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Tips to Make Your Office Environmentally Friendly

By Jennifer Kenley on Monday, April 21, 2008

April is Earth Month, and it seems like everyone is talking about the environment and ways to become more eco-friendly. You see it everywhere – T-shirts, newspapers, billboards, and television – all promoting environment-friendly awareness. There are even tax incentives for companies who become more environmentally conscious. To help your company get started on going green and preserving the planet, try out some of these ideas.

Be Energy Efficient. With nearly 7 billion people on the planet, you can imagine how much energy we burn on a daily basis. Cutting back on the energy you use will save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution which contribute to global warming, and save water. To help save energy, try following these tips.

Make sure lights are off when they’re not in use.
Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Replace air filters monthly.
Tint your windows or install blinds on your windows.
Car pool with your co-workers.
Ride your bike to work.

Reuse and Recycle. Reusing and recycling have become a great concern as research has shown that the earth’s resources are rapidly being depleted. People are living for today and not for the future, forcing younger generations to pay the consequences. Recycling is our best defense to counter the overconsumption that has plagued our planet for centuries. Try some of these tips to help in the fight.

Put recycle bins in convenient areas for all departments.
Donate old computers and cell phones back to their originators.
Bring dishes from home to avoid using Styrofoam.
Educate co-workers on how to recycle.
Reduce your print jobs buy reading research, e-mails or other documents online.
Recycle print cartridges and ink.

Taking these steps won’t save the environment tomorrow, but it is a good place to start. If we each do our part in protecting our planet, we can begin to reverse the affects that our resource consumption has had on our surroundings. By setting an example in your company and going green, you just might inspire others to do the same.

Are you environmentally friendly? What steps does your office take to help out the environment?

Career Options The Job Search

Moving for a Job: Is it the Right Decision for You?

By shannon on Thursday, April 17, 2008

Many people consider moving out of town, or even out of state, when they’re looking for a job. Relocating can be exciting, and it can bring new opportunities. But, a move can be stressful, costly and put you far away from family and friends. Here are three things to consider when contemplating moving for a job.

The cost of moving. Moving your belongings from one town or state to another can be costly. On top of moving fees, you may incur additional charges for moving appliances, packing supplies, or using an elevator or staircase to load your items. There may also be a charge if the movers hold your belongings for an extended period of time while you’re looking for a new place. Remember, if you’re moving to a new town just to start looking for a job, your moving expenses won’t be reimbursed. But, companies may cover your moving expenses if they ask you to relocate. If you’re planning to move to a new town for a job, make sure to check with the company that hired you to see if any of your expenses will be covered.

Cost of living. The cost of living varies from place to place. A job may sound great because a company offered you twice as much as your current salary, but if the cost of living is three times as high, you’d be better off financially to stay put. Investigate the cost of living in your current town and compare the cost against the place you’re considering. Don’t forget about the extra money you’ll spend on down payments for housing and utilities, and the cost to set up internet, cable or a new phone number.

The tax on relationships. Some people enjoy the thrill of a new environment, but others enjoy the company of family and friends. When you move to a new, unfamiliar place, you often leave behind people you spend your spare time with. Some adapt easily, making a new home in a new environment, while others end up moving back home to be near those they love. If you’re unable to adapt to your new environment and become unhappy, your mood can negatively impact your work and hinder your success.

Relocating to take a new job can jump start your career, help you move up the corporate ladder and provide you with other career opportunities. But, before you make the decision to move, consider the cost of moving, the cost of living and the cost of lost time with friends and family, to make sure the decision is right for you.

Have you moved to a new town to search for a job? Have you moved across country for a job offer? Send us your feedback in the comments section below.

At Work

To Rock or Not to Rock: Music and iPods at Work

By james on Monday, April 7, 2008

As of January 2008, over 140 million iPods have been sold. With the portability of mp3 players, employees are more frequently bringing them into the workplace. Workers with internet access can even stream music files at their computer. Research shows that 80% of technical and creative workers listen to music at least 20% of their work time. While some employers find iPods a distraction, many are discovering they can be a valuable workplace tool. Here are a few tips employees should keep in mind when listening to music while on the job.

Choose the right genre.
For increased productivity, think about song selection. Poor song choices can cause you to lose focus or impact your mood. Choose music with easy beats and light melodies, such as classical music or modern music that’s light on lyrics, to increase concentration. The steady beat will help you focus and keep pace with work. According to a study published in the Neuroscience of Behavior and Physiology journal, rock music can have a similar effect as classical music and improve a person’s ability to recognize visual images, such as letters and numbers.

Be courteous to others.
Blaring music can annoy co-workers and can lead to tension if they become disgruntled and complain to management. To avoid disturbing others, turn the volume of your stereo down or use headphones. Even when using headphones, it’s important to have the volume low enough to allow co-workers to get your attention. Keep in mind that drumming, dancing, or singing along to songs can be a distraction as well.

Do not download music.
Downloading music on the internet from work can be a very sticky situation. While some services provide totally legal methods of download, many people attempt to download free music through other websites from work. This can unintentionally infect your computer’s network with a virus. It can also make your employer face copyright issues if you illegally download songs. It would be best not to download music online at all. There are various alternatives to downloading music. Streaming radio or streaming audio web sites, such as www.imeem.com, allow you to listen to music through your computer without the security risks connected to downloads. Check your workplace policy on streaming music though, because many places forbid it since it takes up bandwidth. You can always bring a CD or mp3 player if that is OK with company policy.

Whether you want to increase productivity or block out distractions by listening to music at work, it’s important to be courteous to others. So, remember these tips the next time you turn on your radio or plug in your iPod.

Do you think iPods are a distraction or helpful at your workplace? Do you or your co-workers listen to music at the office?

more at twiigs.com…

The Daily Grind

5 Ways to Recharge During Your Lunch Break

By shannon on Thursday, April 3, 2008

With so many of us commuting farther to work these days, it’s often impossible to go home, eat lunch and relax during a one-hour lunch break. But so many of us need some time to step away from our desks to just take a breather. Here are five ideas for your lunch hour to help you escape the stresses of work and refresh midway through your day.

Nap. If you drive to work, slip away to your car and take a short nap. If you don’t drive to work, find a quiet place nearby, such as a coffee shop or library, to catch a snooze. You’ll feel refreshed and won’t be sleepy-eyed as you finish out your workday. Just remember to set an alarm, such as a cell-phone, so you won’t sleep too long and return to work late.

Walk. Catch some fresh air and take a walk in a nearby neighborhood, stroll along the sidewalks near your office, or head to the nearest shopping mall or outdoor track. Make sure you wear walking shoes so your feet won’t hate you later. Walking can lower your stress level, prevent depression, and relieve arthritis and back pain.

Read. Reading can help take your mind off your daily routine. Find a quiet place to read within your building, or even better, find an area outside to sit while you delve into your favorite book or magazine.

Explore. Check out a store or eatery you’ve never visited, and experience something new in your community. Or, visit a local library, museum or park. A break from your normal routine will energize your day or even your week. Changing your habits can also pep up your outlook and brighten your attitude.

Volunteer. Visit a nearby school, community center or non-profit organization, and donate your time. Whether it’s reading to children, working with senior citizens or organizing special projects, these groups always need volunteers. You’ll be giving back to your community and gain improved self-esteem.

Try napping, walking, reading, shopping or volunteering the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed at work or just need to get away from your desk. You’ll feel recharged and be able to finish out the workday strong.

How do you spend your lunch break? What are your favorite lunchtime escapes?

The Job Search

Think You’d Be Better Off Working From Home? 3 Things to Consider Before Making The Move

By shannon on Tuesday, March 25, 2008

I have a friend who has worked from home for the past two years, but is now seeking a new job opportunity. She enjoys her job, the short commute from bedroom to office and wearing pajamas most days. But, she misses being around people and needs human contact again because she feels she’s starting to go nutty.

Have you considered working from home? Do you think you would go stir-crazy if you did, or would you adjust well? Here are a few things to consider before you make the change.

No teamwork – When you work in an office, you’re likely to work in a team environment and work with others on projects. When you’re working from home, you’re often working on projects solo and don’t receive input from others along the way. Brainstorming is more difficult because you can’t simply turn to a co-worker to get a second opinion. Instead, you have to send an e-mail or make a phone call to your co-workers and hope someone is available to help you out. Working alone is mentally and emotionally challenging for some people because they thrive on communicating with others.

More distractions –You might think that you’d face fewer distractions by working at home, but there are plenty of things at home to pull you away from your desk. Some things that might distract you include cleaning, laundry, paying bills, playing with pets or children and even watching TV. If you’ll be easily distracted, try hiring someone to help around the house so you can concentrate on work.

A shorter commute – The price of gas is continually increasing, pushing up the cost for commuters to get to and from work every day, whether they’re driving themselves or using public transportation. You’ll save money and time with no commute to the office. But, take into consideration meetings and events you might have to attend. If they’re an every day occurrence or if there’s an occasional long trip, your “commute” may still be a real issue. In fact, you may find yourself on-the-go more. My friend only has to travel once a week, but she has to travel more than my trip to and from work five days a week, so she ends up spending almost as much time and money commuting as I do.

There are many more issues to consider about working at home or working at the office. Make sure to weigh every issue fully to make the choice that will work best for you. Take the time to realize what’s truly important to you before you make the leap, considering all the good and bad things of working at home.

Are you currently working from home or would you like to? What advice would you give others who are considering a move to a home office?

At Work Reader Surveys

March Madness and the Workplace

By james on Friday, March 14, 2008

The 2008 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship begins Tuesday, March 18. The tournament brings Cinderella teams, buzzer beaters, rabid fans and, of course, tournament brackets. And workplaces around the country are caught up in March Madness. The ease of organization is what makes the tournament attractive for office pools. Brackets are readily available for download from web sites like ESPN.com and NewYorkTimes.com. A recent survey by Vault Inc. reports that 57% of employees participate in NCAA basketball pools.

While some argue that filling out brackets can hinder productivity, many employers are viewing office pools as a team building activity for their workers. If it’s well organized, a pool like this can benefit the workplace by providing a regular fun activity and develop camaraderie among team workers. To ensure a pool is well organized, experts suggest the winnings must be divided among players, allowing all workers who wish to play and conduct the pool in person instead of over the phone or through e-mails.

Although the Vault Inc. survey reports that 86% of offices don’t have policies against pool betting, it is wise to check your company’s policy before joining or starting a pool. In some states, unlicensed gambling, like office pools, may be considered criminal activity. If that’s the case where you are, there are many alternatives. Participants can play for gift certificates, sports or movie tickets, or for proceeds to go to charity. By taking out the monetary aspect, non-gambling pools are perfectly legal.

more at twiigs.com…

Dress for Success New Job Tips

9 Tips to a Smooth Start at a New Job

By shannon on Monday, January 14, 2008

Your first few weeks at a new job are crucial because your co-workers are developing their first impressions of you, and you’re forming work habits that will stay with you for the long haul. During this time, your behavior, attitude and actions will set your work pace and form your reputation, so starting off on the right foot is important. Here are nine tips to help you ensure a smooth start at your new job.

1. Ask questions. If you don’t have the answer to a question or problem you are working on, ask someone to help you out. It’s better to avoid a mistake than to make an irreversible one, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.

2. Take notes. Write down everyday tasks and important information that you will need to know later, such as logins and how to operate the phone system. Keep these in a notebook or folder that you can get to at any time. Also, jot down information you learn about the company during training and interacting with your co-workers.

3. Avoid surfing. Stay off of the Internet, and don’t be tempted to check your personal e-mail. If you feel like you have downtime, find company materials you can read to increase your knowledge of the organization, industry and job processes.

4. Turn off your phone. Don’t be a disturbance to yourself and others by answering your cell phone at work. Turn your cell phone off, and let incoming calls go to voicemail. Wait until a break or lunch time to check your voicemail and return personal calls.

5. Complete your tasks. Doing your best work and completing each task on time is critical, because you want your supervisor and peers to see what you are capable of. But, make sure you are also not falling behind. If you find you have too much on your plate, talk to your supervisor and see how you can prioritize your time better.

6. Listen and observe. You can learn more by listening than you can by talking, so be attentive and don’t interrupt others when they are speaking. You’ll be able to learn about company culture, work flow and company policy by paying attention to your co-workers and observing their behavior in the workplace.

7. Be positive. Your attitude shows if you care to be at your new job or not, so be positive and enthusiastic about your new opportunity. Be friendly and courteous to your co-workers while showing them that you are confident and eager to learn.

8. Earn respect. This is your only chance to create a first impression, so demonstrate your work ethic, and give 110% to all of your duties. Be humble about needing help, and make sure to thank your co-workers when they do help you out. Then, they’ll show you respect, because you’ve earned it.

9. Be a team player. Make time to collaborate with your co-workers, especially if they need help. Work together with your new co-workers instead of trying to compete against them. You’re on the same team now, and you’ll get more done working together than you will working alone.

Being successful in a new job takes effort, so put these nine tips to use from day one. Work on a positive image and start your job off right. Your first impression is usually a lasting impression, so make it a good one.

What advice do you have for others starting a new job?