Northwestern Mutual: When jobseekers receive an offer from a potential employer, it may feel like they've finally made it to the finish line. But candidates still have the opportunity to ask questions and find out if the offer is a good fit for them. This is the time to negotiate pay and other benefits and understand how the new offer compares to a current job or other offers. Keep reading for three essential questions to ask when evaluating a job offer.

What benefits are included in the offer?

A hiring manager or recruiter may provide some indication of the benefits early in the interviewing process, but once an offer is on the table, candidates have an opportunity to ask more specific questions. Employees can take the opportunity to ask about things like health insurance, life insurance, 401(k) matching, and flexible hours. The employer may also offer other benefits like upskilling and training (short online courses or even fully funded degree programs), remote work options, and more. 

How much vacation time or sick time does the company offer?

Candidates may want to ask about leave policies, including vacation days, sick leave, and company policies regarding sabbaticals and parental leave. This is valuable information to have, and knowing the company offers a two-month sabbatical after three years or generous parental leave may make the offer much more attractive. At the same time, the leave policy may not always be a dealbreaker — there may be instances when it is balanced out by other benefits. For example, a candidate may hesitate to accept an offer from a company that includes fewer vacation days than their current job. But the company may offer flexible working hours or a hybrid working setup that lets employees work from home for some days of the week, which would certainly sweeten the deal. Ultimately, candidates should look for a model that works best for their needs.

How was the salary calculated?

This question, in conjunction with others, can let candidates know where they stand as far as pay negotiations are concerned. If the salary is the standard pay for the position being offered, that may be an indication that there may not be room for negotiating (though it may still make sense to ask). On the other hand, if the salary is based on the candidate's years of experience, qualifications, and skillset, then the candidate may make a case for a better salary based on their own research regarding the industry standard or even best-in-market pay for that role. 

Key takeaways

Candidates should bear in mind that negotiation is part of the process, so there's no need to be intimidated. Before negotiating a salary, conducting some research to back up salary expectations is crucial. It's important to clearly communicate your requirements and be straightforward throughout the process. It can also help to be flexible about minor details if the overall package meets expectations. 

Aperture Pet & Life, the integrated company for some of the largest brands in the aquatics industry, including Bulk Reef Supply, Neptune Systems, EcoTech Marine and AquaIllumination, is pleased to announce the newest light addition to their highly innovative line up of some of the most trusted products by aquarists around the world.

The new light series, Aquaillumination Blade, is the most versatile light ever launched under the EcoTech house of brands. Designed as a strip light. Blade can be paired with other lights and mounted in infinite configurations to best meet aquariums of all sizes and needs. This allows aquarists to choose the right size and spectrum for their tank by using Blade as a standalone light, through mixing and matching multiple Blades or by pairing with other lights already over their aquarium.

Blade is available in four different spectrums:

• Refugium: horticultural-based spectrum designed for growing green plants
• Grow: marine spectrum mix that is designed around maximizing output in the photosynthetic peaks used by Coral to grow and produce nutrients
• Glow: marine spectrum mix that is designed to maximize fluorescence in coral
• Freshwater: spectrum designed to maximize output for freshwater aquariums and/or house plants

"We couldn't be more pleased with our new Blade light lineup. We firmly believe that this is by far the most versatile aquarium lighting solution we have ever made, if not the most flexible lighting platform available to hobbyists, period," said Patrick Clasen, President of EcoTech. "Using Blades alone, in multiples, as a Grow and Glow mix, as a supplement to Hydra or Radion pendant lights or over their freshwater tanks, opens up a world of possibility."

Blade lights have on-light control and full control and programmable scheduling capabilities through the AquaIllumination MyAI or the Mobius app, both available in the Apple App store or from Google Play.

The Blade light is available in 7 sizes for Grow, Glow and Freshwater: 12.1in(30.74cm), 21.1in(53.59cm), 30.1in(76.45cm), 39.1in(99.31cm), 48.1in(122.17cm), 57.1in(145.03cm), 66.1in(167.89cm). The Refugium is available in 12.1in(30.74cm).

For more information or to purchase Blade, retailers can reach out to their Aperture sales representative or visit the Aperture wholesale portal. Aquarists can purchase Blade at their favorite local fish store or online retailer.

About Aperture

Aperture is a leading online retailer, manufacturer and distributor of products and solutions in over 50 countries through an integrated platform, which includes the industry's leading online marketplace for saltwater aquarists, world-class products for the success of saltwater, freshwater and reptile and amphibian ecosystems and habitats, distribution operations, sales professionals and one of the pet industry's largest YouTube platforms, with over 400,000 subscribers and 110 million views. Through its banner brands Bulk Reef Supply, Neptune Systems, EcoTech Marine, Aquaillumination, Leap Habitats and others, the company offers its customers the products and resources they need to create thriving ecosystems. For more information, visit www.apetlife.com

Dad Multitasking
Dad Multitasking

January is known as "Divorce Month," and many unsuspecting fathers are not ready for the worst-case scenario. Studies show that women initiate divorces as much as 69% of the time, and the Dads' Resource Center helps to prepare single fathers for the possibility that access to their children may be in jeopardy if their separation turns contentious.

"Most fathers assume that custody of children will work out in a reasonable manner," said Dads' Resource Center Executive Director Jeffrey Steiner. "That is not always the case, and with the way court, county, and human service systems tend to work against fathers, they can very quickly find themselves in a deep hole that is nearly impossible to get out of, which most hurts their children."

A 2019 Dads' Resource Center study of 700 contested custody cases found that judges awarded full or primary custody to mothers in 496 cases, fathers in 100 cases, and joint custody in 104 cases. The Dads' Resource Center has investigated the use of protection from abuse orders to gain advantage in matters of custody as well as a lack of standards for the hiring and supervision of guardian ad litems assigned to represent children in family court matters. 

With potential barriers such as these ahead of them, newly separated fathers should:

Trust their gut - While most fathers are deferential to the children's mother, if their intuition is telling them she is making business decisions, they should resign themselves to doing what they believe is in the best interests of the children. 

Consider staying in the family home - If the decision of custody of children is placed into the hands of the court, a judge is very likely to grant an initial order to keep custody as it currently exists. This will then be the baseline moving forward. Unless absolutely necessary, don't move out before there is a court order.

Find good legal counsel - Understand there are good, average, and bad attorneys. The costs for contested custody battles can skyrocket very quickly, and many fathers find themselves out of money with no resolution to their situation.

Be Your Best - Anything can be used against a parent if a custody battle is contentious. Think and act accordingly. 

About the Dads' Resource Center (www.dadsrc.org)

Founded by AccuWeather Founder and CEO Dr. Joel N. Myers, Dads' Resource Center is the leading advocate for single fathers. DRC believes that father absence is a major factor in nearly every social issue our country faces and that all able and willing dads should be allowed to uphold their sacred responsibility as fathers.

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-71544-5_11

https://dadsrc.org/research

Media Contact Only

Jeffrey Steiner, M.Ed., Executive Director

[email protected] / 833-323-7748

More than a dozen PredictIt traders and educators, and PredictIt service provider Aristotle, who are suing the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in federal court, have filed a Motion for an Injunction Pending Appeal in the Fifth Circuit. In the filing, they argue that a district court has delayed action to the point where relief would otherwise come too late to protect the PredictIt Market which has functioned for more than eight years. The Motion asks the Court to rule by Jan. 19, 2023.

Following several months of inaction and given the time-sensitive nature of this issue, plaintiffs filed a motion on Dec. 23, 2022, to move their request for a Preliminary Injunction from the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. 

This action asks the Fifth Circuit to enter an interim order preventing shut down of the PredictIt market while the Court considers the appeal. The filing also presents plaintiffs' reasoning for the motion and states that PredictIt and its traders have already suffered irreparable harm in the form of distorted pricing and compliance costs as a result of the CFTC's order to shut down on the arbitrary date of Feb. 15, 2023. 

"Given that the CFTC gave PredictIt an arbitrary deadline that is quickly approaching, and the District Court's focus on a venue change argument ahead of the substantive issues, we are pursuing every possible avenue to get relief and answers for the plaintiffs and the broader PredictIt user base," said David Mason, Aristotle General Counsel and former Federal Election Commission (FEC) Chairman.

Aristotle is the contract service provider for the PredictIt Market, which has operated under No-Action Relief CFTC 14-130 since 2014. 

Requests for the full text of the motion and other press inquiries should be directed to [email protected].

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FirstCarbon Solutions (FCS), an ADEC Innovations company, recently announced its latest on-call client in the State of California. With the addition of Santa Cruz County's Paleontology for Mitigation Services list, FCS marks 119 on-call contracts with 102 local agencies within the state that have validated FCS as a pre-approved vendor. 

FCS is recognized as a leading provider of environmental, sustainability, and compliance solutions, delivering fully integrated consulting, software, and data management services. With six offices throughout Northern and Southern California and 12 across the United States, FCS provides excellent localized service, accurate research, thoughtful recommendations, and innovative solutions for the mutual success of their clients and their practice.

"We take pride in assisting cities and counties in achieving the delicate — and sometimes elusive — balance between development and environmental protection," said Mary Bean, Director, Professional Services at FCS. "Our teams have an exceptional reputation for their professionalism and knowledge in the law and practice of CEQA and NEPA, helping clients transform risk into positive impact and value."

With more than 39 years of experience, FCS staff's expertise spans CEQA/NEPA Compliance, Program Management and Construction Monitoring, Environmental Services and Regulatory Compliance, Natural and Cultural Resources Management, Noise and Air Quality/GHG Management, Entitlements and Permitting, and Visual Analysis Services. 

On-call partnerships are an excellent opportunity for municipalities to bring FCS's guidance and support within their reach on an as-needed basis. Whether seeking compliance with a single environmental requirement or addressing a complex regulatory issue, FCS experts are committed to the highest levels of performance with every on-call client.

While the on-call approval process varies by agency, requirements typically include demonstrated knowledge and experience with the agency's services, in addition to familiarity with state and federal laws and regulations. Additional requirements include the ability to establish an appropriate and cost-efficient method of approach in preparing and delivering environmental documents necessary to ensure a quality product is prepared on time and within budget.

After adding 15 contracts since the beginning of 2022, FCS continues to partner and grow relationships with cities and counties across the state. 

About FirstCarbon Solutions

With more than 39 years of experience, FirstCarbon Solutions (FCS) is a leading provider of environmental, sustainability, and compliance solutions, delivering fully integrated consulting, software, and data management services. With six offices throughout Northern and Southern California and 12 across the U.S., FCS provides excellent localized service, accurate research, thoughtful recommendations, and innovative solutions for the mutual success of their clients and their practice, assisting cities and counties in achieving the delicate — and sometimes elusive — balance between development and environmental protection. For more information, visit www.firstcarbonsolutions.com.

About ADEC Innovations

ADEC Innovations designs, develops, and delivers innovative solutions and services in ESG, knowledge management, healthcare, and sustainable development. Since 1996, ADEC Innovations has provided insights, optimized operational efficiencies, and empowered leaders to make positive-impact business decisions. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with a network of nearly 5,000 employees across 19 countries and six continents, ADEC Innovations works with governments, coalitions, and businesses to help organizations meet their evolving needs and drive performance. For more information, visit www.adec-innovations.com.

Please direct all media inquiries to [email protected].

P23 Health offers a full suite of products designed to give pet owners the tools they need to better understand their pets' health and how to improve it:

• Canine influenza testing kit to diagnose and identify strains of the virus, which is still relatively new and vaccination is not widespread, so most dogs are susceptible to infection.
• Nutrition testing solution to tailor a scientifically backed nutrition, medication, or physical activity plan designed to improve the health and lives of pets.
• DNA testing to learn about the diseases a pet may already have or can potentially develop, as well as what they are likely to pass down if they're bred from. 
• Pet healthcare advisory to find customized solutions based on a pet's individual needs to give the best friends their best life.

"With pawMD products, we endeavor to provide a truly personalized pet healthcare experience. Our solution is simple: we're focused on developing scientifically backed pet healthcare solutions to improve the health and lives of your pets," said Dr. Tiffany Montgomery, a Founder and CEO of P23. 

pawMD allows getting meaningful insights with minor efforts:

• Get a testing kit delivered to the recipient's door. 
• Collect sample and send to the lab with a postage-paid return box
• Get results within 24-72 hours via a secure online portal. 

Learn more at:  https://www.p23health.com/pets