Perks at Work - Do They Matter?

With all the hype surrounding the World Cup, many offices are showing the games in conference rooms and lobby areas for employees to watch.

Naturally, the intent is not for you to spend the entire day sitting in front of the TV watching the action, but it's nice that some firms actually think that there's more to work than work.  There's that thing called "employee satisfaction."

My office, for example, provided breakfast on yesterday while streaming the USA match.  No one took advantage of it, and most people noshed and watched for about 10 to 15 minutes and then went back to their offices and work stations.

Which brings me to the topic of "Perks at Work."  Do they matter?  I say, "Yes."  Some people say that instead of "Bagel Fridays" or "Happy Hours," and "Free Lunches," they'd rather have more money.  I say that money isn't everything.  I like at least having the perception that my employer sees me as something more than a "worker bee," but a human being who appreciates a "lifestyle firm."  Now those words "lifestyle firm" are almost an oxymoron when it comes to the legal field, but there can be at least the notion of a balance.

So, hat's off to all the partners who think that a happy worker is a productive worker.  Even if they enjoy the "perks" as much or more than the folks in the trenches do.  Perception is reality, right?

After the Interview - Now What?

I recently had a long discussion with a friend about proper etiquette in the digital age.

She told me about an interview she had gone on and how she really wanted the job.

The discussion turned to the topic of how or whether or not to say "Thank You," after the interview.

We all know that lawyers are busy people, right?  As are the people that work in law firms and do the hiring.  That said, is it no longer appropriate to send "thank you" notes to the interviewers?

These people have taken time from their busy day to, at the very least, pull your resume out of the flood of those received, or in most cases, select it from the email collection (or however it is that they manage to get your applications these days, since you almost never apply directly to a person).  So, is it a good idea to drop a line or email to say "I appreciate your time.  I hope to hear from you soon," or is that old-fashioned and annoying?

Personally, I would tend to err on the side of old-fashioned.  You can gauge the climate of the office when you're there.  If they appear to be more "formal," then a written "thank you" is appropriate (in my opinion).  A more relaxed and collegial office might lend itself to an email "thank you."

Bottom line.  Like your mother always said, "Remember, to say "please" and "thank you."

And for those of you on the job hunt - Good Luck!

Monster Bench by "Knits for Life" (Only in San Francisco!)

"Monster Bench" San Francisco Ferry Building

Lorna Watt, Founder and Designer, Yarn for Life

Yarn bombing has taken the country by storm.  

And just when you thought you'd seen it all, turn around, in your very own backyard, so to speak, and there you find the "mother of all yarn bombs."

This "Monster Bench" at the San Francisco Ferry Building is one of the many creative and uber-amazing projects of Lorna Watt, founder of "Knits for Life."

Needle-less to say, she's a local treasure!

It's That Exciting (or Dreaded) Time of the Year: Staff Appreciation

This is the week that allergy sufferers dread.  The week when you have to get on that crowded train or bus with people carrying armloads of beautiful bouquets of flowers.  

Or the week that everyone in your office got flowers, candy and gifts except you.

Or the week that your office gave you a free lunch or brought in a clown or whatever they did to make you feel like they couldn't go on without you.  Which we all know, after the "recession" isn't true, because if you don't want your job, somebody else sure does.

Which is why I'll keep the complaining to a minimum.  

I don't really have anything to complain about.  I work at a firm where at the very least the administration acknowledges that we're still celebrating "Administrative Professionals Week" (formerly "Secretary's Week," formerly "Secretary's Day").  

It sort of surprises me that we still celebrate it because each year it seems more and more like most law firms and companies really don't want to do it.  

Personally, my appreciation is truly in my paycheck.  But, I'm only human so when someone asks you what you got, you'd like to be able to say "A trip to the spa."  As opposed to, "Nothing."

And since the actual day was yesterday, I suppose there's no need in me sitting here holding my breath for that gift certificate that's probably not going to come.

We should be grateful to have jobs.  I know I am.

Which brings me to the burning question, "Why do I feel so badly right now?"

Oh well.  There's always next April.

And who decided to make "Staff Appreciation" right after Tax Day?  Talk about a one-two punch.

Emoticons At Work

It is widely believed that emoticons have no place at work.  They are viewed by many as unprofessional and childish.

That said, I'm guilty of being one of the people who uses them.  I don't put a flower next to my signature text or add cute little puppies or even sad faces.

But, I have used a "smiley" face to soften my response.  By that I mean often when one of my bosses sends me a request that I can't get to right away (because I'm doing something for one of my other five bosses), I will reply with something like "Once I complete my filing, I will turn to that."  (smiley face)

My purpose is to let the person know that I'm not putting them off or exasperated that I'm being stretched too far (because that would never be the case - insert sarcasm here) but because I want to "de-escalate" what could turn into an email exchange that goes all wrong.

Which is a big problem with email exchanges.  They often go all wrong.  If the person is close-by or doesn't have their office door closed, I will often stick my head in the door to let them know that I received their request and will get to it as soon as possible.

The art of communication is a lost art.  And I'm going to go out on a limb and blame email in part for that.  Although the biggest offender is texting!

Seriously, I've read so many articles in the last few weeks about how emoticons have no place in the office, that I've decided to include a cartoon caricature of myself right next to my name in the "From" line.

Just kidding.  Smiley Face.

What's the 4-1-1? "212" by Alafair Burke

Sorry I've been a little absent from the blog lately.  You know how sometimes that thing that happens "5 days a week" gets in the way of things we really want to be doing, like blogging.

I have managed to get in some reading though.

I've talked before about how much I enjoy Alafair Burke's mysteries since I discovered them last year.  

So, I thought I would work my way back to the beginning of the Ellie Hatcher series before Ms. Burke's newest book ("All Day and Night") comes out in June.

"212" came out swinging.  Non-stop suspense from beginning to end.  If you've got to commute, at least have something great to read while you're on the train.


When a bodyguard is killed in the Manhattan penthouse owned by his billionaire boss, Sam Sparks, the case gets under Detective Ellie Hatcher’s skin. But she has to set aside this unsolved crime—and her suspicions of Sparks, which land her a contempt charge and a night in jail—to investigate the murder of an NYU coed, who was being harassed online, and her roommate. Then a real-estate agent who moonlights as a call girl is found murdered after being tortured in a first-class hotel, and Hatcher and partner J. J. Rogan find a common thread in what seem unrelated cases. In the third in the Ellie Hatcher series (after Dead Connection, 2007, and Angel’s Tip, 2008), Burke skillfully portrays her protagonist’s relationships—with victims’ families and persons of interest; with her partner; with her female boss, Liuetentant Robin Tucker; and, especially with ADA Max Donovan, whose love provides her only respite from the work with which she’s obsessed.

Don't Worry, You've Taken the Day Off!

Am I the only person who worries about work when they're not at work?

Taking the occasional personal day is supposed to "recharge" you, right?  

So, why is it that whenever I'm off on a work-day, I'm worried about what's happening at work?

In part, it's due to the fact, that even though all employees get personal time off, vacation, sick leave, etc., co-workers don't seem to be really happy for their cube mate when they're not in the office.

In fact, I've noticed a bit of resentment on the part of my peers.  This isn't just in my office.  I've noticed it at other firms too.

In fact, at a previous job, when I was taking FMLA to take care of my dying mother, there were folks in the office, you know the ones, who were convinced that instead of taking my dear mum to chemo one day a week, I might be at the spa.  Hardly.  But that does nothing to stop the rumor mills, back-biting and sometimes downright sabotage.

Also, I'm noticing more, perhaps after the recession, secretaries, "grouping" together.  A friend and I talked about it  at lunch the other day.  She made an interesting observation.  She said, "Have you noticed they're almost like holding hands on the playground?"

She said it's called "playground psychology."

I'm not sure there's anything that will change the dynamics of office workers or stop being from begrudging their co-workers from having an extra day to do laundry.  But I sure wish we'd stick together more as "sisters and brothers in the trenches."

Remember, we need each other.  And don't worry so much about your colleagues' having a little "R and R."  We'll never make partner.

Happy Friday!