Frozen ice, sleet and snow has descended on New York, producing one of the coldest and dreariest winters in recent memory.Weather is a big part of our lives. From filling small-talk voids to taking up half a the local newscast with idiotic technology, the psychology of outside conditions goes way beyond 'will I freeze my fingers off today.'I pose the following question, dear readers:What weather do you prefer to work in?We're assuming you work in an office like us, which means in reality, exterior temperatures, humidity and precipitation are, for the most part, irrelevant.Personally, I like waking up to blue skies and sunshine for the drive to work. Then at about 10am it becomes cloudy and overcast. The sun plays peek-a-boo, eventually reappearing at about 3pm for the duration of the day.I know it's greedy but I don't like when it's too nice outside and I'm stuck indoors under the fluorescent lights. At the same time, I don't want weather to be too severe, creating commuting chaos and … [Read more...] about Sun, Rain or Snow at Work?
Archives for January 2009
If Office Supplies Could Talk…
If your office supplies could talk, what would they say about you? I know it sounds like a weird question, but ever since I received an Open Letter From My Keyboard, I try to be sensitive to the needs and feelings of my office supplies. We spend so much time together at my desk, it just makes sense to make sure we have a cordial working relationship. Plus, when I'm in a pinch, I want to know I can depend on the tools that make work possible. After some thought, I figured what better day than today to check in to see how they're all doing. ANDREW G.R.: Hey Stapler, how's it going? STAPLER: Jam-free for over a year, and you acknowledge me now? AGR: I'm sorry, Stapler. I'm just juggling so many projects - PENS: We've noticed. Any chance you can keep us out of your mouth? AGR: Sorry guys. It's a bad habit, but I like to think it's getting better. SCOTCH TAPE: Whatever! AGR: Scotchy, why the attitude? SCOTCH TAPE: You left me for a binder clip!? AGR: I'm … [Read more...] about If Office Supplies Could Talk…
Beware of Other Career Blogs
Sometimes I wonder if they'll have to extend my local Barnes & Noble bookshop to accommodate the always-growing career self-help aisle. With so many books written by "experts," and thousands of blogs devoted to making work better, I sit here this morning wondering if any of it has made a difference.With more resources at our ready than ever before, are a greater number of people happier at work then lets say 10 years ago?My Jobacle ego likes to think so, but how can we quantify the results? Unemployment numbers continue to trend towards double digits, hitting the highest rate in 16 years. Do any of these people feel better because they can commiserate with one another?Authors have always had a bonafied credential. They can point to the fact that they were able to to get through a publisher's filter. At that point, the writer has to know what they're talking about, right? My sneaking suspicion is that in the 21st century, that is less true than ever before. It seems as if … [Read more...] about Beware of Other Career Blogs
Work Lyrics: deny this corporate lobotomy
You often hear songs about work on the Working Podcast. A new feature on the Jobacle blog called 'Work Lyrics' will share the best lyrics and song clips that have to do with work.Submit your favorites here.Today's lyrics come from Oklahoma alternative rock band Caroline's Spine. The song, fittingly enough, is called "Work Song."it's another early morning, sun came up without a warningi never do nothing til i'm showered and cleangot my pager, got my cuffs, a matching tie should be enoughi never leave the house without something to eatan early riser by genetic, take the stairs cause i'm athleticalways at the office before anyone elsei take my faxes to be copied, grab a donut, grab some coffeepicture a diploma sitting on my shelfthe monotony is killing meand i try to deny this corporate lobotomyi need a suit of armor for a meeting,know i'm gonna take a beating,understaffed, and my department's in a crunchbudget has become a hassle, boss is ripping me a new assholesays he wants an answer … [Read more...] about Work Lyrics: deny this corporate lobotomy
How'd You Score That Gig?
Like the warning that tells us never to go food shopping when we're hungry, the same axiom really applies when career shopping. The hungrier, or more needy we feel in terms of job fulfillment, the more likely it is that either we'll select a career path not in our interest, or - worse yet - simply settle for...whatever.Yet the new book, How'd You Score That Gig?: A Guide to the Coolest Jobs-and How to Get Them, by career expert Alexandra Levit, helps in a number of pragmatic, yet creative ways to provide us with a veritable shopping list of what to look for in finding that career of our dreams. Sure, you may think that you've 'heard it all before,' but what the author does is help us gain just enough insight into ourselves so as to better refine the search process. Using a simple, but innovative self-assessment test, Ms. Levit cleverly engages the reader to participate in the career satisfaction discovery process.She's created a 'passion profile,' so that readers can learn, and better … [Read more...] about How'd You Score That Gig?
Working Podcast #85: Hottest New Job Websites
The world's first and best career podcast is back this week with an all-new episode! Some of what you'll hear...What if the characters from ABC's LOST had to re-enter the work force? Interviewing-101, Unemploymentality and the hottest new job Websites of the week. You might work inside an office, but the weather still plays a big role in your day. Getting yelled at for no good reason. Direct Download … [Read more...] about Working Podcast #85: Hottest New Job Websites
Microsoft Layoffs: Internal E-Mail Revealed
From: Steve BallmerSent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 6:07 AMSubject: Realigning Resources and Reducing CostsIn response to the realities of a deteriorating economy, we're taking important steps to realign Microsoft's business. I want to tell you about what we're doing and why.Today we announced second quarter revenue of $16.6 billion. This number is an increase of just 2 percent compared with the second quarter of last year and it is approximately $900 million below our earlier expectations.The fact that we are growing at all during the worst recession in two generations reflects our strong business fundamentals and is a testament to your hard work. Our products provide great value to our customers. Our financial position is solid. We have made long-term investments that continue to pay off.But it is also clear that we are not immune to the effects of the economy. Consumers and businesses have reined in spending, which is affecting PC shipments and IT expenditures.Our response to this … [Read more...] about Microsoft Layoffs: Internal E-Mail Revealed
Fight Fatigue at Work: Detoxify
Are you always tired at work? From depression to anxiety to boredom, there are a multitude of reasons why you might feel sleep deprived.One of the best ways to keep you energy level up at work is to ear right. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Fighting Fatigue offers hundreds of tips to stay alert and feel well-rested. Among them, a list of nutrients that could be helpful to ingest during the work day...ALFALFA is an exceptional source of protein and high in vitamins A, D, E, B6 and K; calcium; magnesium; chlorophyll; phosphorus; iron; potassium; trace minerals; and several digestive enzymes. Alfalfa is also a high-fiber substance with properties that bind and remove toxins from the colon.ALPHA LIPOIC ACID is a potent antioxidant that increases production of glutathione in the body helping to dissolve toxins in the liver. Alpha liopic acid has been used in the treatment of liver and heart disease, diabetes, and other inflammatory diseases.ARTICHOKE is a liver protectant and antioxidant … [Read more...] about Fight Fatigue at Work: Detoxify
Warren Buffett Makes Himself Available to President Obama
Investor extraordinaire Warren Buffet, with his estimated net worth of $62.0 billion, will be featured on Nightly Business Report tonight as part of the program’s 30th anniversary. While American workers have their collective eye on President Obama, waiting to see how he'll restore the jobs they lost and secure the ones they have, Mr. Buffet might be able to offer a glimpse into the future. Here's a sample of what to expect from the interview tonight. Find your local PBS station.SUSIE GHARIB, ANCHOR, NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT: Are we overly optimistic about what President Obama can do?WARREN BUFFETT, CHAIRMAN, BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY: Well I think if you think that he can turn things around in a month or three months or six months and there’s going to be some magical transformation since he took office on the 20th that can’t happen and wouldn’t happen. So you don’t want to get into Superman-type expectations. On the other hand, I don’t think there’s … [Read more...] about Warren Buffett Makes Himself Available to President Obama
The Man With Two Offices
The office. No, not the terribly overrated NBC version of the BBC TV show. The actual walled cube where many of us spend 1,700 hours a year. Designed to give you privacy and quiet as you do your job, the office is also the ultimate work status symbol. I've talked before about how offices are harder to come by than ever before. Years ago, the prospect of a young professional earning a larger workspace was an incentive to put his/her nose to the grindstone. Work hard. Get promoted. Get an office. But somewhere along the way, this carrot was replaced with a big corporate stick. All companies operate differently, but as the workforce has grown, and employers continue to cut corners, offices have become a premium. Has sheer supply and demand raised the esteem of having an office in society? Perhaps. The nicer the office, the greater the symbolism. Many Jobacle readers and Working Podcast listeners have often told us that they don't work in offices. Even the upper managers these days … [Read more...] about The Man With Two Offices