SavvySugar

Have You Ever Been Fired From a Job?

SavvySugar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:30:16 -0700

Source: Flickr User bethography - melting mama

Study Measures Health Risks of Stress From Potential Job Loss

SavvySugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:30:06 -0700

Stress is the cause of so many illnesses, and new research shows you're more likely to have health issues because of worrying about losing your job than someone who's unemployed and stressing about finding a job. Sociologist Sarah Burgard commented, "It may seem surprising that chronically high job insecurity is more strongly linked with health declines than actual job loss or unemployment."

Researchers analyzed data on 1,700 adults and studies conducted between 1986 and 1989 and from 1995 and 2005. In one exceptional finding, the study suggested "chronic job insecurity was a stronger predictor of poor health than either smoking or high blood pressure." If it's true the stress of job uncertainty is just as bad for us as picking up a health vice, like cigarettes or fatty foods, that's pretty amazing news. Burgard explained, "Persistent stress is a strain on people. It is the unrelenting nature of the uncertainty that really gets you."

If you're someone who's constantly stressed about your uncertain future at your job, it's important to try your best to contain it and make stress-relieving exercise a regular part of your life. Most of all focus on staying in the moment, instead of worrying about what's to come. The future is going to happen no matter how much you worry about it.

Which States Have the Highest and Lowest Unemployment Rates?

SavvySugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:15:24 -0700

The June unemployment data was released last week. Some numbers were up, but others were down and 15 states crossed the 10 percent threshold. It's striking how much the rates can vary from one state to the next. Can you guess what states were hit harder and which ones came up? Take the quiz!

Take the quiz

Interning Isn't Just For College Kids Anymore

SavvySugar — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:30:04 -0700

When I think of an intern, I picture myself during college earning little or no money with the ultimate goal of graduating with a competitive resume. It seems my perception is now outdated, and an intern could be somebody just like the modern me - except without a job.

Unemployed workers with several years of experience under their belts are filling the role of unpaid Summer interns in more offices than you'd think, motivated by the possibility of gaining new skills and expanding their networks. If you're contemplating applying for an internship and don't fit the typical college kid mold, The Wall Street Journal has a few tips for finding success in this role.

"Be modest. While you have managed subordinates in the past, recognize that you’re there to learn."
"Leave age out of it. Treat your younger intern counterparts as equals to avoid brewing resentment."
"Play it cool. Don’t try to sell your ideas or ask about a permanent job until the stint’s about to end-and only if it’s gone well."

Do You Know More Unemployed Men or Women?

SavvySugar — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:30:41 -0700

The June unemployment rate for men was 10.6 percent and the women’s rate came in at 8.3 percent. According to Sophia Koropeckyj, an economist with Moody’s Economy.com, "The gap between female and male unemployment has never been as large as it is now." Do the numbers mesh with the jobless folks you know?

JetBlue Launches Summer Sale and Extends Layoff Program

SavvySugar — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:55:40 -0700

JetBlue's once unique onboard amenities may be overshadowed by Virgin America's, but the "happy jetting" airline often has unbeatable prices. Most recently, JetBlue launched its Hello Summer Sale, with one-way fares from $29 to $129 and over 300,000 seats on sale. You need to book by May 21 for travel between June 2 and Sept. 9, so get cracking on a reservation if you want to score one of JetBlue's Summer deals.

In other JetBlue news, the airline is extending its Promise Program for six more months than it originally planned. The program will now allow ticket refunds through Dec. 31 for passengers who made a purchases before losing their jobs (you must have lost your job after Feb. 17).

Source

7 Steps For Structuring Your Life After Job Loss

SavvySugar — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 06:30:03 -0700

When Maria Shriver was asked how she felt leaving her job as a reporter due to conflict of interest, she said, "It was hard. A lot of things go when you lose your job, and it doesn’t matter who you are. It’s a loss of identity, it’s a loss of structure, it’s a loss of your passion depending on the role the job played in your life." Adapting to a wide-open schedule after job loss is challenging; follow my seven steps for creating structure when there suddenly is none. Source

View Slideshow ›

6 Businesses That Have Your Laid-Off Back

SavvySugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 06:30:13 -0700

Retailers have started marketing a peace-of-mind to reluctant shoppers concerned about job security. Money-back guarantees reduce the risk of spending and the idea is catching on with some businesses for the first time. Start the slideshow to see six businesses that are selling their products with built-in insurance. Source

View Slideshow ›

Virgin Offers Pink Slip Protection For Your Cell Phone Service

SavvySugar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:30:40 -0700

All bets are on that consumers are worried about losing their jobs. Automakers began using their marketing muscle to draw upon America's job security issues back in January, and this type of promotion seems like it's becoming a bit trendy. Telecommunications is the latest industry to get on the pink slip promotion train, with Virgin Mobile as the lone pioneer - for now.

Virgin's "Pink Slip Protection" offer is similar to what the auto companies came up with but on a much smaller scale. Subscribers paying for a monthly service plan are eligible for three months of free service if they experience job loss. Bills up to $90 a month, including taxes and surcharges, will be written off so long as the subscriber has been a Virgin customer for at least two months.

Does this type of offer make you consider changing cell phone service providers?

Source

Brilliant or Baffling: Survivor-Like Reality Show About Layoffs

SavvySugar — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 06:53:53 -0700

There are business opportunities to be found in every crevice of life - especially when your business is reality TV. Fox is taking the genre to a new level (down or up, you decide) with Someone's Gotta Go, an in-the-works show that will profile money-troubled companies with about 20 or less employees. The gist: One employee will be laid-off, and after viewing personal information like salaries the decision will be made by the company's employees rather than the boss.

Mike Darnell, chief of alternative programming at Fox, sees the show as a source of employee empowerment, but BuzzSugar is calling the show a cruel concept. What do you think of the premise, is it brilliant or baffling?

Source