New Rule’s Timing Couldn’t Be BetterOn January 29, 2010, federal regulations were issued regarding parity in mental health and substance abuse insurance coverage. What it means is that employer group health insurance plans (of companies with over 50 employees) will now have to offer the same coverage for mental health and drug abuse treatment as they do for medical illnesses. An article on CNNMoney.com, “New U.S. rules set parity for mental health care” explains,“The measures, known as mental health parity, ban group health plans from applying different coverage standards for mental health disorders or substance abuse treatment than those for general medical treatment or surgery.‘The rules we are issuing today will, for the first time, help assure that those diagnosed with these debilitating and sometimes life-threatening disorders will not suffer needless or arbitrary limits on their care,’ U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen … [Read more...] about Parity for Mental Health Insurance Coverage
Sun CEO Jonathan Schwartz Resigns; Tweets Haiku
Techcrunch reports that Sun Microsystems CEO Jonathan Schwartz has resigned from his job via Twitter. Today’s my last day at Sun. I’ll miss it. Seems only fitting to end on a #haiku. Financial crisis/Stalled too many customers/CEO no moreI guess when you're a CEO, you can get away with it. But if you want to exit the right way and quit your job with class, you need The Exit Guide: How to Quit a Job the Right Way. Included are some great resignation letter templates. Schwartz might be out of a job, but we're sure he can spare a few bucks to buy a copy. … [Read more...] about Sun CEO Jonathan Schwartz Resigns; Tweets Haiku
Super (Unemployment) Bowl
This weekend there will be about 20 people at Jobacle HQ watching the Super Bowl. We'll all be chowing down on chicken wings and pulled pork sliders, shushing each other as the first commercials start to roll.At an average cost of $2.6M for 30 seconds, everyone from Anheuser-Busch to Walt Disney will be jockeying for our attention.We'll all muse over the cost of these ads, a figure, which quite honestly, is incomprehensible to me and my middle-class friends.The out-of-work construction worker will laugh; the unemployed teacher might chuckle. And my friend's dad, who's worked in a union for 37 years, will be sipping beers for the first time as a member of the pink-slip brigade.With 1 out of every 10 Americans unemployed, am I the only one sick over the Super Bowl ad orgy?Let's do some quickie math.In the time you watch Danica Patrick whore herself out for Web hosting, 43 people could have been added to payroll at $40,000 a year each - we'll even toss in $20,000 for medical … [Read more...] about Super (Unemployment) Bowl
Choose Not to Fly Your Freak Flag at Work
When Not Fitting in is a Good ThingIn a recent post, “VIDEO: Pains in the Office,” Andrew gave some terrific examples of stereotypical rude co-workers and how they drive us nuts. I’ve always been thankful that at least they seem to be in the minority. But an article in eWeek.com, “Four in 10 Workers Say They Don’t Fit in with Peers,” tells us that it’s possible most of us are outnumbered by these characters. The article points out how one “bad apple” in a work group can “spoil the “barrel” and have a negative affect on the group as a whole:“Rude, gross and inappropriate behavior by co-workers and managers is not the exception in the workplace, research suggests. A similar study on the effects of rudeness finds that when teams witness incivility, negative thoughts dominate and diminish productivity for the larger group.”Scary, huh? It seems to me that the offender would self-select out of the … [Read more...] about Choose Not to Fly Your Freak Flag at Work
Reality Check: Work Fire Drills FAIL
Shouting fire in a crowded theater could land you in jail; yelling 'fire drill' at work is a big, fat, colossal fail. While an exciting and welcome change of pace in fourth grade, workplace fire drills are a time-wasting distraction in the corporate culture. Before my inbox gets jammed from fire survivors, let me preface this post by stating I am not anti-fire drill, nor am I pro-fire. I just think the methods employed by most organizations are laughable.THE TRUTH ABOUT WORK FIRE DRILLS1) Don't give me a mandatory meeting place in the event of a fire. I understand that employers want a headcount so that they can make sure everyone is out of the building (and cover their asses). But should disaster strike, you will find me acting in my best interest. If that means jogging three miles away from the burning building, so be it. I'm not suggesting I'll trample helpless children, a la George Costanza, but I will look out for myself and my family … [Read more...] about Reality Check: Work Fire Drills FAIL
Business Cards That Transform Into a Desktop Catapult
Finally, a businesscard that actually serves a purpose! (Well, except for acting as a makeshift toothpick. Not that I'd know anything about that!)Bryce Bell, a mechanical engineer from Oklahoma has invented Catapult Cards, businesscards that transform into mini-paper launchers.We've reached out to Bryce and have not heard back from him. Perhaps it's because he's overwhelmed! These cool business cards have just sold out! … [Read more...] about Business Cards That Transform Into a Desktop Catapult
Forward of the Week: 36 Things To Say When You're Stressed at Work
36 Things To Say When You're Stressed at Work1. Okay, okay! I take it back. Unf*ck you!!!2. You say I'm a bitch like it's a bad thing?!3. How many times do I have to flush before you go away?4. Well this day was a total waste of make-up.5. Well aren't we a bloody ray of sunshine?6. Don't bother me, I'm living happily ever after.7. Do I look like a f*cking people person!8. This isn't an office. It's HELL with fluorescent lighting.9. I started out with nothing still have most of it left.10. I pretend to work, they pretend to pay me.11. YOU!!... off my planet!!!12. Therapy is expensive. Popping bubble plastic is cheap. Youchoose.13. Practice random acts of intelligence and senseless acts ofself-control.14. Errors have been made. Others will be blamed.15. And your cry-baby, whiny-assed opinion would be.....?16. I'm not crazy. I've been in a very bad mood for 30 years.17. Sarcasm is just one more service I offer.18. Whatever kind of look you were going for, you missed.19. Do they ever shut … [Read more...] about Forward of the Week: 36 Things To Say When You're Stressed at Work
Boring Job? 4 Unique Ways to Cope
You'll often read that if you are bored with your job it is time to find a new one. Solid advice, but easier said than done. If financial/stability or some other concern is keeping you at a boring gig, here are several ways to break out of the funk. You might also want to consider researching online colleges.- RUN IN CIRCLES. OK, you don't really have to run in circles, but if you find work unbearably lame, you need to make an effort to exhaust yourself before you get to the office. This might be a trip to the gym or running errands. This is a tactic that my shiba inu puppy employs (not the errand part!) before we put him into his crate for the night. He knows that he must exhaust himself in order to avoid a restless night behind bars. - KILL THE INTERNET. Most workers who are killing time while 'on the clock,' rely on the endless supply of content provided by the Internet. This poses two major problems. 1) … [Read more...] about Boring Job? 4 Unique Ways to Cope
Apple iPad Trumps Obama
The world is more focused on the iPad, the latest gadget from Apple, then they are intent on watching President Barack Obama's State of the Union address tonight.Perhaps that's part of the reason our economy is where it is. Our heads are up our asses. We need new jobs. Better benefits. Is there an app for that?The president is expected to talk about his push for tax credits for new hiring, an incentive that will hopefully grab the attention of American employers. Also on the agenda is a requirement that companies allow workers save automatically for retirement. Watch the speech live at Whitehouse.gov and get your drink on! P.S. - iPad is such a crummy name. Sounds like a digital tampon. … [Read more...] about Apple iPad Trumps Obama
Ben Affleck Loses His Job
OK, so it's for a movie, but he still gets the boot! Playing the typical Hollywood-incarnation of the "successful" businessman, Ben Affleck stars in the new movie "The Company Men," which is being played at Sundance.Learn more about the movie on the Working Podcast and watch the trailer below. … [Read more...] about Ben Affleck Loses His Job