Jun

15

Mandatory corporate workshops: Aren’t we all stressed for time?

Posted by Dan

June 15, 2009 | Leave a Comment

This week, the publishing company where I work is forcing employees to attend a mandatory hour-and-a-half sexual-harrassment workshop. And here I thought we were actually busy here thanks to all the layoffs we’ve suffered.
Sexual harrassment is a big issue, and a huge problem. But, I’m not sure that forcing employees to attend a 90-minute workshop [...]

Jun

11

Letting work slip through the cracks

Posted by Dan

June 11, 2009 | Leave a Comment

I’m sure there are no official statistics on this, but I wonder how many of us are getting a bit sloppy at work these days?
It’s not intentional. And it’s not laziness. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Employees are taking on more work at their jobs. They have to: A growing number of companies are [...]

Jun

8

Obama promises more than 600,000 new jobs

Posted by Dan

June 8, 2009 | Leave a Comment

The unemployment rate for the nation is now above 9 percent. That’s pretty awful. Pres. Barack Obama isn’t happy about this, either. After all, high unemployment figures are keeping the economy from recovering.
Today, Obama promised that the $787 billion stimulus plan will result in more than 600,000 new jobs this summer.
Federal agencies are expected to [...]

Jun

4

Rising healthcare costs, unemployment a double whammy

Posted by Dan

June 4, 2009 | Leave a Comment

It’s hard enough on people that unemployment rates are at record levels across the country. They also have to deal with rising health-care costs.
The Los Angeles Times today ran a story that pointed out what’s painfully obvious to most of us: Medical bills are pushing more families toward financial ruin.
The Times story cites a Harvard University [...]

Jun

2

How to suck up to your boss

Posted by Dan

June 2, 2009 | Leave a Comment

This is a good time to impress your boss. I know a lot of you don’t enjoy sucking up to the folks in charge. But if you’re not going to do it when unemployment levels are soaring, when are you going to do it?
Here, then, are some sucking-up tips I’ve observed from my once-a-week forays [...]

Jun

1

Can you really find a job through Twitter?

Posted by Dan

June 1, 2009 | Leave a Comment

The WalletPop blog had a fascinating post today about Twitter and its usefulness for people searching for a new job.
I won’t bore you with reciting what the blog says, but I do find it hard to believe that Twitter really can help you find a job. In fact, I find Twitter to be pretty much [...]

May

28

Desperate? Try a LaidOffCamp

Posted by Dan

May 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment

If you’ve been out of work for a long time, you undoubtedly need to vent. I understand that. That’s why I think the LaidOffCamp is a neat idea.
The Wall Street Journal ran an interesting story today about these camps, which are held across the country. Basically, they offer the unemployed a chance to network, learn [...]

May

26

What are you resorting to in this down economy?

Posted by Dan

May 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment

I used to scoff at freelance writers who would take crummy assignments for low pay. It seemed demeaning to me. Writers are professionals, and we should be paid like it.
Well, these scoffing days are now officially over. For the last two weeks, I’ve joined the ranks of what are known as online content writers. Think [...]

May

22

Does misery love company? Not when it comes to job losses

Posted by Dan

May 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment

I hate hearing from my neighbors or friends about their job struggles.
As a freelance writer, I’m struggling to meet my monthly financial goals. My print-magazine clients are all going out of business or cutting back on their budget for freelance writers. The online sources I’ve replaced them with pay far, far less.
This means I’m working [...]

May

21

What do unemployed people like? There’s a blog with an answer

Posted by Dan

May 21, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Back when the recession was first gaining steam, the mainstream media wrote a few stories about the ranks of uemployed people blogging about their experiences. It was a fun story on a rather grim topic.
I visited some of these blogs earlier today and found that many of them hadn’t been updated in months. I hope [...]

keep looking »