In these politically-correct, economically-challenging times, buying the perfect inexpensive holiday gifts for coworkers is more difficult than ever. But before you go to the dark side and join the cubicle Grinch, check out our list of Jobacle-approved inexpensive gifts for coworkers that are both neutral and cheap - and guaranteed to be appreciated for Christmas or any holiday. Anything is better than recycling that 90s alternative rock CD! Brush up on The Rules of Office Gift Giving and go buy these today! Check out Gift for Coworkers, a blog for affordable office gifts. Buying bulk Christmas gifts for coworkers is always a smart play. Oprah's Favorite Things Amazon's Top Trending Gifts Pickleball gift ideas are trending HOT in 2022 Umbrella Rhianna not included. Everyone appreciates a good umbrella, especially if it's lightweight, folds up small, and can withstand the elements. I've never met an umbrella I couldn't lose, and that's precisely why it makes … [Read more...] about 109 Gifts for Coworkers That Are Cheap and Neutral
Coworkers
7 Stinky Office Foods You Should Avoid Bringing to Work
With today’s tough times, eating out is a luxury that you might only be able to afford once in a while. Unless you have access to an expense account (or are independently wealthy), the best option is to bring a packed lunch from home. However, there are do’s and don’ts of bringing food to the office. Rule number 1: don’t bring stinky foods. Remember that your workplace will usually rely on re-circulated air and any strong odors have the tendency to stick long after lunchtime. Rule number 2: if you can manage it, bring enough to share with co-workers. Trust me, they’ll appreciate the extra goodies. Here are a few things you might want to avoid for fear of being branded the office stinker by bringing in the worst smelling foods. Curry There’s something satisfying about a warm bowl of curry, and it’s even better with rice. A staple in Indian and Asian cuisine, curry has found its way to the hearts (and stomachs) of the rest of the world as a comfort food. The spiciness and … [Read more...] about 7 Stinky Office Foods You Should Avoid Bringing to Work
Does Gossip Have a Place in the Workplace?
Gossip in the workplace is a way for some to add a little excitement to their day. Those water-cooler conversations quench their thirst for a little drama while creating a means for communication and connection. And let's face it. In our culture and society, many people really dig it. … [Read more...] about Does Gossip Have a Place in the Workplace?
5 Tips to Effectively Handle Office Politics
Office politics are present in every industry in one form or another - and it is not going to go away anytime soon. Usually, the main intention of people who engage in office politics, is for personal gain. But what makes office politics a serious issue is the fact that employees who participate in petty politics contribute very little to the organization and its presence at all levels. Since it is impossible for anyone in an organization to stay untouched from office politics, it is always better to play it safe and position yourself in a way that you don’t get harmed. In honor of Election Day, we will cover few tips that will be handy for anyone dealing with office politics. And when it coes to talking about politics at work, avoid the subject altogether! Be a good observer – Do not get so involved in your work that you don’t know about the things going on in your workplace. If you want to keep your job safe, you should keep yourself updated with the latest happenings at your … [Read more...] about 5 Tips to Effectively Handle Office Politics
How to Say 'No' to the Office Collection
The office is supposed to be a place where we make money, not spend it! But between Girl Scout cookies, holiday wrapping paper, office birthdays and charity races, it seems that I am constantly being asked to crack open my wallet...my very thin wallet!Sometimes I have the money, sometimes I don't; sometimes I want to give, sometimes I don't.And keep in mind that sometimes the collector might have a secret motive and not be as charitable as he or she seems. Even if their motives are 100% pure, I believe that the office is NOT a place for money collections.Here are a few ways to handle office donations and money contributions if you feel like opting out. Read more of my post How to Say 'No' to the Office Collection at US News and World Report. … [Read more...] about How to Say 'No' to the Office Collection
How to Work with Indecisive People
When I started my advertising career, I worked for a woman who, although very creative when it came to ad campaigns, was one of the most indecisive people I’ve known. She was also beyond wacky. Example: She called me to her office and asked me to stand in the doorway while she held up a brown eyeglass case and a beige piece of paper. She said, “I’m trying to decide which color phone would look best on my desk, brown or ivory. What do you think?” We had to discuss this for 20 minutes.We all have indecisive people in our lives. One of my relatives refers to herself as an “information gatherer.” The reality is that she drives us nuts when it takes her six months to research and buy a microwave. But the wafflers are trickier in the workplace - with deadlines, someone HAS to make decisions.Shirley S. Wang’s Wall Street Journal article, “Why So Many People Can’t Make Decisions” explores the topic of ambivalence. The article divides … [Read more...] about How to Work with Indecisive People
7 Ways to Deal With Undesirables at Work
Let's face it. Whether you gig at a fortune 500 company, or a local factory, chances are you're dealing with some, well... undesirables. True?Sometimes “undesirables” come in the form of the inappropriate boss, like Michael Scott in the hilarious sitcom, The Office. Other times it may be the cubicle dweller that “cuts the cheese” more than your neighborhood deli. And rarely is any office environment without your garden-variety “toxic personalities.”Think “Debbie Downer” of Saturday Night Live.No matter how you cut it, they can make every day at work play out like dog years! But there's a way to deal with these pesky devils without being relegated to a life of hell!Why it's important to manage the madness...Besides being down-right annoying, “undesirables” can cause undue stress. And stress can lead to low productivity, illness, work place violence, absenteeism, and staff turnover. In fact, it's estimated that … [Read more...] about 7 Ways to Deal With Undesirables at Work
Help! My Boss Thinks He's Me! Handling a Copycat Coworker
Have you had this experience with a co-worker or boss - no matter who he is interacting with, he takes on the characteristics of that person? It could be mimicking the person’s mannerisms, voice inflection or even using the same verbiage or jargon. It’s weird if you notice it once or twice, but if it’s a constant M.O. of taking on personality traits, it can get a little creepy. Why would someone adopt this behavior? From a psychological perspective, it could be a number of different things.* Fitting in - When we go into a situation in which we are uncomfortable, we look to others for the “norms.” We can then modify our behavior to fit in. This can happen when interacting with someone from a different culture - we follow their lead.* Social discomfort - Some people have difficulty reading social cues, some even body language or facial expressions. Or they have a form of social phobia or anxiety disorder that results in discomfort around others. So … [Read more...] about Help! My Boss Thinks He's Me! Handling a Copycat Coworker
Gifts for Coworkers – A Few Neutral Ideas
Be sure to check out: Gift for Coworkers, a blog dedicated to office gifts and 11 Perfect Gifts for Coworkers. A recent episode of “Mad Men” had a scene where a secretary was collecting money for a baby gift for a coworker. One person signed the card without contributing any cash (a definite no-no in most offices; read the rules of office gifts). Most of us have experienced the baby shower extortion, I mean collection, at work. Personally, I think the workplace is an odd place for a baby shower. But then, I go out of my way to avoid all showers in general. What if you want to pick up a gift (non-shower related) for a co-worker? It could be acknowledgement of a birthday or maybe just a “thank-you for saving my a--” gift. A few things to consider; you don’t want to look too cheap, it should appear that you put a little thought into it and you want the gift to be appropriate for a coworker-level relationship. For some reason, I always get candles as gifts from co-workers. It’s a safe … [Read more...] about Gifts for Coworkers – A Few Neutral Ideas
5 Reasons to Take it Slow With a Work Friend
We've already established that work friends are not a good enough reason to stay at a crappy job. But as long as you spend time working in an office environment, you WILL form relationships. The question is, how far will you let them go? Many annoying coworkers and difficult coworkers are not born overnight. In fact, sometimes, they take you by surprise. Before you become work buddies, consider these five reasons to take things nice and slow.TOO MUCH, TOO SOON. I am a big believer that when it comes to relationships of any kind, it is impossible to go backwards. Think about it. If you see your girlfriend every Saturday night for a year and then on week 53 decide to make other plans, she will be upset. The same goes for your work buddies. If you meet Ken in advertising for lunch every day, how are you going to explain when you suddenly decide you can't take his smelly tuna sandwiches and trivial whining any more?PREMATURE … [Read more...] about 5 Reasons to Take it Slow With a Work Friend