Today's number: $1,340 -

        Per-capita gross domestic product of Haiti, which has a population of 6.9 million; that compares with a per-capita GDP of $33,900 in the United States.

        Today's career tip: Have to fire an employee? Here's how to conduct it in the most sensitive and appropriate manner, according to career managing consulting firm Manchester Inc. Remain honest and firm throughout the meeting. Permit the employee to express emotion. In response, managers should be empathetic but should avoid expressing statements such as “I know how you feel.” Managers don't know how the employee feels, even if this has happened to them in the past.

        Today's money tip: Thinking of getting married? Here's a point to consider, from a prenuptial checklist by certified financial planner-manager Steve Garrett of the St. Louis firm A.G. Edwards & Sons. Should you get a joint checking account, individual accounts or a combination? Newly married couples should establish a joint checking account, he says. “A joint account forces you to be accountable to each other about where the money is going,” he says.

        Today's company: Union Central Insurance and Investments

        • CINCINNATI ROOTS, NATIONAL REACH: Founded in Cincinnati in 1867, Union Central is the city's oldest life insurance company. It's now licensed to conduct business in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The company employs more than 800 people at its home office in Forest Park and works with more than 650 agents nationally to serve more than 600,000 customers.

        • ASSETS: The company has $5.5 billion in assets, ranking it among the top 15 mutual life insurance companies in the United States based upon admitted assets or total life insurance in force.

        • CREATING CORPORATE COMMUNITY: The company headquarters features such perks as a health and wellness coordinator, a chapel, dry cleaning services and a convenience store. Union Central also recognizes employees who contribute to their communities. In its recent Volunteer Week, the company recognized employees with a pancake breakfast, cupcake social and prize drawings.

        Send tips and questions to Bill Ferguson at bferguson@enquirer.com

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