Gambling? Prostitution? Alcohol? Nope, it's not another trip to Vegas. Those are vices that might keep you employed if we hit a full-blown recession here in the United States. As times get tough, the gang ar HR World want to keep you working. Check out their list of the Top 25 Careers to Pursue in a Recession.To check out more links that can help make work better, visit the Career Filter for resources mentioned on the Working Podcast. … [Read more...] about Top 25 Careers to Pursue in a Recession
Office Approved: Sex, Politics, Religion
In many ways, it seems that everything comes in threes. For example, there's the trinity, the trifecta, the three musketeers, the three blind mice, the triple crown...and bookoo more. And yet, as diverse as all of these 'threes' are, the one thing that they do have in common is the almost mystical quality that this number possesses. Which brings us to the ominous, but age-old adage, and that is that we are always warned to avoid talking about any of 'the three no-nos'; religion, sex or politics, while at work. The clear implication, of course, is that if you get caught discussing these in any but the most plain vanilla way, it won't even take three strikes to be out...And the PC police where you work will be more than happy (in fact, it's their specialty) to be (you guessed it, but another trio) judge, jury and executioner, if they think that you violated their set of ever-expanding rules and regulations.It is certainly ironic, not to say damned undemocratic, that we have to be so … [Read more...] about Office Approved: Sex, Politics, Religion
Exercise at Work With a Treadmill Desk?
Can you type and walk at the same time? I'm not talking about thumbing your portable device as you walk into work. I'm talking about walking while you tap on your keyboard and paw at your mouse.The creators of the Walkstation certainly hope you were born with the ability to multi-task.In what's possible the world's first truly "portable" office, the Workstation is exactly what it sounds like, a treadmill with a built-in work surface.Topping out at 2mph, and constructed with a whisper-quiet motor, you'll be able to burn calories without distracting your co-workers. That is, of course, assuming that they won't be jarred by the fact that you're walking in place all day.Since one of Jobacle's missions is to Make Work Better, it's difficult for us to mock something that adds an additional layer of personal development to the place where we spend the majority of our time. So while my instinct just wants to laugh at the thing, I won't knock it until I try it. … [Read more...] about Exercise at Work With a Treadmill Desk?
Jobacle Podcast Booms! Your Feedback Needed
Every few weeks I deliver a post that reveals The State of Jobacle. I believe this transparency helps forge a tighter relationship with our readers.- The Jobacle blog continues to grow, drawing in over 10k unique visitors a month.- The Working Podcast is experiencing a tremendous resurgence, totaling over 60k downloads in February alone. Wow!- Please, please, please take four seconds (literally!) to give us high marks.- I've been toying with the idea of revamping Jobacle to a more magazine-type Web style. Preview the testing site and let me know what you think. I'm undecided. Your feedback will determine what happens.- One of our regular bloggers, Sally Lawton, is moving on to greener pastures. If you are interested in filling her post, check out some of her work here and drop me an e-mail at jobacle (at) gmail (dot) com.- So far in 2008, the top five posts are:How to (Not) Write a Goodbye Letter to Your Co-Workers8 Types of Office Crushes2008 Sick Day CalendarOffice Animals: … [Read more...] about Jobacle Podcast Booms! Your Feedback Needed
Sick Boss Makes the Office Uncomfortable
We all know what a problem presenteeism is; Workers, unwilling to take sick days, show up at the office, spreading their germs. It's sharing, not caring.I want to talk about something that is less common but a problem nevertheless. People who show up to work sick - very sick - and in the process, make everyone else around them terribly uncomfortable. We're not talking about the common cold, flu or poison ivy. I'm speaking of serious stuff. Life-thretening type stuff.We received an e-mail about a high-level employee at a company who is ill. He's recently missed a lot of work, and according to the reader, is visibly medicated. The sickness is so intense that on occasion, the boss will double over in pain, lose his balance or just close his eyes in sheer misery.Despite these public displays of discomfort, the boss has never addressed the illness to workers, leading people to ignore it entirely. Not because they don't care, but because it appears … [Read more...] about Sick Boss Makes the Office Uncomfortable
The Wrong Way to Walk at Work
She's the slowest walker in the building, and more often than not, I get stuck behind her. It's not a casual shuffle or a meandering stroll; it's a walk with a purpose. A slow-motion gait that makes a statement:"I'm in no rush...for anything."In a way, who can blame her? For all I know this is her only 15-minute opportunity to stretch her legs and escape her cubicle. What irks me is how she travels through the center of the hallway, forcing you to either slow to a crawl or awkwardly slip around her. What she doesn't realize - or perhaps does - is that the way you walk the hall can be a peek into you as an employee. Fair or not, you can and will be judged by the way you walk the halls.TOO SLOWYou haven't a care in the world. If you're going to milk your public time, God only knows how you're passing the clock at your desk.TOO FASTPeople will be put off that you're "soooo busy." This walk can quickly reek of self-importance. It … [Read more...] about The Wrong Way to Walk at Work
Cursing at Work: Let the F-Bombs Fly!
He got his start laying pipe for the Atlas Water and Sewer company. Eventually, he climbed the ranks, becoming responsible for a staff of 800 and annual revenue exceeding $120 million. His name is Victor Kipling. This is his weekly column. So today the popular mantra mandates that we drink white tea and eat dark chocolate, while avoiding the evils of caffeine and nicotine at all costs. Supposedly, by doing so, we'll all be 'healthier, wealthier and wise.' We'll also become the Zen-like, unemotional zombies that most corporations and offices really want us to be. Paragons of political correctness, we'll just silently continue to suck it up, 'living lives of quiet desperation,' as Henry David Thoreau said. As our daily frustrations continue to mount, we all too often end up with the unenviable - and equally destructive - choice, of whether to explode or implode. So while a few 'go postal,' others less dramatically simply get sour and sick, or just drop dead. And then there's … [Read more...] about Cursing at Work: Let the F-Bombs Fly!
Stop Losing Out on Great Talent
This is a guest post by Sally Lawton.Company: StandOutJobsSlogan: Stop Losing Out on Great TalentPros: Easy set up, lots of information, usefulCons: Corporate content is not always interesting Web 2.0 jobseekers used to the instant information of Wikipedia and the relationship building of Facebook demand the same from the companies to which they apply for jobs. StandOutJobs.com, using their Reception software, allows companies to create an informative profile that attracts top talent by delivering the facts required by job seekers. The homepage a company creates features general information such as, job listings, a blog and pictures. Companies set it up easily using an interface similar to other profile-creating Websites such as MySpace. StandOutJobs.com promises that through their profile, a company will build its brand, build relationships with top talent, and come across as friendly and welcoming.From a jobseekers perspective, StandOutJobs does help make the featured companies … [Read more...] about Stop Losing Out on Great Talent
Flirting, Crushes and Love at Work
Episode #79 of the Working Podcast brings you free career advice and employment news: - Dr. Jackie Black on the dangers of office romance and the scoop on finding love online. - Have an office crush? Sure you do! Learn about the different types and what makes them tick. - A rant about cubicle dwellers who speak out of turn. There are three ways to listen: - Stream on our homepage (shows plays instantly) - Stream from the player below (about a 60 second load time) - Download direct … [Read more...] about Flirting, Crushes and Love at Work
Working With Idiots Kills. Literally.
Working with idiots kills. And I'm more confident than ever that my days are numbered... PART 2 Just breathe, just breathe. … [Read more...] about Working With Idiots Kills. Literally.