It’s a Scientific FactI made that up, but doesn’t it feel that way? With a holiday, you get a nice day off at the beginning or end of the week. But you know you’ll be punished on the remaining workdays. Not only has your workload multiplied while you were away, but the days seem interminably long. It takes 6 hours just to get to lunch!There must also be a universal equation: holiday + boss’s bad mood = new projects he makes up out of thin air. It makes no sense that in a 4-day week you would actually have the time to complete tasks that it normally takes you 5+ days to accomplish. So throw in a new project and you’re doomed. Cancel happy hour or dinner out. You’re there for the duration. It’s a trade off - you get a day off, but the work awaits. My hubby runs into a different scenario. He works 4-10 hour days. But on holiday weeks he works 4 regular 8-hour days. Since he usually starts his 10 hours early, he looks forward to going in late … [Read more...] about Workdays on Holiday Weeks are 2.5 Hours Longer
VIDEO: Pains in the Office
From empty paper trays to smelly lunches, The Today Show took to their series 'Pains in the Office' to find out what's driving NBC staffers nuts at work.They are also asking 'What would you do if Brian Williams stole your lunch?' Simple. I'd say nothing and poison tomorrow's sandwich. We've taken to Twitter to hear your Coworker Pet Peeves. If you have something to add, let us know! Also check out 6 Annoying Things Millennials Do @ the Office. … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Pains in the Office
The Famous Question: HOW’S WORK?
It's a question asked by every parent, friend and acquaintance: "How's work?" Most of us have a stock answer we go to. But few of us have ever put much thought into the importance in the way we answer the seemingly innocent question. Let's look at a few different scenarios. IF YOU SAY WORK IS BAD: This is likely the answer most people are looking for. People like to commiserate and 'bond' by trash-talking low pay, a boring routine, and made-for-reality TV co-workers. IF YOU SAY WORK IS GOOD: They won't believe you. They'll try to steer you towards negative territory to see if you're human. Stay strong. IF YOU ARE VAGUE ABOUT WORK: Short answers make it appear as if you are hiding a larger issue - or are a boring conversationalist. This leaves too much to the questioners' imagination, allowing them to come to their own (inaccurate) conclusions about your job. IF YOU OFFER WORK DETAILS: Many people ask questions without any interest in the answers. But it's worth … [Read more...] about The Famous Question: HOW’S WORK?
AUDIO: Boring Meeting? Download These Apps
With the help of your iPhone or Android-based device, you can breathe fresh life into boring meetings. Learn about Meeting Madness and Bad Meeting on the latest episode of the Working Podcast. Direct Download … [Read more...] about AUDIO: Boring Meeting? Download These Apps
The Working Podcast Gets New Format
Back when podcasting was in its infancy, I launched the Working Podcast, a 20-minute online radio show that focused on the world of work.A half a million downloads later, I think it's fair to say my first online endeavor exceeded my expectations. I love audio and I love the concept of the show. But part of me recognizes that I no longer have the time to commit to putting together a well-produced and somewhat lengthy program.So how do I keep the show alive and satisfy our thousands of subscribers, all while keeping my work/life balance in check?Meet the Working Podcast 3.0; same great quality, just less of it!Effective immediately, the career radio show will be produced in easy-to-digest, bite-sized nuggets. Each show will be between one and three minutes, delivering the latest career advice, employment news and job Website reviews. I'm not sure how frequently I'll roll out new "episodes." My guess is that it won't be every day, but it will be more than once a … [Read more...] about The Working Podcast Gets New Format
Could There Be Electronic Communication Backlash?
Sometimes Snail Mail is the Way to GoI just received a nice, potential opportunity which resulted from networking - my friend recommended me to a CEO for a job. The CEO told the friend to have me email my info to her directly. Nice! But I said to my husband, “I should probably first ask her if she is OK with attachments.” He thought she wouldn’t have given out her email address if she wasn’t comfortable with me sending the requested documents. So I sent an email with attachments. Turned out that she would have preferred I send the resume text in the email, so I obliged. But it felt like a misstep.It made me long for the good, old snail mail days. No overthinking, just simply insert resume and cover letter in envelope and send. I realize I sound like a dinosaur, but some biz protocols were just no-brainers then.I also noticed as I look back that there was a high interview-to-hire ratio when I followed up an interview with a handwritten thank you note - on … [Read more...] about Could There Be Electronic Communication Backlash?
CEOs Get 'Dirty' on CBS' Undercover Boss
The Real World, America's first true reality show, has asked us for over two decades, "What happens when people stop being polite and start acting real?"We know the answer. They become enamored with the possibility of fame and act like a-holes. We'll see if the same goes for the CEO next door.No hot tubs. No alcohol-fueled late nights. Just 'everyday' CEOs doing your job. That's the concept of a new CBS show, Undercover Boss, premiering in the coveted post-Super Bowl time slot. If you're wondering what's exciting about watching head honchos from White Castle, 7-Eleven, and Hooters step out from their corner offices to do 'real' work, we're with you. Don't expect any elimination challenges or a panel of berating judges. CBS is combatting the bore factor by attempting to pull at our heartstrings by profiling 'average' workers and their struggles. Aspirational? We'll see.In a perfect world, the person in charge would already have an … [Read more...] about CEOs Get 'Dirty' on CBS' Undercover Boss
Audio: Top 10 Fast Growing Employment Industries
With 85,000 jobs lost in December 2009 alone (source: Labor Department), employment is one of the nation’s biggest concerns. Industry research firm IBISWorld analyzed more than 700 U.S. industries to identify the top 10 fastest growing employment industries in the next five years: Listen to the Working Podcast #94 below and subscribe here. Direct Download … [Read more...] about Audio: Top 10 Fast Growing Employment Industries
Getting a Nice New Title Instead of a Raise
How Does “Your Serene Highness” Sound?Many articles have appeared recently about making your employees feel valued and retaining the good ones who might be tempted move on when the recession ends. Sarah E. Needleman’s Wall Street Journal article, “Business Owners Try to Motivate Employees” takes a look at these issues. One of the business owners interviewed recognized that after layoffs, increased workloads, no raises, etc. her employees “are stressed out and in need of extra attention.”Nice of her to notice; many bosses don’t get it. Another boss gave her employees shiny new titles.Often companies will dole out titles in lieu of raises. But why would that appease us? From a psych perspective, my thought is that we are hot-wired to give too much weight and status to a job title. We are also programmed to look at co-workers in a hierarchical system. The VP is always more important than the admin. assistant. (My personal opinion is that an … [Read more...] about Getting a Nice New Title Instead of a Raise
NBC.com Quotes Jobacle; Conan Needs Departure Advice
It's an all too familiar scene. Your employed sets a "plan" for your career growth, and then somewhere along the way, after you've put in the time/work and made major sacrifices, the employer reneges on the deal.It might be Conan O'Brien's problem this week, but with the good fortune of fame and fortune, plus intelligence to spare, we think the tall boy will be AOK. You and I however, as regular working stiffs, would not be as lucky.You can read what I think about the Conan NBC departure at NBC. That's right, the folks at the peacock network have included some input from me in a recent article. Check it out here.We also urge Conan - and you - to pick up a copy of “The Exit Guide: How to Leave a Job the Right Way.”And Conan, if you're reading this, we'll give you one for free. You've been through enough. … [Read more...] about NBC.com Quotes Jobacle; Conan Needs Departure Advice