COBRA - Not the Commander from G.I. Joe!

Although it seems as if this slumping economy and job market has finally hit rock bottom, there still may be rounds lay offs and downsizing at your place of employment.  I've known too many people who lost their medical benefits as a result of losing their jobs - months later to say I really need medical coverage right now.  That is where COBRA comes in.  The first response to the word COBRA is its expensive.  I understand that being unemployed makes it hard to afford lots of things let alone COBRA, but before ruling it out, please weigh all of your options.

Who: You - if you recently lost your job that provided medical benefits.  Whether you quit, were laid off or unfortunately fired (hopefully not for any type of gross misconduct - that's another story) you are entitled to the offering of COBRA.

What: COBRA - The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances such as voluntary or involuntary job loss, reduction in the hours worked, transition between jobs, death, divorce, and other life events.

When: Immediately following your termination/last day worked. 

How: Complete the COBRA enrollment paperwork that is mailed to you post termination.  It will be mailed from your former employer or from a third party COBRA administration company.  If you want to continue your medical coverage and you don't receive it within 3 weeks of your last day worked, contact your former employers HR department.  There is a deadline for enrollment and payment of premium.  Once you miss the deadline - you won't be able to sign up.

Why: If you or your eligible dependents i.e. children, spouse have medical needs or maintenance prescriptions that you need to continue, you should sign up for COBRA until you secure another job with benefits or find an independent medical plan that is more cost effective.  

Note: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) was implemented to provide a reduction in medical premium costs for individuals who experienced an involuntary termination; see if you qualify.

Review before you recycle that COBRA packet.  You just might need it and it's possible it can be financially feasible. 

For more detailed information click on: www.dol.gov or contact your former employer.

Game Time!

In the final days of the Final Four, the conclusion of the March Madness festivities, and the championship game on Monday many of you may have taken part in your office NCAA tournament brackets with hopes to win big.

By the time I was old enough to participate I already knew the deal, as my grandfather used to be a football pool champ! I would watch him fill in his squares and turn in his money. But what I best remember is him collecting his winnings - which is the part I looked forward to when I began to participate.

I unfortunately missed the deadline for my company's brackets this year, I suppose because of its illegal nature I missed out on the silent announcement. I only came to find out about it when I ran across someone folding it inconspicuously and putting it their pocket. I was devastated that I was too late because I have to say, that I've won in the past (woo-hoo)!

Take a look at this article which actually proves the benefits of office pools. Although illegal in nature-yeah, the whole betting money at work-this article actually has survey results that say office pools whether, NCAA, Superbowl or a pregnant colleagues' due date, brings about positive morale around the office. So, with that said - let the games begin!

http://www.chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2010/03/study-sports-pools-can-lift-morale-at-work.html

Here comes the boss! How to stay out of trouble when surfing the internet at work.

Lately, I've found numerous websites that want you to look at their websites at work and not get in trouble for it! Websites like, http://www.tnt.tv/ provides a "Boss Coming? Dramatic Pause" link to a bogus MS Excel spreadsheet, so while you are watching a show, if your boss walks by or into your office you have an immediate solution to your wrongdoing. Who is catching up on episodes of their favorite TNT show at work - I don't know, but I find this hilarious and diabolically clever!

How did I learn about this you ask, not at work! One weekend a while back, when I was trying to catch up on TNT's police drama "Dark Blue" (which I like and hope comes back this summer, hopefully I wasn't the only one watching it), I discovered this interesting marketing tool and job saver.

I work in a cubicle with my back and computer screen facing the walk way. This could cause lots of problems for me, if I'm too slow to turn my head, peep the intruders, and click on a work appropriate website or document and commence working. Working in a cubicle, for the past three years, I've fine-tuned my hearing so that I can effectively surf the web or online shop and stay on my toes!

There are some job boards that also have these faux documents that allow you to search for jobs and always escape the job hunt with one click, when the coast isn't clear. This particular job board I was on, actually took you to a document that was about developing management styles. Now listen very closely here - I would never suggest looking for a job at work, ever. Unless you know how to delete your internet cookies and files completely and without a trace - I suggest you leave those activities for your home computer. Companies already have internet guidelines, and to tell you the truth yahoo and hotmail sometimes are against the rules too. Please don't lose your job over facebook.

While you should stick to more safe websites like msn.com and cnn.com, you can always make your own "boss is coming - getaway vehicle" by opening up actual work documents you are working on or have a standing new email message template from outlook and there you go. After that, you must, I repeat must, master the mouse click or the ALT - TAB combo to get you out of the inappropriate screen in enough time!

Good Luck!

What's on your desk?

I watch a lot of HGTV and one of my favorite shows is "Designed to Sell". Homeowners who are having trouble selling their homes get help from design pros who reposition and stage their homes. This staging gives off a perception of a lived in home, if the house is empty or a less personalized decor feel, leaving the potential buyers feeling like that they could see themselves living there.

Ironically, I have been staging my desk at work long before I had even known what HGTV was. I have incorporated what I call desk staging into my daily work routine and you should too.

Every morning when I come into work, I turn on my computer, open up my MS Outlook, unlock all my drawers and then I begin the staging process. I pull out my notebook with my to do list on it, some file folders, a couple of HR forms, pension forms that need processing, perhaps a benefit survey that needs to be completed and any other items that I may possibly work on throughout the day and neatly and strategically place these items on my desk.

Now, I initially started staging my desk to give the impression that I was busy. So you could say the items were more like props, so while I was catching up on the shows I watched the night before with coworkers, I could always easily pop back in my seat and get straight to work or appear to be working.

But more recently, I find that staging my desk, helps me prioritize my tasks for the day. Because I am a visual learner, putting the things I have to do out in the open where I can see them allows me to stop the chitter chatter sooner with my coworkers, and get to work.

So, I say - try it, whether you are trying to find a better way to effectively complete your tasks each day, or to to present the illusion that you are super busy, when actually you are checking your hotmail account, paying your bills or talking about what Ellen said on American Idol.

Thank Goodness it's Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday...

It is so funny to me how the attitudes of office workers progress throughout the week. I have memorized the responses to my over the top "Goooood Morrrning" during my 3 floor ride on the elevator each day.

Monday - Ugh - It's Monday...

Tuesday - Is it Friday yet?

Wednesday - It's hump day - we are almost there!

Thursday -Isn't this week going by slow?

Friday -Happy Friday!

I am proposing that those of you who take on this weekly transformation from down in the dumps to on cloud nine, try something different next week. When you enter the elevator, pass someone in the hall, or hold the door for those entering with you, greet them with a Good Morning and a smile. It's really not that hard to do.

No need to share the dark cloud of negativity that hangs over your head with someone else, just because you don't want to be at work. Fake the funk people - Fake - the - funk! Here's why:

A) It's not professional.

B) You don't want anyone going around telling people that you seem like you don't want to be at work - what if that gets back to you manager or the CEO?

C) It's just not healthy. Think of the self fulling prophecy, I think therefore I am. You don't want that attitude to carry through your entire day, better yet the entire week until Friday?

jhjhhlhlh

Remember moods and attitudes can be contagious, so make sure your are passing on the right one.