The WorkLife Monitor

5 Tips on workplace gift-giving during an economic downturn

Cookies anyone? Getting back to basics, a TV journalist friend who has plenty of people to be thankful to this holiday season, (editors, photographers etc.) is doing away with gifts of wine this year. Instead she'll dole out adorable cookie tins filled with the real homemade stuff. I think she's ahead of the curve on this one.

With the Dow dipping below 8,000 Wednesday, the stock sell-off in the financials including a 13-year low for Citigroup's stock - most are just happy to have a job these days (unless you work for Citigroup which is laying off another 53,000).  Expecting the boss to boost morale with a holiday gift is the last thing on the minds of most. In a poll by American Express OPEN small business monitor, only 29% of businesses surveyed in October, said they planned to give employees gifts. That's down from 46% back in August.

Instead of concentrating on what you'll get from the corner office, and worrying about what you'll give. Here are some low-cost suggestions that go a long way toward securing workplace relationships. It's the thought that counts.

1. Be creative.Think about what you are really good at - and love doing. My colleague can't cook for beans, but she makes a mean chocolate chip cookie.  Knitting scarfs for your entire office is too time consuming, but creating a bunch of small holiday ornaments with special messages attached, is a thoughtful way to acknowledge your colleagues.
2. Offer your skills as a gift.If you've got computer skills,  an hour of your time to work on someone else's Facebook, LinkedIn account or website goes a long way for technophobes. This is invaluable to those who are not computer wizards. I just did a brochure for a family member. 
3. The gift of time.Suggest dinner and a movie with a group of people. This in place of spending on individual gifts will save you cash in the long run, and also fuel a camaraderie beyond the workplace. This might not be appropriate for all circumstances, but if you keep the conversation light - you can manage it.
4. Low-cost gift cards.You don't have to spend a fortune on these. But it takes a little thought. If you know someone shops on Amazon.com for their books, likes to download from I-tunes, or is addicted to Starbucks - a ten-buck gift card is perfect. They shop there anyway, and this small gesture can make someone's vice a little easier to handle over the holidays.
5. Serenity at work. Take a gander at the internet. You can find shoe inserts which hit key pressure points on the feet to reduce stress. And check out essential oils like lavender or sage which can provide a quick aromatherapy break at work. If your colleague likes music - pick up a  meditation Cd or perhaps an exercise DVD.

And here's a freebie for everyone. Click here for a free download from my Meditation CD: Practical Chaos: Reflections on Resilience. It's called the Breath of Awareness. Take a listen at work when you have a quick break. Happy Holidays!
 

Obama's BlackBerry Blues

Security issues and presidential record-keeping guidelines might soon have President-Elect Barack Obama singing the BlackBerry Blues. The Presidential Records Act requires his correspondence be officially on-the-record.  According to the National Archives website, the act, "Establishes a process for restriction and public access to these records." So e-mails can eventually be open to public view and scrutiny. Will the BlackBerry have to go?

To avoid the techno concerns of e-mail security, tech-savy Obama may have to rid himself of the gaget. I for one, feel really bad for him. I wonder how the self-described lover of the so-called "crackberry" will manage without it?  Mr. Obama has a void to fill. Our generation is one of wireless -everything, and he's just as attached to the BlackBerry as anyone else. There's plenty of video to prove it. We've watched him twiddling his fingers checking it on the campaign trail for the last two years.  

One would assume that he'll have a buddy or two in the secret service who can get an e-mail out if need be while out in the field. But it's ironic that the first President-Elect whose successful campaign embraced social media to raise funds and awareness, and intends to use You-Tube for his weekly presidential radio addresses, likely has to leave the BlackBerry at the door.

Lots of empathy in this camp. Mr. President Elect - I feel for you. But there is a flipside. Just one less gaget to think about, one less source of sensory overload, one less e-mail to read. Heck, you have an economy to straighten out and wars to end. Ridding yourself of the gaget might be the best thing that ever happened to you.

5 Keys to battle holiday stress at work

The holidays generally infuse a bit of joy into our workplace experience. But amidst bailouts, bankruptcies, downsizing and economic meltdowns - heading to work might have you stirring with anxiety instead. It certainly has companies on edge.

Conscious of the sensitivity of our current economic climate, one in five companies have decided to do away with -  or scale down the holiday office party, according to workplace consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. It might not have been a big morale booster -  or stress reducer in any event. So why spend the cash?

But the real moral of the story is that no one at work is going to take the load of stress that been accumulating throughout the year. Tackling it head-on on your own might be your best bet. Here are five proactive keys to battle holiday stress at work.

1. Don't take anything personally. This is key to your own sanity. The holidays bring up a lot of old stuff for people, and they generally take it to work. You never know what's going on in another person's world at home. If someone is in a grizzly mood, it doesn't mean their anger is being directed at you.
2. Respond, don't react. If someone snaps at you, take a moment to step back and just listen. Count to three if you have to. Again, it's a sensitive time of year. Responding from a place of wisdom and detachment goes a long way toward avoiding being sucked up into someone else's drama.
3. Don't be attached to fixing all the problems at work. I recently had a client who took great effort to appease the boss, while trying to take care of everyone at work. She spent so much time doing this and getting involved in other people's dramas -  that she drove herself into a place of constant anxiety. Surrender to the concept that you simply can't please everyone all of the time.
4. Cultivate resilience at work. It's up to you to come up with your own stress buster which will relax you while giving you the fuel you need to keep your energy up during the stressful end of year -  holiday mix. It might be a walk, some deep breathing, exercise, or simply listening to a few tunes on your ipod. Find a way to drink as you pour.
5. Organize a group service project. It's really simple, service to another makes you forget your own problems, even for a few moments. We're all on deadlines, but a group workplace project goes a long way toward building camaraderie and morale. Some offices put a day aside to work together on a community project, others collect toys for needy children.

We're in rough economic times, and no one at work is going to take the bundle of stress off your shoulders during the holiday. It's up to you to take the bull by the horns. Design your own personal stress buster. If you'd like a head start, check out my CD - Practical Chaos: Reflections on Resilience. If you click here you can download a free breathing exercise called the Breath of Awareness.

The workplace under an Obama Administration

The jury is still out on this one. There is little word on how the workplace will be impacted by an Obama Administration other than some threads of concern that if business is footed with a bill of higher taxes, workers might feel the brunt of their annoyance.

Yesterday's post,  Will President-Elect Obama bridge the gap between business and the workforce? emphasized the need to narrow the chasm between the two entities. We live in an increasingly complicated environment of boomer retirement and merging generations.  Issues like family and sick leave, paid time off, elder care and health coverage will all be on the table for discussion.

Americans are reexamining their work life culture, and the desire for more flexibility.  But hanging on to a job in this tough economic environment, just might trump quality-of-life on the job, as Obama heads out of the gate. I'm betting on the First Lady to be - Michelle Obama -  to take up the concerns of working families based on how she has spoken in the past of balancing her family's busy lifestyle.

In the Wall Street Journal's Law Blog, Dan Slater posted a taste of what might be to come in his story,  Sizing up the American Workplace Under an Obama Administration. He touches on labor law and the potential expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act. 

Will President Elect Obama bridge the gap between business and the workforce?

Our work life scenario as a nation might have been plucked from the depths of stagnation. Perhaps. Either way, the chasm separating the interests of big business and labor desperately needs to be narrowed.

 

President elect Barack Obama ran on a platform focused on the economic hardship we have endured. He acknowledged the needs of the middle-class, the common worker, those who make less than $250,000 a year. Plenty of inspiration, though there's a lot to learn about the specifics of his monetary policy, fiscal policy, taxes regarding big business, and how all of this will impact the workforce. And remember, this is a sensitive workforce which has seen massive layoffs, problems with affordable health care, the decimation of retirement funds and a desperate need for better work life flexibility in order to thrive in a 24/7 high-tech global marketplace.

 

Upon the election results, CNBC commentators and reporters immediately dished on the aforementioned issues regarding big business. There is good reason for the microscope to come out, but there is more reason to take a step back and let the smoke settle a bit. The country has been altered, as President Elect Obama said - our lives will change.

 

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Obama said that his campaign was built by working men and women who gave even a few bucks to his campaign, drawing on the strength from the millions of Americans who volunteered to get out the vote. But he was realistic about the new journey ahead of us.

 

“Even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges tomorrow will bring,” Mr. Obama said adding, “The road ahead will be long and our climb -  steep.”  As he said, it might not be a year or a term to solve the problems of the country  -  there will be setbacks and false starts. Obama doesn’t appear to be wearing rose colored glasses.

 

“The victory is not the change we seek, “ Mr. Obama said, adding that it’s really the chance at change - a time to put people back to work.  “The true genius of America is that America can change.” Even when the change is forced by disturbing circumstances.

 

We have already seen this in the deliberate dissection of corporate America, in the mortgage meltdown and the deconstruction of the credit markets. We are just starting to get a handle on how far into recession we have gone. The fiscal problems our country is now enduring is not just hitting Wall Street – it’s hitting Main Street. The message is clearly reflected in the results of this presidential election. Can President Elect Obama bridge the chasm between big business and the workforce? To move forward as a prosperous country,  there might not be a choice - but to do so. 

Death and politics: Obama's work life dilema

In the eleventh hour of his historic campaign, Barack Obama was faced with the passing of his grand mother.  Madelyn Dunham died Monday at the age of 86. She was known as one of the "cornerstones" of his life. A woman who helped shape who he is, and was an icon and image of hope in this historic presidential campaign season.

Two weeks prior to the election, Obama left the campaign trail to visit Dunham in Honolulu. He had said in the past that one of his greatest regrets was not seeing his mother prior to her passing back in 1995. He did not make that mistake this time, despite his current role - running for president. His work life scenario merged without room for debate.

Think about this. Actually taking a human moment in the midst of making history as the first African American running for president. But seemingly, there was simply no thought in taking the action. His working and living experience had merged by circumstances beyond his control. Now in the 24 hours prior to election day, even after learning about his grandmother's death, he did what he had promised to do. No campaign stops were canceled, but he shared his grief with the public as he stumped at three different locations.

Obama spoke of his grandmother, sometimes with a tear instead of avoiding the pain involved in his loss. He might have chosen to leave it be, but he grieved in public without shame or excuses. It reminded me of a passage from Elizabeth Harper Neeld's, Tough Transitions: Navigating Your Way Through Difficult Times:

"Tough transitions are not periods of our lives that we are suppose to get over - though it may seem that way while we're in them. They are not experiences we are supposed to put behind us. Rather, tough transitions are times we have lived that will remain part of who we are forever. The very person we are has been changed by these experiences. To block these events would be to black out some of the most significant times of our lives."

In life and in death, on the campaign trail and with his family, Obama's grandmother played a significant role in his life. Coincidentally, just yesterday I wrote about death and the work life merge. Today, oddly enough the scenario played out in the news.

In our 24/7 lives, only death tends to really stop the music in a moment. But as Obama has gracefully demonstrated in working through the grief, it simply means that he's human. 

5 Work Life lessons through the lens of Hospice

As a Hospice volunteer, I've had some of the most heart-warming and eye-opening moments of my life. As November is National Home Care and National Hospice Month, I'm reflecting on the many people who have touched my life, and in fact, impacted my career over the last few years. And it's worth mentioning that when you're down in the dumps, volunteering and doing service is the quickest way to get out of your inner worries.

Whether you're taking care of a family member at home, or visiting a relative in a nursing home or hospital - it's smart to prepare for your work life scenario to go through some changes. Striking the perfect balance between taking care of a loved one and taking care of business is a courageous quest which can be extremely frustrating. One of the greatest concerns as a caregiver is that you're not doing enough. Right behind that, is how your work life merge is turning upside down in order to accomplish everything you need to do at home and in the workplace. Finally, and this might sound odd - from an egotistical standpoint you can become attached to the outcome of a perfect and peaceful death for your patient or family member.

About a year ago, I had the pleasure of volunteering with  an incredible man who had been a beloved chief in the New York City Fire Department. I'll call him John. A tough cookie, he would rarely show a sensitive side. I spent nearly a year visiting him as much as I could. But it was starting to cut into my work load. Even after a 12 hour day in news - I would feel compelled to rush to the nursing home. But in the days prior to his passing I had a business trip that was taking me out of the country. I agonized about this to the point of working full days and spending an inordinate amount of time at the nursing home with John. My work suffered. I wanted to be there when he passed and he knew that.

John's wife remained by his side,  and in his final days his daughter finally came to visit after being estranged for sometime. It's funny how death brings people together, even as it pulls people apart. The evening before leaving on business, I went to see John at 9 o'clock which is rather late but I knew I had to see him. Part of me wanted to cancel my trip, as I became totally attached to this elderly gentleman. Somehow, John knew this. As I left for home that night, he was completely alert but could barely speak.He pulled me in close, and grabbed my hand with the tight grip of the fireman he was, and formed lips as if to give a kiss. For the first time he had a tear in his eye, a smile on his face and a serene look.

"I'll see you again John," I said fighting back tears. He nodded and his wife said he'd want me to go on my business trip. That was the way he was in life -  and that wasn't going to change in death. All of my patients have taught me so much about the divinity, and emotional turmoil of the dying process for family members. But moreso, they've taught me more about how to live a full life.

Here are 5 lessons I've learned on the work life merge.

1. Drink as you pour. If you're caring for a family member or volunteering especially during the holiday season, you won't be any good to anyone else, unless you're taking care of your immediate needs. That means plenty of sleep, taking breaks at work, or whatever helps you sustain your health and energy levels.
2. Don't be attached to outcome. Often we become attached to how we believe a family member should be handling their lives - especially in death. It comes from a good place within us - but there are many components when a human being is entering their dying process. It's extremely personal. Offer suggestions - but rid yourself of any attachments of how YOU think things should be handled. 
3. View work as a temporary distraction. Try to focus on work when you're at work. It's difficult, but try to relinquish guilt about not being with your loved one or patient 24/7. It's easy to carry the pain of the personal into the workplace, but it makes you less effective. Perhaps there is someone at work you can have a conversation with. But limit discussions to a particular time period in the day if possible.
4. Don't take thing personally. When we're going through a family crisis, we simply become more sensitive about everything, and that is bound to follow you into the workplace. All our personal triggers are on fire at all times. Don't shoot from the hip.
5. Listen before you enter into conflict. You must always be an advocate for your family member or patient. I can't repeat this enough. Ask any and all questions. But when engaging a caregiver who is attending to your loved one, keep in mind that this relationship is crucial. Ask questions, but don't be quick to point out the negative until you know exactly what's going on.

If you're involved with caring for a family member or interested in being a Hospice volunteer check these links out:

Hospice Foundation of America You'll find links to help you find a Hospice near you, or information on becoming a volunteer.

Home Care Association of New York State This is a link that will bring you to a number of consumer resources.

New York State Association of Health Care Providers If you're on Long Island on November 5th, the Long Island Chapter is holding its annual luncheon to honor caregivers from across the state who have extraordinary stories to tell. It's taking place at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.I hope to join you there!

Five keys to work life sanity

A colleague of mine recently shared how her workload has increased to the point of interrupting her childcare situation, exhaustion threshold and anxiety levels. Awaiting the complaining I anticipated, oddly enough, she didn't vent. Instead she responded, "I'm up for whatever they need me to do to be a team player." But the statement was followed by a big sigh and I wondered how long the outer appearance of, "Hey it's ok," would last in the face of the circumstances. Just one of many stories we're all hearing as we try to stay serene and sane in the workplace in tumultuous conditions.

For many, job stress comes with the package of working in an environment that appears to be sucking the life out of the masses. There are numerous studies and polls that speak to the high levels of stress associated with the workplace in this time of uncertainty. Too many to mention. For example, according to The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 75% of workers feel on-the-job stress.

Stress is only one symptom of a potentially larger issue - staying grounded and sane while the #**@*#*$ is hitting the proverbial fan. With the merging of our living and working experience, the work life blur sanity benchmark is reaching new highs. According to Merriam-Webster, sanity is defined as soundness or health of mind. Here are five keys to work life sanity sugared with words taken from some great minds.

1. Be kind to yourself and take a break. Italian philosopher and theologian Saint Thomas Aquinas once said, "Sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep, a bath and a glass of wine." We are our own worst critic at home and at work. A walk, exercise, a good book or a movie. Give yourself permission to wind down, even for a few minutes a day.
2. Explore your own brand of creativity. In The Reinvention of Work, A New Vision of Livelihood for our Time, theologian and prolific writer Matthew Fox wrote, "Our creativity is grace and grace is our creativity." View your work through a new lens. If you like to write, speak or have another artistic bent, think of ways to incorporate your skill in the workplace or in your family life.
3. Journal on a consistent basis.In times of frustration, saying what you want when you want to regardless of the consequences can create conflict at home and in the workplace. But venting your soul to your eyes only might give you a new perspective on your situation. In Sandy Grason's Journalution,she writes that journaling helps you put, "...people and situations in a context that will help you heal your wounds and extract meaning and purpose from your life."
4. Choose a method to keep you in the moment."The present moment is the only one over which we have dominion." This quote from Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh stands on its own. Whether it's a word, a piece of jewelry, a note on your desk, a picture. Assign it the duty to bring you back into the moment.
5. Remember to breathe.I have a sticky note on my computer that says breathe. The breathe is the healing elixir of life. It is the greatest healing tool to calm the mind and body. The interaction of activity and paying attention to how you breath requires concentration and will keep your mind focused on what is in front of you.

For those of you interested in learning more about using the breath to battle the insanity of our lives. Check out my CD - Practical Chaos: Reflections on Resilience.

Will employers ditch workplace wellness facing recession?

Poor corporate earnings reports and diving oil prices sent the DOW futures and foreign exchanges into the red overnight. Talk of global recession is on the front burner. What heads to the back burner are things we can allegedly do without. Unfortunately, for some companies, that means cutting back on employee assistance programs like flexible working alternatives and wellness initiatives. But that's a move that seems to fly in the face of wisdom towards building morale in the workplace - and emotionally and physically healthy employees.

A poll commissioned by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina shows that employers are still slow to adopt job site wellness programs, although the most inexpensive ones, happen to be the most popular. The results showed employees valued the following programs.

• Paid time off for doctor's visits or health care needs: 78 percent
• Purchasing healthy cafe or vending options: 67 percent
• Participating in physical activity during workout hours: 67 percent
• Completing a health risk assessment: 66 percent

But in the survey of employees, for example, only 35 percent of employers offer physical activity during the workday and only 29 percent offer healthier cafe or vending options.

These programs require thought and energy, not a lot of cash. It calls upon employers to take the time to investigate the needs of their workers and the benefits of such attention can go a long way toward embracing human capital in the workplace. If management just starts the conversation, it will allow employees to have more of a voice in expressing their ideas for a healthier workplace environment - without the pressure of being intimidated.

The economic crisis is not going to disappear overnight, but when an employee takes a quick look at their IRA statement, their disposition at work and at home can head south in an instant. Wouldn't it behoove companies to put worker wellness on the docket during such times? It might just lay the foundation for a more engaged and productive workforce.

Work Life bathroom interruptus, puleez!

The black berry knows no boundaries. Head into any lunch cafe bathroom and you're bound to hear the latest ring tones or business-like conversation coming from any number of stalls. In fact, more than half of working Americans - 53 percent - have been interrupted by a work-related phone call or e-mail while in the bathroom, according to a survey commissioned by Nokia.

The study says about 59 percent of working Americans never turn off their mobile device, yet 75 percent said that their mobile device helps them balance their work and home life.

Nokia is taking the technology revolution very personally. It's doing its part to offer a view of our 24/7 high-tech marketplace that is - through the companies lens - more balanced. Just in time for the pre-holiday crunch it's holding "Life- in Balance" events at Nokia Flagship stores in New York City (October 21) and Chicago (October 23).

You'll be able to check out the latest devices and services towards balancing the work life equation so your career can thrive. While work life balance is getting a bad rap these days as many would prefer to use the terms work life flexibility or work life integration, at least such survey's and events like this get the conversation going. Nokia is also offering some tips from time management expert Julie Morgenstern. Click here for "Get Your Work Life in Balance" tips.

Navigating info-overload is always challenging. But I wonder if some things - like bathroom time need to remain sacred? After all - it might be the only place you get to take a silent work life break.