Showing posts with label employment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label employment. Show all posts
Friday
10 Signs Your Permanent Job is Temporary
What some will never tell you when they hire you is that one day that permanent job you think you have is really only temporary. The biggest misconception some employees have when it comes to employment is that they will most likely have their jobs for a long time. This may have been true for parents and grandparents, but nowadays with many business models changing, sometimes overnight, one can never be too certain. There are signs to look out for that your position might not be permanent.
1. You notice the job title and description changed after you were hired.
It feels like you are playing musical chairs at work, your position changes almost every few months. You really have no idea what is your primary job anymore. The leadership has either given you more responsibilities that are expected to be done by a certain date or less. The tasks are not really what you had in mind.
2. Your boss feels threatened by you and will joke, prank, act rude, or do other things to make you feel uncomfortable.
The likelihood that you will be sticking around for a long time is highly unlikely unless you have tough-skin when it comes to a difficult boss.
3. Your workspace is often shared by others and you find yourself worried about people using or stealing your things.
The stress of your personal space being violated will get to you unless you are able to change the environment that you are in. If not, little annoyances will grow into larger ones sooner or later and you will think about getting another job.
4. When you need supplies they are either insufficient, incorrect, broken, ignored, or delayed.
It can make you very angry when you can't get something as simple as a good writing pen or a reimbursement for company related expenses. Therefore, if leadership is unsupportive in helping you meet your needs, it is inevitable that you will be shooting out resumes elsewhere to ease your troubled mind.
5. You don't feel like you fit in with the group.
No matter what you do someone or a group of individuals often finds faults with you. The burden of this kind of negative treatment can be so great that eventually you might find yourself quitting without notice. Those who are growing weary of you or don't like you might push you out by complaining to the boss.
6. When there are meetings you often come away from them confused or wondering what is the purpose?
Most workers know meetings that don't solve problems, don't move the company forward, or just tend to be nothing more than a waste can be tiresome. When there seems to be no answers, leadership and co-workers are unsupportive and nothing is really going on at those meetings, you will start to feel doubtful about your future and whether or not it is even worth sticking it out with the company.
7. You personally know that you will never get the top spot or corner office.
Whether you are dealing with layers of departments, cliques, policies, stubborn old men and women (who refuse to retire/change/learn something new), or something else, all the jumping through hoops will bring you down. The office politics will make you want to run for the door. With no hope to move up, you will want to change your career course.
8. Employees have been quietly seeking other job opportunities.
When many others feel like you do, this is a definite sign to plan accordingly, save your money, and start looking for another job. People who don't see the writing in the wall are blindsided and will find themselves unexpectedly laid off, suspended, or worse fired.
9. You can't trust anyone.
Feeling alone in a large company with no one to talk to about your professional challenges is a good sign that something is brewing. It is always best to keep your mouth closed and your eyes wide open. Have you noticed an increase of unfamiliar traffic, people working late, others being laid off or fired, and temporary staff being let go steadily? Hmm.
10. The culture and gender diversity is either non-existent or the atmosphere is so multi-cultural to the point that there is constant workplace bickering.
Does the company have a history of much turnover? Chances are it will only be a matter of time that the issues of others might end up on your desk. Work overload, gossip, tardiness, stealing, surfing the Internet, and any other issue that tends to create a divide between genders and culture will keep one stressed. Unless the company policies are clearly outlined and enforced, people will do what they want based on what they experienced "back at home, in the neighborhood, where I use to work" etc. How you deal with these issues will determine whether you will stay with the company or not.
Notice the signs that you see all around you are based mainly on how you respond to them. Also, keep in mind that leadership is watching too. So if you should display an attitude that says, "This is too much for me! I can't stand this job..." Those who can free you of your burdens will!
Nicholl McGuire
1. You notice the job title and description changed after you were hired.
It feels like you are playing musical chairs at work, your position changes almost every few months. You really have no idea what is your primary job anymore. The leadership has either given you more responsibilities that are expected to be done by a certain date or less. The tasks are not really what you had in mind.
2. Your boss feels threatened by you and will joke, prank, act rude, or do other things to make you feel uncomfortable.
The likelihood that you will be sticking around for a long time is highly unlikely unless you have tough-skin when it comes to a difficult boss.
3. Your workspace is often shared by others and you find yourself worried about people using or stealing your things.
The stress of your personal space being violated will get to you unless you are able to change the environment that you are in. If not, little annoyances will grow into larger ones sooner or later and you will think about getting another job.
4. When you need supplies they are either insufficient, incorrect, broken, ignored, or delayed.
It can make you very angry when you can't get something as simple as a good writing pen or a reimbursement for company related expenses. Therefore, if leadership is unsupportive in helping you meet your needs, it is inevitable that you will be shooting out resumes elsewhere to ease your troubled mind.
5. You don't feel like you fit in with the group.
No matter what you do someone or a group of individuals often finds faults with you. The burden of this kind of negative treatment can be so great that eventually you might find yourself quitting without notice. Those who are growing weary of you or don't like you might push you out by complaining to the boss.
6. When there are meetings you often come away from them confused or wondering what is the purpose?
Most workers know meetings that don't solve problems, don't move the company forward, or just tend to be nothing more than a waste can be tiresome. When there seems to be no answers, leadership and co-workers are unsupportive and nothing is really going on at those meetings, you will start to feel doubtful about your future and whether or not it is even worth sticking it out with the company.
7. You personally know that you will never get the top spot or corner office.
Whether you are dealing with layers of departments, cliques, policies, stubborn old men and women (who refuse to retire/change/learn something new), or something else, all the jumping through hoops will bring you down. The office politics will make you want to run for the door. With no hope to move up, you will want to change your career course.
8. Employees have been quietly seeking other job opportunities.
When many others feel like you do, this is a definite sign to plan accordingly, save your money, and start looking for another job. People who don't see the writing in the wall are blindsided and will find themselves unexpectedly laid off, suspended, or worse fired.
9. You can't trust anyone.
Feeling alone in a large company with no one to talk to about your professional challenges is a good sign that something is brewing. It is always best to keep your mouth closed and your eyes wide open. Have you noticed an increase of unfamiliar traffic, people working late, others being laid off or fired, and temporary staff being let go steadily? Hmm.
10. The culture and gender diversity is either non-existent or the atmosphere is so multi-cultural to the point that there is constant workplace bickering.
Does the company have a history of much turnover? Chances are it will only be a matter of time that the issues of others might end up on your desk. Work overload, gossip, tardiness, stealing, surfing the Internet, and any other issue that tends to create a divide between genders and culture will keep one stressed. Unless the company policies are clearly outlined and enforced, people will do what they want based on what they experienced "back at home, in the neighborhood, where I use to work" etc. How you deal with these issues will determine whether you will stay with the company or not.
Notice the signs that you see all around you are based mainly on how you respond to them. Also, keep in mind that leadership is watching too. So if you should display an attitude that says, "This is too much for me! I can't stand this job..." Those who can free you of your burdens will!
Nicholl McGuire
16 Places To Find A Job
Thought you might want to seek out alternative places to find a job, click on the following link:
16 Places To Find A Job
Best wishes!
16 Places To Find A Job
Best wishes!
Tuesday
Dealing with Workplace Stress
One of the hardest forms of stress to avoid is workplace stress. After all, you need to go to work and there are plenty of things to worry about once you get there. However, that does not mean that workplace stress is unavoidable. Just like other kinds of stress, there are ways to manage workplace stress and there are ways to avoid it. Maybe you cannot avoid it entirely, but that is no reason not to try.
Workplace stress usually takes the form of everything needing to get done right now. You know the situation, there are a dozen things on your plate and they all need attention, but there are only so many hours in the day and you cannot attend to everything all at once. On top of that, the boss is breathing down your neck, asking you where the report/plan/program is and he also has a pile of other tasks for you once you finish that. It is a never-ending cycle, but it can be managed.
The first thing you need to do to avoid workplace stress is to focus on one task at a time. Do not try to multi-task, as it jars your system. Switching gears between projects does make demands on your brain and it takes a moment to change your thoughts from one place to another. Instead, if you focus on one project, you can keep your thoughts and energy in one place, preventing you from having to shift gears too often.
However, the big problem with trying to keep your focus is your coworkers. They will always be asking you for a quick minute or they will want you to answer their question, or they will want you to come over and help them on something. Try to deflect these as much as possible, as these can distract your focus. Thus, you must learn to say, "no." This is a highly effective word, though you may want to change it to, "No, not right now," or, "As soon as I am done with this." These little phrases can at least buy you some time to finish what you are doing, then switch comfortably to the needs of your coworkers.
There is another cause of workplace stress that can also cause you all manner of difficulty and that is when your concentration runs out. Oftentimes, you may find yourself focusing on the same page or the same computer screen for minutes at a time and you still have no idea what it is supposed to mean. This is not good, as it means that you are not being effective, your brain has shut down and the deadline is looming over you and you just need to get through this. Your best plan at this point is to walk away from your desk. Get up, get a cup of coffee (but not too often, as caffeine can heighten stress), go to the bathroom, anything. Walk the corridors for a minute or two and clear the cobwebs. This is highly effective both for ensuring that you are getting work done and for keeping workplace stress to a minimum.
Another way to prevent workplace stress is to learn some desk exercises. These can be simply squeezing a stress ball, or performing a few stretches while you are at your desk. By working your muscles at your desk, you can improve your circulation and help your keep alert and aware at work. Obviously, you are not going to get a full body workout while you are pecking at a keyboard, but it can help you at least keep your mind focused.
Finally, while you are at work you should examine your environment to see if it is right for you. How is the noise level? Is your desk set up properly? Are you comfortable? Is everything set up so that it is ergonomically correct? Your body needs to be comfortable if you want to work without distraction and distractions can lead to workplace stress. Thus, your work area needs to be set up for you. Take care of the little things around you and you will be able to work confidently and work well.
Workplace stress is, in many ways, part of working. However, by managing workplace stress properly, you can at least keep it to a minimum. And by doing that, work will be much more pleasant and you will be much more productive. So take care of yourself and the area around you and workplace stress will not control your day.
Author: Trevor Dumbleton
Workplace stress usually takes the form of everything needing to get done right now. You know the situation, there are a dozen things on your plate and they all need attention, but there are only so many hours in the day and you cannot attend to everything all at once. On top of that, the boss is breathing down your neck, asking you where the report/plan/program is and he also has a pile of other tasks for you once you finish that. It is a never-ending cycle, but it can be managed.
The first thing you need to do to avoid workplace stress is to focus on one task at a time. Do not try to multi-task, as it jars your system. Switching gears between projects does make demands on your brain and it takes a moment to change your thoughts from one place to another. Instead, if you focus on one project, you can keep your thoughts and energy in one place, preventing you from having to shift gears too often.
However, the big problem with trying to keep your focus is your coworkers. They will always be asking you for a quick minute or they will want you to answer their question, or they will want you to come over and help them on something. Try to deflect these as much as possible, as these can distract your focus. Thus, you must learn to say, "no." This is a highly effective word, though you may want to change it to, "No, not right now," or, "As soon as I am done with this." These little phrases can at least buy you some time to finish what you are doing, then switch comfortably to the needs of your coworkers.
There is another cause of workplace stress that can also cause you all manner of difficulty and that is when your concentration runs out. Oftentimes, you may find yourself focusing on the same page or the same computer screen for minutes at a time and you still have no idea what it is supposed to mean. This is not good, as it means that you are not being effective, your brain has shut down and the deadline is looming over you and you just need to get through this. Your best plan at this point is to walk away from your desk. Get up, get a cup of coffee (but not too often, as caffeine can heighten stress), go to the bathroom, anything. Walk the corridors for a minute or two and clear the cobwebs. This is highly effective both for ensuring that you are getting work done and for keeping workplace stress to a minimum.
Another way to prevent workplace stress is to learn some desk exercises. These can be simply squeezing a stress ball, or performing a few stretches while you are at your desk. By working your muscles at your desk, you can improve your circulation and help your keep alert and aware at work. Obviously, you are not going to get a full body workout while you are pecking at a keyboard, but it can help you at least keep your mind focused.
Finally, while you are at work you should examine your environment to see if it is right for you. How is the noise level? Is your desk set up properly? Are you comfortable? Is everything set up so that it is ergonomically correct? Your body needs to be comfortable if you want to work without distraction and distractions can lead to workplace stress. Thus, your work area needs to be set up for you. Take care of the little things around you and you will be able to work confidently and work well.
Workplace stress is, in many ways, part of working. However, by managing workplace stress properly, you can at least keep it to a minimum. And by doing that, work will be much more pleasant and you will be much more productive. So take care of yourself and the area around you and workplace stress will not control your day.
Author: Trevor Dumbleton
Monday
Are You In The Right Job? How To Discover The Job You Were Meant To Do
You might not outright ‘hate’ your job, but if you don’t enjoy going to work each day, you might want to figure out why. No one loves work all the time, but if you find that your job is dragging you down rather than lifting you up, you should take notice.
Many unhappy workers wind up feeling frustrated and defeated by their jobs, when in fact the real reason they dread work, is that they’re working way under their potential.
Ask yourself-–
1) Do you feel unfulfilled in your current job?
2) Are you bored and stressed at work?
3) Do you find it difficult to be passionate about your work?
4) Are you tired of your day-to-day work routine?
5) Is there anything you do in your job that fascinates you?
Whether you’ve been working for one or 20-years, the key to finding the right place for you is in first determining your own natural genius. Don’t stop and say you’re not a genius – everyone has a natural genius, but many of us simply don’t know what it is.
Genius is the expression of our unique set of exceptional abilities. The trouble is that we don’t always take the time -- or have the encouragement -- to find out what those genius abilities really are. Often, we are drawn to a particular area of work that somehow helps us bring out our genius, but unless we intentionally dial in, we remain on the periphery of our genius and never hit the bull’s-eye.
If you are one of the many who doesn’t really know your unique set of exceptional abilities, review the following list of five clues for natural genius. Think about what you do that fits any of these criteria, and you can start glimpsing what your genius might be.
Five Clues for Natural Genius
1. You do it easily.
2. You feel a deep satisfaction.
3. You are recognized with a natural authority.
4. You dismiss acknowledgement easily because you seem to do it too effortlessly.
5. You don’t understand when others have a much harder time doing the same thing.
Genius stays hidden because most people never learn what their genius is. Instead, they perform on the edge of their genius, but not in the core. This impacts more than their enjoyment; it affects their earning power. Genius is often associated with sacrifice, but the opposite is true. Those who resist their genius pay the greatest price by working in jobs just to cover their bills, but never truly prospering.
Manifesting your genius means learning what it is, applying your genius in a field that matches it and benefiting by becoming an expert or specialist. In the professional market- place, the specialists command the highest fees. They also love their work.
Geniuses are not satisfied with just paying their bills. They may enjoy their lifestyle, but they don’t live for it. Why? They are fully alive in doing work that means something to them. Many of us sleepwalk through our work, driven by the need for financial security or recognition, but not satisfying our core passion. Geniuses are on fire. They are positioned to be the most successful people in the world. Geniuses can measure their reward in terms of income, quality of life and personal satisfaction. It’s quite a compelling equation.
Are you living your genius? Take a free self-evaluation at http://www.geniuscoaching.net/RateYourGenius.htm. A certified learning consultant and coach, Susanna Lange co-developed Genius Coaching, which helps children, adults, and business leaders discover and maximize their special talents and strengths.
Many unhappy workers wind up feeling frustrated and defeated by their jobs, when in fact the real reason they dread work, is that they’re working way under their potential.
Ask yourself-–
1) Do you feel unfulfilled in your current job?
2) Are you bored and stressed at work?
3) Do you find it difficult to be passionate about your work?
4) Are you tired of your day-to-day work routine?
5) Is there anything you do in your job that fascinates you?
Whether you’ve been working for one or 20-years, the key to finding the right place for you is in first determining your own natural genius. Don’t stop and say you’re not a genius – everyone has a natural genius, but many of us simply don’t know what it is.
Genius is the expression of our unique set of exceptional abilities. The trouble is that we don’t always take the time -- or have the encouragement -- to find out what those genius abilities really are. Often, we are drawn to a particular area of work that somehow helps us bring out our genius, but unless we intentionally dial in, we remain on the periphery of our genius and never hit the bull’s-eye.
If you are one of the many who doesn’t really know your unique set of exceptional abilities, review the following list of five clues for natural genius. Think about what you do that fits any of these criteria, and you can start glimpsing what your genius might be.
Five Clues for Natural Genius
1. You do it easily.
2. You feel a deep satisfaction.
3. You are recognized with a natural authority.
4. You dismiss acknowledgement easily because you seem to do it too effortlessly.
5. You don’t understand when others have a much harder time doing the same thing.
Genius stays hidden because most people never learn what their genius is. Instead, they perform on the edge of their genius, but not in the core. This impacts more than their enjoyment; it affects their earning power. Genius is often associated with sacrifice, but the opposite is true. Those who resist their genius pay the greatest price by working in jobs just to cover their bills, but never truly prospering.
Manifesting your genius means learning what it is, applying your genius in a field that matches it and benefiting by becoming an expert or specialist. In the professional market- place, the specialists command the highest fees. They also love their work.
Geniuses are not satisfied with just paying their bills. They may enjoy their lifestyle, but they don’t live for it. Why? They are fully alive in doing work that means something to them. Many of us sleepwalk through our work, driven by the need for financial security or recognition, but not satisfying our core passion. Geniuses are on fire. They are positioned to be the most successful people in the world. Geniuses can measure their reward in terms of income, quality of life and personal satisfaction. It’s quite a compelling equation.
Are you living your genius? Take a free self-evaluation at http://www.geniuscoaching.net/RateYourGenius.htm. A certified learning consultant and coach, Susanna Lange co-developed Genius Coaching, which helps children, adults, and business leaders discover and maximize their special talents and strengths.
Friday
Taking Back The Workplace: Workplace Stress Relief Tips
It can be easily argued that today's world has grown far more complicated. This complication, it can be argued, is due to the high cost of living, global economy, the pressures placed on the family, etc. In addition, the increased expectations of performance and revenue generating have increased the demands in the workplace.
All of this has contributed greatly to the stress that individuals experience in their lives and specifically stress in the workplace. It is important to note that stress can be a significant detriment to the well-being of individuals and families. Therefore, it is critical that stress be relieved.
Specifically, there are certain workplace stress relief tips that can be followed. These specific workplace stress relief tips can be divided into two categories. The first category is through the implementation of practical suggestions and the second category is through a change in attitude.
Practical Suggestions
There are many physical symptoms that are associated with increased levels of stress. Those symptoms include tension headaches, muscle ache, upset stomach, etc. At the first sign of these symptoms it is important to put into practice some practical workplace stress relief tips.
One of those practical tips it is to take a mini stress relieving vacation. First of all, it is important that you are not disturbed. This can be accomplished by hitting the do not disturb button on the phone or turning the phone off. In addition put a do not disturb sign on the door leading into your office.
Once this has been accomplished than simply close your eyes and allow your mind to fix on a favorite vacation spot or dream area that compels you. In addition, concentrate on your breathing. Any thoughts that bombard your mind should be acknowledged and quickly let go. Also, take into account your body and how it is feeling. For example, if you realize that your neck or the muscles of the shoulders are tense release that tension through your breathing.
Finally, focus on a mantra. This mantra can be affirmations of being stress free or can be a mantra that simply calls your mind to dwell on higher thoughts.
A workplace stress relief tip for those individuals who do not have offices is to take a walk. If there is a park nearby or garden area take advantage of the stress relieving power of communing with nature. This action will help to reduce stress through this nature communing process and through exercising.
Attitude Change
An additional workplace stress relief tip is through an attitude change. This can be accomplished by thinking about stress situations differently.
Rather than hanging on to the stress of the day, share your stress with others. This can be done in an enjoyable manner in that a group of people will share their stresses of the day, within reason, and try to out do the others. Often this type of session will end up in laughter as people try to embellish their stressful situations.
Also, another workplace stress relief tip is to try to find the good in every situation. For example, if a co-worker is especially annoying think to yourself about one good quality that they may have. If you can identify that quality reward yourself with an enjoyable treat.
About the Author
If you are looking for some great information about Stress please visit Scott Goodman's website located at: Wicked Stressed Info
All of this has contributed greatly to the stress that individuals experience in their lives and specifically stress in the workplace. It is important to note that stress can be a significant detriment to the well-being of individuals and families. Therefore, it is critical that stress be relieved.
Specifically, there are certain workplace stress relief tips that can be followed. These specific workplace stress relief tips can be divided into two categories. The first category is through the implementation of practical suggestions and the second category is through a change in attitude.
Practical Suggestions
There are many physical symptoms that are associated with increased levels of stress. Those symptoms include tension headaches, muscle ache, upset stomach, etc. At the first sign of these symptoms it is important to put into practice some practical workplace stress relief tips.
One of those practical tips it is to take a mini stress relieving vacation. First of all, it is important that you are not disturbed. This can be accomplished by hitting the do not disturb button on the phone or turning the phone off. In addition put a do not disturb sign on the door leading into your office.
Once this has been accomplished than simply close your eyes and allow your mind to fix on a favorite vacation spot or dream area that compels you. In addition, concentrate on your breathing. Any thoughts that bombard your mind should be acknowledged and quickly let go. Also, take into account your body and how it is feeling. For example, if you realize that your neck or the muscles of the shoulders are tense release that tension through your breathing.
Finally, focus on a mantra. This mantra can be affirmations of being stress free or can be a mantra that simply calls your mind to dwell on higher thoughts.
A workplace stress relief tip for those individuals who do not have offices is to take a walk. If there is a park nearby or garden area take advantage of the stress relieving power of communing with nature. This action will help to reduce stress through this nature communing process and through exercising.
Attitude Change
An additional workplace stress relief tip is through an attitude change. This can be accomplished by thinking about stress situations differently.
Rather than hanging on to the stress of the day, share your stress with others. This can be done in an enjoyable manner in that a group of people will share their stresses of the day, within reason, and try to out do the others. Often this type of session will end up in laughter as people try to embellish their stressful situations.
Also, another workplace stress relief tip is to try to find the good in every situation. For example, if a co-worker is especially annoying think to yourself about one good quality that they may have. If you can identify that quality reward yourself with an enjoyable treat.
About the Author
If you are looking for some great information about Stress please visit Scott Goodman's website located at: Wicked Stressed Info
Workplace Conflict Resolution: What’s Creating Workplace Conflict And 9 Easy Ways To Resolve It
A radio interviewer recently asked me if I thought there was more conflict in the workplace today than in the past. After thinking about it, I replied, “Yes, I think there is more conflict today.”
Here Are 3 Main Reasons Why There Is More Conflict In The Workplace Today Than In The Past:
1. Today’s workplace is much more egalitarian. We have flatter chains of command, dotted line relationships, and primarily knowledge workers who are capable of making decisions themselves and have the freedom to move on to another job if they don’t like the way they are being treated.
In prior years, the workplace consisted of a clear authoritarian structure and chain of command. Workers obeyed orders, kept their gripes and personal issues to themselves, and did their work. If they failed to perform effectively, they were immediately fired and replaced.
2. Today, people of all ages from all over the world have come to work together. They have different values, goals, behavioral expectations and prior experiences. Yet they are expected to work together without really understanding why all the misunderstandings between them occur.
3. Women are now in the workplace in equal numbers to their male counterparts. Generally speaking, women are much less accustomed to following a chain of command than men. Most men grow up participating in organized sports where they are taught how to obey. Although some women are now active in sports, many more grow up playing creative games that didn’t have any particular organization or chain of command. In games like house, girls take turns in varying roles.
Although we’ve come a long way towards understanding each other and working harmoniously together in the workplace, there are still behavioral differences in teasing, flirting, confronting, aggression and simple communication styles.
Solutions To Conflicts In The Workplace
Clearly, these workplace issues are here to stay. How can we handle them? How can we change certain elements? Here are some of my ideas:
Dealing with Different People in the Workplace
Your organization is going to continue to have people of all genders, ages, cultures, styles and expectations working together. You need to provide them with:
• A common culture with clearly defined behavioral expectations. This includes policy, procedures, statements of corporate values and culture – and the follow through to hold people accountable.
• Diversity training that teaches how to manage different people as well as how to get them to cooperate at meetings and other group forums. Your organization needs to delve into training. Trainers need to understand cognitive and communication styles, values around politeness and dealing with superiors, as well as issues of pride, humility, conformity and all the other differences that cause conflicts in the workplace.
• Acceptance and recognition of the differences, so your organization doesn’t try to have a “one size fits all” method of managing.
• More attempts to help each other clear up disagreements and misunderstandings – rather than passing judgment and deciding who is right and who is wrong.
Management Style and Hours Worked
When management creates a clear set of guidelines as to work expectations and measures success rather than time spent, it will be easier for people to know what to do because the parameters are clear. Here’s what your organization can do to avoid conflicts in the workplace related to management styles:
• Publish policy, procedures, values, expectations, and guidelines. Since there no longer is a supervisor with a whip looking over each worker’s shoulder, it is these documents that guide your employees’ behaviors.
• Managers need to learn how to correctly manage different individuals to enable each person to be successful. Some people need more instruction and others need to be left alone to create. Some are more trustworthy than others and can be relied upon to know their own limits and decision-making authority. Others need to be managed more tightly.
• The quality and the quantity of the work should be rewarded, not time. Managers need to stop the subtle and not-so-subtle remarks about not seeing a worker on a Saturday or early in the morning.
• Employees need to have flexible time whenever possible. Some jobs require attendance at set hours. Most do not. People with young children at home might want to go home for a few hours in the late afternoon and return either to work, or to their home computer after their children have been put to bed.
• Recognize that less is often more. If people get to relax, have a family life, recreation, and pleasure, they are almost always more productive and creative during their working time.
Although conflict is here to stay, it certainly can be mitigated by taking the needs and differences of people seriously and by teaching them about each other and how to work together. Stop being afraid and start being kind.
About the Author
ArLyne Diamond, Ph.D can teach your management team how to manage your organization effectively and efficiently. For more free tips that will help your organization increase its productivity by cutting the number of conflicts in the workplace in half go to: http://www.diamondassociates.net/articles
Here Are 3 Main Reasons Why There Is More Conflict In The Workplace Today Than In The Past:
1. Today’s workplace is much more egalitarian. We have flatter chains of command, dotted line relationships, and primarily knowledge workers who are capable of making decisions themselves and have the freedom to move on to another job if they don’t like the way they are being treated.
In prior years, the workplace consisted of a clear authoritarian structure and chain of command. Workers obeyed orders, kept their gripes and personal issues to themselves, and did their work. If they failed to perform effectively, they were immediately fired and replaced.
2. Today, people of all ages from all over the world have come to work together. They have different values, goals, behavioral expectations and prior experiences. Yet they are expected to work together without really understanding why all the misunderstandings between them occur.
3. Women are now in the workplace in equal numbers to their male counterparts. Generally speaking, women are much less accustomed to following a chain of command than men. Most men grow up participating in organized sports where they are taught how to obey. Although some women are now active in sports, many more grow up playing creative games that didn’t have any particular organization or chain of command. In games like house, girls take turns in varying roles.
Although we’ve come a long way towards understanding each other and working harmoniously together in the workplace, there are still behavioral differences in teasing, flirting, confronting, aggression and simple communication styles.
Solutions To Conflicts In The Workplace
Clearly, these workplace issues are here to stay. How can we handle them? How can we change certain elements? Here are some of my ideas:
Dealing with Different People in the Workplace
Your organization is going to continue to have people of all genders, ages, cultures, styles and expectations working together. You need to provide them with:
• A common culture with clearly defined behavioral expectations. This includes policy, procedures, statements of corporate values and culture – and the follow through to hold people accountable.
• Diversity training that teaches how to manage different people as well as how to get them to cooperate at meetings and other group forums. Your organization needs to delve into training. Trainers need to understand cognitive and communication styles, values around politeness and dealing with superiors, as well as issues of pride, humility, conformity and all the other differences that cause conflicts in the workplace.
• Acceptance and recognition of the differences, so your organization doesn’t try to have a “one size fits all” method of managing.
• More attempts to help each other clear up disagreements and misunderstandings – rather than passing judgment and deciding who is right and who is wrong.
Management Style and Hours Worked
When management creates a clear set of guidelines as to work expectations and measures success rather than time spent, it will be easier for people to know what to do because the parameters are clear. Here’s what your organization can do to avoid conflicts in the workplace related to management styles:
• Publish policy, procedures, values, expectations, and guidelines. Since there no longer is a supervisor with a whip looking over each worker’s shoulder, it is these documents that guide your employees’ behaviors.
• Managers need to learn how to correctly manage different individuals to enable each person to be successful. Some people need more instruction and others need to be left alone to create. Some are more trustworthy than others and can be relied upon to know their own limits and decision-making authority. Others need to be managed more tightly.
• The quality and the quantity of the work should be rewarded, not time. Managers need to stop the subtle and not-so-subtle remarks about not seeing a worker on a Saturday or early in the morning.
• Employees need to have flexible time whenever possible. Some jobs require attendance at set hours. Most do not. People with young children at home might want to go home for a few hours in the late afternoon and return either to work, or to their home computer after their children have been put to bed.
• Recognize that less is often more. If people get to relax, have a family life, recreation, and pleasure, they are almost always more productive and creative during their working time.
Although conflict is here to stay, it certainly can be mitigated by taking the needs and differences of people seriously and by teaching them about each other and how to work together. Stop being afraid and start being kind.
About the Author
ArLyne Diamond, Ph.D can teach your management team how to manage your organization effectively and efficiently. For more free tips that will help your organization increase its productivity by cutting the number of conflicts in the workplace in half go to: http://www.diamondassociates.net/articles
Sunday
Immediate Advice On Your Job Search
Spending a lot of time researching the job that is right for you? If so, that is great, but if you have been looking for months and still haven't felt motivated to get back out there, then let's explore the reasons why and create a plan to get you back out the door.
1. If you were dismissed and you felt that the reasons were unjustified, then you may have thought about fighting for your job back, at least for a moment, but is it really worth it? Avoid dwelling on the past, when you think about what happened, quickly think about something else. You don't need to bring any negative energy to your interview. Instead, think of all the positive things that happened to you and how you contributed. Write them down; therefore, when you are asked about your past experience at your previous job, you will be able to communicate all the positive events that happened. Some interviewers may want you to describe a negative event, never provide too much detail and only pick those events that made you look good in the end. If too many negative things occurred at your last job and you contributed to most of it, you might want to leave that job off your resume and your lips. Instead, talk about other companies, projects, self-employment ventures or classes that made up for the time that your were employed with that particular company. Another option is to mention them, just don't provide any references from that company that you may have had problems.
2. Know what you want. List all the characteristics of the type of job you would like. You may want a job that is part-time with no weekend hours. Call temporary agencies to find out what they are offering. You may need a full-time job with benefits but no overtime. Be sure that the jobs you call about will offer what you need before you set up an interview.
3. Find someone who would be willing to write or proof your resume.
4. Be willing to share your skills, experiences and interests with the interviewer. Research on the Internet some of the questions that you may be asked during a job interview and be prepared to answer them.
5. Save money for your wardrobe, transportation, lunch and/or daycare. You don't want to stress yourself out with these issues just starting your job.
6. Know when you will be available to work and which days you may need off in advance before you accept the job. The last thing you want to do is upset an employer by asking them during your first week of working that you need a day off to arrange for childcare, a doctor's appointment, etc. Don't begin unless you know you are ready to invest the time.
7. Avoid flirting with people on the job. You are there to work not find a date. How you make your first impression on a job will be determine how you are seen the duration. If you start a job showing behaviors of a big flirt or tease, you will be talked about and may miss out on future opportunities for bonuses, lunch dates with management, and other incentives.
8. When greeting and meeting people for the first time, know what you are going to say before you say it. If you intend to build friends fast by using flattery, keep it to a minimum. Don't involve yourself with office gossip and do not do anyone any favors unless your boss knows about them first. Let your conversation be simple, "How are you? My name is... and your name....Nice to meet you."
9. Don't allow family and friends to call or stop by your job when you have started. Prove to the company that you are about the company's business while there, not about your family and friends.
10. Make a point to tell the interviewer, boss or anyone else involved in your hiring, "Thank you." A note of appreciation, and/or flowers, candies etc. will make anyone's day. It's the thought that counts. Don't be concerned about whether they think you are a kiss a@#! How they feel about that sort of thing is not your concern, just know that you will be remembered.
1. If you were dismissed and you felt that the reasons were unjustified, then you may have thought about fighting for your job back, at least for a moment, but is it really worth it? Avoid dwelling on the past, when you think about what happened, quickly think about something else. You don't need to bring any negative energy to your interview. Instead, think of all the positive things that happened to you and how you contributed. Write them down; therefore, when you are asked about your past experience at your previous job, you will be able to communicate all the positive events that happened. Some interviewers may want you to describe a negative event, never provide too much detail and only pick those events that made you look good in the end. If too many negative things occurred at your last job and you contributed to most of it, you might want to leave that job off your resume and your lips. Instead, talk about other companies, projects, self-employment ventures or classes that made up for the time that your were employed with that particular company. Another option is to mention them, just don't provide any references from that company that you may have had problems.
2. Know what you want. List all the characteristics of the type of job you would like. You may want a job that is part-time with no weekend hours. Call temporary agencies to find out what they are offering. You may need a full-time job with benefits but no overtime. Be sure that the jobs you call about will offer what you need before you set up an interview.
3. Find someone who would be willing to write or proof your resume.
4. Be willing to share your skills, experiences and interests with the interviewer. Research on the Internet some of the questions that you may be asked during a job interview and be prepared to answer them.
5. Save money for your wardrobe, transportation, lunch and/or daycare. You don't want to stress yourself out with these issues just starting your job.
6. Know when you will be available to work and which days you may need off in advance before you accept the job. The last thing you want to do is upset an employer by asking them during your first week of working that you need a day off to arrange for childcare, a doctor's appointment, etc. Don't begin unless you know you are ready to invest the time.
7. Avoid flirting with people on the job. You are there to work not find a date. How you make your first impression on a job will be determine how you are seen the duration. If you start a job showing behaviors of a big flirt or tease, you will be talked about and may miss out on future opportunities for bonuses, lunch dates with management, and other incentives.
8. When greeting and meeting people for the first time, know what you are going to say before you say it. If you intend to build friends fast by using flattery, keep it to a minimum. Don't involve yourself with office gossip and do not do anyone any favors unless your boss knows about them first. Let your conversation be simple, "How are you? My name is... and your name....Nice to meet you."
9. Don't allow family and friends to call or stop by your job when you have started. Prove to the company that you are about the company's business while there, not about your family and friends.
10. Make a point to tell the interviewer, boss or anyone else involved in your hiring, "Thank you." A note of appreciation, and/or flowers, candies etc. will make anyone's day. It's the thought that counts. Don't be concerned about whether they think you are a kiss a@#! How they feel about that sort of thing is not your concern, just know that you will be remembered.
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