Being sick is bad enough, but being sick and feeling like you still have to go to work can take it to another level. There is a lot of guilt and worry about taking time off work when suffering from illness. Pressure from the boss, an ever increasing pile in the in-tray, important meetings, and dead-lines to meet can all make a convincing argument that going in while you are feeling terrible is the right thing to do. In fact, going to work when you are not well enough can be counter-productive and potentially irresponsible. Before you take yourself in to work when you are feeling like death warmed up, consider the following: Can you do your job properly? Consider how well you can perform your duties, will you be physically able to do the tasks required and will you have the ability to concentrate. It's worth considering that, although you turn up for work, colleagues may still be doing much of the work for you to keep up the slack. You run of the risk of making mistakes through an … [Read more...] about Should I Call in Sick to Work?
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Thanksgiving at Work
Thanksgiving is a time when you traditionally think about time spent with family and friends. Although this is true, there is no reason not to celebrate this wonderful time and show thanks with colleagues at work as well. After all, work is where you earn a wage to live on, and where and who you spent a large proportion of your time. And for some, having holiday from work at this time isn't possible. If this is the case, there are still ways to celebrate this festival, in the true spirit of being thankful. Potluck Potluck is a great way to share favorite thanksgiving foods with co-workers. A time is designated at work for the thanksgiving meal. Each member of staff brings in a food that is a particular favorite in their family, made following their own individual recipes. As the meal is enjoyed, each person shares with the others why their meal is special to them, sharing not only the food but the meaning and associations behind it. … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving at Work
How to Be Professional When Calling in Sick
Calling in sick is something most of us have to do from time to time but, for many, there are worries associated with calling in sick even when there is a genuine need to do so. The current economic climate has made job security a real concern for many, with a fear that taking time off due to illness may be seen in an unfavorable light by employers. This can result in many struggling into work ill, rather than resting and recovering at home. Knowing how to take a professional approach to calling in sick can take some of the worry out of informing your employer. It can also help you to take responsibility for doing what is in yours and your co-workers best interest i.e. getting better before returning to work. One of the biggest problems in this situation is deciding if your illness warrants you taking time off work. It may seem like the right idea to continue working, but there are several points you need to consider before choosing to take yourself into work if you are ill. Being a … [Read more...] about How to Be Professional When Calling in Sick
The Best Career Books for Coworker Gifts
Books are a great gift for coworkers. Even the worst book has something to offer, as it opens up our horizons and make us reflect on things we haven't thought before. There are books that even people who are not particularly fond of reading will enjoy. The key, when you are looking for a book to offer as a gift, is to find one that is well-written, relevant to your colleague's interests, easy to read in terms of font and short enough to be thorough and interesting but not too heavy. Following you will find a list of the best career books for coworker gifts. These books are motivational, inspirational and practical and they can help people improve their career, work-life balance and level of fulfillment at the workplace. When you get one for your coworker, don't forget to pick a copy for yourself as well! The 4-hour workweek by Timothy Ferriss Tim is an exceptional young man who, after going to Princeton, managed to start his own health supplement company and run it with the help of … [Read more...] about The Best Career Books for Coworker Gifts
The Longest Aussies Stay With a Job
Australians, like most other people, do not usually stay at one job—or even in one field—for the entirety of their working lives. But, as one might expect, the time spent in the same job varies from person to person, generation to generation, and age group to age group, among other things. This variation within factors is fascinating to observe, and thanks to Valued Opinions™ online surveys in Australia, we can see some trends. Here's what you need to know about job longevity for Australians. Initial Jobs The job landscape has altered dramatically over the previous years and decades in Australia. Australian workers decades ago would usually enter the workforce in a field that they hoped to build a career in. Slowly, over time—and due largely to innovation, technology, and the infinitely more diverse modern market—first jobs became more about getting your foot in the door, making connections, and saving money, and less about landing your long term job on the first shot. … [Read more...] about The Longest Aussies Stay With a Job
How to Increase Your Productivity at Work – 10 Daily Activities
Wondering how to increase your productivity at work? You're in the right place. Think about it, your workplace is where you spend the majority of your waking hours. You wake up, head into the office or job site, spend 8-10 hours physically and mentally devoted to the tasks at hand and head home for a few hours of free time with your family or friends before sleeping and restarting the process. It’s a necessary routine. However, sometimes routines can be troublesome. They can become mundane and tiring causing negative thoughts and a lack of productivity. This can make the daily routine seem more like a chore than something you’d like to devote your time and commit to. Below are actions you can take today to make your work days more enjoyable and boost your productivity. … [Read more...] about How to Increase Your Productivity at Work – 10 Daily Activities
Practice What You Preach: Good Money-Management for Finance Students
There are certain expectations that come with life and one is the ability to manage personal finances a little better than your peers. Surely someone studying finance should know how to balance their own books better than a history, engineering or drama student? Well, when it comes to money management, book smarts don’t always translate into street smarts. Those opting for an undergraduate major in finance are just as capable of running into a personal budget crisis as anyone else. If you’re thinking of choosing finance course or already belong to this group, here are a few ways you can apply your macro knowledge on a micro scale. Determine Your Income As your finance professors will teach you, an income statement is one of the essential tools for determining a company’s financial health. There’s no reason you can’t apply this to your own life. Keep track of all your incoming funds - your monthly salary from that part-time pub gig, money from mum and dad, etc. - and balance … [Read more...] about Practice What You Preach: Good Money-Management for Finance Students
Should You Get a Master’s Degree While Working?
At some point in your career, you may begin to wonder if it is a good idea to get a master's degree. A master's degree can open up a lot of new career possibilities, allowing you to go significantly further in your career. However, earning a master's degree requires a lot of time, effort and money, and it can be a very challenging task for people who are holding a full-time job. If you are considering whether it is worthwhile to pursue a master's degree while working, the following information may be helpful to you. Pros of Getting a Master's Degree While Working Career Advancement If you have a master's degree, you will be eligible for a higher-level position in your company or elsewhere. Such a position is usually more financially and professionally rewarding. Getting a promotion will increase your decision-making power and make you a more important asset to your company. … [Read more...] about Should You Get a Master’s Degree While Working?
Alternative Career Paths for the Undecided
It should come as no surprise that people deciding what they want to do for the rest of their life, picking a career path, are met with some indecisiveness. Although some people out there are fortunate enough to have it all figured out, there are many others who aren’t so lucky. So, if you or anyone you know has ever suffered from being unsure about your professional life, an alternative career path could be the place for you. Travelling Careers Travelling careers can be some of the most fun, and most demanding, jobs available. Positions and pay vary, but there are many fruitful opportunities for employment within the industry. If you’re not into the 9-to-5 scene, and are constantly yearning for different scenery, a traveling career can break you out of the office routine and expose you to an array of new experiences. Consider this when weighing your options for a travelling career path. … [Read more...] about Alternative Career Paths for the Undecided
7 Bad Work Habits To Avoid
As our daily work routines become the norm, we develop habits that help us progress through the day. Many of these habits are beneficial to our work but some can be detrimental and often we may not be aware of, or do little to correct them. This in time can have a negative effect on our experience of work, lessen the possibilities for career development, and can even risk our employment. 1. Poor Planning Poor or lack of planning will result in disorganized working patterns. This can lead to missed deadlines, incomplete work and can create unnecessary stress. Simple measures such as planning a schedule for outstanding work in order of priority will create more efficient, productive and less stressful working conditions. 2. Putting Personal Life Before Work At times we all have to take time off work for unavoidable personal appointments that occur during working hours, and the occasional personal phone call or time spent on social media is overlooked by most employers. However, this … [Read more...] about 7 Bad Work Habits To Avoid