer-driven health plan is newer than HMO’s and PPO’s and it pro’s and con’s. CDHP appears to work better with wellness programs and HAS because it a lifestyle  change in behavior to focus on health (Johnson, 2012). However it can hurt some that are medically vulnerable because CDHP have flexible accompanied with low premiums thus target low-income population who are usually the ones with chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease (Miller, 2011). 2014 is fast approaching which means health care reform is nearing its effective day and it will have an impact on employee benefits. Effects of the Affordable Care Act and Healthcare reform March 23, 2010 marks the affordable care act become law and on June 28, 2012 the supreme court decision rendered a final decision to uphold the health care law (Supremecourt.gov, 2012). There are 10 titles to the Affordable Care Act. The act gives individuals, families, and small business owners control over their health care, reduces premiums and provides tax relief to the middle class (Healthcare.gov, 2012). In terms of the medical and insurance industries, it caps out of pocket expenses, and requires preventive care to be covered without cost. The act allows those without insurance or those who can’t get insurance a change to be insured while keeping insurance companies transparent with its customers (Healthcare.gov, 2012). The effect of the affordable care act will start in 2014 therefore some organization are looking at how the health care reform will affect the upcoming benefit enrollment in 2013 (Spears, 2012). Cases on different business among many industries reveal th at healthcare reform may lead to reduce in cost, ensure healthcare benefits, restructure on existing employee benefits plan (Spears, 2012). The affordable care act changes may aid in lowering cost of healthcare overtime because it promotes preventive care and capping on the cost medical out-of-pocket ultimately allowing savings in several issues with in healthcare in general. For example, professional services cost for children health care in 2010 is a large portion of healthcare cost 40.3 % (Spears, 2012). The healthcare reform and affordable care act full impact is yet to come however it appears it will have some positive and negative affects depending on how one views it Paid Time off (PTO) Healthcare benefit has a direct effect on paid time off for example sick time. Paid time off is another important benefit to employees. It includes  paid vacation, holidays and sick time. A survey conducted in 2002 shows that 73% of employees was satisfied with the paid time off programs (Thomas, 2004). However, from the employer point of view, it’s delicate balance of cost and employee satisfaction because paid time off is an expense to the company. In effort to offset some of the cost, paid time off is being managed online through HRIS systems to save time and money. For example in 2006 it was reported by EBN quick poll that 59% of HR professional stated their company uses online tracking for paid time off such as absences (Shepherd, 2006). PTO is usually accrued with the employee seniority. But some industry trend setters are awarding PTO in lump sum and based on experience in the industry to attract human talent (Finch, 2011). Speaking of experience and seniority brings up the next employee benefits; life insurance and retirement programs. Employees work to support their families, care for love ones and themselves if ill, protect and secure their well-being and for these reasons retirement programs and life insurance is essential. Counting on just social security is not enough especially considering that millions of baby boomers are exiting the workforce and the cost of health cost. Therefore many employees utilize retirement benefits to supplement wages lost from no longer working. Baby Boomers were once the largest generation however millennials are expected to exceed baby boomers by 2016 (SHRM, 2011). Younger employees, known as millennials, are concerns that social security dead and gone well before retirement age is attained (Conlin, 2008). Employers and HR professional will have to be creative and think ahead to meet the objectives of the company. No one likes to talk about the unspeakable, death how ever employees think about love ones that maybe left behind therefore life insurance most be discussed. Life insurance is one of the oldest and most popular employee benefit (Bohlander & Snell, 2010). Life insurance is popular among employee benefits because some are unable to qualify or afford life insurance without the employer sponsoring it which many employers provide at no cost. Employers usually provide group term life insurance which has a nominal premium because of the amount of people insured. Implications for Managers Meeting employee needs and balancing cost while meeting the organization’s objectives and goals will always have some challenges. For HR managers to  overcome these challenges they should consider: Monitor and stay aware of trending topic in HR regarding employee benefits Evaluate current employee benefits annually to ensure its aligned with the business objectives and goals ïÆ' ¼Communicate regularly with employee on what benefits matter most as well as communicate changes early and frequent through the use of HRIS and other tools (Robbins, 2012) Use cost containment measures for offset the rising cost of health care such as CDHP with high deduction and HAS and promote healthier life choices/well-being programs Continue to keep the HR managers knowledgeable on changes in the law as it affects benefits Utilize technology such as HRIS and other online tools to lowering administrative cost Review pay structure frequently to use employee benefits as a device to negative pay and to stay competitive why attract and retain talent Employers and HR professional need to stride toward an equilibrium regarding employee benefit through flexibility and innovation both parties involve can have a successful outcome. References Andrews, S. (2008). Generic: The golden age of cost savings. Workspan, Bohlander, G., & Snell, S. (2010). Managing human resources . (15th ed.). Mason, Ohio: South-Westrn,Cengage Learning. Conlin, M. (2008, January 21). Youthquake. Business Week , Retrieved from http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2008-01-08/youthquake Dol.gov. (2012, October). Department of labor . Retrieved from http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/workcomp/index.htm Finch, C. (2011, July 16). Leveraging base pay, paid time off and incentives to develop a dexterous pay structure. Employee Benefits News, 25(9), 16. Healthcare.gov. (2012, October). Healthcare.gov . Retrieved from http://www.healthcare.gov/law/full/index.html Johnson, W. R. (2012). HSA programs for groups: Employer versus employee responsibilities. Benefits Quarterly, 28(3), 43-51. Kumar, M., & Pandya, S. (2012). Leveraging Technology towards HR Excellence. Information Management & Business Review, 4(4), 205-216. Merriam-Webster. (2012). Merriam-Webster, incorporated . Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/benefit Miller, S. (2011). SHRM. Don’t Hurt the ‘Medically Vulnerable’, Retrieved from http://www.shrm.org/hrdisciplines/benefits/articles/pages/medicallyvulnerale Robbins, M. (2012, September). Employers win gold for benefits communications. Employee Benefit News , 26(11), 30. SBA.gov. (2012, October). Required employee benefits . Retrieved from http://www.sba.gov/content/providing-employee-benefits Shepherd, L. C. (2006, July). A digital evolution for paid time off. Employee Benefit News , 20(9), 12. SHRM. (2011). The top workplace trends according to HR professionals. Society for Human Resource Management SHRM , Retrieved from http://www.shrm.org/Research/FutureWorkplaceTrends/Documents/0014WPF_Posting_6.pdf Smerd, J. (2007, April 12). You can do anything but don’t mess with my health insurance . Retrieved from http://www.workforce.com/article/20070412/NEWS01/304129975/do-anything-but-dont-mess-with-my-health-insurance Socialsecurity.gov. (2012, October). Social security administration. Retrieved from http://www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/about.htm?p&gclid=CNrVk8vD9bICF Spears, V. P. (2012). Health care reform changes the landscape for upcoming benefits enrollment season. Employee Benefit Plan Review , 67(3), 23. Supremecourt.gov. (2012, October). Supreme court . Retrieved from http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/11-393c3a2.pdf Thomas, T. (2008, November 08). Workers favor health care over pay raises: Ebri. National Underwriter Life & Health, Weatherly, L. (2004, September 01). the rising cost of health care: Strategic and societal considerations for employers. HR Magazine , 49(9), 1-10.

The Railway Children

Chap 1: The Beginning of things The Railway Children Answer the following questions 1. What did Peter get as his birthday present? 2. How did Father treat the children? 3. What was Father doing when the two gentlemen arrived? 4. Who left their family after their father went away? 5. What did Mother make the children promise to her? 6. Where did the three children and their mother move to after leaving London? 7. What did the children bring along with them to the countryside cottage? 8. What happened to them at the cottage upon their arrival? Chap 2: Peter and the coalThe Railway Children Answer the following questions 1. What did the children and their mother do when they could not find their supper? 2. What did the children do when they woke up the following morning? 3. Where did the children go after breakfast? 4. What was the function of the white line on the wall? 5. How did their mother provide for the family expenses? 6. Why didn’t the family light fires to keep their ho use warm during the wet rainy days? 7. What happened to Peter at the station yard? 8. What lesson did the children learn from the coal incident?Chap 3: The Old Gentleman The Railway Children Answer the following questions 1. What did the children do when the trains going to London passed by? 2. Who waved back at the three children? 3. What did the children do at the train station? 4. What happened to the children’s mother? 5. Who came to check on Mother’s condition? 6. What was needed by their mother in order to get well? 7. How did Peter attract the Old Gentleman’s attention? 8. What did Perks, the porter, bring for the children? Chap 4: Bobbie’s Ride The Railway ChildrenAnswer the following questions 1. What was Mother’s reaction when the children told her that they had asked the Old Gentleman to help them buy food and medicine for her? 2. Why did Mother write a letter to the Old Gentleman? 3. What did Bobbie receive for her birthday? 4. Why did Bobbie’s birthday celebrations end on a sad note? 5. What happened to Bobbie on the steam train? 6. Who were the two railway workers who saw Bobbie on the train? 7. Where did Bobbie change trains to go back home? 8. How did Peter feel when he saw that his train engine was repaired?Chap 5: Saving the train The Railway Children Answer the following questions 1. Where were the children when the landslide hit the railway line? 2. Who suggested to use the red petticoats as flags? 3. Did the children manage to stop the train? How did they do it? 4. What is the consequence of the children’s actions? 5. Who invited the children to the train station for a special ceremony? 6. Why was the ceremony held? 7. What did the children get from the Northern and Southern Railway Company? 8. Who did the Old Gentleman meet at the children’s house?

How Agriculture Is Responsible For Ninety Two Percent Of...

Imagine silence. Imagine silence every time a faucet is turned, a garden spout is twisted, a shower handle pulled, a rock thrown into what used to be a flowing river. This may seem exaggerated, but this is our planet’s fate if the agriculture industry does not alter their water usage techniques. Agriculture is responsible for ninety-two percent of the world’s water footprint (Perkins). It is projected that by 2030, just fifteen short years away, over half the world will be under high water stress conditions (Powers). Seventy percent of the world’s usable fresh water goes to agriculture (Johnson). Of that seventy percent, agricultural crops use only forty-three percent; the rest is wasted (Johnson). According to the United States Geological Survey, the agricultural industry consumes 138.92 billion gallons of water a day (Admin). With such a high demand for water and rapidly growing populations scientists are concerned about and unsustainable future. Of course, sci entists and engineers are working come up with solutions to this catastrophic issue, but the people who could make the biggest difference need to start listening. Farmers’ responsibility roles in conservation of our world’s most vital natural resources cannot be stressed enough. The agriculture industry needs to make significant changes and adapt a series of adjustments to conserve the planet’s most precious resource before even money cannot make a difference. The main causes of wasteful and unsustainable waterShow MoreRelatedManaging Information Technology (7th Edition)239873 Words   |  960 PagesInstitute of Technology Daniel W. DeHayes Kelley School of Business, Indiana University Jeffrey A. Hoffer School of Business Administration, The University of Dayton E. Wainright Martin Kelley School of Business, Indiana University William C. Perkins Kelley School of Business, Indiana University Prentice Hall Boston Columbus Indianapolis New York San Francisco Upper Saddle River Amsterdam Cape Town Dubai London Madrid Milan Munich Paris Montreal Toronto Delhi Mexico City Sao Paulo Sydney