Uber’s Supreme Court Decision: the start of a domino effect for the gig economy?

May 3, 2021

By Lloyd Davey, Partner, and Sarah Taylor, Senior Associate, at Stevens & Bolton LLP

In February, the Supreme Court’s decision that Uber drivers are workers sent shock waves through the gig economy, both in the UK and overseas. Many expect the decision to have significant ramifications on how this employment structure can operate going forwards, wondering if it marks the end of many flexible business models that have sprung up in recent years. But what does this important legal milestone actually mean for Uber, its employees, and the wider gig economy world?

A historic moment

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court considered the claims brought by a group of Uber drivers for failure to pay national minimum wage and to provide paid holiday. Uber contended that its drivers were self-employed contractors and so not entitled to those valuable “worker” rights. The Supreme Court disagreed, deciding that this group of drivers were entitled to the rights and protection of workers.

In its decision, the Supreme Court also said that these drivers were to be considered working during any period when the driver was logged onto the Uber app, within the territory in which they were licenced to operate, and ready and willing to accept passengers. In contrast, Uber’s position throughout the four years of litigation has been that its drivers should only be paid for time spent actually transporting passengers to their destinations.

Who really is a ‘worker’?

Workers are an intermediate group in UK employment law, falling between employees and self-employed people. Those who are genuinely self-employed are in business on their own account and undertake work for their clients or customers. Being identified as a “worker” affords an individual valuable employment rights, including entitlement to paid holiday, the right to receive the national minimum wage and whistleblowing protection.

The general purpose of UK employment legislation is to protect vulnerable individuals from being paid too little for the work they do, being required to work excessive hours, or being subjected to other forms of unfair treatment. Employees are thought to need the most protection, given their subordinate and dependent position relative to their employer. Conversely, those who are genuinely self-employed are considered least in need of statutory protection, given their relative independence from the clients and customers who hire them.

Workers are also considered to be sufficiently vulnerable to merit statutory protection, given the extent to which workers are dependent on, and under the control of, the person or business for whom they perform their services. The greater the level of control, dependence and subordination, the more likely an individual will be identified by the Courts as a worker.

Control, dependence and subordination were critical areas considered by the Supreme Court in this case. In its view, the working arrangements that existed when the claims were brought indicated a strong degree of control exerted by Uber over the service performed by its drivers. By way of illustration, Uber imposed contractual terms on its drivers and dictated the fare charged by a driver, which determined the driver’s pay. Uber also exerted control by constraining a driver’s choice to accept or decline passenger journeys, by limiting the information provided to the driver (including the passenger’s destination) and penalising the driver for a low acceptance rate.

In reaching its decision, the Supreme Court was also influenced by the standardised service that Uber offered to its passengers, in which its drivers were “perceived as substantially interchangeable and from which Uber, rather than individual drivers, obtains the benefit of customer loyalty and goodwill.” For example, Uber restricted communication between drivers and passengers to prevent a driver establishing an independent relationship with a passenger beyond a single journey.

Once the Supreme Court had decided that the claimant drivers were workers, it then had to decide whether the drivers were working from the moment they logged onto the Uber app (in their licenced territory) or only when they were transporting passengers. Uber contended that its drivers should only be considered working when transporting passengers. Central to Uber’s argument was that, while logged onto the Uber app, its drivers were not prohibited from making themselves available to accept trip requests from another operator (provided they maintained an acceptance rate that was acceptable to Uber). No evidence was put forward to support this argument and the Supreme Court was not persuaded, viewing the option to accept work from another operator as largely theoretical.

The Supreme Court determined that the drivers’ “working time” for the purposes of calculating national minimum wage and holiday entitlement comprised any time the drivers were logged onto the Uber app within their licenced territories.

What next for Uber?

In a statement released shortly after the judgment, Uber suggested that the Supreme Court’s decision on worker status was limited to “a small group of drivers using the Uber app in 2016”, which is when the claims were originally brought. Uber contended that, since 2016, it has made significant changes to its business model and that many aspects of the working arrangements identified in the Supreme Court’s judgment are no longer relevant. For example, Uber asserts that drivers now have full transparency over the price and destination of their trip and since 2017 there has been no repercussion for rejecting multiple consecutive trips. Nevertheless, many have questioned whether Uber has made sufficient changes to its business model to render the Supreme Court’s findings as irrelevant to Uber’s drivers in the present day.

In an apparent change of tack, Uber has reportedly now agreed to pay all its drivers, irrespective of age, the national living wage. Its drivers will now receive rolled-up holiday pay every fortnight, based on 12.07% of their earnings, and be automatically enrolled into a pension plan with contributions from Uber alongside driver contributions. Giving its drivers these additional rights will have significant financial implications for the business, but Uber insists that these additional costs will not be passed onto its passengers through an increase in fares.

And what about the rest of the business community?

The Supreme Court’s findings in relation to worker status and working time are expected to have significant ramifications throughout the gig economy, especially for businesses with similar operating models to Uber. For many of them, it will not be financially viable to assume the additional costs of national minimum wage, holiday entitlement and longer working time. If such obligations are imposed, businesses may need to restructure their model in order to survive.

The Supreme Court’s decision is the latest in a series of cases in which the Courts have identified a closer, personal relationship between the individual and the business, rejecting the notion that the individuals were self-employed. There is certainly a trend towards giving gig economy workers greater rights and legal protection, not just in the UK but also overseas.

Many commentators have heralded the Supreme Court’s decision in relation to Uber as a welcome step forward for gig economy workers. However, many of these workers will be justifiably concerned about the wider ramifications of the decision, not least in terms of the threat to jobs. It should not be overlooked that many workers are attracted to the flexibility, risk and entrepreneurialism of the gig economy, and would not want this sacrificed for the greater security of worker status.

There clearly needs to be a balance, and the Courts should rightly intervene when businesses are seeking to take advantage of the most vulnerable workers. However, it would be simplistic to draw parallels between David and Goliath in every case. At a time when many sectors are struggling to recover in the wake of the global pandemic, it would be a mistake to stifle the adaptable and dynamic gig economy to the detriment of its own workforce.

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About the Authors

Lloyd Davey is a partner at Stevens & Bolton LLP. He is an experienced employment lawyer, advising clients across numerous sectors on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious employment law issues.

Sarah Taylor delivers specialist technical support to the employment team. She trained with a large City firm and then worked at a leading employment practice in London. She joined Stevens & Bolton in 2011, advising clients on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious employment law matters, before becoming a professional support lawyer in 2020.

Reasons Why Owning A Coffee Shop Is A Great Business To Start

May 2, 2021

Owning a business can be a bit overwhelming at times, especially if you’re a first-time owner, but there are so many benefits, especially when it comes to owning something like a cafe! If your dream was to open up a small business, you should definitely consider this as an option, as it’s easy to run and beginner-friendly! So here are more reasons why owning a coffee shop is a great business to start, and here you can find a complete guide if you decide to start a coffee roasting business!

Be your own boss

There’s just something about owning a business that feels special, you are your own boss essentially and that’s what makes it great! You get to make your own rules and set the tone however you want! If you are sick of working for someone else, or want to bring your dreams to life, why not take matters into your own hands and open up a coffee shop of your dreams? As long as you have a set vision and a lot of passion – with an additionally good plan to back it up, you are more likely to have a successful coffee shop in no time, it’s not hard at all! Start with a good idea, and work your way to the top!

Coffee shops are always in style

By being your own boss, means you can create the perfect coffee shop for you, the sky’s the limit when it comes to ideas! People are simple, they love coffee, but that doesn’t, mean you shouldn’t bring something new to the table – and designing your coffee shop a certain way, can add so much to the overall experience! Sure, you can go with a classic, rustic vibe, but you also go a different route and opt to create a themed coffee shop, why not make it look like a set of your favorite movie, or something meaningful to you? Owning a small business means you have full creative control, so feel free to go wild, and besides people will always appreciate coffee and enjoy going to different coffee shops for the experience, so you can’t go wrong!

Small investment

The truth is, one of the many reasons why owning a coffee shop pays off in the long run, is the fact that you don’t have to spend a lot of money right away! Apart from finding the right space for the shop, you’ll need a bit of equipment – thankfully nothing too complicated and bulky! From coffee grinders, drip coffee machines, espresso machines with a milk steamer to storage solutions, a restaurant phone system, and a refrigerator, all of those things are fairly cheap. But always remember that investing in high-quality equipment right away will save you money in the long run, so if you give a bit more right away, it’s not a bad idea at all! To support this, equipment financing will be a great option to consider. Experience the art of brewing by purchasing premium coffee equipment from Victoria Arduino, where innovation meets tradition for the perfect cup. It’s best that you plan out your space and see how much stuff you can put into it – this way you don’t end up overspending or getting something that you don’t need!

Easy profit

Once you get the space for your shop and your needed gear, your main goal is to get profit! Thankfully, the cost of running a coffee shop is not high, or at least it shouldn’t be if you are careful and resourceful! When you put everything on paper, after paying the bills and the utilities for the shop, you need to consider the cost of ingredients – thankfully it shouldn’t be too high! Apart from coffee, water, milk, and additional things you’ll add to your menu, it’s highly likely your result will be profit! It might seem impossible or crazy, but it actually isn’t – when you think about how today’s society is obsessed with coffee it should make you feel a bit more confident! As long as you make good coffee, you’ll see profit in no time! Licensed money lenders in Singapore offers transparent and regulated financial solutions tailored to your needs.

Create a community

Small businesses have the luxury that many big corporations don’t – and that is creating a community around them! By owning a coffee shop, you can create a safe space and a pleasant environment for people who seek it, and also give people space to socialize! You can make it your brand if you want, bringing people together and offering amazing service seems pretty simple, but it’s such an impactful thing! You can hire different people, show solidarity and inclusivity, so people feel welcomed and appreciated! Small businesses, especially coffee shops should feel cozy and at home, and you have the tools to do just that!

It’s flexible

If there is anything good about owning a small business and being your own boss, it’s the fact that you can set your own working hours and rules! Don’t want to work on Sundays? No problem! Want to be opened 24/7? Not a problem at all! It all comes down to your own plans and schedule, if the coffee shop is your only job and source of income, or if it’s just a side hustle! Regardless, you are in control when it comes to setting the boundaries and that can be a blessing and a curse, but as long as you have a plan that works for you, it’ll be fine!

Make people happy

Lastly, small businesses and coffee shops are there to make people smile above anything else. If you enjoy bringing happiness to people, owning a coffee shop is the perfect thing for you! Like any business, you need to think about making money and seeing a profit, but at the same time you want to make it affordable for the majority of people – this will certainly help build a good relationship and bring back returning customers! Once you figure out the balance between profit and being an affordable business, you’ll hit the jackpot! Customers and people, in general, love small businesses, especially those that feel genuine – so if you genuinely feel passionate about coffee, you’ll succeed by having a loyal customer group who loves coffee just as much as you do!

At the end of the day, coffee shops are such a great passion project, regardless if you plan on making it your main business, or just as an ambitious project! All in all, owning a coffee shop is a lot of fun, even if it’s a lot of work as well, but the things you gain from it are far more precious than the hard work you put in!

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Canna oil: Best hash oil derived from Cannabis sativa plant

May 1, 2021

Marijuana, hash oils, and bits of hemp were used for smoking purposes for thousands of years. It also serves various religious functions in India. Some of them are also used for further medicinal researches. The cannabis plant includes photocarbonoid and does not contain seeds, roots, or stalks. However, hemp is those cannabis plants that contact low THC in their leaves and flowering heads. THC is a psycho-active ingredient in Cannabis. CBD, a short form for cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive compound that is found naturally in resinous flowers of Cannabis. Some doctors prescribe medical Cannabis for the management of different diseases or disorders. When we mix edible coconut oil with Cannabis, it forms Cannabis coconut oil, which increases the longevity of the effect compared to smoking or vaping. Canna oil can also be purchased online these days as many e-commerce websites sell cannaoil.

Consumption methods of Canna oil

Smoking: – This process is a common form of inhalation where users smell the smokes of dry flowers of the cannabis plant with coconut oil. Users can create a joint with a glass pipe or water boring as well.
Body care:- There are many derivatives of Cannabis that are used as body care products. We can use these products; however, they must be prescribed by a medical doctor before use.
Oral use:- We can directly eat cannabis tincture or powder and keep it within our tongue. For this purpose, we can also use liquid canna oil.
Creating Edibles:- Perhaps the most effective way of intoxication is to make edibles where we hardly notice sudden changes but relax our mind for a greater amount of time than regular smoking or vaping.

Health benefits of Cannabis coconut oil

Improvement of metabolism:- If your metabolism rate of the body is less and you want to increase it, we can use cannabis coconut oil. It is the most effective way to fill you with energy in a quick time.
Boost cognitive:- Some people have a slow response rate when it comes to cognitive thinking. In case you want to develop the mental response of your body, we can use cannabis coconut oil.
Prevents cancers:- Researchers have found that cannabis coconut oil is effective when used on cancers as it regulates the growth of cancer cells.
Reduce anxiety: – Today, anxiety is the major challenge because we take too much pressure on our minds. To reduce stress and anxiety, we can use cannabis coconut oil.
Relieves pains:- Cannabis oil with coconut oil can be used to massage painful areas in the body as it relieves pain quickly.

To conclude, we must say that mixing coconut oil with cannabis plants or derivatives can be used for various purposes like medicinal purposes. Some of the benefits include: reducing stress and pain on the body, improving metabolism and cognitive response of the mind.

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7 Reasons Why Business Professionals Need Hosting Services

April 30, 2021

Many businesses are now moving to the digital space. A website or e-commerce platform provides infrastructure for running the business. Think about it much like you would a brick-and-mortar location. It is the place that you showcase your products and services.

Your customers, whether potential or existing, use it to access what you have to offer. It is crucial to pay attention to the performance of the site. You must ensure fast page loading speeds and zero downtimes.

A poor user experience will affect the amount of traffic you get on your site. Further, search engines can penalize you with low rankings.

Your web hosting provider has a significant impact on website performance. But there is so much more business professionals can get from hosting services. Let’s explore some of them below.

1. Reliable hosting

Frequent downtime on your website will make you lose customers. With so much competition in the digital space, you cannot afford poor performance at any time.

Think of how often you have abandoned a particular website because of the downtimes. Would you want to take your customers through the same frustration?

Your web hosting provider should be reliable. Further, they need to avail of 24/7 technical support to correct any issues. That is why it is crucial to choose the right package.

Dedicated and VPS servers are more reliable than shared hosting. While the latter may be the cheaper option, it comes with its challenges. Such include less bandwidth allocation. There is also a higher probability of crashing when there is a lot of traffic.

Do note; search engines use page loading speeds as a determinant when ranking sites. Poor rankings will impact the online visibility your business gets.

2. Security for your website

Online security is a major concern for anyone operating in the digital space. The right web host provider has security as a significant priority.

Most businesses collect a lot of personal customer information. They may also use their sites for financial transactions. It is imperative to avoid breaches or data loss to hackers. When looking for a hosting service, ask for a rundown of the security features they offer.

Other than the hosting security measures, it also doesn’t hurt to install extra security of your own. Data encryption and decryption, for example, ensure only the intended recipient sees the message. You get more secure connections between your browser and the remote server. Installing an SSL proxy will provide this critical function for you. Other measures include anti-malware, antivirus, and firewalls.

3. It allows for scalability

No one starts a business to remain stagnant. Growth is a key driving force for everything you do. The hosting service you choose should grow with you. It should give you enough server capacity to handle more traffic.

Sign up for managed plans that give you resources as you need them. It will save you money because you do not pay for what you currently do not need.

4. Access to excellent customer support

Do not ignore the importance of excellent customer support. Imagine a situation where your website crashes in the middle of the night. Yet some of your global customers could just be waking up, ready to buy your goods or services.

Your efforts to reach the technical support team do not bear fruit. It can be very frustrating because you know the customers will flock to the competitors. When looking for a hosting service, ask about the support you can expect.

Read customer reviews to see how they handle complaints. Take note of the speed with which they respond to issues. It also helps if you can reach them on many platforms. Such include phone, email, chat, or event tickets.

5. You save money

There are tons of web hosting services available. You may think it is a good idea to go for the least expensive option. But, look at the long-term implications. You want efficiency, reliability, and good performance. Cheap or free options can only give you so much functionality.

You may find yourself always dealing with issues, which could end up being more costly. Consider it an investment to go for some of the best hosting options. Good performance means happy customers and better chances of conversions.

Further, you spend less time and money managing issues. With the technical support they offer, you don’t even need to hire experts to manage your site.

Some web hosts provide web building services as well as domain names and emails. You can choose not to take advantage of the service. But, your hosting service should allow for integration with your preferred site builder.

Without the support, you may end up needing to look for a solution that works in your favor. It becomes more costly for you to have your site up and running.

Additionally, there are also hosting providers that offer services like Bitcoin VPS, which enable you to pay for your servers in an unorthodox way by using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Etherium and others, which can further save you money in the long run.

6. It is crucial for your credibility

A significant disadvantage of free or cheap web hosts is they take on anyone. Some of these sites may be less than reputable. You may share an IP address with such, even without your knowledge.

It may end up tarnishing the reputation of your site and, indeed, your brand. You may also fall under the radar of web filters, which may end up blocking your site.

7. Data backup

Let’s say you build your site using one of the free web builders like Squarespace or Wix. If anything happens and the site ceases to exist, you may lose everything. What it means is your presence in the online space depends on the existence of the platform.

The best option is to go for self-hosted sites. You can back up your site on secure servers allowing for quick recovery.

Final thoughts

Think about web hosting as a foundation of your website. A shaky or weak foundation cannot sustain any structure. You will spend time and money on managing or repairing as opposed to enjoying the facility.

Business professionals need a website that performs at optimal levels always. You want to ensure fast page loading speeds and constant uptimes. If you run into any issues, technical support should be available day and night, all year round.

It pays to invest in proper security so that you keep customer and business data safe. Take the time to shop around for an excellent hosting service. Do your due diligence and read customer reviews to know exactly what you’re getting.

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Safety First: the True Cost of Unsafe Work Conditions

April 30, 2021

All jobs come with different sets of advantages and disadvantages. Still, business owners must ensure that the former outweigh the latter for their employees. One of the ways you can do that is to make sure the workplace is as safe as it can be. In addition to showing that you care for the people who work for you, doing so will also avoid the financial costs of workplace incidents.

With that in mind, we wanted to take a look at the average cost of direct worker’s compensation after workplace injuries or harassment. Even if we don’t consider the potential liability you’re open to, there’s a hidden cost most people don’t think about.

For example, if your workers keep quitting due to unsafe conditions, you’ll have to keep wasting money on training new ones. Besides, no one wants to have a high employee turnover. After all, you can’t put a price on loyalty, can you?

So how can business owners encourage their workforce to stick around? Once again, it all comes down to providing good working conditions. But before we get into that, let’s take a second to determine the financial cost of having an unsafe work environment.

How to Calculate the Real Financial Cost of an Unsafe Workplace

Unfortunately, millions of people report missing work days because of work-related illnesses and injuries. Each year, thousands die from the consequences of those injuries and illnesses.

It’s tempting to chalk these depressing statistics up to the inherent risks of certain trades. Construction accidents and factory mishaps are a fact of life, right? Yet, in the past century or so, we’ve made technological strides that should make workplace injuries incredibly rare. Still, business owners make counterintuitive decisions in the interest of cutting costs.

By cutting corners on safety precautions, companies can end up paying much more to cover injured workers’ medical expenses. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, businesses routinely pay almost $1 billion weekly for worker compensation. And that’s on top of paying for the cost of legal services if those employees decide to sue.

Of course, even that estimate isn’t taking into account the indirect costs of an unsafe work environment. Namely, in the event of a workplace accident, the business has to pay for the internal incident investigation. Moreover, it needs to financially support the implementation of new safety measures while recouping lost productivity and profits.

If any of the company’s property is damaged in an accident, it will also need to pay for repairs. Lastly, if the workers involved quit following the incident, there’s the added cost of training their replacement. If anything, that $1 billion per week number is an underestimate. But if you want to see the kind of costs you might incur for different kinds of injuries, OSHA has made a compensation cost calculator.

Now that you understand the numbers you’re looking at, let’s take a look at the other side of the story. What are the benefits of maintaining solid safety procedures at your company?

The Benefits of Promoting Workplace Safety

Reducing the number of work-related illnesses, injuries, and fatalities is the most cost-efficient course of action for any business. If nothing else, it would mean that a smaller percentage of the company’s profits are going toward medical expenses and OSHA penalties. Additionally, you would spend less money on conducting internal investigations — but that’s not all.

According to Britain’s Health and Safety Executive, addressing the health and safety of employees has many other benefits. Sustaining fewer workplace injuries means that employees use sick days less frequently. After all, people who work in companies that protect their employees tend to be happier and healthier. They also tend to work for the same company for longer — saving you the cost of training new personnel.

But even if a company can cover the cost of worker compensation and uninsured losses, the blow to its reputation can be harder to withstand. Businesses that find themselves on the receiving end of highly publicized legal actions often lose standing with suppliers and partners. Worse still, they can find themselves losing the favor of their investors, customers, and the communities they rely on.

Ultimately, practicing corporate responsibility is a good way to build a solid reputation in the business world. So if you’re not worried about paying injured workers’ medical bills and the company’s legal expenses, think of potential investors and customers.

Establishing a Safe Work Environment — the Three E’s of Safety

Ultimately, everyone has a right to feel comfortable at their place of work. So how can business owners create safe working conditions? One way to do so would be to implement the three E’s of safety — evaluate, educate, and enforce.

Firstly, you need to get a better idea of the risk factors that are in play. If you own any kind of manufacturing business, you’ll probably think about the risks that are associated with working in factories before you consider the safety of other workers.

Yet issues like gender discrimination and sexual harassment can leave you open to litigation just as easily as illnesses and physical injuries can. To that end, you should examine the company culture as well as the safety precautions that are already in place. Don’t just focus on the physical health risks.

For the next step, you’ll want to have everyone in the company study OSHA’s safety guidelines. According to ProtexAI, occupational health and safety is generally defined as a subset of public health that focuses on improving safety standards in the workplace to mitigate any major incidents. Your employees should be able to recognize if any of them aren’t being implemented and come up with solutions. Then, you’ll be able to implement and enforce those new protocols.

For example, if you own a hotel, you might have a member of the cleaning staff note that working behind closed doors doesn’t make them feel safe. In that case, incorporating something as simple as a wearable alarm button might help your employees feel at ease. Of course, that particular solution should improve the security at other kinds of workplaces just as well.

Of course, there are many other ways to create a safe work environment — and many reasons to do so. If money isn’t an issue — think of public perception! Conversely, even if you’re not worried about your company’s reputation, you’ll still want to avoid unnecessary expenses.

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What Does “Provably Fair” Mean For Crypto Casinos?

April 30, 2021

If you’re new to crypto casinos, you may have heard about provable fairness, or provably fair slot games. The elaborate technology is a trend in crypto and non-crypto online casino games. If you’re not familiar with it, here’s a brief introduction to the term essential modern bitcoin casinos.

Provably Fair Definition

Provably fair is the latest technology that graced online gambling. As it is new, most gamblers don’t know about it yet. The technology is primarily used in bitcoin or crypto casinos and games. To define it, provably fair is an algorithm that checks and verifies an online casino’s fairness towards its players. It relinquishes the fear of most players that online gambling sites will rip them off.

Provably fair uses three variables:

Server seed – this variable is provided by the site.
Client seed – this variable is given by the player’s browser and can be adjusted by them.
Cryptographic nonce – a number that grows parallel to the bets a player makes.

The process is a bit complicated, especially for those who are not versed with bitcoins or cryptocurrencies. First, the online casino produces a seed number. The number will be hashed and sent to the bettor before placing a bet or play. Hash functions or hashing converts a lengthy data string to a shorter one.

With hashing and the randomness of the server seed, the operators cannot easily change it. The same goes for the player wherein the seed is encrypted. In turn, the bettor’s browser will randomly generate a seed. Players are advised to calibrate the client seed before betting or gambling.

Once both seeds are present, they interact with each other to create the bet’s result. As for the nonce, the number will start at 0 or 1, depending on the website. It will increase every time you place a bet. The algorithm uses the seeds and the nonce in selecting a randomizable action in the game.

When the player is done, they will get the unencrypted version of the client seed and verify the game’s fairness. The bettors can confirm the results on-site through a verifier. Simply input the unhashed seeds to see if the value it produces is the same one in the game.

This way, Bitcoin casino websites allow you to verify their honesty. This approach will remove questions about possible fraud. There have been rumors among the players for a long time that in some separate draws the casino can cheat. Well, now you have the opportunity to check each draw and make sure that the result was really random.

Why Is Provable Fairness Better?

Here are some of the advantages when going to crypto casinos equipped with Provably Fair:

Transparency

The main catch of provably fair crypto casinos is the transparency they give to their players. Provably fairness offers a way for bettors to see the results of their previous games to ensure fairness.

No third-party authentication

Most online casinos have undergone auditing by testing labs or other third-party authenticators. However, due to the technology used by provably fair games, third-party authentication and auditing are slashed. With no third-party auditor, players of crypto casinos with provable fairness become the auditors, giving the highest transparency level.

Blockchain technology

The transparency of provably fair casinos and games run on blockchain technology. This innovation is also used in cryptocurrencies and makes casinos accountable for how they operate. Another way of making things transparent is through the blockchain ledger. Players can check it if they want to see their transactions.

Moreover, with the self-executing codes of blockchain technology, everything is fixed and unchangeable. Meaning it is not feasible to change or reverse it to favor the operators.

Higher RTP percentage

RTP percentage plays an essential role in any bettor’s gambling career. It stands for Return to Player, and it determines a punter’s chance of winning on a specific game. RTP uses the data from the player’s previous wins to calculate the percentage. For games with Provably Fair, the rate of winning is up to 99% instead of 99.5% or lower.

Are Provably Fair Games Always Legit?

Yes and no. Yes, there are provably fair games and casinos that are authentic and legit. These games offer you a safe way to gamble using cryptocurrencies.

However, the answer is also no, as there are still sites offering rigged provably fair games. These fraudulent operators know that it takes a very knowledgeable and devoted person to study the Provably Fair system. They can still change some tiny details undetected to the regular Joe. It is essential to check if the provably fair game on the site you picked is the real deal.

Can You Hack Provably Fair Casino Games?

Even though provably fair casino games are safe and secured, they are still prone to human tampering and hacking. On paper, as casinos make the game’s algorithm public, bettors can interfere with the games.

In the future, this theory can be achieved by more knowledgeable people about the intricacies of the said system. However, hackers are the least of the player’s problems for now. Punters need to be wary about crypto casinos with exploitative operators.

Though hacking will be detrimental to the operators’ business and can be challenging due to blockchain technology, it’s possible. As technology advances, so are the capability of people to tinker with its intricacies. A provably fair system is prone to the operator’s hacking attempts, especially if the site has hidden security flaws. It is wise to check the crypto casino site first before betting.

Now that you’ve been acquainted with provable fairness, you can make an educated decision in choosing the best crypto casino. Although Provably Fair makes crypto casinos safe, it’s still best to be cautious in every online transaction we have.

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How To Keep New Users From Abandoning Your Mobile App?

April 29, 2021

It amounts to complete failure when most of your users abandon and delete your app after using it only once. But this is the common fate of so many mobile apps out there. There are too many apps across every category that are either deleted or just ignored by users after the first use.

No wonder most apps these days are serious about reducing this rate of abandonment. But you cannot do it unless and until you know the reasons for your app to be abandoned. In India mobile app developers are always after the new app ideas, trending UI elements or latest app features. But they often miss out on figuring out the core impetuses pushing app abandonment.

Here through the length of this blog post, we will explain the key reasons behind abandoning apps and the ways to fix the problem.

Key Reasons that Explain Increasing Rate of App Abandonment

Despite the objective reasons such as poor user experience, slow loading speed, nagging app notifications and so on, most experts point out the increasing number of apps and increasing digital distractions as a critical factor for the users to abandon an app and forget about it quickly.

Let’s have a look at other viable reasons.

Bad Onboarding

User onboarding experience makes the first and pressing impression that often determines whether the user will return to the app. As soon as the user lands on the app, it should engage the users with simple and effective interactions. Instead of making users search and find things they need, the app should guide users concerning app functions and hire them to get things done with ease. The absence of such a helpful onboarding experience can easily lead to abandoning the app once and for all.

Memory Consumption

Since users these days need to use too many apps across different categories and niches, they are very much conscious about the app’s memory consumption. Many users simply decide to uninstall apps that consume too much device memory space.

Concerns Over Privacy

Privacy concerns are a major reason for abandoning apps. As security issues and hazards are frequent with digital platforms and apps, users are very suspicious about sharing personal data, including contact information, location data and purchase, and browsing information. The users can easily abandon an app wanting too much access to such private and sensitive information.

Irrelevant Apps

One app can suddenly be deserted by its users simply because a better option arrived in the market with a lot of unique value propositions. When your app lacks any unique value proposition compared to competitor apps or when it looks irrelevant, it can be abandoned by the users.

Disturbing Ads

The vast majority of users know that ads financially support free apps, and so they tolerate the in-app ads simply because of using the app for free. But when these ads behave too intrusively, undermining the app user experience, the app can be abandoned by the users.

Under-Optimized App Performance

There are certain unpardonable flaws, such as app crashes or sluggish loading speed, that can make users abandon apps for better options. Non-responsive functions. slow loading speed and app crashes are common issues that can push app abandonment.

Intrusive App Notifications

Another crucial reason behind abandoning an app by users is the repeated and rigorous push notifications. When notifications continue to come incessantly, they undermine the user experience and push users to abandon the app instead of communicating.

How to Re-Engage Users Who Abandoned the App?

As of now, you must have understood the critical reasons behind app abandonment and the ways to prevent this. But when the users abandon apps, how to win them back and re-engage them with the app? Well, here below, we provide some effective and time-tested measures for this.

Sending Push Messages

When an app user leaves an app without finishing a task, he can be sent a push message notifying about the unfinished task, such as completing the game level or completing the purchase in a shopping app. Such messages coming as reminders can often be effective in re-engaging the users.

To make the app messages further lucrative, you can offer them additional benefits for completing the task. In the case of shopping apps, the users can be offered discounts for completing purchases, and in the case of game apps, bonus points can be offered for restarting the game.

Modifying UX/UI

Every app interface and user experience over time gets outdated or becomes out of fashion. This is why, to re-engage users who no longer use the app, modifying the app interface design and offering a better and trending user experience can be highly effective. While UI design agency creates best-in-class digital experiences to help businesses succeed in today’s digital world.

To determine whether your app interface is underperforming and to know the key areas that require modifications, you can use effective analytics tools and several key performance indicators (KPIs).

Loyalty Programs

To keep your loyal users intact and re-engage users who switched to another app, you can roll out an effective loyalty program to offer incentives for reusing the app or being engaged.

Conclusion

You can easily create loud buzz through rigorous app marketing and get many users on board in the beginning. But keeping the user base intact over time and maintaining growth with a continuous influx of new users is challenging. This is where you need to take measures to prevent app abandonment on the one hand and push re-engagement of the abandoned users on the other hand. It needs a concerted effort from the entire team to achieve this.

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Criteria to Look for in a Single Lady to Have Serious Relationships

April 29, 2021

Are all single girls near me good ones?

Even if a girl is single and beautiful, it is not enough for every normal guy. For example, the fact that she is mean or greedy might change everything and you will never be able to truly love her. Therefore, you would better check the following features and things to keep in mind while selecting the right single country girls.

Criteria to choose one of the local single girls:

Criterion 1. She is truly single.

You would better meet truly single girls because if she is not single, her boyfriend might give you a hard time. Thus, before you invite your charming lady to a date, you would better make sure she is truly single. For instance, if she keeps on calling someone from time to time or writes constantly messages to someone, it means that she is not single and has a boyfriend.

Criterion 2. She is stunning.

Is there anyone who likes to date ugly women even if they are girls that are single? We guess no one will answer this question positively. If a girl takes care of herself and is beautiful, it means that she is ready to find a boyfriend. If she is mature enough to date, why not be her boyfriend, and maybe, even groom?

Criterion 3. She is confident.

You may find single girls wherever you want, however, you should notice whether she is a confident and independent girl. If she is, you would better try to approach her. Note that sometimes your attempts might fail, but it does not mean you should stop because some of the girls might test you whether your motives and intentions are good and serious.

Criterion 4. She is sweet.

You might find cute single girls even in a library in your university, if only you open up your eyes to notice that. If you feel awesome when you see her every time you meet with her, maybe, you would better move on with her and invite her to a cafe or restaurant. If your friends also think that she is cute, you would better hurry up to invite her because they might do it as well.

Criterion 5. She is honest.

Even if you meet many pretty girls who are single, they should be sincere and honest. It does not mean that she must be a straightforward one, but she must tell the truth to you. If you notice that a specific girl lied to someone, she will 99% lie to you as well because she might think that telling lies is a norm. Stay away from women who live a life of constant lying to others.

Criterion 6. She is funny.

There is nothing worse than chatting with single girls who are odd, dull, tedious, and boring. It is always such a pleasure to date a woman who can make you laugh. Indeed, not only men should have a sense of humor, it concerns ladies too. Watch out, however, if she acts like a clown because it might be a sign that she is insane.

Criterion 7. She is interesting.

It is a good sign if the woman is very interested in her life that she does not envy other more successful girls. If you find it interesting to communicate with a specific girl, you are a lucky guy. Interesting people are appealing because they are focused on their own life and create and build it the way they like. Therefore, it is so engaging to talk with single Russian girls because they are interesting personalities.

Criterion 8. She is smart.

Smart women are such a rare phenomenon nowadays, but it does not mean that they do not exist. If she is intelligent, you will always have a topic for discussion and something to have a conversation about. Try to find a smart single girl because life might be very complicated from time to time in your future. Therefore, you will always need someone to give you smart pieces of advice.

Criterion 9. She is a loyal friend.

It is awesome when a girl can be a good friend. To make sure she is a loyal friend, you would better check out the fact of whether she has her best female friends and how she treats and behaves with them. If she loves her friends and can defend them, she might be such a good friend for you.

Criterion 10. She is kind.

If a charming lady participates in some programs of help to the poor and needy, it is a big plus. It is always advantageous to date someone who is kind and reliable. If she is kind to other people’s children, can you imagine how good a mother she will be with her own ones?

Criterion 11. She loves pets.

An ideal girl must love other creatures as well. If she hates animals and little children, you would better stay away from such a girl, no matter how beautiful she might be. However, if she loves and has a few pets at home, it is a sign that her heart is soft, gentle, and kind.

Criterion 12. She sets boundaries for you.

This criterion supposes her not to allow you to have sex with her before you register your relationships legally. Suppose she is too quick to let you in her bed, your relationships with her will not last for a long time. She must be able to set boundaries if she is a serious girl, meaning, you should avoid kissing and hugging her earlier than both of you are ready.

Criterion 13. She loves you.

The last but not least trait your ideal single girl must have is the ability to love you. Even if she doesn’t like pets or cannot be the best friend but she can and does love you, you would better move on with her and treat her seriously. The loving heart is precious and our congratulations if you love her as well.

Bringing it all together

You see, the most important thing in every relationship with a single girl is her ability to love and care for the partner. You might forgive her everything if you see and feel that she is into you. Try to find a girl that is healed from the wounds of past relationships. To support her, you might encourage her to visit a psychotherapist to help her get healed faster. However, if you have a talent and know-how to help her, you might heal her with your love. It will suppose you show your love to her almost every day.

We recommend that you read the book by Gary Chapman which is called «Five love languages». There, you will find the types of love languages that your partner would understand that you love her. For instance, there are such five love languages as time spent together, touches, gifts, help, and words of praise. If your single lady feels loved when you say kind words to her, you would better keep on praising her with gentle words and compliments. Just figure out her love language and love her this way!

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Enticing Benefits of Hiring a Brilliant Mortgage Broker

April 28, 2021

The mortgage broker acts as a connection between you (the buyer) and the lender. You would have to look at various lenders in a typical situation to see which one provides the best goods. You can rely on a mortgage broker instead of doing these things yourself to save you time and effort. The mortgage broker will bind you as the borrower with the lenders. It would be easier to determine which mortgages will fit your situation, including your needs and the repayment capacity.

Searching for a mortgage loan can be a daunting task. That’s why it is crucial to hire a company like Lendstreet mortgage brokers to help you throughout the entire process. Taking a mortgage loan is not just about walking into a bank and signing the essential documents. There is a lot of work done behind the scene before you can own a home. As an ordinary person with no or less knowledge of finance, acquiring a mortgage can be very difficult. That is why it is recommended to hire a mortgage broker to assist you with your search and document signing. Here are the enticing benefits of hiring a mortgage broker

A Broker Will Save You the Legwork.

Mortgage brokers are in daily contact with many lenders, which you may not even know. A key worker mortgage broker can also lead you away from those lenders with expensive payment conditions in their mortgage agreements.

That said, it is helpful to conduct your research before you meet a broker. A simple way to quickly understand the average prices for the type of mortgage you are applying is to check online, then use a mortgage calculator. Tools like this will allow you to easily compare rates and provide additional information when determining the reputation of a mortgage broker.

Quicker and Efficient Access to Lenders

If you were to navigate the mortgage process yourself, you would first have to locate various mortgage lenders. You would compare their costs, service terms, and other fees. It will require a great deal of time and effort. Move from office to office, talk to processors, and coordinate prices (especially with ever-changing mortgage rates).

Mortgage brokers have more access to mortgage rates, lenders, and special loan programs. Brokers are well placed to obtain exclusive rates on retail mortgages and are usually more available to both customers and creditors.

Evaluation of Financial Circumstances

One of the main advantages of hiring a mortgage agent is to discuss the requirements and circumstances. It allows the broker to determine which kind of loan is most appropriate for the borrower. The prospective homebuyer must include the borrower’s identity and financial status with records to make it simpler.

The broker informs you which type of loan is appropriate for a particular case by reviewing the documents. Once the mortgage broker has a complete understanding of your financial planning and the aims, he/she will discuss the various available credit items.

Expert Advice

Most borrowers look at their options by majoring their focus on the interest rates. Most people fail to understand that mortgage loans are more than just fees and other costs incurred. There are several subtleties that only a mortgage broker can explain to you. Understanding these intricacies can make a significant difference.

For instance, it can be more beneficial for you to pay extra repayments or get access to a loan offset account. A brilliant broker can take you through both the pros and cons of all the options you may have. All these pieces of information are essential when choosing the right mortgage loan. However, to acquire all these benefits, you need to get a reliable mortgage broker.

Flexibility

Another benefit of using mortgage brokers is that they provide greater versatility for execution than when you handle the process yourself. Contrary to direct lenders, you won’t be stuck in one way because they give you more leverage over the closing process. To solve credit problems, gain the opportunity for most paperwork or leniency and flexibility for closing hours, your broker will serve as a link between the bank and your lender. It allows your broker to obtain the loan that suits your requirements.

Lower Rates

The other advantage of using a broker is that they have lower prices. You can go as far as to get the best package in town that the public or you can’t find readily accessible as a person. They have many relations with many lenders and even special programs. The Mortgage Broker often allows you to benefit from its services without a substantial initial cash expense by regularly pricing their fees on the credit’s final closing costs or interest rate.

You Are Getting the Best Deal.

Hiring a mortgage broker ensures that the broker is the solution to your needs and desires. During the purchase process, they are your advocate. The hypothetical industry is competitive, and any successful broker would provide the best customer service possible. They must secure your mortgage, and they will work hard to ensure it.

In essence, brokers are your agent and consultant. They represent your requirements when you work with lenders and take time to identify your mortgage requirements. A mortgage broker may interview you to clarify these conditions and collect financial data. Then you can describe short and long-term goals together. They will map away from there to achieve these goals: speed and performance.

Help in Pre-Qualification

It can be challenging to pre-qualify a loan to purchase a house without a mortgage broker. Financial institutions are very stringent and can lead to a minor mistake in paperwork or credit score. However, you can be accepted quickly by a broker and complete your dream of owning a house.

The purchase of a house is considered one of the most significant moves in the life of someone, and the mortgage is the biggest financial mistake you can make. While finding a mortgage was a straightforward procedure before, it could be confusing these days, particularly if you have no experience in financial planning. Talking to a mortgage broker will also help you find the best form of mortgage according to your circumstances and increase the chances of approval.

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Workers: Watch Out for OSHA’s Fatal Four

April 28, 2021

By Sarah Douglass

Working on construction sites can be dangerous, especially when employers aren’t diligent in mitigating known hazards and ensuring that team members have the proper protective equipment and training.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), four construction hazards frequently lead to severe injuries and fatalities. They are known as the “fatal four.”

If you are a construction worker, you should be aware of the four deadly hazards in your work field and take concerted steps to avoid them.

What are OSHA’s Fatal Four?

According to OSHA experts, the four construction site hazards that are the most likely to cause fatal injuries are:

Falls
Struck-by accidents
Caught-in or -between accidents

OSHA’s “fatal four” are believed to be responsible for as many as three out every five construction-related deaths annually. Fortunately, project and safety managers have the power to reduce these deadly threats. They can provide the right work equipment, post the proper signage, ensure that adequate training is received, and require all team members to wear environment-specific personal protective equipment (PPE).

Identifying Unsafe Work Environments

One of the best things workers can do to protect themselves while working on a construction project is to refuse to work in unsafe conditions. If you work on a construction site and believe that your employer is not doing enough to prevent serious injuries, you should refuse to work until your concerns are addressed.

For instance, you may be asked to work on an elevated surface or structure without the proper fall prevention or fall arrest gear set in place. If scaffolding is damaged and has yet to be inspected and repaired, your employer is not legally allowed to punish you for refusing to mount it.

Preventing Electrocution

Workers on construction sites should be on high alert when seeing low-hanging utility lines and other overhead obstructions. It is also critical to identify all utilities before any work is started. This way, construction site workers can keep an appropriate distance away from hazardous infrastructures and take other necessary precautions. This is just as important at ground level as when working from scaffolds, ladders, lifts, or other elevated surfaces or equipment.

Avoiding Excavation Injuries

Excavation accidents account for a considerable number of construction site injuries each year. To avoid them, workers should never enter trenches or other excavated areas that are at least five feet deep unless a protective system has been put in place.

When excavating an area with pre-existing infrastructure it is also important to ensure there are no service lines or pipes that may be hit and damaged during the excavation process. Using a ground penetrating radar is a great way to ensure there are no underground services like electrical wires or pipes that may cause complications if struck during excavation.

Avoid Being Struck by Falling Objects

Everyone must make efforts to prevent “struck-by” accidents on construction sites. All people entering a construction site should wear safety helmets, steel-toed boots, and other protective gear.

Moreover, people working at great heights should always have their tools secured adequately to either the work surface or themselves. They should also be wearing proper fall-arrest equipment.

Other strategies for preventing “struck-by” accidents include:

Never stand between fixed and moving objects
Never walk below loaded lifting equipment
Always wear high-visibility clothing.

Tips for Preventing Fatal Falls on the Jobsite

Donning fall prevention and fall arrest gear are among the most effective ways to prevent fatal falls when performing construction work. To ensure safe work practices, however, managers must take a proactive role in implementing and tracking training, verifying that preventative equipment is being used correctly, and staging and inspecting elevated work areas.

Damaged and improperly installed scaffolding, malfunctioning lift equipment, and other equipment-related problems can result in fatal falls even when employees do all they can to keep themselves safe.

Conclusion

Avoiding OSHA’s fatal four when working on a construction site is an ongoing team effort. Both employers and employees must do their part. When someone on a construction site becomes lax in ensuring that safety standards are being met, everyone’s well-being is put at risk.

And if everything else fails and you have fallen or been seriously harmed due to your employer’s failure to maintain acceptable work conditions, you can hire a worker’s compensation lawyer and get the compensation you are due for the time away from work and out-of-pocket medical expenses, which can quickly add up.

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About the Author

Sarah Douglass has been writing all her life. What started as a passion soon became her life goal. At such a young age, she has already faced and overcame many obstacles. The instinct she developed through her life experience is coupled with an in-depth knowledge of the legal field. Sarah sees writing as a means to connect to others and help them overcome hard times.