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
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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.
Forward of the Week: A Motivational Smile
Ever have one of those weeks at work where everyone around you irritates you? While you might not be surrounded by the sharpest tools in the shed, it's important to remember that when you feel this anger towards people, it's really you that has the problem. Accepting people for who they are is easier said then done. I am looking forward to the weekend so I can recalibrate and come back with a more positive attitude next week. I must learn to better accept other people's character traits. Thanks to Joyce for the Forward of the Week, it's already helping me cope better.The Two PotsAuthor Unknown A Water Bearer in China had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole, which he carried across his neck.One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.For a full two years, this went on daily, with the … [Read more...] about Forward of the Week: A Motivational Smile
New Trend – Texting in Sick: Career Suicide?
"OUT SICK. CU2MORROW"Late last year a tile store sales clerk named Mark Morrison won over $14,000 after a court found he was wrongfully fired for calling in sick to work via text message. I guess that would really make it 'texting into work sick.'The case found that the employee was unaware that the company's policy required an actual voice call. He thought any ol' communication would do.At my full-time job it is acceptable to e-mail your director and let him/her know if you'll be out sick. When I first started with this employer, the method sounded shaky, leaving too large a loophole for scheming employees.The first time I called in sick I opted to go the old school route, leaving a voicemail. I know, how 1990's of me. Upon my return, my boss called me into his office and questioned where I had been the previous day. I explained that I left a voicemail on his personal office line. We both glanced down at the phone and found an … [Read more...] about New Trend – Texting in Sick: Career Suicide?
Romance Your Job This Valentine's Day
What if you looked at your employer as a girlfriend? Wouldn't you do everything you could to score? Or at least round first base?With Valentine's Day around the corner, Shawn Graham, author of Courting Your Career and Randy Bitting, co-founder of InterviewStream, offer 10 ways to can romance your dream job:1. Know your type. Self-awareness is critical to an effective job search because it enables you to determine what you want from your next opportunity. When you know what you’re looking for, you can target careers or organizations that fit your wants and needs.2. Play the field. Reaching out to family, friends, alumni from your college or university, or others will allow you to gather information about a company of interest. Then you can reference them during the interview, in addition to sending a signal to the company that you’re ‘into them’.3. Always get their number. When … [Read more...] about Romance Your Job This Valentine's Day
Career Lessons From Eli Manning
While Eli Manning might not be considered an elite quarterback (yet), he certainly has outplayed top-echelon QBs. Brett Favre and Tom Brady to name a pair. Proof that stringing together fundamentals can sometimes be enough to achieve victory. Here's what Eli has taught us.Living Up to HypeSometimes people actually live up to the hype. Eli Manning entered the NFL in 2004 as the 1st Overall Pick. After several seasons as a rather pedestrian quarterback, Eli has elevated himself with an impressive championship run. Success doesn't always come overnight, Whether there's buzz surrounding you or a colleague, always give people a fair chance to prove themselves. If you don't, you could be short-changing the organization.It's All In the Family?While it would be unfair to site nepotism or favoritism to the junior Manning's success, let's be honest, the family you are born into can be a determining factor when it comes to success. At the very … [Read more...] about Career Lessons From Eli Manning