Question: “I constantly feel like I’m left out of the loop! When I need further information on anything I have to dig for it! How can I get management to pay attention to me? If I ask questions, I get the ‘don’t bother me’ looks or I’m told to come back later. I need help.” —Sandra
Making a change to a currently used style is a piece of cake. Simply format a selection of text that carries the style you want. Then right-click the selection, choose Styles, then update “style name” to Match Selection …
Round out the summer with one (or more) of these book selections ideal for admins: Toxic Workplace! Managing Toxic Personalities and Their Systems of Power; Making Peace With Your Office Life; Women, Work & the Art of Savoir Faire; What Men Don’t Tell Women About Business; Back to School for Grownups.
Take a breather every hour, for peak productivity. Doris Jeanette, a psychologist with the Center for New Psychology, tells CareerBuilder.com that employees should work for 50 minutes of the hour, then change focus or shift gears for 10 minutes; then repeat.
Search smarter (and save clicks) by using Google’s “I’m Feeling Lucky” button when you want a page within a major site, such as Amazon. Example: Type “amazon freakonomics,” hit “I’m Feeling Lucky,” and go directly to the page you want. It’s faster than visiting Amazon, typing “Freakonomics” and clicking on the book title.
Question: “In our office, everyone takes turns with the kitchen duties, including the owner of the business. However, we recently got a new co-worker who refuses to do his tasks correctly. Whenever someone takes out the garbage, that person is supposed to put a new bag in the trash can, but this guy never replaces the bag. I tried to teach him about this nicely, but it didn’t do any good. Finally, after asking him numerous times, I got so fed up that I left the garbage container in his chair, hoping he would get the message. He was quite upset about this, but he’s still not replacing the bag. I feel that he is being very inconsiderate to our group. What else can I do?” — Furious
If you suspect you’re underpaid, the topic is worth broaching with your boss. But build your case first. Five guidelines: 1.  Check online salary calculators. 2.  Leave co-workers out of it. 3.  Realize need isn’t a credible reason for a raise. 4.  Quantify your worth. 5.  Seek creative solutions.
When a colleague complains that someone is taking too many personal phone calls or an extra long break or lunch, simply ask, “Does this affect your work?” When the answer is “no,” end the conversation with, “Then don’t waste your time worrying about it.”
Draw the other person out by asking his or her opinion. People love to talk about themselves. Ask what they think about the latest blockbuster movie, current events, etc.
Before you go to court with a claim that you’ve been shortchanged on payment for overtime hours, you’ll first have to prove how many hours you actually worked. Proving it just got easier, though, thanks to a powerful new Timesheet app for smartphones from the DOL.