Employment Spot

Bored at Work? Look No Further.

Most all of us have experienced a case of the Mondays or had “just one of those days” where it seemed like the hands of the clock couldn’t possibly move any slower.  Even for those of us who truly love our jobs, there will always be a time when you are just plain old bored.  If you are bored on the job, here are some fun things to do at work to help pass the time.

• Listen to music on an MP3 player (using headphones, of course)
• Take the scenic route when walking to the copy machine or restroom
• Redecorate your cubicle or office – a change of scenery may be refreshing
• Entice co-workers to come chat with you by placing a candy jar on your desk Read the rest of this entry �

Ten appropriate office April Fools’ Jokes

Do you want to pull off an office April Fools’ joke that will go down in company history?  Before you do, it is important to consider the possible consequences. Is this April Fools’ joke appropriate for work?  Will it offend, upset, or embarrass a co-worker?  Would you be upset if someone played this April Fools’ prank on you?  Consider the worst-case scenario, and if there is even the slightest possibility of any negative consequences, then it is best to play it on the safe side and leave the April Fools’ prank for friends and family.  However, if your company has a laid-back culture or if people have successfully pulled office April Fools’ jokes in the past, then April Fools’ Day may be the perfect way to bring a little more fun and laughs into the office.  Here are 10 appropriate office April Fools’ jokes:

1. Take all the lunches out of the refrigerator around 10 AM and hide them (preferably in a cooler).  You could also hide just two or three lunches, or swap the food in everyone’s lunch bags. Read the rest of this entry �

Many things can go wrong at work, and depending on the type of industry you are in or the job you have, your stress level may be high even on a good day. When things go wrong in the workplace, you may need to find some ways to relax or reduce your anxiety. Some people handle pressure better than others, and it is important to know yourself and how much stress you can take. Many people actually perform better with a little bit of stress. Any journalist will tell you that great work has emerged in tense situations with a deadline looming. However, when certain situations crop up at work, here are a few pointers about how to handle them. It is often the smallest stresses that can break the camel’s back. These are all relatively minor situations that can really increase office anxiety and irritate you or those around you. Follow these tips to stay calm in upsetting situations and maintain high levels of efficiency and productivity.

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