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 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.Hydrophobia, aka Rabies, is a devastating, dramatic and yet rare disease in America today. The name stems from Latin, meaning ‘fear of water’; which aptly describes one of Rabies primary symptoms. The poor victim, though suffering extreme thirst, is at the same time afraid of the very water he craves. By the way, it’s also almost always fatal.Yet, office workers today seem to suffer from the very opposite illness; that is fear of NOT drinking enough water. Because everywhere you look, almost everyone has a bottle of water handy. Strolling down the office hallway to see a colleague - or to simply attend a meeting - hardly merits taking a 24-ouncer with us. The risk of dehydration is assuredly very remote. After all, … [Read more...] about Is Your Office Drowning in Bottled Water?

Yesterday I arrived at work with a spankin' new haircut. Ok, so it's pretty short - but is it necessary for everyone to comment? I HAD to vent. Hence the audio blog below. Be warned, I might drop an F-bomb or two cause I was not a happy camper. Hopefully today will be better than yesterday. Click on "Haircut RAGE" to listen. … [Read more...] about Office Rant: Haircut RAGE

Back in school I was the guy who sat in the next to last row.  Maybe it was my little way of raging against the machine.  Or maybe I just wanted to be able to doodle without my teachers seeing.  I dunno.  But recently, when I attended a meeting at work, and my boss asked me to "move up," my blood began to boil.  It was a reminder that nothing changes. The reality is, 20 years later, I'm still being told what to by a "superior."After a few deep breaths, clarity began to set in.  I mean, c'mon Andrew G.R., you're 31 now and maybe it's time you actually did the unthinkable and sit NEXT to your boss.As tough as it is to rid yourself of the instinct to sit away, here's how sitting next to your boss around the conference room table could impact your career in a positive way.  We recommend you try it at least a few times (unless of course your boss has offensive breath!).Better Comprehension.  You might look like a kiss ass, but there's no denying that … [Read more...] about Keep Enemies Close, Your Boss Closer

One of my goals when I started the Working Podcast (and eventually Jobacle.com) was to create a community of real people who had hit some career roadblocks and were ready to take positive action.  I am beyond thrilled at how the Web traffic has grown - particularly over the past six months.  However, I'd still like to see more blog comments and podcast feedback.  Here's your chance to help me accomplish that goal - and possibly win some cool prizes.From now until October 15...- You are entered once for every public blog comment you leave on ANY post.  It should be relevant, intelligent and pithy.  Basically, anything but obvious spam.- You are entered twice for leaving an audio comment that will be used on a future episode of the Working Podcast.  This can be a quickie job tip, feedback or anything else career-related.  Heck, even give your career Web site a plug.  Leave a message @ 888/786-1080.- You are entered three times by linking to us from … [Read more...] about Leave Comments. Win Prizes!

We recently complained about "popcorn nukers" in our Office BINGO game.  The smell wafts through the air, causing a distracting paralysis. Often, you can set your watch to this activity.Well, now we know that this behavior is not just irritating - but potentially deadly as well! The culprit seems to be diacetyl, a buttery-tasting chemical that causes coughing, shortness of breath, and eventually bronchiolitis obliterans - an obliteration of the tiny airways in the lung.Not fun.  Popcorn Lung is no laughing matter.Apparently, Wayne Watson, the deceased popcorn victim ate TWO bags a day (poor co-workers!) and tended to huff the steam since he liked the smell.Every office has at least one popcorn nuker.  You can learn more about the case from The Pump Handle, the blog that brought this disturbing story to light.As soon as someone in the office opens that bag of popcorn and the fumes escape, I have to go outside because I cannot stop coughing, choking and clearing … [Read more...] about Office Popcorn Could Kill Us All

I have several recurring dreams that have followed me for the past 10 years.1) I'm driving a car.  Suddenly, I'm no longer in the car, yet somehow I'm still driving it (kind of like a remote control).  Inevitably, the car leaves my field of vision and I'm driving through roads that I can no longer see.  Serious control issues, eh?2) I'm in Las Vegas. The reasons why change, but the one constant is that I wind up standing next to a bank of slot machines.  I never play, yet I always recall drifting from casino to casino. Weird.3) I'm at work.  It's just a regular day.  There's office small talk and random meetings and all of those little mundane things that drive me nuts.  And that's it!  I wake up after nothing substantial happens and have to do it all over again.  It's like being at work without getting paid.While I'm not really fan of any of the above dreams, I'm particularly determined to get the work ones to stop.  If I'm gonna spend … [Read more...] about How to Stop Nightmares About Work

This post is for my fellow commuters who have the luxury of driving to work everyday.  I know, we're destroying the environment, but it's just so much better then waiting for buses and trains (something I've spent too many of my years relying on!).Even though gas prices have dropped a whopping 10 cents from this time last year, it's still super expensive.  Hopefully these tips will help you this Labor Day weekend and beyond.1) Roll up the windows.  When air flows into the car, it causes resistance - in turn - producing a drag that will reduce gas mileage by 10%.2) AM/PM.  When filling your tank, try to do so early in the morning or late at night.  Your goal is to do it at the coolest time of the day.  Cooler temperatures mean denser gas, and that means you're getting more mileage for your money.3) Humpday.  Buy on a Wednesday.  I don't care what anyone says, these gas guys jack up the prices late in the week to bang us into the weekend.  … [Read more...] about 7 Holiday Weekend Gas Saving Tips

Please allow me a 30 second rant.  While most people who hold down standard office jobs will be hitting the road a few hours early today, I'll be anchored to my desk to the very last minute, just as I would on any other day.  You see, my company feels the need to hold everyone to the same standard.  So, if a low-level administrative person needs to hang around to pick up phones - so do you.It sucks.  And it's stupid.  And it's unfair.  (if you think otherwise - speak up!)Please tell me I'm not alone...or feel free to rub it in!  I'd love to hear what your company's policy is regarding days before a holiday.  I should note that this policy applies for every single holiday.  Bastards! … [Read more...] about I'm NOT Getting Out Early Today…R U?

As sure as sun on a summer day, relationships will form under the glow of fluorescent lights.  How else are you supposed to pass 40 hours a week of nothingness?  And while I'm the first to admit that amazing relationships can happen at work (what up E. Smith!) these bonds often have an us vs. them foundation - which in reality - is not a true basis for a friendship.In my humble experience, many office relationships are rooted in negativity, which is a problem for everyone involved: you, your clique, the company, the industry, the universe! However, there's another risk associated with a work "buddy," and that's a loss of your identity.  Before you rush off to lunch with the same co-worker(s) everyday, please consider the following.They Feel Left Out.  There might only be two or three of you, but it's clear that you are a unified team.  And when there's a team, there needs to be an opponent.  In this case, that's everyone except your … [Read more...] about 7 Dangers of Joining a Work Clique

What do butterflies and tears have in common? Nothing, except you probably experienced both on your first day of school.Sure, you're all grown up now.  But I'm willing to bet that you can bring yourself back to the emotional rollercoaster that was the first day of school!Going back to academic prison after a sun-soaked summer of kickball, sleepovers and block parties was always an anxiety-ridden time.  However, aside from the natural stress, the first day was always kind of exciting. It was a clean slate.  Hot new girls.  Fresh beginnings. Hot new girls. New start.  Fresh new clothes. Hot new girls.Anything was possible, and this year, you would keep that spiral notebook neat (at least until tomorrow.) Why not make your next day at work like the first day of school?  Here's how:- Get enough sleep.  Not only are Zzzzzs important for physical and mental restoration, but the right amount will help you create a more positive attitude, give you more … [Read more...] about Make Work Like the First Day of School