I know, we don’t think taking a few pencils at work is a crime.  In fact, we may find any number of smaller acts of taking what doesn’t belong to us as justifiable.  It’s not.  It’s theft, and it causes an estimated 50 billion a year loss to U.S. companies.  Dan Cosgrove of Mercantile Systems that provides such research data to a variety of industries, says they notice a five-fold increase in employee stealing at holiday time.

For further clarity on what is considered “theft” and, if you’re an employer, how you can screen employees to better safeguard your company, is discussed in this article by Dianne Shaddock.

This blog is written to all the other employees who witness such behavior and aren’t sure what to do about it.  I’ve had a few clients who have been concerned about such behaviors and asked me how they should address this.  Their reactions range from getting caught in the middle of a firestorm they don’t want to be part of, feeling they’re not perfect and don’t want to come off as holier than though, to worry about losing a friendship over something “so insignificant.”

If this happens to you and you don’t say anything, you’re taking part in the crime too.  So here’s a few ways you can handle this:

1.  Be sure you saw what you saw.  You would not want to cause a problem for someone who is innocent.  (See the movie Doubt, with actress, Meryl Streep, and you’ll experience what it’s like to be falsely accused).  Sure, none of us are perfect, but that doesn’t excuse allowing unethical and illegal actions because we don’t want to be called on our own behaviors.
2.  You can’t allow your own frustrations about company politics or work inequalities to taint your exposing the truth or give you justification for not taking positive action.  Treat a matter of theft or wrongdoing that you witness as unacceptable and be courageous to deal with it.  And true friendships are also about helping each other to make wise, safe and ethical choices. Read the rest of this entry »

This time of year can challenge your patience, as it seems the streets and freeways are more crowded, shopping centers and grocery stores overflow with people, and there are longer lines to wait in.  A few words to the wise in how to remain calm and to prioritize your activities and travel:

1.  Write down and organize what you need to buy and where to get it and group your shopping together to make two or three store trips, versus a dozen.  Notice where the stores are located and go to the furthest out places and work backwards closer to home.  Avoid backtracking or time wasted by taking your store list with you, getting what you need, and leaving.  If you enjoy shopping, make sure you have scheduled the time to take it slow and easy.

2.  Consider if you can travel safely at off times whenever possible.  That may mean you have to hit the hay earlier for some sleep before leaving, or you may miss an hour or two of sleep, but you’ll also save energy not having to fight the traffic with everyone else who leaves at the usual morning or night hours. Read the rest of this entry »

Clients seeking permanent jobs at this time are concerned that employers won’t take them seriously and are only interested in placing them for more immediate needs.  In retail, that may be true.  This is the year’s busiest season and more temporary help is needed.  The National Retail Federation says up to 500,000 folks may be added.  But even those companies accepting temporary helpers may consider keeping you on permanently.

Don’t forget these tried and true basics to get you visible and ositioned well for any prospective long-term job:

1.  Don’t forget your basic 3 P’s: punctual, pleasant and productive.  But be wary of coming off too eager.  It could make you look uncomfortable and a little desperate.  You’ll stick out, but not in the way you’d like to appear.

2.  You want to act professional, yet not overstep your role.  Previous expertise may give you great ideas to offer, but work up to suggesting any and always ask if they want to try your ideas before making any changes.  (While not looking for permanent work, my husband and I volunteer annually at our church this time of year to see that foster children get Christmas gifts.  I found myself overly eager to suggest new and improved processes and quickly learned I was more needed in a selfless service mode, rather than a leadership role). Read the rest of this entry »

Having family members over this Thanksgiving?  Going to see family?  During visits there can be sticky periods of communication – yes, even with those you love on this special holiday.  There are a few things that make this go better than not.  Here’s what I plan to remember that may help you:

1.  It’s not about you.  (Keep the focus of your visit on those you’re visiting with.  Oftentimes no one may ask you for your personal update or what you’ve been up to lately.  It’s not the time to take this personally.  If you are asked, your listener may engage you, but be interrupted, so use short answers about yoursel.  As soon as you can, switch to ask about them and listen and enjoy their responses.  There are other less busy times you can share what you’re doing in your life).

2.  It’s about celebration in any form.  (You have your own ideas about food choices and how the event should go, but it may not be what others have in mind.  Even if you’ve got a great game idea, others may not want to play.  Even if you prefer to bring salad, it might not be their food of choice.  If your Dad, like mine, wants to watch t.v. while you’d rather talk, if others sit down to join him and talk while the program is on, keep in mind that’s more important than you tracking the program). Read the rest of this entry »

Despite your best intentions, there are times when things others handle on your behalf take longer than you are told they will take originally, than you expect is reasonable, or because mistakes were made that have to be corrected.

Here’s a few solutions for dealing with these frustrating times that I’ve found works:

1.  Always give others a longer time to complete big projects, (I recently experienced this with a transition to a new computer).  Start the project only when you have the time to give it time.  That way even if the project completion takes longer than you expect, it won’t be as long as it would have been if you had given it a shorter completion date.

2.  Give yourself the energy fudge room to handle a growing or expansive project.  If you have so many deals going on that one is pulling dramatically for your atttention, it can seem overwhelming, when having the expectation that it could take longer, you’ll be more prepared to ready yourself for the task. Read the rest of this entry »