Ode to mute...

Oh do I love the mute button on my Cisco Systems telephone at work.  The button is similar to the "no smoking" sign, except it's this little microphone being crossed out instead of a cigarette.

Now, why do I love this feature on my phone - well, in my line of work, I administer benefits for over 2,000 employees in the US and Canada.  Benefits are important to people - hey, they're important to me....So it is to be expected that I receive numerous calls ranging from - where is my benefit card, why was my dental claim denied, I want to drop my ex-wife, I want to add my newborn baby, why am I getting a spousal surcharge taken out of my paycheck, where is my pension check, why did the retiree medical costs increase so much, and so on and on and on and on.....

So with that said, I use the mute button at least 3 times a day:

When my phone is on speaker so I can multitask - type an email, file documents, or even eat my lunch.  I just read that the latter task is rude - but au contraire mon frere - I'm muting my smacking with the mute button!

When an employee, retiree or pensioner is talking out the side of their neck.  Sometimes I can't understand why someone would go off on someone who can help them.  That is my job - to solve problems.  I am all for fighting for your rights, venting your frustrations - I do it all the time, you should hear me talking to my cell phone company - but really, sometimes you need to just listen.

When I have to laugh - as serious as I am, I am equally goofy and love to laugh.  At times I find humor in difficult situations and to prevent upsetting or frustrating the caller on the other end, I use my trusty mute button to get out my chuckles.

Beware of checking that the button is pushed before saying something smart.  One day, a medical vendor made my colleague very mad and irritated, while she was shouting over the cubicle to me to come over and assist her with this annoying customer service rep for a vendor, she uttered, "this lady is irritating me and I'm tired of talking to her" well, when I got over there, the rep responded to my hello with "although your colleague thinks that I am annoying and irritating...." Whoa - Not good - my colleague did not double check the mute!

So make sure you check and re-check that button.  In a perfect world, we would not feel the need to say smart aleck things and not allow our buttons to be pushed - but at least until I reach my ultimate level of Zen - I will continue to use my mute button. 

Yea!!!  Summer is near!  This California girl, has waited oh so long for everlasting sunshine (ok at least 4 months).  If you are anything like me, you already have your "fun in the sun" wardrobe lined up.  But....What to wear to work?

Gals - Check out Banana Republic's idea of summer chic!

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/division.do?cid=5002

Guys - Check out Ask.men.com's "6 summer combinations" that can be worn to work.
http://www.askmen.com/fashion/trends/14_fashion_men.html

When the Cat's Away.....*

This mouse does not play.  My boss is out of the office on business for the next 4 work days.  And boy did I raise the roof, shout hallelujah and did any and everything else to celebrate my much needed break away from the "man".  But the funny thing about me - is that I get my best work and the most work done when my boss is out of the office.

Unlike the idiom - I generally do my playing when my boss is in the office.  It is better to maneuver the "play" aspect: shuffle papers, pick up the phone and pretend I am taking a business call, and take a long stroll to the vending machine when my boss is in.  No one else is keeping their eye on me, because if I look like I am chilling and my boss is in, no one will think any of it.  They think, would I dare play around with my boss in town??  However, beware, one false move when your boss is out, you will sure call attention to your schemes!

My boss's absence allows me to work without any interruptions, my to-do list actually serves its purpose and my talk breaks to my colleague are shorter, because I am so motivated to get the things on my agenda done! 

Later in the day, a colleague invited me to a slack fest, but I declined; she was shocked that I had the audacity to actually get some work done during this so-called vacation!  If you don't listen to nothing else I say, don't fall victim to this idiom.  Handle your business with or without your boss or supervisor around.  If you need a break to surf the net, talk to your friends, or try to leave early - do it when your boss is there.  This leaves you free from unwanted speculation and it's easier to talk your way in or out of something when it comes straight from the horses mouth.  How is that for another idiom!

*Idiom: 

Without supervision, people will do as they please, especially in disregarding or breaking rules. For example, As soon as their parents left, the children invited all their friends over—when the cat's away, you know. This expression has been a proverb since about 1600 and is so well known it is often shortened, as in the example.

XOXO Gossip Girl

So today I engaged in some workplace gossip, not trying to, but completely walked into it (which I normally do).  I have a rule to not go seeking out gossip at work.  Unless it is with people I completely trust - which are very few, but in that case we are just trying to stay in the loop of what's going on in the office.

Check out my 5 office gossip rules before you listen if you dare.  (Everyone may have their own, but these work for me!)

1. There are people who just like to stir up the pot.  I will not lie, I like to know what's going on with other people's business, I do.  But you must recognize when someone is being plain hateful or manipulative and trying to add fuel to the fire.  Once recognized - RUN.
2. Stay away from the trouble makers who may make the gossip session look like you started the whole rumor mill - when in fact you were just trying to find your missing fax! 
3. Try to limit or refrain from questions.  Take in the information that is volunteered to you and never inquire further.  This makes you look bad and can work against you. 
4. Stay away from it altogether if you can - stop the perpetrator in their tracks, so that the spewing doesn't even start.
5. If you can not stop it, take in the information, nod or shake your head in good timing and end the conversation telling the gossiper - "Well it'll all work itself out" or "that's too bad" or "maybe it's not as it seems".  All of these responses are very good neutral and deflective responses that can keep you from getting sucked into nonsense.