Piercings, Tattoos and Mohawks at Work - Career Advice Article

http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-2065-Workplace-Issues-Piercings-Tattoos-and-Mohawks-at-Work/?sc_extcmp=JS_2065_home1&SiteId=cbmsnhp42065&ArticleID=2065>1=23000&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=635fa5c640744e09bed82789a474a421-308835533-JE-5
I'm sure most of you don't need this so, feel free to pass this info along to the youngsters entering the workforce.

Survey Reveals a Majority of Companies Prohibit Social Networking on the Job

Workers who want to share the latest news with Facebook friends and Twitter followers will need to wait until after hours or risk violating company policy, a new survey suggests. More than half (54 percent) of chief information officers (CIOs) interviewed recently said their firms do not allow employees to visit social networking sites for any reason while at work.

The survey was developed by Robert Half Technology, a leading provider of information technology (IT) professionals on a project and full-time basis, and conducted by an independent research firm. It was based on telephone interviews with more than 1,400 CIOs from companies across the United States with 100 or more employees.

CIOs were asked, "Which of the following most closely describes your company's policy on visiting social networking sites, such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, while at work?" Their responses include: Prohibited completely (54 percent); Permitted for business purposes only (19 percent); Permitted for limited personal use (16 percent); and Permitted for any type of personal use (10 percent).

"Using social networking sites may divert employees' attention away from more pressing priorities, so it's understandable that some companies limit access," said Dave Willmer, executive director of Robert Half Technology. "For some professions, however, these sites can be leveraged as effective business tools, which may be why about one in five companies allows their use for work-related purposes."

Willmer cautioned that employees should always exercise good judgment, no matter how lenient their company's policy. "Professionals should let common sense prevail when using Facebook and similar sites -- even outside of business hours," he said. "Regrettable posts can be a career liability."

Robert Half Technology offers the following tips for employees looking to protect their professional reputation when using social networking sites:

1. Know what's allowed. Make sure you understand and adhere to your company's social networking policy.

2. Use caution. Be familiar with each site's privacy settings to ensure personal details or photos you post can be viewed only by people you choose.

3. Keep it professional. Use social networking sites while at work to make connections with others in your field or follow industry news -- not to catch up with family or friends.

4. Stay positive. Avoid complaining about your manager and coworkers. Once you've hit submit or send, you can't always take back your words -- and there's a chance they could be read by the very people you're criticizing.

5. Polish your image. Tweet or blog about a topic related to your profession. You'll build a reputation as a subject matter expert, which could help you advance in your career.

6. Monitor yourself. Even if your employer has a liberal policy about social networking, limit the time you spend checking your Facebook page or reading other people's tweets to avoid a productivity drain.

Workplace Vent Day

Gotta gripe about your gig or the people at said gig?  Let's hear it.

#1 - I got this chic in my ear who went thru hell & high water with fertility treatments & such, only to have this damn brat and now all she does is bitch about the costs of family health care, daycare, etc. *record scratch*  We (high ass premium paying folks) paid good damn money for the treatments she needed since she couldn't get it done naturally & now she wants to complain?!  Girl bye!

#2 - One of the directors dumped an apparel project on my desk, like I don't have anything else to do!  Doesn't he know this cut into my 9 to 5 online time?! *lol*

 

Anywho, the purpose of the apparel, with the company logo is to advertise, right?  Well maybe, since the jackass who had the bright idea wants the logo on the sleeve. *record scratch*  Now correct me if I'm wrong, but when you normally meet folks it's not sleeve 1st. Boy bye!

 

Even tho these folks tick me off damn near daily, I'm still ever thankful I have a J-O-B to come to & bitch about.

 

Your turn!

Desk rage spoils workplace for many Americans!

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN0947145320080710?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&rpc=22&sp=true
Altho an interesting read, this is quite disturbing.

Most employers & even major medical carriers provide some sort of Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at NO COST to you! Use them!

Casual Dress WEEK!

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

Despite a lot of the dumb (imho) shit that goes on around here, it's the little things that count & since the lay-offs, employee morale is understandably low.

Since the office is closed on Friday (and I'm taking off Thursday as well), I decided we need a red, white & blue casual dress week! What's the point in having this fancy title they gave me it I can't use it for anything but business cards? Not to mention I can get dressed in 5-10 minutes flat on casual day.

It's the little things that can change one's attittude toward the workday.

What has little thing(s) has your employee done lately, that people really appreciate?

Workplace Longevity

This past March marked my 12th anniversary with my agency.  {Wow!}  When I first started, I was in a different, entry-level position in a brokerage unit & honestly didn't think I'd last thru my 90-day probationary period.  I'll have to tell you about the man I worked for (and still do, but in an HR capacity) someday.

I've been in HR since 1989 (HS senior year).  HR is where I started and I know this my calling.  I really enjoy what I do can't see myself doing anything non-related.  It's a dirty job....well, you know the rest.

My question to you is: what's the longest you've ever been on job?

PS HR People need love too! *giggles*

8 Ways to Lose Weight at the Office

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/lose-weight-at-the-office-0?cm_mmc=Newsletter-_-2008_May_07-_-Weightloss-_-Lose.Weight.at.Work.Mid.1

Freedom of Expression in the Workplace

Our office manager (white female) just came to me about a mailroom employee (black female & her direct report) who is wearing an Obama pin on her blouse.   She said she recalled these kinds of expressions (religious, political, etc.) being banned at one point.  Since she's been here for 29 years, I'm sure she does.  (Side note: The company was founded in 1921 and the first black employee (the receptionist) was hired in 1982).

I politely told the manager that unless this woman is rallying, campaigning, etc. on the company dime, she could wear her button.  She then mentioned, slyly, "I hope people don't start wearing Clinton or McCain pins."  I again told her, if it's just a pin on their person, it's not an issue.

What's your employer's stance on this type of issue?