Mandatory Days Off Without Pay – Vacation or Layoff?

Current economic conditions are affecting everyone and forcing some companies to make tough decisions regarding their employees. While a number of companies have had no choice but to lay off their staff or make drastic budget cuts in recent months, other companies have explored unique options to retain their employees while still trying to keep their businesses alive.

Some companies have begun instituting furloughs. According to Wikipedia, a furlough is a temporary leave of absence from employment, whether voluntary or involuntary. Other businesses have resorted to mandatory furloughs, requiring employees to take off a certain number of days per month or year – without pay – to avoid laying off their employees.

If your company chose to institute mandatory unpaid furlough days, would you be grateful that you still had a job and take the opportunity to do something for yourself during your time off? Or would you be frustrated that you were forced to take unpaid vacation days? Let us know by voting in our poll below.

Feel Like You Work in a Fish Bowl? 3 Tips for Getting Some Air

Fish Bowl (small) Let’s face it – life in a cubicle or an office has its challenges. Excessive talking, limited space, and less-than-thrilling co-worker habits can swell within the already crowded space you spend eight hours a day inhabiting. It’s like adding more fish to an already swarming bowl. 

Some employees even share their workspace with several other people, which can cause sometimes create even more stress. Even if you have a cubicle all to yourself or you have your own office, working long hours in a small space can trigger stress.

To help combat the feelings of working in a fish bowl with no chance of escape, try these tips below to breathe again!

Stretch your fins. When you start to feel boxed in, get up and leave your work area for a few moments. Most companies allow a 10 – 15 minute break in the morning and the afternoon for employees to use the restroom, get a drink, or regroup. Take advantage of this time. You will come back to your desk feeling a little less cramped and ready to focus on the task at hand.

Swim upstream. If you’re tired of working in the same physical space day-in and day-out, move to a different location for a few hours, if your job allows, and do your work from there. Working in a different environment can reinvigorate your state of mind and break up the monotony of your day.

Make a splash. Chances are, if you’re feeling the effects of a cramped work environment, it’s time to take a vacation. Make a splash in your routine by taking the family – or yourself – on a nice, relaxing getaway, even if it’s just for a few days. An escape from your routine can refresh your attitude.
 
Cubicle life doesn’t have to make you feel like you’re drowning. By trying one – or all –of these helpful tips, you might just be able to jump back in the bowl with a new way of thinking to get you through the days!

Come On Get Happy: Use Music to Produce Positive Thinking

Good Mood Music Monday morning blues were tough enough before the recession, but in our economic situation, facing the work week with the energy, enthusiasm, and motivation you need can be difficult.

Moods are contagious. According to a recent study, people who work together share their moods – within two hours of being around each other. So, why not make sure the mood you share is a positive one? This will improve workplace relationships, enhance your work environment, and boost productivity. Plus, chances are your employer will notice your upbeat attitude and its impact – so why not strive for a great mood every day?

If you’re having trouble starting the day off right, take your cue from history and motivate yourself through music. A Los Angeles Times article, How Song, Dance and Movies Bailed Us Out of the Depression, discusses the impact the arts, like swing, jazz, and big bands, had on the depression. “The engine of the arts in the ‘30s was not escapism, as we sometime imagine, but speed, energy, and movement at a time of economic stagnation and social malaise.”

Now, studies show that music impacts reasoning skills, the cardiovascular system, and moods. So, tap in to the power of positive music and create a play list that motivates you. Listen to it at work, in your car, or at home, and you’ll improve your mood and the moods of those around you.

Not sure what songs to add to your play list? Here are 10 recommendations to boost your mood no matter what your musical taste is.

1. Powder Your Face With Sunshine – Dean Martin
2. Pennies from Heaven – Louis Prima
3. Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
4. Get Happy – Rufus Wainwright
5. I Feel Good – James Brown
6. Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves
7. I Can See Clearly Now – Johnny Nash
8. Brighter than Sunshine – Aqualung
9. Beautiful Day – U2
10. Feels Like Today – Rascal Flatts

As Dean Martin sings in Powder Your Face with Sunshine, “The future’s brighter when hearts are lighter.” So, whether you want to listen to Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger or Queen’s We Will Rock You every day this week, you can improve your mood with music and impact your team – and your company – with the power of positive thinking!

Have a song that improves your mood? Add it to our comments section below.

Fearing A Layoff? 5 Things to Focus on Instead

When friends or family members get laid off, it’s difficult to see them struggle to get back on their feet. Unfortunately, no one can guarantee job security – even in the best of times. So, here are a few things you can do now to prepare yourself in case of an unexpected layoff.

Focus on Networking. It’s never too late – or too soon – to start networking with your peers and other professionals. You don’t have to be looking for a job to build relationships, so get out there and reconnect with old friends and co-workers while also getting to know new people. If you’re laid off from your job, you’ll be able to quickly and easily turn to your network for support and job leads.

Cut Extra Spending. Make an effort to cut your spending and increase your savings by determining if each purchase you’re about to make is truly a “need” or a “want.” Avoid spending extra money on “wants” right now, and instead put that money into savings. Your co-workers can probably empathize with you as you cut back spending, so don’t be afraid to decline an invitation for lunch or happy hour with your co-workers. If you’re unable to find a job immediately after a layoff, you’ll be glad you saved some extra cash to make it through the tough times.
 
Create a Budget. Whether or not you anticipate a layoff, create a budget you could follow with a reduced or eliminated salary. Write down every expense you have and how much each one costs. Then, select several things to cut immediately and some you could cut later, if you become unemployed. Consider cutting back on items like eating out, entertainment, and clothing. Keep track of your daily expenditures to make sure you’re sticking to your budget, and then save or invest what you have left. You might also want to visit with a financial advisor to create a personalized financial strategy.

Clean Up Your Files. Clean up your computer files if you manage personal documents on your work computer, such as pictures, e-mails, and other downloads. Save the files you need to a CD or e-mail them to your personal computer. Then delete those unnecessary documents from your work computer. When you begin collecting your portfolio items, be sure that you’re only taking copies of acceptable documents, such as public newsletters you wrote or graphics you designed. Make sure to leave behind company documents that don’t belong to you.

Set Doctor Appointments. If you’re covered by a company health care plan, schedule all of your regular doctor appointments and refill all of your prescriptions. Ask about three-month prescriptions and preventative medication so you can be prepared in case your insurance costs increase or coverage stops.

If you’re uncertain about job security, some things to prepare for might be obvious, like updating your résumé and viewing online job boards. Focusing on these five things can increase your confidence and ease your stress because you’ll be better prepared if you face an unexpected layoff. Remember, as important as preparing is, don’t forget to stay positive and remain focused on your tasks and projects at work.

What Are Your Burning Workplace Questions?

questionsHave you ever had a question you’re dying to ask about your job but you aren’t sure who – or how – to ask?

We’re starting a new feature here at the Express Job Blog where you can post questions for our experts to answer.

Your questions can be anonymous, or you can provide your name. To ask a question, just leave it in a comment on this post, or add them to our new “Your Questions” page, and our team will select a few questions each month – and interview experts to get the answers you’re looking for.

We’ll share answers to your questions as we receive them.

So, start asking away! Oh, and here are a few guidelines to keep in mind. We’re looking forward to hearing from you

Your Questions

Do you have a question about the world of work, the job search process, interviewing, career development – or something else work-related?

 

Post your questions here, and each month, we’ll select a few questions, interview our team of experts, and post our answers to the blog! Questions can be anonymous, or you can provide your name. Please keep our comments policy in mind when posting your questions.

 

Go ahead – ask away!

Comments Policy

We welcome your comments, thoughts, suggestions, and questions, so please, comment away! The Express Employment Professionals Job Blog, Movin’ On Up, is a moderated site, which means that we approve all comments before they are posted. We want to make sure the conversation here is – like our name says – professional. So, please keep comments on topic and of interest to our readership.

 

Though we have a moderated site, it’s our goal to present a comprehensive and objective range of issues and opinions – including your comments. It’s okay to disagree with what we post, but in doing so, please be aware of the guidelines we will use when choosing whether or not to post all comments:

 

Express Employment Professionals reserves the right to not post any comments or questions that are deemed to be obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, illegal, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, libelous, invasive of someone else’s privacy, or objectionable in any way. Profanity, racial and ethnic slurs, and general rude behavior like disparaging personal remarks won’t be tolerated nor published.

 

Comments must be related to the subject matter of the post. We will not post your personal or business phone number, address, résumé, or job application, among other private details, in the comments section of this blog. If you would like to submit an application for a job, please use our online job application.

 

In addition, Movin’ On Up is not the proper forum to address customer service issues. If you have a question about your local Express office, job application, or job order, please contact your local office directly. For all other customer service concerns, please review our contact page.

 

Express Employment Professionals reserves the right to amend this policy at any time. It is the sole discretion of Express Employment Professionals what content we choose to post or remove at any time.