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When raises fail: CU Boulder study looks at downsides of performance-based pay

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:15 GMT

Many companies use raises or bonuses to motivate employees. But, new research suggests it doesn’t always work.Tony Kong, professor of organizational leadership at the University of Colorado Boulder, found that performance-based pay can backfire, causing decreased productivity and negative attitudes among employees.The factor that determines whether pay for performance will work relies on the leader being competent and personable.“A leader’s competence … is beneficial for employees engagement and performance under pay for performance,” Kong said. “The takeaway from this research is having pay for performance in place is one thing and leadership development is also important.”CU Boulder Professor Tony Kong leads research analyzing the effectiveness of performance-based pay (CU Boulder/Courtesy Photo)Michael Sturman is a professor at Rutgers University’s School of Management and Labor Relations. He said researchers have known that pay for performance systems can and usually do motivate...

Rep. Jason Crow demands accounting of Eastern Colorado VA’s alleged deletion of veterans’ prosthetics orders

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:15 GMT

U.S. Rep. Jason Crow is demanding an accounting from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs over an alleged scheme inside Aurora’s Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center that left veterans without needed prosthetic devices.In a letter submitted Friday to the VA’s undersecretary of health, Dr. Shereef Elnahal, Crow requested records outlining how many prosthetic department orders were deleted and what the hospital is doing to ensure veterans receive proper care.“There is a sacred promise in America that if you step up to serve, the nation will be there for you when you take off the uniform,” Crow, a Democrat and former Army Ranger who represents Colorado’s 6th Congressional District, wrote in the letter.Friday’s letter comes a month after The Denver Post reported that the former head of the Eastern Colorado VA’s prosthetics department instructed lower-level employees to delete orders from veterans seeking artificial limbs, wheelchairs, su...

So Many Roads Brewery, the subject of repeated police stings, will close permanently

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:15 GMT

Denver bar and music venue So Many Roads Brewery, the site of protests and police investigations over the last two years, will close in mid-January 2024, co-founder Jay Bianchi wrote on Facebook.“As we say goodbye to 2023 and hello to 2024, it pains me to say that after 28 years we will not be back for long,” Bianchi wrote on Nov. 29, adding that the bar would host its final concerts Jan. 12-14. “And now its (sic) time to say goodbye to all good company…”The Grateful Dead-themed bar, owned by Tyler Bishop, has been the source of Denver Police Department stings for underage alcohol sales and cocaine dealing. In summer 2021, the bar was picketed by musicians and members of the Colorado Musicians Union over the alleged misdeeds of former co-owner Jay Bianchi, including complaints of assault and underpaying bands.Bianchi declined to comment when reached by phone on Friday, saying he would talk more about the closure on Monday. Bishop did not immediately res...

Kickin it with Kiz Podcast: Denver’s Brandon Royval chases UFC glory, Broncos close in on playoffs and Jerry Jeudy’s struggles

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:15 GMT

On the latest edition of the Kickin’ it with Kiz Podcast, Denver Post sports columnist Mark Kiszla talks UFC, Broncos and much, much more. Among the list of topics:Denver native Brandon Royval is challenging Alexandre Pantoja for the UFC flyweight title on Saturday at UFC 296. If he wins, he’ll become the first Denver-born fighter to win a UFC title.The Broncos have won six of their last seven games and now sit at 7-6 as they head to Detroit for a showdown with the NFC North-leading Lions. Can the Broncos keep it rolling against Dan Campbell and Co.?Once again, Kiz is joined by his son, Nate, to talk bourbon and barbecue — a family passion for the Kiszlas.The Kickin’ it with Kiz podcast is brought to you by Argonaut Wine & Liquor, featuring Buffalo Trace.Subscribe to the podcastSoundCloud | iTunes | Google Music | RSSProducer: AAron OntiverozMusic: “Bumble Bees” by Schama NoelWant more sports news? Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis o...

Council and Parliament strike deal on new rules to safeguard media freedom, media pluralism and editorial independence in the EU

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:15 GMT

The Council has reached a provisional agreement with the European Parliament on a new law to safeguard media freedom, media pluralism and editorial independence in the EU. The European media freedom act (EMFA) will establish a common framework for media services in the EU’s internal market and introduce measures aimed at protecting journalists and media providers from political interference, while also making it easier for them to operate across the EU’s internal borders. The new rules will guarantee the right of citizens to access free and plural information and define the responsibility of member states to provide the appropriate conditions and framework to protect it."Democracy cannot exist without media freedom, independence and plurality. Today’s agreement confirms the EU’s position as a world leader in protecting journalists, guaranteeing the independence of media providers, and ensuring that citizens have access to a wide and diverse range of reliable news sources." Ernest Ur...

U.S. homelessness up 12% to highest reported level as rents soar and coronavirus pandemic aid lapses

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:15 GMT

The United States experienced a dramatic 12% increase in homelessness to its highest reported level as soaring rents and a decline in coronavirus pandemic assistance combined to put housing out of reach for more Americans, federal officials said Friday.About 653,000 people were experiencing homelessness, the most since the country began using the yearly point-in-time survey in 2007 to count the homeless population. The total in the January count represents an increase of about 70,650 homeless people compared to a year earlier.The latest estimate also indicated that people becoming homeless for the first time were behind much of the increase, and it ended a downward trend in family homelessness that began in 2012. “This data underscores the urgent need for support for proven solutions and strategies that help people quickly exit homelessness and that prevent homelessness in the first place,” House and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge said in a prepared statement.The U.S. had ...

Suspects evade LAPD after string burglaries on Ventura Boulevard

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:15 GMT

Police are searching for four suspects connected to a string of burglaries at businesses along Ventura Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley Friday morning. The burglaries took place between 3:30 and 4 a.m. across three Los Angeles-area neighborhoods. It was unclear which business was struck first, but police believe the same burglars are responsible for the following break-ins. Equivalence, located at 18007 Ventura Blvd. in EncinoMichael's Custom Clothes, located at 13757 Ventura Blvd. in Sherman OaksBliss Nail Bar, located at 22996 Ventura Blvd. in Woodland HillsBliss Pharmacy located at 22998 Ventura Blvd. in Woodland HillsOfficers spotted the suspect vehicle, described as a black Dodge Durango, driving eastbound on Ventura Boulevard following the burglary at high-end shoe retailer Equivalence and initiated a pursuit. L.A. singer to admit to hiding 200 lbs. of cocaine The erratic driving of the suspect vehicle prompted officers to call off the pursuit after only a few minutes, L...

US homelessness up 12% in highest reported level

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:15 GMT

By Kevin Freking | Associated PressWASHINGTON — The United States experienced a dramatic 12% increase in homelessness as soaring rents and a decline in coronavirus pandemic assistance combined to put housing out of reach for more Americans, federal officials said Friday.About 653,000 people were experiencing homelessness during the January snapshot. That’s the highest number since the country began using the yearly point-in-time survey in 2007 to count the homeless population. The total represents an increase of about 70,650 homeless people compared to January 2022.The latest estimate also indicated that people becoming homeless for the first time were behind much of the increase, and it ended a downward trend in family homelessness that began in 2012.“This data underscores the urgent need for support for proven solutions and strategies that help people quickly exit homelessness and that prevent homelessness in the first place,” House and Urban Development Secretar...

49ers’ Hargrave, Armstead are likely to miss Arizona game

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:15 GMT

SANTA CLARA — It appears the 49ers will be without both starting defensive tackles Sunday when they visit the Arizona Cardinals.Official designations will come later Friday from coach Kyle Shanahan, but general manager John Lynch made it sound as if both Javon Hargrave and Arik Armstead will be spectators.Hargrave has a hamstring strain, while Armstead has foot and knee issues. The 49ers (10-3) have already clinched a playoff spot and have an extra day of preparation following the Cardinals game as they host Baltimore in a Monday night game on Christmas.In a 28-16 win over Seattle, Hargrave played a season-low 28 snaps and reported hamstring tightness. In his eighth season, Hargrave missed just three games with Pittsburgh (2016-19)  and Philadelphia (2020-22) and he has played in 13 games with six sacks for the 49ers after signing a four-year contract worth a maximum of $84 million.“I think it would be a reach for him to play this week but we’ll see,” Lynch s...

People with disabilities hope autonomous vehicles deliver independence

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:15 GMT

Tony Leys | KFF Health News (TNS)GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. ― Myrna Peterson predicts self-driving vehicles will be a ticket out of isolation and loneliness for people like her, who live outside big cities and have disabilities that prevent them from driving.Peterson, who has quadriplegia, is an enthusiastic participant in an unusual test of autonomous vehicles in this corner of northern Minnesota. She helped attract government funding to bring five self-driving vans to Grand Rapids, a city of 11,000 people in a region of pine and birch forests along the Mississippi River.The project’s self-driving vans always have a human operator in the driver’s seat, poised to take over in complicated situations. But the computers are in control about 90% of the time, and they’ve given 5,000 rides since 2022 without any accidents, organizers say.“It’s been fun. I’m really sold on it,” said Peterson, who used to rely on her power wheelchair to travel around town, even in winter.Autonomous vehicles, which...