Is the Recession Hurting Your Health?

The recession could be having damaging effects on yourhealth.

When gloom hits the economic climate, the only thing we can think of is getting through, keeping our heads above the financial waterline. We struggle to pay our bills and keep a roof over our heads and everything else has to fall behind. When we hear news of the poor employment market and that companies aren’t hiring – that they’re shrinking, even – losing our job is the worst thing that could happen.

But even within our jobs, the recession can still have its insidious effect. As people are so desperate to keep their positions, they can feel more pressured and stressed to hold on. They may feel like they have to take on extra workloads to prove themselves, or have more work given to them because of others that have had to leave. This is especially affecting management and there has been a rise in depression and anxiety in those in mid-tier leading positions, including an increase in panic attacks.

This does not stop at this level, however. The stress and anxiety that these managers experience inevitably has a trickle-down effect onto the employees under them. There have been increased reports of authoritative and reactive styles of management which has affected how the staff feel about their own jobs and positions. The pressure from above only adds to their own worries, fears and struggles.

And yet even when ill, workers feel like they cannot take the time off. Either they do not want to seem weak or incapable of filling their role, or feel like they cannot miss time because they need the money. But jeopardising your health in such a way could lead to more health problems further along the line. This is especially true to those with chronic illnesses who may be waving aside regular appointments in order to keep up with work.

For people living in countries such as Ireland, where fees are incurred for medical care, people are having to compromise on what gets paid. For many, the mortgage and buying food is taking precedent over their health. But without health insurance or a medical care card they may be unable to afford the treatment. It can lead to a catch-22 situation where they need a job to pay medical bills but they may become too sick to work if they do not seek treatment.

Being financially stable in the current economic climate is something that everyone is worrying about but it should never compromise your health; it is the most important thing a person has.       

How to Make Filing a Compensation Claim Easier

If you have lost property or suffered injuries as a result of someone else’s actions, you might be eligible to claim compensation. If you can provide evidence of your losses you can be compensated for medical expenses, time taken off from work, damaged property and more.

Claimingfor compensation can be a long and complicated process, but there are a few ways that you can make it easier:

Keep Good Records

When you are filing your compensation claim you will need to provide as much evidence as possible to back up your claim. You need to bring evidence of all of the expenses that you incurred as a result of your accident, as well as medical statements and reports which outline your injuries or illness. 

Other records that you need to keep are receipts from any other expenses incurred as well as repair bills. When the accident occurs, you should take photos at the scene and ask for witness statements from anyone who was there to observe the accident.

This makes filing your compensation a lot easier because you will be able to prove conclusively that you deserve to be compensated. To make things simple, make sure that you keep your records as well organized as possible, perhaps keeping them in a specific envelope or a file so that you can find them when they are needed.

Claim on Time

Although immediately after the accident you will not want to even think about anything else but healing, it is important to get the legal process of compensation underway as soon as possible. 

Although you have two years to file your claim, it is always easier to go through the process soon after the accident. When the accident has recently happened, you will remember everything better and the events will be fresh in your mind. You will also find it easier to obtain witness statements, medical records and other evidence that you will need. The longer you leave it the more the details will fade in the minds of all involved.

Get Help

Claiming for compensation can be daunting, especially when you have no previous legal experience. It can make things a lot easier to have the help of a legalsolicitor who specializes in compensation claims. They can explain the process to you, talk you through the forms, help you gather evidence and present your case. Because they are experts they will know the ins and outs of the process and will be able to make the experience much smoother for you.

 

These are just a few ways that you can make claiming for compensation a lot easier so you can get through the process smoothly with as little stress as possible.

How Do Your Step Children Fit Into Your Will?

These days almost half of marriages end in divorce and approximately 65% of remarriages bring children from a previous relationship into the mix. If this applies to you, you might have step children who are the children of your new spouse and their previous partner.

Whether or not you provide for your step children in your will is completely up to you, as you have the freedom to dispose of your property in any way that you choose after you die. Perhaps you want to leave some money to your stepchildren, or you might not, however clearly drafting this into your will is very important because otherwise it can lead to confusion and conflict. The law will not giveyour step-children the same automatic rights to inheritance that your biological children will have.

 

If You Want to Include Your Stepchildren, You Must Update Your Will

In the case that you decide you want to include your step children in your will and leave them a portion of your estate after you die, you will need to make sure that this intention is clearly stated.

Unless you have legally adopted your stepchild, they will usually have no legal right to any of your property. If there is nothing written about them in your will they will likely be overlooked and not given any of the inheritance. If you simply state that you want your possessions to be passed along “to your children” there could be confusion as to whether you meant your biological children or your stepchildren as well.

 

How to Fit Your Step Children Into the Will

If you have already drafted a will, look through it carefully to find the parts that you will need to update with the names of your step children. Discuss the plans for how you intend to include them with your spouse who is their parent as well as with the children if they are old enough to understand. Determine what type of inheritance you would like to leave for your step-children, such as property, possessions, or a trust and state this along with their names to avoid any confusion.

You can also make your step-children “contingent beneficiaries” which means that they will only receive estate property if their natural parent does not survive after you. Otherwise your assets will pass on to your spouse.

Writing a will can be very complicated and it is important to get it right, which is why it is a good idea to hire the services of an experienced lawyer who understands how mixed families with step-children can be accommodated for within a legal will.

Funding for Lending Bank Scheme Launched

A new scheme to prompt banks and other lenders to make more money available to homeowners and businesses has come into operation.

Under the Funding for Lending initiative, the Bank of England will lend money at below-market rates to the financial institutions.

The Bank will then monitor their progress in lending the cash out.

Some mortgage lenders have already cut the cost of their long-term, fixed-rate deals.

But the lower borrowing costs being introduced by mortgage lenders are so far only being offered to people with large deposits.

Aaron Strutt, at mortgage brokers Trinity Financial, said: "Most deals attractive to first-time buyers, such as those at 90% or 95% loan-to-value, have not changed yet."

The introduction of the new lending scheme comes as the Nationwide building society said house prices had fallen last month for the fourth time in five months.

Source and read more: BBC News