Q. I work for a food and beverage management company that has had a few closures over that past year in my region due to cutbacks by our clients. To stay employed with my company, I agreed to consult in a different region (with a much higher salary scale for the same position) until new business opens back up in my home region. This agreement was on a month-to-month basis. Three months have gone by now and there is a possibility of new business back home. This new business will not open for six months though, so they have asked me to stay here until then. How do I negotiate for a salary increa... view article details

It's the rare person who doesn't feel frazzled at work these days. The threat of layoffs seems to be churning around most offices, and employees who do survive the cut often end up doing the work of their colleagues who left.No matter what's going on around you at work, these tips will help you stay calm -- before, during and after the storm.A: Ask for help If you're the type of person who insists on taking on every little task, even when there is no room left in your schedule, you're headed for trouble. Don't be afraid to delegate or call in favors. B: Breathe Regularly pr... view article details

Q. I relocated by choice. When I relocated, I couldn't keep the same position with my company. Now the company has offered me a position comparable to the one I left behind, but at the pay rate I was at before my position changed. What boundaries does my company have to adhere to, and should they calculate a cost-of-living increase? My immediate supervisor told me the cost of living was lower here than where I moved from. But after doing a little research I found that the cost of living is significantly higher where I am now.A. Since this was a voluntary move, the company is under no obligatio... view article details

Professionals with Tattoos in the Workplace Maybe it’s a tribal armband, orchids on the lower back playing peek-a-boo with coworkers, or—gulp!—they’re wearing it on their face a la Mike Tyson. But even if it’s that cute little leprechaun on their ankle, our latest survey results show visible tattoos in the workplace could have a negative effect on your employees' pot of gold. A recent study from the Pew Research Center found nearly 40% of people between the ages of 18 and 29 have at least one tattoo, and body piercings are also a growing means of self-expression among people in this age ... view article details

Tattoos and Jobs: Find Out How Tattoos/Piercings Can Limit Your Career Ink Can Be a Career Stain Maybe it’s a tribal armband, the orchids on your lower back playing peek-a-boo with your coworkers, or -- gulp -- you’re wearing it on your face a la Mike Tyson. But even if it’s that cute little leprechaun on your ankle, our latest survey results show visible tattoos at work could have a negative effect on your pot of gold. A recent study from the Pew Research Center found nearly 40% of people between the ages of 18 and 29 have at least one tattoo, and body piercings are also a growing means of... view article details

Some folks live and breathe the family business as it endures through generations. There are plenty of success stories out there, but you may be curious which Brady Bunch is raking in the big bucks. According to Bloomberg, here are the top 10 richest families in the world, and how they got their green.  1) Walton Family Source of Wealth: Walmart Industry: Consumer Retail Net Worth: $151.1 Billion  2) Koch Family Source of Wealth: Koch Industries Industry: Industrial Net Worth: $98.7 Billion  3) Mars Family Source of Wealth: Mars Industry: Confectionery, Pet Care Net Worth: $87.9 Billion 4) Van... view article details

Less than a year after the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University first united to launch a free online education initiative known as edX, the program has gone global.EdX announced last week that it has added six new schools to the consortium, included renowned universities in Australia, Europe, and Canada. These additions bring the program up to 12 schools offering dozens of courses.'We’ve always had a very international student body, but this brings in a diverse set of schools to serve our diverse set of students,' said edX spokesman Dan O'Connell.Joining the consortium ... view article details

Dear Annette,I work in a small office. One of my coworkers doesn't shower very regularly, and we are unsure how to talk to him about it without hurting his feelings. He is a very funny, nice and bright person, but this is a problem.OdorlessDear Odorless,Every morning I review my Philosophy of Fragrance: that my personal scent is an opportunity to tell others who I am and what they can do for me. 'I am an unwashed person. Write for help' is probably not what your colleague had in mind. That's a pity, because aromas contribute so much to the formation of a personal brand. The beautiful memories ... view article details

Dear Annette,Someone keeps stealing my lunch from the office kitchen. I think I know who it is, but I'm not sure I want to confront the person. What should I do? Lunchless in Lincoln Dear Lunchless,Your plight reminds me of a balmy spring day several years ago when my dog Dickie and I did an on-site etiquette seminar on an oil rig in the Caspian Sea. As I demonstrated to the energy-efficient crew how to convert the simplest white paper bag into an elegant dining surface, a rare bird-of-prey swooped down and made off with one of Dickie's grilled sardines. I was so startled I nearly dropped the ... view article details

On the hunt for a new job? We know job searching can be a stressful process and tricky to navigate. Lucky for you, we’ve compiled summaries of five articles that offer helpful advice: 1) Tips for Salary Negotiation  Some negotiation can go a long way to get you the salary you want and deserve. When negotiating a salary, it's important to know the market pay for a similar job in the same geographical region, industry, and company size to get a better idea of whether the offered salary amount is reasonable. Sometimes employers can’t meet your salary request, so think about negotiating for more b... view article details