Tune in here for one man's list of 16 reasons why alcohol should be served at work.
Have a fabulous weekend from JAS!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Women Working More Hours Due to Economy
Working women are spending more and more time on the job with less time for themselves and their families. But the nation’s souring economy is such a major concern, most say they would use any extra time to work a second job.
The more than 12,000 women who took the sixth Ask a Working Woman survey online—released today by Working America and the AFL-CIO—also said the top item that would make their lives easier is a 10 percent raise. Find out what other issues were major concerns for working women, and what worries them the most, here. How does it compare to your concerns? Are you willing to take on a second job? Let us know what you think.
The more than 12,000 women who took the sixth Ask a Working Woman survey online—released today by Working America and the AFL-CIO—also said the top item that would make their lives easier is a 10 percent raise. Find out what other issues were major concerns for working women, and what worries them the most, here. How does it compare to your concerns? Are you willing to take on a second job? Let us know what you think.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Talking about Salary: You Can't Get in Trouble
Know someone who was "written up", demoted or even fired for openly comparing salaries with a co-worker? Guess what -- that's illegal. Read more here.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Is Your Weight Your Employer's Business?
This New York Times article alleges that fat employees are driving up health care costs for everyone. Some people think employers should stick their nose into employees' eating and exercise habits to bring down costs. What do you think?
Friday, June 20, 2008
What's a "Virtual Assistant"?
A growing group of business people are calling themselves virtual assistants, or VAs. Essentially, VAs are freelance secretaries who work from home. It's a burgeoning industry -- read more about it in The Lawyers Weekly.
1 in 3 of IT Staff Spies on Your E-mails, Passwords
One in three information technology professionals abuses administrative passwords to access confidential data such as colleagues' salary details, personal emails or board-meeting minutes, according to a survey.
Yeah. The geeks are readin' your stuff.
Want to read more? Check out this story on Yahoo News today.
Yeah. The geeks are readin' your stuff.
Want to read more? Check out this story on Yahoo News today.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Legal Secretaries' Roles are Changing
Lawyers don't always know how to utilize their secretaries. In one post on the legal tabloid Above The Law, a former big-law attorney confessed to not using his own secretary very much. Other attorneys, particularly junior ones, commiserated with gripes like, "I have no idea what to do with mine."
What are legal secretaries doing? What's changed in recent years? Is technology making secretaries unnecessary?
Read more in an article at Law.com.
What are legal secretaries doing? What's changed in recent years? Is technology making secretaries unnecessary?
Read more in an article at Law.com.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Quit Smoking, or You're Fired?
The owner of a health care benefits administrator in Lansing, Michigan, gave his 200 employees an ultimatum in 2004: Quit smoking in 15 months or lose your job. He refused to hire smokers. Ultimately, he extended his smoking ban to employees' spouses and monitored compliance through mandatory random blood testing.
Read more in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Read more in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Employers Pushing Women Out of Workforce?
Rigid work schedules, bias, scarce child care, unpaid caregiving leaves, little sick time. Policy analysts say these realities help explain U.S. women's sagging work-force participation -- according to this article by Sharon Johnson.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Men Would Be Mr. Mom, If They Could.
73 Percent of Working Dads would be a Stay-At-Home Parent if Money Were Not an Issue -- so says a new survey released by Monster. Read more at Business Wire.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
New York Discourages Telecommuting by Double-Taxing
Did you know that New York State tax laws are set up to financially punish people who telecommute from another state for New York employers? That means all you Jersey people who fantasize about convincing your employer to let you work from home might want to reconsider. That is, unless the Telecommuter Tax Fairness Act is passed. Learn more.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Glassdoor: A Web Site for Reviewing Your Employer
Employers love to give us performance reviews. But did you ever wish you could review THEM? And in PUBLIC?
Now you can. Check out this article from Wired on Glassdoor, a new web site where you can talk frankly about your employer, and learn about other companies where you may (or may not) want to work.
Now you can. Check out this article from Wired on Glassdoor, a new web site where you can talk frankly about your employer, and learn about other companies where you may (or may not) want to work.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Health: Are You "Underinsured"?
People who are underinsured are people who have health insurance but spend 10 percent or more of their income on out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Being underinsured also means paying deductibles of 5 percent or more of family income.
The number of American adults who had inadequate health insurance to cover their medical expenses rose 60 percent from 2003 to 2007, from 16 million to more than 25 million people.
These tidbits are from an article on Forbes today. Are you underinsured? And is it time for the government to do something about it? Read more.
Being underinsured also means paying deductibles of 5 percent or more of family income.
The number of American adults who had inadequate health insurance to cover their medical expenses rose 60 percent from 2003 to 2007, from 16 million to more than 25 million people.
These tidbits are from an article on Forbes today. Are you underinsured? And is it time for the government to do something about it? Read more.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Legal Secretaries Lost Jobs in April & May
According to the Wall Street Journal, April and May were terrible months for those who work in the legal sector. 1,100 jobs were lost in May alone. Read more.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Video: Office Worker Goes Psycho
We don't recommend it, but it might give you a vicarious thrill to watch this video of an office worker going totally out of his gourd. Yes, office equipment WILL be thrown!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Taking Home Your Office Coffee Machine
A JUST-A-SEC EXCLUSIVE!
Ever wish you could bring that fancy one-cup coffee maker home from the office – the Keurig machine with its handy little “K-cups”, the Flavia with its array of mix-and-match packets?
Turns out, you can!
We set out to review the home versions of two popular office coffee machines, as well as two cup-at-a-time coffee pod brewers, and here are the results.
The Flavia Fusion Drinks Station
We’ve worked in offices that had Flavia machines, and we loved the way you could combine different Flavia Filterpacks to create unique beverages. Like “Creamy Topping” or “Milky Way Swirl” added to your favorite Flavia coffee variety.
So we were really looking forward to reviewing the Flavia Fusion, the at-home version of the office brewing machines we’ve so enjoyed.
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to give the Flavia Fusion a fair review. We had a defective unit that wouldn’t work properly and we had to send it back.
The Flavia Fusion retails for $99.95.
Keurig Platinum B70 Single-Cup Home-Brewing System
Wow. We love this machine.
Some of us have Keurig machines in our workplaces, so we were already familiar with how they work. The home version – specifically, the Platinum B70– was no disappointment.
Keurig brews beverages from what it calls “K-Cups” – little white cups that look like diner-style creamers. They hold coffee, tea and hot cocoa. You pop one into the Keurig machine, the machine punctures the cup and brews a perfect beverage quickly and easily.
The one big drawback to machines that only use their own beverages is, obviously, you can’t buy other brands of coffee and tea. However, Keurig makes something called “My K-Cup” (which we did not try); a reusable filter that you can fill with your favorite ground coffee, creating personalized K-Cups. Keurig also offers a huge variety of K-Cups – far too many to list them all here – that includes beverages from Newman’s Own, Timothy’s, Emeril’s, Celestial Seasonings, Twinings, Ghirardelli, Bigelow, and many, many more. We were genuinely impressed with the available variety – and taste quality – of the K-Cups.
The B70 home brewer is just as reliable and easy-to-use as the at-work machines. And it was loaded with features we fell in love with.
A backlit LCD screen on the unit displays the time, and allows for programmable options. You can tell the B70 what time you like your coffee in the morning and it will be ready to brew when you are. You can choose the temperature of your brew. It will tell you when it’s time to descale the machine. When the water tank is running low, a blue light from under the tank begins to flash.
We were thrilled with the beverage-size flexibility the B70 offers: choose from 5.25, 7.25, 9.25 and 11.25 ounces.
And there’s plenty of room for any size cup -- even tall mugs.
The water tank holds 60 ounces – great for when you have company.
The Keurig Platinum B70 worked flawlessly right out of the box. We couldn’t find anything to complain about.
It’s not for everyone, of course – it’s expensive, and if space is an issue, you’d probably do better with a more compact machine.
But if you really, truly love that Keurig at the office, and you’re due for a treat, the Platinum B70 is an indulgence that will serve you well.
The Keurig Platinum B70 retails for about $199.95.
K-Cups cost $13.95 for a pack of about 25 (or you can get 5-packs for $2.95).
The Senseo Deluxe Coffeemaker
We had high hopes for the Senseo Deluxe, but found it was all style and no substance.
Certainly a cute-looking machine for your counter top, but the Senseo dispensed absurdly puny cups of coffee. We just had to show you. Look at this:
We even stuck a ruler into a freshly-brewed cup and discovered there was less than an inch of coffee in the cup! We brewed several cups and the result was consistent.
The Senseo offers less flexibility than the Melitta One:One (reviewed below) as far as beverage size. Two different buttons allow you to choose between a small or large cup of coffee. But even the larger size didn’t even give us half a mug of coffee.
Also, the Senseo does not adjust for different size cups. Look what happened when we tried to put our favorite tall mug under the spout:
There was something weird about the water tank. It didn’t feel secure when it was in the machine. It just kind of…sat there. It didn’t “snap in” or anything. Realistically, if a person elbowed the machine at just the right angle, the water tank would knock right over and spill water all over the counter. Also, there was a strange gap between the machine and the tank, right at the top, can you see it?:
In our opinion, this is just sloppy design. Why couldn’t the lip of the water tank come flush to the machine? And doesn’t this leave your water open to possible contamination, with dust, or anything else flying around the room – air freshener particles? Bug spray? The gap bothered us.
We did like one feature of the Senseo’s water tank that we wish the Melitta One:One would incorporate: raised “grip” bumps in the plastic that made it easier to carry to and from the sink.
The Senseo brews coffee from round pods, just like the Melitta One:One. Although Senseo makes its own brand of coffee pods (Senseo Douwe Egberts), we found that using other brands of round pods in the Senseo machine produced the same results as Senseo’s own pods: all very frothy, all very tiny cups of coffee.
The Senseo Deluxe retails for $99.99.
Coffee pod prices vary depending on brand; Senseo’s cost about $6.96 for a box of 16 pods.
The Melitta One:One Java Pod Brewing System
For an affordable machine that provides office-style, cup-at-a-time brewing, we loved the Melitta One:One Java Pod Brewing System!
This machine worked like a charm right out of the box, and offered several thoughtful features we really appreciated.
We liked that the One:One offered four beverage size options: 5, 8, 14 and 20 ounces, each dispensed with a single touch of a button. Unlike other machines that dispense ridiculously small cups of coffee, the Melitta brewed generous cups for real coffee drinkers. We weren’t disappointed.
The One:One also allows for brewing two cups at a time. The clever spout dispenses coffee from two holes spaced about an inch apart, so if you want a single cup of coffee, just center your cup directly under the spout and collect all the coffee into one mug. If you want to brew for two, place two cups under the spout, and each cup will collect coffee from one of the two dispensing holes. And Melitta makes it easy not to put your cup in the wrong place, because the drip tray is contoured for one or two cups, so your cup is actually guided into place by the circular ridges, right where it should sit under the spout.
Another thing we liked about this simple but ingenious spout was the fact that it adjusted for different size coffee cups. Just push or pull the spout to raise or lower it over your cup – so it allows for taller cups. Not every coffee machine does this. And we like our big mugs!
One of our secretary testers noted that she liked the compact shape and size of the removable water tank, because it allowed her to get the tank under her faucet even when her sink was full of dishes! Other coffee makers had clunkier tanks that required more sink space to fill. (And still, the Melitta One:One’s water tank holds a hefty 40 ounces.)
The Melitta One:One also has an automatic shut-off feature when the machine has been idle for 30 minutes.
It was also very easy to clean and had minimal parts, which we loved. Simplicity.
It brews coffee from round single-serve pods, which Melitta manufactures. (The One:One came with a nice sample variety of coffee pods in a charming wire basket.) But the good news is, you don’t have to buy Melitta’s pods. This is a limitation of some other machines; you can only brew their coffee. We tried other brands of coffee pods in the Melitta One:One and they worked just fine. This was especially good news for us because we did not like Melitta’s coffee. They make a wonderful machine, but their coffee leaves much room for improvement.
We highly recommend this machine, but do offer Melitta a couple of design suggestions for improving on the One:One.
We would’ve liked the water tank to have a carrying handle molded into it. While the tank was more maneuverable under the faucet than others, it felt a little insecure in our hands as we carried it.
Also, how ‘bout designing the pod holders so they attach to the side of the machine? The One:One comes with two pod holders of different sizes, for brewing one or two pods at a time. At any given time, there’s at least one pod holder on the loose. For those of us who lose things easily (or are just too lazy to go hunting in a drawer), why not create a pod holder-holder on the side of the machine? Even a simple molded plastic pocket would be helpful.
The Melitta One:One retails for $49.99 (in our opinion, a huge bargain)
Coffee pods vary depending on brand; Melitta’s cost $4.99 for a box of 18 pods.
Ever wish you could bring that fancy one-cup coffee maker home from the office – the Keurig machine with its handy little “K-cups”, the Flavia with its array of mix-and-match packets?
Turns out, you can!
We set out to review the home versions of two popular office coffee machines, as well as two cup-at-a-time coffee pod brewers, and here are the results.
The Flavia Fusion Drinks Station
We’ve worked in offices that had Flavia machines, and we loved the way you could combine different Flavia Filterpacks to create unique beverages. Like “Creamy Topping” or “Milky Way Swirl” added to your favorite Flavia coffee variety.
So we were really looking forward to reviewing the Flavia Fusion, the at-home version of the office brewing machines we’ve so enjoyed.
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to give the Flavia Fusion a fair review. We had a defective unit that wouldn’t work properly and we had to send it back.
The Flavia Fusion retails for $99.95.
Keurig Platinum B70 Single-Cup Home-Brewing System
Wow. We love this machine.
Some of us have Keurig machines in our workplaces, so we were already familiar with how they work. The home version – specifically, the Platinum B70– was no disappointment.
Keurig brews beverages from what it calls “K-Cups” – little white cups that look like diner-style creamers. They hold coffee, tea and hot cocoa. You pop one into the Keurig machine, the machine punctures the cup and brews a perfect beverage quickly and easily.
The one big drawback to machines that only use their own beverages is, obviously, you can’t buy other brands of coffee and tea. However, Keurig makes something called “My K-Cup” (which we did not try); a reusable filter that you can fill with your favorite ground coffee, creating personalized K-Cups. Keurig also offers a huge variety of K-Cups – far too many to list them all here – that includes beverages from Newman’s Own, Timothy’s, Emeril’s, Celestial Seasonings, Twinings, Ghirardelli, Bigelow, and many, many more. We were genuinely impressed with the available variety – and taste quality – of the K-Cups.
The B70 home brewer is just as reliable and easy-to-use as the at-work machines. And it was loaded with features we fell in love with.
A backlit LCD screen on the unit displays the time, and allows for programmable options. You can tell the B70 what time you like your coffee in the morning and it will be ready to brew when you are. You can choose the temperature of your brew. It will tell you when it’s time to descale the machine. When the water tank is running low, a blue light from under the tank begins to flash.
We were thrilled with the beverage-size flexibility the B70 offers: choose from 5.25, 7.25, 9.25 and 11.25 ounces.
And there’s plenty of room for any size cup -- even tall mugs.
The water tank holds 60 ounces – great for when you have company.
The Keurig Platinum B70 worked flawlessly right out of the box. We couldn’t find anything to complain about.
It’s not for everyone, of course – it’s expensive, and if space is an issue, you’d probably do better with a more compact machine.
But if you really, truly love that Keurig at the office, and you’re due for a treat, the Platinum B70 is an indulgence that will serve you well.
The Keurig Platinum B70 retails for about $199.95.
K-Cups cost $13.95 for a pack of about 25 (or you can get 5-packs for $2.95).
The Senseo Deluxe Coffeemaker
We had high hopes for the Senseo Deluxe, but found it was all style and no substance.
Certainly a cute-looking machine for your counter top, but the Senseo dispensed absurdly puny cups of coffee. We just had to show you. Look at this:
We even stuck a ruler into a freshly-brewed cup and discovered there was less than an inch of coffee in the cup! We brewed several cups and the result was consistent.
The Senseo offers less flexibility than the Melitta One:One (reviewed below) as far as beverage size. Two different buttons allow you to choose between a small or large cup of coffee. But even the larger size didn’t even give us half a mug of coffee.
Also, the Senseo does not adjust for different size cups. Look what happened when we tried to put our favorite tall mug under the spout:
There was something weird about the water tank. It didn’t feel secure when it was in the machine. It just kind of…sat there. It didn’t “snap in” or anything. Realistically, if a person elbowed the machine at just the right angle, the water tank would knock right over and spill water all over the counter. Also, there was a strange gap between the machine and the tank, right at the top, can you see it?:
In our opinion, this is just sloppy design. Why couldn’t the lip of the water tank come flush to the machine? And doesn’t this leave your water open to possible contamination, with dust, or anything else flying around the room – air freshener particles? Bug spray? The gap bothered us.
We did like one feature of the Senseo’s water tank that we wish the Melitta One:One would incorporate: raised “grip” bumps in the plastic that made it easier to carry to and from the sink.
The Senseo brews coffee from round pods, just like the Melitta One:One. Although Senseo makes its own brand of coffee pods (Senseo Douwe Egberts), we found that using other brands of round pods in the Senseo machine produced the same results as Senseo’s own pods: all very frothy, all very tiny cups of coffee.
The Senseo Deluxe retails for $99.99.
Coffee pod prices vary depending on brand; Senseo’s cost about $6.96 for a box of 16 pods.
The Melitta One:One Java Pod Brewing System
For an affordable machine that provides office-style, cup-at-a-time brewing, we loved the Melitta One:One Java Pod Brewing System!
This machine worked like a charm right out of the box, and offered several thoughtful features we really appreciated.
We liked that the One:One offered four beverage size options: 5, 8, 14 and 20 ounces, each dispensed with a single touch of a button. Unlike other machines that dispense ridiculously small cups of coffee, the Melitta brewed generous cups for real coffee drinkers. We weren’t disappointed.
The One:One also allows for brewing two cups at a time. The clever spout dispenses coffee from two holes spaced about an inch apart, so if you want a single cup of coffee, just center your cup directly under the spout and collect all the coffee into one mug. If you want to brew for two, place two cups under the spout, and each cup will collect coffee from one of the two dispensing holes. And Melitta makes it easy not to put your cup in the wrong place, because the drip tray is contoured for one or two cups, so your cup is actually guided into place by the circular ridges, right where it should sit under the spout.
Another thing we liked about this simple but ingenious spout was the fact that it adjusted for different size coffee cups. Just push or pull the spout to raise or lower it over your cup – so it allows for taller cups. Not every coffee machine does this. And we like our big mugs!
One of our secretary testers noted that she liked the compact shape and size of the removable water tank, because it allowed her to get the tank under her faucet even when her sink was full of dishes! Other coffee makers had clunkier tanks that required more sink space to fill. (And still, the Melitta One:One’s water tank holds a hefty 40 ounces.)
The Melitta One:One also has an automatic shut-off feature when the machine has been idle for 30 minutes.
It was also very easy to clean and had minimal parts, which we loved. Simplicity.
It brews coffee from round single-serve pods, which Melitta manufactures. (The One:One came with a nice sample variety of coffee pods in a charming wire basket.) But the good news is, you don’t have to buy Melitta’s pods. This is a limitation of some other machines; you can only brew their coffee. We tried other brands of coffee pods in the Melitta One:One and they worked just fine. This was especially good news for us because we did not like Melitta’s coffee. They make a wonderful machine, but their coffee leaves much room for improvement.
We highly recommend this machine, but do offer Melitta a couple of design suggestions for improving on the One:One.
We would’ve liked the water tank to have a carrying handle molded into it. While the tank was more maneuverable under the faucet than others, it felt a little insecure in our hands as we carried it.
Also, how ‘bout designing the pod holders so they attach to the side of the machine? The One:One comes with two pod holders of different sizes, for brewing one or two pods at a time. At any given time, there’s at least one pod holder on the loose. For those of us who lose things easily (or are just too lazy to go hunting in a drawer), why not create a pod holder-holder on the side of the machine? Even a simple molded plastic pocket would be helpful.
The Melitta One:One retails for $49.99 (in our opinion, a huge bargain)
Coffee pods vary depending on brand; Melitta’s cost $4.99 for a box of 18 pods.
Your Wedding: Which Co-Workers to Invite?
Forbes.com has an interesting article today about how who you invite to your wedding from your workplace can affect you, the invited, and the uninvited.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Bags of Summer: A Just-a-Sec Exclusive!
Summer's here. Isn't it time you treated yourself to a cheerful new bag?
But at Just-a-Sec, we're a busy bunch -- so just any pretty bag won't do. It's gotta keep up with our lifestyles and look good doing it. We’re all about staying organized and we’re all-too-happy to spend our money on bags with features that keep our day-to-day needs in mind.
We took a detailed look at lots of commuter-friendly, multi-tasking bags, and as real-life New York secretaries, we heartily recommend the following four:
The Dakine Messenger Bag
There's no question it's cute and summery in the "Garden Stripe" variety. But the Dakine bag's got more than looks going for it – there’s real substance here. Let's do an accessory autopsy:
Handy outside zipper pocket (and adorable polka-dot lining).
Adjustable straps keep flap securely closed, AND they hold a yoga mat!
Durable back. Removable waist belt to keep the bag secured to your body. Comfy padded shoulder strap. Grab handle made from a deliciously soft fabric.
Just under the flap, there are THREE additional storage pockets -- two with zippers. One zipper pocket is mesh for easy visibility, and there's a key fob inside. Designated stretchy organizer pockets hold your phone, MP3 player or other electronic devices. And the zipperless pocket has compartments for three pens.
Super-roomy main compartment has a built-in cushy laptop sleeve with Velcro-type closure to keep your machine secure.
Bag is 15" x 10" x 6", and it's a bargain at $40. Other colors and patterns available. Go to Dakine.
Modern Union -- Yoga Mat Bag and Coordinating Laptop Sleeve
This messenger bag from Modern Union is made specifically with the yoga student in mind. The straps at the bottom will hold a mat (or, for that matter, an umbrella, sweater, beach blanket, etc.), and the flap hangs freely with NO closure on purpose -- so you can open the bag quietly (without the rrrrrip of Velcro) in the serenity of your yoga class.
The fabric is durable and water resistant. This particular fabric is called "Spa", but other styles are available.
A zipper pocket in the flap is handy, and inside there’s an additional smaller, open-top pocket for smaller items.
There’s also a huge pocket with plenty of room for file folders at the back of the back, with a Velcro-type closure. Just above this pocket is a convenient grab-handle.
There's a handy mesh water bottle holder on one side of the bag...
...and an easy-to-reach exterior cell phone pocket on the other, with a secure Velcro-type closure.
Just under the flap there are twin zipper pockets designed to hold CDs. There's also a substantial aluminum key ring attached just inside the bag’s main pocket – easily reachable.
Inside the main compartment, a mesh pocket spans the entire width of the bag, and is kept closed by Velcro-type closures.
The bag has an adjustable strap of generous length with a shoulder pad.
The bag measures 13" x 17".
Also, Modern Union makes one of the most protective laptop sleeves we've ever seen, in styles to match its messenger bags. The sleeve fits easily inside the messenger bag and accommodates laptops up to 15.4" in size.
Access to the sleeve is easy -- just lift the single Velcro-type closure on top.
Inside, your computer is generously padded, and the soft interior fabric prevents scratches.
Three unique rectangular pads add further protection, but they can be easily removed (they're attached with Velcro-type tapes) to make room for a larger laptop.
The sleeve measures 15" x 11" x 2".
The messenger bag is $68; the laptop sleeve is $28, or buy both together for $86. Shop at Modern Union.
God, We LOVE High Sierra
High Sierra really won us over with its "Connect" and "Pix" style bags.
Here's High Sierra's sporty and supremely useful "Connect" bag. It's made of a durable, mini-waffle weave fabric that resists harsh weather.
The flap secures itself immediately when you close it, thanks to two big patches of Velcro-like material. But if you want extra security, there are two adjustable buckles on straps. Nobody’s gettin’ in this bag but you!
There's a handy outside zipper pocket for items you need quick access to, and a generous, extra-wide adjustable carrying strap.
We love this discreet water-bottle holder on the side with expanding mesh pocket.
Just under the flap, a number of designated pockets keep you organized, with a slender pen pocket, a zippered mesh pocket, and additional smaller open-top pocket, and a large zipper pocket with a key fob tucked inside. Two gusseted pockets provide special places for your phone, PDA or MP2 player, with Velcro-type closures on the pocket flaps.
Just behind the organizer area, there’s an extra-large open-top pocket – perfect for magazines, file folders, etc.
Inside the main compartment, the bag is super-roomy, with a large compartment for files and books, and a padded laptop sleeve that fits most 17" computers. The laptop compartment is secured with a buckle and two Velcro-type closures.
Finally, the High Sierra “Connect” has a grab handle attached to the back of the bag.
The “Connect” measures 17" x 13.5" x 4". We’ve shown it here in red, but it’s also available in electric blue. Suggested retail price is $70. Learn more at High Sierra.
Here's High Sierra's "Pix" Bag.
Just as useful as "Connect", but with a slicker, more urban feel. Styled like a tote bag with two handles just long enough to throw over a shoulder. It's made of a durable, mini-waffle weave fabric that resists harsh weather. A zipper across the top keeps items safe from subway pick-pockets.
Two deep exterior “jeans”-style pockets give you quick access to things you need in a flash.
Inside, there's a removable laptop case that fits most 15" notebook computers. It has carrying handles and a Velcro-type top closure.
Inside, several designated pockets keep commonly-used items at the ready, with three slender pen pockets, two small pockets for business cards, a key fob, and two pockets specially designed for your electronic devices (phone, PDA). These pockets have magnetic closures (so they stay in place, but no fumbling with snaps or latches), and each pocket is coated with a plush material to protect the surface of your electronics.
Just behind the organizer area is a larger, open-top pocket, and inside that is a removable zipper case!
The interior of the main compartment is roomy and padded, with an additional zipper pocket.
The “Pix” bag measures 17" x 13" x 5". Suggested retail price is $70. Learn more at High Sierra.
Happy Smart Shopping!
But at Just-a-Sec, we're a busy bunch -- so just any pretty bag won't do. It's gotta keep up with our lifestyles and look good doing it. We’re all about staying organized and we’re all-too-happy to spend our money on bags with features that keep our day-to-day needs in mind.
We took a detailed look at lots of commuter-friendly, multi-tasking bags, and as real-life New York secretaries, we heartily recommend the following four:
The Dakine Messenger Bag
There's no question it's cute and summery in the "Garden Stripe" variety. But the Dakine bag's got more than looks going for it – there’s real substance here. Let's do an accessory autopsy:
Handy outside zipper pocket (and adorable polka-dot lining).
Adjustable straps keep flap securely closed, AND they hold a yoga mat!
Durable back. Removable waist belt to keep the bag secured to your body. Comfy padded shoulder strap. Grab handle made from a deliciously soft fabric.
Just under the flap, there are THREE additional storage pockets -- two with zippers. One zipper pocket is mesh for easy visibility, and there's a key fob inside. Designated stretchy organizer pockets hold your phone, MP3 player or other electronic devices. And the zipperless pocket has compartments for three pens.
Super-roomy main compartment has a built-in cushy laptop sleeve with Velcro-type closure to keep your machine secure.
Bag is 15" x 10" x 6", and it's a bargain at $40. Other colors and patterns available. Go to Dakine.
Modern Union -- Yoga Mat Bag and Coordinating Laptop Sleeve
This messenger bag from Modern Union is made specifically with the yoga student in mind. The straps at the bottom will hold a mat (or, for that matter, an umbrella, sweater, beach blanket, etc.), and the flap hangs freely with NO closure on purpose -- so you can open the bag quietly (without the rrrrrip of Velcro) in the serenity of your yoga class.
The fabric is durable and water resistant. This particular fabric is called "Spa", but other styles are available.
A zipper pocket in the flap is handy, and inside there’s an additional smaller, open-top pocket for smaller items.
There’s also a huge pocket with plenty of room for file folders at the back of the back, with a Velcro-type closure. Just above this pocket is a convenient grab-handle.
There's a handy mesh water bottle holder on one side of the bag...
...and an easy-to-reach exterior cell phone pocket on the other, with a secure Velcro-type closure.
Just under the flap there are twin zipper pockets designed to hold CDs. There's also a substantial aluminum key ring attached just inside the bag’s main pocket – easily reachable.
Inside the main compartment, a mesh pocket spans the entire width of the bag, and is kept closed by Velcro-type closures.
The bag has an adjustable strap of generous length with a shoulder pad.
The bag measures 13" x 17".
Also, Modern Union makes one of the most protective laptop sleeves we've ever seen, in styles to match its messenger bags. The sleeve fits easily inside the messenger bag and accommodates laptops up to 15.4" in size.
Access to the sleeve is easy -- just lift the single Velcro-type closure on top.
Inside, your computer is generously padded, and the soft interior fabric prevents scratches.
Three unique rectangular pads add further protection, but they can be easily removed (they're attached with Velcro-type tapes) to make room for a larger laptop.
The sleeve measures 15" x 11" x 2".
The messenger bag is $68; the laptop sleeve is $28, or buy both together for $86. Shop at Modern Union.
God, We LOVE High Sierra
High Sierra really won us over with its "Connect" and "Pix" style bags.
Here's High Sierra's sporty and supremely useful "Connect" bag. It's made of a durable, mini-waffle weave fabric that resists harsh weather.
The flap secures itself immediately when you close it, thanks to two big patches of Velcro-like material. But if you want extra security, there are two adjustable buckles on straps. Nobody’s gettin’ in this bag but you!
There's a handy outside zipper pocket for items you need quick access to, and a generous, extra-wide adjustable carrying strap.
We love this discreet water-bottle holder on the side with expanding mesh pocket.
Just under the flap, a number of designated pockets keep you organized, with a slender pen pocket, a zippered mesh pocket, and additional smaller open-top pocket, and a large zipper pocket with a key fob tucked inside. Two gusseted pockets provide special places for your phone, PDA or MP2 player, with Velcro-type closures on the pocket flaps.
Just behind the organizer area, there’s an extra-large open-top pocket – perfect for magazines, file folders, etc.
Inside the main compartment, the bag is super-roomy, with a large compartment for files and books, and a padded laptop sleeve that fits most 17" computers. The laptop compartment is secured with a buckle and two Velcro-type closures.
Finally, the High Sierra “Connect” has a grab handle attached to the back of the bag.
The “Connect” measures 17" x 13.5" x 4". We’ve shown it here in red, but it’s also available in electric blue. Suggested retail price is $70. Learn more at High Sierra.
Here's High Sierra's "Pix" Bag.
Just as useful as "Connect", but with a slicker, more urban feel. Styled like a tote bag with two handles just long enough to throw over a shoulder. It's made of a durable, mini-waffle weave fabric that resists harsh weather. A zipper across the top keeps items safe from subway pick-pockets.
Two deep exterior “jeans”-style pockets give you quick access to things you need in a flash.
Inside, there's a removable laptop case that fits most 15" notebook computers. It has carrying handles and a Velcro-type top closure.
Inside, several designated pockets keep commonly-used items at the ready, with three slender pen pockets, two small pockets for business cards, a key fob, and two pockets specially designed for your electronic devices (phone, PDA). These pockets have magnetic closures (so they stay in place, but no fumbling with snaps or latches), and each pocket is coated with a plush material to protect the surface of your electronics.
Just behind the organizer area is a larger, open-top pocket, and inside that is a removable zipper case!
The interior of the main compartment is roomy and padded, with an additional zipper pocket.
The “Pix” bag measures 17" x 13" x 5". Suggested retail price is $70. Learn more at High Sierra.
Happy Smart Shopping!
Worst Bosses Named "John" and "Anne"
An online poll of 4,000 workers saw more complaints about people named John and Anne than any other.
But what other names are to be avoided? Find out (and read some boss horror stories) at the Telegraph.
But what other names are to be avoided? Find out (and read some boss horror stories) at the Telegraph.
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