OK, that's a bold statement to make, and of course fairness can't always protect your school from legal issues—there's much more to lawsuit prevention then simply being fair. Interestingly enough however, employees who believe they been treated fairly—even if treatment was negative—are less likely to sue or bring charges.

As many as 100,000 of last year's teachers won't be joining students this fall as they return to the classroom, reports the National Education Association.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), reports an increase of 13 percent in religious discrimination charges. Charges filed are at an all-time record high, and they've been growing steadily for the past five years.

Recently, scientists at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development conducted a study, the first of its kind, to generate national data on pesticide residue in homes. They collected their data by observing residents' pesticide use along with other housing factors. They concluded that "measurable" levels of contamination were found in residential homes.

Workplace discrimination charge filings with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) soared to an unprecedented level of 95,402 during Fiscal Year 2008—a 15% increase from the prior year, the federal agency announced March 11, 2009. (The EEOC's fiscal year begins on October 1 and ends on September 30.)

Google is about to do it again—introduce another product that changes our perception of e-mail and online networking—Google Wave. People are already talking about what it could mean for the education world—and they're talking good stuff. Google Wave, if it functions as Google intends, will unveil a new way people communicate and work together. By combining e-mail and instant messaging, it will allow people to include richly formatted text, photos, and videos into both forms of messaging, having broad implications for how students develop and use collaborative skills.

It's not just the economy bringing change to your school—it's also a whole new generation full of fresh thoughts and different needs. And in times of uncertainty, it's especially important to focus on employee recognition and support.

Summer is right around the corner and the warmer days have everyone thinking about BBQs, longer days, and where to escape too for a bit of peace. Of course the idea of escaping anywhere may lead you to guilty feelings and thoughts—"how can I even think about traveling this summer with the economy so unstable?"

And it's getting smaller and smaller by the day. Over the last four decades we've seen an explosion of technology. I can't speak for everyone, but as for myself, I didn't even hear the word "Internet" until the 1990s. I had no idea this monstrous thing which I would later become completely reliant upon had been birthed in 1969, a vision since 1962. Where had I been hiding?

Basic LTD Benefits Maximum monthly benefits should be negotiable. A maximum monthly benefit of $5,000 provides full-policy coverage (at 60% of salary) for any employee making $100,000 or less. To provide benefit coverage for administrators on earnings of more than $100,000 per year, consider raising the maximum monthly benefit to $6,000, $7,500, or even $10,000. Many policies have guaranteed minimum benefits as well. Look for a minimum benefit that is the greater of a specific dollar figure ($50 or $100 is common) or a specified percentage of the normal gross monthly benefit. This will give higher-salaried employees a significantly greater minimum monthly benefit.