Crazy in Work!

I often joke that working makes me "crazy" or "insane", but a recent USA Today article reports on particular jobs that actually are a threat to one's mental health. I would have to say that I am not surprised as there are many professions and fields of work that requires its incumbents to engage in one's personal dilemmas and situations, take responsibility for the health and well being of others and make crucial and critical decisions that affect a company's bottom line.

During my senior year of undergrad, the last requirement of the psychology program was to intern at a Mental Health clinic for a period of 6 weeks. It was in my fourth week that I realized that a career filled of patients with bipolar disorder, hallucinogen-induced disorders and depression would in turn cause me to develop an anxiety disorder. That experience led me to choose a career in Corporate America which ironically still resulted in the development of anxiety!

The article states "People who tend to the elderly, change diapers and serve up food and drinks have the highest rates of depression among U.S. workers." I was surprised by the latter professions - food and drink servers, as their jobs rely on them being very social, friendly and customer focused, but I suppose it could be a ficade. Having a depressing job not only affects the employee but the company as the article points out that "Depression leads to $30 billion to $44 billion in lost productivity annually."

Check out the article!

http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2007-10-13-depressing-jobs_N.htm

Long time - No see.... No Talk.... No Write...., etc. I've been either voicing or hearing some rendition of that phrase since signing my name to the corporate dotted line - all while subjecting myself to the development of bags under my eyes, working through lunch or skipping it all together. This is what you get when you step into the real world and start on your many years towards seniority.

In the midst of our busy season at my job - as each industry has one ~ it's times like these I think back to my senior year in college when I was finished with my psychology major coursework and only taking electives, eagerly awaiting graduation, getting out of school and starting an adult life. My two best friends and I would sit up late at night ( as seniors we were smart enough to schedule late morning classes) in deep discussions about how "over" college we were, tired of stupid freshman and how much better life would be when we started our careers. We partied frequently, maintaining our academic scholarships all four years, shopped with our parent's money each weekend, and travelled during breaks - summer, Christmas, spring, Thanksgiving ~ there were so many.

Ironically all 3 of us - progressed on to achieve masters degrees in the 2 years following undergrad - while one is currently pursuing a doctorate degree, so much for entering the real world immediately. But, for 2 of us - 3 years after graduate school, 3 years of work experience under our belts when we finally get to talk once or twice a month (on the weekends of course) we like to reminisce about the best times of our lives - back in undergrad. We find it hilarious how naive we were. After 45 minutes to an hour of discussing what's new in our lives and all the details of our careers, the 2 of us who aren't in school find joy in ending our call with the PhD candidate saying- "stay in school, don't join the rat race!"

~ Week in Review ~

Does anybody really want to work?

Week of September 17th

I've been out of graduate school and working for about 3 years now.... and this week I seriously questioned, "Does anybody really want to work"?

Once I arrive to work on Monday mornings I either encounter or over hear greetings and responses from coworkers and other building dwellers:

"Good morning" with 2 possible responses 1) "its Monday!" or 2) "As good as it gets for a Monday" in a rather disgruntled, even irritated tone. What a way to start the work week. I mean, Mondays are rough for me too, but I try to fake it till I make it ~ through the day that is. With the 2 day weekends not being enough time to fully recuperate from the previous 5 day work week, it is understandable to be agitated at being back at work again. But I say - FAKE IT, people, don't bring everyone else down. Some people are actually trying to hype themselves up.

We then move on to Tuesday mornings; I'm in the the break room making my usual morning cup of oatmeal and in comes a fellow building mate, I say, "Good Morning" - they say - "Is today only Tuesday?" Did you honestly think it was Friday already you lazy bum - how much work did you get done yesterday that has you thinking its the end of the week already?

Wednesday becomes "Hump Day" because we are now getting over the hump and on a downward spiral towards the end of the week. I've noticed at this point employees are trying to put some pep in their step and get positive and motivated to make it to the finish line, we call "Friday".

Thursday takes people to the point of desperation, begging for the weekend. I hear numerous times a day, "I can't wait until Friday" and "I wish it were tomorrow already, like if its said enough we will time travel at warp speed into Friday at exactly 4:59pm.

If one just so happens to make it to Friday, everyone is thanking God and Goodness because they have survived the week. I hear cheerful voices greeting and shouting "Happy Friday" as I walk throughout the building.

Let us try to be a little more positive people. Apparently we have to work otherwise we wouldn't be subjecting ourselves to this torture every week.

.....Better Luck next week!

"The Code"

In most jobs there are dress codes--whether it is a uniform, business causal or formal business attire, it is understood that you are exchanging a paycheck with your freedom to dress as you please. Some company's employee handbooks will outline the do's and don'ts, while others just have a blanket statement of being dressed professional, clean, and neat. Whose idea of professional, clean and neat?

The interpretation for professional, clean and neat of course differs from person to person. The workplace already has its rules and regulations, on work ethics, internet use and the like, and now one's sense of style is being restricted! I guess this is what you have to put up with when you "stay in the loop" of Corporate America.

Look on the bright side Ladies and Gents. Check out the latest work foot wear for ladies and shirts and ties for the men--these trends are sure to keep you in line with your dress code and at the same time show off your sense of style........

Ladies, please don't kill your feet all week-- you can dance the night away in your stilettos on the weekends and be comfortable and cute during the week!

Wearing flats to the office could very well be the best possible fashion trend today; especially because designers have created very fashion forward and stylish flats that have cute decorative pieces in place of the infamous "penny" in the penny loafer. The color schemes and textures also provide that splash of pizazz, mojo or whatever you want to call it to set off your outfit.

On those days when I'm frustrated with my boss and wish I were at home watching "The People's Court" I simply look down at my cute and comfortable flats, and think of another outfit I could match them up with!

As for the guys, please don't get caught up in the "white shirts" club. You too can stick to the dress code and have your mojo too!

• Patterned shirts and tie


• If you absolutely have to wear a "white shirt" jazz it up with a cool tie!


• If no tie is required -- live it up!
  

I had to learn that there are ways to express my personal style and follow the rules, you can too, unless that is --you'd rather quit your job because you aren't able to wear pajama pants and flip flops.

Image source: http://www.macys.com/ , http://www.stevemadden.com/ and http://www.bachrach.com/

Caution - Office Safety Risks

I was thinking one day...When deciding on a career one may take into consideration the risks involved with performing a job. I always knew that I didn't want to have a job that involved manual labor, or any other type of work that would purposely put me in harms way. A corporate type, office job seemed like a safe environment, but beware of the dangers in the workplace. How can you hurt yourself sitting at your desk. Little did I know of the top 5 risks I face each day when I step foot into my office building.


5. Paper cuts - I currently have 5 paper cuts combined on both of my hands.

4. Slamming finger in file drawer - who is putting WD40 on these drawers, boy do they slam shut so fast.

3. Hanging file folders - Not only has these hanging file folders put holes in my clothes, and pulled threads out of my sweaters, I have actually had one of those prongs get caught in an existing papercut. Ouch!

2. Hand/Arm caught in vending machine trying to retrieve merchandise you bought that did not release properly. At 5 feet 5 inches and about 108 pounds (and gaining), it is quite impossible for me to rock the entire vending machine back and forth to get my Strawberry pop tart.

1. Bathroom doors - if you have ever been in a hurry - off to a meeting you forgot about, trying to hurry out to lunch or even that last bathroom break before you rush home - you may have been a victim of the being hit with a swinging bathroom door or better yet having a head on collision with a fellow colleague.

Be careful and extremely cautious at work, we are definitely not in the clear of injury.