Workplace Flexibility is Increasingly Important Flexibility rated as one of the top perks people look for in a job. Whether you're a parent looking for a better work/life balance, or simply someone who wants to cut down on commuting time and costs, more and more jobseekers are actively seeking out workplace flexibility.Here’s a primer of the three most common forms of workplace flexibility that can help you balance family and life demands with your career.3. Compressed Work Weeks Compressed work weeks involve working longer hours each work day, but then earning extra days off... view article details
Has America's Relationship with Work Shifted? America is a country that has long prided itself on sweat, determination and hard work. We love stories about people putting in the hours, working harder than everyone else, and pulling themselves up by their bootstraps to enjoy financial success. Historically that’s been true, but is it still the case?This country has changed dramatically over the years, but we wanted to find out if Americans still value work the way they used to. So we sent out our “Working Study” survey, and nearly 3,000 of you answered. Do we live to work as our grandp... view article details
Talking to Your Boss -- You Can Do It! You love your in-office job. But at this point in your career (and life), you need to work at home. Convincing your boss that you’d like to telecommute is not as difficult as you might think. Here are some tips on how to negotiate a flex work schedule that benefits both you and the company.7. Assess Your Job Write down everything you currently do in your job. Now, which aspects of your position could be done working at home? Maybe it’s writing proposals or researching tech companies. Be very specific about what can clearly be done at hom... view article details
Typically, the month of December brings a lull to the workplace. With school vacations and holidays resulting in time off for many employees, it sometimes seems futile to try to actually accomplish anything of value. In fact, some see it as a good time to 'resolve to get things done next year.' But it doesn't have to be this way if you use these tips to work smarter, not harder.Just because it seems like a ghost town around the office doesn’t mean you have to play dead. Consider the change of pace and disruption to the workplace routine a golden opportunity to be proactive, p... view article details
In today's busy world, prioritizing between your work and your personal life can be a huge challenge. But studies show that a poor work-life balance can result in unhealthy levels of stress, unhappiness, and even reduced productivity. The 14 tips outlined in this article are designed to help you restore the balance -- and harmony -- in your work and personal lives, so you can enjoy both to the utmost. Step 1: Set your priorities Figure out what you want your priorities to be, not what you think they should be. Ask yourself, "If I could only focus on one thing in my life, what would it be?" ... view article details
In high school, when the teacher announced that the next project would involve working in groups, it was not uncommon for a murmur of discontent to ripple through the room. What if I get stuck with that know-it-all or worse, that really lazy kid? Why can't I just work by myself? Well, according to a pair of new studies, you were either right to question the efficacy of group work, or woefully mistaken.First up: the skeptics.Research from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School suggests that people working together can become overconfident in their choices and opinions. They lean too he... view article details
When it comes to colorful language at work, on one end of the spectrum there's the timid colleague who gives up the occasional 'Darn!' and, on the other, there's the over-the-top constant curser who's probably got a trip to HR in his future.But sometimes, things are not be so black and white. That's why knowing the difference between the good, the bad and the ugly can save your ears -- and possibly your job. Here's how...Team Work: The Good Teams that can freely express themselves may build stronger ties. For example, when emotions run high, overlooking a 'freakin'' here and a 'What t... view article details
'Is nothing sacred?!?' According to author Jake Breeden, the answer is no.Breeden is the author of 'Tipping Sacred Cows: Kick the Bad Work Habits that Masquerade as Virtues,' and joins Aaron as this week's guest on Salary Talk. At first glance, Breeden's book seems more than a little bit counter-intuitive. After all, it seems backwards to criticize people who are full of passion and creativity on the job. But too much of a good thing can -- and certainly does -- work against you professionally, Breeden argues.While everyone knows and has plenty of criticism for the 7 Deadly Sins, Breeden talks... view article details
Lisa D’Annolfo Levey is a consultant on work-life and diversity management and the author of The Libra Solution: Shedding Excess and Redefining Success at Work and at Home, which focuses on a gender-flexible approach to career and family management. Lisa first interviewed Roy Marden while doing research for her book and conducted a follow-up interview in May 2012.Roy Marden was the last person anyone -- even his wife -- thought would be the primary caretaker for his infant daughter. He admittedly felt ambivalent about the idea of becoming a parent. He thoroughly enjoyed the lifestyle that he a... view article details
They Didn't All Win Oscars, But These Work-Related Movies Hold a Special Place in Our Hearts And the Oscar Goes to... The nominees for this year's Academy Awards feature whimsy and fantasy, wartime adventures and family dramas. These movies may be praiseworthy, but they largely lack any perspective on the things that occupy most viewers' daily lives: impersonal cubicles, tedious commutes, the chances of promotion. We, therefore, have assembled an alternate list of deserving films that offers a peek into what it is to be a worker, striving for career advancement and negotiating all the hurdl... view article details