SavvySugar

Did You Interview With the Top Boss?

SavvySugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:45:43 -0700

Serena further explores her decision to defer Brown to "find herself" on this week's Gossip Girl and decides to find a job to prove her seriousness to her mother. She puts on a stunning Herve Leger bandage skirt and blazer and scurries around town scoping out prospects.

In one scene, she interviews with designer Tori Birch, who was just one of the many special guests on the episode. The interaction was sweet and emphasized how under-prepared Serena is for the working world, but I couldn't help but think it's a bit far fetched to have a major designer meet with potential intern or entry-level applicant. Did you interview with the top boss or company owner when you got your job, or did you meet with a hiring manager?

Photo courtesy of The CW

Would You Accept a Friend Request From Your Ex-Boss?

SavvySugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 06:00:47 -0700

It's no secret that social networking sites can cause some serious stress in the workplace. In some cases, there's anxiety over whether you should share your Facebook or Twitter accounts with job recruiters. In other cases, well-crafted online profiles might give you a leg up with potential employers. Still, we're probably most familiar with stories where something seen on Facebook or tweeted into the blogosphere, lands someone out of a job. But what if it's not your social networking conduct that's in question? In the case of Friendly Fred, it's his boss who may be out of line.

In a letter to Fortune, Fred details how he was fired by his employer - without warning or severance pay - and soon after, friended by the very same (and now ex) boss. Obviously, the lay-off has left Fred with some less-than-fond feelings for his old boss, and while he's in no rush to accept the request, he fears ignoring, or even declining it, is poor Facebook form.

While Fortune's Ask Annie doesn't offer any quick fix for Fred's query, she does reveal the findings of a recent OfficeTeam poll that suggests that most of the workforce would be apprehensive about friending their boss on Facebook - preferring to keep their personal network separate from the office. What do you think? Would you want to be Facebook buds with the boss who fired you?

Has Your Boss Ever Pitted You Against a Co-Worker?

SavvySugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:30:57 -0700

On this week's Rachel Zoe Project, Rachel makes a questionable management move and invites Brad and Taylor to Paris before realizing one of them is going to have to stay behind at the studio. When she becomes aware of her mistake, she tells them they should decide amongst themselves who will go, thinking Brad will volunteer to stay home.

The suggestion immediately becomes an issue for Brad and Taylor. Taylor tells Brad she thinks Rachel is testing him, Brad calls Rachel and says he doesn't like being tested. Rachel says she doesn't have time to deal with it, and Taylor should make the call. Big time drama! Thankfully, Taylor ends up suggesting Brad go, but the dilemma comes off as completely dysfunctional because it pits the two co-workers against one another. As BuzzSugar notes, "Rachel needed to be able to woman up and just make a boss decision." Has your manager ever delegated a big decision to you and your co-workers because she didn't want to make it?

Want to talk more about the workplace antics in the episode? Join BuzzSugar's Rachel Zoe Project Fan Group!

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Worker Wins in Court After Calling His Boss a Bad Name

SavvySugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 04:30:56 -0700

You may have called your boss an unflattering name or two - but hopefully you kept those insults to yourself. One Spanish worker got so heated in a money argument with his boss that he said exactly what was on his mind, and told his boss that he was (as translated) a "son of a bitch." He also tossed in a "crazy" for good measure. The worker was fired for his disrespectful outburst and then took the matter to court.

The first court ruled in the employer's favor, but the persistent worker won on appeal with the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia. The ruling said the worker should either get his job back or receive $9,472; it's unknown which was chosen by the employer. Judge Sara Maria Pose Vidal explained the court's decision and said, "The social degradation of language has caused the expressions used by the plaintiff to become commonly used in certain settings, especially in arguments." Basically, the verdict is that the boss overreacted to the employee's insult.

Your Two Cents: Are Women Better Managers Than Men?

SavvySugar — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:30:09 -0700

In a recent interview with the New York Times, Carol Smith, who is senior vice president and chief brand officer for the Elle Group, said women are "hands down" better managers than men. She even went so far as to add "There’s no contest."

In my experience, female bosses tend to be better managers, better advisers, mentors, rational thinkers. Men love to hear themselves talk. I’m so generalizing. I know I am. But in a couple of places I’ve worked, I would often say, “Call me 15 minutes after the meeting starts and then I’ll come,” because I will have missed all the football. I will have missed all the “what I did on the golf course.” I will miss the four jokes, and I can get into the meeting when it’s starting.

As a woman, the bold stance intrigued me, particularly having just read about Shari Storm's Motherhood Is the New MBA: Using Your Parenting Skills to Be a Better Boss. Do you think it's true?

Who Would You Rather Have as a Boss: Oprah or Conan?

SavvySugar — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 05:50:14 -0700

There aren't too many jobs out there with mega-perks, but Oprah certainly comes to mind as the boss who makes employees' dreams come true. Conan O'Brien may not have the same pull as Oprah and her empire, but the talented host sure is funny and showed he's loyal to his team when he moved most of the staff out to Los Angeles for The Tonight Show.

Do You Leave Early When Your Boss Is Gone?

SavvySugar — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:45:51 -0700

Source

I'm Asking: Is Your Boss the Biggest Cause of Stress at Work?

SavvySugar — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 07:45:58 -0800

If it wasn't clear already, the special Super Bowl episode of The Office put a stop to any doubt that Michael Scott is the biggest source of stress to the employees at Dunder-Mifflin. Stanley's stress monitor proved that Michael makes everything worse for the Scranton branch workers, even if the conversation at hand isn't work related - which, let's be honest, is commonly the case at their office. Is your boss the number one cause of your stress?

Photo courtesy of NBC

Ask Savvy: Is There a Polite Way to Say "No Gifts"?

SavvySugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:30:22 -0800

Dear Savvy,

I am in a management position at my company but not top management. So I was somewhat surprised last year during the holidays, when several of my employees bought me Christmas presents. It was a really lovely gesture and I got some great gifts, but in general, I’m more of a “no gifts please” type of person (I have in the past made that rule about birthday parties.)

With the economic downturn this year, I’d just rather they not stress about it and not get me anything. Is there any way to tell my co-workers “no gifts” without offending them?

To see my answer, read more.

Savvy says: You must be a great manager to have so many employees expressing their appreciation through holiday gifts. While their kind gestures are harmless, I completely understand how it could make you uncomfortable, especially if you aren't a gift person in the first place or hadn't intended on giving them gifts in return.

Some people might just say let it go and deal with any discomfort that comes with receiving gifts from your employees. However, I think this year you have an especially easy out and you were on the right track when you mentioned the economy in your question. I would send a light-hearted email to your team that asks how they would feel if everyone agreed to withholding gifts this year. Mention that you know the economy has made it a tough holiday season, and that you think it would be better for everyone to focus their giving efforts on their families.

More than likely, your employees will be relieved about needing to find something affordable but appropriate for their boss. They'll be even more thankful for having such an understanding boss, and that's more than a lot of workers can say about their managers.

Have any of you dealt with asking for "no gifts"?

Source

Do You Ever Feel Like You're Smarter Than Your Boss?

SavvySugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:30:35 -0800

Last night's episode of The Office was titled "The Surplus," and the episode appropriately opened with Oscar explaining to Michael why they had to spend the $4,300 budget surplus by the day's end. When Michael doesn't understand what Oscar is talking about, he asks Oscar to explain it to him like he's an 8-year-old. Then, when the light-bulb still doesn't go on, he asks Oscar to explain it to him like he's a 5-year-old. I was impressed with how patient Oscar was with Michael! Check out the video below and then tell me, do you ever feel like you're smarter than your boss?