Workplace Foolishness - Time to Start Looking

When things appear to be getting worse instead of better at a workplace, one must weigh the pros and cons of remaining there.  You may have to leave before you secure a new job depending on how bad it is.  But whatever you choose, be sure the decision you make is right for you and your family.

1.  People making good on threats.

When you have customers, employees, or others doing things to systematically destroy your reputation, you have a problem Houston particularly when you have no supportive network at work.

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2.  You simply aren't making enough to put up with all the mayhem.

Now calculate your paycheck and your pain once again.  Hmm.  Is it worth it?

3.  You find yourself coming home arguing with the spouse, hurting the pet, and eating all hours of the night.  Can we say depression?

4.  You can't manage situations anymore.  The workplace operates like a circus with no conductor.

5.  Your issues repeatedly fall on deaf ears.  Nothing seems to get done no matter how you spin it.  Management doesn't care.  Human resources useless.  What gives?

6.  You look in the mirror and you see just how much you have aged since taking on this job (sigh).

You don't need anymore reasons to re-evaluate whether you should continue to put up with workplace foolishness.  Hey check the Indeed job search box on this site.  Who knows today might be your lucky blessed day!

Nicholl McGuire maintains this blog and is the author of What Else Can I Do on the Internet?

Personal Workplace Issues Don't Have to Become Your Issues

Give yourself a time out.  Take a deep breath and recite the following, "I will not get emotionally involved in someone's issues."  An effective manager doesn't hide out in his office to get away from troubled workers, but he or she doesn't become emotionally tied to them either.

Sally comes into the office with tears in her eyes.
Jim yells loudly and knocks off a few things on a desk.
Janet pushes people on the way to the exit door.
Bill is angered and vengeful with others again because he just can't seem to do his job well.

Do we go off on these people and fight just because they are in one?  Do we sit down and talk with them in the heat of battle?  Do we reason away their emotional outbursts or act as if they never happened?  Do we run off and hope that they can't find us?

Leaders whether you hold a title or not, don't do any of the above.  You may have been tempted and may have done some of what is mentioned, but forgive yourself.  Allow positive self-talk to usher you toward change.  Consider what your peers are saying, but keep your spirit  free from the burdens by releasing them to your God or find something you can do so that you will not be overwhelmed with so much stuff!

Workplace issues don't ever go away completely, some are there until the company or department comes to an end.  You might have thought that you were doing so well showing compassion toward so many people who approached you, but what we positive types or do-good folks learn in the end is that if you get too wrapped up into what others are feeling, you will surely burn out.

Consider the following:

1.  Don't allow yourself to be consumed with many personal stories from workers.  Seek a plan of escape from unproductive conversation like "Things are getting busy now...I will have to go, but thanks for sharing."

2.  Don't make promises you can't keep.  If you know that it isn't in your power to get something done, say so. 

3.  Avoid the drama by staying out of it.  When you hear that something is happening in a certain room, department, or somewhere else and it isn't considered anything worth escalating, stay away from that place and those who are a part of the drama.  Of course, you can see things for yourself, but once you know the truth--keep away.

4.  Let your genius come forth with those who appreciate your work, but protect your passion/heart with both positive and negative individuals.  You can't afford to fall apart at work just because an idea/suggestion or something else you came up with was rejected.  If at first you don't succeed...you know the rest.

5.  You can't control what others think/feel about you and don't even try!  Actions speak louder than words anyway and those who formulate personal false assumptions about you will sooner or later look rather stupid when they say something negative about you.  Win over those who matter!

Reserve the sentimental feelings and personal touch for those at home.  Work is just what it is...be understanding, but no fool.  There are many actors and actresses out there.

Nicholl McGuire

Prepare Yourself for the Storms at Work

The copier doesn't work, an issue that you have raised repeatedly is still not addressed, the rumors of job cuts continue, and that annoying co-worker is up to his or her irritating behavior again.  There are those small irritations that lead up to massive storms that occur at work and how might you prepare for them?

1.  Practice for the possibility of yet another storm like the last one.

Are you or your team doing anything different?  If not, then list what the issues have been and solutions on fixing each one.  Share with someone in a position that can make some swift changes.  Even if all of your ideas are not used, at least you brought some things to leadership's attention. 

2.  Don't deny the problems.

Ongoing issues are often left unaddressed because workers don't make time or prioritize them.  Once the challenges have been listed and solutions provided, what is the timeline on getting things done?

3.  Test drive the plan.

You can avoid a lot of future problems if you repeatedly test out the new program, service or tool before the influx of work, customers and others show up.  Report findings and look for new and improved strategies once again.

4.  Know your tolerance level.

For some people they have done all they can to show support and to no avail problems persist, when all has been achieved, it may be time to look for other work.

Schedule time to meet with those who can make a difference, share your concerns, talk over solutions, and test out the changes.  When all else fails, you know that there is always opportunities for growth elsewhere whether within the organization or outside of it. 

Nicholl McGuire 

Workplace Experiences

Working backward to solve problems - Maurice Ashley

Turning Problems into Solutions

What Might Be the Reason that You Struggle at Work?

There may be one major reason or many all wrapped up in one as to why some workers struggle more than others when it comes to the workplace.  Consider your history working with others as well as alone.  What was it like?  What were some things you hated about working and what were some things you loved?

Sometimes we find ourselves in strange predicaments at workplaces, because we simply don't bother to think about the future.  We rush to accept the opportunity, the money, and more without thinking about what we are giving up in the process.  Some of the most successful people in this world are often the most miserable.  They have many toys, connections and more, but after accomplishing much, they either wish for more, grow weary of what they are doing, pass on their legacy to individuals who aren't as passionate about the work, and do other things to distance themselves from what use to be a blessing which is now a curse to them.

Whatever your work might be, know this, you don't have to stay where you are!  You don't have to walk around with regrets while wishing for something else.  You can make a difference!  When you experience a myriad of emotions about your job that are more negative than positive, just know these are signs to make some changes; otherwise, someone will make adjustments sooner or later for you whether you like them or not.

Nicholl McGuire
YouTube channel: nmenterprise7
Nicholl McGuire Media

The Challenges of Working Outside the Home and Having a Family

The tug of war one might have between work and family can be overwhelming at times.  There are the annoying phone calls from relatives while one is at work and the worry that one might not being doing enough for loved ones.  Then there is the job that demands long hours and the problem employees that come with it.  So many issues arise between the two sometimes far too close for a mind to handle.


Sooner or later emotional outbursts show up, impatience, forgetfulness, and a nagging feeling that something is wrong or about to happen begin to take over.  Stress is a known killer and too much of anything isn't good!  If one is too emotionally connected to family, he or she isn't going to do well at work.  If the worker is in love with his or her job more than a partner, then a relationship is bound to fail.


The challenges of working outside the home when trouble is brewing at home have to be managed.  Vacation, personal and sick days are there for good reason, but far too many workers put off these days and use them by the end of the year or don't do anything with them at all.  Meanwhile, major family issues are brewing, but one is too busy with work to care until the challenges started affecting his or her income.


Many workplace issues arise, not because the work atmosphere is so bad, but because employees bring unaddressed toxic topics from home into their work environment.  It isn't always what they say about home life that helps answer some unanswered questions about workplace performance issues, but how they behave with others.  You can get a good idea how someone's home life is by the way they manage people.  If the manager is often impatient, rude, irritable, and tardy, he or she is most likely behaving this way at home too.


A wife might be bitter about unresolved issues with her husband who loves work too much.  A husband may be annoyed about a wife who requests his attention be placed on family once he hits the front door.  But whatever the issues, when the writing is on the wall, as a business owner, leader, manager, supervisor, or employee, read it!  Don't ignore the problems.  Of course, we all have our share, but some workers are experiencing more than we can imagine, so rather than run from the elephant in the room while saying, "It's not any of my business," why not find out what is affecting your business and get down to the bottom of it?


Nicholl McGuire has various journals available online to assist with keeping one's thoughts in order visit Blurb.com.

Problem in Today's Workplace -Do You Have It Too?

Don't Be the Leader that Overlooks these Workplace Issues

When a boss, supervisor or manager is working with the same people everyday, issuing out the same orders, and doing the typical things that many leaders do, he or she tends to overlook some workplace issues that might be growing behind the scenes with employees, operations, contractors, security, and more.  Who really has time to pay attention to so many departments?  Well, that is why companies pay bosses the big bucks, so that they will ensure business runs smoothly in all areas.  So what might you be overlooking at your workplace that might create a future headache if not one already?

One.  Watch how often workers are calling off and arriving late.

Put someone on detail to track what is really going on.  Is your department lax when it comes to tardiness and call offs?  Does your company make it too easy for people to take a day off by permitting them to just leave a voice mail?  Once you have complete your investigation, start making some changes.

Two.  Address repeated concerns brought to you by certain watchful (yet annoying) employees that are often ignored.

It is only a matter of time that the employee is going to escalate his or her concerns.  So what that you don't like him or her.  Who cares that this person is often in someone else's business?  At the end of the day, you will be the one called into the office by your boss if you don't deal with the issue.  And if you are the boss, the dissatisfied employee can go to outside sources such as: the media, BBB, Internet, etc. to get some mental resolve if nothing else.

Three.  Review monies being spent for things like restaurant outings, department celebrations, office supplies, travel, etc.

Do you really know what your staff is spending when it comes to things like: events, office supplies, travel, and more?  What kind of company spending are you doing?  You just might need to cut back on expenses before someone starts questioning you.  "What the...You spent how much for a pen?  You went where to eat?" says the angry boss.  "How about we take this dollar figure out of your next paycheck!?"

Four.  Talk with staff on how frequently things keep breaking down in the office and arrange to get those things fixed or replaced.

The more something breaks, the more you will have to keep fixing it while wasting valuable time and dollars.  Review the cost, find used goods or buy brand new so that the problem equipment will stop being everyone's headache!  Be sure that everyone knows how to use equipment so that items won't be broken so easily.

Five.  Observe how departments fail to communicate with one another about ongoing issues.

You told this department to tell that department about this matter and that one and no one listens!  So now what?  Reiterate your point on paper.  Set up a meeting and share the consequences with those who refuse to do what you ask.  But whatever you do, don't put major issues off because in time you just might have a group of individuals revolt against you and others.

Six.  Check how long you and others are socializing each day.

What are you really talking about each morning when you and others should be seated at your desks working?  Is it necessary to text, email, and communicate every concern?  Work needs to get done and chances are there are clients, customers, etc. who have been waiting for you to get back to them on one thing or another.  Put off the long chats about the weekend, the partner, the kids, what show you watched last night, and how you feel.  Encourage your workers to do more work and less chatting.  Besides, you might be the one having to set aside time to deal with gossip issues in the future.  Be a good example!

Seven.  Notice how slow it takes for phone calls to be returned, paperwork to be sent, needs of clients to be addressed, etc.

Whenever workplace management consistently finds that issues are not being handled in the way they should and the same problems keep coming across their desks, don't be surprised when the big boss calls you into the office asking you, "How come this wasn't taken care of a long time ago?  Why are people calling me about these issues?  Why does your department spend so much money on these things?  Why am I hearing..."  Get the picture?

Nicholl has worked at many businesses over the years from market research to health care.  She had her first supervisory position at the young age of 19.  A background in journalism and communications, to date, she writes on and offline books and articles about topics like: relationships, business, faith, and parenting.  Learn more about her at: http://nichollmcguire.blogspot.com 

Half of U.S. Workers are Disgruntled: How to Increase Morale?

Every company has employees who can’t stand their jobs. Unfortunately, for many companies this trend is increasing which leaves employers at a loss as to how to handle low morale. Dissatisfaction creates all types of problems in the work place ranging from poor productivity to plenty of drama.

Employees are not that happy with their jobs today. According to a survey of 5,000 households conducted by the Conference Board more than 50% of employees disliked their jobs. When the study was conduced in 1986 only 40% of workers hated their jobs. Thus, the amount of people disgruntled with their work life is rising.

Not all is lost simply because some employees are not happy. There is a good chance these employees won’t be happy anywhere else either. Companies do have some control over their employee “happiness level” if they make some simple adjustment. Move from the most cost effective and economical to those that require much more investment. Judge how the changes have affected your work climate before moving on.

Simple Happiness Adjustment:

1.) Cross-functional Training: Some employees get bored with their work due to the repetitive nature of their job. Allowing for cross-training not only helps employees to have more variety but also is beneficial to the company. When businesses can use their employees in a variety of places they have more options in terms of staffing needs and in-house opportunities.

2.) Flexible Schedules: Dissatisfaction may come from other family
obligations that may conflict with normal work schedules. As single mothers and father become the norm these conflicts are likely to continue. Adjusting work schedules to fit the needs of employees may be beneficial in increasing contentment and lowering turnover.

3.) Employee Appreciation: Just like you employees like it when their boss pats them on the back and says “way to go”. Appreciating your employees and their contribution to the organization can go a long way. It has been said that employees are more concerned about work environment than about pay.

4.) Clean Up The Work Area: No one wants to work in a nasty and dirty work area. By putting plants in the hallways, repainting rooms and remodeling areas a positive impact on the workplace will happen. It shows team members that the company isn’t all about squeezing productivity out of them but also about providing them with an excellent environment.

5.) Provide Growth Opportunity: No one wants to work for a dead end job. If you are an employee who is working hard but don’t see your job ever going everywhere the chances are you will punch in and out like a zombie. By allowing for internal promotional opportunities it gives workers a chance to go up the corporate ladder and helps them set goals.

Murad Ali, a two-time published author, writes articles and offers advertisement space for businesses. Visit http://www.thenewbusinessworld.blogspot.com