DOGGING IT? WORKER CLAIMS PET RETRIEVER IS NEEDED AT WORK FOR ‘EMOTIONAL SUPPORT.’ QUESTION: I’m a manager at an engineering firm. Recently, one of our employees showed up at work with his dog, Samson, a large golden retriever, claiming the dog is his “emotional support” animal, and he is allowed by law to have him in the workplace. He produced…
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You’ve most likely heard the rule: Save for a 20-percent down payment before you buy a home. The logic behind saving 20 percent is solid, as it shows that you have the financial discipline and stability to save for a long-term goal. It also helps you get favorable rates from lenders. But there can actually be financial benefits to putting…
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Dear Christine, I’ve been in a 22+ relationship with my partner and mostly it was a wonderful relationship. The last few years have been tougher for us because of health issues, hysterectomies and deaths in the family. The passion had dissipated quite a bit, but we still always said “I Love You” & “kissed” upon coming or going somewhere, among…
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Dear Christine, I was wondering what to do about this girl that I gave a year and a half of my life too. I met her 1 night at a club and she had a gf at the time but we still danced and it was awesome, it was 1 of those movie moments….you know like time stood still kind…
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JOINTLY LIABLE? DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROPOSES NEW ‘JOINT EMPLOYER’ TEST QUESTION: I am a manager at a business that regularly hires workers through a staffing agency to work on projects, alongside our direct employees. One of the staffing agency workers recently sued the staffing agency – and our company – for violating overtime laws. While we supervise the staffing agency…
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Olson Cement Work and Construction provides concrete services in Taylor, Allen Park, Lincoln Park, Wyandotte, Southgate, Trenton, Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, and Westland. Our concrete masons transform your property with innovative designs for concrete sidewalks, patios, and driveways. Our custom concrete work is designed to enhance the exterior of your property. We offer a broad range of professional concrete masonry services,…
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For most of us, our bedroom is little more than a place to sleep and relax. However, just because it’s always been that way doesn’t mean that we have to settle for drab and dreary. One trend that’s gaining steam these days is converting your current bedroom into a luxury suite (or something comparable). If you want to live like…
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SEPARATION ANXIETY KEEPS NEW MOM AT HOME – WAS BOSS RIGHT TO FIRE HER? QUESTION: When my baby was born last year, I took 12 weeks of leave to bond with her. When it was time to return to work, I found I could not bear to be away from my little girl for more than a few hours: The…
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I attended the Angelica tour’s production of “Hamilton” at the Fisher Theater in Detroit three times in the past three weeks! These thoughts are to help me understand why I was compelled to see it again and again. Musicals aren’t my thing, generally. Most recently, I attended on Saturday night and then again on Tuesday night. Each time I sat…
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Dear Christine, I’m not sure if I’m gay or not, but I recently broke up with my boyfriend of 2 years. The breakup has been horrible and I sometimes feel like I’m dying. Now, I’m really not sure about who I am and I’m not sure I ever want to date another guy! Throughout the past couple of months of…
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Ever wish you could become one of those rare morning people? The ones that wake with a start, feeling refreshed and energized. The ones that get in that morning workout or wrap up some work before many of us even hit the snooze button for the first time. Here are five tips to help you achieve that early bird status!…
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LOW-LEVEL MANAGERS MAY GET SALARY BUMP UNDER DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROPOSAL QUESTION: Back in 2016, before the presidential election, I read a lot about a higher minimum salary for managers. Then nothing happened. Last year I increased the salary I pay the manager of a boutique I own to $34,000 a year. Am I paying her enough? ANSWER: Under current…
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When you’re getting ready to list your home, it’s of the upmost importance to ensure you are showing it in the best light. Taking time to highlight its strengths and fix up some of its possible weaknesses can make a big difference in how fast it sells. Here are our top five recommended repairs to make before selling your home.…
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Dear Christine, My X-partner and i have been living together for about 1 year. I moved into her home 3 months after we met. She is the love of my life and i know that she loves me and she has stated that i am the love of her life as well. Four months ago things started to deteriorate between…
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SUSPICIOUS TIMING: ‘LAID OFF’ AFTER ASKING FOR WORKERS’ COMP QUESTION: A careless co-worker drove a Hi-Lo right at me several weeks ago, forcing me to dive out of the way or be run over. Luckily, he ran into a pile of crates, and not me – but I landed badly on my arm and shoulder. I asked if I could…
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