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workplace

Hide Facebook at Work With ExcellBook
Download of the Day

ExcellBook, the Undercover Facebook

If the boss balks at Facebook use during work hours, have we got an app for you.
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If the boss balks at Facebook use during work hours, have we got an app for you. In a clever tech take on its Be Stupid advertising campaign, Diesel (as in the jeans brand) created ExcellBook, an app that filters your Facebook account into an office-friendly spreadsheet.

ExcellBook won't work if your IT department completely blocks Facebook, as it must connect with the site to log in to your account. Once signed in, your news feed is visible in spreadsheet rows. Most functionality is still available within the disguised app including the news feed, status updates, Like buttons, comments, and chat. If social media is a major faux pas in the office, steer clear of viewing photos, as that links back to the Facebook browser interface.

We received error messages on the first two log-in attempts, but by the third log-in, we were in and commenting on updates, er, working on reports.

Click through to view the "Be Stupid at Work" video for total workday rebellion.

Faking Smiles Makes Mood Worse
News

Smile! But Only If You Mean It

I've always been suspicious of indiscriminate happiness, so I feel vindicated today against the forces of oppressive cheer.
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I've always been suspicious of indiscriminate happiness, so I feel vindicated today against the forces of oppressive cheer. A new study — a real one, not funded by Canna Cola, the medical marijuana soda, or published in an advertorial — has found that faking happiness only makes us feel worse.

The New York Times talked to the author of the study, Brent Scott, assistant professor of management at Michigan State University, and he said faking happiness not only worsens moods but also decreases productivity at work. His team followed around bus drivers for two weeks, because their jobs require courteousness while dealing with many, often uncourteous, people. When drivers forced smiles, their moods and productivity declined, but when they were asked to cultivate the smile from a more authentic place (i.e. pleasant thoughts and memories), their mood and productivity increased.

So while forced smiles may lead to a dead end, it sounds like happy thoughts are still in?

Easy Ways to Work Your Body in the Office
workplace

Tips to Get Fit and Healthy Behind the Desk

Are you slouched over at your desk with a soda in your hand?
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Are you slouched over at your desk with a soda in your hand? Let's change that . . . right now. Just because you're sitting in an office doesn't mean you have to surrender to the stale office space mindset. Keep your abs engaged, your mind clear, and muscles working — all while listening in on conference calls and typing up a PowerPoint presentation.

Want to see some more ideas?

Have You Experienced a Female Bully at Work?
News

Have You Experienced a Female Bully at Work?

According to a recent article about female bullies in the workplace, only 40 percent of workplace bullies are women, but their targets are usually other women.
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According to a recent article about female bullies in the workplace, only 40 percent of workplace bullies are women, but their targets are usually other women. (Male bullies, according to researchers, target men and women equally.)

Peggy Klaus, an executive coach in Berkeley, CA, calls women bullying other women in the workforce "the pink elephant" in the room, particularly, she says, because "[we] are supposed to be the nurturers and the supporters.”

So what exactly is bullying and why would women primarily target other women? To hear some opinions, read more

Would You Join a Lunch Club?
Poll

Would You Join a Lunch Club?

I'm always talking about starting a Lunch Club — note to Sugar HQ: I'll do it someday, honest — where I organize lunch outings to various tasty eateries.
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I'm always talking about starting a Lunch Club — note to Sugar HQ: I'll do it someday, honest — where I organize lunch outings to various tasty eateries. However, I've never thought of starting a Lunch Club where people take turns making food for each other.

I recently discovered a Cooking Light article spotlighting the folks at Room and Board. Apparently they have a Healthy Lunch Club where folks cook for one another. Personally, I love the idea, but think it might create added stress in my life. I can barely find time to make my own lunch! Although, I'm sure once you get into the swing of it, it's probably pretty great. Homemade meals every day? How could you say no?

So tell me, what do you think of the Lunch Club idea? Is this something you'd want in your workplace?

Source

Stress, Your Work Place and Control
Job

Stress, Your Work Place and Control

Usually when I write about control it is in relationship to a Pilates move, but researchers on job burnout study control as well.
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Usually when I write about control it is in relationship to a Pilates move, but researchers on job burnout study control as well. Twenty years ago, psychologists believed that lack of control and high workloads were the main workplace stress inducers. Christina Maslach, a researcher based at UC Berkeley, begs to differ with that old line of thought.

According to her recent research there are more subtle factors. Job burnout and workplace stress can be products of mismatched values between employer and employee. A vacuum of information, silence on how big decisions are made, can be a major stress trigger for most employees. Plus the schism in values can lead to emotional strain, Maslach says:

"...having to operate in conflict with your values. Do you need to shade the truth to get authorization from the insurance company? Are you selling things that you know people don't really need?"

So if you are experiencing a sense of loss around your job - lost energy, lost enthusiasm and lost confidence, you may want to consider looking for a new place to work - a place that shares your values. Avoid burn out - Life is too short.