Diversions December 22, 2011

Most Say Bosses Are Like George from "It's a Wonderful Life"

Perhaps it's a good sign for the economy that Ebenezer Scrooge didn't make it in a top ten list of holiday movie characters reminiscent of bosses.  
Reported by

A CareerBuilder survey asked employees which holiday movie character most reminds them of their boss; 15 choices were given, and Ebenezer Scrooge was not among the top ten answers given.

George Bailey from “It’s a Wonderful Life” received 19% of the votes, with CareerBuilder describing the character as “well-liked, always willing to help others”.

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The nine other characters rounding out the top ten include: 

  • Rudolph from “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (14%) – Can navigate successfully through tough situations; 
  • Willie, the main character from “Bad Santa” (10%) – Rough around the edges, but not a bad person deep down; 
  • Ralphie from “A Christmas Story” (8%) – Stays focused on one goal and thinks about nothing else; 
  • Kevin from “Home Alone” (8%) – Very resourceful and independent; 
  • Ralphie’s father from “A Christmas Story” (8%) – Old school, swears a lot when things don’t go as planned; 
  • The Grinch from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (7%) – Keeps a distance from others, but longs to be a part of the group; 
  • Clark Griswald from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (7%) – Likeable, but nothing seems to go right for him or her; 
  • Santa from “Miracle on 34th Street” (6%) – Jolly no matter the circumstance; and 
  • Buddy from “Elf” (5%) – Naive and easily awed. 

The survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive on behalf of CareerBuilder among 4,721 U.S. workers (employed full-time, not self-employed, government and non-government) between August 16 and September 8, 2011.  

Compliance December 21, 2011

Court Allows Accused Killer to Use 401(k) Assets for Attorney

A Wisconsin man accused of murdering his wife will be able to hire an attorney using funds from his 401(k). 
Reported by

Fond du Lac County Circuit Court Judge Richard Nuss ruled Jason E. Anderson is allowed to withdraw approximately $37,000 from his 401(k) savings plan to help pay for representation, according to the Fond du Lac Reporter. Earlier this month, another judge restrained Anderson from using part of the couple’s marital estate to hire a private attorney.  

Anderson’s wife, Nicole, was found dead from a single gunshot wound to the temple on November 8 at the couple’s home. A document filed by attorney Robin Shellow, whom Anderson intends to hire, claims Anderson stated on the night of Nicole’s death, he thought he heard an intruder and armed himself with a handgun. According to the statement, the handgun accidentally discharged when the trigger guard was knocked against some furniture, and the recoil caused Anderson to almost fall and for the gun to be fired a second time.  

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The next step in the Jason Anderson case will be a preliminary hearing scheduled for January 6, the news report said.  

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