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I'm Asking: Describe Your Least Favorite Co-Worker

SavvySugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:30:39 -0800

One of my favorite moments of last night's episode of The Office was when Michael first sees Toby after his Costa Rican hiatus and repeatedly shouts "no" in Toby's face. Michael doesn't try to keep his distaste for Toby a secret — everyone from the corporate Dunder-Mifflin Office to Scranton knows how much resentment Michael holds for him.

I doubt any of you have tried to set up your co-worker to be busted as a drug dealer, using basil from a caprese salad, no less, but are there any co-workers who you'd describe as your least favorite? Check out the video below of Michael acting out, and then tell me about your least favorite co-worker.

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What to Say When a Co-Worker Is Laid Off

SavvySugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 07:15:46 -0800

Watching a co-worker pack up after being laid off is saddening for those workers that made it through layoffs. Employees across most industries in the US are experiencing this solemn situation, and we should be prepared with what to say when someone we worked with gets a pink slip, so that we don't unintentionally come off as insensitive colleagues. See my tips for how to respond when you're told a co-worker will no longer be on payroll when you

I'm Asking: Do You Offer Career Advice to Co-Workers?

SavvySugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:00:44 -0700

Having friends and confidants at work offers many benefits — namely someone to vent to, have lunch with, and help you when you have a question or feel lost. Of course, if you are close enough your co-workers may start asking you advice on personal career-related matters like asking for a raise, how to impress the boss, their criticism of management, or even looking for a new job. Do you offer up advice when co-workers ask or do you prefer to let them fend for themselves?

Photos copyright 2007 ABC, Inc.

Top 12 Platonic Work Couples on TV

SavvySugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:10:27 -0700

Maybe the person you spend all day with at the office has become close to you simply because you're forced to be around the person all day, but according to a recent Careerbuilder survey, there is a 20 percent chance your significant other is jealous. The survey discovered that out of more than 6,000 respondents, 10 percent said they have a work spouse, and of those people who feel they might as well be married to their co-worker, 20 percent said their actual significant other is jealous of that person. Workers were asked to rank platonic couples we see working together on TV, and below is the final ranked list. Do you feel like you have a work spouse?

Regis and Kelly
David Letterman and Paul Shaffer
Jay Leno and Kevin Eubanks
Meredith Vieira and Matt Lauer
Howard Stern and Robin Quivers
Judge Judy and Petri Byrd

See the other six platonic couples when you

Should Workplaces Do Away With Secret Santas This Year?

SavvySugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:15:28 -0700

The tradition of participating in Secret Santa gift exchanges has existed in every office I've worked, and it can be a fun way to bring employees together for holiday cheer. There's always a price limit set for the gift (the most I've heard is $25), but I'm wondering if companies should skip the gift-giving games this year. Most people are cutting down on their gift budgets, and I'm not sure workers would be excited to allocate some of their whittled down holiday money for a co-worker's Secret Santa gift.
Source

Should Workplaces Do Away With Secret Santas This Year?

Yes, Secret Santa exchanges should be retired this holiday season.

No, it's an inexpensive way to bring employees together.

Something else. I'll tell you in the comments below.

Which Ugly Betty Character Would You Want as a Co-Worker?

SavvySugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:30:00 -0700

Thursday night's TV lineup gives my DVR a hefty workout, and one of the shows always on my must-watch list is Ugly Betty. The Mode / Hot Flash / Player offices are completely dysfunctional, and it's the exact reason why the show works. Which of these characters would you want as a co-worker? Photo copyright 2008 ABC, Inc.

Which Ugly Betty Character Would You Want as a Co-Worker?

Betty

Marc

Amanda

None of them!

No Talking Politics at Work Mentality: So Last Election?

SavvySugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 06:30:50 -0700

Political conversations at work have been considered a no-no in the past, but Lisa Belkin of The New York Times says that mind-set is "so last election." In fact, she adds, "These days, you would think that political talk was a job requirement."According to several office workers Lisa spoke with, this election has everyone buzzing and voters are finding it's more acceptable to engage in political banter at the office. What do you think: Is keeping your politics to yourself while at work so last election? Source

No Talking Politics at Work Mentality: So Last Election?

Yes, it's more acceptable now to talk about politics at work.

Talking politics at the office is more acceptable, but I'm not comfortable with it.

No, discussing politics at work is still a no-no.

Something else. See my comments below.

Do You Pay Attention to Your Co-Workers' Tardiness?

SavvySugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 08:00:39 -0700

About 40 percent of you say you make judgments about your co-workers' food choices, but do you pay attention to their tardiness? A friend of mine recently confided that she's been tracking when her co-worker arrives in the office after she noticed he shows up nearly an hour late each day. Apparently, he stays at the office late and is paid on salary, but his tardiness bothers her because she too works hard and still arrives on (or before) the expected hour. Where do you stand on watching your co-workers' clock? Source

Do You Pay Attention to Your Co-Workers' Tardiness?

Yes — I notice who shows up for work on time or late.

Sometimes — I have a few co-workers who are late birds, but I don't pay close attention.

I have to pay attention —It's my job as a manager.

Something else. See my comment below.

Has Your Lunch Ever Been Stolen From the Fridge at Work?

SavvySugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 06:30:50 -0700

Source

Has Your Lunch Ever Been Stolen From the Fridge at Work?

Yes! My lunch has been swiped from the office refrigerator.

No, my lunch has never gone missing.

I don't bring my lunch to work.

Six Tips For Choosing a Job That's Right For You

SavvySugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:30:54 -0700

The ideal job hunting situation is when you're currently employed and looking for a new gig, not only for the obvious financial reasons, but because sudden job loss can render us panicked and decision-impaired. Frantically searching for a new job could sabotage what you've set out to achieve, and you could be back on the market for another position in no time.

Career coach Deborah Brown-Volkman explains why it's important to have a plan when you're job searching and says, "You don't want to walk into someone else's nightmare. You want to make a good choice - not just any choice, but the right one." She offers these tips to help job hunters make the best choice for them.

If you don't get along with a potential boss during an interview, you never will. "Use the interview to explore whether your prospective boss is interested in what you have to say and understands what's important to you in your career before you accept the offer."
If you don't have a good rapport with prospective co-workers, you never will. "If you sense there's a problem with someone you'll be working with, listen to what your intuition is telling you."

See four additional tips when you