Computer skills are key for succeeding in the current business climate, writes John Patrick Pullen. But even if you didn’t study computer science in school, fear not; there are a number of free online resources that can help you get up to speed.
Avoid confrontation when discussing politics in the workplace. There’s a right way and a wrong way to phrase your comments, writes Lynze Wardle Lenio at the Daily Muse. “Remember that it’s highly unlikely that you’re going to convince your office mates to switch political parties–or even their position on an issue–in a 30-minute conversation at […]
If all an employee does is tell you about the diagnosis of her medical condition, that’s not enough to trigger her FMLA rights. For example, the employee can’t just state that she’s been diagnosed with depression and then, the next time she misses work, expect the time off to be automatically considered FMLA leave.
Inject power into your remarks by eliminating words or phrases that weaken your message. That’s easier said than done, since many leaders aren’t aware of how their word choice works against them. Here are some keys to communicate with clarity and force:
It’s hard for employees to do their best work when their bosses yell at them, and, thankfully, this type of outburst is quickly becoming a thing of the past in most workplaces. But some people are still expressing their anger in harmful ways. However, there are some constructive ways to resolve office disputes.
Question: “I wonder if my boss is indirectly encouraging me to leave. He gave me only an average performance rating this year, despite the fact that I met all of my goals and take great pride in my work. In my opinion, I clearly exceeded expectations. Many completely undeserving people received higher ratings, because they are in my boss’s “circle of friends”. My career will go nowhere unless I become part of this group, which I have no desire to do. Although I enjoy my job, I have no faith in my manager. I would hate to lose my benefits, but maybe it’s time to move on.” John
Just because your manager can be strict about your schedule doesn’t mean that he should, writes Suzanne Lucas. If your boss has suddenly instituted draconian rules, try to figure out the reason.