How to Get Your Boss to Respect Your Time Off - The Muse

How to Get Your Boss to Respect Your Time Off - The MuseHow to Get Your Boss to Respect Your Time Off I sat with my head propped up in my hand at one of those cramped hotel computer desks, listening to my boss ramble endlessly on the other end of the phone about something she needed- yet welches apparently unable to locate herself.My family stood eagerly by the hotel room door, trying their best to be patient while simultaneously gauging just how much longer Id be stuck there. Considering the fact that we were attempting to enjoy a family vacation, they were excited to get down to the pool- which welches being delayed by yet another needless conversation with my supervisor.Heres the thing My manager knew I was out of the office. My email out-of-office message was turned on. We had an in-person conversation in order to tie up loose ends before I left. And, to add insult to injury, she had personally approved my vacation request months ago. My absence wasnt a surprise. Yet, this boss o f mine seemed to have absolutely no respect for my time out of the office. Shed send me emails over the weekend. When she was leaving work for the day, shed ask me to finish up one of her projects- even though it was already well past quitting time. And, as Im aya you saw coming, shed pop up with the ever-frequent phone call- even when I was on vacation.How exactly did I deal with it, you ask? Well, back then, my coping strategy involved a lot of grumbling and complaining- and not much else.But, if I could turn back time and to the whole thing all over again? Id be more direct about handling the situation by immediately sending her an email that followed one of the below templates- and then Id promptly join my family at the pool. If Youre Planning Ahead for Your Time OffHello Boss Name,Ahead of my upcoming time off from date to date, I wanted to be sure to touch base with you about my plans.In order to use that time to truly relax and recharge, Im going to unplug from work as much a s possible. So, I wanted to give you advanced warning that I will likely be totally unreachable until I return to the office on date.I will be sure to complete my pending projects, tie up any loose ends, and notify other relevant team members of my absence before I head out. Of course, Im also happy to sit down with you ahead of my time away in order to confirm we have all of our bases covered before Im out of touch. Let me know if youd like to get a brief conversation on your schedule.Dont hesitate to let me know if you have any questions about this, and I really appreciate you allowing me to make the most of my time offBest,Your NameIf Youre Already Enjoying Your Time OffHello Boss Name,I wanted to reach out with a quick update for you.As you know, Im currently away from my desk until date. In order to make the most of my time off and return to the office feeling as refreshed and recharged as I can, Im aiming to disconnect from my work as much as possible.So, please be aware that- after this message- I wont be responding to any work-related emails or phone calls for the duration of my time off.If anything comes up in my absence, Contact Name is filling in for me while Im away and can assist with those issues or questions. Otherwise, Ill make sure to promptly address any other pending items when I return to the office on date.Thanks so much for understanding, Boss Name. I really appreciate you allowing me this time to relax and enjoy my time offBest,Your NameI get it- it can feel awkward to set the record straight with your boss about your vacation time (hence why I personally took the cowardly way out and just rolled over).However, know this Youre entitled to your vacation days, and youre more than justified in expecting them to be totally work-free.So, its well worth it to gather your courage and let your boss know what your expectations are for your time off. Unless, of course, you want to follow in my footsteps and sacrifice your well-deserved pool sessio n for an hour spent in the stuff hotel business center. Take it from me- I dont recommend it.

Answering Interview Questions About Health and Safety

Answering Interview Questions About Health and SafetyAnswering Interview Questions About Health and SafetyMost employers are concerned about worker safety since injuries or other workplace incidents can impact productivity, morale, and insurance rates, while also leaving the organization vulnerable to lawsuits. Accordingly, it is no surprise that interviewers will ask candidates about their track record of employee safety, particularly when interviewing candidates for management positions. How to Answer The first step is to think about occupational health and safety in a comprehensive manner.Consider all the possible threats to the well being of workers in your past workplaces. Of course, physical safety in settings like production, construction, agriculture, mining, and transportation comes to mind since accidents are common. You should also consider environmental and health threats in industries like healthcare, research, and pharmaceutical/biotechnology, where exposure to dise ase agents and harmful chemicals can endanger workers. If you worked in a typical office environment, these issues might not be so relevant. However, there are many other factors to take into account. For example, musculoskeletal damage can occur when workers perform awkward or repetitive motions and other physically demanding tasks. Improper posture while sitting at a desk can also be physically detrimental. Dont forget to consider psychosocial factors like emotional stress in fields like air besucherzahlen control, deadline-oriented pressures in areas like publishing, or occupations where employees must cope with the stress of irate patrons or unruly students. Sexual and othertypes of workplace harassmentcan have a profound impact on the well-being of employees. And, of course, there are the little things that matter too, like smoking, drinking too much coffee or soda to stay awake at work, or eating healthy and getting enough exercise. In your answer, you might be able to include something as seemingly minimal as encouraging coworkers to take a walk with you during a break or to bring in a healthy homemade lunch rather than ordering out. Prepare As you formulate your response, the next step is to itemize the actions that you took to address any of the threats to employee health in your past work environments The best approach is to think of three or more scenarios where you addressed workplace safety or health issues.Describe the initial extent of safety issues or baseline status of worker safety.Then outline any interventions that you made to increase employee well being and any impact that your actions had on the frequency or severity of problems. Interventions can take the form of worker education, training programs, workplace safety displays, a communications campaign, establishing new policies and procedures, repairing or replacing machinery, requiring protective equipment/clothing/barriers, rewarding safe behaviors, sanctioning offending staff, pr oviding ergonomic devices, or incorporating more breaks to workers schedules. Sample Answers When You Have Direct ExperienceFor example, you might answer the question as follows As you can see from my resume, I currently work as a production manager for a meat packing plant. I discovered shortly after taking on the job that there were several hand injuries from one of the packing machines. I learned from Human Resources that six workers in the past twoyears had received medical attention or missed work time when stationed in that area of the assembly line. HR staff had interviewed the workers in question and believed that fatigue was a contributing factor. I decided to decrease the amount of time between five-minute breaks from 90 minutes to 45 minutes, placed a safety reminder sign in easy view, and personally reminded the workers stationed in that area before each shift about the need for optimal concentration. During the next year, there was only one incident of worker injury in that area. I also researched an alternative machine that would perform the same function with less risk, and upper management is currently considering my proposal. When You Havent Had Direct ExperienceIf you didnt have the opportunity to increase employee health in a previous work environment, whether that was due to lack of internal resources or lack of approval from a supervisor, you can still use the question as an opportunity to impress your interviewer. In this case, think of problems you noted and strategies you would have enacted if you had been able to. Explaining the issues you observed and the responses you came up with shows a high level of organizational engagement on your part, which your interviewer will see as an asset to the entire team.

Top Pitfalls of Hiring International Employees

Top Pitfalls of Hiring International EmployeesTop Pitfalls of Hiring International EmployeesThere are a lot of complexities when hiring and managing international employees. To avoid the pitfalls you need to map out an appropriate legal position and identify variances between the U.S. and other countries before hiring foreign employees. At-Will Employment and Employee Termination U.S. law defines an at-will employment relationship as one in which either party (employer or employee) can immediately terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without any advance warning. Sending a foreign employee a letter offering at-will employment occurs often and is a common mistake when presented to a non-U.S. resident. Thats because there is no concept of an at-will employee outside of the U.S. For example, in Brazil, an employee termination dependson whether the employee has cause to be terminated. However, cause to terminate is generally limited to cases of gross misconduct a nd therefore excludes terminations because of poor performance or economic reasons. Here is a checklist of employee termination considerations Does the country require just cause to terminate? If so, what reasons constitute just cause and what processes need to be followed?Are there qualifying criteria for termination, such as duration of service or salary thresholds?Is there a local system of termination penalty payments in lieu of just cause (like there is in Spain)?What are the local termination notice requirements? Another important detail to consider A letter offering employment must prozentzahl the salary in local currency rather than U.S. dollars because exchange rates fluctuate, and the salary expressed in local currency cannot be reduced from one month to the next without the employees agreement. Paid Time Off and Other Benefits In the U.S., paid time off (PTO) plans do not distinguish between personal days, vacation days, or sick days, and very often do not allow for c arryover of untaken time into the following year. Unlike the U.S., most foreign countries subscribe to a different approach, which separates distinct legal entitlements for annual leave, sick leave, and other various leaves. For annual leave (i.e., days exclusively used for vacation), an employee may be entitled to a minimum number of days per annum as dictated by local statute. Very often annual leave is accrued in the year before it is taken. The rules that apply to the carryover of unused leave in each country vary. Most countries support the employee, providing them an express right to carry forward unused leave. Some countries, like Belgium and the Netherlands, require employers to pay employees an increased rate of salary during their vacation (a so-called vacation bonus)- usually 25 to 33 percent on top of the normal wage. Vacation allowance can be a moving target. In many countries, the statutory minimum entitlement increases with service, while in other countries it depends on the employees age. Distinct and separate from annual leave is the availability of paid time off for illness or sick leave. Employees who are incapable of coming to work because they are ill will generally receive pay during their absence, subject to annual limits and salary caps. Consider This Checklist Questions to ask yourself include the following What is the statutory minimum annual leave entitlement, and how does this accrue?Does the statutory minimum allowance increase, such as with increases in service, age, etc.?Are there vacation bonuses (or a higher rate of salary) payable during annual leave?What are the leave allowance carryover rules?Is the statutory minimum considered too low when compared to local market rates?For sick leave, how many days are permitted, at what rate of pay, and does it need to be evidenced by a doctors certificate? What are the other types of leave are employees entitled to? Are these paid or unpaid, and at what rate? Exempt Employees Versu s Working Time Regulations For many employers in the U.S., the classification of exempt versusnon-exempt employees excludes large samples of the workforce from payment for overtime worked. While many countries will have exclusions, it is generally the case that far fewer overseas employees can be considered exempt. In Europe, for instance, usually only very senior executives are considered exempt. There are, of course, some exceptions to the norm- such as in the U.K., where employees can agree to exclude the working time regulations from their employment. Generally, employers should prepare themselves for the fact that overtime is something that will need to be administered and paid. For a remote workforce, this obviously raises concerns regarding monitoring employees working hours. Consider This Checklist For tracking and paying employees, the checklist of questions to consider includes What is the standard working day/week?Are employees entitled to payment of overtime for wor k completed beyond their contracted hours? If so, at what rate?Are there any employees who can be considered exempt from local overtime requirements?Is it possible for employees to agree to waive their rights to overtime?Are there maximum limits to the amount of working time, including overtime, per day, per week, etc.?Is there a local practice where basic salary can be split to accommodate an amount earmarked for overtime? Employee Inventions and Non-Competes It is generally accepted in the U.S. that employees can legally transfer their rights to any future invention, either in connection with their employmentor connected to the business of the employer. The international position on this follows the principle that the transfer of rights cannot occur until the invention has been created, and usually the employee and employer have followed a notification and claim process enforced by statute. Therefore, in most countries, a U.S.-style pre-invention assignment agreement is not e nforceable. With regard to post-termination non-competes that prevent an employee from working for a competitor, most countries uphold the same requirements as the U.S. for reasonableness in territory and duration. One further aspect of non-compete agreements to consider is that they should be included as part of the employment contract at the outset of employment in order to be enforceable. Even employees who do not pose a direct threat to the company and have been terminated for poor performance may be eligible to receive non-compete compensation after they have left the company. Consider This Checklist A checklist for protecting the company with regard to employee inventions and non-compete agreements includes Do pre-invention assignment agreements apply?If not, what are the local rules regarding an employer raising a claim over an employee invention, including classifications, time frames, payment, etc.?If employers want to apply non-compete agreements, do they need to be de tailed in the employment contract? Do they require payment during their term? Is it possible to unilaterally withdraw a non-compete without lengthy notification periods? Embrace Rather Than Avoid Becoming familiar with common employment-related practices outside of the U.S. is critical. Having the foresight to ask the right questions, and to decipher local requirements, will enable employers to hire the best talent and ensure effective human resource functions.

6 Social Media Tips & Tools to Help You Land Your Dream Job

6 Social Media Tips & Tools to Help You Land Your Dream Job6 Social Media Tips & Tools to Help You Land Your Dream Job6 Social Media Tips & Tools to Help You Land Your Dream JobMake sure your social media profiles support your professional brand, rather than weaken it. TWEETFinding your dream job not only requires the perfect resume and cover letter, appropriate attire for the occasion, and a polished interview strategy, it also takes a well-crafted social media presence. In fact, a study by Jobvite found that 93 percent recruiters will review a candidates social profiles before making a hiring decision. Hiring managers and recruiters will search for you on Google,Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for keys to your personality.Here are some of the most common social media tips and tools to manage your online activities and make sure your social appearance matches your resume.HootsuiteHootsuite is a freemium online software designed to manage multiple social media accounts in one place. It can be a pain to spend time logging in and out of your social media networks to update a few posts a day and build your personal brand. To simplify things, consider this social media tip by putting all of those networks in one dashboard, you can streamline your workflow. And dont forget to build saved searches using specific hashtags. Click on the following link to view a list of must-follow hashtags for job seekers.BufferBuffer is very similar to Hootsuite, but it allows you to schedule more than one post at any time. With the free account, you can connect one profile for each social platformTwitter, Facebook, Google+ and LinkedIn, and you can store or schedule up to 10 concurrent posts for each profile. Use it to schedule engagement with brands and companies that you want to impress. Schedule retweets from those organizations official handles or from a recruiters handle to help draw attention to yourself and pace those posts over the course of a day or week.IFTTTIf T his Then That (IFTTT) allows you to connect seemingly unconnected applications, through a super simple interface, to put your social life on autopilot. This open-sourced, online software has more features than other automated websites. But it can be a bit confusing at times. If you need a little push in your job hunt, there are even ways to set reminders to look for new jobs.ClearThis is one of the most important social media tips because one of the biggest mistakes job seekers make with social media is misunderstanding the privacy settings. Facebook is notorious for changing privacy rules and not alerting users. While the general rule still applies dont post it if you dont want your mother to see it there are other tools to protect you. Clear welches developed by a former chief technology officer for Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush who ultimately lost his job because of things found in his public social feeds. He built this app, which can safely scour your Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts to find potentially job-costing pictures and posts.Twitter Advanced SearchTwitters advanced search function allows you to search hundreds of millions of 140-character posts going out each day. You can set your eyes on target companies and determine if theyre a good fit. Retweeting those posts is also a great way to show your interest. Search for hashtags like jobs within a particular distance of you.Your ResumeYes, your resume still has a stronghold on earning you the job. Your resume is one of the most valuable tools in your job-hunt arsenal and can open doors for you through social channels in ways you might not have known. Make sure you have an up-to-date, keyword-driven resume on sites like LinkedIn. Regularly follow LinkedIn tips for job seekers so that the next time you log in, your next job will find you instead of the other way around.Need more personal branding tips?Our expert resume writers can help.

Thoughts on Resume Styles 2018 in an Easy to Follow Manner

Thoughts on Resume Styles 2018 in an Easy to Follow Manner Heres What I Know About Resume Styles 2018 If you would like to be competitive in the modern job market, you need to be in a position to advertise yurself. Because you wish to provide tons of attention to both, you might not have much room left for different sections, like a resume summary, volunteer work, interests, etc.. Maybe you worked part time for a proofreader to aid with college expenses. If you make the best nursing resume style, course it will enhance the opportunity. The Fight Against Resume Styles 2018 Its also beneficial if alfruchtwein all of your experience coincides with the job that you want to know more about. It is very important to understand what skills and abilities a prospective employer is searching for in their applicants. Not very comforting once youre job searching and trying your hardest to obtain an employer to look closely at your resume. Simply because youve got zero experience or it s your very first job. Time is money for every one of us. Resume style is just one of the very first things to think about when you begin on your resume. Picking the most suitable style will make it possible for you to get hired faster. You may also download totally free templates from our Resume Library to get going on your best resume. Its particularly important to use a great template when making an infographic resume. The templates are made in such a manner they make the resume be noticeable. The Magazine Style Resume template is the ideal selection. Vital Pieces of Resume Styles 2018 Dont forget, your resume should concentrate on what you could supply your employer, not vice versa. These days, however, that formatting rule isnt so hard fast. Save the discarded content in a master file so youve got it should you decide later you truly do need it. Youve got an outstanding possibility to compose your own content. Possessing a present format thats sleek, simple in appearance together with good writing style will definitely receive you the job which you want. With so many resume styles to pick from, it can be tough to understand where to start when it has to do with creating your own. Every style can be immensely versatile with multiple design alternatives for each and every web page. Irrespective of which style you decide on, use action words to demonstrate you will take action at work. The web has become the most important resource during the job hunting approach. The info on your resume is a significant element in landing you your dream job, and thats why you should learn the best ideas for writing a great resume. If personality is an essential part of the job, including in a sales position, a video resume can be a good way to land an interview. The first thing you should do whenever youre attempting to locate a job is discovered how to do a work application. So youve got to strategize your resume based on a parcel of technology. K ey Pieces of Resume Styles 2018 Otherwise, it needs to be really interesting for you. Employers care much more about your successes, and the way it is possible to mirror them at their company. They want people who would fit into their office culture. To assist you choose whats appropriate for you, lets look at the advantages and disadvantages of each resume format. When you format your resume you wish to make certain your leave enough margin space to permit for printing. You are able to get such ready formats for every single sole kind of job which you wish to apply. You must also pick the layout of your resume. Next, it has to be in Term format. In case the template just isnt in an ideal formatting there isnt any value of using it. In the event it isnt in the right format there is no value of using it. A Startling Fact about Resume Styles 2018 Uncovered In seriousness, its influenced by what sort of task that youre applying for. Using soothing blues indicates that you would like to be noticed, without being aggressive. Too many folks make the error of thinking that a resumes purpose is to receive them a job. Each and every work type demands different kind of resumes. The very first thing you ought to do is make sure a possible employer knows whose resume theyre taking a look at The very last thing that you want to do is receive a job which you cant do. Its cool that youre trying to find a job to have some money, but you need some troubles with resume. Certainly in case you know what kind of job you want, its going to be simpler to make your resume. Gossip, Deception and Resume Styles 2018 Below, you will discover a list of resume examples that may aid you with your work search. Looking for resume format is straightforward now on account of the accessibility to information around the world large web. Your resume must be filled with all the data you will need to convey about yourself to advertise yourself. Thus, resume articles are very c rucial.

3 Cant Miss Pieces of Advice from Verizons Fierce and Fearless Female Engineering Leader

3 Cant Miss Pieces of Advice from Verizons Fierce and Fearless Female Engineering Leader Verizons resident engineering wonder woman, Nicola (Nicki) Palmer, senior vice president and chief network officer for Verizon Wireless, spoke to several thousand women about the importance of creating a pipeline of talented women in STEM (science, technology, engineer and math) at the Society of Women Engineers conference.Nicki shared experiences from her 25 years as an engineer at Verizon, the challenges shes encountered along the way, and how shes persevered in the face of adversity.Nicki shared 3 pieces of advice Acquire strong role models and mentors at every stage of your career??nurture those relationships. The things that you will learn from those who have already been in the trenches will prove invaluable to your long-term growth and professional satisfaction. Trust the people that have your best interests at heart. Muster-up as much courage as you possibly can and dont be afraid to lead , even if you are in a room full of men. Your mind is just as sharp, your insights are just as valuable. Dont squander your unique talents. Fear is the enemy here. Success breeds success and failure enables learning. Being fearful, doing nothing, not speaking up and leading when you are in the position to do so??that gets you nowhere. Remember that life is precious. The most successful women that I know are multifaceted individuals. Theyre engineers, and mothers, and wives, teachers, and helpers, and soccer fans and community members. Their passion stretches far beyond the work that they do and seeps into every aspect of their lives.Join Nicki and the fierce and fearless females of Verizon by checking out one of the open positions belowAsia / PacificClient Service Lead??Canberra, ACT, AustraliaLead Network Security Engineer??Canberra, ACT, AustraliaProject Manager??IT Infrastructure??Bangalore, KA, IndiaAccounting Specialist (General Ledger)??Singapore, SingaporeUnited StatesOutside Plant Engineer??Phoenix, AZOutside Plant Engineer??Irvine, CAOutside Plant Engineer??Rancho Cordova, CAOutside Plant Engineer??San Diego, CAOutside Plant Engineer??San Francisco, CAOutside Plant Engineer??San Jose, CAPrincipal C++ Software Engineer??San Jose, CASenior Audio Algorithm Engineer??San Jose, CASenior C++ Software Engineer??San Jose, CAAPI Architect, Virtual Services integralrechnung??Walnut Creek, CACloud Platform Operator??Walnut Creek, CAData Science Engineer??Walnut Creek, CAOutside Plant Engineer??Aurora, COAPI Architect, Virtual Services Integration??Colorado Springs, COCloud Platform Operator??Colorado Springs, COOutside Plant Engineer??Miami, FLOutside Plant Engineer??Tampa, FLCloud Support Engineer??Temple Terrace, FLNFV Architect??Temple Terrace, FLOutside Plant Engineer??Temple Terrace, FLOutside Plant Engineer??Alpharetta, GAOutside Plant Engineer??Chicago, ILData Science Engineer??Waltham, MAOutside Plant Engineer??Dearborn, MIOutside Plant Engineer??Minneap olis, MNOutside Plant Engineer??St. Louis, MOOutside Plant Engineer??Charlotte, NCAPI Architect, Virtual Services Integration??NJCloud Platform Operator??Warren Township, NJData Science Engineer??Warren Township, NJOutside Plant Engineer??Las Vegas, NVPrincipal Data Scientist??Orangeburg, NYOutside Plant Engineer??Hilliard, OHOutside Plant Engineer??Hillsboro, OROutside Plant Engineer??Houston, TXOutside Plant Engineer??Richardson, TXAPI Architect, Virtual Services Integration??Southlake, TXCloud Platform Operator??Southlake, TXData Science Engineer??Southlake, TXEuropeClient Executive??Hybrid (United Kingdom, Germany, France)Client Partner??Hybrid (United Kingdom, Germany, France)RSA Security Consultant??Diegem, BelgiumNetwork Engineering Consultant??Prague, Czech RepublicManaging Client Partner??Paris, FranceNSRU Engineer??Dortmund, EngineerNSRU Manager??Dortmund, GermanyNSRU Senior Engineer??Dortmund, GermanyNSRU Team Leader??Dortmund, GermanyNSRU Tier 1 Engineer??Dortmund, Germa nyNSRU Tier 2 Voice Repair Team Lead??Dortmund, GermanyNSRU Voice Repair Engineer??Dortmund, GermanySecurity Engineer, Tier 3??Dortmund, GermanyClient Partner??Solna,SwedenGlobal Telco Sales Executive??Solna, SwedenAnti-Bribery Corruption Business Due Diligence Analyst??Reading, United KingdomClient Partner, Acquisition Sales??Reading, United KingdomEnd computer-nutzer Support??Reading, United KingdomNetwork Security Engineer, Professional Services??Reading, United KingdomProject Manager, Advanced Communications??Reading, United Kingdom

The conversation Melinda Gates wishes she had before she got married

The conversation Melinda Gates wishes she had before she got marriedThe conversation Melinda Gates wishes she had before she got marriedMelinda Gates has recently been making headlines regarding the publication of her new book, The Moment of Lift. But in addition to being a fountain of knowledge on feminism and the benefits of global access to contraceptives, Gates is also a great surce for relationship advice.From the mouth of Melinda herself, this is the conversation she wishes she had with her husband, Bill Gates, before she danced with him to When I ding In Love at their wedding.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreWhile discussing her book with Bren Brown, Gates discussed the topic of shared childcare between two partners. According to Gates, its a good idea for individuals who want to raise children together to set guidelines for childcare before they even get married.The must- have conversationI wish I had been enlightened enough to have that conversation before we got married, Gates said.Creating a system that works for you, your partner, and your child is an ongoing process, not one that is finished after that initial conversation with your significant other.Gates told the story of one couple that did have the conversation of equal childcare before they were married. The couple committed to alternate on an off days in which they were completely responsible for their child. When their first child welches born, the couple found themselves falling into the gendered roles, with more of the care falling on the womans plate.Were so influenced by our past, Gates said. So often we bring forward what we saw from our own parents. Bill and I, even though we believe in equality, both entered the marriage with biased opinions about who was going to do what in the household.Those biases make us oblivious to unfair situations, and Gates argues that we must open our mo uths in order to open each others eyes. A huge part of this, Gates said, is speaking up and make an agreement with your partner, and continue to advocate for ourselves when the plan requires adjustments.Instead of suffering from a task you dont enjoy or cant afford to do, Gates recommends you to talk with your partner and voice your concerns. Many times, Gates reveals, partners want to help each other, but dont know exactly what their partner needs.Gates recalls a story from when her first child was entering school. Her and Bill decided on a school for their daughter to attend, but Gates had second thoughts once she realized it was 45 minutes away. Once she voiced her concerns, Bill agreed to drive their daughter to school two days a week, all while he was still the CEO at Microsoft.Childcare on a global levelThe unequal balance of childcare between couples is a global problem, according to Gates.The US workforce is 47% women, but still, the majority of house and childcare work fall s on them. There are many factors that play a part in this, but a large part is that the conversation about equal childcare isnt being had.We have to have honest, courageous conversations in our homes if were going to change that dynamic, Gates said.In this country, there is an average of a 90-minute per day gap between the amount of work men do in the workplace and the amount women do, according to Gates. Over the average womans lifetime, that hour and a half each day adds up to a seven-year gap between men and women.Our economies are built on the back of this unpaid labor that women do, she said.For those women who are looking to have careers and be productive outside the home, Gates recommends you have a conversation about childcare and housework before getting married.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that wi ll double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Pizza Ovens Power the Future in Canada

Pizza Ovens Power the Future in Canada Pizza Ovens Power the Future in Canada Pizza Ovens Power the Future in CanadaSeveral years ago, James Cotton, professor of mechanical engineering and associate director of the McMaster University Institute for Energy Studies, Hamilton, Ontario, started a project on thermal electric generators. At the time, he never imagined that it would end up involving pepperoni.When you look at this issue of energy recovery, you start thinking about the continuous operator, Cotton says.With this in mind, Cotton came up with the unusual idea of working with the food service industry, which leuchtdiode him to contact the CEO of Pizza Pizza, a company not familiar to many in the U.S., but which provides more hot slices to Canadians than any other, Cotton says.They were interested in the project right off the bat, he says. Pizza ovens basically run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, because of the need to maintain a constant temperature of 260 C. They also have a large air-to-fuel ratio because of the constant cooking. But only five to ten percent of the energy content, the fuel, goes into the pizza. Theres obviously an opportunity to potentially do harnessing when it comes to whats lost.Hungry for more energy stories? Dig in here.What Cotton eventually created was a pizza oven waste energy recovery system and generator that attaches to a pizza ovens chimney. Its a heat exchanger that is coupled to a cooling loop that is integrated to components, in particular, thermal storage, he says. We are out to control, monitor, and optimize energy and we want to capture as much as possible without increasing energy consumption.In this case, the system, when attached to the chimney of a pizza oven, recycles the heat and turns it into electricity. It doesnt involve any fouling. Fouling is when grease evaporates and if its cooled too much it can trap particulates and affect the performance of the exchanger, he explains.Youre looking at being able to hea t the store with this system. We can preheat the air going into the oven and we can also run a small-scale DC microgrid to power LEDs, the point-of-sale system, and more, he says.The system includes an energy modeling feature that can tell if things are running properly, he says. On average, a pizza oven uses fifty cubic meters of natural gas a day and thats more than a Canadian home would use in a month in winter time, he says. What we create can get about fiveor sixof the ten kilowattsinto other usage.His system, which was installed in the training center at Pizza Pizza headquarters, could eventually find itself providing energy to many franchises, he says. But the project has already energized the McMaster University students who have contributed. They love the idea partly because they love pizza, he says. It inspires enthusiasm because of the topic but it sneaks in the importance of reducing our environmental footprint. It just shows how everyday things in our life can be overlo oked.Eric Butterman is an independent writer. For Further Discussion On average, a pizza oven uses fifty cubic meters of natural gas a day and thats more than a Canadian home would use in a month in winter time. Prof. James Cotton, McMaster University

Procrastination Tips to Avoid Its Subtle Sabotage

Procrastination Tips to Avoid Its Subtle SabotageProcrastination Tips to Avoid Its Subtle SabotageTips to avoid procrastination and its effects on your job search.People have devised a variety of ways to sabotage themselves on the job search. Few are more destructive or profound than procrastination.Whether you have elevated procrastination to an art form or address it only selectively, the habit can lead to stress, illness and low self-esteem. Combine that with the already compromising position of unemployment, and you have a recipe for full-blown depression.Many people consider the role of procrastinator a black- or-white proposition They either see themselves as one, or they dont.The truth is, there are different degrees of procrastination. Almost everyone procrastinates to some degree in some area of life. Thats called being human. Procrastination becomes a problem, however, when it is so pervasive that it affects our behavior in ways beyond our conscious awareness.Although there are many ways job hunters procrastinate, I m going to focus on two of themHypocritical procrastinationInterruptionsHypocritical procrastinationRita Emmett, author of The Procrastinators Handbook, describes hypocritical procrastination as the game we play when we justify putting off an important project by doing something noble instead. This can be a huge issue for job hunters - especially when there is a spouse or children involved. What often happens is that the unemployed spouse looks for ways to help around the house as a way to procrastinate - without appearing to procrastinate. To the spouse who appreciates not having to pick the kids up at school or mow the lawn,, the extra help is welcome. However, the longer it goes on, the more the spouse is unintentionally enabling procrastination and sabotaging the partners job search.As a job hunter, your top priority is to focus on yourself and do what it takes to secure a new position. Otherwise, you will become a magnet for the er rands and unfinished projects of people who assume you have all the time in the world since you arent working.If you are the kind of person who loves to help others because it makes you feel good, hypocritical procrastination can be difficult to recognize You may not be consciously avoiding the work you need to do. Instead, hypocritical p rocrastination happens gradually when you allow your valuable time to be consumed by others until you have very little time for yourself. When you or your loved ones finally begin to question why you havent made any progress on the job front, it is easy to say, Ive been so busy, I just havent had any time.But guess whose fault that is.Interruptions This might sound strange, but the most common interruptions to productivity are often disguised as multi-tasking. Multi-tasking is not the skill people pretend it is. Multi-tasking is one of the 21st centurys greatest inhibitors of productivity and progress.Think about it. Many of us willingly start our day with interruptions - as a matter of habit.Thanks to the Blackberry and other handheld devices, we can now receive e-mail without turning on our computers. Even if you wait until you get to your desk and turn the computer on, you may still be guilty of allowing your day to be sidetracked by interruptions. After all, if you check e-mail first, whose agenda are you on?Not your own.Responding to email first thing in the morning and continuously throughout the day puts you in reactive mode - continuously. As a result, you have probably had the experience of reaching noon - or, worse yet, early evening - only to discover you didnt do a single project you platzdeckchen out to do when you started your day.So whats the cure?Set aside time where you do not allow yourself to be interrupted. For example, I heard about one author whose publisher gave him a month to write a book. At first, he was traumatized because his last book had taken about nine months to write. But after getting adv ice from a time-management expert, he created a plan and stuck to it.He started the day by turning off his phone and e-mail for an hour and a half. During that time, he shut the door to his office and worked diligently and without interruption. After 90 minutes, he took a 30-minute break and focused on something completely different (like exercise). Then he continued working for another 90 minutes, took another 30 minute break, and ended his day with a final 90-minute writing marathon.If you already added this up, you probably realized if he started writing at 9 a.m., he would finish for the day at 230 p.m. - with more than enough time to check e-mail, answer phone calls or simply take the rest of the afternoon off. While this might not seem like a particularly rigorous schedule, you cant argue with its effectiveness. He started and finished the book in three weeks - one week ahead of schedule. That is whats possible when you break the procrastination habit.