If you have a qualified disability, you have certain rights in the workplace. This means:

-You cannot be discriminated against in any employment practice, including hiring, firing, promotion, compensation, etc.

-You may not be asked if you have a disability

-You may be entitled to special accommodation to your job or work environment if your disability interferes with your ability to do your job

Questions? Contact your supervisor!

Walking more each day can help you lose weight, reduce your risk of disease and improve overall health, but it can be hard to get in the habit. For some extra motivation, buy a pedometer to count your daily steps. Pedometers make it easy to measure and track your progress each day, particularly for those who struggle to regularly set aside blocks of time for walking.

Start by tracking your steps during a normal day, and set goals to increase your steps each week. Experts recommend striving toward 6,000 to 10,000 steps each day for maximum health benefits. That may sound like a lot, but you don't have to do it all at once! Here are some tips to increase your daily steps:

-Park farther away in parking lots, or a couple blocks from your destination. On a bus or train, get off a stop early.

-Walk around the house while on the phone.

-Take a 10-20 minute walk each day after lunch.

-Always take the stairs instead of the elevator.

-Get up and walk around during television commercial breaks.

-Plan activities around walking. Suggest taking a walk with a friend instead of your typical coffee meeting. Take your children, nieces or nephews to the zoo, museum or park.

-Walk while listening to a podcast or audio book - or your favorite music.

-Walk around the mall if the weather is bad. And leave your wallet at home to resist spending temptations!

-Find a walking buddy and hold each other accountable for scheduled walks.

Did you know that the lunches you pack at home could be increasing your chances of getting sick?

Most brown-baggers don't have access to a fridge during the day, so their bagged lunch sits unrefrigerated all morning. Perishable foods - such as leftover casserole, a turkey sandwich or cut vegetables - can warm to unsafe temperatures during that time, even if you use an insulated lunch bag or ice packs. Warmer temperatures allow bacteria to breed, which could cause upset stomachs or even foodborne illness.

Heed the following tips to keep unrefrigerated bagged lunches safe during the day:

-If you're using an insulated lunch bag, put it in the freezer overnight so that it is cooler to start off the morning.

-When using ice packs to cool your lunch, use two and put one on either side of perishable foods. If using a paper bag, double-bag it.

-Swap perishable foods for ones that don't require refrigeration, such as a peanut butter sandwich instead of deli meat, or an apple in lieu of melon.

-Freeze sandwiches overnight to help them stay cold.

-Foods found on a shelf at the store, such as applesauce or fruit cups, are generally also safe for an un-chilled lunch bag.

-Pack only the amount of food that will be eaten, to avoid leftovers that will be left out unrefrigerated for the rest of the day.

-When preparing lunches, always wash your hands and the counter thoroughly before beginning. Many people forget this step, but it may be the most important for keeping your lunch free of bacteria that can cause illness.

Energy costs continue to rise, but these simple home tips can help maximize your energy spending:

-Turn off anything you're not using - lights, computer, television, radio, etc. Unplug appliances and electronics.