There's something I've hated since the third grade, yet I've found it trailing me like a bloodhound over the past two decades.  It's when a teacher hands out a syllabus or assignment and then preceeds to read the entire thing around.  This is not teaching.  This is not lecturing.  It is laziness.

This problem has seeped into many of the meetings I attend.  Workers prepare reports and then read them alond - word for word.  If we are having a meeting, isn't it fair to expect that we will verbally discuss and expand upon the information contained on the paper?  

These verbatim readers never see the attendees' eyes glazing over because they are too busy reading!

Reading aloud might be effective for my wife's second grade class, but in the businessworld, you are embarassing your staff and yourself.

Sorry for the rant.  If you want to vent about work, leave a comment below and be sure to check out the Jobacle Master Lists of Work Vent Websites.

Unless you earn a living as an emergency responder or snow-plow operator, there's no reason to report to work amidst a winter storm. Or, at least that's what logic and humanity seem to dictate. But who said cooler heads prevail at work?! Unfortunately for middle-of-the-ladder employees, we rarely get to see our bosses' "softer side." In the northeast, we have experienced some the worst snow conditions in 114 years--and even that didn't make employers change their rigid tune.

Missing work when it snows is serious business.

Read more from Andrew G.R. on "snowjobs" at U.S. News & World Report.

Finding Help for Major Career Issues

I can only recall one job that had no inherent stress: I worked in a small card shop while in grad school. I read funny cards, rang up a few sales and had plenty of time to study. The majority of people experience some level of stress or difficult issue at work and it helps to have a supportive, sympathetic ear when you need to talk it through. But sometimes it’s hard to know who would be the best fit when discussing major career issues. Do you talk to your co-workers, boss, a psychotherapist, friends, family or parents, etc.? When does it make more sense to consult a career coach?

First, let’s look at the pros and cons of getting emotional support from the people in your personal life. (Co-workers fall in both personal and professional areas as they can also be good friends.)

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Is there an appropriate place to talk on your cell phone at work?  I've made several calls today, from several different locations, and have come to the answer - a resounding 'NO.'

AT YOUR DESK: Using the business phone for 'personal business' is frowned upon, but using your cell at your desk is a tell-tale sign that you are not working. Worse yet, you're inclined to distract others from their work. Way to go team player!

IN THE BATHROOM: Just plain creepy.  The concept of the work bathroom (which should be upgraded) is simple: do your business, wash your hands, and move on.  I work with a guy who texts while peeing, and that's just plain wrong.  I'm no scientist, but the likelihood for some nasty germ transfer must be paramount.

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When Not Fitting in is a Good Thing

In a recent post, “VIDEO: Pains in the Office,” Andrew gave some terrific examples of stereotypical rude co-workers and how they drive us nuts.  I’ve always been thankful that at least they seem to be in the minority. But an article in eWeek.com, “Four in 10 Workers Say They Don’t Fit in with Peers,” tells us that it’s possible most of us are outnumbered by these characters. The article points out how one “bad apple” in a work group can “spoil the “barrel” and have a negative affect on the group as a whole:

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Shouting fire in a crowded theater could land you in jail; yelling 'fire drill' at work is a big, fat, colossal fail.  While an exciting and welcome change of pace in fourth grade, workplace fire drills are a time-wasting distraction in the corporate culture.  Before my inbox gets jammed from fire survivors, let me preface this post by stating I am not anti-fire drill, nor am I pro-fire.  I just think the methods employed by most organizations are laughable.

THE TRUTH ABOUT WORK FIRE DRILLS

1) Don't give me a mandatory meeting place in the event of a fire.  I understand that employers want a headcount so that they can make sure everyone is out of the building (and cover their asses).  But should disaster strike, you will find me acting in my best interest.  If that means jogging three miles away from the burning building, so be it.  I'm not suggesting I'll trample helpless children, a la George Costanza, but I will look out for myself and my family before I follow some asinine company protocol that merely exists so someone in Human Resources can shuffle around paperwork.

A former employer had the nerve to reprimand me when I refused to meet at a "safe" spot after the NYC blackout in 2003.  Where was I?  Home.  Because as soon as word started to spread that the entire eastern seaboard was affected, I ran straight for the bridge.  Call me paranoid, but as someone who was stuck in midtown Manhattan after 9/11, I learned my lesson.

2) It should be obvious, but ancient Doris from clerical does NOT make a good fire marshal.  Bob in accounting, at 280lbs., is hardly the ideal "searcher."  Certain people were not meant to hold positions of power, in this case, a potentially life-saving one.  Some halfwit suit is always quick to ask for fire drill volunteers.  And some unimportant has-been is always quick to apply.  To apply to be a firefighter, most municipalities require that you are in your 20s, calm under pressure, and in reasonably good shape.  To hold office workers to those standards, when the risk of a fire is rather remote, would be ludicrous.  However, common sense should apply.

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It’s a Scientific Fact

I made that up, but doesn’t it feel that way? With a holiday, you get a nice day off at the beginning or end of the week. But you know you’ll be punished on the remaining workdays. Not only has your workload multiplied while you were away, but the days seem interminably long. It takes 6 hours just to get to lunch!

There must also be a universal equation: holiday + boss’s bad mood = new projects he makes up out of thin air. It makes no sense that in a 4-day week you would actually have the time to complete tasks that it normally takes you 5+ days to accomplish. So throw in a new project and you’re doomed. Cancel happy hour or dinner out. You’re there for the duration. It’s a trade off - you get a day off, but the work awaits.

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From empty paper trays to smelly lunches, The Today Show took to their series 'Pains in the Office' to find out what's driving NBC staffers nuts at work.

They are also asking 'What would you do if Brian Williams stole your lunch?'  Simple.  I'd say nothing and poison tomorrow's sandwich.

We've taken to Twitter to hear your Coworker Pet Peeves.  If you have something to add, let us know!  Also check out 6 Annoying Things Millennials Do @ the Office.

It's a questions asked by every parent, friend and acquaintance: "How's work?"

Most of us have a stock answer we go to.  But few of us have ever put much thought into the importance in the way we answer the seemingly innocent question.  Let's look at a few different scenarios.

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