It seems that the cynicism over pay gap inequity is stretching from the bright lights of Hollywood across the country to the bankruptcy and debt of Wall Street. As one peeved reader commented on Andrew’s blog Where’s the $22 Million Bonus Now, Lehman?, “The public is tired of seeing the rich get richer, then being stuck with the bill.” I count not agree more. The reports are coming out on exactly how much each company wasted on bloated CEO salaries, bonuses, and benefit packages. While we’re not outright stuck with the bills from the failing films on Hollywood, Forbes did put out an interesting report on the most overpaid actors. Some highlights of this study include the studio that produced The Invasion losing $2.68 for every dollar that Nicole Kidman earned, Tom Cruise only earned his studio for Lions and Lambs $1.88 for every dollar he was paid, and Jennifer Garner’s Catch and Release earned a measly 34 cents for every dollar of her paycheck. Whether or not the pay inequity gaps … [Read more...] about Pay Gap Inequity Stretches Across U.S.
Job News Isn’t ALL Bad
As Americans sat in front of their TVs last week watching President Bush talk about our dwindling economy and job market, many have wondered, “is there any good news?” While large businesses have lost more than 170,000 jobs over the last six months, small businesses are seeing their employment sector grow. Over 200,000 small business jobs have been created in that time. New data shows a continuation of this trend. Today, Automatic Data Processing (ADP) released the September ADP National Employment Report® and ADP Small Business Report® which showed small business employment - defined as businesses with fewer than 50 workers – added 28,000 jobs during September. See below for a break-down of the small business data by sector:• Total small business employment: +28,000 • Goods-producing sector: -16,000 small business jobs• Service-providing sector: +44,000 small business jobsIf charts and graphs are … [Read more...] about Job News Isn’t ALL Bad
The Pros and Cons of Work Travel
In the workforce of today and tomorrow, the necessity of “business travel” is becoming more and more apparent. Globalization has shown us that it is often more profitable, multi-cultural, and interesting to do business with foreign companies. With these changes have come different challenges for the normal worker. This article explores the pros and cons of such a change. Home Life Pro - You get to travel the world, see many different places, experience new cultures, have sex with hundreds of cheap prostitutes, and meet a whole array of interesting people.Con - You miss your girlfriend/boyfriend (if you have one), you miss your wife/husband/family a lot (if you have any). If you have neither, then you’re one lucky son of a bitch, because under this heading there are no cons. But please, wear a condom/ femidom when amalgamating with the local brazzers. Office Life Pro - I don’t know about you, but personally speaking, it’s great to get away from the normal hustle and … [Read more...] about The Pros and Cons of Work Travel
Quick, Look Busy…Or Else
Are you reading this at work? Then it’s probably counting towards the estimated 1/3 of the day that 32% of workers admit to wasting. A new study by Hirescores.com calls it ‘surprising’ that 96% of British workers admitted avoiding work by doing non-essential tasks like desk tidying and tea-making. But attempting to spend all day, every day, fully focused on the job at hand is pretty unrealistic. So what are people doing that ‘wastes’ time, and is it really a surprise? – Maybe you don’t actually have enough work. If you’re not being challenged, do something about it, or get out of there before you get burnt out. – 23.4% of Salary.com’s 2005 survey respondents said they wasted time because they felt underpaid. Time wasting is taking time, which equals money. It might give you a certain satisfaction, but slacking will never get you that raise! – Idly surfing the web was the biggest distraction for 44.7% of people. Access is restricted for many employees, but that often creates resentment, … [Read more...] about Quick, Look Busy…Or Else
Lessons From the Mets' Historic Collapse…Again
For the second consecutive season, the New York Mets have failed in the clutch, coughing up an opportunity to advance to the playoffs. This has led sports pundits and media talking heads to speculate on personnel changes, even a full-blown team overhaul. As sports fans are already aware, this is highly unlikely because (a) players are bound by contracts, (b) good talent is hard to find, and (c) the Mets will fill the stadium next year regardless of who is on the team.Good leaders never point fingers (at least publicly), but they are able to identify the problem and repair it. Only fools make the same mistake over and over again. And unfortunately for the Mets and their ownership, they are repeat offenders. Sure, several changes were made: a new mid-season manager, rookie call-ups, and the signing of an absolute stud of a pitcher in Johan Santana. And yes, they were plagued by injuries (but what team isn't?). The bottom line is that the core of the team is the same and so is the … [Read more...] about Lessons From the Mets' Historic Collapse…Again
7 Ways to Increase Your Marketability
While a Great Depression is unlikely, it looks like it will be quite some time before the U.S. economy smiles upon us again.Since you don't have much control over your company's financial situation, you need to make sure you are ready if the sh*t hits the fan. Here are seven tips for increasing your marketability in a shaky economy, compliments from LiveMocha.1. Optimize technology. The more you know about technology, the better. Be familiar not only with the basics (MS office suite, email, SMS and IM), but also the newest types of business presentation software, interactive meeting software, social networks, and more. Advancements in technology are happening all around us, so there's no doubt they are touching your business or field too. If there's a new development that will revolutionize your industry, find out how you can get training online, through a professional development service, or at a local community college.2. Learn a foreign language. With increased globalization, … [Read more...] about 7 Ways to Increase Your Marketability
Need an Internship? Check the Ratings First.
As an intern at a medical clinic one summer, I was often sent on random errands (can anyone relate?) Most were fairly mundane- office supplies, random medical stuff, etc. However, one trip was particularly memorable. I was sent to the county supply center to pick up a van full of condoms (the clinic would hand them out for free). I'm talking boxes and boxes of condoms. It was a little weird. I get to the supply center, and it turns out a cousin that I see about twice a year works there. He sees me and asks, "Steve, what are you doing here?" "Uhh." Yeah, it was a little awkward. But funny awkward. Anyway, if you've been through college, an internship is almost like a rite of passage. Most of the time, it seems that you only have a vague idea of the work you're going to do. Will you be getting coffee for everyone in the office? Will you be acting as a secretary? Will you be driving around picking up condoms? Or will you get relevant experience to the field you're interested … [Read more...] about Need an Internship? Check the Ratings First.
Personal Packages Banned at Work
I don't know about you, but almost nothing peaks my curiosity more than wondering what's inside other peoples packages. Ah, just seeing those varied size brown packages, or thick envelopes, addressed to people I know, feeds my imagination to no end. Call me a voyeur, or a snoop, or a frustrated postal inspector, and you're probably right.Though it's currently 'verboten' where I work, most of us still continue to get personal packages mailed to our offices/cubes. Of course, prior to 9/11 and the subsequent Anthrax mail scare, this was never an issue. It seemed that the mail order business prospered, as a flow of packages came in to our offices daily. Now, it seems, every HR type wants to play Homeland Security maven; so personal packages are discouraged, or even prohibited. And yes, there's even memos codifying this rule. What, they're gonna protect us from...The Book of the Month Club? Or, worse yet, Netflix? Uh oh, maybe its a Victoria's Secret catalog, or even a naughty package of … [Read more...] about Personal Packages Banned at Work
Your Office vs. The Oval Office
Most of us have heard of the infamous $600 toilet seat or how the Army spent $250 on an ordinary wrench. If the government can spend $600 on a toilet seat or $700 billion on Wall Street’s debts, I can only imagine how frugal they are when it comes to decorating the oval office. Regardless, I thought it might be fun to compare what your (I use this term loosely) office has to offer versus what the White House’s Oval Office does. You know, because it will make us feel better about our workspace AND how our tax dollars are spent…. Your office: Let’s start with the basics: does your office have a door? A cubicle door does not count. Sorry. Oval Office: This office has a total of four doors: one opens to the Rose Garden, another to the secretaries, another to the West Wing, and the last one opens to a dining room and private study. Your office: How many windows can you claim? Feel free to include hand-drawn windows you constructed to spruce up the cubicle. Oval Office: The three main … [Read more...] about Your Office vs. The Oval Office
How HR Can Go Green
CheckPoint HR has released five steps to establish an eco-conscious business environment, starting with a movement towards a paperless HR department.The eco-conscious "green" movement encourages employers to reassess business methods to reduce office waste and decrease energy emissions. According to The State of the Paper Industry, a 2007 report by the Environmental Paper Network, if the United States cut office paper use by just 10% it would prevent the emission of 1.6 million tons of greenhouse gases -- the equivalent of taking 280,000 cars off the road. By reevaluating paper usage, an organization can simultaneously benefit from cost-savings of supplies and labor while helping the environment.1. Sign up for direct deposit and eliminate the printed pay stub and payroll reports. With an online portal such as CheckPoint HR's human resources management system, current and past paychecks can be viewed at any time, anywhere from a Web browser. Data is never purged and delivery fees … [Read more...] about How HR Can Go Green