As Data Scientists we are regularly asked about interesting trends taking place on LinkedIn. One of the biggest trends in the professional space last year was the economic collapse. Reports from numerous sources all tell a similar story — the economic downturn has affected thousands of companies with millions of workers laid off.

At LinkedIn we have a unique view into the ebbs and flows of labor markets and one trend we noticed was there were beneficiaries of these large-scale upheavals.  

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The revelation came during a panel discussion at the IAB Annual Leadership Meeting 2010. One of the panel members, Anamitra Banerji, is Twitter’s head of product management and monetization. In response to a question about timing, Banerji seemed to indicate that Twitter could begin a launch of some sort within the next month.

Obviously, it’s probably not a good idea to hold your breath given how long it has taken Twitter to monetize. And even if the company does roll out an ad service, it may be limited in scope and highly experimental.

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Setting up a workstation for the workplace or for the home office, should include the person or the people using the workstation. Utilising ergonomic office equipment will increase productivity, reduce the risk of injury and may assist in reducing any current repetitive strain type injuries. Poor posture and poor office furniture will increase fatigue and stress for users and increase the risk of soreness to the shoulders, neck, back and wrists. Here is some information to developing a good ergonomic office.

Office Furniture

The desk should be adjustable and the height should be varied to suit users.

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A strike by about 4,000 pilots at German airline Lufthansa has been suspended – with union officials agreeing to resume negotiations.

The action – which had been scheduled to run for four days – was called off after less than 24 hours of delays and cancellations for passengers.

The pilots had walked out at Lufthansa, Lufthansa Cargo and Germanwings over job security and pay issues.

There will be no further action until at least March 9, the union said.

A spokesman for the Cockpit union added the two sides had reached an agreement after a two-hour long hearing at a Frankfurt industrial court.

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No disrespect intended to the attorneys for beginning this post with a cartoon from the creative mind of Terry Hart, a/k/a, Hartboy. Rather, it’s intended as an excellent visual metaphor for my takeaway from the recent article written by our friend (and attorney) Andy Williams on his Benefits Law Group of Chicago website. 

Andy writes What a Difference a “P” Makes: Hairsplitting Decision Denies Disability Claim. You can delve the details about the outcome of an ERISA case hinged on the difference (not a distinction) between whether a plan provision applied to a “Period of Disability” rather than just “periods of Disability.”

But here’s the takeaway to which I referred above which is very relevant as the EGTRRA restatement deadline is just a few short months away for most retirement plans. (See

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