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Express: It's All About Attitude!

Sponsor — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 05:45:00 -0700

Check out the latest styles from Express! Also, visit Express.com to check out styling tips for both men and women.

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Which Style of Jeans Are You Most Excited to Wear This Season?

Sponsor — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 05:45:37 -0700

Longer. Leaner. Leggier. It's all about skinny jeans, shine, and chic layers this season! At Express we are helping Sugar readers start the season off right with our Buy One Get One 50% Off Express Jeans Sale. Whatever your style is, Express has a fabulous pair of jeans to match! So tell us, which style of jeans are you most excited to wear this season? Shop the Express online jeans guide now to find your perfect fit!

6 Simple Tips to Boost Creativity and Kick-Start Your Career (and Your Week!)

SavvySugar — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 03:00:45 -0800

Though I've never loved the expression, there is some truth to it - there is, in fact, more than one way to skin a cat. It may seem irrelevant in an office job where it seems there's a procedure or a rule book for every task, but thinking outside the box may just be your ticket to getting noticed and working your way up - even in this economy.

Just take a cue from Pat Lencioni, a consultant who crafted a novel approach to writing a business guide - literally - by authoring an unconventional business book, that uses characters and a plot line to get the point across. His creativity paid off with over 2.5 million copies sold. But even if you're not the creative type and if writing your own book seems a little out of your league, try these simple tips to change up your routine and get the creative juices flowing. Just read on and see how.

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I’m Asking: Is There Such a Thing as "Reply-All" Etiquette?

SavvySugar — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:00:00 -0800

One of my former bosses was a reply-all fanatic. When someone would send an email about upcoming office events or trainings, she'd click "reply all," and let the whole distribution list in on her schedule (one time that included the fact that her dog needed to be groomed). She'd share her take with new company policies with everyone. It was her way of expressing her needs, concerns, and efforts with the group she worked with, but that all email often went to the department staff of more than 40 people or at least five or six people per email.

Email and Internet etiquette is hazy - though it's a topic GeekSugar has explored extensively - but I do think there should be some commonly accepted rules when it comes to replying all. Namely, don't reply all if 90 percent of the people you are responding to don't need to know whatever you are sharing or if your response could offend anyone, and double check to make sure you aren't replying all by accident. People who work at the computer spend hundreds of hours reading email yearly, so it's important to do your part to keep it professional and necessary. What's your take? Are there rules when it comes to sending a blast response?

Photo courtesy of The CW

Go Lite When Talking Politics in the Office

SavvySugar — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 09:25:54 -0800

I'll be hitting the polls after work today, and I usually respond openly when asked which candidate I'm voting for. My political position is of course, personal, but the question doesn't bother me, though I know some people find the question slightly invasive so I'm usually not the one asking about others' politics. The office is one place where you may want to be on guard about your politics, and the NYT has a helpful Q & A to get you through the next nine months. To read some of their tips on how to shake up a work and politics cocktail just read more

Are displays of affiliation appropriate? It depends on your employer, but generally it's a good idea to avoid visible demonstrations (like pins, bobble heads, pinned up bumper stickers) if your business deals with the public.
What’s the best way for employees to share political perspectives? Use common sense on this one - just be respectful. No need to create enemies by pursuing an aggressive political conversation.
To what extent can companies limit political expression in the workplace? Private companies have the right to prohibit political expression at the office, but government employees could be an exception.
Can you be fired for expressing political opinions at work? Yes, and it's happened before. If you want to express yourself ask about company policy first, or better yet save it for your personal life.

Source

Don't Let Disappointment Derail You at Work

SavvySugar — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 04:00:51 -0800

With the economy still in recovery, it's not surprising that most of you didn't receive bonuses to reward your hard work in '09. While it can leave you feeling sour or let down, don't let the lack of a bonus ruin your chances at staying focused. Instead, be proactive, acknowledge your disappointment, but don't let it detract from your chances to excel in 2010. Here's how:

Don't Take It Personally: Remember it's been a rough year for everyone. Companies across the board have suffered from the economic climate, and the best thing you can do to get back on track is to remind yourself that monetary rewards are scarce for everyone. It doesn't mean your work isn't valued, there just may not be the budget to hand out financial rewards to every employee. Instead, relish compliments from co-workers and let that motivate you to continue great work in the new year.
Deal With It On Your Own: The worst thing you could do is become a part of an office chorus of complaints. Sure, there may be a group that feels underappreciated, and it's easy to get caught up in the gossip around the lunch room. But, don't become a part of it. Instead, handle the situation professionally. If you feel that you really deserved a bonus, set up a time to meet with your employer one-on-one to discuss how you can better position yourself to be considered for a bonus or salary increase. Your boss will admire your initiative and is more likely to take your concerns seriously, just be sure to research competitive salaries to back your positioning. Sites like Vault.com or Salary.com can help you determine what's fair.

For more tips keep reading

Savvy Links: Work Beyond the Cube

SavvySugar — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 04:00:14 -0800

Work beyond the cubicle - Bankrate
If you're an American Express rewards customer you could pay your taxes with points - Walletpop
9 sneaky expenses that eat away at your income - Get Rich Slowly
Make your ideas stick - FiLife
How to switch up your career in 2010 - Kiplinger
Treat your employer how it treats you - Consumerism Commentary

The Daily Mood Flipchart: Love It or Hate It?

SavvySugar — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 04:00:21 -0800

Thanks to CupcakeGal10 for bringing this office accessory to my attention in our SavvySugar Community. The Daily Mood Flipchart is an expressive little desk accessory that displays a mood word and matching emoticon, which you change depending on how you're feeling. Still, I don't know how I would feel about broadcasting my emotional well-being (or not-so-well-being) to my office. Does it seem like a strange desk-topper, or do you want a Mood Flipchart for your own office cube?

If you haven't already, be sure to join our community, where you can share your great tips, ask for advice, and join the conversation with other Savvy readers. Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.

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Venting at Work Is Good For Your Health

SavvySugar — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:00:25 -0800

Turns out the strong, silent types at work are only hurting themselves. A new Swedish study of nearly 3,000 men found that the more they bottle up their frustrations at work, the more likely they are to have a heart attack - or even die of one.

Researchers compared "covert coping" methods at work - staying quiet or ignoring a problem and hoping it’ll go away - to "open" methods, like expressing anger or frustration in the moment. Men who used covert coping methods were up to five times more likely to develop heart disease.

The study focused on men, but I think it’s fair to assume that the results would be similar for women. It’s also possible that women are more likely to use open coping methods to begin with. In any case, the moral of the study seems clear: find a constructive way to vent your frustrations at work, whether that means talking to a trusted co-worker, sitting down with your boss, or confronting the source of your stress.

Photo courtesy of AMC

The Laid-Off Ladies: Reader Shares Her Mixed Emotions

SavvySugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:00:54 -0700

Despite optimistic news that approximately 38 percent of employers are planning on extending offers to some of their laid-off workers as business conditions improve, workers continue to be affected by layoffs and fear job security. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the US unemployment rate was 9.8 percent in September. Unfortunately, SavvySugar Community member PinkTulip is one of the many workers who was laid off recently. She shares her story:

I worked full-time as a professional educator in an elementary school - in a position where I was stretched very thin and rarely could make time for lunch. I'm going on five months of being unemployed due to budget cuts in the district I was working for. There are days I enjoy sleeping in and watching morning TV while searching the nearly 10 online job sites I frequent every day, morning and night, but then there are other days where I feel so bummed out. . . . Anyone ever feel the same?

A special thanks to PinkTulip for being honest about her situation and sharing her story. I know it isn't easy, and I have heard many friends express the same mixed feeling of being relieved to not face the daily grind while unemployed, but understandably stressed to find another position. I suggest checking out past job search coverage and advice for support and keeping up your healthy search efforts. It sounds like you are working diligently to remain upbeat and find a new position, and I applaud your efforts.

Have you or someone close to you been laid off? Join the Laid-Off Ladies group in the SavvySugar Community for support.