On show #55 of the Working Podcast a listener asked how they could buck a nasty trend and start taking their lunch hour AWAY from their desk. Download the show here or listen directly on our home page. While the Voice of Reason did a nice job of addressing the psychological ramifications, I'd like to touch on the potential medical fallout.Why should you get away from your desk for lunch? Stew on these numbers...# of germs per square inch in most cubicles:• 25,127 on the phone• 20,961 on the desktop• 3,295 on the computer keyboard• 1,676 on the mouse Source: University of Arizona/The Clorox CompanyBut you're not the only scaredy cat who's too busy to break away for lunch:• 78 percent of employees eat lunch at their desks at least two to three times a week. • Nearly 50 percent eat lunch at their desks every day.• 53 percent of all employees take a half-hour or less for lunch.• 24 percent of workers always clean their desks before eating at … [Read more...] about Your Cubicle, The Petri Dish
Archives for January 2007
See How Work Stress Ages You!
It looks like the fine folks at Career Builder have run out of bananas. The chimps behind "Monk-e-Mail" have been given a pink slip and are being phased out. And nope, they're not being replaced with younger monkeys at half the pay - they are being replaced with an old timer: YOU!In order to show you how workplace stress can rapidly age you, the new "Age-o-Matic" campaign allows you to upload your photo, answer a few silly questions about your work environment, add your voice - and voila - you're aged 50 years!Check out my rapid aging here!I definitely think the campaign is clever and will receive a nice amount of buzz. However, the press release states:"Age-o-Matic instantly produces jaw-dropping, dramatically-altered photos depicting how they will look if they stay in their current positions."Yes, the fact that they are utilizing talking avatar technology is sweet. However, after testing out a few photos, it's very clear the center of your … [Read more...] about See How Work Stress Ages You!
7 Secrets to a Solid Biz Partnership
When I started the Working Podcast back in April '05, I was psyched to jump on the podcasting train as an early adopter. Now in '07, podcasts are a dime a dozen. That means I have to work twice as hard to produce a product that is superior to our "competitors."In order to continue to deliver quality content and market it, I realized that I could no longer go at it alone. I did not have the time or energy to do all the things that need to be done to make the podcast a success. Enter, Eric: great friend and now an excellent business partner.So far, the partnership we've formed has been awesome. I'm not a fool, there might be some rocky road ahead, but that's life, no? And don't get we wrong, we're hardly making millions - but I figured, while fresh in my mind, I'll throw out the reasons why our partnership is working:Same Values. Different Skills. You want someone with similar moral convictions, but someone who can bring things to the … [Read more...] about 7 Secrets to a Solid Biz Partnership
21 Worst Fictional Bosses – Add Your Picks!
Fictional bosses. They are often even more dreadful then their real-life counterparts. They can utter the words ‘You’re Fired!’ on a whim, cause in the fake world, wrongful termination lawsuits don’t exist.Get the Worst Boss List here. You'll find dreadful bosses such as Captain Kirk, Keyser Soze, and Willy Wonka. The list is by no means complete. Add your picks and join the debate. Leave a comment below, e-mail us at jobacle@gmail.com or leave us a voice mail at 888/786-1080. We'll pick up the debate on the next few episodes of the Working Podcast. Please subscribe now! … [Read more...] about 21 Worst Fictional Bosses – Add Your Picks!
Stuck at Work on MLK Day? Digg This!
On the third Monday of every January, schools, federal offices, and banks across America close as we celebrate America's most "recent" holiday: Martin Luther King Jr. Day. But maybe you're like me and forced to work while many of your friends get the day off! If you are, give your employer the finger by giving this a Digg!It was 20 years ago that President Ronald Reagan (unwillingly) signed a bill into law making MLK Day a national holiday - one of only four days to honor an individual person. Although the day is a federal holiday and a state holiday in all states, it is ignored by many companies. In 2006, 69% of employers did NOT get the day off.More companies are closed on Veterans Day or Columbus Day - which are also federal holidays. Why?I don't mean that as a rhetorical question. I REALLY want an answer. Why? Is it because stores haven't found a way to make money?Is it because the holiday is still "new?"Is it … [Read more...] about Stuck at Work on MLK Day? Digg This!
Win a Million Dollar Business!
I know it's not a new word - but it's new to me: presenteeism (prez.un.TEE.iz.um) n. The feeling that one must show up for work even if one is too sick to be productive. My office has a serious case of presenteeism. Now thanks to my co-workers snot rockets, my throat is scratchy as all hell today. Now if I had my own business, I would never want people to show up at work just for the sake of showing up. Work is more then just being a warm body in your cube. Now what would YOU do if you had your own business? That dream of being your own boss might be closer to reality thanks to the folks at Ace Hardware. They are running a great contest - DreamAce - your chance to win your own Ace Hardware store valued at over $1 million! The cool part is that you actually have to prove you have the business chops to handle the prize. If you think you demonstrate the business and sales expertise, plus have the entrepreneurial spirit to help the store flourish - go register … [Read more...] about Win a Million Dollar Business!
Angry at Work? The Right Way to Vent…
Catharsis is a form of emotional cleansing first defined by the Greek philosopher Aristotle. But Aristotle didn't work in a cube. This Sunday we'll be releasing episode #54 of the Working Podcast and one segment on the show has an interview with Craig of JobVent.com - a neat site where employees can anonymously rate their company. So many career sites seem to be focused on casual rants and raves - and it got me thinking - is all of this venting a good or bad thing? I'm a positive guy, but let's be honest, you guys want the cons first!CONS:*Venting is short-term relief. You will be tricked into thinking you solved the problem. In reality you just exhaust yourself. Once your energy rebuilds, so will the anger from the root of the issue.*Venting, whether verbal of physical, allows you to rehearse negative behavior. In order to become a happier person you should be doing the opposite - rehearsing positive behavior.*Venting causes you to … [Read more...] about Angry at Work? The Right Way to Vent…
Big City Doesn't Mean Big Pay
I can see the headlines now: "Dentists Drill Way to "Greensboro"; "Optometrists See Their Way to Ohio!"; "PR Managers to CT" Check out Biz Journals' What 20 Top Jobs Pay. "The study refutes the stereotype that high-paying jobs are concentrated in the nation's largest metropolitan areas." It's yet another reminder that cost of living is everything. Eric, who you know from the podcast, recently relocated from Jersey to Carolina. I gotta pick his brain on what REALLY costs less. Cause aside from real estate (which is a big deal) I never see a big difference on everyday items such as milk, magazines, beer, gas, etc. At least not one that seems like it's worth the jump. Stay tuned for more... … [Read more...] about Big City Doesn't Mean Big Pay
Secrets of an Orange Job Hunt
When you walk down the produce aisle and look for the perfect orange you will look for one that is rich, vibrant and drenched in color. The thinking is, the more orange the peel, the better the orange. As you've probably learned the hard way, the peel has zero correlation to sweetness, juiciness or overall flavor.Looking for a job can be like shopping for an orange. Four thoughts:- Most oranges are actually green when picked. This means that the farmer (it is farmers that grow oranges, no?) had no idea what the quality of the orange was when picked. The same goes for that new job you are considering. The hiring manager might tell you about the amazing growth potential you will experience. Or how you'll be working with some of the most talented folks in the biz. But until you roll up your sleeves and actually work there for a few weeks, you have no clue what it's going to be like. During the interview, make it your business to … [Read more...] about Secrets of an Orange Job Hunt
100 Best FICTIONAL Companies to Work For
FORTUNE Magazine is always "wowing" us with their "100 Best Companies to Work For." As far as we're concerned, work pretty much sucks no matter where you are. Are you telling me no one has a crappy, passive-aggressive, nightmare-of-a-boss at Google? C'mon! In honor of their list, we have one of our own. Jobacle.com Presents the 100 Best FICTIONAL Companies to Work For. Since they're not real companies, work can't suck as bad! We need your help to complete the list! Please leave a comment below with the fictional company you'd wanna work for and why. 100 Best FICTIONAL Places to Work Arcade Flower Shop, Three's Company: Never any misunderstandings. Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, Harry Potter: Diagon Alley's finest. Victoria's Circuit, Futurama: Lingerie for robots. Hot! 33¢ Store, The Simpsons: No employee discount. El Banco Corrupto, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City: Fill your pockets. Silver Shamrock, Halloween III: Free masks (and snakes!) Stay Puft … [Read more...] about 100 Best FICTIONAL Companies to Work For