Work & Money

Are you Guilty of a Negative Workplace Mentality?

Denesia Venus

Jan 23 |00:00
“Yayyy! I got a job!" Most persons share these sentiments after that most anticipated phone call, post interview.
Feelings of happiness, jubilation and excitement rush through your veins, as you share your good news with friends and family members. Most times, through quiet reflection, you think about all the changes you would like to see, or how you can see yourself performing effectively. But then, you start working, you settle into the organisation, and its culture, and eventually become complacent, nonchalant, despondent, or even delinquent – when you realise that the company isn’t perfect.
Now that I am at the start of my career, the thought of being employed for more than one to two years scares me, since I get bored pretty easily. It’s like being in school permanently. It’s just that teachers are replaced by a boss (some of us take the entrepreneurship route, and become our own principal). We look forward to good grades – in the form of a salary – and the occasional field trip. No wait…I mean workshop or seminar in a fancy hotel.
Sometimes I sit and observe employees’, and even my own, negative behaviour in the workplace, and these are some things that I have observed along the way. Tell me if these scenarios sound familiar to you.
1. “I hate my job”
General work ethic varies between the academic and the labour force, but regardless of what type of job you hold, you’ll find these different types of employees
There are those who work wholeheartedly for personal reasons. Their families depend on it. Some are seeking experience. Some are the overachievers who just have to stay ahead of the game.
Some just love their job, while others work just for the money, and complain on a daily basis about their job, and the quality of life they can (or can’t) afford. They give substandard work, have a poor attitude, hate their jobs, and they have no qualms about showing it.
I call this the “I hate my job complex”. My opinion is that very job is paying the bills à ce moment (at this moment), so suck it up and do your best until better can be done because the day you lose said job…Well, I hope you have a plan B.
2. Say no to Support
I find it quite fascinating how we all work within the same organisation, yet some of us don't support each other.
A co-worker may have a brilliant idea. You may have even thought of something similar, yet you will find every reason possible to discredit or refute the idea, simply because it was not your idea, or because he or she should not have thought of something so brilliant.
What about if you have been struggling with something and then, “Eureka!”, you figured out an easier way to get the job done, yet you would not share it with anyone. You may think, "Nah! Let them figure it out themselves! I eh showin’ nobody nuttin!”
What a classic case of ‘bad mind’. Yeah, sometimes you really don’t want to put your ideas out there, and let someone else get the glory. But can’t you find a way to show support, share ideas, and still get glory? Of course, if you want to ‘play humble’, there’s a way to subtly ensure you get your due recognition.
Then, there is what I call…
3. The Blame Game
The division between management and subordinate staff also amuses me.
Management says: “It is not us. They are lazy imbeciles!”
Meanwhile, staff members say: “It is not us. They have the problem. They are incompetent fools”.
My re-enactment of this scene is mild, because we all know that when people start to ‘throw talk’ in the office, harsher words are spoken. No one – management or subordinates – reflects on what transpired, and says, “We have a problem, and maybe I’m a part of it”. No one wants to accept their shortcomings, or is even willing to communicate effectively among departments, trash out disagreements, share opinions and come up with solutions.
The need to be defensive is so strong that I think it probably stemmed from slavery days, when the division was between slaves and their masters, and speaking your mind would have gotten you shot, or tortured.
4. Service to the people
Bad customer service experiences at local cosmetic stores or certain government offices have become the norm, yet we expect great service in healthcare and high-end stores. What makes one business different from the other? Aren’t we all living within the same society, and are of service to each other?
We expect good service, but how many of us give it, whether our customer is the average man on the street, or a fellow co-worker. For some reason, the act of “serving” is seemingly frowned upon. Somehow, we forget the golden rule – “Do unto others are you would them do unto you”.
From my experiences, treat people like royalty, make them feel important, and they will be customers for life – whether your business or organisation depends on it or not.
5. Outside wid productivity
I have seen people go through flood waters (literally) to ensure their vehicles were safe. I’ve seen people change into gym clothes before or during work hours to ensure they burn their set quota of calories. That is discipline and determination!
So why don’t we always show it when it comes to our jobs?
This is where employees can be judgemental at times. It is easy to talk about what management needs to do. Yes, management has the power to improve or hinder productivity levels, and, at times, they may be hindering production unbeknownst to them.
Yes, you might have a grouse with managers, but respect their position anyway, and push yourself. You mightn’t get a raise for being more productive, but you can definitely learn something along the way that can help you impress a panel at an interview. Yeah, that same interview you want to get, so you can get a better paying and more fulfilling job.
Truth is, many of us need an attitude adjustment to survive in the workplace. Preconceived notions of who is supposed to be doing what, and who is better than whom need to be adjusted. Sometimes these little things are just distractions and hindrances to your own productivity levels, and ability to achieve your potential. You mightn’t love your job, or your company, and, yes, sometimes management will make you want to scream. However, we could all have sunshiny days, with the right mix of motivation, initiative, communication, and positive work relations. Your mentality at work depends on you.

hatemyjob“Yayyy! I got a job!" Most persons share these sentiments after that most anticipated phone call, post interview. 

Feelings of happiness, jubilation and excitement rush through your veins, as you share your good news with friends and family members. Most times, through quiet reflection, you think about all the changes you would like to see, or how you can see yourself performing effectively. But then, you start working, you settle into the organisation, and its culture, and eventually become complacent, nonchalant, despondent, or even delinquent – when you realise that the company isn’t perfect.

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Young People Eh: What it’s like Being the Baby at Work

Laura Ortiz-Garrett

Nov 07 |00:00
Most of us have been the youngest employee at work  at some point in our lives, and we know what comes along with it… some benefits… and some even more serious drawbacks. And I’m not just talking lower salaries.
But first, let’s talk about the good stuff.  Anyone who’s been in this position knows that the young’uns in the office can get babied by older colleagues in some very nice ways. By babied, I mean FED. Come in empty-handed in the morning, and find yourself getting offered doubles, a piece of  bake and saltfish, or a cheese paste sandwich? Your co-workers real like you, right?
Being the youngest in a workplace is a great ego boost for so many reasons. The most superficial one? People automatically think you’re cool – not just for your own merits (in my case, let’s face it, I’m not exactly the coolest). Older co-workers assume that because you’re young, you “get” young people – that oh-so-desirable audience that so many businesses trip over themselves trying to court .
But sometimes, you’re just NOT cool, and even if you are, that’s not what you go to work for – and it’s certainly not part of the professional persona you want to cultivate.  You just want to be seen in the same light as others, for the quality of your work alone.
It can be hard to be considered on equal footing when people can’t get past your age, and the presumptions they have about people of that age. Some of the same things that make being a young professional so great are also what make it innately problematic.
For all the “cool” they think you may embody, has your company every had an honest chat with younger employees to understand how they feel about issues, or what they think about the direction the company is taking? Or do they want you to shut up, sit at your desk, and do what you’re told from 8 to 4? You know that young people aren’t just a herd – young folks aren’t some unified and monolithic group. “Young people” have varying ideas, likes, and dislikes, just like anyone else, but try convincing some older colleagues of this.
On paper, your youth may be an asset – but in reality, those same opinions you put forth can be seen as rebellious, or based on lack of experience, and completely dismissed if they don’t come from a book, a manual, or a report by some external consultant who claims to know “young people”.
And therein lies the main problem. It’s all too easy for older colleagues to assume that young people have no experience, and even less knowledge, and treat them accordingly. Sure, we may not have as many years of work under our belts, but that doesn’t mean that our viewpoints and experiences aren’t valid, too, or that our new or “strange” ideas can just be dismissed.
And who hasn’t heard someone in a work environment go on and on about “the youth of today”? Too many people think young people are lazy, undertrained, and are not willing to put in the necessary work to succeed. Even worse, the loyalty of young people to their organizations is all too often questioned, as people think young folks will just up and look for another job, and leave their organization if they don’t get what they want for themselves out of their position. Sure, it may no longer be the kind of world where people work for one company for their entire lives – but that doesn’t mean we’re not willing to put in the work to make the organization succeed.
We office babies also get saddled with unfair expectations. We may be young, but most of us have responsibilities outside of work, even if they are different than those of our older and more established co-workers.
Just because we have a few wrinkles less doesn’t mean we WANT to spend days and nights at the office (or can do this, in practical terms). And though we definitely know we need to “pay our dues”, many employers take advantage of our eagerness to impress to stick us with tasks that they wouldn’t ask others to do.
Older co-workers assume that young people have energy and drive, no coffee/Red Bull required. They – usually mistakenly – harbour fantasies of the young folk flitting from late days at the office to cocktails with clients or friends, to liming at bars and dancing, after which they assume the young’un plops onto his or her bed, magically sleeps the travails of the day off, and returns to the office the next day, bright-eyed, fresh and ready to do it again. To be honest, most young folks don’t have the energy to do this on a daily basis, nor do we want to… but we may be able to pull it off, if needed, and, at the very least, it’s flattering to have people think we’re impervious to the sleep imperative.
As for the ladies, we all know that there are particular problems that go along with being the youngest woman around. Too many employers still think squarely in the 1950s and assume that young female employees are just biding their time, waiting to get married and have kids to leave their careers (or jobs, as they’d see it) behind – and their employers in the lurch.  That means young women are often penalized for this in subtle ways – by, say, not receiving the “big” or important assignments, or overtly – through comments made about us leaving to have kids or getting passed over for promotions, increased responsibility, and raises. It may be changing slowly, but it’s still happening – and it’s grossly unfair.
Or, if you’re a young woman, you may find yourself suffering the curse of the secretary. Not that there is anything wrong with being a secretary. But if you’re young and female, you may get unfairly pigeonholed into doing administrative work because “that’s what women do”, regardless of your job title, training, experience, or career ambitions.
So, it’s a trade-off.
I don’t know about you, but being the office baby is more hassle than the doubles I’m fed and aura of cool that comes with it. I’d rather be uncool and respected for my opinions than thought of as a young dynamo…  And this may be the only reason I have for wanting more candles on my birthday cake.

youngprofessionalsMost of us have been the youngest employee at work  at some point in our lives, and we know what comes along with it… some benefits… and some even more serious drawbacks. And I’m not just talking lower salaries.

But first, let’s talk about the good stuff.  Anyone who’s been in this position knows that the young’uns in the office can get babied by older colleagues in some very nice ways. By babied, I mean FED. Come in empty-handed in the morning, and find yourself getting offered doubles, a piece of  bake and saltfish, or a cheese paste sandwich? Your co-workers real like you, right?

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Scrunting or Balling: Wait til I get my Money Right

Karel Mc Intosh

Oct 03 |00:00
"Cash, Rules, Everything, Around, Me
C.R.E.A.M.
Get the money
Dollar, dollar bill y'all"
- Wu Tang Clan
People may make the world go ‘round, but money keeps them motivated. That’s why one of the most depressing moments of the month is when you go to the ATM, punch in your pin, click account balance enquiry, and shake your head because you've only got $19.58 in your account. Thing is… you knew, even before punching in those numbers, that your account was empty. Why? Read on.
Some of us are guilty of raking in a decent salary every month, but we have no idea about how we spent that money. And if we were to recollect every cent we happily spent, it would add up to a sizeable chunk. That’s the funny thing about money. We complain that we don’t have enough of it (and no matter how rich you get, you’ll always want more), but sometimes we spend much more than we need to.
And as human beings are prone to do, we blame everything/everyone else but ourselves when we can’t afford certain things, or we’re broke before the middle of the month arrives. Granted, there are some people who really have a mountain of expenses. They have a mortgage, children to feed, car instalments to pay, insurance, utility bills, groceries, and the list goes on. And yes, there is that limiting factor of our salary range. But some of us can’t blame our money worries on anything but ourselves, and our inability to manage the little that we do have.
The good thing is that being broke is a more a state of mind than a state of wealth. So here are some ways we can figure out how to get our money right.
Get financially naked…
What do you earn? What do you spend monthly? What do you owe? What do you own? What would your credit record look like, if a bank were to run a credit check on you?
These are the five, important pieces of financial information that all couples should know about each other, according to Manisha Thakor and Sharon Kedar, authors of “Get Financially Naked: How to Talk Money with Your Honey”. But I think that we can all apply this to ourselves, as individuals too.
Fact is... Singing 50 Cent’s “I get money” and Kanye’s “Wait ‘til I get my money right” won’t help us to figure out what we’re really worth financially… though that hasn’t stopped me from having Diddy’s “All about the Benjamins” as my ringtone. What we have to do is stare deeply at our bank statements and unnecessarily huge cell phone bills, and acknowledge just how promiscuous we are with our money.
Figure out your money personality
Facing reality takes more than one step. Getting financially naked was the rational side of it. Now, here’s the emotional side of the coin.
Some of us hoard money. Some of us think money was made to be spent. Some us of us make huge purchases when we’re uber happy or super depressed. Some of us take risks, and make investments we don’t know much about (though that could also be classed as stupidity). And some of us live ‘budgetlessly’, spending money all willy nilly, because que sera sera.
Knowing your money personality will help you to be crystal clear about why you spend like you do, why you’re always broke, and help you to determine how to break that cycle and improve your financial position.
And even if you think you already know your money personality, for a week or two, jot down everything you buy, consider what you splurge on, and consider whether tweaking your budget will actually free up more cash for you to spend… and save.
Go on a money fast
Last month, I realised how ‘loose’ I am with money. And it suddenly hit me one day when I realised just how much money I’d spent at the grocery, drugstore and Pennywise in one week.
I don’t make huge purchases. I’m not a shopper per se, and I buy clothes on a need-to-have basis only. So how do I still waste money? I tend to shop on the go a lot, and a small item here and there three times a week starts to add up.
It’s also how amazing that adding a few guilty pleasures to your trolley in the grocery also increase your tab. Every time I go to the grocery, I stop by the ice cream freezer, gape – and I mean literally gape at Häagen-Dazs, salivate, and then attempt to convince myself to not reach for coffee, rum and raisin, or chocolate – my favourite flavours. In the last week, I’ve spent just over $100 in ice cream. I could have saved that, and the effort it takes to burn those calories.
So my new mission is to go on a money fast, and spend only what’s necessary. Until I’m sure of my approach to keeping a tight reign on funds, I’ve got to say goodbye to those items that have been ‘burning my eye’ on Amazon.
Financial discipline is hard fuh so. So I’ve got to be realistic. I’ve acknowledged my behaviour. I’ve determined my personality. And now I’m on that fast of mine.
Not all of us are going to end up on the Forbes list of richest people, but we can surely find a way to keep ourselves off of the broke list. Hopefully, these practical steps will get some of us on the right track to get our money right.

PiggyBank"Cash, Rules, Everything, Around, Me

C.R.E.A.M.

Get the money

Dollar, dollar bill y'all"

        - Wu Tang Clan

People may make the world go ‘round, but money keeps them motivated. That’s why one of the most depressing moments of the month is when you go to the ATM, punch in your pin, click account balance enquiry, and shake your head because you've only got $19.58 in your account. Thing is… you knew, even before punching in those numbers, that your account was empty. Why? Read on.

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Why I Hate Job Interviews

Kern Elliott

Aug 08 |00:00

hatejobinterviewsHave you ever seen the site theoatmeal.com? It has comics that this guy draws about the most outrageous way you can view a scenario. He is an “I.T guy”, so my friends and I can relate to what he speaks about. However, he has a unique way of putting together words that create the most hilarious sentences.

I stumbled upon two comics, based on interviews, and I said to myself, “Self you have been to numerous interviews…how about you write about some of your most ridiculous experiences with such”. And with the press of a button, this article was born.

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Words I Never Said: Things I want to tell my Boss

Kern Elliott

Jun 27 |00:00
Wherever you are in the working world, you will encounter superiors aka “The Boss”. However, the majority of us, the minions we are, usually have a lot to say to our superiors, but are usually too afraid to “let em have it” for fear of losing our daily bread and butter.
Having these emotions bottled up usually makes for interesting Friday after-work banter, in which – after an hour or two of being liquored up – people explode about what they dislike about their bosses. After witnessing many moments like these, I got to thinking that my bosses aren't that horrible; but if I could be totally honest with my boss without the fear of being fired, I may have a few choice words to convey to tell him or her. Like…
If is not too much to ask, can you please do your job?
I had a manager once who said, “Don't come to me with problems only, but problems and solutions”. Now that’s a great philosophy. However, there is a reason why you were hired and why I am not in that position. If it is not too much to ask, can you solve a problem or two without me having to overly rack my brain as to how to solve this issue with my limited power within the organization?
Please stop using my work as yours
Being a good leader doesn't mean that all good ideas need to come from you. This is why you have a team, so that they can come up with ideas. So please don't pass them up as yours. It’s very disheartening and will force me to shut my mouth any time we need a solution to a problem. Lastly, are there copyright laws within an organization, so I can sue this guy?
Ok… if you drop any more work on my desk I may have to get violent
Yes I am paid to work, but what about Leroy over there, who is busy studying how to get past the fourth level of “Angry Birds”, while I’m hear drowning in a sea of e-mails and paperwork.
Stop referring to me as bredrin, friend, pal or any other sobriquet
Honestly we are not friends, and we don't lime, so please refer to me by my name. I don't think it’s appropriate, and if I do the same to you I am sure you will not like it either, especially in a director’s meeting.
Imagine your boss says, “Pal can you pass me the reports from this morning?”
You answer, “No scene horse. I did a presentation for them too. Daiz how I do son.” (Proceeds to look for a bounce).
That is not a pretty sight.
It might seem like an extreme example, but there are some bosses who take it to a whole other level. For instance, I once heard about a CEO who introduced the marketing manager to a board director as “The Heavy T bumper” in the office, because she thought the young lady had an ample derriere. Now, if it was the other way around, someone may have received a warning letter, right?
Lunchtime meetings or any part thereof are a ‘no no’
Need I say more? I have a large stomach, which groans ever so loudly, as soon as it’s 12.01 p.m. This beast needs to be tamed. Which leads me to my next point.
Any meeting longer than 30 minutes can lead to loss of interest
Fifteen minutes is the length of my attention span (that’s a lot for an I.T. guy). I can force it to 30 (due to my uncanny batman skills). However, after such, smart phones will come out of pockets, e-mails will be read and replied to, contacts will be bbmed with numerous sleepy emoticons, I will transform into Picasso, and my notepad will become a work of art.
Honestly, I think some bosses forget that they were once minions, like the rest of us. Something about the air ‘up there’ makes them forget, or not care, about how we think or feel.
Being a supervisor isn't easy. However, some take their role for granted, and don’t realise just how important they are to a unit or organization, and boosting staff morale. Finding an understanding with employees encourages everyone to become more effective in achieving organizational objectives, and our ‘8 to 4’ lives a bit more bearable.
What do you wish your boss would do differently? If you could be totally honest, without the fear of being fired, what would you tell him or her?

mgmtsucksWherever you are in the working world, you will encounter superiors aka “The Boss”. However, the majority of us, the minions we are, usually have a lot to say to our superiors, but are usually too afraid to “let em have it” for fear of losing our daily bread and butter. 

Having these emotions bottled up usually makes for interesting Friday after-work banter, in which – after an hour or two of being liquored up – people explode about what they dislike about their bosses. After witnessing many moments like these, I got to thinking that my bosses aren't that horrible; but if I could be totally honest with my boss without the fear of being fired, I may have a few choice words to convey to tell him or her. Like…

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