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This is the latest news and information for workers and managers from across the Web universe, brought to you by Monday Morning Manager writer Harvey Schachter. Follow us on Twitter @Globe_Careers or join our Linked In group.

Here are some annoying e-mail habits that blogger Alison Green recommends eliminating: Not answering when people ask a direct question; requesting "read" receipts, which suggests you don't trust others; and sending urgent e-mails that really aren't urgent. USNews.com

Boost participation with smaller groups

Canmore, Alta., consultant Mike Kerr suggests improving your meetings by breaking into subgroups of two or three people to encourage greater participation and ward off group think. Also, allow a cooling-off period before making final decisions so ideas have time to percolate and be improved or jettisoned if necessary. Humor At Work Blog

Corporate jets don't boost returns

Companies with corporate jets underperform market benchmarks for average shareholder return by 4 per cent, New York University Professor David Yermack found. One interesting tidbit in the study, Bryant University Professor Michael Roberto notes, is that companies with jets also tend to have CEOs with long-distance golf club memberships. Professor Michael Roberto's Blog

Luggage tops choice of rewards

The hottest item when employees get to choose an award from the O.C. Tanner catalogue for long service is, unexpectedly, luggage – something people often don't budget for and cherish as an award. Also hot: headphones, smartphones, tablets and anything to do with the kitchen. OCTanner.com

Restore individual task bar buttons

If you preferred the Windows XP practice of showing all open windows on your task bar instead of having Windows 7/8 condense similar items on a single icon, right click on the task bar, select Properties and on the task bar button setting on the task bar tab, choose "never combine." PCWorld.com

Harvey Schachter is a Battersea, Ont.-based writer specializing in management issues. He writes Monday Morning Manager and management book reviews for the print edition of Report on Business and an online work-life column Balance. E-mail Harvey Schachter

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