17 Desk Stretches That Might Save Your Life

17 Desk Stretches That Might Save Your LifeWith the demand for white collar jobs increasing, more and more people are finding themselves at a desk job. This puts them at an increased risk of developing health complications due to the sedentary nature of their job. Sitting for too long can affect a persons health but there are steps that can be taken to offset these negative health effects. Based on this infographic created by OfficeVibe, weve found that there are 17 desk stretches you can perform to decrease the negative health effects of sitting all day. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) )

When To Give Up Money For Flexibility And When You Shouldnt

When To Give Up Money For Flexibility And When You Shouldnt We repeatedly hear that workplace flexibility is important to employees, especially (but not only) for those with care-taking responsibilities at home. The fact that women tend to seek out and work in moraflexible jobsthan men may be one reason that there is agender pay gap but this is a complex topic. Yesterday wasEqual Pay Day (the day until which the average woman has to work until she makes the same amount as the average man) and part of the reason for the gender pay gap is due to the fact that women tend to occupy more part-time roles than men in the workforce.While flexible working can imply fewer working hours, that is often not the case at all. Thats why were exploring what flexible working really means. In a recent poll by Fairygodboss, approximately 3/4 of our community said they would trade the ability to work flexibly for less compensation. While you may be willing to make this tradeoff, what exactly does it mea n, and more importantly -- should you be making it?When people talk about flexibility in work, this can mean at least 3 different things (1) Official policies that provide the ability to work on a schedule with reduced hours (2) Flexible working in terms of the location where you work and (3) a flexible culture where there may be standard office/working hours but the ability to adjust hours occasionally due to other commitments and obligations. We believe these 3 paradigms are very different from each other, and not all of them need to involve a compensation trade-off.Official Flexible Working PoliciesSome employers allow part-time work schedules or phased-in work schedules (e.g. after maternity leave) which means that the definition of flexibility is simply working fewer hours. While it is certainly ritterlich to expect that you will receive less compensation for fewer working hours, be careful of what many women have experienced when they accept these reduced hours. Some find that while they accept a package that looks fair initially, they end up working more hours than they expected or agreed to, which means they end up deserving more than the pro-rata pay they end up receiving. In other words, they are getting 70% of the pay for 90% of the work. There are a couple things to do in order to prevent or address this common situation. One is to discuss the possibility of working over-time even when on a part-time or reduced schedule when you are initially discussing this new work-schedule. Is your manager or company willing to accept that you may end up working more hours than you both initially anticipated? If not, you should make it clear that this may put you in an awkward position where you want to finish your work or go the extra mile to make aya something is complete but your compensation incentives arent aligned with doing so. In a non-confrontational way, simply ask what you think is a better solution they may have dealt with scenarios like this in th e past. Even better, you can suggest a compromise such as reviewing the agreement after 3 months to see whether the balance of reduced hours and pay are still in-line with reality.A Flexible Working CultureSometimes a company simply is flexible in culture. There may be no official policies in a HR handbook, but there is an understanding that if you need to leave early for a school event, or to take care of a personal issue before work one day, nobody will mind if you achieve your deadlines and accomplish your work in the greater scheme of things. In other words, this kind of flexibility is not official in any way, but is something that your manager and colleagues understand and support. In these cases, its not clear that you need to (a) explicitly ask for permission, especially if this is common practice, and (b) accept any reduction in pay. In other words, you are are being treated like an adult and work in a supportive environment where flexibility and accommodation for the rest o f your life is built into the culture of your employer. Occasional events and interruptions in your regular workday schedule shouldnt require any trade-off in pay.When Flexible Working Means Remote WorkingSome employers allow telecommuting or working from home for a certain number of days per month or week. Others allow you to do this on a case-by-case basis depending on your role and manager discretion. For those of you who are interested in doing this, there is no reason to accept a lower salary or compensation if you are working the same number of hours (but simply from a different location). We agree with what flexible working expert Pat Katepoo advises Be on guard while youre in that thrilled and grateful zone, youre also in a vulnerable position to compromise your pay.Time is so valuable and theres no doubt that its so important to many of us that we would be willing to accept a tradeoff in pay. Sometimes it is absolutely the right thing to do, but being aware of when it may n ot be necessary is important so dont sell yourself shortFairygodboss is committed to improving the workplace and lives of women. Join us by reviewing your employer

How to Make Good Use of Employee Feedback - Spark Hire

How to Make Good Use of Employee Feedback - Spark HireMany employers claim to be in full support of employee feedback, only to take the comments they receive and do nothing with them. While its never easy to hear criticism or suggestions, its important to realize that these ideas can actually help the company to make significant improvements, resulting in boosted morale and lower turnover.Dealing with criticismIf your company boasts an open door policy then its important to make good on this idea. If your employees come to you with feedback, you have to listen, acknowledge, and then actually do something about these words. Its easy to claim to take feedback seriously, but its another thing to actually act on it.Start by really analyzing the feedback. Were the comments or suggestions that were made actually something that could benefit the company? If the answer is no, its important to let the employee know that their concerns or ideas were considered and valued. Explain why no action is being taken at this time, and be sincere as you thank them for voicing their concerns.Even if you choose not to act on a particular piece of feedback, its important to let the person know that their ideas were taken seriously. It can be scary to give feedback to an employer, so a staff member should know that their opinion is important and that they wont be punished. Regardless of whether the idea changes workplace culture or policy, it still matters and should be treated with respect.However, before immediately deciding that the feedback is not feasible, take some time to examine things from another angle. Managers and employees often have a drastically different perspective on the same company, so what works for one group may not even be something that the other thinks of. For this reason, its important for people in a managerial role to take all employee comments and suggestions seriously. Just because an idea seems unrealistic at first, doesnt mean that it wont work with a l ittle tweaking.Make it a group decisionIts easy for one person to sort through employee feedback and automatically rule it unreasonable. However, a different set of eyes may find the same suggestion highly useful. For this reason, you may want to consider getting a small committee together to wade through employee comments. Together, you may be able to come to a compromise that works for everyone involved.Putting employee feedback into action isnt always easy and often requires a few different minds working together. However, these people are working for your company every day, and can actually be some of your most valuable assets when it comes to improving the working environment for everyone.

4 Successful People Ask Their Boss About Projects - The Muse

4 Successful People Ask Their Boss About Projects - The Muse4 Successful People Ask Their Boss About ProjectsYou just left your meeting with your boss, and your head is spinning. She assigned you to a new project and you feel super unclear about several aspects of it.Ive been here before- a lot. Its not very fun. And while its ideal for supervisors to present their employees with all the necessary details from the start, it doesnt always happen. So because I hate feeling destined for failure, Ive outlined four questions I always when Im given a task with little to no instruction. Not only is it a great way to show initiative, but it makes the whole project a lot less painful.1. When Is it Due?Theres a very big difference between something due by the end of today and a deadline of next month or by next year at this time.When I started my current gig, my director told me all the goals she had for our team and my position. I walked the five yards back to my office, looked at my list, an d immediately put the pressure on myself to schliff everything right now, ASAP, by the end of the day, or elseWhen I finally expressed how overwhelmed I was to her, she clarified that, no, she didnt expect me to be a miracle worker. Because while some things, like the Safe Spring Break event, needed to be completed by a certain date (like, um, before spring break), others had much more lenient timelines- or none at all.You dont want to assume it has to be done right this very moment and drop everything else to tackle it, nor do you want to operate under the assumption that its not urgent (because if it is- and you dont finish it on time- well, thats a problem. And awkward). 2. Is There Anyone Else I Should Talk to About This?There very well could be people whove worked on this exact assignment before. Youll want to know if theres a certain place you should pick up, if there are methods they tried that didnt work, or if they have any other helpful tips for you.Furthermore, there may be individuals who you should be collaborating and splitting the workload with. You dont need to take on every single assignment completely solo. (Because you dont need to be a miracle worker, either)Lastly, itll help ensure you gain any approval needed. For example, if Im told to provide a statement to the university paper about something in our office, I need to andrang it by the communications director before I make any sort of peep. 3. Why Am I Doing This?I know, I know- this seems snarky at first. But in no way do I intend for you to lace this question with sass. What I do intend is for you to ask your boss for the purpose of what she assigned you.Not only do I think this can help you tie more value to the work youre doing, but it can also provide important context thatll help you decide which direction to steer in.For instance, if Im asked to plan a stress management tips workshop and leave the room without asking the question, Ill risk going about it the wrong way. Because if the targeted audience is undergraduate students, Im most likely going to choose an evening time slot when most dont have class. Itll reference the typical stressors students face- balancing schedules for class, organizations, studying for finals, and so forth.If its for the staff, though, Ill schedule it during the typical of 9-to-5 workday and address topics such as dealing with an impossible co-worker, work-life balance, taking care of the kids or an aging family member, etc. If I dont know who the program is for, its hard to make it relatable. 4. What Exactly Are You Expecting From Me?At the beginning of the fall semester, my manager asked me to assist with a student organization fair. I ensured some of our students signed up to work at the table and gathered all the materials.And then, the day before, I had a slight freak out. Oh crap, I thought. I completely forgot to book the actual table for this event, and the scheduling system usually takes at least three days to confirmA few hours later, I learned my supervisor had already done that part. Phew But if Id known from the beginning which items were on her to-do list and which ones were on mine, I could have skipped the two hours of trying to bring down an extremely elevated heart rate.Yes, as I mentioned before, its nice when your manager lays out everything for you from the get go. But heres the thing You may not have a great boss. And, even if you do, hes probably not perfect, and he probably has a lot going on. Its also part of your responsibility to be asking the right questions and to get as much information as possible. Setting yourself up for success is fun- I promise- and these four questions will help you do so.

Think Youre Ready to Retire 6 Things to Consider

Think Youre Ready to Retire 6 Things to ConsiderRetire? 6 Things to ConsiderThink Youre Ready to Retire 6 Things to ConsiderTheres a question many 50- and 60-somethings may ponder today as the economy teeters on the edge of recession, retirement nest eggs fail to grow amid a down stock market, and health care costs keep rising as they have done just about every yearShould I retire around 65 or work a bit longer?Its elend an easy decision, given lifes uncertainties. Sure, the thoughts of taking that cruise with your spouse, or maybe playing golf twice a week, fill your head with happy thoughts. But can a life of leisure also make one miserable?Some people are hitting their 50s and 60s today and either working at or searching for that one thing that can boost their sense of fulfillment. In some circles, the one thing is called an encore career or encore job, a later-in-life career change to a field or position that more closely aligns with their interests and passions.If youre close to retirement or facing it within a decade or two (heck, even if youre already retired and wondering why), here are six questions you must ask yourself to determine where you want to go1. Am I doing what I like to do or what I feel I have to do?If youre a Baby Boomer (born between 1946 and 1964), you probably thrive on accomplishment. Does your current job give you that sense of accomplishment? If not, what kind of job would? If it pays less, and you can absorb the financial hit, think about making a switch to an encore career.2. What do I (or would I) really like in a workplace? Is it the work? The people? Working inside? Outdoors? How we like to work can be just as important as where, and it can color our views of our current situation. If, for instance, you hate being stuck in a cubicle all day but like being around people, you may want to consider a change. Ive met people past retirement age who worked part-time driving airport limousines because they like being on the road and me eting people.3. What work skills can transfer to another role?Are you adept at using many software applications? Windows and Mac operating systems? Do you excel at managing your time well? Prioritizing work? Can you communicate effectively? Many employers want unterstellung as much as they want someone with the raw skills to do the job.4. What shape are you in? (Really)If a job requires you to be on your feet for most of the day, or commute a long distance, can your legs, hips, and back handle it? Hows your vision? This will be critical if the job requires a lot of reading, driving, or just observation. Although you might like to think otherwise, youre not getting younger. Remember that growing up is optional, but growing old is mandatory. If your present job is starting to cause physical difficulties, a change might alleviate those problems.5. What shape are you in financially?Retirement portfolio aside, do you have enough saved to cover three to six months of living expenses, more if you reduce your income by taking a lower-paying job? As for your retirement portfolio, be sure - if you decide to retire - that you have enough that you can add to Social Security to cover about 80% of your current income. If not, best to stay in the job market, at least part time. Investment and financial advice sites have online tools that can help determine your portfolios future value based on how you invest it.6. Got good health insurance?Heres the potential 800-pound gorilla. Does (or will) Medicare provide enough to cover your prescriptions and doctors visits? Will you need supplemental insurance? Would long-term care insurance make sense to protect your assets if you or your spouse should need more expensive medical care? Also, pay close attention to changes in either the delivery of health care or health insurance in the U.S. now that theres a growing will in both major political parties to change the system.If, after answering these questions, you decide its time for a n encore, go ahead and update your resume and launch a job search.

How to Become a Web Producer

How to Become a Web ProducerHow to Become a Web ProducerA web producer is a hybrid position that combines aspects of journalism, design,and marketing. Web producers are responsible for driving besucherzahlen to web pages, which means they must understand search engine optimization(SEO). What the Job Involves Web producers must go beyond expressing their particular style when designing or enhancing the look of a website. They must focus on the user experience and anticipate what the particular audience for a site wants to see and how they want to see it. This means deciding how content is presented. Should the content appear as an article, a slideshow, a poll or a quiz? Should it be presented in video form? Web producers must consider the most effective ways for users to interact with a site to make that determination, and the choices they make must align with the sites brand and voice. Some web producers play mora of a technical role while others may be more heavily involved as c ontent creators. How much content a web producer creates can vary from one job to another, but youll find more opportunities if youre ascomfortable editing and creating content as you are with web production and maintenance.If you dont see yourself mastering both roles, you should consider focusing oncontent creationfor the web or gaining experience inweb maintenance. Gauging a Job Well Done The more positive experiences users have on the site, the more likely they are to return. Repeat visits and the length of time visitors spend on those pages provide measures for how well a website is performing. This is key to successfully monetizing the site. How to Become a Web Producer You dont need a diploma for the job, but many schools offer degrees in web production. Because theres no formal education requirement, earning a degree will certainly help your resume stand out. But the bottom line remains that this a career in which experience can count as much as any degree. Starting as an intern- possibly while youre still in school- can be a perfect way to build a resume that will earn you that first paying job. Creating and maintaining your own website also provides an opportunity to showcase your skills. Skills Needed Not only will you need solid writing skills to become a web producer, but youll also need to be comfortable creating content for the Web. Youll have to be familiar and proficient with certain programs such as Flash, HTML,and others, in addition to being able to demonstrate your ability to drive traffic to a site. You should learn how to track and decipherweb metrics because web producers need to be able to measure the traffic coming to a site. Websites are up 24/7, so you should be prepared to work long hours and be able to deliver results against the crunch of a tight deadline.

Dont Get Caught Up in a Fake Check Scam

Dont Get Caught Up in a Fake Check ScamDont Get Caught Up in a Fake Check ScamThe Internet can be a dangerous place. Scams abound on websites, emails, and social media. Those working at home are often prey to the scammers of the world. Knowing how to recognize work-at-home job scams is key. However, these schemes always look a little bit different, so its important to understand the underlying scams (which may or may notlage be job-related). One such example is the fake check scam. How Fake Check Scams Work Basically, the person running the scam convinces the victim to cash a check and then send, via wire transfer, a portion of the money to another location. (The portion kept by the victim is payment of a commission or prize.) However, the check (or money order) is a very convincing fake, and it will take the victims bank some time to discover that the check is no good. U.S. banks are required to make funds available within a few days, but it can take weeks for a fraudulent check to be discovered. However, wire transfers happen almost immediately. So the money that has left the victims account is long gone by the time it is discovered that the check is fake. What a Fake Check Scam Looks Like The variation in these scams come in the reason the victim is asked to cash and then send funds. Many of these are job-related. Beware of these Mystery shopping- Mystery shopping can be legitimate in fact, it often is. But there is a scam in which a check is sent to cover the cost of purchasing and returning goods, then you are supposed to wire back the money, keeping your cut.Payment processing jobs- These jobs can look very real when you apply. You are processing payments for people in other countries. You may even be asked to open a business checking account in your location, but it is in your name and you are on the hook when it is overdrawn. Lottery, sweepstakes and inheritance windfalls- Youve won. A check arrives but the scammer asks that an amount must be se nt in for taxes and fees. Seems reasonable but the check welches a fake.Auction/purchase overpayment- Never accept payment for more than the agreed upon price. This is a very common way to defraud. When you refund the overpayment but keep the agreed-upon amount, later you may find out the check bounced.Rental schemes- A new roommate or tenant offers to send you the rent and then some if you forward along a payment to the movers or someone else. Guess who is left with no roommate and an overdrawn account? Reshipping jobs- This involves receiving goods to be shipped elsewhere. Money Laundering and Check Cashing Scams In addition to losing your money in these kinds of check-cashing schemes, it is possible the victim could go to jail. In reshipping scams or payment processing scams, you could actually receive the money agreed upon, but only because you are participating in money laundering and/or selling stolen goods. In money laundering, the payment might come into the victims acco unt via wire or online transfer. How to Protect Yourself From Check Fraud Its simple. Do not cash checks for people you do not know. Do not wire money to people you do not know. There are no legitimate reasons for this.