There are two sides to this issue. The first is the more obvious of the two: the actual cost of healthcare. During the past decade, that cost has skyrocketed in relation to other business costs. In fact, it’s skyrocketed in relation to just about any other product or service, with the possible exception of oil and college tuition.

Every year, businesses and corporations have passed more of the cost of their health insurance programs on to their employees. Despite all of this, politicians have been unable to hammer out a workable solution. But at this point, that’s only one half of companies’ worries in regards to the cost of an unhealthy workforce. There’s another facet to the issue, one that can be just as costly, if not more so.

Counting the cost
This second facet involves the cost of lost productivity - in other words, the cost of millions of employees who are too sick to work. These workers fall into three distinct categories, which are listed below:

• Those who do not work at all due to the fact that they suffer from an illness or disability

• Those who miss time from their jobs because of a health problem (or multiple problems)

• Those who don’t miss time from work, but still experience a loss of productivity due to a health ailment or one suffered by a member of their family

Examining the results of the Commonwealth Fund Biennial Health Insurance Survey can bring the picture more into focus and help determine exactly how many Americans fall into one of these three categories. For example, according to the survey, an estimated 18 million Americans between the ages of 19 and 64 are not working and have a disability or chronic disease or do not work because of health reasons.

Then there’s the issue of sick days and/or time off work. The survey data indicated that 69 million workers took sick days in 2003. In addition, 64% of respondents said they had missed at least one day of work in the past year because of their health problems or a family member’s health problems. This time off translates directly into lost productivity.

Also hampering productivity are those employees who come to work even though they’re sick or a member of their family is sick. This “presenteeism” (as opposed to “absenteeism”) has a profound effect on both individual companies and the economy overall.

According to the Commonwealth survey, 55 million workers reported that they were unable to concentrate on the job because of illness, either theirs or a family member’s. As you might imagine, those workers without paid sick leave are more likely to show up for work when they’re sick or ill.

These shouldn’t be viewed as costs, but rather as an investment. When you consider how much it costs when employees (or their family members) are unhealthy, it’s an investment that’s well worth it in the long run.

The sandals last a very long time due to the simple fact that they are very sturdy. They are designed with more straps that allow them to fit across your foot perfectly. The straps are made very close together, and their are three or four fully adjustable straps.

Some sandals have four straps that you can adjust to fit your feet, while others have three. Almost every sandal has one wider strap that fits around the heel. Some sandals have their adjustable straps in front, so that you can slide them onto your feet. They allow you to feel like you have solid leather on your feet instead of a flimsy flip-flop.

While some open-toed summer footwear features a single large band that can be tightened or loosened, other kinds have two straps that go over the toes. These are for wearing at the beach or in the country. Most frequently they are carried in black or tan, particularly in the man’s version. However all sorts of feminine styles are available in a range of colors, patterns and designs.

Some leather sandals may be harder to find in the store. You may have to try looking on the Internet. Some brands also have what they call “slip on” leather sandals, also in a variety of colors, with usually with three thick leather adjustable straps for a great fit.

There are sandals designed for only women. A leather strap or numerous leather straps wrap around the top. Some offer adjustable straps, while others don’t. The straps on these sandals go across the top of the foot with one strap looping around the big toe, usually with an additional strap over the top of the foot and another adjustable strap that fastens at the heel. Other than that, they are basic leather sandals.

You can wear them at the beach or in the workplace. Some have raised heels, while others feature flat soles. However, the “flats” are generally considered inappropriate for wearing to work and should be reserved for the beach or the pool. You’ll find an assortment of labels and an array of shades such as white, lemon yellow, pale pink, and lime green which will go nicely with your summertime apparel.

In 1996, Westbury, New York, Baby R Us opened its first store. It has been immediately followed with opening six more branches on different locations at the end of the year. After tremendous expansion and joining the Baby Superstore chain, Baby R Us store count has reach 218 at the beginning of 2005. What a mammoth feat for a baby store, right?

Babies R Us is considered a pioneer in retailing premier baby products. It is said to be the biggest store chain in the world that provides baby products. They have stores and online stores that assist in giving a unique and fun shopping experience for their consumers. It has a state-of-the-art baby registry service that provides more convenience when shopping for your baby’s needs. Baby R Us also has a Mother’s room that attends to babies’ necessities.

It has an online store that contains various helpful features that include the following:

The Baby Registry service is a product of Babies R Us teaming up with Amazon.com. Parents that are expecting their baby are permitted to create an online baby registry or update a registry that was set up on one of the Babies R Us stores nationwide. What this registry rids the parents is the inconvenience of surmounting geographic barriers and presumption of which products suit your baby. This way, when your friends and relatives plan to buy your baby a gift, it won’t be that much of a hassle anymore. All that they have to do is go online, select, buy and get the gift delivered to you on time. All the land-based Baby R Us stores allow all purchase returns as an added feature.

Baby R Us also constantly maintains a “Top Seller List” that usually include educational baby equipment, baby books, a pregnant mom’s book, diaper accessories, comfy baby bouncer, play gyms, baby call nursery monitors, a changing pad, monitors with dual receivers, an infant car seat base, baby wraps, toddler rockers, baby swings, nursery care kits, feeding bottle set, etc.

Baby R Us online store also allows browsers to check on different brands of baby products that suit their preferences. The following are the categories that Baby R Us provides various brands of products on: gear, activity, toys, nursery, health and safety, specialty stores, feeding, bath and potty, and clothing and layette.

Baby R Us also presents gift ideas to those who want to share some goodies to their little kids, nephews, nieces, granddaughter or grandsons. A gift set is always considered a hit in making parents with their babies smile with appreciation. These are often in baby gift basket forms that contain various items that deal with the parents and baby’s needs. There are also these “Parents Favorite” items and Babies R Us’ basic gift ideas that are never surmounted by novel items. Gift certificates are also available as treats to the parents-to-be. Baby R Us even added “new baby” or “pregnancy” e-card. Along with this e-card, the option of an e-mail or a paper gift certificate is still offered.

Babies R Us online even has this resource center page that includes various buying guides, checklists, articles, advices and other information that will both benefit the parents and the baby.