Free or Practically Free fast food. It’s a recession thing. I hardly endorse it, but, everyone does need to eat, and sometimes we forget our lunch.
Possibly the sickest funniest thing I’ve seen from the Onion News Network: Autoworkers Compete to Keep Jobs
On my daily walk with the neighbors, we were discussing the churches in our vicinity. One neighbor was interested in switching churches, and wanted to know where the others went or where we had visited and what we thought. Most interesting to me was that the denomination never came up. A recent study backs up my anecdote:
The report estimates that between 47 percent and 59 percent of U.S. adults have changed affiliation at least once. Most described just gradually drifting away from their childhood faith.
“This shows a sort of religion a la carte and how pervasive it is,” said D. Michael Lindsay, a Rice University sociologist of religion. “In some ways, it’s an indictment of organized Christianity. It suggests there’s a big open door for newcomers, but a wide back door where people are leaving.”
Denomination was not as important as other factors. So what was important in our discusion? Location of the church (in terms of how long that Sunday morning commute would be), leadership in the church (mostly whether we liked the minister or felt he/she was hypocritical or judgmental), and friendliness (Did we feel comfortable in the church and welcomed?)
This week in Weird Workplace News: Sex and the Workplace
I kind of sort of hate the word “sexting.” I’m betting this guy does too.
This robber’s heart was in the right place–he robbed a bank because he didn’t want his girlfriend to work as a prostitute anymore. How sweet.
That is probably a good move, given the state of the economy. Even brothels have had to cut their prices.
Yet apparently, this Japanese mother thought her 15-year-old daughter would make enough money at it to pay off a whopping cell phone bill.
“Flying and oral sex don’t mix.” And yet the guy kept flying for three years… what scares me more is the number of suspensions and bizarre accidents he’s had.
So a stripper gets arrested, and what is her first reaction? Time to strip, of course.
Meanwhile, this stripper got attacked by a shoe-wielding rival. Now, those stiletto heels can be pretty nasty. But it could also have been one of those lucite wedge models.
And finally, at what point do pornographic pictures on your computer move from deniable accidents to intentional obsession? I’m guessing at somewhere under 24,000 of them in organized directories.
Have a great week!
I’ve yet to read anything about Larry Summers that indicates that I might (or should) like him. He belongs to that group of people who are bright enough that we think we must keep them around despite their misbehavior. In any case, like many folks, when I heard he fell asleep at a big meeting, I chuckled. Any excuse to use this photo.
I found Career Coach: Figuring Out the Right Questions had some excellent questions, which I’m going to work with this morning, in between work activities.
1. First, try making a list of all of your vocational aspirations, starting from the earliest. Don’t disqualify any ambition on the grounds that it was ridiculous or unrealistic. For each item, jot down any ideas that come to mind about what attracted you to this vocation. Again, don’t omit details just because they seem silly. When you’re done, look over the list, and see if you can discern any common threads.
2. Now make a similar list, of books, films and TV shows you have loved, again starting with early childhood. What drew you to them? How do these descriptions relate to those on your career aspiration list?
3. Moving into the present, think of activities that fulfill you now, independent of financial gain, social prestige, or other secondary advantages. What is it that you get out of each?
4. Finally, if you were to become financially independent tomorrow, how would you use your time? What would you hope to accomplish?
You can play along at home (or at work), if you wish. Feel free to post responses.
I’m terrible with double negatives.
But here’s an article, The Backlash to Breast is Best, that responds to The Case Against Breastfeeding, which I wrote about a few weeks ago. The writer gets to the heart of the matter (where I was attempting to go), which is that we say “breastfeeding is best for your baby” and then we give absolutely no support for it as a society:
We tell women that breast is best, we tell them to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months, we even tell them it will raise their kid’s IQ (and we should give that a rest), and then we send them home with formula samples, or with a baby whose throat is too sore to suckle, or a mom whose milk is delayed because of surgery, and we don’t teach technique, and we are offended when a woman breastfeeds in public, so we make her feel housebound, and we don’t give a mother and her partner paid leave, and we send her to go back to a workplace without on-site childcare, and so her only alternative to formula is to plug her nipples into a machine, and if she’s lucky she gets periodic breaks and a “non-bathroom lactation room” in which to pump, and if she’s not she gets a toilet, and so on and so forth.
It’s no wonder women are ready to burn their nursing bras.
I find that this particular medical recommendation with little public policy support (especially in the workplace) is just about useless. You want women to breastfeed their kids? Mandate paid leave.
I listen to rumors. There. I’ve said it.
I don’t necessarily believe them mind you, but I just about always listen.
The Truth about Office Rumors suggests that most office rumors are true. So you might as well listen. Here’s how:
- Have real conversations with people your colleagues don’t. Assistants, receptionists, the people in the graphics services department and the cafeteria have unparalleled access to information about what’s going on throughout the company. They’re the central nervous system of the place. They’ve seen all the documents and know who’s meeting with who about what. Yet for the most part, they’re treated as invisible — which is short-sighted (not to mention condescending and rude). Talk to them. Thank them for their hard work. Be sincere. Treat them like humans. You’ll be happier for it — and amazed at how much they know.
- Reach outside your day job. Have regular conversations with people in different offices, departments, roles, levels. If you don’t, you’ll be missing a lot of information flow.
- Share information and resources. The best way to get information is to give it, and that doesn’t mean gossiping, that means offering a hand. If you take time to walk through
It’s fair to say that no one really understands what “business casual” means unless it is spelled out by an employer. Nevertheless, we all have to adhere to it when that’s what the employer wants.
Whether the corporate culture leans toward ties or tie-dyes, how we dress at the office has consequences. Bottom line: your appearance can keep you from getting hired–or even get you fired. “Legally, an employer has every right in most cases to regulate how a worker looks,” says attorney James McDonald, senior partner at employment law firm Fisher & Phillips. Clothes can also hamstring careers. Barbara Pachter, a top business-etiquette coach, boils it down to fit (avoid too-short skirts or too-tight anything), accessories (particularly footwear), color (when in doubt, go with darks) and style (when in doubt, dress like the boss). The No. 1 mistake: looking too sexy. “Cleavage,” she says, “is not a corporate look.” Neither are toes.
And then if we just agreed what cleavage was.
Normally, I would consider this to be a Friday theme, but since Mondays can often drive one to drink as well, I’m going with it: Drinking and the Workplace
When I lived in Santa Cruz, there was a furniture store with a sign out in front that always had punny sayings on it. Most of them were pretty stupid, or at least only appealing to old people. I am pretty sure this was not meant to appeal to old people.
Here’s another headline that amuses the hell out of me: “Hooters Girls Battle Man Hiding in Car.” Another choice excerpt: “Childers said he was waiting for the girls because ‘they looked easy’ and he had a conservative girlfriend.” Oh Childers, you were sadly mistaken.
Ms. T, and a few other readers, will “fondly” remember our high school driving instructor Mr. Guck. He was, as he liked to remind us, legally blind (which didn’t stop him from hitting on the girls.) But I do not believe that he was ever legally drunk during class.
In a collossal waste of alcohol and fruit juice, this guy won the Guiness record for most drinks mixed in an hour, most of which were poured out so he could make more. But the interesting part comes at the end, because there is someone who has the job of travelling all over to confirm Guiness records. Awesome.
Another job that one would not tend to think about is “bar spy,” which is sort of like a secret shopper for bars. Now, I worked retail chains for many years and we always had secret shoppers. I get this. It’s the best way to manage quality on a large scale, particularly with layers and layers of management. But, I don’t think it’s the way to go for a single, small location. It’s much nicer from an employee relations standpoint to show that you trust them.
And finally, not truly about drinking, but here’s a heart-warming story about a priest who donated a kidney to one of his parishioners.
Happy Monday!
It’s clear that I don’t understand unemployment insurance. I haven’t been eligible for it in ages (contract jobs, temporary work, and self-employment). But apparently churches (as nonprofits with religious affiliations) have a completely different issue with unemployment: they don’t pay into the system, and can’t give “normal” unemployment benefits when they lay off employees.
Take Granger Community Church, a megachurch* with 60 staff members. With its annual revenue down a half-million dollars since 2006, the church found itself with little choice but to eliminate eight positions and cut the weekly hours of fifteen additional employees, said executive pastor Tim Stevens.
“This was very painful and difficult, since we attend church with these same people and their families,” Stevens said.
Making the predicament more difficult is that the Granger congregation, like most churches and many nonprofit ministries nationwide, does not pay unemployment taxes. The exemption for these religious organizations means that laid-off staff generally do not qualify for unemployment benefits.
Ouch. Options for churches include paying separate private unemployment insurance or planning ahead with severance packages.
When I’m at work, some time between two and three in the afternoon, I get the munchies. I’m not alone. However, it turns out chewing gum frequently during that time period reduces the need to snack:
According to Dr. Geiselman, “Overall, this research demonstrates the potential role chewing gum can play in appetite control, reduction of snack cravings and weight management. Even small changes in calories can have an impact in the long term. And, this research supports the role of chewing gum as an easy, practical tool for managing snack, especially sweet snack, intake and cravings.
Granted, the study was sponsored by the “Wrigley Science Institute.”
Most of us think that we give a pretty good interview, but sometimes I think the reality is actually much different.
You’ll enjoy reading and viewing the clips from How to Nail An Interview. I particularly like it when the interviewee has to deal with her facebook profile.
Hopefully, those interviewees signed a release of some sort….
How often do you hear that? Not often enough.
This year, we’re on a payment plan because we owe a lot of taxes (and because certain clients haven’t paid me—ahem!), but we filed our return a month ago anyway. Because of the state of the economy, the IRS promises to be lenient in terms of working out payment plans, late fees, and all that good stuff but you do need to file in the first place (or ask for an extension):
With job losses mounting and the economy in shambles, the IRS has promised to be kinder and gentler to those who are struggling to pay their tax bills. The agency is offering to waive late penalties, negotiate new payment plans and postpone asset seizures for delinquent taxpayers who make a good-faith effort to settle their federal tax debts.
But agents will continue to impose big penalties on those who simply neglect to file an income tax return.
“We also have to be tough on those who flout the law and won’t pay what they owe,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “The American people who play by the rules every day expect us to go after those taxpayers who don’t pay their taxes.”
I suppose that’s true. I’d like more people to play by the rules. Or the rules to change. Here are some tips if you are a last minute filer. And note that not all post offices are open late. I repeat: not all post offices are open late.
I’m reading More nonprofits engage in mergers for survival, and I’m struck by how the first question anyone asks to merging nonprofits is, “Who won?” As if someone has to win in a merger. I suppose in most business situations this is probably the case.
Experts on nonprofit mergers suggest moving ahead slowly with the merger:
That’s what officials at the Family Nurturing Center and Dorchester CARES say they did. Board members at both agencies initially questioned how a merger would work: Could they integrate their e-mail lists? Would marketing materials need to be updated? And more importantly, would the merger keep the agencies strong?
“The first thing everyone asks is ‘Who won?’ ” LiPuma said of the merged groups. “But, you know, this was a very much a joint effort.”
Has anyone been through a nonprofit merger? What happened?
Today in Weird Workplace News: Strange “Religious” Practices in the Workplace
Has everyone here seen Major League? Remember how Pedro Cerrano was going to sacrifice a live chicken so he would hit a home run? This is sort of like that. Only, not so much.
This article totally irritates me. Because: Cage fighting! For Jesus! On Easter Sunday Sunday Sunday! But after the buildup of the headline it’s like, oh no, we were just BSing. No cage fights. But there WILL be some random dude giving pointers on pro-wrestling moves.
“Some” say the image on the door at this car dealership is Jesus. Looks more like Anubis to me. Whatever. Jesus wants a Chrysler.
I like how the issue in this article is that the pilot stopped to pray. I think we would all be praying under similar circumstances. I think the real issue is that he didn’t multi-task and follow proper emergency procedures at the time. But, let’s just make it all about religion.
And finally, this isn’t really a religious item, except that some people tend to treat Harry Potter as the second coming. Apparently Lord Voldemort forgot how to do the cruciatus curse and instead decided to defeat his enemy the paramedic the old-fashioned way. But if you know you Harry Potter lore, you will see how this article ties in with the first one. So there.
Happy, um , Easter Tuesday to everyone!
This morning, I particularly like this note from Passive-Aggressive notes. Oh, Easter Bunny. You are so passive-aggressive.
You can study the evolution of the office, in terms of seating arrangements, at Wired. Which arrangement do you use? I’ve only worked in #4, the Cube Farm, described thusly:
It’s the cubicle concept taken to the extreme. As the ranks of middle managers swelled, a new class of employee was created: too important for a mere desk but too junior for a window seat. Facilities managers accommodated them in the cheapest way possible, with modular walls. The sea of cubicles was born.
Found Via Workalicious shared by Scott
Does it seem like some days you wake up with a pile of things to read? That is this morning for me. Here is my first item, The Tibetan Book of the Adjunct, which is very funny, but it made me sort of sad.
Hey, noble one! Listen without wavering! Now on the last day of the semester the Lord Chancellor of the Administrative Clan will arise before you, emerging from within your brain. He is in a dark-blue suit, with three faces, six arms, and four legs stretched out. His front face is red, his right face white, his left face blue. His first right hand holds a pink slip, the middle a skull bowl, and the third an ax; his first left hand holds a Graf Von Faber-Castell Pen, the middle a skull bowl, and the third a ploughshare. His Consort Provost enfolds his body, her right arm embracing his neck, her left hand offering him sips of blood from her skull bowl. Thus they arise manifestly before you, having emerged from within your own brain! Do not fear them! Do not be terrified! Do not hate them! Recognize them as an image of your own awareness! They are your own Archetype Employers, so do not panic! In fact they are really Academic Father and Mother, so have faith in them! The very moment you recognize them, you will be liberated!
Oh adjuncts! The Academic Father and Mother are not so nurturing. But the Graf Von Faber-Castell pen reference is funny.
Too often we buy into the myths of leadership. One particularly damaging myth is that “It’s lonely at the top.” Here’s an interview with a leadership expert, Warren Bennis, about avoiding falling into that trap.
CBD: I once heard a fascinating keynote address delivered by a young executive at a world-famous medical products company. He spoke frankly about how close he came to failing in his first high-profile leadership role some seven years earlier, and how he turned his performance around. In your experience, what distinguishes leaders who can pull away from disaster from those who plunge right over the edge?
WB: The understanding that they can’t lead alone. The myth about leadership is that it’s a solitary act, that “it’s lonely at the top.” But effective leaders know the truth of this passage from Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451: “We need not to be let alone. We need to be really bothered once in a while. How long is it since you were really bothered? About something important, about something real?”
Leaders, like the rest of us, have all sorts of ways of not looking at themselves, of overlooking shortcomings. For that reason, leaders need not to be alone. They need to be “bothered” by people who will give them what I call reflective back talk.
There’s also some good tips for avoiding reflective back talk.
I’ve been making my way through 100 Resources for Laid-Off Employees. There’s some really good stuff here.