Lunch Breaks are Disappearing

According to a new survey by Right Management, fewer than half of employees leave their desk to take a lunch break.

The survey also found that management and executives were the most likely to take a break with 53% saying they almost always do. Also interesting- 57% of 18-24 year olds say they always take a break.

I try to leave the office once or twice a week, just to break up the day. I find it handy to run quick errands or take a walk outside, weather permitting.

What's your lunch routine like?

5 mistakes everyone should make

So much of our lives is about avoiding mistakes. We plan every detail of our lives carefully, choosing options that could be considered "safe."


I found this article called "5 Mistakes Everyone Should Make" and wanted to share it with you. You can read it here.

What are some "mistakes" that you would advise making?

30% of managers are more stressed

According to new survey released by OfficeTeam, 30% of managers are more stressed at work today than they were a year ago.

The survey also found that there is no end in sight; 28% expect their anxiety levels to rise in the coming year.

With many companies having put positions and employees accumulating more tasks, I am not surprised that people feel more stressed now.


Are you?

Dealing with Frustration at Work

Let's face it, we all have had those moments when we wanted to have a meltdown at work. It's how we chose to deal with it that counts. For example- you may be working on a project under deadline and your printer won't work. Perhaps with you just had a heated exchange with a co-worker you can't seem to see eye-to-eye with.

Before your problem grows any bigger with a bad reaction, take a few deep breaths. Take a step back for a minute and let yourself cool down.

Share how you recover from tense situations like these!

Private sector adds jobs; still not enough

According to the latest report from the Labor Department, the private sector added 71,000 jobs last month. While any growth is appreciated, the number is still much lower than the number needed (216,000) to reach pre-recession levels from 2007.

The unemployment rate held steady at 9.5% but when you add in the underemployed (those who are either working part-time or are working “under” their previous position), the rate jumps to 16.5%.

Unemployment rates for the metropolitan areas will be coming out at the end of the month… stay tuned!

Milwaukee Ranks 13th Best Place for Working Moms

Moms take note:

According to a new list from ForbesWoman, Milwaukee ranked 13th for "Best Cities for Working Mothers."

The magazine took into consideration the cost of living, health care, school systems, crime rates, and  unemployment rates, amongst others.

How to Avoid the Summer Job Search Meltdown

It's very easy to get distracted by the sun, hot weather and seemly endless summer events. Smart job seekers know that finding employment is a full-time job, and while you can give yourself a "mini-vacation" for a day or two, you need to remain dedicated. Here are a few tips to keep your search strong in the summer months:


Network, network, network: You don't have to be at an organized networking event to meet new people. Take advantage of the different festivals and events around town to expand your contacts and volunteer to beef up your resume. You never know who you could meet that can help your job hunt in the future.

Use job board alerts: Most online jobs boards allow you to use an RSS feed or another method of notifying you when new positions are posted. Take advantage of this tool to give you a leg up on other job seekers who might not be searching daily.

Practice makes perfect: You can never have too much practice when it comes to interviews. Have a friend prepare a few questions and do a mock interview. Don't review the questions ahead of time and answer as if you were in an actual interview. This will help ease your nerves the next time you interview with a hiring manager.

Keep a job hunt journal: Keep a written list of positions you've applied for that you can monitor, following up on open positions and updating your list when positions have been filled. You can also use this list to target companies that are in similar industries and would have similar positions.

Be proactive: If you find a company that you admire but they are not hiring, send them your resume and a cover letter detailing what attracted you to the company. Ask that they keep your information on file for the next open position they have. Connect with the hiring manager on LinkedIn and keep tabs on any company news.

Love Your Job Enough to Get A Logo Tattoo?

Talk about a loyal employee!

A receptionist from a Chicago business recently had the company logo tattooed on her chest. Danyel Triplett (who already had five other tattoos) says that she would feel no regret if she was to be laid off.

You can view the full article from Crain's Chicago Business here.

Would you ever put a work logo on your body?

Pittsburgh Pirates fire mascot over Facebook posting

Another day, another example of how NOT to use Facebook.

According to a Yahoo story, a 24 year old Pittsburgh man who was employed as a racing pierogi (Milwaukee Brewer fans, think racing sausages) was fired after he posted a sarcastic status update about the contract extensions of the team's general manager and manager.

I've said it before; do not say negative things about your work on social media channels! These comments can come back to bite you, and can even cost you your job!

MLB's Latest Controversy- from a work standpoint

It's human nature to make mistakes. Since we spend much of our daily lives at work, it's only natural that we will make mistakes there too. When I'm at work and I make a mistake, not many people find out about it. The same can't be said for Jim Joyce, a Major League Baseball umpire, whose split-second decision has possibly cost him his work reputation for life.

Armando Galarraga, a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, was trying to get his last out during what had been a perfect game, when Joyce mistakenly called the runner safe at first base when he was clearly out. After the game was over, the 21 year MLB umpire apologized to Galarraga, acknowledging that he "had cost the kid a perfect game."

The moral of this story is that Jim Joyce has done what many of us do when we make a mistake at work; we apologize to those we've hurt, and we have to go on working every day. It's hard to make mistakes in the public eye and hopefully MLB fans can keep that in mind.

As a side note, Bud Selig, if you're reading this, you can still reverse the call and give Armando Galarraga his rightful place in baseball history. And while you're at it, consider more replays during games. It would make the people involved sleep a lot better at night.

Millennials in the workplace

Articles about millennials always peak my interest (mostly because I am one). I recently read this on Ragan.com and wanted to share this with you.

Most of the articles about my age group say that we are ungrateful, not loyal, quick to demand and quick to leave if our wishes aren't heard. This article doesn't attack, but points out the pros and cons of working with the younger generation. You can view it here.

My favorite part of the article? Where the author, Dave Fleet,  says that "Millennials should also be aware that there are two types of meetings to which they’ll be invited. In one type of meeting, they will be expected to remain quiet and learn. In the other, they will be expected to take an active part in the discussion. New employees should make sure that they know which type of meeting they are attending."

This struck me the most as I couldn't have said it better myself. Over the past 4 years in the professional workplace, I have learned to bit my tongue in certain situations and voice my opinions in others.

What hit home with you?

WKLH's Miracle Marathon Benefiting Children's Hospital

Hi Friends!

I'd like to take a minute to talk to you about a cause that's important to me- Dave & Carole's Miracle Marathon. The fundraiser benefits Children's Hospital and this is the 13th year that WKLH's Dave and Carole have held this event. To make a donation or to learn more about this cause, please visit the WKLH Miracle Marathon page here!

Listen to 96.5 WKLH on May 26-28 to hear stories from families who have had experiences at Children's Hospital. Call in to donate on May 27th-- I'll be answering the phone banks from 6-9:30am with some fellow QPS'ers. :)

58% of workers laid off in past year found new positions

According to a survey by CareerBuilder, 51% of full-time workers who were laid off in the past 12 months have found a new full-time position. Additionally, 7% found part-time work.

They survey also found that of those who found new jobs, 61% were able to get a comparable or higher salary than their previous job.

What has your experience been? If you were laid off in the past year, have you found a new job?

Let the Smoke-Free Countdown Begin!

If you live in Wisconsin, your workplace could soon be experiencing a major change.

Beginning July 5th, a new non-smoking law prohibits patrons from lighting up in bars, restaurants, private clubs or other workplaces.

Not all employees will enjoy a smoke-free atmosphere. Smoking will still be permitted on outdoor patios, private residences, tobacco retailers, tobacco bars and certain residence rooms in assisted living facilities.

Is your workplace soon going smoke-free? How do you feel about it?

What we can learn from this week's Glee episode

I am a huge fan of Fox’s Glee. On this week’s episode, a video of the scariest cheerleading coach around was put on YouTube by the Glee Club. Sue Sylvester had taped herself doing a musical rendition of Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical.” When the video reached a fever on the Internet, Sue was humiliated, and even acknowledged her feelings of embarrassment.

By now, you might be asking yourself what my love of song and dance has to do with this blog. Well readers, here is my point.

Social media makes it easier than ever to share our private lives with everyone (literally). While showing pictures of the new baby to your great aunt in Tallahassee or the watching the YouTube wedding video dance that captured America’s interest with friends is fun, always think before you post.

Employers often do Google searches on potential candidates and might be surprised to see what comes up when they type in your name. Once something is out on the Internet, there is no taking it back.

Be smart when it comes to your online presence. Not all of us will be lucky to have Olivia Newton-John come to the rescue like Sue Sylvester did.

To Ink or Not to Ink?

I have a confession to make.

Those who know me in a professional setting might be surprised to learn that I've always wanted to get a tattoo on my wrist.

You might be asking your me in your head, "So why not? You're an adult and you can do what you want." Well friends, three reasons.

1. I have a low pain tolerance.
2. I am fickle and ink is forever (maybe not for Johnny Depp's Winona Forever tat, but for me).
3. I am worried how people in the workplace would view me.

I know I am not alone in my ink interest. A recent Pew Research Center survey reported that 36% of  those 18-25 and 40% of 26-40 have at least one tattoo.

My advice: make sure you know your employer's policy on body art. Some employers are okay with it, others require that they be covered up. Check with your HR department before making any decisions.

As for me, I'll just have to keep watching episodes of LA Ink to get my fix.

Spring Cleaning for Your Job Hunt

The grass is green, the birds are chirping and your new job is just around the corner. Now is the time to give your job hunt the same treatment that you give your home.

Reorganize Your Priorities
Just as you might reorganize your closet, do the same with your priorities. Evaluate how much time you are spending on your job hunt. Establish a daily routine to have a sense of normalcy. Remember that looking for a new career is a full-time job. You should be spending at least 40 hours a week contributing to your search.


Update Your Resume
Have you been using your time off to volunteer or take classes? Make sure to keep your resume up-to-date by adding new experiences. Hiring managers will appreciate seeing what you've been up to since your last position ended.

Dust off Your Address Book
Contact old managers, co-workers, friends and family. Let them know about your job hunt and ask if they know of any open positions. Remember, many available jobs are not open to the public; it's all about who you and your connections know.


Clean up Your Attitude
Often times job seekers experience bouts of sadness and frustration. Remind yourself that you are a good worker and you will find a job. Maintaining a positive attitude will keep you going during your search.


Try New Things
Invest time into social media. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter are a few user-friendly sites that can be used to research companies and network with other job seekers.

What I learned about work from Grey's Anatomy

I finally had some time to catch up on my DVR last night, and I watched a Grey's Anatomy episode from a few weeks ago.

For those of you who are familiar with the show, Meredith was upset that Derrick had "stolen" a surgery from her. When she was complaining about things not going as planned, one of her fellow surgeons told her that she needed to be in "Who-ville." He told her that in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," after the Grinch took their Christmas decorations and presents, Who-ville didn't let that stop them. Even though their plans didn't turn out how they wanted, they still made the best of the situation at hand.

It got me thinking; how many times at work do things not go as I planned? And I realized that sometimes, you just gotta suck it up and be a Cindy Lou. Sure things don't always go to plan; you need to be able to go with the flow.

Don't let the Grinch take away your spirit.

Love Him or Hate Him, He's Back

Tiger Woods recently made his return to golf, competing in the Masters. From what I've heard, he didn't do too bad, all things considered. (No, I do not watch golf. I prefer to spend my tv time on trashy reality shows-- my guilty pleasure.)

In my past blog post, I wrote about Tiger's work image and asked if it would be tarnished.

I'm pretty sure I have my answer-- love him or hate him, the guy performs while he is at "work."

QPS Opens a New Office!

QPS has just announced the opening of its' newest office, located in Wausau, Wisconsin.

The office is located at 2222 Grand Avenue and can be reached at (715) 848-0302.

“With this new office, we are further expanding our reach to better serve our client companies and the local job seeking community,” according to Jim Roy, regional vice president of QPS Employment Group.

QPS is experiencing positive growth in 2010, and is up 30 percent in year-over-year revenue. Roy states, “In 2009, QPS, like many companies, adjusted to our ‘new normal.’ The planning measures that we took are paying off for us in 2010 and we are continuing ahead with our long-term strategic expansion plans.”