Summer is here!

Happy Memorial Day folks! 

While I know that Memorial Day is a day of remembrance those who died while in military service, which I totally respect and appreciate.  At the same time Memorial Day is also a symbol of the start of summer!!!

So, with summer starting I wanted to share with you 5 tips to a great summer!

1. Vacation Time Off Requests - Make sure you put in your vacation time off requests to your supervisor or manager in a timely fashion, to ensure you can take that wonderful vacation to Disney World, the Bahamas or wherever else your heart desires.  Managers have a very hard task in scheduling time off requests, making sure coverage is available and all staff is not granted time off at the same time.  Avert your crisis of having purchased your plane tickets and having to cancel or postpone your trip by verbally requesting time off and following up with a written request.  If your job does not have a timekeeping system for requests or a time off request form (I can't imagine that they wouldn't) send an email or make your own written request, submit to your manager for approval, and once approved - have fun!
2. Summer Dress Code - My company has a summer dress code policy as with the temperatures rising, wearing suits and button ups can make one very uncomfortable.  The first week of June we usually receive a memo mapping out the do's and don'ts of summer attire.  So, my advice to you is to basically "follow the rules"!  You don't want to go overboard with your board shorts and flip flops and lose out on this option for good.  My company's dress code includes capri pants and sandals for women and khakis and polo shirts for men.  If your company's policy gives you more wiggle room, make sure it is still professional, clean and wrinkle free.  Ladies wearing sandals?  Pedicures are a must!
3. Summer Work Hours - While my company does not have summer work hours, the place I worked before did.  It was soooo great, let me tell you.  7am to 3pm, 10am to 6pm and anything else in between.  Summer hours allows you the flexibility to enjoy the sun, plain and simple.  While I don't have summer hours where I work now, again, my advice to you who do, do not take advantage! 
4. Company Picnic Etiquette - Companies like to show their appreciation to their employees normally on an annual basis.  This could be during the Holidays or in the summer, so company picnics and cookouts are pretty common!  Remember you are still at work, this is not your family's backyard boogie, so remain on your best behavior.  If the food provided is not your typical cookout food, grab something you like and keep it moving, this was a kind gesture on behalf of the management, its not your wedding or birthday party so you were not the basis for the choices.  Most times, your CEO and other company executives will partake in the festivities to show their support and prove they are not above their employees, so you never know who will be in front or behind you in the buffet line.  Last year at my company cookout, the CEO brought his hamburger and chips to my table and we had a great conversation  about our summer plans!
5. Summer Work Standards - Lastly, keep your work standards up and continue to work at the same level (hopefully, your best work :o)) you have during the other part of the year, just because the sun is out, don't let the humidity cloud your brain and get you too laxed.  The summer is only 3 months - I am sure you want your job once September hits!

Here's to a great summer!!!

I believe I will see it!

Nine times out of ten, I am a "Believe it when I see it" kind of gal, but I can't hold my excitement any longer.  We have hired my replacement and I will be moving to my new job and office (hello door!) in three weeks! 

Yes, all pending a negative drug test, fraud free background check and minus any second thoughts the candidate may have resulting in her rescinding her acceptance of the job offer.  Dun DUN DUNNNNN!!!  

But I am staying optimistic, that all goes well and I can successfully pick up my new cactus (yes, a cactus) for my desk from Lowe's in the next couple weeks.

Fingers Crossed!!!!

RSVP please...

It's 10:36pm and I just finished putting together bridal shower favors for my coworker.  Yes - we not only have work birthday parties, but also bridal parties!  It really is important to support your colleagues and employees; acknowledging events like birthdays, weddings and birth of children is one simple way to show you care and have fun!  Can't wait for my work birthday party...raising the bar right now! :o)

Take a look at the finished product. Hmmmm......side gig??

I'm coming out, I want the world to know....

Last week after checking out my blog, a friend of mine suggested I be a little bit more open with my blogging and reveal more personal information about myself.  I thought about it for a couple days and thought, why hadn't I started to blog with more of a personal touch?  Initially, I believe it was because I didn't want to be reprimanded or even fired from my job for telling cyberspace how I really felt about my coworkers, how I felt what my boss said was stupid or how glad I was not to be at my previous job for one more minute!  Being a former recruiter I know that a person's online lifestyle can certainly prevent or end employment - so that was a road I did not want to go down, I do have bills to pay and a cat to take care of.  But aside from that, I wondered what else was holding me back from opening up?

Anyone who knows me, knows that I have a healthy appetite for reality TV.  How selfish and hypocritical am I to salivate over the pitiful teen moms struggling to juggle a baby and get out of high school on 16 and Pregnant, eyeball the crumbling of marriages and financial states of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, New Jersey and Orange County and chuckle at the emotional breakdown of Meatloaf on The Celebrity Apprentice.

Because I do believe there is a tasteful and respectful way to convey my working experiences, have fun and share my point of view, not to mention create fictional character names along the way, I will take my friends advice.  Thanks Karen*! :o)

*Names were changed to protect the identities of the parties depicted in this blog.

6 Go-to phrases for all business women

As women we all have (or should have) our go-to phrases or rebuttals that roll off our tongues to deal with those sticky, awkward, or inconvenient situations in our every day social lives, i.e. 

1. I'm in a relationship (whether you are or not) or, thanks for your interest, but I am not pursuing new relationships at the moment - to deflect unwanted male attention or advances OR
2. Thanks for the invite to ____________ however, I think you would have a better time with someone who has a genuine interest in __________________ - when a coworker, or even a family member or friend asks you to an event, concert, etc that you clearly don't want to attend.

But, the other day I ran across an article on aol.com that shared "Six Phrases Every Working Woman Should Know and Use" by Dr. Lois Frankel who has a book with tips for communicating with impact titled, "Nice Girls Just Don't Get It,"  (I will have to check it out).

As a woman working in corporate America I try to be professional, honest and considerate in my business dealings, but in all candor I can't say that I've have any go-to work phrases other than my elevator and break room talk, which I have down pat!!!

According to Dr. Lois Frankel here are 6 phrases working women need in their back pockets:

1. "Be that as it may, I still would like..."
Dr. Frankel elaborates by saying "Use this to hold your ground with someone who is giving you an excuse for why you can't have what you want. A variation would be, 'I hear what you're saying, and I still would like...'" I like this one alot!

2. "I would be happy to do that for you. Let me tell you __________ [how much it will cost, how much time it will take, how much help I will need, etc.]."
Dr. Frankel explains "Good customer/client service requires you to be willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done - but it doesn't mean you shouldn't ask for what you need to meet the needs of others. Often when you tell them the "cost" of their request, it soon becomes modified."

3. "Thank you. I'm glad you noticed and appreciate the feedback."
Dr. Frankel says "If you have a difficult time accepting a compliment, this is the one for you." Now, this is probably the only one I've used regularly - I do know how to take a compliment!

4. "Although I can't participate at this time, I appreciate your letting me know about it." Dr. Frankel says "This is a nice way to say buzz off, I'm not buying whatever you're selling." This too is a good one that I have to start using.

5. "I'm sure you didn't realize you just cut ahead of me in line."

Dr. Frankel says "You can say this one as you step in front of the offender - best said with a smile." Wow, I'm gonna use this one although not sure how I would use this at work.  I can use this at a restaurant or retail store and hope that a physical altercation does not follow!  Or at work, I could use this to counter those who cut me off in a discussion or if my opinion is discounted.  Yeah - try it that way ladies. 

6. "Although I can't do ________, I can do ____________."

I use this now, giving an alternative of what you can do makes your response of a decline or changing your participation less negative.

So add these to your mental rolodexes ladies!

My mother's work ethic revealed...

As I spend my, at least, 10th Mother's Day away from my own mother, I can't help but reflect on what a great mother I have.  She has taught me so many lessons in life, some intentional and others by default, but one lesson that is fitting for this blog is definitely my mother's work ethic.  While she did not sit me down and tell me, "you go to work on time, you give 110%, if you have to work on the weekends to complete an important project you do it" she instead taught by example.  I saw first hand what it was to follow through on your commitments, go above and beyond the call of duty and let's not forget dress for the job you want, not the one you have. 

I have tried and am still trying to apply my mother's work ethic to all aspects of my life, whether its school, work, because as my mother prepares for her well deserved retirement, I know that it was her work ethic that includes resiliency, determination, independence, respect that has contributed to her being an OUTSTANDING mother!  I know that she taught me oh so well!   

So thank you Mommy, all of my accomplishments are as a result of you!  Happy Mother's Day!

Bullies at work - really?

Wow, I just finished reading an article from last Sunday's Detroit Free Press newspaper about workplace bullying.  I was bullied in elementary school, for no other reason but for being smaller than others, or too quiet or just plain minding my own business.  But those days are long gone for me, but unfortunately not for others.  I couldn't imagine being bullied at work.  I mean come on, I am there to enrich my life, make a difference and make money! 

Ironically in the midst of the massive campaigns against child and teen bullying  and cyber-bullying and violence - the exact same behaviors are occurring in workplaces.  Who would have thought, working parents now have to deal with making sure their kids are not victims of bullying as well as themselves!

According to the article "Bullies at work all too common" a CareerBuilder survey revealed 27% of workers admit to being bullied at work.  This bully behavior included:

• Being harshly criticized
• Being yelled at in front of other colleagues
• Having belittling comments made towards them
• Stealing credit for their work

After reading the article, I thought maybe I did know that these types of things are happening - I can say I have seen this type of behavior happen to others.  I just didn't put it in the bullying category, instead I put it in the a-hole category.  I then wonder are these so called adult bullys, the result of grown up bullies, or the victims of childhood bullies trying to seek retribution for having been bullied?  Who knows.  It's wrong either way.  

If you feel that you are being bullied document all incidents in detail and if feel that you can address the person who is doing the bullying, do so they may not know they are bullying you.  On the other hand, if you can clearly identify that the the person who is bullying you, knows it, doesn't care and dares you to tell someone; Still document the incidents in detail and run not walk to your Human Resources department to seek resolution.

Here are a couple resources available concerning how to handle bullying (child and adult):

• www.stopbullying.gov
• www.bullybusters.org
• www.workplacebullying.org