So You Hate Your Job

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T09:30:00.001-08:00

Pardon the more-than-a-month silence here at SoYouHateYourJob.

It's been a crazy year, not only for us, but for the rest of the country. All the doom and gloom of this year made job dissatisfaction a phrase people dare not think about or even say out loud. Not that it went away. It was probably put on pause, or lying dormant. Most people are just thankful to be working at a time when massive layoffs are happening.

Of course, putting fear and job dissatisfaction together is a recipe for disaster. So fret not. When things go from bad to worse, where else can it go but up? Things will get better. Take a deep breath. Just hold on. We'll all be alright.

Happy New Year to you and your loved ones!

Are layoffs really necessary?

2008-11-14T11:01:00.000-08:00

One cannot watch the news nowadays without getting knots in your stomach. You watch it with dread, as if there's no good news to look forward to. It's a terrible feeling. There seems to be a lot of layoffs happening, which led me to wonder, "are these layoffs really necessary?"

I know it's done as a cost-cutting measure. Companies must surely have thought of other options before deciding on layoffs, right? Right?

Anyway, here's what I think: why don't they simply cut their employees work hours in half (say, from 40 hours to 20 hours), put overtime work on hold, and perhaps reduce the benefits temporarily (not the health insurance) just to keep their employees employed?

Companies will get to retain their employees and gain their gratitude, loyalty and respect in the process. At the same time, it gives these employees time to work part time elsewhere. They won't be going for unemployment claims because technically, they are still employed.

A quote to think about

2008-11-12T07:19:00.000-08:00

"Getting fired is nature's way of telling you that you had the wrong job in the first place."

Of course, when you think about it, it wasn't nature who fired you. It was your bosses. But it's still something to think about.

Making a total career overhaul

2008-11-11T08:36:00.000-08:00

Have you ever considered getting into a completely different line of work, one that's worlds away from the job you currently have or the field in which you've been involved for years? If you have, but are petrified at the thought, then you might probably be interested to hear about some other people who've made gigantic leaps into all new careers. This article talks about this huge change and also includes the stories of people who found enough courage to take the step, like an accountant who was previously working in theater and a dental hygienist who also works as a communications coordinator.

Alternatives to job satisfaction

2008-11-10T07:53:00.000-08:00

Face it--how many people do you know seriously love their jobs? I know of just one person who still loves her job even though she's been stagnating in it for years. She's fond of it simply because she likes her coworkers, who still keep her going even during really horrible workdays. She doesn't even find the actual work interesting and stimulating anymore, but because of the company, she's finding it easy to hang on to her job.

Apart from the presence of nice, pleasant coworkers, though, what else could possibly keep a person going? This article suggests that being happy with one's job, or career contentment, is really the answer to job dissatisfaction.

Career contentment is a state of mind that comes from within; it is not dependent on what an employer provides. That’s why some people can be content in their jobs despite enduring poor working conditions, difficult coworkers, or a bad day. People who have achieved contentment find meaning in their work, are resilient in the face of workplace challenges, and have a vision of how this job fits into long-term career objectives. Career contentment means you exercise control over your thoughts, emotions, reasoning, talents, and choices to have and enjoy the career you desire without depending on employers to make you satisfied.

The most persistent questions that arise during a person’s career are these: “Is this all there is?” And, “Am I doing what I’m supposed to be doing?” Employees expect to be made satisfied, but what they really long for is the contentment derived from using their talents to fulfill their calling and purpose.

I was just about to ready to yell, "WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!" What sane person would willingly endure deplorable treatment from people in the office just for a job? Then I realized that there may be some truth in what Jeff Garton is saying. After all, haven't other people been saying that a job doesn't feel like a job if one really loves what he or she is doing?

It reminds me of my first job. I enjoyed the work, the environment, and my colleagues, but what gradually made me give it up was the fact that I always questioned the relevance of our work to the rest of the world, the fact that I didn't and never even patronized the products we were offering, and my own personality and attitude weren't exactly aligned with that of the company's. Perhaps if I had just found something that I truly believed in, things would have worked out much better. Passion, it seems, is the key to career contentment.

Quit your day job: Advice from people on Etsy

2008-11-09T07:45:00.001-08:00

Now "quitting your job" might sound like a phrase sure to inspire terror in other people especially in these grueling economic times when people wake up each day worrying that they've already been laid off. But these crazy-talented people on Etsy have been able to soar past this fear, overcome every challenge, and truly became their own bosses by harnessing their creativity. Check out all the posts!

Vote today!

2008-11-03T21:46:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder to all U.S. citizens out there: cast your vote today!

How about a career in health care?

2008-10-23T12:17:00.000-07:00

It turns out that even if the low stress jobs can be difficult to get, there's hope in health care. Read this article "Quick Paths to a Health-Care Career".

Of course, that doesn't mean jobs in health care are low stress, which is not the case. But there is much growth in that sector that I assume means it's more stable than most other sectors. That might lessen fears in terms of job stability. Just remember, go into this industry if you feel you have the calling for it. Otherwise, don't force it. There are other jobs out there.

Low stress jobs still exist?

2008-10-21T12:03:00.000-07:00

I was surprised when I was referred to this article: "Relax: Find a Low-Stress Job with High Potential".

Before you start cheering, hooting and hollering, there were only four, yes, FOUR jobs listed in the article: mathematicians (lucky math majors!), archivists (lucky history majors!), foresters and conservation scientists (lucky science majors!), and travel agents (hmmmm...).

So what do people like us do? Of the four, only the fourth one seems feasible.

Any more low stress jobs that you know of? Let us know. Drop us an e-mail at soyouhateyourjob [at] gmail.com!

Drink Pink for Breast Cancer Month

2008-10-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

Received by e-mail. Nothing comes before health, not even work. Before you love work, love yourself. Read on...

"Did you know that a woman will be diagnosed with breast cancer by the time you finish reading this email? A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every 2 minutes – you can help a woman in your life by sending her the facts about breast health and an important reminder to get a check-up.

"This October, Folgers will partner with the National Breast Cancer Foundation to support breast cancer research and education for underserved women with its limited edition Pink Can, which will be available in grocery stores and convenience stores nationwide. In addition to the Pink Can, consumers will be able to visit folgers.com to send a 'wake up call' e-card to loved ones to make them aware of breast health and the importance of early detection. Please click on the image below for your wake up call.

"For additional information about the Folgers Pink Can, 'wake up call' e-card and tips on good breast health, please visit folgers.com."

Stuck

2008-10-16T07:51:00.000-07:00

One of the saddest impacts of the current economic crisis on people right now is this: if they're stuck in a dead-end job, a toxic workplace, etcetera, then they're stuck.

You can't just quit your job nowadays, especially when so many people are losing theirs. How and where will you find your next job? Should you brace yourself for a recession or a depression? Either one's no good. Will a parttime job help you stay afloat if you DO decide to quit? I'm still figuring out myself what the best course of action should be.

The next Employment Situation for October 2008 will be out on November 7, 2008. I wait with bated breath.

"Layoff Worries? Five Conversations You Should Have"

2008-10-14T13:36:00.000-07:00

Here's a good article to help you in riding out the current economic crisis: "Layoff Worries? Five Conversations You Should Have" by Joseph Grenny, co-author of "Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High".

Advice on making a career change

2008-10-11T01:49:00.000-07:00

If you want to make a departure from your current line of work, you'll need to evaluate your personality, your abilities, and your interests to make sure that you will do well in the next career you'll be undertaking. The Counseling Corner by the American Counseling Association has some very interesting advice that can help anyone thinking of making a career change.

From BNET: Five signs that you have a crummy job

2008-10-08T13:50:00.000-07:00

If you're already experiencing a severe distaste for your job, you probably think that you're already an expert on the signs of a horrible job. If your company is experiencing layoffs, however, things can get extra crummy. BNET enumerates the signs of deteriorating job conditions in a tense workplace.

The measure of a job well-done

2008-10-08T08:58:00.000-07:00

I realized something lately on what constitutes a good job.

If you can make other people think that the work you do is easy, then you're doing a good job. Easy-to-deceive folks will think your work is effortless, but we all know for a fact that a job well-done takes time and effort. Think ballerinas. The fluidity of their movements and the grace of their bodies make all of us think that ballet is like taking candy from a baby. But it's not.

Keep that in mind the next time you see someone doing work that seems simple. In fact, you can be that person whose work seems like there's nothing to it.

"When Organizing Isn't Enough"

2008-10-06T07:27:00.000-07:00

Here's a book that I'm currently reading, When Organizing Isn't Enough: SHED Your Stuff, Change Your Life. So far, it's pretty good but a full review will follow. Curious? Just click below.

What to do?

2008-10-03T08:58:00.000-07:00

After reading the previous post, it's kind of scary, isn't it? It sounds ominous as well.

So many people are losing their jobs right now.

But the thing is, you still hate your job. You find yourself dragging your feet to work, sighing continuously the whole day, suffering various aches and pains of unknown origin. But with the current economic situation, you can't very well quit your job. Everything is too unstable. With everything in a state of flux and everyone in a state of panic, the workplace isn't exactly a place of cheer and good will right now (was it ever?).

Now you ask yourself, "what can I do?"

Don't panic. There are some things you can control, others that you can't. But one thing that is still in your control is your reaction to everything. Use it.

Keep your résumé updated. Do not be caught unprepared. Let's face it, axes do fall.

Go on with your work as usual. Sitting around worrying and nibbling on your nails will not do anything to alleviate your fears. Keeping yourself occupied will distract you from your worries.

The employment situation in the US: August 2008

2008-10-01T12:52:00.000-07:00

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics:

"THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION: AUGUST 2008

"The unemployment rate rose from 5.7 to 6.1 percent in August, and non-farm payroll employment continued to trend down (-84,000), the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. In August, employment fell in manufacturing and employment services, while mining and health care continued to add jobs. Average hourly earnings rose by 7 cents, or 0.4 percent, over the month."

To read the whole text, go here.

"You're not the boss of me"

2008-09-22T07:48:00.000-07:00

Working in the office allows you to meet people with different attitudes, behaviors and personalities. The most remarkable to observe and challenging to deal with is the bossy office mate.

This self-designated boss of everyone tells you what to do, how to do it, when to do it, how fast you should do it, and even how quickly it can be done. This person will hover around you like a hawk to its prey. She's on to you, like a leech. Sometimes, you feel like she's breathing down heavily on your neck. She constantly checks on you and your work. Tries to catch glimpses of your monitor, just to make sure you're doing official work only. Comes up with crazy rules that couldn't be found in your company's rules and regulations.

You might wonder how this person can get away with this behavior. If the bosses are unaware of this behavior, then it's up to you and her other "victims" to inform them. If they'd put her in her place and tell her that she's a boss to no one, her behavior might stop or at the very least, fade away. But what if the bosses already know? Then you have a simple answer: the bosses allow her. And yes, sometimes, you just might feel like telling her, "you're not the boss of me." But that hardly makes a lot of difference because no one's going to stop her from bossing you around anyway, especially if the actual bosses know what's happening already.

Don't take people at their word

2008-09-19T07:27:00.000-07:00

In an ideal world, people will mean what they say and say what they mean. They will be honest, fair, sincere and trustworthy. Gossip, spite and vindictiveness will not proliferate because these will not be condoned.

But we don't live in an ideal world. People say one thing and do another. They make promises that they don't keep. Mean-spirited people get promoted. Hardworking folks get bypassed for promotions and bonuses because they don't know how to deal with office politics. People take credit for other people's work, but promptly passes the blame to others when things go wrong.

The workplace is both a learning and a teaching environment. You learn how other people are. You also teach them how to treat you. But the most important – though the saddest – lesson that you'll learn at work is simply this: don't take people at their word. You can be a person who is true to your word, but don't expect others to be the same way. Somehow, integrity doesn't count for much to other people.

They focus more on time-keeping than productivity

2008-09-17T07:20:00.000-07:00

This is a mystery to me until now. Work colleagues who monitor what time you came in, what time you took your lunch, how long you were out on your breaks (coffee, lunch and bathroom breaks), and what time you left. But they don't care how much work you finished during the time you were at work.

These "time cops" (as I prefer to call them) are always around to call your attention when you're 5 or 10 minutes late, but never around when you're in the office early. I suppose they expect you to be early, so if you are, it does not deserve special mention.

Anyway, if these people focused their time in getting their own work done, then they'd get more done. Or maybe, just maybe, they don't really have a lot to do, so they're looking for something to occupy their time.

"This is the best job you can ever hope to get"

2008-09-15T09:14:00.000-07:00

People work for various reasons. Most people stay with their employees because of the money and the benefits. But would you stay if you were told, "this is the best job you can ever hope to get"?

Two years ago, I was told that exact line. I left. And it was a job that everyone thought was glamorous, secure and overall, great.

But I ask you this – how can you work for someone who doesn't have that much faith in you? In trying to convince me to stay, they revealed how highly or lowly they actually thought of me. Yes, I was good enough to do what needed to be done, but this was the best that I can ever reach or aspire for.

Put yourself in my shoes. If they didn't believe in you - your skills, talents, abilities and most importantly, your potential – then why are you working so hard for them? And why does it seem like they're doing you a favor by allowing you to work for them?

It was, of course, a blow to my self-esteem, but not so much that I ended up quivering in fear and staying with them. I quit. I moved on; found an even better job than that. I proved them wrong. They thought they gave me the best job for me. But actually, something better was waiting for me when I was finally brave enough to look for it.

My boss treats me like a maid

2008-09-09T11:20:00.000-07:00

This is not an isolated complaint. I've experienced this, so have my friends. It happens more often than anyone would like to believe.

Why DO certain bosses treat their underlings like maids? Is there such a fine line between personal assistant and executive assistant? How can one be treated like a maid, you may ask. Making coffee, picking up dry-cleaning, typing up his/her kids' assignments and reports, washing their used coffee mugs, among others.

Slavery was abolished a long time ago. If you decline, the best thing is the boss can simply bring his orders elsewhere. Worst case, the boss will put his/her foot down, continue ordering you like a maid until you've been "domesticated" and your will has been broken.

If such a behavior just started, nip it in the bud. Please. If it's ongoing, it might be tough to put a stop to it, but you should give it a try. After all, better late than never.

Goodness knows why they do it. What matters is that you put a stop to it.

Use yes and no wisely

2008-09-08T20:56:00.001-07:00

Everyone likes the worker who accepts everything thrown his/her way. But nothing causes a worker more stress than always saying yes. Take note that in the workplace, you don’t have to keep saying yes. So when do you say yes?

High-profile projects
Work-related requests by higher-ups
Attending or even facilitating meetings
Networking
Getting or receiving feedback

Otherwise, just say no. Others would simply inconvenience you or will be more trouble than it’s worth.

You don’t have to say yes all the time.

In the same vein, you don’t have to say no every time.

"Five Lies We All Tell at Work"

2008-08-09T21:04:00.000-07:00

Check out the article "Five Lies We All Tell at Work" courtesy of Careerbuilder.com via MSN Careers. Maybe one or all of them will be familiar to you.

"Dealing with Job Stress"

2008-08-08T21:03:00.000-07:00

I found a good resource on how to deal with job stress, "Job Stress Management: Stress Causes & Effects; Tips for Workplace Stress Reduction", complete with a chart on the factors contributing to stress. Check it out!

Is work stress making you fat?

2008-07-04T21:09:00.000-07:00

Up to now, there are no definitive studies confirming or refuting the relationship between stress and weight gain. Or at least, none between work stress and weight gain. Any links have been scoffed at by other research.

However, my common sense dictates there is a relation. People spend far too much time at work – being at, thinking of and actually doing work. How else can I discount the link?

If work stress is making you fat, it’s important to have a life outside. And make sure you avoid the food that people keep bringing to the office. It’s tempting, but don’t touch ‘em.

Boss calls you during the weekends

2008-07-03T21:14:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had a boss who keeps calling you during weekends? Well, I did. Always in a state of panic. Now, this boss was frequently out of the office during the work week. Which was why he expected me to be on call during weekends. It was only the time he’s in the office, trying to catch up on work requiring his approval or review.

Now, I was always in the office on time and finishing work ahead of time. I could not, for the life of me, figure out why I had to continue working during weekends. The company didn’t even offer overtime pay, so that wasn’t an incentive to work during weekends. He’d call during weekends, asking about this and that matter. He tried to get me to the office, to no avail.

The best way to deal with this type of a boss?

Let them know that you have a life outside of work. How weekends are sacred to you so you can spend quality time with your loved ones. Then, turn off your cellphone or set it to vibrate. If they call, don’t pick up the call. Let your voicemail do its job. Of course, the voicemails they’ll leave will make it sound as if everything is life or death. Here’s when you should try to be discerning whether you should return the call or not. Most of the time, you’ll come to the conclusion that the call isn’t even worth returning.

You spend 40 hours or more already at work. Don’t let your Saturdays and Sundays be about work as well.

Your boss is not your father

2008-06-12T20:47:00.000-07:00

Unless, of course, you ARE working in your family’s business and your boss IS your father.

Some people treat the workplace like their home. You treat your bosses as if they’re your parents and your colleagues as if they’re your siblings. You reenact their home dynamics at work.

Case in point, some women treat their male bosses like their fathers. They act like little girls when they’re around their bosses, even becoming tongue-tied and childlike. Others act defensive when they’re around their bosses. Whatever their bosses say, they disagree or misinterpret. Some anticipate the worst when it comes to their bosses.

How best to deal? Stop treating your boss like your father. Try to build a relationship with your boss without viewing him as you view your father. After all, the workplace is a different environment altogether. Create a professional relationship. What’s more, not all men are like your father. Remember, you only have one father. Your boss can’t be another one.

Don't be the Office Innocent

2008-06-11T20:55:00.000-07:00

In practically every office, there’s this one person who everyone else think is completely naive and clueless? This is the person who runs contrary to everyone’s opinion, saying things like “it can be done” or “it’s easy” just when everyone says otherwise with good reason?

That’s the Office Innocent.

Most of the time, Office Innocents border on hyper-optimism (if there’s such a word). They believe in everyone’s good nature. They don’t believe it, even if they hear bad things being said about them. They don’t really think that other people can and do backstab others. It’s not a bad trait to have, but it makes Office Innocents definitely good target for office politics.

Now, if you’re an Office Innocent, a little bit of caution will go a long way.

You should learn how to read situations correctly.

Always consider what motivates your officemates to say what they say and to do what they do. At the same time, you should learn how to read between the lines. Take into account the possibility that you’re not always told the whole truth. There might be more to the story than what you’re told. Most of all, don’t take everything you’re told at face value. Always, always ask.

When you’re in doubt, ask.

When you don’t know, ask.

When you don’t understand, ask.

Better to ask questions than to be kept in the dark. Being the Office Innocent is not a good title to have at work.

Some words of wisdom based on personal experience

2008-06-10T20:59:00.000-07:00

If you’ve only had your job for a couple of months and you already feel so tired, pissed off, and burned out every single, then it’s best for you to let it go. Life is too short to stay with something that is wearing you down. Believe it or not, there ARE other jobs out there. You WILL find something that suits you best. And you
don’t have to stick with a job–or anything, really, that makes you suffer.

Little Miss/Mister Perfect

2008-06-10T20:58:00.000-07:00

Doing things perfectly takes a lot of hard work, time and effort. It’s demanding to finish work on time, meet deadlines, and finalize projects.

When you’re aiming for perfection, other people can’t help you because you don’t think they’ll live up to your standards and expectations. You’d rather do it yourself. Let’s face it, you can try to be good at everything and fail. Or maybe you can do most things well, but few things perfectly. So why not choose what you can be good at and succeed?

Better yet, establish a reputation for excellence. Once that reputation is firmly in place, you have the luxury of choosing to do a perfect job or a well-done job. Your reputation already precedes you, so you have no cause for worry. Bosses tend to be lenient to those employees who have proven that they get the work done, not necessarily in a perfect way.

It doesn’t mean that you’re settling for mediocre. It means that you are allowing yourself enough time to do other things, apart from the work at hand. You’ll get more done. Save your perfection for other aspects of your life.

How can you survive the office jungle?

2008-06-07T20:59:00.000-07:00

Apart from the usual initiative, ability to learn, interpersonal skills, adaptability and flexibility, no one tells you about other skills you need when you’re looking for a job, starting a new one or working for sometime already.

Not only should you be able to read, speak and write properly, everyone else should be able to understand you. It’s also not enough that you’re smart, skilled and intelligent, but you should be street-smart as well. You must know how to work hard, but not too hardworking, that people delegate to you even when they don’t have to. You shouldn’t shy away from challenges and problems. Better yet, you should learn and know how to roll with the punches.

You should get things done. What’s more, you should be imaginative enough to see possibilities and find solutions to problems. You should set goals, have an “I’ll do it” attitude and work towards your goals and winning. You should always try to improve yourself and be the best. You must be able to stand up for yourself and your convictions. You must be willing to admit your mistakes and toot your own horn, if needed.

Most importantly, you should know who you are, what you want in life, what you can do and want to do. The office can easily make you forget.

"U.S. Jobless Rate Spikes to 5.5 Percent"

2008-06-06T21:02:00.000-07:00

Here’s something from ABC News "U.S. Jobless Rate Spikes to 5.5 Percent". So now, people have mixed emotions about their jobs. Even if they hate their jobs, they’re afraid of losing them as well. What a mess.

Is it normal to hate your job?

2008-05-31T00:20:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, hating your job can grow to such an alarming degree that you might worry whether or not this is actually a normal thing to do. Given the fact that majority of the people are simply working just because they have to and not necessarily because they love what they do and that they actually WANT to work, then you can safely conclude that it’s perfectly normal and you are not alone in feeling utter hatred for your job. Just think of all your conversations with your coworkers after the weekend or the holidays–practically nobody wanted to come back to work, right?

We’re sure you realize how sad it is that hating one’s job passes for normal. It’s funny to think how you worked in school for years training and preparing yourself for your career in a field in which you think you’ve always wanted to be involved. Then you actually end up feeling unfulfilled even though you’re doing what you thought you wanted to do.

Take heart, though. Yes, hating your job is normal, but this is not a situation that you should simply settle for. Life is too short to be wasting your time on things you dislike. So just do the best you can in your job while preparing yourself to do other things which you know will make you truly happy.

UK's IT managers want to quit the industry

2008-05-30T00:18:00.000-07:00

IT leaders polled in the UK have revealed that they hope to leave the industry altogether, while others hope to discover an IT innovation, move to a great company, or be the next Steve Jobs. Most of them, however, gripe about the normal everyday IT issues they encounter, like e-mail and server problems.

Indeed, IT managers are one of the main backbones of a company; without them, a company’s system pretty much grinds to a halt. Just think of all the times the company e-mail service went down and prevented people from communicating with clients. One of our readers wrote in a few days ago and talked about how the IT specialists in her office often had to troubleshoot matters like printer jams, blocked websites, and slowly functioning computers, usually borne out of irresponsible downloading. They pick up after people and keep things running, but sadly, they are often one of the least appreciated people in a company.

So you think your job's a pain?

2008-05-29T00:19:00.000-07:00

Wait until you see ABC’s list of the ten most painful professions–and they are literally painful. Of course, we’re not discounting the psychological and emotional pain you go through at your job, but this article ought to give you a fresh look at other jobs and the drama and trauma people in those fields experience.

Why Gen Xers are unhappy at work

2008-05-27T00:21:00.001-07:00

Our great-grandparents, grandparents, and the baby boomer generation were probably one of the most hardworking people ever. The former two generations toiled away tirelessly, while the baby boomers, on the other hand, were well known for being total overachievers who wanted–and got–it all. Unfair treatment and an unsavory working atmosphere were more or less dealt with by shrugging, saying “That’s office life,” and forging ahead anyway.

Members of Generation X, on the other hand, are becoming more and more disillusioned with corporate life and are frantically looking for a way out. It stems from factors such as disappointment with the system and a desire for better work-life balance.

Tammy Erickson of Harvard Business Publishing has written an article citing the ten reasons why Gen X is unhappy with their work. Read all the ten reasons and figure out for yourself which reason is most relevant to you–and what you can do about it.

Broaden your mind while at work

2008-05-27T00:21:00.000-07:00

The cubicle is a horrible place in which to be stuck, especially if you’ve already managed to complete all your work for the day. Instead of whiling away the hours checking out gossip blogs, why not find a better use for your time? For example, download e-books of novels you’ve always wanted to read, or perhaps ones that can help you learn more about your line of work or how you can earn more money. You might also want to bring books along with you to read at your desk.

For something different, listen to the 60-second lectures available at the University of Pennsylvania website. To really expand your horizons, don’t just stick with your area’s online newspapers. Check out newspapers from other states or even other countries to help you learn more about current events on an international scale.

Doing other things when the day’s to-do list has been exhausted will keep you from feeling useless and your brain from curdling during the workday. You could spend your day just hanging out, of course, but learning something new will give you a greater sense of purpose.

Ask for help

2008-05-22T00:22:00.000-07:00

If you’re good at what you do, but you’re swamped, there’s no shame in asking for help.

You don’t have to do everything yourself. You don’t have to be a one-person working machine. You should know when to ask for help.

You can always find one or two persons in the office who are looking for something to do. It’s a win-win proposition – they help you get the job done, you help them have something to do. Remember, return the favor.

Stop evading your bosses

2008-05-21T00:22:00.000-07:00

Most people avoid the senior bosses like the plague. There’s something…daunting…being face-to-face with the powers-that-be. Some people can’t even utter anything coherent when they see the bosses in the corridors. That’s how overwhelmed they are by the bosses. Others do not attend meetings with senior management, often choosing to work at their desks while the meeting is ongoing.

Now, avoiding the bosses takes a lot of skill and strategy, unless you know their schedules. Most bosses have the special skill most employees are unaware of - appearing out of nowhere. They can eavesdrop on conversations as they pass by.

To lessen your work stress, stop evading them. They’re people like you, after all. Plus, a lot of people are already avoiding them. You’ll stand out in their minds because you’re not. It might work to your career’s advantage if they know your name and face. Don’t think for a moment that they don’t notice who among their employees seem in awe or afraid of them. Stop working at your desk and start attending office meetings.

Acting invisible at work when you’re getting things done is not good for your career. Go out there, be professionally friendly to the bosses and make a mark.

Good benefits, lousy job

2008-05-20T00:25:00.000-07:00

Are you stuck in a dead-end job where promotions are sought-after but are hard to come by? Granted, you don’t like your job. Are you staying because they offer good benefits? What differentiates a good benefits package from a great one?

A good one offers the following:

general coverage
medical insurance
dental insurance
vision/eye care insurance
life insurance
accidental death insurance
business travel insurance
disability insurance
vacation
holidays (at least six - New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day)
sick/personal days
401(k) plans
pension plans
dependent care
overtime/compensatory time-off

A great benefits package offers the above, plus all or some of the items below:

profit sharing
stock options
tuition reimbursement
health clubs
employee assistance programs
parking reimbursement
commuting cost reimbursement
expense reimbursement
mobile phone reimbursement

It’s good to think whether you’d prefer getting great benefits to having a great job. Other people eventually realize that benefits are no longer good reasons to stay.

"Job burnout: Know the signs and symptoms"

2008-05-19T00:24:00.000-07:00

MayoClinic.com has this article on their website entitled "Job burnout: Know the signs and symptoms". Check it out!

Finish before the deadlines

2008-05-18T00:23:00.000-07:00

Where else can the fine skill of procrastination be practiced, but at work?

According to The 6 Ways To Beat Procrastination At Work, “Procrastination means avoiding doing tasks, which need to be done - sometimes doing them at the last minute or sometimes never doing them at all.”

But let’s face it, unfinished pending work causes more stress than anyone would care to admit. Factor in the work you’re not finishing and the work that will be heading your way. Result? One heck of a workload. So clearly, procrastinating is one habit that isn’t serving you well, even if you’ve relied on it back when you were still in school. Remember that late-night cramming for exams? There you go.

If you don’t give yourself time to do a good job, there’s always this niggling thought at the back of your mind how you could’ve done better, how it wasn’t really your best shot. And you’ll wonder what would’ve happened if you gave yourself enough time.

Give yourself the chance to finish before the deadlines. It can mean a day or two before the deadline. Better yet, a week in advance. Choose one of your pending matters. Break it up into little tasks. Once you’ve felt the exhilaration of a job completed before the due date, you just might find yourself wanting to do it more.

A simple Google search on procrastination at work yielded 2,340,000 results. Here are some helpful articles:

Procrastinating at Work

Why We Procrastinate at Work

Procrastination

A formula for procrastination

Dealing with Deadline Stress

Make the most out of a day off

2008-04-30T23:59:00.000-07:00

One of the best and easiest ways to temporarily escape the sordid reality of a much-hated job is to take a day off. You could be legitimately sick or maybe–ahem ahem–just “sick”, or you could just feel the need for a personal day to get your head right again after a stressful time at the office. Whatever your reason for taking one day off, you’re giving yourself a chance to distance yourself from all the drama at work and possibly start thinking of your way out.

For many people, a day off is spent attending to chores or working on things at home that have been neglected for quite some time. For others, it’s a chance to veg in front of the TV all day, go shopping, or go on an impromptu road trip. You can, however, use your day off more productively than this. If you’re already sick of your job, spending a fun day will only make you miserable because you know that you have to go back to work the following day, and all throughout the workday, you’ll just be thinking about how much fun you could be having if you weren’t stuck inside the office. That’s why you should know how to take advantage of your day off.

The first and most important thing for you to remember is that there is no room for work or the office during your day off. Hopefully, you can plan your day off in advance so that you will have completed and submitted all your work, thus making it impossible for anyone in the office to whimper and beg you for documents or reports. That will leave you blissfully free during the whole day, ideally with no work-related interruptions. Emphasize that you will be unreachable during the day and stick to it; don’t feel compelled to answer every message, phone call, or e-mail–in fact, don’t go online at all. You probably spend enough time in front of the computer as it is.

Another way for you to keep work from invading your day off is to stop talking about it. Don’t complain about it, don’t whine about coworkers and bosses. It’s your day off–don’t spoil it by remembering the foulness of the workplace.

You should also enjoy being someplace other than the office. If you feel you don’t spend enough time at home, then sit back and relax in your house. If you think you don’t get enough sunlight, being cooped up in an office and all, then head out to the park or the pool, or just spend time in an outdoor café.

Your day off is also a great chance for you to map out your action plan, which you should have if you’re thinking about leaving your job and doing something else. Considering starting a business? Then use your day off to write your business plans, think more about what you intend to do and offer, and do research on your competitors. Do you want to get a job in a different company or a new city altogether? Then prepare your resume, look up information on the company or place you want to move to, and just get yourself ready for the change.

Taking a day off can allow you to relax and recharge, but it can also work to your advantage if you use it to assess yourself and plan your next move. That’s a much better use of your time than just goofing off, which is really rather fun, but only for a short time. You’ll be better off spending your day off carefully planning when and how you’ll quit your job and what to do about your plans in life (which will be a lot better for you in the long run!).

Are you a sponge for office whiners?

2008-04-30T23:34:00.000-07:00

Any chance you’re unhappy with work because other people are? Perhaps you’re feeling unhappy because other people keep complaining about work. Sometimes, even if you’re not the whiny sort, you end up becoming the office go-to person for venting. Maybe you listen so well. Maybe you are such a sensitive spirit. Unconsciously, you end up absorbing others’ negative impressions of the workplace.

If this is the case, then it’s time to rethink the office guidance counselor role. Unless your job title is really Office Guidance Counselor, why expose yourself to negativity? It’s contagious. Quarantine it. Or quarantine yourself from it.

You can put an end to office whining and its effects on you. When people approach you to whine, whimper and complain, you can give them at most five minutes of your time. No more than that. Anything longer than that and you’re in for a whine fest. Some people are encouraged to whine when there’s someone who is willing to listen. Don’t be that someone.

Something for all of us to think about

2008-04-30T11:23:00.000-07:00

From We The Robots.

So you hate your job—what now?

2008-04-29T15:21:00.000-07:00

You’ve tried looking at things from a different perspective. You’ve weighed all the details. You’ve tried pasting a smile on your face and cultivating a positive attitude. But in the end, there’s just no denying it anymore: You really, truly hate your job. Now that you’ve finally admitted it to yourself, what next?

The ideal step is to just hightail it out of your company as soon as possible, but we all know that’s not exactly the most viable option. The moment the idea comes up, we all butt in with our own contradictions: “Yeah, I could, but I’ve got a lot of bills to pay, and I need the money,” “Right now? Oh no, I can’t, it’s too soon, I gotta plan it first.”

If you’re worried that this makes you look wishy-washy, don’t think too much about it; it’s perfectly normal. Yeah, we all need to hang on to our jobs to make ends meet and get by. That’s the sad truth.

The thing is each and every one of us is dependent on his/her job. No matter how much we hate it, or how much we plan to make our real dreams come true, our jobs are the ultimate safety net that, well, doesn’t really give us a lot by way of compensation, but keeps us out of the red nonetheless. And sometimes, we just stay on because the salary and benefits are decent, even though our boss and coworkers grate on our nerves.

“Never mind that,” you say. “What should I do next?”

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unless you can afford to just quit tomorrow and not look back, you’re going to have to stay a little longer. You should, however, use your time wisely. Start taking a good look at yourself to determine what you really want. Maybe you want to take a vacation for a few months first in order to recharge, or you want to get into a different company, or a different field altogether. If you have dreams of starting your own business, you can start thinking more seriously about the kind of business you want to run and do research as well.

The important thing for you to remember is to not let your hatred for your job consume you. Instead, let it push you towards what you really want to do. The next step is really all about planning for your dreams so you’ll be sure to make them come true once you finally quit your job.

Why do you hate your job anyway?

2008-04-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

A lot of people have different reasons for disliking…er, even hating their jobs. Hate seems such a strong word, but read on below. You’ll probably see some that strike a chord. Perhaps the others, you’ve heard other people experience them.

Let’s start with bosses and managers who…

* act as if they’re doing you a favor by giving you a job
* say things like, “you have to work overtime, after all, we pay for your rent/mortgage/car loan.”
* manage their time so poorly, that’s why everything ends up urgent
* are so used to being employees, that they have no clue how to manage
* are more concerned with timekeeping than actual productivity (punctuality over productivity)
* treat their clients waaaay better than their staff
* micromanage, instead of focusing on the company’s big picture
* think their employees are desperate for work and will jump through hoops for the company’s sake
* play favorites
* doesn’t give credit/blame where credit/blame is due
* pinch pennies by not hiring more people when the office is grossly understaffed, but wouldn’t blink at wasting money on furniture, etc.
* keep breathing down your neck…even if you’re the type of worker who gets the job done
* like the title “manager” but wouldn’t know how to manage to save their life

Now, about the company…

* it can’t get its act together
* it banks everything on the benefits they offer to make their employees stay
* it’s a male-dominated patriarchal environment, and you’re only one of three women in the office
* everyone is out for themselves
* everyone is passing the buck

That leaves you, who…

* don’t have a clear job description
* finish your work quickly, accurately and efficiently. Your reward? More work.
* is definitely overqualified for the work you do
* is never paid enough than you think you’re worth
* don’t like your place in the office hierarchy
* ends up doing babysitting work at work - with bosses being the babies and you, the babysitter
* watch folks kiss ass and advance in the company
* get to deal with customer complaints, even if that’s not part of your job description (if you’re lucky to have one), because you’re so diplomatic
* work so hard without any clear career advancement, or even the promise of higher pay and/or better benefits
* no one seems to understand your heavy workload…or maybe they do, but it’s better not to acknowledge it

It’s always good to take stock of what you like and dislike about your job. At least you’ll get the idea if it’s worth hanging on to your job or if it’s time to move on and get a new job.

Work is taking over my life!

2008-04-28T00:03:00.000-07:00

There’s always too much work to be done, but not enough time in the day to do them. To prevent work backlog, you might find yourself doing some or all of the following:

starting work early before people arrive
working late
bringing work home
working while eating lunch at your desk
coming in to work during weekends
working from home when you’re indisposed (could be you’re sick, or there’s a family emergency, etc.)

Work will consume you if you don’t watch out. It can take over your life without you noticing it. One day, you wake up and find that your life revolves around work. That without work, you don’t know what to do with yourself.

Hope is not lost. For starters, there are so many resources out there that can help you manage your time efficiently and effectively. You will find these resources in this blog in future posts.

In the meantime, the simplest advice to prevent work from consuming you is this - STOP. Take a deep breath.

Stop going to work early and leaving late.

Stop bringing work home.

Eat your lunch away from your desk and out of the office.

Spend your weekends doing what you love - relaxing at home, playing games at the arcade, partying, going to the library, window shopping, going to a spa, etc.

Stop working from home.

Work only at work.

A friend once said, “work in life is just a piece of the pie”. Don’t neglect the other pieces of the pie. You owe it to yourself.

When office politics make your life a living hell

2008-04-27T00:05:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has ever worked or is presently working knows office politics. It’s easier seen and experienced than defined.

A positive way of looking at office politics is simply networking…which is never simple, that’s true.

A negative way of looking at office politics includes backstabbing, rumormongering, sucking up, bullying, credit-grabbing, string-pulling, buck-passing, etc. Here are things you should remember:

#1: You can’t escape office politics.
Even if you work quietly in your own little nook, sometimes you still get roped into situations and circumstances brought on by office politics. ESPECIALLY if you’re the type of worker who gets things done accurately and quickly. You will be forced to deal with other people’s crap because they know you get things done.

#2: It’s a game.
You can choose to play the game or not. If you play it, you can fight fairly and cleanly; or you can dish out the dirt. If you don’t play it, remember, even those who choose not to play get affected by office politics. If played the right way, office politics can lessen your stress and improve your productivity. If played the wrong way, it can add more stress and get in the way of your productivity. Is it a game worth playing? Depends on how far you want to rise in the company. Depends on your principles. Depends on why you’re working where you do. Only you can tell.

#3: Strategize.
Choose your battles wisely. At the same time, let them know that you choose your battles wisely. If you will react to every issue, every comment, every complaint, those who are issuing them will see what a fun target you are. And they will continue to attack you. This is what you’re trying to avoid. If the issues are worth your time, energy and attention, decide on your approach.

#4: Amp up your good side.
Seriously. Be nice to everyone, and I mean EVERYONE. Not just to your superiors. You don’t need to be overly nice, bordering on the unbelievable. It’s better to err on the good side. After all, most of us have seen those vicious gossipmongers who spread lies all over the place and then get exposed for their lies. Whose integrity is ruined? Theirs. The truth DOES come out. Sometimes it’s easier to join the fray, and throw mud all around at everyone. But what happens after that? Even you have mud. Leave mudslinging to them and you stay clean.

#5: Speak the same language.
Most people advise trying to rise above office politics. But sometimes, there are situations when you really need to address the matter, especially when being nice isn’t working. In this case, be on the same level as the person attacking you. You can counter the attacks as long as you’re focusing on how work is affected negatively by what the other person is doing - like how the work is not being done, how it’s counterproductive to the company’s goals, etc. Non-work-related below-the-belt attacks have no place in your counterattack. That way, you’re not being a doormat; you’re not attacking the person needlessly, but simply pointing out how their attacks on you affect the company. If you’ve done #3 & #4, even if you end up doing #5, people know you’re a nice person and remember that you choose your battles.

Even if office politics is making your life a living hell, you CAN take control and turn things around.

Is work making you sick?

2008-04-26T00:14:00.000-07:00

You’ve got an office to-do list that just won’t get done, no matter how much time you put in. You’ve got phone calls to return, but you’re already feeling worn-out and exhausted. You’ve got headaches everyday (hence that bottle of aspirin at your desk). You can’t sleep well at night. Your muscles are always incredibly tense. You’ve been trying to keep that sick feeling at bay, but it’s there.

You don’t want to call in sick. After all, how can you? You’ve got tons of work to do! You’re under a great deal of stress. You end up going to the office, a clear case of presenteeism.

If this scenario sounds familiar to you, then it’s time to take a step back and ask yourself, “is work making me sick?”

If the answer is yes, then listen to your common sense. If work is making you sick, take a break. Focus on yourself. Don’t check your voice mails from your home phone. Don’t even log in to your work computer remotely. If you’re heading back to work when you’re not feeling well, you’re sabotaging your career as well. How can you do a good job when you’re not feeling good yourself? You’re neither efficient nor effective.

Sadly, work WILL pile up while you’re out sick, but that’s the nature of work. In the meantime, if it’s a choice between loving work and loving yourself, go with the latter. There’s only one of you, but there will always be work.

Workrant.com

2008-04-25T00:06:00.000-07:00

Ever heard of Workrant.com? According to their website:

"Workrant is an interactive website where you can, anonymously, release your work stress.

It’s here for you to let out, without holding back, everything on your mind that frustrates, stresses and annoys you about your job."

They make sure everything is kept confidential. People post their work rants in the website, using it as a convenient stress reliever. What a great idea!

Why you shouldn't give two weeks' notice anymore

2008-04-24T15:20:00.000-07:00

If you're thinking of quitting your job, you're probably thinking that you should give your employers the usual two weeks' notice. But apparently, this practice is already completely outdated and no longer appropriate in today's corporate world. James Carlini tells us why the day you turn in your resignation letter is actually your last day at work.

Office Anger Management Kit

2008-04-24T00:13:00.000-07:00

I was checking out items in Amazon and stumbled upon the "Office Anger Management Kit." It seems like a good idea, of course, a kit to help one manage their office anger. Work dissatisfaction is so rampant that people are coming up with different ways on how to deal. We all spend a good deal of our adult life working. If work is making a lot of people angry, that means a lot of people are spending a good deal of their adult lives angry.

The Top Signs You Hate Your Job

2008-04-23T15:16:00.000-07:00

1. You’re just going through the motions of working.
2. No matter what new project, assignment, or challenge is given to you, you can’t seem to scrape up any enthusiasm for it.
3. You’re tempted to just sit at your desk and whine to anyone who would listen.
4. You zip through the items on your to-do list and in your in-tray just so you can get the dirty work out of the way, leaving you free to mope for the rest of the day and plan your escape.
5. Alternately, you can’t even stand to look at your desk for more than ten minutes, so you put everything off at the last possible minute.
6. Everyday, you find yourself saying, “I hate my job.”
7. Everyone around you knows how you feel about your job.
8. You’re frequently tardy—and you don’t care about it.
9. You keep fantasizing how you’ll sabotage the company once you get out of there.
10. You constantly question the importance of your job and your place in the grand scheme of things.

Do you exhibit one, more, or all of these signs? Probably, and you don’t need me to tell you how sick you are of your job. In fact, you may be able to add several more symptoms to this list!

Any chance it's job burnout?

2008-04-23T00:17:00.000-07:00

Nowadays, so many people say they hate their jobs. Here's a quiz (Quiz: Are You Burned Out on Your Job?) that will help you determine if it's job burnout or not. It's pretty helpful.

Extreme Job Loathing: What You Shouldn't Do

2008-04-22T15:18:00.000-07:00

When lumped in a most hateful situation, like a terrible, demeaning, and overly demanding job, even the best of us has thrown up his or her hands in despair and vowed to inflict as much damage and inconvenience on the people who wrought all the headaches and troubles in the first place. If you’re really sick of your job, then it’s more than likely that you’ve thought up a hundred different ways to get back at your coworkers and your boss, or even just to entertain yourself while simultaneously bringing the company down from within.

Our advice: Just keep all those plans in the realm of fantasy. As satisfying as it would be to pour soup in your coworker’s PC, or to delete very important files from your boss’s computer, they are definitely not the best ways to have your revenge on a company, the people, and the job that's been sucking out your life, soul, and energy. For one thing, you could get in a whole lot of trouble if you get caught—and despite the precautions you’ll take when preparing to put your evil schemes in action, there is still a chance that any misdeed will be traced back to you. For another thing, even if the company has given you all sorts of hell, just think of the trouble people will get into if you push through with your plans. Although these people have given you trouble in the past, that’s no reason for you to NOT be the bigger person and just leave them be.

Nasty pranks aren’t the only things you should stop yourself from doing when you hate your job so much, though they do take the most self-control! Here are a few other things that you might be tempted to do when you hate your job so much—and why you shouldn’t do them.

1. Slacking off on your workload.

2. Coming in late for work every single day.

3. Whining and whimpering about your situation all the time.

Does Quitting Your Job Make You a Quitter?

2008-04-21T15:20:00.000-07:00

Does Quitting Your Job Make You a Quitter?
Noun 1. quitter - one that quits; especially : one that gives up too easily

addictions
gambling, food, sex, pornography, computers, work, exercise, cutting, shopping, and religion
but some addictions are acceptable. in fact, these addictions are condoned.

Quitting from your job is life-changing. Most people quit after serious consideration. It's not a decision that is taken lightly.

No one wants to be called a quitter.

Welcome to So You Hate Your Job!

2008-04-20T15:22:00.000-07:00

The simple act of waking up to go to work feels like a heavy burden. Your daily commute saps the life out of you and makes you wonder why exactly you’re wasting hours of the best years of your life sitting in heavy traffic. At work, you keep thinking how nice it would be if you could just spend the rest of your days exploring the country, seeing new places, spending more time with your loved ones, or just relaxing and not having to lift a finger to do work for the bigger fish who will reap all the benefits and recognition anyway.

Do all those things sound like you? Then clearly, you’re experiencing a strong dip in your enthusiasm for your job, to put it mildly. We don’t blame you at all. In fact, we want you to know that you’re not alone in feeling this way. Every day, there are people who are waking up to the fact that what they’re doing to scrape a living just isn’t making them happy anymore, and there’s nothing more they would like than to shove their desks out the window, yell, “I’m done with this crap! I quit!” and walk straight out the door. There are plenty of reasons for feeling this way, but just the fact that you want to stage a dramatic exit from your workplace is a major sign that you need a change.

In this website, we’ll help you cope with your attitude about your job, and in the process help you make up your mind about your next step, too. We’re not professionals or career counselors, by the way. We’re just ordinary people who have also been feeling the need for a change and are doing our best to handle our situation.

We hope you enjoy the articles in this website, and we hope that you’ll learn something from them, too! If you have ideas on how to handle job disgruntlement or if you just want to unload all your problems, let us know and we’ll compile for the next articles at So You Hate Your Job!