From the category archives:

Health, Safety, and Security

Stress Reduction Techniques

by hr bartender on November 11, 2008

We all have moments in time when we’re faced with a little bit (or a lot) of stress.  It might be over our bills, the in-laws coming to visit, or whether or not to have Thai or Tapas for dinner.  Regardless of what hits your stress button, it’s important to recognize when you’re stressed and what you can do to alleviate it.

According to MedicineNet.com, stress is simply forces of nature impacting us on an individual level.  Those forces could be internal or external.  External factors are our jobs, relationships, home life, etc.  Internal factors are the way we deal with stress including our overall health and fitness.

When faced with a stressful situation, we have to realize two things:

  1. That we are experiencing stress
  2. The best way for us to handle stress

Here’s an example of why these are important: if you’re a person who gravitates toward comfort foods when you’re stressed, you want to know that so you can make sure you manage your food choices well during stressful situations.

While it’s tempting to just say ‘drink more wine‘ or ‘get a massage’, stress is a bit more complex than that.  I’m all for a great glass of wine and a massage (and if you can manage both at the same time…I say go for it) but you can’t always leave what you’re doing for such distractions.

So, I’d like to leave you with my own personal stress relief tip.  Works every time.  Ready?

The next time you’re stressed, grab an assorted handful of Jelly Belly jellybeans.  (NOTE:  this only works with Jelly Belly brand).  Close the door.  Put a few JBs on your desk.  Now close your eyes and eat one.  Try to guess the flavor.  (That’s why it only works with Jelly Belly brand.)  Repeat about 5 times.

By the time you finish the fifth one, you’ll be so completely engrossed in this taste bud exercise that you’ll have forgotten about your stress.  (Disclaimer: stress relief by use of jellybeans has not been endorsed by the Surgeon General, has not been proven to offer long-term therapeutic properties, and may not be appropriate for all stress-related situations.)

That being said, Jelly Belly therapy is a pretty effective way to help put those nagging annoyances behind you so you can get on with the rest of your day.

And, before you say I’m crazy…try it.  It really works!

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Be a Part of History

by hr bartender on November 4, 2008

Today is election day.  If you have any question in your mind why you should go out and vote, read this column by Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel columnist Michael Mayo.  It says it all.

I know today is a work day or a school day.  It might be cold or raining where you are.  You have family, friends and loved ones who want and need your attention.  I’m not here to tell you HOW to vote…just to ask that you exercise your constitutional right and VOTE.  There are people in this world who don’t get such a privilege.

Regardless of who wins, we will make history with our selection of the next President of the United States.  This is your chance to be a part of history.

I’ve already voted.  Have you?

BTW . . . 31 states have employee voting laws so, if you have any questions about the requirements in your state, here’s a handy guide.  Let’s spread the word!  Feel free to share this with people you know.

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The Best Office You Will Ever Have

by hr bartender on August 21, 2008

Over the years, I’ve had a lot of offices.  Some of them nice and others, not so much.  The biggest office I had was my first and the smallest was when I was a VP.  Go figure.

But the nicest office I’ve ever had was when I first started my consulting business.  My home office was the perfect size and had great equipment - like two computer monitors.  (If you don’t have two monitors, try it sometime…you’ll never use a single monitor again.)  Anywho, I digress.

The reason I bring up home offices is because more companies/employees are considering telecommuting as an option.  It can help create greater work/life balance, increase productivity, and save employees on gas money.

That being said, telecommuting is a very serious decision.  It’s not a ‘wake up one morning and tell everyone they can work from home’ kind of thing.  Some elements you need to think about include:

  • What will your customers/vendors hear when they call your telecommuting employee?  Will 6-year old little Sally pick up the phone or will they hear Sparky the Labradoodle barking in the background?
  • What equipment is necessary to set up a home office?  Who will purchase and maintain it?
  • Can your home-based employee provide a safe place for sensitive information like medical data or credit card information?  Is their computer hooked up to an unsecured network?
  • What happens if a home-based employee is injured on the job?  What are the company’s OSHA requirements and their liability?

This is just a sampling of the questions you should ask when agreeing to a home-working arrangement.

And, don’t forget that your management team needs some guidance on how to supervise these employees and manage the work of people they won’t see all the time.  It’s easy to spot a slacker when they’re in the office.  But when they’re miles away at home, how will you know they’re working for you and not just watching Oprah?  Or, worse yet, working for someone else while on your payroll.

Home offices can be the best…once you work out the details.

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Say Hello . . .

by hr bartender on July 1, 2008

. . . to my little friend.  Remember that famous line from Scarface?!  Well starting today, Florida joins several other states by giving concealed handgun license holders the right to bring their firearms to work.

In essence, this legislation creates a new “protected class” of employee.  There are 7 different prohibitions that are designed to prevent employers from banning concealed weapons from their parking lots.  In various ways, these restrictions interfere with an employer’s rights to provide a workplace that is safe and free from violence - something that is required by OSHA.

How can Florida employers deal with this legal contradiction? Several organizations, including the Florida Chamber, are asking the courts for an injunction.  Let’s hope the courts listen.  Otherwise employers will have a whole bunch of new “friends” hanging out in the parking lot.

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