Handle Your Business

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court hears arguments today in a major class action suit against Wal-Mart.

At issue in the largest job discrimination lawsuit ever against the nation’s largest retailer is not the outcome, but whether the suit can move forward.

More than two dozen briefs have been filed by business interests on Wal-Mart’s side, and civil rights, consumer and union groups on the other.

The question is crucial to the viability of discrimination claims, which become powerful vehicles to force change when they are presented together, instead of individually.

Lower courts have said the suit could go forward.

But Wal-Mart wants the high court to stop the suit. The company argues it includes too many women with too many different positions in its 3,400 stores. Wal-Mart says there is no evidence that women are poorly treated at Wal-Mart.

MISHAWAKA—

The Mishawaka Common Council voted 8-0 Monday to allow a use variance so that Gates Chevy World could hold an off-site car sale three times this summer at the north end of the University Park Mall parking lot.

It came over the objection of four competing car dealers in Mishawaka. And Monday’s discourse remained one among gentlemen.

“I love the Gates family — always have,” said Mike Leep Sr. of Gurley Leep Automotive.

His company’s chief operating officer, Don Reese, argued that it was less about unfair competition and more about “the use of the property.”

The “circus-like atmosphere,” including large tents, would degrade the competitors’ properties in the city, he said.

Leep said that Gates would be able to post “15 or 20 yellow signs saying, ‘sale sale sale,’ which we can’t do. That is a huge disadvantage to us.” He was referring to city ordinances that restrict balloons and banners from car dealership lots.

The city’s Board of Zoning Appeals had voted 3-1 to pass the issue along to the council without a recommendation. T

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The UK’s small business sector needs to be nurtured if it is to be considered a major contributing factor in rebalancing the economy, it has been claimed.

According to a ‘Think Small First’ report by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), small businesses create two-thirds of all new jobs but hefty regulations are holding them back.

The report highlighted the potential for small businesses to pick up the employment slack from the public sector but 60% of private and family-owned liability insurance holders feel that employment regulation stands as a barrier to job creation and stifles opportunities for growth.

The aim of the report is to push Government to recognise the impact that some regulation has on the small businesses of the UK.

It is believed that speeding up tribunal systems, introducing the right to an annual review of flexible working and to agree a return date with an employee going on maternity leave will provide small businesses with the much needed support.

John Cridland, CBI Director-General, said:

“Smaller firms are job-creation dynamos. The Gov

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Do you want to know how you can make money and work from home? Of course you prefer working in a legitimate industry that will not only provide an interesting and challenging work, but actually help you earn a decent income as well. The field of medical billing and coding can be the best choice for many people. This growing market is the best solution for those who prefer the freedom and flexibility of having your own home business and with the right training, you can start making money in a few months.

Becoming a medical coder or biller requires the education, but there are many local colleges and schools that offer classes and even diplomas or certificates. There are also many Online Medical Billing courses that provide the necessary training that is necessary for you to change your life and become one of the many specialists who work in the comfort of their homes gaining money.

Whether you’re a parent who wants to be home with the children or if you are looking for a part-time job to supplement your regular job. Read full post…

2011 needs to be a positive year for liability insurance holders and the need for business growth is substantial, the business body claims.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called on the Government to ensure that the upcoming Budget promotes economic stability. It has put together a number of measures that will ease the pressure on small businesses.

The past few years have been tough for everyone, especially businesses.

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When NovaSom Inc. was looking to produce its sleep apnea diagnostic kits, the Glen Burnie-based company didn’t look to factories in Asia or Mexico. Instead, it found a manufacturer right off the Beltway in Woodlawn.

NovaSom chose Zentech Manufacturing Inc. for two key reasons: Executives here could oversee quality control, and the kits could be shipped to domestic customers in just days, not weeks or months.

After years of American companies shipping jobs and contracts overseas, some are choosing local manufacturers or even “re-shoring” — bringing those jobs and work back to the United States. With the economy crumbling several years ago, many companies were forced to re-evaluate their global supply chains.

General Electric Co., for instance, recently announced that it plans to invest more than $400 million to bring back refrigeration and appliance manufacturing from South Korea to plants in four U.S. s Read full post…