I read a great article on Karl Rove, a.k.a. the ex-President’s Svengali. In the article it talked about the fact that in politics there are two kinds of people – “lumpers” and “splitters.” Lumpers try to build the biggest possible coalition to get the policies they want while splitters use wedge issues to divide and …
Having written a column entitled Workplace911 and Working Wounded for fourteen years, as you can imagine, I hear from a lot of people with terrible jobs. Last time I addressed a few of my favorites, this week the worsts continue: Worst Interview (some worst jobs start even before you get the job) Worst Coworkers Worst …
Let’s start with my qualifications to discuss “Worst Jobs.” For the last decade I’ve written an internationally syndicated work advice column called Workplace911 (formerly Working Wounded). With a name like that, you can imagine the emails I receive on a daily basis. One example, “I decided to put a photo of my family on the …
The Super Bowl is a key date for any would be entrepreneurs. The milestone was a $12.95 student-shot commercial for Doritos. Not only was the commercial judged to be one of the best of the day, but this commercial officially levels the playing field between massive corporations and small entrepreneurs. Let’s face it, for the …
To everyone who has been laid off I have three things to say. It’s not fair. It’s not your fault. And, you’re not alone. Recently I took a big financial hit when I was let go from a job I’d had for twelve years. I’d like to talk about it this week in a very …
Didn’t they used to say that bad news came in 3’s? Today if feels like it’s coming in 3,000’s. Jeez, I can’t remember the last good news that I’ve heard about my portfolio, the economy, the workplace, world events, etc. Ouch! Which reminds me of a classmate’s question during my old MBA days. We were …
What will it take for me to invest in the stock market, as you suggested that I should, Mr. President? I know the market is cheap and will eventually rally, but there is just one itty-bitty problem. I don’t trust the leadership of any organization that has received TARP funds or any other taxpayer money. …
Nothing surprises me at work any more. After personally responding to over 50,000 emails from the corner office and the cube and 14 years as a workplace advice columnist, I thought I’d seen it all. I was wrong. CareerBuilder asked employees how often they arrived late for work. At the end of 2007, 15 percent …
A few years ago Workplace911 did an online poll. It asked, “Which movie title best describes your relationship with your boss?” Sure, the question was light-hearted, but the results weren’t: Little Shop of Horrors: 20% It’s a Wonderful Life: 24% But the #1 movie title describing the relationship between employees and bosses? House of Games: …
Memo to CEOs: Your Employees Just Aren’t That Into You Read More »
It’s time to review three ideas that need to be “let go” in 2009. 1. Credit Checks of Job Applicants. According to the Society of Human Resource Management and Kroll, 43% of employers run credit checks on potential employees, up from 36% in 2004. These checks involve rent, student loans, credit cards and mortgages and …
Madeline Messa is a 3L at Syracuse University College of Law. She graduated from Penn State with a degree in journalism. With her legal research and writing for Workplace Fairness, she strives to equip people with the information they need to be their own best advocate.
