Here are five tips on how to get promoted: (1) Think like a leader. (2) Lighten your boss's load. (3) Ask for forgiveness later. (4) Make things better. (5) Get a life!

Question: “I’m not sure whether to trust one of my co-workers. 'Amy' is helpful and considerate to me. She provides useful information and makes friendly, encouraging comments. However, some co-workers say Amy stabs people in the back because she wants to climb the corporate ladder. If Amy really is a skillful manipulator, how do I avoid being hurt by her tactics, especially when management thinks so highly of her?” 

With so many companies focused on downsizing to contain costs in a down economy, many employers have failed to prepare for a pending change that will significantly alter workforce demographics. Beginning in 2011, the first of the baby boomers will turn 65. As the rest of the roughly 70 million baby boomers follow, we’ll see a major shift in the age of our society—and our workforces. This shift will have a significant impact on employers.

Although businesses typically view flextime, compressed workweeks and part-time schedules as recruitment and retention strategies, just 6% percent of employers have ditched those practices, even as they cut staffs. Here are eight ways your organization can make strategic use of work/life benefits to cut costs, save jobs and pump up employee morale during the recession

Sometimes it seems like supervisors and employees work in entirely different places. Several recent studies show that bosses and front-line employees have widely varying views about their organization’s priorities, morale, compensation and benefits. Here are seven key flashpoints:

Think you might have what it takes to lead—whether it’s your admin team or a committee of volunteers? Take this quiz from CareerBuilder.com to rate your skill level. Ask a trusted peer to complete it and assess your skill as well.

What leadership needs is a return to character, says John C. Bogle in his best-selling book Enough. “We’ll be better human beings and achieve greater things if we challenge ourselves to pursue careers that create value for our society—with personal wealth not as a goal, but as the by-product, " writes Bogle, founder of the Vanguard Mutual Fund Group.

Stressed out, you say something you shouldn’t have. Or you overlook a detail that ends up dooming an entire project. If you’ve said or done something in the past year that jeopardized your career, you’re not alone. Here’s how to recover:

More than half (54%) of chief information officers nationwide say their companies don’t allow employees to access social networking sites for any reason while at work, according to a new Robert Half Technology survey.

Question: “I work for a manager who thinks I can read her mind. She rushes up to my desk and says something like, 'Did he come pick it up?' Because I have no idea what she’s talking about, I ask what she means. Then she looks at me like I’m an idiot for not understanding. This happens all the time, and I’m starting to get really irritated. How do I deal with her weird communication pattern?”

Employees who complain about alleged discrimination engage in what is commonly called “protected activity”—and that means they can’t be punished for doing so. Thus, it’s illegal to retaliate against an employee who goes to HR to report possible discrimination. But what about employees who never come forward on their own, but who simply respond to a supervisor’s question about equal treatment? Are they also protected?

Bosses hear some wacky one-liners when perfectly healthy workers try to justify taking sick days. Here are a dozen doozies uncovered in a recent survey of employers.

Do you “play favorites” with certain employees? Most managers would probably say “no,” but people often harbor unconscious perceptions that can influence day-to-day decision-making and job reviews of the employees they manage. Several factors unrelated to employee performance can impact evaluations conducted by managers.

Do you "play favorites” with certain employees? Most managers would probably say “no,” but people often harbor unconscious perceptions that can influence day-to-day decision-making and job reviews of the employees they manage. Several factors unrelated to employee performance can impact evaluations conducted by managers.

You have to handle plenty of serious employee gripes about benefits and harassment. But as shown by a new CareerBuilder survey of 2,600 HR pros and hiring managers, you also have had to deal with some truly offbeat complaints. Some highlights:

As the year wraps up, your employees could be feeling a double dose of stress from the lingering recession and the upcoming holidays—and both are likely to keep at least some otherwise-reliable employees home from work. As the holidays approach, HR pros can take steps to boost morale and jump-start employee engagement.

Sometimes it seems like supervisors and employees work in entirely different places. For years, researchers have known that bosses and line workers have widely varying views about things like priorities, performance ratings, communication and benefits. Here are eight areas for which recent studies have revealed major disconnects between what employees want and what their bosses think they want:

In his 1905 yearbook entry at the University of Maryland, a student named Archie Graham included a quotation: “The world knows nothing of its greatest men.” That certainly could be said of Graham for most of the 20th century.

Brett Favre is successfully doing what you’ll likely have to do at least once in your career—stepping in to lead a team that for whatever reason has doubts about whether you’re the right leader. In spite of all the drama, Favre is winning the Vikings over. How is he doing it? Here are a few things he’s doing that I think apply to leaders in all fields:

The ADEA makes it illegal to discriminate against people age 40 and older in hiring, terminations, pay, promotions, benefits and any other terms of employment. Here are the key areas where age bias claims typically pop up:

Gary E. McCullough, president and CEO of the Career Education Corp., recalls the role a candy bar played in one of the most important leadership lessons he’s ever learned ...

Once you’ve found the ideal mentor—someone with the skills or career you admire—hang on to him. Two mistakes to avoid: 1. Don't ignore his advice. 2. Don't forget to follow up ...

Half of the college seniors who intern at Enterprise Rent-A-Car wind up working there after graduation. Indeed, the St. Louis-based company for many years has made BusinessWeek’s list of the 50 Best Places to Launch a Career.

Issue: You're responsible for securing sensitive employee information. Benefits: Privacy measures and policies protect employees from identity theft and privacy invasion. Actions: Refine your privacy policy, institute a proper ...

Question:  “Our office manager constantly takes aim at minorities and older employees. After we sent an anonymous letter to the human resources manager about this woman’s prejudiced behavior, he posted a notice saying only signed complaints will be investigated. If we sign our names, we know the manager will retaliate.  She has a history of firing people who protest her heavy-handed tactics, and her boss wholeheartedly supports her. If human resources won’t consider our complaint, what can we do?” — No Way Out

Layoffs, shortened workweeks, stressed-out workplaces … it all can lead to another byproduct of the recession: increasing workloads and work slippage. How are administrative professionals ensuring that, with stakes soaring higher than ever, no work falls through the cracks?

“Just take it out of HR’s budget.” If that’s a common refrain among your execs at budget-setting time, it’s time to fight back. "It’s more critical than ever for you to be able to create and defend your budgets,” says Valarie Grubb, VP of Operations and Initiatives at NBC Universal, who spent much of her career building and justifying budgets at large U.S. companies.

It happens to every manager: You sit down to prepare a staff member's review and realize you can remember only what the person has done the past few weeks. Supervisors should never rely solely on memory to evaluate employee performance. The most useful, easy-to-implement way is to create and maintain a log for each person. Here's how.

What should you do about a co-worker who takes advantage of a boss-less office? How do you bring this to your boss’s attention without appearing like a troublemaker? Here are some ideas for addressing a co-worker’s slacker behavior:

Women leaders in Generations X and Y don’t go it alone or count on legal remedies to break the glass ceiling. They are highly interdependent. This distinguishes them from their predecessors. Today’s high-watt Silicon Valley women make heavy use of social networking to get ahead.

Do you aspire to work in the C-suite? You can safely assume that top executives will require a prized package of office skills. But most high-level execs say they also want assistants who have the “X Factor.” Love it or hate it, high-ranking executives want employees who can read minds, anticipate needs and supply that indescribable “something” that propels an executive toward success.

When you're not on top of your e-mail, you feel out of control. It can also torpedo your career, since people associate responsiveness with competence. It is possible to clear out your e-mail inbox—and keep it clear—daily. But you must be willing to change your behavior. Here are four steps ...

You have to handle plenty of serious employee gripes about benefits and harassment. But as shown by a new CareerBuilder survey of 2,600 HR pros and hiring managers, you also have had to deal with some truly offbeat complaints. For example:

Participation in new “social media” outlets is on the rise, creating many questions for employers. Should we be using social media to develop business or to recruit new talent? Should we allow employees to use social media at work? What types of restrictions do we need? Can we monitor off-duty conduct? And what are the potential liabilities?

Though work mates care about you, they pay more attention to messages that show there’s something in it for them, says Susan Mason, a principal of Vital Visions Consultants. So, for example, if you want something from your boss—whether it’s approval on a new printer purchase or a more flexible schedule—figure out what benefit she will realize. Figure out “What’s In It For Me?” from her perspective.

1. Learn how to do (almost) anything with WikiHo. 2. Save money on (practically) anything with ShoppingNotes. 3. Gather opinions quickly with QuestionPro.

Learn what’s key to your organization’s success by asking your boss, “What keeps you up at night?” ... Devote 18 minutes a day to time management ... Snag a cheap, last-minute air fare by turning to Twitter ... Confront an awkward situation without having to say anything ... Help a lost smartphone find its way home.

A brutal economy … layoffs … pay cuts. These are trying times to be a U.S. worker, and not all are handling it well. Nearly half of U.S. workers say they feel stressed out, compared with 39% in other countries, according to a Robert Half International survey. Here are 10 ways to deal with your employees' recession-induced stress:

IBM managers “all the way up the chain” are on Facebook—and if you’re not, “You feel like you’re doing something wrong,” one employee said. But most businesses don’t have a social media culture like IBM’s. Instead, more than half of all U.S. companies prohibit the use of such sites at the office. Such policies may create more problems than they solve.

Question: “I’m not sure whether to trust one of my co-workers. “Amy” is helpful and considerate to me. She provides useful information and makes friendly, encouraging comments. She seems like a good team player. However, some co-workers say Amy stabs people in the back because she wants to climb the corporate ladder. According to them, she shows off her knowledge, points out others’ mistakes and makes a big deal of her workload. Amy clearly has the trust and confidence of management, so apparently her other side is seen only by her peers. If Amy really is a skillful manipulator, how do I avoid being hurt by her tactics, especially when management thinks so highly of her?”  -- Cautious Co-worker

In a new SnagAJob.com survey, 39% of Americans who’ve been laid off or had a spouse laid off since December 2007 say the ax was a “blessing in disguise.”

Local, state and federal agencies could have a key edge over corporate America during a recession: job security. In a CareerBuilder survey of more than 2,900 workers, 88% said they were interested in public-sector jobs. Their reasons:

Question:  “Although I am considered the lead supervisor in my department and have practically run the place for the past year, the company recently chose someone else to be department manager. An executive who is new to our company made this decision. He didn’t offer me an interview or make any effort to get to know me. I am having trouble accepting the situation and feel very resentful. How can I get past this?  And when I talk with this executive, how do I convince him that I would have been the right person for the job?” — Passed Over

If you read only headlines, you may think U.S. employers are slashing employee benefits to the bone. Not so. But the weak economy is forcing organizations and their employees to make some tough choices, particularly in compensation and benefits. Here are seven key HR trends to look for, plus tips on how to respond.

The recession’s battering of the private sector isn’t the only thing driving job applicants to consider government employment, according to a new survey by CarerBuilder.com. Job-seekers also know that government agencies are among the few employers with budgets that might go up.

The Mayo Clinic is known for its unique approach to leadership development. These four tenets are critical to maintaining its culture:

During a time of layoffs and budget cuts, you might not think a lot of organizations would be encouraging their employees to take lengthy sabbaticals—or that employees would feel secure enough to accept the offer. Yet six-week to six-month job pauses remain as common as ever. There are good reasons why the sabbatical is enduring even as other benefits become expendable.

Nestlé CEO Paul Bulcke is a quiet guy, the engineer father of two engineer sons who describes his family as “boring.” He loves working behind the scenes. Most of his career has been spent simplifying processes, building teams and slowly scaling the ranks in Latin American obscurity. For Nestlé, this was perfect.

Question:  My boss’s boss, “Ellen,” frequently redirects my employees without informing me. She just tells them to disregard my assignments, then issues new instructions. Recently, Ellen asked a member of my staff to manage a major project, even though she knew I had already chosen someone else for that role. Previously, she had expressed no concerns about the person I selected. Every year, Ellen approves my annual goals, then switches things around and makes it impossible to accomplish them. My manager is no help because he’s very weak. Do you have any suggestions? — Bypassed

Imagine typing only about half of what you do now. Keyboard shortcuts may seem like more trouble than they’re worth. But once discovered and practiced, shortcuts can prove to be valuable timesavers. The key is not trying to learn them all...

Question: “I have been fired from almost every job I have ever had. My friend says I’m just unlucky, because I seem to wind up in impossible situations that I can’t escape. I know that difficult people are everywhere, but I guess I haven’t learned how to properly navigate around the worst ones. I’ve tried the fight-back approach and the just-deal-with-it approach, but neither seems to work. Last time, I made a pre-emptive strike by complaining to human resources, but I still wound up on the losing end of the stick. I have been fired from five jobs in seven years. What would you recommend for someone like me?” — Nathan

Layoffs, pay cuts and an uncertain economy have left many organizations with fewer employees to do the work—often for the same or less money. Not all of those employees are handling it well. Here are a dozen ways you can deal with economy-induced employee stress and help your employees focus on their work:

Question:  “I work for a manager who thinks I can read her mind. She will come rushing up to my desk and say something like, “Did he come pick it up?”  Because I have no idea what she’s talking about, I ask what she means. Then she looks at me like I’m an idiot for not understanding. This happens all the time, and I’m starting to get really irritated. How do I deal with her weird communication pattern?” —  Not a Mind Reader

Lots of employers win sexual harassment lawsuits, but not until they have had to air their dirty laundry in public—and pay for the privilege, too. That’s one reason to insist on a professional workplace free of sexual innuendo and harassing behavior. HR performs one of its most valuable services when it impresses on management the high cost of winning a sexual harassment lawsuit ...

And for this latest edition of the Leadership Lessons Podcast, something completely different. I’m talking today with the Tony Award winning Broadway star Michael Cerveris. Since his Broadway debut in 1993 as the lead in The Who’s Tommy, Michael has been nominated for four Tony Awards including best actor for Sweeney Todd and winning best actor for his role as John Wilkes Booth in Stephen Sondheim’s The Assassins.  His credits are too numerous to mention here but you may also know him as The Observer in the Fox series, Fringe.  This Fall he’ll be appearing in the new film, The Vampire’s Assistant with Salma Hayek and John C. Reilly and, beginning in October, will open at Lincoln Center as one of the leads in In The Next Room.

An impressive career to be sure, but why is Michael doing a Leadership Lessons Podcast?

A lot of the clients I work with in our group coaching program are middle managers. They’ve moved beyond the level of front line leaders and supervisors, but have not yet reached the ranks of the most senior executives. They’re the directors, senior directors and vice presidents in the private sector and the GS-15’s and SES – 1’s in federal government. And, based on my experience in working with them over the years, I would say that more and more they are the meat in the sandwich. By that, I mean they’re constantly squeezed from pressure above them and below them in the organization.

Over the weekend, one of my colleagues from the Georgetown Leadership Coaching program, Marijo Puleo, shared a McKinsey survey report, Leaders in the Crisis, on the alumni list serve. In that same daily digest from the list serve there was an extended conversation sparked by another colleague who has a client in crisis. Like a lot of people these days, this client simply has too much work to get it all done and still have a semblance of a life. About ten coaches responded to that issue and said they’re seeing the same thing with their clients.

How much more evidence do we need that middle managers are the meat in the sandwich? The McKinsey survey had some interesting results that illustrate the point. Here are a few factoids for you.  Middle managers, compared to the top execs surveyed, are:

• Less committed to staying with their organizations
• Less enthusiastic about their work
• Less satisfied with their own performance and
• Far less satisfied than the seniors with how their bosses are doing. (Ouch!)

Does anyone else see a problem here? These are not just the people responsible for keeping things running during the current economic challenges, these are also the leaders that organizations are counting on for long term growth and success. The stakes around keeping this group engaged are pretty high. Here are a few ideas based on the McKinsey research about how to do a better job with that.

If you're relying solely on your memory to evaluate employee performance, you're making appraisals far more difficult than necessary. That's why it's best to institute a simple recording system to document employee performance. The most useful, easy-to-implement way is to create and maintain a log for each person. Follow these six steps:

Q. How should I address a woman who uses two last names, such as "Geneva Besmer Silverstone"? By her maiden name, her surname or both?

What's a smart HR professional to do when his or her employer is sued and the records you thought would back up management are gone? You can still save the day by locating different electronic or paper correspondence that supports your decisions ...

Test your knowledge of recent trends in employment law, comp & benefits and other HR issues with our monthly mini-quiz ...

Movers who work for All My Sons Moving & Storage can check online to learn if they need to make the trip to headquarters to pick up a truck. CFO Ormando Gomez is recruiting more Internet-savvy movers—by using the Internet to recruit them.

If you find yourself seeking new employment, consider taking proactive, positive approaches. All hinge on online methods, which 40% of new job seekers use in their searches (2008 Spherion Emerging Workforce Study).

We know your to-do list is overflowing, but here’s a list of books to help you boost your energy level, be more content and focus on priorities:

Chip away at a paper pile by first flipping the stack upside down, so the oldest material is on top. It’s easier to toss out old things. Break down a large pile into one-inch piles. Attack the first one-inch pile by reviewing each piece and asking these four questions:

By now, nearly everyone in HR has heard of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), under which unions would have a much easier time becoming certified. Because unions have become more aggressive and more successful at unionization even without the EFCA, I recommend that employers adopt the TEAM approach to keeping their workplaces union-free.

One of the questions that I get asked all the time in coaching sessions and speaking engagements is, “How do I work with or influence my new boss?”  That’s a great question because it outlines a situation that most executives are going to face multiple times throughout their careers.  I wrote about this topic a few months ago in a riff on how Secretary of Defense Robert Gates rather seamlessly transitioned from working for George W. Bush to Barack Obama.  (You can see that post here.)

A  couple of weeks ago, I got a call from a reporter who was working on a story about how to influence your boss and found the Gates post online. He was pitching the story to a web site that’s focused on Gen X and Gen Y guys in the workforce.  When he told me the intended audience, my first thought about how to influence your boss was, “Ask for directions.” Of course, as any wife or girlfriend who has been lost with her guy in the car knows, asking for directions is one of the hardest things for guys to do. Getting into why that’s the case would provide enough material for a whole separate blog. So, let me focus in on why asking for direction is my first piece of advice for anyone (not just guys) who wants to influence their new boss.

Here are three quick tips:

The weak economy is forcing organizations and their employees to make some tough benefits choices. Here are eight trends to watch:

A decade ago, the professional world floated high with the idea that you could quit the rat race and pursue whatever your heart desired. Then the bubble burst, and now all the other bubbles have burst. Still, you want to love what you do ...

Ever had the C-Suite rubber-stamp your HR budget with nary a question or challenge? Neither has Valerie Grubb, who spent most of her career building and justifying budgets in large manufacturing and entertainment companies, most recently NBC Universal. Here are her 10 tips for negotiating with those who make the final budget decisions.

It’s late, and you’re chained to your desk finishing work your boss needs first thing in the morning. The two colleagues who were helping with the project? Long gone. Don't get stuck going it alone like that again. These four tips will help you manage co-workers who drop the ball.

CEOs want their HR leaders to break outside the operational box and become more strategic players. But many HR pros are so bogged down by daily process, they have trouble lifting their heads out of the weeds. Here's a self-assessment to help you gauge the strategic value you bring to your organization.

When fans of natural cosmetics maker Burt’s Bees learned the company was selling itself to Clorox, a buzz of protest followed, as customers complained the bleach maker was not environmentally friendly. In response, CEO John Replogle went blogging ...

Question:  “Our appraisal system requires supervisors to schedule quarterly conferences with their employees, but my boss never does. On my annual performance review, he always lists the dates when our conferences should have happened, then asks me to sign it. I have never been comfortable falsifying this information, but I don't know what to do. Should I just suck it up and sign to keep my boss out of trouble? Or should I refuse and risk becoming the target of retaliation?” — Honest Employee

Whether they’re shooting off their own tweets or following others, employees using Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and personal blogs are creating liability and PR risks with their online rants, raves and company gossip. We’ve gathered the best of HR Specialist’s recent coverage of social media’s HR implications. You’ll find sound legal advice, and maybe a laugh or two.

Wear your heart on your sleeve: Emphasize with customers’ deep-seated concerns by moving from passion to compassion in marketing ... Educate managers with faster, more specific training: The trend is to pick up tailored programs offered by consultancies ... Move beyond traditional risk-management to lead your company through faster times.

Here’s another reason for managers and supervisors to pay attention during FMLA and Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA) training. If they make a mistake, they may be personally liable under both laws.

It’s tough to admit that your plan isn’t working and hand the project to someone else. But don’t be afraid to delegate to skilled employees who think differently than you do. It can be the greatest sign of leadership to know when to step aside.

According to a recent survey, 22% of employees say they use some form of social networking five or more times per week, and 15% admit they access social media while at work for personal reasons. Yet, only 22% of companies have a formal policy that guides employees in how they can use social networking at work. Here are seven key questions to ask when drafting a social networking policy for your workplace.

Question: "I feel that I have been misled by my manager. When I was taking college courses, she told me she would work on getting my pay increased after I received my degree.Now that I’ve graduated, she says our company apparently does not give raises based on degrees.  She also says that our vice president feels I don’t deserve a raise because of tardiness and because I missed some meetings with him.I recently started an MBA program, but I’m not sure management appreciates my efforts to advance my career. What do you think?" — Educated and Underpaid

If your organization doesn’t have a solid performance evaluation system in place, you’re taking a high-stakes gamble you just might lose. Discharged employees who sue will have a much easier time getting to a jury trial if you can’t produce performance evaluations that back up why you terminated them.

New bosses are popping up lately, as more offices streamline staff. If that’s the case in your office, cast yourself in the best possible light—quickly. Follow this advice from executive recruiter Jay Gaines and executive coach Licia Hahn.

A podcast can turn a morning commute into a chance to work on your professional goals. And it’s completely free. Here are some of the best for administrative professionals.

Jack Stack led an employee buyout of International Harvester’s remanufacturing division in 1982 and grew the company to 22 subsidiaries and sales of $150 million by 2000. He laid out his ideas in The Great Game of Business and A Stake in the Outcome, his manifestos for open-book management. Today we would call his career a drive for financial transparency.

When dashing off your next memo, report or e-mail, cut right to the core points. HR directors from half of the 120 major American corporations polled in a recent study said they consider writing ability when making promotions. "You can't move up without writing skills," one HR director said.

At some point in their careers, most people end up in the position of being left to do the work after flaky colleagues drop the ball. Anita Bruzzese (www.45things.com), who writes about workplace issues, offers these four tips for handling co-workers who drop the ball, and how to get them to pull their weight:

Catch a second wind by tackling a task on your “Mind Like Mush” list ... Is your boss an ‘allergic-to-details’ type? Keep project files handy that contain details he or she is likely to need ... Find travel deals by booking later ... Spruce up your administrative “portfolio” by adding a dash of visual material.

Employees everywhere are tapping their professional networks, as they look for new jobs or prepare for the possibility of a pink slip. The good news is that a number of strong associations already exist and can offer a string of networking benefits. Here are a few tips for

Managers aren’t only responsible for an organization’s fiscal assets, they’re also responsible for its human assets. According to a recent Adecco report, here are 13 simple ideas you can implement today to become a more effective manager:

Say a company exec asks you to hire his relative or friend, or he not so subtly urges you to give the application “strong consideration.” You want to reject the candidate because he’s obviously unqualified. But you don’t want to commit career suicide. What do you do?

Question: I can’t seem to get promoted, even though I am well-qualified. My performance evaluations are excellent, and I have received numerous awards. The company posts promotional opportunities so that anyone can apply, but the “winning” applicant always seems to have been selected in advance. Obviously, politics plays a great part in these selections, and I am not a political person. I do interact with people, but I just don’t do it with an agenda in mind. How can I get ahead? —  No Way Out

The baby of the family may get the most attention, but the oldest gets the cash. That’s the message of a CareerBuilder survey that found employees who were firstborn in their families were more likely to earn $100,000 or more annually compared to their siblings.

The recession has plenty of employees distracted and anxious—about their jobs, their 401(k)s and their monthly bills. That’s not good news at a time when you need to squeeze every ounce of productivity from your employees. These 14 tips can motivate shell-shocked employees.

President Obama has said he wants to “make government cool again.” His latest attempt: The federal government’s HR directors are studying a plan to boost the starting pay of college grads by a cool $8,000 a year—to $41,210.

Everyone talks about getting good customers to give you a referral, but few businesses actually pursue them. Earning referral business can be a fantastic way to grow your business. The best part: All of the calls are warm leads. Here's a step-by-step plan for asking for (and reeling in) those referrals.

Do you assign points or scores to rank candidates during their interviews? If so, do you explain in writing why the applicant received each score? A new court ruling says you’d better back up those numbers with an explanation or you might just lose points in front of a jury if you’re sued for discrimination.

Steve Steinhilber, vice president of strategic alliances for Cisco, says that half of all strategic alliances fail. So why has he made a career of them? Because customers expect products that are well integrated, but you need to focus on what you do best. Here are nine ways to think about and plan alliances.

Feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world economy? I overheard a woman say she was worried about calling in sick because she was afraid her employer might fire her. This, to me, represents the difference between a career and a job. Years ago, these two words may have meant the same thing, but they don’t anymore.

When you’re giving feedback, neither constant praise nor endless criticism is any good. Many leaders fall silent when something is done right. Even worse, unrelenting criticism undercuts morale and kicks up anxiety, killing any joy that people take in their work.

Being out of a job for an extended period no longer carries the stigma it once did for top managers, says a new Robert Half Management survey.

Boost productivity by “plotting” the items on your to-do list ... Organize a boss’s overflowing e-mail box by setting up inbox folders ... Manage team conflict with this tactic ... Take a breather every hour, for peak productivity ...

“My boss is driving me crazy. What can I do about it?” ... “My co-worker got a promotion, even though I do a better job.” The starting point for almost any question about your career, says career columnist Penelope Trunk, is: Know yourself better.

Nearly a third of HR professionals plan to alter their total rewards programs with generational preferences in mind, according to the new Top Five Total Rewards Priorities survey. That figure is likely to increase significantly in the future because the workforce is becoming more multigenerational—especially as older workers remain longer to rebuild their nest eggs.

Fear can paralyze even the most successful people. To make it through the recession, though, businesses need people who can be fearless. Gayle Lantz, author of Take the Bull by the Horns, says that to move back into “thrive” mode, “You’ve got to figure out how to aggressively move forward.”

PGA golfer Kenny Perry loves cars, golf, his family and his hometown of Franklin, Ky. His dream was to win at the Ryder Cup for Team USA. Perry got exactly what he wanted, and here’s how:

What does an Oreo cookie cream filling have in common with administrative professionals? Everything! Without that cream, there’s no magic center that holds it together. You’re left with two chocolate disks sitting there waiting for something special to happen. The special ingredient: you.

The level of public discourse and obvious self interest on the part of people in leadership positions can be pretty discouraging. Oftentimes, it seems like the first instinct of leaders under pressure is to call names, deny responsibility and look out only for their self interest. It literally seems childish.

On the other hand, we sometimes have the privilege of seeing leaders in action who demonstrate maturity through reasoned, principled responses and generally acting like grown-ups should act. Over the past week, I’ve noticed three public sector leaders who have done that. There are some basic principles these leaders demonstrated that I think all leaders should strive to emulate.

Your boss asked you to prepare a spreadsheet for a meeting the next day. It took a couple of hours and some shuffling of priorities, but you did it. When you arrive at the meeting, though, your boss handed you a spreadsheet that someone else created. Should you tell your boss how frustrated you are?

Does your company have a mentoring program? About 70% of Fortune 500 companies do. Even if you don’t have a formal way to seek out a mentor, consider doing the legwork to find one on your own.

Football Hall of Famer Joe Montana bookended his football career with two spectacular failures. Both times, his passes were intercepted. Montana—who wrapped up his 16 years in the NFL as the only three-time Super Bowl most valuable player—offers these two exercises so you can overcome failure in a low-stakes environment.

In tough economic times, it’s critical to remember the new rules of the workplace, says communication and leadership coach Peggy Klaus. Consider these three rules:

It won’t surprise you that most companies plan to spend less on training this year. Rather than lament the fact that there’s less money in the budget for traditional training, consider this: Less-formal training might be more effective than formal training, and it still allows you to develop your career.

When it comes to making job offers, your hiring managers could be inadvertently locking your organization into an employment contract with the new hire. It’s a common mistake, and only a few words can send you down the wrong path. Follow these six do’s and don’ts when offering a job:

It’s a myth that good work makes a good career—rather, good office politics makes a good career, says career columnist Penelope Trunk. Here’s how to use office politics in building your career:

With the economy slowing down, now is the best time to fine-tune your LinkedIn or Facebook profile, fleshing out the blank spaces and figuring out how to take advantage of those social networking sites. Here are a few tips.

Recently, workplace expert Tory Johnson was interviewed about how women can succeed in a challenging job market (smartblogs.com/workforce). She talked about what she believes is the biggest challenge for female managers, but the advice could easily apply to anyone. Here’s what she said:

With more talent chasing fewer jobs, especially in the financial sector, it can’t hurt to freshen up your résumé and look around. For starters, brace yourself: MBAs, to give one example, are flooding the market. Recruiters receive 50 to 60 résumés per opening where they used to get 10 to 20, so concentrate on showing how you contributed to the bottom line.

A common story in the current economic environment is this: One day, you notice signs that your company might be in trouble. Soon after, the company begins layoffs. Rather than wait for the ax to fall, prepare yourself at the first signs of trouble.

Shumeet Banerji, chief of the reformulated consulting firm Booz & Co., says, “I don’t believe that leadership is innate, and neither does the firm,” he says. “We believe it can be learned."

There’s leadership magic in a company that turns kitchen helpers into millionaires. The evidence is in Everything I Know About Business I Learned at McDonald’s, a compendium of simple wisdom by Paul Facella, who started working at Mickey D’s as a teenager and retired as a regional vice president.

Test your knowledge of recent trends in employment law, comp & benefits and other HR issues with our monthly mini-quiz ...

Cut back on workday spending ... Keep your mind primed for work by clearing away the cobwebs ... Know the right way to vent to relieve stress ... Think “ABB” or “always be briefing” ... Uncover wasteful spending with creative thinking.

Rather than wait for your company to foot the bill for a class or conference, turn to online sources, such as eHow.com and good-tutorials.com, or the instruction manuals shelved in your IT department.

True leadership is less about raw talent than expertise. So says Malcolm Gladwell, the business and science guru. Here’s his take on expertise: Real leaders aren’t just “naturals.” They are masters who have slaved at their craft for 10 years. “And what’s 10 years?” Gladwell asks. “Well, it’s roughly how long it takes to put in 10,000 hours of hard practice."

Who doesn’t hate performance reviews? They destroy morale and teamwork, says Samuel Culbert, a management professor at UCLA, and they hurt the bottom line. The alternative: Instead of a one-side-accountable, top-down review, consider a both-sides-accountable performance preview.

In my line of work as an executive coach, one of the most frequent opportunities I see for smart and talented leaders to be even better is to improve their listening skills.  What is often the case with really bright people is that they have so many ideas and so much energy  they end up dominating conversations and creating a disconnect with everyone else in the room. You’ve probably seen this.  It happens all the time.

One of my clients is a newly promoted executive in his firm.  He fits the profile I’m talking about.  He is an extremely intelligent guy and an innovator in a very technical and fast moving field.  He is full of ideas and enthusiasm and can’t wait to share his ideas with you.  It’s all really charming in a way.  The problem is that his colleagues and the more senior executives in the firm have complained that he sucks the air out of a conversation by not leaving space for others to contribute.  Not a great situation for long term career development, right?

With my client’s permission, I want to share with you the technique he’s used to listen more and talk less over the past three months. I know from talking with his colleagues that it’s working and that they’re a lot happier with him now than they were at the beginning of the year. 

So, what’s the magic answer to his rapid improvement? It’s simple really. He’s keeping score. Here’s how he’s doing it and what he’s learned in the process.

More pink slips are on the horizon. According to outplacement firm Challenger Gray & Christmas, 1 million more job cuts are likely in 2009. But, there's a silver lining among all the dark clouds of this recession, says the firm's chief executive, John Challenger, and it's this: Layoffs can be good news, in a strange way.

One thing is for sure about living in 2009. You don’t have to look very hard to find examples of what happens when people lose their grip on the boundaries that previously brought order to their lives.  Let’s take a look at a few examples that range from the seemingly ridiculous to the very serious to see what the common denominator lessons might be.

If people asked good, direct questions instead of a vague “What do you think?” we’d never feel overwhelmed by all the queries sitting in our inboxes. Get the fast response you’re looking for by learning to ask a good question, advises Penelope Trunk, author of Brazen Careerist.

This past Sunday was one of the rare ones when I had the chance to watch all of Meet the Press.  After such a big week of news (let’s just throw in a North Korean missile launch for good measure), I was looking forward to the show.  In particular, I was interested to see the interview with the newly appointed CEO of General Motors, the 25 year company veteran, Fritz Henderson.

Sorry to say, but Fritz did not pass the “Mom believability test.”  You probably have your own version of that.  It’s when, as I did Sunday night, you call your mom to catch up on what’s going on in the family and the world.  Like me, my mom had watched Henderson on MTP.  Her verdict?  “He was terrible.  He didn’t answer any of the questions.”  Nothing quite like cutting to the chase.

So, what can we learn from Henderson and the situation at GM about matching leadership styles with the demands of the situation?

Thanks to Google’s policy of allowing employees time each week to work on pet projects, the company is forever unleashing cool services for us to try. A few Google tools to add to your arsenal:

An alarming 15% of recently polled employees said the recession has made them less motivated than before. If your employees are so worried about their jobs and personal finances that they’re just going through the motions, it's up to managers to turn them around. Here are 20 proven tips to do just that.

Are you a situational leader or an emotional leader? Situational leadership depends on the kind of direction and support each of your followers needs. Emotional leadership is situational, too, but based more on the theory of emotional intelligences than on the level of your involvement ...

If you want to pursue an HR master’s degree but the nearest accredited program is too far away, consider earning your degree online. The quality of such programs has improved dramatically in recent years. Also, online programs allow you to earn the degree from anywhere at your own pace ...

The IRS and the U.S. Department of Labor have just published guidance to help employers claim the credit for the new 65% COBRA subsidy and create the mandatory new COBRA notices. Look here for links to the documents and information you need to comply.

Diane Darling, owner of Effective Networking, didn’t realize her casual purple pantsuits were keeping her from landing clients—until people told her. Darling sent a survey, using online polling tool SurveyMonkey.com ... That’s where she learned that she dressed too casually.

Alonzo Mourning knows how to make tough calls. The NBA center started young. When he was 10 years old, he knew it would be better not to live with his parents, so he placed himself in foster care ...

Mercy Health System in Janesville, Wis., pays up to $3,000 per employee for college tuition, and $1,000 more if the employee works with an in-house mentor for up to three years.

Halt interruptions by giving your office a makeover ... If it's important, re-re-repeat it ... Follolw these 5 steps to becoming a better conversationalist ... Help employees prioritize their tasks ... Make a good impression with the "Rule of 12/12/12."

How much effort should the HR office put into getting everyone to get along? The best approach is to let employees handle most social conflicts among themselves—as long as there are no overt signs of discrimination.

Luckily for Pete Sampras, he realized early in his tennis career that his opponent wasn’t beating him. Sampras was beating himself. It wasn’t just that he’d played badly, Sampras says now. “I also played without heart, which is a greater sin.”

Organizations that appeal most to employees age 50 and older make it a point to focus recruiting efforts on that group. And they stuff their benefits packages with perks that help older employees balance work with caregiving responsibilities. Here are five best practices your organization can adopt.

What makes the Internet useful is also what makes it so undeniably distracting: There’s no end to what you can find online. Luckily, a few browser add-ons that work with Firefox can help make web surfers more productive (all available at addons.mozilla.org).

She steals credit for your work, blames you for something that you didn’t do or attempts to damage your reputation: the workplace saboteur. Saboteurs are most apt to strike in a weak economy like the current one, business psychologist Wendy Alfus Rothman tells The Wall Street Journal.

One important way to judge your success as a manager is by the success of your employees. How can you be sure that your best people will someday be top-notch leaders themselves? Start with these four basic yet effective tips for developing managerial skills among your employees.

Pump up your managers with useful research they don’t have time to do themselves ... Sharpen your workplace instincts by playing The Office-Politics Game ... Soothe stress by first dividing triggers into two categories ...

In the past month, have you asked someone to lunch who has made an impact on your life and career? If you’re drawing a blank, make a date and go out to lunch! Lunch is one of the few places left during business hours where people actually talk to each other without being interrupted. It reminds us to connect, ask questions, listen and learn.

There’s no doubt Generation Y will fundamentally change corporate America. It’s already started. Managing Gen Y is a hot topic among consultants, HR executives and talent management professionals. For a Gen Y’er like me, this is great news. We’re primed to change the workplace for the better. Here’s how we’ll do it.

Test your knowledge of recent trends in employment law, comp & benefits and other HR issues with our monthly mini-quiz ...

Emily Morgan works 60 to 70 hours a week and doesn’t even get a steady paycheck. You would think she’d loathe her boss, but you’d be wrong. Morgan is a virtual assistant (VA) and chooses how much work she takes on and how many hours she works. Ever wonder whether a VA career might be right for you?

Drafting  performance reviews is always a daunting task for supervisors, for many legitimate reasons. In reality, it doesn’t need to be that way. One simple way to reinvent performance appraisals is to shift the responsibility for initial evaluations back to your employees.

Layoffs put retention on shaky ground at precisely the time that remaining employees' loyalty is key to your organization's success. Ignoring that "survivor syndrome" will only cripple morale further and generate more turnover. Communication is the key to overcoming it. Here's how:

You may not realize it, but many small business owners adopt war principles to lead their companies to higher profits. Think about it:

Create a cheat sheet for emergencies and leave it on your desk ... Monitor spending with online tools ... Reach out to someone who has been laid off ... Be a valuable connection from the moment you invite someone into your LinkedIn network.

The Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shift money into a Health Savings Account.

Even in his youth, Ulysses S. Grant picked his battles. Arriving at West Point to study, he decided against arguing with the adjutant about his own name (actually Hiram Ulysses) and accepted the name given to him in a mix-up, realizing it would serve him better than the initials H.U.G.

Fewer employers may be hiring in 2009 (only 14%, compared to 32% last year), but the outlook isn’t entirely grim. Some employers will increase salaries, while others plan to offer flexible work arrangements.

The No. 1 reason people quit their jobs? Excessive stress, says a recent study of 93 large companies. Take action before you feel so overwhelmed. Try these easy stress-busting techniques from Tevis Gale, career coach and head of the consulting firm Balance Integration.

Work with a shameless self-promoter? You know, the one who shows off relentlessly and even takes credit for things you’ve done? Here's how to handle the situation.

In four years, the Gainesville Health and Fitness Center became the first and only health club to receive the top honor awarded by the Wellness Council of America. Plus, the club retains 77% of new members, compared to the industry average of 60%. Here's how Joe Cirulli did it.

Chris Gardner went from rags to riches, chronicling his story in The Pursuit of Happyness. His career began modestly with a stint in the U.S. Navy followed by a job as a medical supply salesman. Then came a pivotal moment. In a parking lot, a man driving a red Ferrari was looking for a space. Gardner wanted to be that guy and took the necessary steps.

Every year, you probably receive (or help write) your performance evaluation. But have you evaluated your job lately? Workplace coach Joan Lloyd suggests asking yourself these questions annually:

You love your work, but you’d like it even better if you made more money. A bad job market can be a good time to get what you want—and deserve. Why? Everyone else might be too afraid to attempt any salary negotiating.

Whether or not you’re actively looking for a job, it pays to ratchet up your professional image outside your office. (After all, you never know who might google your name.) For that, the e-portfolio can be your most powerful tool.

Applicants can get creative in their job-hunting efforts, especially in a tight job market. Here are some of the more unusual come-ons seen by readers of our HR Specialist Forum.

If you were a salad, what kind of dressing would you be? Interview questions like this one are growing more popular with interviewers, says Lynne Sarikas, director of the MBA Career Center at Northeastern University’s business school.

These days, if you’re not linked in to an online network, you’re not really networking. Log on to these web sites to set up your profile and start connecting with new, inspiring people.

Is it possible to clear out an e-mail inbox—and keep it clear—daily? Yes. But you must be willing to change your behavior, says Michael C. Hyatt, president of Thomas Nelson Publishers, who writes on his blog about taking control of his own inbox.

In the middle of winter, with the holidays a distant memory and spring still months away, motivation begins to flag. It's the time of year when the seasonal blues can turn into a full-blown job meltdown. Take this self-assessment find out if you're edging toward the crispy end of the burnout scale.

“I have some difficult news that affects you and your position with the company.”  Hearing those words is enough to send anyone into panic mode. But landing a new job after a layoff, downsizing or company unraveling takes thoughtful planning. Here’s how to rebound from a job shake-up.

You may not need a license to practice HR or benefits administration, but earning an HR certification tells your employer (and potential employers) that you know your stuff ...

Climbing the career ladder requires the appropriate gear, say executives in a recent survey. Executives were asked, “To what extent does someone’s style of dress at work influence his or her chances of being promoted?”

If some of your managers and supervisors steer career and business opportunities to favored subordinates and keep others from finding out about them, watch out. If those missed opportunities wind up depriving employees of potential financial rewards, that could lead to discrimination lawsuits.

What are the best online tools to help you get things done smarter and faster? Gina Trapani, lead blogger for Lifehacker.com and author of Upgrade Your Life, is an expert at helping people master modern technology. Here’s how everyday Joes and Janes can be like master geeks, she says.

Anyone revved up to work longer and retire later? Workers may not have a choice, suggests a new book, Working Longer: The Solution to the Retirement Income Challenge.

Do you saunter into work each Monday with a spring in your step and joy in your heart? If so, you’re in the minority. Here are seven ways you can feel content on a Monday, according to Jeff Garton, author of Career Contentment: Don’t Settle for Anything Less.

Kathy Walters made many sideways moves, sometimes running different functions for three or four years at a clip. “All this so I could really understand the trade-offs you make in leadership,” says Walters, an executive vice president at Georgia-Pacific.

If you want people to change their behavior, tell them what you want, rather than what you don’t want ...

A Tampa jury awarded $60,000 to Geno Baker, a former maintenance worker in the Safety Harbor Public Works Department, for race discrimination he suffered during his 14-year career with the department.

What are the best online tools to help you get things done smarter and faster? Gina Trapani, lead blogger for Lifehacker.com and author of Upgrade Your Life, is an expert at helping people master modern technology. Here’s how everyday Joes and Janes can be like master geeks, she says ...

As the impact of the global economic crisis takes hold, a quarter of U.S. employers expect to make layoffs in the next 12 months. Find out how employers nationwide are hunkering down—and the HR lessons you can apply to your organization.

The AFSCME secured a court order to prevent Wayne County from changing its retiree health care benefits. A redesign proposed by the county would have tripled prescription drug co-pays for employees who retired under the 2000-2004 contract.

The U.S. economy was already on the brink last month when the Wall Street-fueled financial crisis came and pushed it over the edge. Organizations nationwide are being forced to slash costs, which often means cutting payrolls. Too often, however, employers make tactical errors during layoffs. Here are six key steps to help keep layoffs as legally painless as possible:

New research shows that more workers of retirement age are staying in their current jobs or returning to work, in part because of the sinking economy and dwindling nest eggs. Many of these older employees aren’t seeking full-time return at their past pay rates. They’re hunting for “bridge jobs.”

You’ve been fired, laid off, rendered redundant. Yet, no matter what the reason you were released, you never saw it coming. Here are lessons you can learn from a job loss—or prepare yourself for that possibility—so you can more easily dust yourself off and land the next job.

If you have employees or operations in New York City, your sexual harassment and discrimination policies must reflect the strict rules employers are required to follow under the New York City Human Rights Law. It all adds up to a challenging HR environment. Your best bet in New York City—adopt a zero-tolerance policy for any sort of sexual, racial or other harassment.

It takes more than a written policy to avoid liability for sexual harassment. But if you back up your policy with regular training and reminders and quickly fix any harassment problems that come to your attention, chances are you won’t be liable unless the harasser was a supervisor and the employee suffered an adverse employment action ...

Snagging the best admins today means going beyond your local paper’s classified ads. More than half of employers find it challenging to recruit skilled professionals because of a lack of qualified staff and the higher cost of recruiting, reports a recent CareerBuilder.com survey.

If you want support from the C-suite for work/life benefits, tout flexible schedules and telework as tools that do more than aid recruiting and retention. In a recent survey, CFOs said that for flexibility to succeed, organizations have to perceive it as more than an employee perk.

If your performance evaluation is at least six months away, start tracking now the value you bring to your job, especially if you want a raise. That’s according to David Lorenzo, managing partner at The Gallup Organization and author of Career Intensity.

At first glance, the federal ADEA appears rather straightforward: It protects people age 40 and older from employment discrimination based on their age. But the law can affect just about anything managers do, from asking questions in job interviews to assigning job duties ...

If your last job search was pre-2001, you may be in for a rude awakening, says Deborah Walker, career coach and résumé writer. Your old résumé, which worked well before, may no longer attract employers. Here are four reasons your old résumé may not work for you ...

The story of Dee Ward Hock is proof that you can use a life lesson to fuel your rise. As a 25-year-old married father of two with a third on the way in the 1960s, Hock had fallen deep into credit card debt ...

As the impact of the global economic crisis takes hold, a quarter of U.S. employers expect to make layoffs in the next 12 months—if they haven’t already done so. However, most companies are focusing on increased employee communication and smaller cost-saving measures.

When discrimination charges go to court, both sides are entitled to copies of all relevant evidence. That includes memos, notes and e-mail (with some exceptions for confidential, trade secret or attorney-client privileged communications). Don’t think you’ll be able to avoid liability by getting rid of some documents ...

If you’re contemplating a layoff, you’ve no doubt given some thought to which employees you want to let go—and which ones you absolutely must retain. But know this: Every time an organization lays off even a few employees, voluntary turnover jumps in response ...

Most managers have faced this dilemma at least once in their careers: A candidate looks great on paper and gives a knockout interview; but two weeks into the new job, you're less than enthused. You now have a choice: Cut your losses or run a salvage operation.

The Altoona City Council fired Police Officer Herrick Johnson on Sept. 10 for allegedly having sex with a 16-year-old girl he met online. Johnson, 49, met the girl through a web site that promoted law enforcement careers ...

Attorney General Tom Corbett is investigating more than 135 Pennsylvania residents who allegedly bought diplomas from a business in Spokane, Wash., that sold high school diplomas and college degrees under the name Saint Regis University ...

Q. How do I make my manager understand that I want more responsibility?

Every product needs a marketing plan … even you. Learn how to “brand” yourself to show what you can offer and how you can grow within the company.

Don’t take no for an answer when it comes to asking your boss for career advancement opportunities.

From his childhood on the White Earth reservation in Minnesota through his career in baseball, Charles Albert Bender developed various pitches (maybe even the game’s first slider) and a reputation for dependability in the clutch. Bender never let anyone see him sweat ...

Despite much discussion about their pros, cons and legal implications, video résumés aren’t yet catching fire with employers or employees. CareerBuilder recently discontinued its video résumé service. Recruiters have shown little demand for them ...

Turn co-workers into die-hard supporters who will watch your back and help propel your career. These three tactics can help you build workplace friends who go the extra mile for you, says management consultant Margaret Morford.

You like your company and your co-workers, but you’re bored. Chances are you’ve reached a plateau. Solution? Step out of your comfort zone.

People who fail come from all walks of life. A handful of people, regardless of education, intelligence, manners, appearance or other obvious factors, rise steadily through the ranks and stay on top through fat and lean times. They are the types who, either consciously or instinctively, know the art of political survival.
 

An important—but often overlooked—step in performance appraisals is to ask employees to grade themselves. But don't just give them the same appraisal form used by supervisors. Instead, use a separate form that allows them to recap their achievements, identify shortcomings and initiate discussions regarding their development.  A good self-evaluation form asks these three core questions ... 

Wow clients and others in your network by sending handwritten notes to thank, follow up with or congratulate. Video producer Ellen Barnard says she always sends handwritten notes or flowers to clients, and “they’re left with the impression that I’m really good at what I do.” ...

The story of Lisa Johnson Mandell serves as a healthy reminder about “staying relevant.” The 49-year-old reporter was stalled in her search for a new job until she removed old jobs and dates from her résumé and added youthful energy to her appearance.

It's a deceptively simple concept: You have to pay nonexempt employees for every hour they work. But employers often trip over interpretation of that law when it comes to exceptions such as meal and rest breaks. Here's a plain-English explanation of a sometimes tricky situation. PLUS! Find out what workers are really doing on their coffee breaks!

Test your knowledge of recent trends in employment law, comp & benefits and other HR issues with our monthly mini-quiz ...

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has resources for your employees who live in areas devastated by floods, fires or other disasters. Employees in flooded areas can call (866) 487-2365 for information about unemployment benefits, federal One-Stop Career Centers, wages and safety issues ...

In their zeal for short-term company goals, an increasing number of U.S. organizations are allowing  managers to wallow in daily routines instead of preparing them for the next job. As a result, the next job is often with another company.

You know turnover is expensive; it forces your organization to recruit and train new employees. And while not all turnover is undesirable, a growing number of organizations are starting to focus on the management of turnover as a strategic business issue, both in terms of controlling bottom-line costs and driving top-line results ...

Sometimes, the relationships between men and women in the office become more flirtatious than they should be. When that happens, it can seriously degrade a woman’s ability to be taken seriously, particularly if she isn’t in a position of power.

A reader of the Forum section of our free HR Weekly e-letter posed this question: “We’re considering using the big job boards, but I worry we’ll be buried in résumés from every unemployed person. How can we advertise most effectively?” Here’s how some HR professionals replied ...

“What do you think, Mom?” College grads entering the work world are likely to ask such questions when weighing job offers, according to a new study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). As a result, some employers are reaching out to parents, but overdoing it can be a turnoff ...

Maybe the most disturbing aspect of Timothy Tackett’s now infamous bath in the utility sink of the Xenia Burger King where he worked is how quickly the video footage of it proliferated on the Internet ...

Question: “My team recently got a new boss who is very green as a manager. Although I have 20 years’ experience, she makes it abundantly clear that she feels superior to me in every way. She talks incessantly about her credentials and all the 'important' tasks she has been given.  I find her condescending, unapproachable and inflexible. Staff meetings have become a painful experience because they accomplish nothing.  Our new boss will not discuss projects in detail nor take any direction from ‘subordinates.’  I have known her manager for a long time and have a good relationship with him.  He’s a fair guy, and he respects my opinion. Should I tell him how I feel about my new boss?” — The Underling

Disabled employees who receive ADA accommodations expect those accommodations to continue even after an unrelated minor injury. If you suddenly remove the accommodation, you may find yourself facing a “regarded-as-disabled” lawsuit ...

Employees who belong to a protected class often sue for discrimination if they feel they have been denied training and education opportunities. That’s why you should carefully track what training courses or experiences you offer, the minimum qualifications for each opportunity and who ends up taking advantage of each one ...

General Motors won summary judgment in a disability discrimination lawsuit after the company caught Christopher Peterson loading lumber into his car while he was on leave for back problems. Peterson had a long career with GM and had risen into the executive ranks ...

When office romances sour, scorned lovers often use Title VII to allege that their former lover was a sexual harasser. And even if the lovers are happy, workplace romances can cause problems in the office or on the shop floor. If co-workers feel a love affair results in favoritism, the relationship may lead to charges of conflict of interest, harassment, retaliation or discrimination ...

If an employee sues you for discrimination despite your successful efforts to resolve her complaint, you may be able to recover your attorneys’ fees from the plaintiff. The reason: That’s a frivolous lawsuit ...

If you've never taken the Myers-Briggs Type indicator test, spend 10 minutes to assess your personality on one of these web sites.

You applied for a position change but didn’t get it. You might feel like crawling under a rock, but resist the urge. You’ll be better off in the long run if you act boldly and ask for constructive criticism.

Over the course of a 16-year career, Ronnie McNorton found himself on the receiving end of many disciplinary actions by his employer, the Georgia Department of Transportation. But McNorton hung on and won several promotions. In 2002, that advancement stalled, ironically because McNorton helped another state employee get her career off the ground. If only he could have kept his stories straight ...

CareerBuilder.com recently asked 2,929 hiring managers and HR pros to name the lamest excuses they had ever heard for missing work. Who knew America’s work force was so fragile—or creative? Maybe some innovative strategies can stem the tide of absenteeism.

On Dec. 4, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) announced the creation of Texas Workforce Solutions, a partnership between the TWC and 28 local work force development boards designed to assist Texans returning to civilian life from military service ...

While workplace bullying certainly has existed for as long as mean people have worked alongside others, only recently has it emerged as an issue for the courts to handle. As awareness of “workplace bullying” arises, so does potential litigation and liability for employers ...

Four out of five workers (84 percent) still search for their dream jobs, according to a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive for CareerBuilder.com.

Sometimes, a problem employee claims harassment as a way to protect herself from legitimate discipline. When that happens, it may be tempting to ignore such claims on the presumption they are bogus. It may be tempting to dismiss her complaints as much ado about nothing. But you’ll ignore her at your own peril ...

Here’s a test that measures your broad knowledge of the HR field. From the FMLA to comp and benefits to employee behavior you’d rather not know about, we’ve got the questions. Do you have the answers?

Your organization could be missing out on some top talent if you shrug off the new high-tech applications and résumé tools that could someday make paper résumés obsolete. Here are some of the more popular high-tech methods that candidates (especially young ones) are using to market themselves, plus some of the advantages and disadvantages of welcoming them ...

Although there is no blanket rule against transferring someone who has been involved in a romantic relationship with a co-worker, make sure the transfer benefits the transferred party and can’t be viewed as punishment. Otherwise, the transferred employee may claim retaliation ...

Lose your credibility and you lose your career. Credibility is the most important predictor of an HR professional’s effectiveness, according to the 2007 Human Resource Competency Study (HRCS) by The RBL Group leadership firm. Here are eight key ways to diminish or destroy your credibility ...

Are you prepared for the coming crackdown? Have you taken the necessary steps to stay in compliance?

You may have seen the "60 Minutes" report last Sunday on the  "millennials"—the 80 million Americans born between 1980 and 1995. They're your new employees and they're...well... different. Some of them even want mom and dad to come along with them to job interviews. And that's just fine by some large employers.

If recent news about HR compensation has you feeling on the short end of the salary stick, it’s time to do something about it. You could march into the boss’s office and demand a raise right now. (Good luck with that!) Or you could begin a concerted campaign to increase your value to your organization. After all, it’s your career!

Perez Hilton, who? d-listed, what? And what in the world does “OMG” mean? If you’re feeling out of touch with workers from younger generations at the office, you’re not alone. Generation Y is reshaping the workplace.

Whether you're wet behind the ears or a well-seasoned pro, you can use a bit of career advice.

Recruiting and interviewing potential new hires can be time consuming, but for many employers the process is far from boring. In fact, given some of the wacky things candidates include on their résumés and blurt out during interviews, hiring may be the funniest part of an HR pro’s job.

The unemployment rate is down again, and employees are saying they want more money to stay put. Maybe it’s time to brush off some of the low- or no-cost benefits we used back in the late 1990s to attract and keep good employees.

The EEOC has issued new enforcement guidance concerning disparate treatment of workers with caregiving responsibilities—or “family-responsibility discrimination.” The guidelines are designed to help determine whether a particular employment decision is discriminatory. Family-responsibility discrimination is not a new type of discrimination, but rather an application of the existing discrimination laws to a situation that is drawing increasing attention ...

You’re the entire HR department and barely have time to keep up with basic daily duties. There’s precious little time to think strategically, develop new initiatives and stay current on HR trends. Plus, you feel professionally isolated because you spend so little time talking to other HR professionals. Here’s one way to come out of the HR wilderness: Find an HR mentor who will offer advice in areas where you need the most help ...

A nurse with a history of back problems won a workers’ compensation award after she proved a co-worker pushed her and caused her injury. In Illinois, injuries caused by co-workers are compensable under workers’ comp ...

NASA recently found its accounts short by more than $157,000. Elizabeth Osborne, a 31-year NASA veteran, used her NASA-issued bank card to make more than 436 personal purchases in Tampa area stores between 2001 and 2005 ...

If you’re holding the line on pay raises, you’re in good company. Three new surveys agree that most employers will raise salaries between 3.8% and 3.9% for the second year in a row in 2008, halting a steady upward trend in pay raises that began in 2004 ...

IBM employees who would rather teach school than work for the computer giant go for it with their employer’s blessing—and with up to $15,000 in tuition assistance ...

Employment laws give older workers unique protections that younger workers lack. Specifically, the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act and Ohio’s Fair Employment Practices Act prohibit discrimination because of age against workers 40 and older. However, employers are getting a reprieve of sorts from a new EEOC regulation ...

A court has dismissed three Livingston teachers’ age discrimination lawsuit for lack of merit. The teachers filed suit under New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination after they were transferred to different schools late in their careers ...

As summer winds down, the pace of work and life picks up. But living life at too fast a pace can hurt your career and your health. To find out if you need to reserve more quiet "think time" in your day, take this simple 16-question self-quiz.

A court has ruled that an employee's inability to go to work due to stress and anxiety about a pending termination or other performance issues may be considered a “serious health condition” under the FMLA ...

A California Superior Court jury recently awarded a city firefighter $6.2 million in a lawsuit claiming race discrimination, sex discrimination, harassment and retaliation under the Fair Employment and Housing Act ...

Demand for Michigan information technology analysts and engineers will grow faster than any other career for the next five years, according to statistics compiled by the Michigan Works! Association. Here are the state’s 25 hottest jobs, along with projected demand growth rates ...

At New York-based PricewaterhouseCoopers,  the HR staff realized there was a group of women who wanted to step out of the work force and into parenthood while keeping their jobs. The result: It created the "Full Circle" program ...

Performance evaluations are important tools to help employers gauge whether employees are performing at expected levels. They can help organizations spot talent and leadership potential, while identifying areas where employees need extra training and support. Evaluations also can protect employers from frivolous lawsuits filed by employees who claim they’ve been demoted, fired or otherwise unfairly treated when the real reason was poor performance ...

Despite what you’ve heard about would-be retirees clinging to their jobs long into their golden years, the average retirement age is 62. That means the boomers are going to start racing into retirement. How many employees is your organization going to lose? Chances are, you don’t know. Most organizations don't know how old their employees are or when those in their 60s plan to retire. Supervisors may know on a case-by-case basis, but what the organization needs is an overall profile so a mad dash out the door doesn’t catch anyone by surprise ...

The bad news: You don't earn as much as your male counterparts. And no one wants to hear you ask for a raise. The good news: You can reinforce "Brand You" by writing a personal annual report. Here's a six-question template ...

How far can employees go when firing off comments on the web on their own time? What if the employee is a public servant? For Bernie Kieklak, chief of staff for state Sen. Lisa Boscola, the answer is pretty far ...

If your organization is like many, employees anxious to move up the ladder covet promotions. But if you have no clear-cut standards or easy-to-explain criteria, lawsuits lurk behind every unqualified, but passed-over, employee ...

The Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act protects Michigan employees from reverse discrimination: Those who can show they were denied promotions or other opportunities because of non-membership in a racial group can and do recover damages ...

An Akron woman who worked for 10 years as an assistant manager at seven Kohl’s department stores sued for pregnancy discrimination after she was repeatedly passed over for store manager positions ...

If you classify employees as either permanent or probationary, you can apply different disciplinary standards to the different classifications. That’s true even if the employees perform the same job and violate the same rules ...

One of the most important factors in promotion discrimination cases is also one of the easiest to control. The courts may not care that your decisions on whom to promote were perfectly rational; they want proof that you used the same factors for each candidate, flawed or not ...

Don’t keep it a secret if your organization does good for the community and the environment. Let employees and job applicants know about your corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts ...

If you’re the do-it-all leader of a one-person HR department, you’ve become the consummate HR generalist. But now you want to direct your career path toward a larger organization ...

The EEOC just issued guidelines stating that one’s status as a family member can’t be considered in employment decisions. The agency says the guidelines address “family-responsibility discrimination.” They draw on earlier theories about so-called “gender-plus” discrimination ...

Various organizations offer an alphabet soup of certifications. But is certification even necessary for your career path? If it is, which certification is right for you? Here's a breakdown of your certification options. Do your homework: The most common certifications may not be your best career choice...

When it comes to evaluating applicants, you can consider factors like evidence of the employee’s commitment to the job and the likelihood he won’t stick around. That’s true even if it means you don’t hire an older applicant who worked for your organization in the past and received good reviews ...

Pennsylvania is one of eight states set to pilot the U.S. Labor Department’s Career Advancement Accounts, which are personal spending accounts that workers can use to pay for post-secondary education and training ...

Too many managers and supervisors offer unsolicited advice to employees who’ve filed discrimination complaints. The suggestions usually include being more of a “team player” and “not rocking the boat.” Tell managers such “helpful” career tips can backfire badly ...

Women in Pennsylvania earn 73 cents for every dollar earned by men in similar positions, compared to the national average of 77 cents on the dollar ...

College-educated women in New Jersey earn 66 cents for every dollar earned by similarly educated men, the second-largest pay gap in the nation after Louisiana. Nationally, college-educated women average 69 cents on the dollar. ...

In April 2007, radio talk show host Don Imus made racially disparaging remarks about the Rutgers women’s basketball team on the “Imus in the Morning” show. The Imus experience serves as a high-profile example of how discriminatory comments can have serious consequences when made in an employment setting ...

Most federal discrimination laws require employees who think they have been wronged to file a complaint with the EEOC or their state’s equivalent agency before going to federal court. But that’s not the case when it comes to disability discrimination cases brought under the Ohio Revised Code anti-discrimination provisions ...

The manager of a Dave & Buster’s Restaurant in Cincinnati lost his age-discrimination claim because the case was ruled primarily circumstantial by a U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio ...

Field HR or corporate HR: Neither career path is necessarily better; each has its own challenges and rewards. But there are important differences between the two that influence your career direction. Knowing those distinctions is a key step in any HR job move ...

Almost a quarter (23.8 percent) of the people answering a new Right Management Consultants survey say they think it's very possible or somewhat possible that they could lose their jobs in the next 12 months ...

If you use summer interns, it's hunting time. Experts suggest asking the following questions to determine how students make decisions and manage work and deadlines ...

Union membership has fallen dramatically in recent decades, but the labor movement is far from dead. The biggest change: In 2005, the breakaway "Change to Win" movement seized control over one-third of the powerful AFL-CIO's unions. Change to Win lured the unions away by promising to shift the focus from political activism to organizing as many U.S. employers as possible. Is your business next? ...

Most people aren't conscious of how they make tough decisions in the workplace. They often go with what feels most expedient at the moment, an approach that can get them into trouble. Instead, it's useful to be aware of these four common clues that can warn you if you're heading in the wrong direction ethically ...

Because customer service employees are on your front lines every day, don't just rely on a résumé and a good first impression to choose such vital personnel. New low-cost online tests can help you determine who has the right stuff ...

Overqualified candidates are becoming more adept at trimming their résumés, which may skew your hiring decisions. The solution: Draw on references and your questioning skills to probe for missing details ...

You've probably had great employees quit because they wanted to try their hand at a radically different career. Here's a way to let employees "test drive" a career and still keep them on staff ...

Nineteen percent of people surveyed by CareerBuilder.com say they fib on the job at least once a week. Twenty-six percent say they've lied to please a customer. To spot a nontruth, look for nonverbal cues ...

If you’ve never heard of “family-responsibility discrimination,” or FRD, you soon will. The EEOC has issued new guidance to help employers understand how federal anti-bias laws apply to workers with caregiving duties.  The result: Expect more awareness (and lawsuits) from employees , plus more enforcement from the EEOC and state anti-bias agencies.

Big career changes can make anyone nervous. Just ask Meredith Vieira, co-host of the Today show.

Salary surveys are plentiful, but many are poorly designed. The risk: Flawed surveys can hurt your organization's ability to compete for top people ...

Employees are 14 percent more likely to gain weight after they start working at a sedentary job than those who work on their feet, according to CareerBuilder's annual Work and Health survey ...

It's back-to-school time, and not just for children. Many of your employees—and would-be employees—will enroll in college classes this fall. And while those courses will make employees more competent and promotion-worthy, they'll also wreak havoc on their schedules, both at work and at home ...

You know that employees who feel stalled in their careers are more inclined to quit. But how can organizations keep their workers energized and constantly training for a step up? One solution that's gaining steam: a new breed of job-rotation program ...

When you rattle off your employee benefit offerings to prospective employees, what raises their eyebrows? It's probably not the basics: People have come to expect health/life/dental, 401(k), etc. What really catches a prospect's attention are the creative perks that prove your organization has their interests in mind ...

A significant Texas Supreme Court decision handed down last month makes it easier for employers to write and enforce noncompete agreements in Texas. The ruling, ASM v. Johnson and Strunk & Associates, provides important protection for businesses that want to use noncompete agreements to limit unfair competition from former employees ...

It may seem patently obvious, but judging from the number of lawsuits alleging retaliation these days, many employers still don’t understand the importance of equal treatment following a complaint ...

Question: I recently worked on a "team project" that included giving a presentation to an entire department (think "The Apprentice Lite"). We didn't have a project manager, but three out of the four team members worked night and day for three weeks on this project.

The three of us did literally 99.9 percent of the work. The fourth team member (we call her "The Albatross") came up with the "concept" but when asked to complete her portion of the presentation, she would regurgitate what we had already done in a completely unusable format.

When we gave the presentation, she chimed in during our portions, making it look as though we had overlooked something and that she had "saved the day."

Unfortunately, the Donald wasn't there to ask us who should have been fired. What is your advice on handling future projects such as this, with a deadbeat project member who happily lets you do all her work and takes all the credit? -- Migraine Millie

New Jersey has received a $600,000 federal emergency grant from the U.S. Labor Department to help workers and businesses recover from the scheduled closing of Fort Monmouth in 2011 ...

Geneva College in Beaver Falls recently filed a lawsuit against federal and state labor officials after it was asked to strike a Christianity requirement from help-wanted ads before posting them on Team Pennsylvania CareerLink ...

A group of black and Hispanic police officers have accused the NYPD of harassment for noting in their personnel files that they were complainants in a discrimination suit. The notations could damage their careers, their attorney says ...

A U.S. District Court judge has called Citigroup’s cash-balance pension plan “a bold and exploitative contortion” of the fractional rule, which guarantees that pensions accrue uniformly over an employee’s career ...

HR professionals often play it ultra-safe in interviewing. For fear of asking unusual, inappropriate or even illegal questions, they stick to bland, scripted queries that don’t draw applicants out of their comfort zone. That’s a sure path to hiring failure ...

For some bosses, “Good work” or “That stunk” is all the feedback they offer employees in a day. But the employees crave a whole lot more ...

Question: We have a manager who recently decided to look for a less-stressful career path. She is young, early 30's, and suffers from depression (she lives alone, no children, very overweight and no friends/boyfriend or outside work activities). She treated her depression up until about a year ago.

I am not alone in thinking that she is making a mistake by leaving the position and taking a large pay cut when the job is not that stressful. She may not realize how depressed she is and that more than just work is making her unhappy.

I know that I can't change her decision. But I care about her personally and want to make sure she is OK and getting help for her depression. Am I stepping over boundaries? -- Anonymous

Question: For the second year in a row, I have composed a short e-mail invite to the managers and supervisors on staff. Another employee informed me that the words managers and supervisors should be capitalized. It’s very common in the business profession today not to capitalize titles, especially in the context I am using. (“I have revised a new schedule this year for the managers/supervisors to serve the luncheon.”)

What is the correct capitalization in this situation? It would be helpful if I could point to a reference book or similar authority when replying to this person.  -- Aida

HR Law 101: There are two important reasons why you should conduct regular appraisals of your employees’ performance. First, periodic and competent appraisals reduce the opportunity for a discharged employee to claim unfair treatment. The appraisal process alerts employees to what you expect of them, areas in which they're deficient and how they can improve their performance. Second, appraisals constitute documented proof of unsatisfactory performance that will help you justify employment decisions ...

Q. Our CEO changes his mind constantly. After we agree on a project, he'll come back to me a day or two later with a different plan. How can I pin him down? —L.G., South Carolina

No doubt, your managers and supervisors know not to ridicule someone's accent or way of speaking. But what if an employee's communication skills suffer on account of his other accent? Are you prohibited from mentioning that accent and recommending remedial help to better communications?

Could your employees benefit from work skills training, but you're operating on a limited training budget? The state's Labor Department, through its Pennsylvania Career Link offices, may provide a solution ...

While many employees view a transfer to a different location as a positive career move, others don't see it that way. Some employees may assume discrimination in what your organization thinks of as normal career development ...

For nonexempt employees making below $15 an hour, it's wise to set merit raise potential at twice each year, not just annually, said Sharon Koss, a compensation consultant in Seattle. Why? Hourly workers need a goal to shoot for and a reason to work hard. Waiting a year for a raise is too long.

"If I had known I was going to be in HR so long, I would have started to get serious about the profession sooner." Noted HR expert Michael R. Losey says he's heard this story a number of times. His advice: Get serious about your career now, before it's too late ...

Managers traditionally use employee development plans to give employees a say in the direction of their careers and to assess the organization’s future talent pool. Instead of using the tool just to focus on what an employee’s career would look like over the next one to five years, what if you used it to focus on what the person’s life would look like during that period? ...

According to a new survey by consulting firm BlessingWhite, 41 percent of executives and managers say their employers’ approach to career development fails to meet their personal needs ...

It’s probably career suicide for lawyers to sue their own firms, but that’s what Aaron Charney did. And now all of cyberspace knows about it ...

HR Law 101: The EEOC has become proactive in protecting workers from a sexually hostile environment. In 2007 alone, the agency recovered from employers nearly $50 million for victims of harassment ...

HR Law 101: The child labor provisions in the Fair Labor Standards Act restrict the amount of time and conditions under which minors age 17 and younger are permitted to work ...

Figure out what you really want to do with your life by taking this quick quiz at The Princeton Review.

HR Law 101: Much of the information employers avoid asking for on a job application becomes apparent when hiring managers meet someone face-to-face (such as race, age, physical disability and national origin). So, you must take extra care not to ask questions or make comments that an applicant might construe as discriminatory ...

Question: Three years ago, I joined my company as a receptionist. Having worked previously in management positions for several years, this was my “foot in the door” position with a well-respected company. After less than a year, I was promoted to an assistant position.

For two years, I've been extremely successful in my position. I've trained new staff that was considered upper management and have filled in when we lacked employees. I'm now in a position that I got by default when a co-worker left, and I am miserable sorting through papers and numbers.

I have continuously been told that I am great at my job and my boss can’t afford to lose me in this position. My interests lie in a more hands-on management-type position, and I'm becoming extremely frustrated that I'm not being transferred because I excel at my current job. To make matters even more complicated, I am the youngest person in the office and have been told to “be patient.”

There are also conflicts with some of the older women in the office, to the point that they've tried to have me fired. (My boss supported me 100 percent.)

I work in a male-dominated field and get along great with most of the people in my company. How do I make my manager understand that I want more responsibilities? How do I reconcile with the older women and make my managers forget the past?  -- Anonymous

Question: I work in the audit department of an accounting firm. We've recently undergone many changes, and now I'm responsible for all aspects of audit administration, from typing to copying, binding, invoicing, shipping and keeping track of audit status on all audit clients.

Since we didn't have someone already doing everything, I have no set procedures in place on how to do things. I like to be organized and efficient, and I'm trying to create a tracking system to keep track of all audit clients, from engagement letter to completion. Could anyone help me with these three things?

1. General procedures for audit administration or audit secretary.
2. Audit-tracking system or template.
3. Contacts for assistance, such as Web sites, books, seminars, training, etc.

-- Diana

Texas unemployment compensation law, like that of many other states, provides temporary payments to employees who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The law is administered by the Texas Workforce Commission ...

Florida’s unemployment compensation law, like that of many other states, provides temporary payments to employees who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The law is complex and in some cases holds employers liable for unemployment insurance payments even when former employees weren’t fired but quit their jobs ...

Georgia’s unemployment compensation law, like that of many other states, provides temporary payments to employees who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The Georgia Employment Security Law is complex and in some cases holds employers liable for unemployment insurance (UI) payments even when former employees weren’t fired but quit their jobs ...

Pennsylvania’s unemployment compensation law, like that of many other states, provides temporary payments to employees who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The law is administered through the Pennsylvania Department of Labor ...

New Jersey’s unemployment compensation law, like that of many other states, provides temporary payments to employees who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The law is complex and in some cases holds employers liable for unemployment insurance (UI) payments even when former employees weren’t fired but quit their jobs ...

New York’s unemployment compensation law, like that of many other states, provides temporary payments to employees who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The law is complex and in some cases holds an employer liable for unemployment insurance (UI) payments even when a former employee wasn’t fired but quit ...

California’s unemployment compensation system, like that of many other states, provides temporary payments to employees who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The law is complex and in some cases holds an employer liable for unemployment insurance (UI) payments even when a former employee wasn’t fired, but quit ...

Ohio’s unemployment compensation system, like that of many other states, provides temporary payments to employees who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The law is complex and in some cases holds an employer liable for unemployment insurance (UI) payments even when a former employee wasn’t fired but quit ...

The Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act, like that of many other states, provides temporary payments to employees who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The law is complex and, in some cases, holds an employer liable for unemployment insurance (UI) payments even when a former employee wasn’t fired but quit ...

Women are way too emotional at work. Heard that stereotype before? The truth is, emotions come into play at the office every day, and not only for women.

Question: I work in an office where I am the senior administrative assistant to the senior vice president of our company. Five other administrative assistants in the office report to various directors and managers.

The senior vice president would like for me to mentor the five other administrative assistants. The other directors and managers see mentoring as my overseeing their work, which ultimately means that I am responsible for their work.

How do other offices handle this type of reporting structure? Does a 50/50 supervisory role over these admins really work? Or should the directors and managers take over seeing there admins and I am really only there to guide in general administrative questions?

I also see value in having the six of us meet on a monthly basis to go over what is happening in the office and what role they play (such as general administrative tasks). Will that just confuse them on whom they report to?  -- Jackie Smith

Question: I work for a boss who’s so busy, I feel like I never get to speak with him unless I walk (or sprint) down the hall with him on the way to his next meeting. We do occasionally meet one on one, but his travel and meeting schedules are so jam-packed that we haven’t been able to set up anything regular.

His interpersonal skills aren’t the greatest; he may not be comfortable in one-on-one meetings.

On top of the fact that this makes it difficult to do my job sometimes, I’m worried about my career. How can he know that I’m doing a good job unless he’s around to hear about it?

Does anyone have advice for working around a boss’s unavailability?  -- Anonymous

Question: I work for a small social services nonprofit. I am the No. 2 person in the organization, with only the director over me.

As the senior case manager, I supervise the case manager under me. She and our boss have similar personalities and, lately, have started doing some after-hours socializing. Several of these instances have involved her being invited, by our boss, to events outside of work hours, but that provide many networking opportunities.

Although I don't know why I haven't been asked to attend any of these events, I suspect that it's because I am a single parent with two small children. (Both my boss and the girl I supervise are single and childless.)

I may or may not attend these functions if invited, but I'm uncomfortable with the situation. I feel it's appropriate for the boss to be socializing with an employee, and I'm afraid that this relationship may affect MY position at work negatively.

I could use some suggestions about handling this situation.

Question: I keep hearing about people who are "virtual" admins, and that this is supposed to be the new hot job in the future.

Has anyone had experience being a virtual admin? How did you like it/not like it? Where can I get more information? Thanks!  -- Mary from Wisconsin

Question: I happen to be a young manager in an office of around 70 employees. We try to keep a family-type atmosphere, in which we encourage "open" working relationships with managers and staff, but keep away from managers and employees becoming buddies.

I find that most employees respond to a manager who is more of a leader; who listens and responds to valid concerns.

I have great working relationships with the majority of staff, except for two 50-year-old women. These two staff, I have "heard" through the grapevine, have an issue because I am younger than them.

The thing I am confused about is that their behavior is more immature than that of other, much younger employees. They gossip, pout when they're talked to about valid concerns of mine, have lazy work habits, are nice as pie when I am around, etc.

I was wondering if there's a way to work it out in which I can change their behavior. Or, are they never going to respond to my direction and discipline merely because of my age?

Question: I'm planning to take a course on computer design this fall, but I'm not sure that's a career path I want to pursue. I love my job now but want to further my learning. Any suggestions on what kind of coursework would allow me to explore my passion for art and design but would not steer me away from the job I love?  -- Confused

Question: My company has never had an official, organized system for presenting any type of employee recognition. But now, we are recognizing two employees at the same time for their tenure.

My question is: How do I actually (physically) present a trophy and certificate to employees who have reached milestones with our company? Do I make a speech for each one separately? Do I hand each person their trophy? Do I open each presentation package and hand them their certificate of recognition, then their gift certificate? I’m at a loss.

Thank you in advance!  -- Jean in Kansas

Question: My husband and I would like to move back to Dallas but want to have employment before I get there. I have sent resumes out, but it does not seem to be productive. Does anyone have any advice?  -- Moving

Question: Just wanted to check to see how other companies are defining their administrative assistants' titles.

For instance, in my company, if your boss’s title is supervisor, you’re a Sr. Clerical Associate; if you work for a manager, you’re an Administrative Assistant I; if you work for a director, you’re an Administrative Assistant II; if you work for an executive (VP/GM), you're an Executive Assistant; if you work for an SVP/brand president, you’re an Executive Assistant II; if you work for an EVP/region president, you're an Executive Assistant III.

I'm currently an Executive Assistant to the VP at a company with more than 40,000 employees.

I have a job interview with a national company and the position reports to a director, but the title is Executive Administrative Assistant.

What are other companies doing? How is your job title determined?  -- Executive Assistant to VP

Question: I work for a government contractor in Washington, D.C., with fewer than 15 employees. I was hired three years ago as an accounts payable clerk, but my duties are more along the lines of an administrative assistant. The pay is good: I've gotten a raise two of the past three years.

But I'm debating whether I should stay or go.

I haven't left yet because I have such a great boss. He is very supportive and understanding of my being a single parent and part-time student. (I'm a year and a half away from my bachelor's degree in accounting.) He allows me to bring my child with me to work whenever necessary and take time off during midterms and finals to study. Although he is great to work for, I feel like I'm not making any progress professionally.

My problem is that I'm bored at work. I've tried asking for more, but there isn't more for me to do. My other problem is that I spend roughly about four hours a day commuting. I make the trek every day because of the flexibility I have.

I'm questioning if having a job with this much flexibility is worth this amount of unhappiness. Any thoughts?

Thanks.  -- Feeling stuck and unhappy

Question: I am an administrative assistant for the president of my company and I feel I'm not being utilized enough. Does anyone have any suggestions or suggestions on books to help me get my boss to utilize me more? Thank you.  -- Anonymous

Editor's note: The National Institute of Business Management publishes two books that might help you:

1. Results, Recognition and Rewards.
2. Supercharge Your Career.

Find ordering information about both -- as well as about Personal Report for the Administrative Professional -- at www.nibm.net.

Also, you might check out How to Get From Cubicle to Corner Office, by Joel Weiss, and Become an Inner Circle Assistant, by Joan Burge.

Question: My boss, I believe, has a problem with ADHD. Sometimes, he bounces off the walls and is very difficult to keep up with. I try to keep up with him, but lately, I am exhausted by mid-afternoon. I am at the point that I am so frustrated because I am running in circles most of the time.

My boss will tell me he needs to schedule a meeting or various meetings throughout the day. Then, two minutes after we have met regarding his files/meeting requests, etc., he asks me if I have set up the meeting regarding a topic that he never asked me to schedule. So, I continually have to check and re-check my notes for who the invitees are for meeting A or B; then, I have to ask him if his question relates to scheduling meeting A or B. His normal reply: "Oh, no. This is another meeting I am talking about."

Many times, he forgets to give me all of the details.

Are you aware of any books that would help administrative assistants who work with bosses with ADHD? I would like to know how to set up boundaries with my boss, who cannot seem to focus.

I have set up color-coded files; I print meetings from his calendar and attach to the top of a folder for each and every meeting; I arrange files on his credenza; I keep a large, orange "Please sign" file for signatures; and we meet daily to plan meetings, plan projects and to follow up regarding unfinished projects.

I need some help as to how I can become a more efficient assistant to my boss. Any suggestions?  -- Frustrated in Michigan

Question: I have a friend who is being given more responsibilities at work but is still being given the same pay. He has been with his job for 4 years and has not been given a pay raise. Do you all have any suggestions about whom he should contact? Should he talk with his boss about the situation?

I believe that his boss wants to get all that she can get from him and not pay him any more money. If he is so bad, why does she keep him around?  -- Anonymous

Question: I have a co-worker who wears trashy clothing to work almost every day. Even when she tries her hardest to dress professionally, she still looks horrible because her skirts are too short, her pants are too tight, and most of her shirts show her tattoos.

We work with mostly men, and they all make fun of her behind her back, calling her names and ridiculing her.

Her boss has addressed this issue but it hasn’t seemed to help. I have a pretty descent relationship with her, and everyone in the office knows me as the woman who tells it like it is. Should I tell her she is committing career suicide by dressing the way she dose?

Please help.  -- Mandy

Question: I have a Junior AA working with me who is pretty young and this is her first "real" job. She is a good worker when she's here. My problem is that she sits in the reception area and walks in a half-hour late at least two or three times a week, or dresses inappropriate for a business office.

While I understand that she's young and a good worker, I don't want to keep reminding her that working hours are from 8:30 to 5:30 and not from 9:00 to 5:30. I have tried talking to her about dressing and being late, but it seems to fall on deaf ears. I have tried to give her verbal warnings. I'm not sure what to do next.  -- Needing Help in New York

Question: I recently applied for a position as executive assistant.  I was not selected for the position and one of the reasons was that I did not provide any examples of my work.  The person I interviewed with suggested that I create a portfolio with various samples of my work using different software programs.

Has anyone ever create such a portfolio? How would I get started?  -- Karyn,  Buffalo, N.Y.

Question: I would like some advice on how to train and make my co-worker independent.  He is a complete fresher in this line (admin) and although he has been with the firm for almost 6 months, had a very good orientation, training and also a chance to work things out, I have spent (and still do spend) a sizeable amount of each day correcting his mistakes. I have called him in to watch what I am correcting, hoping that he gets the hang of what exactly is required by the company, but he still hasn't got the idea.

I keep stressing that he must concentrate more, check things more, get into more detail, but all to no avail. I feel drained and am losing focus on my jobs in the process. Am I being over-bearing, and should I just let him figure it out? I am worried that if I do it that way, I will be left either to do the reports myself or to correct them when he hands them in, almost like doing it again.

He seems enthusiastic and hard working, so I ruled out disinterest in the job. I tried asking him if he has a personal problem or any issue that makes him lose focus, which he denied. How much more time do I have to spend on him? Am I doing something wrong? What should I do instead?  -- Anonymous

Question: I read Personal Report for the Administrative Professional every month for career and work tips. But what other resources are out there for an ambitious admin who wants to better herself?  -- Josie, Virginia

Question: What do you do when you have a highly responsible position working for a company that has very limited internal structure or rules and a boss who is sometimes deceitful and difficult to work for?

I have no internal resources such as a human resources department (I'm the person who handles that function), and I work in an "at will" state, where an employee can be fired for any reason at any time.  When I voice my opinions on improvements that can be made within the company, they are usually rejected.  When I request assistance with my position (which is a catch-all of office management, hr, receptionist, admin. assistant), it falls on deaf ears.

My boss has never been straightforward with the employees and behaves in a somewhat deceptive manner.  I have co-workers who would rather "back stab" than attempt to have productive working relationships with each other.  I can't rely on what I have been told and never know what to expect on a daily basis.

The biggest problem is that I desperately need the job for the money.  I realize that resignation is always an option, but I haven't been able to find another job with comparable duties or pay.

The latest event is that I have been advised my position is being restructured, yet somehow, that really meant I was being demoted.  Recently, I received a raise, but got even less respect due to a lower job title.  I really think I'm being kept around only for my skills and knowledge, and I feel I'm being used.  Now what do I do, or what recourse do I have?  -- Anonymous

Question: As a young person in a demanding and competitive industry, what is the best way to stop co-workers from being angry as I succeed in my career?  -- Anonymous

Question: For the second time, my department has lost its office manager. Being the AA for that position, I have stepped up, above and beyond, to fill the void as much as possible. This time, I decided to ask for the position. I was pretty much denied the opportunity. I feel like I've been cheated because I've taken on a lot more responsibility — HR, office management and supervising roles — and am not compensated or respected for it.  What should I do?  -- Anonymous

Question: We are currently having difficulty getting new sales people.  We have placed ads in a major newspaper and a more local newspaper.  One of the ads also came with an online ad.  I even placed an ad with a local state office.  We are looking for new and better ways to advertise our current job openings in the sales department.  Does anyone have any suggestions as to what’s out there that works?  -- Anonymous

Question: I'm an executive assistant to the president & CEO who, in his 23 years of business, never really had an assistant before. He's mentioned once or twice that he doesn't know how he ever did it without me.

I think he understands the benefits of having an assistant, but he still does not "keep me in the loop" as I expect he should, mainly concerning his schedule. I sit in a room directly behind the receptionist and next to his office. He'll walk right by me and tell her where he's going to be. I thought maybe it was because she's been here for so long, but he also does that with the temp who is currently filling in for the receptionist.

From the road, he'll call everyone else—rarely me—and tell them what he's doing for the day. I have told him that to successfully perform my job duties, I need him to communicate his schedule to me. I even set us up on a shared MS Outlook calendar to make it easier. He said he would try harder to keep me informed, but it's not working. I'm thinking about calling him every morning to check in. Is there anything else I can do?? Please help!  -- A.S.

Question: If you have a mentor, how did you find that person and build the relationship? What is the best advice your mentor has given you?  -- Amy Beth Miller, Editor, Personal Report for the Administrative Professional

Question: If you could change one thing about your workspace, what would it be?  -- Amy Beth Miller, Editor, Personal Report for the Administrative Professional

Question: During my early years as an admin, I thought I wanted to be a legal secretary. I liked the image of the legal profession: the well-tailored suits, square-cornered briefcases, the idea of being involved in court cases, etc. So, I trained and finally became a legal secretary.

After four years in the profession, in two different jobs, I find that it’s not quite what I expected. My work, for the most part, has involved extensive word processing and back-and-forthing with lawyers. I work at a high level of risk and exposure: leaving out a paragraph or missing a lawyer’s correction can lead to disaster. The pressure is extreme.

Now that I’ve worked hard to get here, though, I’m not excited about redirecting my career once again. What if I make another career mistake?

Any and all advice is welcome!  -- H.P., Tampa, Fla.

If it's unusually quiet in your office while you're reading this, it's probably the week between Christmas and New Year's, when most businesses slow down.

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... older Americans

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