How to Poop at Work

All right, look -- we know it's not for everyone, but some of you might get a giggle from this blog, which examines the various methods of doing that personal little number at work we call "2".

Marrying for Health Benefits

A survey finds that seven percent of Americans or someone in their family, married so they could receive healthcare benefits in 2007. Read more at InjuryBoard.com.

5 Easy Ways to Commit Career Suicide

Today, the Nica Recruiting Network shares five gems of advice for avoiding doing irreparable damage to yourself and your rep at work. Watch out for these career-derailing missteps!

You May Be Happier at Work Than You Think

Ask bosses what makes employees happy at work and many are likely to think in terms of tangible rewards: a good salary, a pleasant office, generous benefits.

Those play a role in job satisfaction, of course. But increasingly, workplace specialists are discovering that for many workers, the "happiness factor" depends heavily on intangibles, such as respect, trust and fairness.

Read more about the seven habits of happy workplaces in Australia's Courier Mail.

The Weirdest Person I Ever Worked For

By Christian Georgescu

This "person" is an entire company and it's respective mentality.

First day in, I was shown to my desk. I put down my stuff and settled in. But I couldn't settle in. I didn't feel comfortable there. Something was off. The chair didn't fit, the table was the wrong height, the monitor hurt my eyes. I was like goldilocks, only I never found my "just right".

Even that wasnt right; I wasn't "Goldilocks" I was "Alice in Wonderland." Stepping into that office was like stepping into a rabbit hole in the year 2008 and coming out the other end in 1988. Literally. The furniture was old and stained. The cubicles made of wood and held together with tape. The office chairs actually were the industry standard. In 1988. Now they were blotched as if with poop stains or someone dropped roastbeef slabs without bothering to clean up, just let the sauce dry in. There were huge water stains on the cubicle walls, stains on the puke green office carpets. The chair mats were cracked so chairs couldn't roll properly. Call them office pot holes. Computer monitors were the old CRT flickering kind, huge masses atop little desks from the 80's; which weren't fitted for computers.

Cubicles were undersized so Alice bumped into things, scuffed her shoes, hunched over.

Then I went to the Office Supply Closet, where I was told in exact words - "Rummage in there and get what ya need." This was the Land of Misfit Office Supplies; staplers, paper clips, pens, pencils gave me forlorn looks begged to be rescued. I couldn't take them all, I saved what I could and humanely euthanized the rest.

We were referred to as "secretaries", reporting to wannabe Alpha males. When lunch came, the secretary would lay it out on a plate, with cutlery, pour beverages and serve the men. Then clean up after the men. Secretaries had the old CRT monitors, yet all the men had the new flat screens.

The two secs who sat closest to me, I'll call Grumpy and Giggles. Grumpy went around with 'F' this and 'F' that, 'What is this Sh..', 'Oh F this Sh..', 'Who needs this F'n Sh...e had been with the company 16 years and was untouchable. Literally, no one came near her. Which meant her people would give me stuff to do because they were afraid of her.

Giggles had a heart of gold but well...giggled at everything. She told of harrowing, painful experiences...giggling.

Once you slid through the rabbit hole there was no contact with the outside world.

The staff pantry was stocked with all sorts of goodies. Want a snack? How'bout a KitKatsnickerstwixalmondjoym&m3muskateersmoundsorbitwrigleysjuicyfruitjollyranchers. How'bout LaysWisePringlespretzelspopcornbalancebarsoatmealyogurtcottagecheesewholegrain? Or maybe coffeeteacappucinoespresscokepepsidetcokesnappledietsnapplepomgingeralewater?

Actually, the EVP gets Fiji you're allowed Poland Spring.

Everything was old and outdated but the coffee maker was StarWarsian; vintage 25th and a halfth century, signature Duck Dodgers while maintaining a Darth Vaderesque appearance.

Proprietary lines of productivity were blurred and crossed out altogether. Somone else's assistant booked flights for my guy, I booked a hotel for someone else's guy and the temp booked the rental car. No wait change that, meeting scrapped. Can the janitor cancel the hotel reservations? I went to get the janitor and returned to find the plant guy at my desk; scheduling a meeting for the VP. Please ask the shoe shine girl to make copies for the accounting firm auditing the company. Can the intern do expenses for the CEO?

Well, I thought coming from 20 years in the future, maybe I was too forward, too modern. Maybe I came across as too hoity-toity with my high fallutin' ideas of male-female equality and modernization.

So I decided to join 'em, be a classic girl. I went shopping. Came in wearing designer suit jackets with pencil thin skirts (to cover my bruised knees) and classy high heels. Hair and makeup done professionally at Saks. No one noticed.

And I'm a dude.

It's Your Day!

So, it's Administrative Professionals Day, formerly known as Secretaries' Day.

Do you care?

Tell us all about it in our first-ever Administrative Professionals Day survey! Click Here to take survey

Thanks!

$$ for PATH at Ground Zero, or Penn Station Renovations?

The multibillion-dollar PATH station planned for Ground Zero could end up on the chopping block when a new executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is named in the coming days, according to several sources familiar with the plans. Money for the PATH project could be redirected to renovations for Penn Station. Read more in the New York Sun.

Are You Guilty?: Acting Green at Work

Those who don't act "green" are the new workplace pariahs, according to a survey by Norwalk-based Xerox Corp.

The survey, which polled 1,569 office workers across the United States and Canada, revealed that U.S. women (91 percent) consider themselves more eco-conscious than their male counterparts (86 percent).

Almost 40 percent of U.S. respondents to the Xerox survey said their No. 1 office environmental pet peeve was mindless printing resulting in abandoned pages at the printer, followed closely by leaving lights on in unused offices (37 percent).

Find out what the other top pet peeves were here. Are you guilty?

Male Secretaries at Special Risk for Prostate Cancer

Research published in the journal Cancer Causes and Control found that office-bound workers like administrators were at a higher risk than masons, bricklayers, painters and welders. Read more.

Unrealistic At-Work Fitness Tips Make Us Giggle

Vinay Menon over at TheStar.com has some pretty hilarious criticism for a new series of "webisodes" on MSN called "5 Minute Office Workout". Hosted by Bob Harper, trainer from TV's "The Biggest Loser", the series encourages you to do squats at your desk, swivel in your chair to whittle your waist...and various other things to get in shape on-the-job. You'll be in tip-top physical condition when your co-workers have your hauled off to the insane asylum. Read more.

Covering Your Boss's Ass?

Are you covering up your incompetent boss's mistakes? One columnist from the OC Register doesn't think that's a good idea. Read more.

Who's Chipping Away at Your 401K?

How much of your nest egg is being frittered away on fees paid to the companies managing your 401(k)s? Buried in the fine print of incomprehensible forms (or not disclosed at all), those fees can consume thousands of dollars over time. But several lawmakers have introduced bills that would require mutual funds, insurers and other providers of retirement plans to make complete disclosures of their fees to employers and workers. Read more from the Los Angeles Times.

Prescription Drugs Cost You More: Thanks, Insurance!

Health insurance companies are shifting the cost of expensive prescription drugs on to patients, part of a larger trend toward "tiered" private health insurance coverage. Read more at Forbes.

Giving Out your Password

A survey of 576 office workers in the United Kingdom found that 45% of women were willing to give their password to a total stranger -- compared with only 10% of men.

Read more about this as well as protecting yourself from crime at work in the Safety & Security Review.

The Bigger Place: Mexican Lunch We Like (Downtown)

For those of you who work in the Financial District or TriBeCa, we've got a great recommendation for a tasty and inexpensive sit-down lunch:

The Bigger Place
61 Warren Street, corner of West Broadway
(212) 528-3175

This Mexican American gem is cheerful and casual, and there's enough space for small groups. We at Just-a-Sec have given it two tries and had a consistent experience. On both visits, our waitresses were friendly and eager to please. We enjoyed the food, which was pretty straightforward Mexican fare with a couple of surprises thrown in (like blintzes stuffed with tomato, mozzarella and pesto) which is good if there's that one person in your office who hates Mexican and ruins it when everyone else is hankerin' for fajitas. You can bring them along to The Bigger Place.

The lunch here is a good value. You get a nice meal with decent portions, yet without feeling overstuffed. Examples include "The Little Special" for $7.75 (choice of soup, special blintz, roll and dessert); Quesadillas served with Mexican rice and salad for $7.75 - $9.50 a platter, and Enchiladas served up with Mexican rice, sour cream and parmesan chese for $8.25 - $9.50.

The Bigger Place serves nine beer varieties, and jarritos (traditional Mexican sodas) in twelve exotic varities, including non-alcoholic sangria.

The cozy, laid-back vibe at The Bigger Place combined with good food at good prices will make it one of those favorite places you'll go back to again and again.

The MTA: Poorly Managed?

The Metropolitan Transit Authority is enjoying its most paying customers in 58 years. So with this boom in business, it can afford to provide the best service in 58 years too, right?

Fat chance. Or so says this reporter with the Hofstra Chronicle.

Secretaries Through the Years: Looking Back

Marie Putman, a writer for The Rogers Hometown News in Arkansas, muses about how the role of the secretary has changed over the years. Have a read.

Why Your Employer Should "Woo" You

We love the "Work Happy Now!" blog! Today, the Work Happy Guy delivers a smart message to our employers: if you want to retain us, why not "woo" us the way you "woo" potential clients? You want to keep their business; don't you want to retain ours? Read more...and maybe slip an anonymous copy in a few in-boxes of the "powers that be".

Your Workday: Just 3 Hours, 50 Minutes

A survey of office workers in the United Kingdom revealed that the average amount of time they actually spent working each day is 3 hours, 50 minutes. And what about the rest of the time? According to this study, these were the top five distractions at work:

1. Reading and responding to unnecessary e-mails
2. Surfing the internet for non-work related means
3. Idle office gossip
4. Malfunctioning computers
5. Answering pointless internal phone calls

Read more here.

Solar-Powered Subways Coming to MTA

In an effort to go green, the MTA has announced a new sustainability program, which includes implementing solar, wind, and hydroelectric power into its systems. Read more.

"Mental Health Days" Needed More for Family than Work Stress

A recent survey shows that workers take more "mental health days" for family and relationship reasons than to recover from work stress. Read more.

Secretaries: One of the Unhealthiest Jobs in America?

A November 2007 report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics places administrative workers in one of the top eight unhealthiest jobs in America. Read more.

Gym in Your Office: The Pros and Cons

Thinking about lobbying your employer to establish an on-site gym at the office? You might want to peruse this article from HeraldTribune.com which examines some pros and cons.

Spa Week is Coming!

Plan ahead to take advantage of Spa Week 2008! April 14-20, participating day spas in our area will be offering deliciously indulgent spa treatments for just $50.

To find out more, visit www.spaweek.org.

Treat yourself -- you deserve it!

Have a Laugh: 1943 Tips for Hiring Women

Here’s an entertaining discovery.

It’s from a 1943 issue of Transportation Magazine. Here are the highlights:

“Eleven Tips on Getting More Efficiency Out of Women Employees.”

There’s no longer any question whether transit companies should hire women for jobs formerly held by men. The draft and manpower shortage has settled that point. The important things now are to select the most efficient women available and how to use them to the best advantage.

1. Pick young married women. They usually have more of a sense of responsibility than their unmarried sisters, they’re less likely to be flirtatious, they need the work or they wouldn’t be doing it, they still have the pep and interest to work hard and to deal with the public efficiently.

(Editor’s Note: He’s right, you know. I’m not married, and my pep takes a hit with every passing day that I can’t land a husband. And my sense of responsibility is totally in the toilet. I haven’t paid my rent in months, I spend my entire paycheck on cheap beer and my skill crane addiction -- but it’s all good. By the way, you’re kinda cute. Want to buy a gal a Pabst?)

2. When you have to use older women, try to get ones who have worked outside the home at some time in their lives. Older women who have never contacted the public have a hard time adapting themselves and are inclined to be cantankerous and fussy. It’s always well to impress upon older women the importance of friendliness and courtesy.

(Hear that, older women? Shut your pie holes and get to work! And smile, ya old bags, SMILE!)

3. General experience indicates that “husky” girls - those who are just a little on the heavy side - are more even tempered and efficient than their underweight sisters.

(Whoo-hoo! Props for the fat girls! We’re even-tempered, efficient -- by God, we’re downright jolly! If only all the angry outspoken fat chicks would just go to work, the world would never have to hear us bitch about the manipulative media and the diet industry conspiracy ever again! But then again, you’d have to deal with sitting next to our husky butts on the buses and subways. Move over, world! Rosie the Riveter was an O’Donnell!)

4. Retain a physician to give each woman you hire a special physical examination - one covering female conditions. This step not only protects the property against the possibilities of lawsuit, but reveals whether the employee-to-be has any female weaknesses which would make her mentally or physically unfit for the job.

(Yes indeed, screen yo’ bitches for PMS. One bad month and you’ll find the 18th floor copier strewn in pieces across Sixth Avenue. Gentlemen, protect your valuable property from the start!)

5. Stress at the outset the importance of time the fact that a minute or two lost here or there makes serious inroads on schedules. Until this point is gotten across, service is likely to be slowed up.

(Chop-chop!)

6. Give the female employee a definite day-long schedule of duties so that they’ll keep busy without bothering the management for instructions every few minutes. Numerous properties say that women make excellent workers when they have their jobs cut out for them, but that they lack initiative in finding work for themselves.

(Dude, trust me -- we already have our jobs cut out for us. We don’t need your help.)

7. Whenever possible, let the inside employee change from one job to another at some time during the day. Women are inclined to be less nervous and happier with change.

(I’d comment here if I could, but I need a second to swallow this Prozac.)

8. Give every girl an adequate number of rest periods during the day. You have to make some allowances for feminine psychology. A girl has more confidence and is more efficient if she can keep her hair tidied, apply fresh lipstick and wash her hands several times a day.

(Yeah, and who wants their typing done by some gray-lipped hag with a no-fuss hairdo? Besides, I’ve noticed on the days when I wear tinted Chap-Stick, I get my filing done 30% faster.)

9. Be tactful when issuing instructions or in making criticisms. Women are often sensitive; they can’t shrug off harsh words the way men do. Never ridicule a woman - it breaks her spirit and cuts off her efficiency.

(Furthermore, she just might shove a three-hole-paper-puncher up your ass. Avoid this unfortunate manifestation of the feminine psychology and be courteous to your female workers.)

10. Be reasonably considerate about using strong language around women. Even though a girl’s husband or father may swear vociferously, she’ll grow to dislike a place of business where she hears too much of this.

(Ummm, anybody know what the f*@# this dumb m*th%rf$#@’s talking about?)

11. Get enough size variety in operator’s uniforms so that each girl can have a proper fit. This point can’t be stressed too much in keeping women happy.

(Now here’s an item I can stand behind! How is it that the one thing on this list that makes sense hasn’t stuck around through 2008? Oh, the irony!)

(Thanks to Mirna Rivera!)

Donald Sacks Lunch @ WFC: Save Your Money

At Just-a-Sec, we love being able to recommend a great lunch spot. And when we walk into a restaurant we've never been to before, we genuinely want to love it.

Unfortunately, that did NOT happen at Donald Sacks in the World Financial Center.

I went with a small group of people from my office, as a farewell lunch for a departing co-worker.

We ordered an assortment of appetizers for the table that included mozzarella sticks ($12.00) and chicken quesadillas ($11.00). Nothing unique or earth-shattering; your ordinary TGIFridays kind of fare. But they weren't even tasty ordinary fare. The mozzarella sticks tasted like something out of a cardboard box in the frozen foods section of the local supermarket; the quesadillas were bland and slapped together with obvious apathy.

For my main course I had the Chicken Marsala. The co-worker sitting next to me had the same. As I ate the first few bites, I noticed the chicken was actually difficult to cut because it was so rubbery. Rubbery and slimy and slippery with marsala sauce. Then my neighbor leaned in and asked me,

"Is it just me, or is your chicken like rubber?"

The Chicken Marsala entree -- alone -- was $24.50. For lunch.

Maybe that's pocket change for some, but on the average secretary's salary, it's way too much for rubbery chicken.

And if you're a suit with money to burn, may I point out that spending any amount of money on garbage like this doesn't make you impressively wealthy; it just makes you unintelligent.

And the desserts -- well, let me just say this. We're a dessert-loving group. We always order them and we practically lick the plates clean. When our waitress at Donald Sacks brought around a tray of dessert samples to tempt us, we ordered one of everything to try.

It says a lot that we left more than half of each cake and pie wedge behind. In particular, we joked that the carrot cake tasted like a sample that had been used three days running. It was disgustingly dry and stale.

And the service wasn't so hot either. We weren't visited between the delivery of our courses. We were essentially forgotten about.

Don't waste your hard-earned money at Donald Sacks. Trust me, you won't be "treating yourself" there. If you're going to dine in the World Financial Center, there are far less disappointing places, like Au Mandarin and P.J. Clarke's. Skip Donald Sacks. It's overpriced and underwhelming in every regard.

Prime Time Multi-tasking: Computer Lap Desk Review

We all need our time to unwind after work. At the same time, there's always so much to do. Bills to pay, e-mails to answer...how can we get it all done?

Even when we've got the best intentions to get things done in the evening, once we settle our butts into that sofa, it's often a challenge getting up again.

At Just-a-Sec, we say -- stay where you are! You can accomplish a lot from your sofa or recliner, and at a restorative, relaxed pace. Get yourself a lap desk for your laptop computer and you'll be surprised by how much your can take care of during commercials. Curl up in front of "Lost" and balance your budget, plan a vacation, find a plumber or a date, or start the Great American Novel you've been meaning to write.

We tried out a number of lap desks of different sizes, shapes and price points, and here's what we thought about them:

For The Esthete: The SurfACE 1.5

By far, this is the funkiest, most chic of all the lapdesks we found. Its design cleverly allows for flexible configurations, and if you've got an imagination, it can be as much fun as a futuristic building set -- like the ones you see in those pricy little smart kids' toy stores, with the rock tumblers and potholder looms and Revive-Your-Own-Cadaver kits from Bavaria.

The desk is primarily made of three acrylic pieces – a large desktop (19.55" wide, 10.5" deep) perforated with half-inch holes, and two smaller acrylic wing pieces (about 8.8" x 9.25") with two holes each.

The unit is shipped with approximately 40 interchangeable metal pieces that fit into any of the holes on the acrylic slabs, and the bits connect to each other. They connect the wing pieces to the main desktop, and they can be screwed together to create wand-like extensions to create rise or depth, depending on your configuration. You can also do what we did, and screw two metal bits onto the main desk surface about a foot apart, creating the perfect "rests" for the laptop, so it sits on an ergonomically comfortable slant.

If you're using the unit in a chair, the wing pieces rest on the arms of the chair, with the main desktop dropped lower in the center. The wings can each do double-duty as a mouse pad, but we found ours handy for keeping a small pad on-hand, allowing us to glance at notes. The opposite wing held a can of Coke Zero beautifully.

If you're using the unit on a sofa, you turn it "upside-down" (although that term is entirely relative), and join the wing pieces to the main desktop with four long legs, so the wings act like big feet keeping the desk hovering comfortably above your lap.

The holes in the desktop serve the additional purpose of providing ventilation, preventing the laptop from overheating.

To the maker of the SurfACE, we do suggest drafting clearer assembly instructions. They were a little vague, and we ended up abandoning them entirely in frustration and just approaching the pieces with a sense of play. This approach proved successful, and in under thirty minutes, we were able to assemble the SurfACE into two fun configurations and settle on a favorite. However, it might be helpful for SurfACE to include instructions that offer two or three suggested configurations, and give step-by-step instructions for each, because not everyone is as willing to play with their purchase as we were.

The SurfACE is an ideal tool if you like your useful things equally beautiful. It's available in clear or white acrylic and sells for $149 at Edgeblur.


For The Minimalist: The LapWorks Futura


This is the lightest and most portable lapdesk we found – ideal for travel. Just one simple plastic piece that folds in half and stows easily away. Fully extended, it measures 10.75" x 22", fitting a wide variety of computer models. Folded up, it's a mere 10.75" x 11", and less than an inch thick.

A rubberized surface helps keep your machine in place, and plentiful vents keep the heat off your lap.

A sort of "kickstand" on the underside converts the Future into an angled desktop support for your machine.

It's not the most stable of all the lapdesks we tried, but we wouldn't call it unstable, either. And we wouldn't hesitate to take the Futura on a bus, train or plane -- and at $29.95, you don't have to worry too much about leaving it behind. To buy, visit LapWorks.


For The Minimalist With A Mouse: The Xbrand Lap Desk with Retractable Mouse Pad

The Xbrand Lap Desk is compact and lightweight, but with the added feature of a mouse pad extension, which flips out of the center and provides an optional surface. (Works nice for supporting small notepads, too.)

When the extension is in use, the doughnut hole it creates in the center of the desktop provides ventilation and guards against overheating.

The Xbrand Lap Desk also includes such thoughtful details as four padded disks on the desk surface to prevent your laptop from slipping, and a carrying handle molded into one end of the desk. The plastic is substantial without being weighty.

The Xbrand Lap Desk measures 11" x 14.25" with the extension tucked in. It can fit easily into most backpacks.

Although the Xbrand Lap Desk felt slightly less stable in our laps than some of the other products we tried, it still works well. (I attribute the mild tendency to wobble to the very flat design – it doesn't mold to your body, so sit still when using it, or at least sit up straight.)

So, if you're looking for something that doesn't take up a lot of space, can travel with you easily or even hide behind a sofa cushion without being noticed, you'd do well to get an Xbrand Lap Desk. It retails for $29.99 at Xbrand.


For The Sofa Executive: The Instand Bean Bag Table
The Instand Bean Bag Table is for the lapdesk user who wants more desk in her lap.

We found that the majority of lapdesks intended for computer use were generally small -- but the Instand Bean Bag Table is refreshingly generous, without being cumbersome. The work surface measures about 14.5" x 18.75", allowing for larger laptop models and room to spare. We liked being able to multi-task from this desk, as it held a spiral notebook and a cell phone in addition to a laptop, all at the same time.

It even has a depression molded into the desk surface for holding pens, and a carrying handle.

The surface of the Instand Bean Bag Table is covered with two large patches of non-slip material – no skimping here! -- that help keep your computer in place, and the center of the desktop is slightly recessed to allow for airflow under your machine.

The Instand Bean Bag Table felt incredibly comfortable in my lap. It was very stable, thanks to the bean bag underside that contours to your lap. The comfortable wrist rest along the bottom edge of the desk surface was a much-appreciated extra.

The InStand Bean Bag Table is an excellent desk-away-from-desk, and it works as well in bed as it does on the sofa. But if we could improve upon anything, we'd ask Instand to build in some mechanism to allow for working at a slight angle. There were moments we wished we had a foam wedge we could tuck between the desk surface and the laptop, just to create a mild slope. Maybe the bean bag itself could be shaped more wedge-like, a little higher in the back. It would feel a tad easier on the eyes, shoulders and arms.

Interestingly, we were able to remedy this with a product by Xbrand, whose lap desk we reviewed above. Xbrand makes a Cooling and Comfort Station that can be used on any surface, and there's plenty of room for it on the Instand Bean Bag Table. The Xbrand Cooling and Comfort Station is a compact piece that puts your laptop on an ergonomically comfy angle, with an embedded fan that keeps air circulating under the machine. The fan is powered by a USB cord connected to your computer, which tucks neatly away in a hidden compartment when the station is not in use.

Overall, the Instand Bean Bag Table was one of our favorite lap desks. It sells for $29.95 at Instand.


For The Perfectionist: The iLap

We were really impressed with the iLap, and I found myself reaching for it again and again. The iLap had the best overall stability and comfort of all the lap desk models we tried under 18" in width.

It's designed to put your computer on a gentle incline, which is optimally comfortable for typing. The angle is perfect -- I never had that weird sense of looking down at my computer screen.

A padded rear piece swivels to allow for ideal positioning on your lap or legs. As you move, it moves with you, keeping your laptop as level as possible.

The actual desk surface kept my computer super-steady, because it's one solid piece of aluminum. They haven't failed to recognize the importance of heat control, however. The iLap is ingeniously designed to keep your computer cool because the aluminum plate draws heat away from the machine, and the desk design promotes circulation. It also comes with four rubber adhesive pads to help keep the computer in place, and ours didn't budge.

I bended and unbended my knees several times, crossed my legs, folded them -- and I never, ever felt like my laptop was going to slide backwards off the desk – a disconcerting sensation I occasionally experienced with some other models.

VERY COMFY black velvet wrist rest (which is removable for using the iLap on a stationery surface).

Plus, the iLap comes in seven different sizes to ideally suit different computer models. The iLap folks asked for the make and model of my PC and matched it with the best possible size iLap. The fit is perfect.

To buy your own iLap, visit Rain Design. Prices range from $49.90 to $69.90, depending on size.


For The Floor Walker: The Connect-A-Desk

The Connect-a-Desk is by far the most unique of all the desks we tried. It's designed to let you walk and type. So if you find yourself on your feet from sun-up to sun-down no matter what you do, here's a way to use your laptop on your feet!
The Connect-a-Desk holds your laptop on a slab of plastic at belly-level, and it's secured to your body with straps that fasten around the waist, and a padded piece that hangs around the neck. The straps are adjustable, so you can customize how far you need to reach for the keyboard. It also comes with a foam rubber wrist rest.

It's very portable and lightweight -- just throw it in your tote or backpack and go. And we must admit, the idea of being able to stroll through the park or on the beach while writing is alluring -- although we haven't tried it yet. We're waiting for better weather. We did our tests indoors.

The Connect-a-Desk works just fine, although I do wish they'd beef up the desk surface a little -- it's super-thin and bows under the weight of my laptop, even without its battery. And the wrist rest isn't permanently attached to the desk, which was a pain in the butt. It kept slipping off.

And although the neck straps are quite comfy, there's one small stretch of belting at the back of the neck that was left unpadded and it's a tad abrading. We improvised by tucking a washcloth back there, but it would've been that much nicer if we didn't have to. If anything, I would've liked a little extra padding at the back of the neck.

Although the Connect-a-Desk distributed the weight of my computer comfortably and I was able to walk and work with ease, I kind of expected to have a sore back the next day. But to my delight, no such pain.

Despite a few kinks, the Connect-a-Desk is great fun, and definitely does what it's supposed to. Frankly, we'd like to see more people walking around using these things -- as long as they do it in an open field somewhere, and not on the street when we're walking behind them!

To buy your own Connect-a-Desk for $34.95, visit Connect-a-Desk.


For The Long Haul: The AKP OfficePro/10

Writing your kid's term paper -- or your own? You're gonna be at it a while.

You might consider investing in an OfficePro/10 from AKP. This is the most substantial of all the computer desks we sampled, and definitely a personal favorite of mine. It's not for everyone, especially if you're looking to conserve space. But even in my tiny New York apartment, I found the OfficePro/10 to be well worth the space it takes, because it's moveable and versatile.

The OfficePro/10 is on a wheeled base. Its surface is wide and curvaceous, with no uninviting sharp edges. It rolls comfortably up to your chair or sofa, and rolls just as easily away.

It's made to be used with a long side of the desktop facing the user. This provides more than enough room for even the heftiest laptop model, plus plenty of space for papers, snacks, and miscellany. This is how I used it when writing on a living room chair. Additionally, the OfficePro/10 has an adjustable height and tilt mechanisms.

But I found a second way of using the desk. When I was tucked into the corner of an L-shaped sofa, I pulled the table in as close as possible, so one short end of the table hovered perfectly over my lap. My computer fit nicely, sat steadily, and I worked in total comfort. And unlike any of the other desks I tried, I was able to merely push the desktop to the side when I needed to get up, and it glided easily away. It was nice for a change not to have something resting directly on my lap.

The AKP OfficePro/10 usually sells for $185, but for a limited time it's available for $129.95 plus shipping at AKP.

2 Secretaries, 2 Online Tax Services: How Did they Fare?

April 15th is looming, and if you're like most of us, you'll be filing at the last minute, online.

Just-a-Sec had two NYC secretaries file their taxes using two different online filing services, to see how well the services fared.

The results were clear: Avoid TurboTax. Go with Tax Cut by H&R Block.

Here's the full low-down.

Secretary A on Tax Cut by H&R Block:

"It was pretty easy. I only had one snag. There was a code I had to enter from one of the boxes on my W-2. When I entered it into Tax Cut exactly as it appeared on my W-2 form, Tax Cut didn't recognize it. I kept getting an error message over and over again. I figured out how it wanted the code entered through trial and error. I had to go back and find the spot where I'd originally entered the code and fix it, and that was a bit of a pain, but I figured it out. I liked that I was able to put in my bank information, and I got my refund my direct deposit within one week. And they kept me informed by e-mail as my filing progressed, like when the IRS accepted my return. I paid for their "Premium + State" package for $59.95 which allowed me to e-file my federal and state returns at the same time."

Secretary B on TurboTax:

"I definitely won't use TurboTax again next year. What a nightmare! They have me completely frustrated. Although filling in the actual tax information was very easy, it was the post-filing stuff that was really screwed up. I wanted to print out copies of my return for my records, and there was this window on-screen where the forms were supposed to appear. They didn't. Their help instructions (which were hard to navigate, I thought) instructed me to download some other program if I was having trouble seeing or printing my returns. I did that, and it just didn't work. I followed all of their "help" instructions to the letter and nothing happened. I tried contacting customer service via e-mail. I told them I wanted them to just e-mail me copies of my returns as PDF attachments. They wrote me back and said, 'I am very sorry, we do not keep your tax files to print and send to you.' Ummm...hello? I certainly HOPE you still have copies of my returns in that system of yours! In theory, I'm supposed to be able to still access my returns and print them RIGHT NOW -- so why can't THEY access copies of my returns? I felt completely blown off. Then in the e-mail they redirected me back to a link to instructions I'd already followed that didn't work the first time for printing my returns. I'm going to try viewing and printing my returns from a friend's computer. But meanwhile, I feel very frustrated and I paid $186.15 for this! Not only that, but I found the site really difficult to navigate. I kept going around in circles for an hour trying to find the information I wanted. I find it ironic that the name of the company that puts out TurboTax is 'Intuit', because this was one of the least 'intuitive' web sites I think I've ever used. Never again."

Woman Bosses Tougher, Have More to Prove?

Do you find working for women is harder because they have more to prove? Do you feel like The Woman is "keeping you down" because she struggled to get where she is, and doesn't intend to make it easier for you? You just might relate to this podcast from Working in Heels.

Adorable Service with a Smile...on the MTA?!

"MTA Service Specialists": we like the initiative of these gals! Just as much as we love their pillbox hats!

Admins Doing More Work than 5 Years Ago

One report says that administrative workers are making a larger contribution on the job than they did just five years ago. Here's some advice we like on how to reward those increased responsibilities.

Top Ten Ways to Blow a Job Interview

Good advice from Carie Bishop over at GetDegrees.com.

Fighting Weight & Pregnancy Discrimination at Work

Concerned about how your employer (or potential employer) may react if you choose to get pregnant? Facing weight discrimination on the job? This article in the U.S. News and World Report shares some suggestions for arming yourself.

Working Less to Be With Kids?

Is leaving work promptly at 5:30 to be with your kids a "walk of shame"? Check out this article in the Wall Street Journal for more insight.

Flextime is a Good Idea for Everyone

Thinking about presenting arguments to your employer in favor of flextime? Check out this article to bolster your position.

Italian Prix-Fixe Lunch We Like: GIGINO (Lower Manhattan)

For a satisfying, civilized lunch in Lower Manhattan that won't make you feel ripped off, we recommend the prix-fixe menu at Gigino Trattoria (323 Greenwich Street near Duane).

For $23, treat yourself to three decently-sized, delicious courses in an airy, faux-Mediterranean setting.

First course choices include a tri-color salad, polenta, soup or a duck liver pate crostino. Main course choices include something for every taste, from risotto to pasta, salmon and a delightful lemon chicken. For dessert, take your pick of cheesecake, tiramisu or an Amalfi Coast style apple tart.

The quality cuisine attracts discerning suits, but the prix-fixe deal makes this an accessible destination for the support staff, too.

Service is attentive but friendly and relaxed. No 'tude!

Reservations are accepted, and groups can be accomodated -- great for special occasions.

Boy Toys for Tokyo's Working Women

According to this article in The Times of India, the hot new hobby among Japanese working women is indulging in hired "male geishas".

More power to ya, ladies.

You Have to Laugh or You'd Cry

Today, Read Express recommends some comedic books about work life.

New Gateways for the Bridge-and-Tunnel Crowd

The Municipal Art Society of New York comments on the "ARC" (Access to the Region’s Core) project, an ambitious plan by NJ Transit and the Port Authority to build a second set of trans-Hudson rail tunnels.

The original set of tunnels reached their peak capacity in 2003.

Changing Jobs in Mid-Career

Nervous about changing your job in mid-career? MotherTalkers has some words of encouragement.

Feeling Generous?

Giving really does make you feel happier. But don't take our word for it -- read more in the Post-Bulletin.

REPORT: Men Still Not Pulling Weight on Chores

Surprised?

Survey Says...

Does your employer care about retaining you? Do they survey their employees to see how well they're doing with you? Maybe they should. Read more in the Exchange Morning Post.

FREE BREAKFAST at JAMBA JUICE, Tuesday 4/8/08!

Stop into your local Jamba Juice tomorrow, Tuesday April 8, 2008 before 10:00 AM for FREE BREAKFAST! To find your nearest Jamba Juice, click here.

Weirdest Person You Ever Worked With?

Without naming names, tell Just-a-Sec about the weirdest person you ever worked with. We'll publish our favorite stories (anonymously, unless you ask us to include a byline for you).

Strict Internet Rules at Work

How strict is your workplace about allowing you to go online, check personal e-mail, etc.?

One article from OregonLive.com makes an excellent point we think all employers should remember:

"It's going to create such a strict, restricted kind of environment that it will not serve to retain employees..." "It could feel unwelcome, lacking in warmth, not flexible, not receptive or responsive to today's work environment."

Read more.

12 Office Parties Per Year, or One?

We love the Work Happy Guy! And we love his latest advice even more: have twelve office parties throughout the year, instead of just one at the end of the year. Read more!

Are you Changing Jobs Too Often?

Things are like they were in our parents' day -- people don't stay at one company for forty years anymore. But could too much job-hopping be detrimental? Read more on the Asbury Park Press.

"The Singing Office" Puts Crooning Co-Workers on TV

Joey Fatone and Melanie Brown are set to co-host a new reality/talent show TV gig called "The Singing Office", where different groups of office workers will be pitted against each other in singing competitions. Read more here.

Bringing Baby to Work

Looks like more and more companies are letting employees bring their babies to work. Read more about it in the Asbury Park Press.

Guard Your Identity -- Even at Work

If it can happen in the U.K., it can happen here. Read about office workers becoming the victims of identity theft by over-trusting their collegues on moneyextra.

Robot Secretaries? Call Me "Rosie", Mr. Jetson...

It had to happen sooner or later. Check out the robotic secretaries and receptionists at Trend Hunter Magazine. Shiver...

Keep Your Edge: Stay Employable!

J.T. O'Donnell over at the MacoreKX blog offers up four secrets to staying employable.

Conflicts with Your Boss?

ElementalTruths has some solid advice today.

Freelancing on the Side

Chris Costello on the DesignSessions web site argues the benefits of freelancing in addition to your full-time gig.

No More Cubicles?

In the Muscatine Journal, Greg Dunlop, national manager of architecture and design for Allsteel, muses about what our offices will look like in the future. Have a read!