Every employer has had one — a candidate they love who interviews perfectly, but doesn’t get great references. Recently I received a question from a reader who asked me what risks they would be taking if they hired someone over the advice of a reference, and what they could do to determine if a […]

The whole term “working fathers” is almost laughable. When did fathers become anything but working fathers. Of course, there are the bums, but really — most fathers are good, caring, providing dads to their children. And that means that they’re working fathers!
And for that matter — when did mothers become anything but “working mothers”? […]

Working at home can be liberating. You set your own schedule. You take the projects and clients that appeal to you. And with the advancement of technology and the internet, the convenience factor, and the low start up costs, the prevalence of home-based businesses is on the rise. No more capricious bosses, no […]

Lunchtime is a great time to catch a workout. Here are some great ways to fit a workout into the lunch hour.
* If you work near a gym, join it! Take advantage of any classes and equipment there.
* If you’re lucky enough to have a gym in your company’s building, what are you reading this […]

My boss. I’ve written about her here before. To recap, she’s more controlling than the channel changer. She’s obsessive to the point her lips are in a permanent shrivel from concentrating on her own perfection. She never, by the grace of God, had kids. She said she didn’t want them but you’d never know it […]

It’s not realistic to expect employees at 9 to 5 jobs to be able to do everything that needs to be done to maintain a healthy home, without taking “personal” days — days off from work that are used for personal matters rather than sick time off from work.
If employers understood that by taking care […]

One of the biggest fears most humans share is of economic insecurity. People drink and drug over it. They develop ulcers and other physical problems. Some become workaholics with no time for their families or the pursuit of happiness. Many have jumped out of windows or put shotguns into their mouths and pulled triggers, ending […]

1. Chances are one person in a dispute is going to get angry or angry first. Try not to react to the anger. Stay focused on the problem and the solution.
2. If someone’s anger is impeding your ability to do your job, transfer them to a manager or someone trained to work with angry people.
3. […]

Finding a good mentor is just as hard as finding a good husband or wife — and well worth it. Here are some tips I give my readers who want to find and keep a good mentor:
* Know what you want. You don’t have to know EVERYTHING you want, but you should know if you […]

Domestic violence affects workplace behavior and productivity — and so does domestic health and happiness, in the exact positive way. Acknowledging this affect of home on office productivity is a good step for managers of offices.
* Accept that by employing people, you are an employer, but you also may want to take on a moral […]