Telecommuting or snow day?

Like most of the Midwest and Northeast, this morning I awoke to lots of snow and a slow snow plower.  After trying to power drive my way through 6 inches of snow, I backed my car back into the garage, called my boss to let her know I was stuck and logged onto our work system to telecommute until I am no longer being held hostage by the abominable snowman. 

While my job does not support telecommuting unless we are subjected to situations like this one, I started thinking maybe I should revisit my proposal (about a year ago, I suggested our company move in this direction with no success) for flex schedules and telecommuting where possible. 

With a quick google search I have already located 10 reasons it works! 

Some include:

1. Conserving Energy - See I am using my own energy right now, not the company's
2. Improved Health - I feel great, positive attitude, ate a balanced breakfast all in my living room
3. Promotes Safety - Because the weather is bad, I am way safer at home than on the street
4. Allows employee freedom - Granted I am blogging right now, as soon as I publish it, I will be right back to work - because I am disciplined!

For the full list, check out the link below.

http://www.gilgordon.com/telecommutesafe/telebenefits.html

So, that means I have to work for 50 more years...

Is what I said when I left my 1:30pm meeting today where the topic was "what to do about our current retiree medical plan".  With the costs rising each year, leaving retirees unable to continue to afford the plan, in the same breath leaving those with preexisting conditions unable to find alternative plans - I wondered where does that leave me?

1 - Contemplating how I am going to fast forward my career plan to make the big bucks

2 - Finding me a rich husband who will be able to afford a stand alone retiree medical plan for the both of us 

3 - Prying me out of my blogging slump - which is due to my busiest time of year at work: Open Enrollment, followed by Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years holidays.

Needless to say, picturing working until I am 80 has definitely got my creative juices flowing, my mind churning and my fingers typing.

"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all."

- Dale Carnegie

What I made happen this Monday

So - since I coined the term "Make it happen Monday" just last week, I am proud to say, that although not as rested, wide eyed and bushy-tailed as I was last Monday I still managed to make it happen.

How?

1. I had a great breakfast - 2 packs of oatmeal and a banana!
2. I wore a fantastically chic outfit - black pencil skirt, leopard ruffle blouse and a tan blazer.
3. Managed to sit through a painful discussion about the fraudulent activity taking place when it comes to our employees covering ineligible dependents on health benefits.  Hey - take your grand kids, your boyfriend and girlfriend's niece off of your medical insurance right now!

There - with a smile on my face and sling back heels on my feet - I made it happen this Monday!

Is professional attire in the eye of the beholder?

Ironically on the night of "Fashion's Night Out 2010" I read a story about female sportscaster Ines Sainz and the controversial outfits she wears when performing her job covering sports events.  While the story intends to discuss the sexual harassment she endured by a couple of the New York Jets players on Sunday, by the end of the article, the issue is clearly Ines' inappropriate choice of dress when she entered the office of football players - the locker room.

Check out the article which I found on lemondrop.com and see what readers have got to say.  Whoa - and the opinions on this topic. http://www.lemondrop.com/2010/09/14/ines-sainz-sexual-harrassment-jets/?icid=main%7Cmain%7Cdl5%7Csec1_lnk3%7C170626

Now, I've been nicknamed Carrie Bradshaw around my office (stylish, quirky, and great shoes), but I do keep it work appropriate.  While I choose to not place judgement on Ines' outfit selections from what I've seen and read, I'll just say that sometimes people just don't know what they don't know.  It seems like common sense to know what professional work attire is, but those lines can get blurred depending on what industry you work in and also based on what is communicated to employees upon hire and through the working relationship.

At the end of the day, this article brings up lots of topics: Professional dress, sexual harassment, gender double standards, and freedom of expression or choice.  Who would have thought an LBD (little black dress - for the guys who don't know this) could cause so much drama!