'Toxic' workplaces on the increase

Britney -' you're toxic, I'm slipping under' - Spears has topped a chart of the most irritating singer for shop workers to listen to while at work - Britney 'drives shop staff crazy' (BBC News).

Blog censorship handbook released - A handbook that offers advice to bloggers who want to protect themselves from recrimination and censors has been released by Reporters Without Borders. Read more about Handbook for Bloggers and Cyber-dissidents here. Download direct HERE (note: 1.6MB).

Staff working in the NHS in Wales are subjected to an average of 22 cases of violent or aggressive behaviour every day, according to a study - Violence on NHS staff 'costs £6m' (BBC News).

France plans to pay cash for more babies - Middle-class mothers in France could be paid up to €1,000 (£675) a month - almost the minimum wage - to stop work for a year and have a third child under a government scheme to boost the birthrate, already among the highest in Europe (Jon Henley, The Guardian).

Four new blogs to add: Bitter girl bartender, Can you hear me now - retail worker, Digital doorway - nurse, and, In search of intelligent life... - retail worker (actually a comic and worth a look!).