Is Job-Hunting on the Job a No-No?

Rumors of staff lay-offs are whispering through the hallways of your office. If you were smart, you know you'd start putting a few feelers out for another job now -- maybe send out your resume, search some online job boards.

Maybe you don't have a computer at home, so using the internet to cruise for possibilities is only possible when you're at work. Maybe you don't want to waste any time.

But is it OK to conduct a job search at your desk, during office hours?

Here are two points of view.

Why are Women Bullying Women?

40% of workplace bullies are women, according to a survey published by the Workplace Bullying Institute. Moreover, these women bullies target other women more than 70% of the time.

In the name of Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinem, what is going on here?

Read more at The New Agenda.

Religious Discrimination on the Rise @ Work

Complaints of religious discrimination at work are on the rise, but civil rights advocates don't believe the reason is due to corporate intolerance. Instead, they think it has to do with more religious minorities becoming aware of their rights and being willing to stand up for them.

Read more at Beliefnet.

Office Gossip: Debunking the Myths

Office gossip is a dangerous thing. It can cause people to lose their jobs and even result in a serious downgrade in a company's overall rep.

But what counts as gossip? Are certain types of "gossip-esque" communications OK depending on who's dishing them out? Are you a gossip and don't know it?

Find out more from the Examiner.

Hate the Idea of Office "Cliques"?

Think you'd never see a clique again once you graduated from high school? For those of us who work in offices, the phenomenon continues. More than 85% of people say they see cliques in their workplace, and 66% say they feel left out of an office clique.

Arguments exist for and against cliques. Some actually say they can be a positive force in a work environment -- "team spirit", we suppose. But others argue that cliques only foster gossip and inevitably make the outsiders feel just that -- left out.

Does the thought of being considered part of an office clique make you sick? Would you much rather be seen as someone who's friendly with everyone?

Or, do you belong to an office clique and like it, but wish you could be seen in the most favorable light possible without departing from your circle of friends?

This article addresses how to avoid being cliquey, and how to be the nicest person in a clique if you insist on staying.

Smart Phone Etiquette -- How Rude ARE You?

Most of us have enough common sense to realize that taking a call on your cell phone in the middle of a staff meeting is just not cool.

But what about e-mails, texts, and tweets?

Your professionalism might be taking a hit if you keep your crackberry out on the table during a meeting, or even lunch.

Learn more here.

New Rules: Tea & Coffee in the Office

This blogger has set his own five rules about the making of hot beverages in the office.

Hugs vs. Handshakes

Hugging is the new handshake in the workplace. At least that's what one article in a Pennsylvania newspaper tells us.

Is it true -- do you see the embrace taking over in the office where the handshake was once the norm? Read more about the phenomenon.

Office Gossip: Debunking the Myths

Office gossip is a dangerous thing. It can cause people to lose their jobs and even result in a serious downgrade in a company's overall rep.

But what counts as gossip? Are certain types of "gossip-esque" communications OK depending on who's dishing them out? Are you a gossip and don't know it?

Find out more from the Examiner.

Friction Between Generations in the Office

One source of tension between office co-workers might just be a good old-fashioned generation gap.

Younger workers are more tech-savvy, while older workers stick with ways of doing things that are familiar and comfortable, but not necessarily the most efficient ways of getting things done.

Older workers sometimes resent younger workers for their use of certain technologies (which in the minds of mature workers equate to goofing off), and their relatively casual approach to things like dress code.

How might differences between the generations be causing tension in your office?

Sometimes a little perspective and understanding goes a long way. Read more here.

Girl Scout Cookie Rules for the Office

Remember when the girl scouts used to take cookie orders door-to-door? Maybe you even remember being one of them.

That era is long-gone, as parents worry about the safety of their kids approaching the homes of strangers. Instead, many parents of scouts are taking on the responsibility of selling their daughters' cookies themselves, and usually at work. But it can sometimes be a sticky situation.

What are the ethical issues of selling girl scout cookies in the office? Check out CNN before you buy -- or sell -- another box of Thin Mints.

Religious Discrimination on the Rise @ Work

Complaints of religious discrimination at work are on the rise, but civil rights advocates don't believe the reason is due to corporate intolerance. Instead, they think it has to do with more religious minorities becoming aware of their rights and being willing to stand up for them.

Read more at Beliefnet.

It's All Right to Cry...

In her column The Brazen Careerist, Penelope Trunk offers up five bits of advice she's sick and tired of people handing out to women, one of which is "Don't cry at work".

Find out why she thinks you should let those tears rips -- and what else is irritating her lately -- at The Hook.

One Blogger Agrees: Ladies, Stop the Petty Abuse!

Earlier this week we pointed you to an article about women mistreating one another in an office setting. This writer responded and agreed. Ladies, it's up to us to support one another! It begins with you.

How to Request a Letter of Recommendation

Leaving your job? It's always smart to get a letter of recommendation from your boss before you hit the road. But how do you ask?

If you feel awkward about making the request, read this advice first.

Women: Their Own Worst Enemies at Work

If you're a woman with a female co-worker who's a bully, watch your back, sister.

A recent study by the Workplace Bullying Institute examining office behaviors — like verbal abuse, job sabotage, misuse of authority and destroying of relationships — found that female bullies aim at other women more than 70 percent of the time.

Bullies who are men, by contrast, tend to be equal-opportunity tormentors when it comes to the gender of their target.

Read more in the New York Times.

Lottery Pool Snags

Office workers won a $207 million Mega Millions jackpot, but are hitting a snag -- they're being sued by four employees who were out sick that day and say they "would have played" if they'd been there.

Hey, it could happen to you, too. Read more and you might change the way you handle office lottery pools in the future.

Balancing Religion and Office Politics in December

How do you figure out what's acceptable with regard to practicing ones' spirituality at work so it doesn't interfere with your working relationships or career?

Get some advice here.

What to Wear to the Office Party

Need tips on how to dress appropriately for the office holiday party? Check out this article at WorkChic!

Confronting a Workplace Saboteur

"I work with someone who agrees with action items in meetings, but she consistently sabotages them later. What can I do?"

Sound familiar? Is someone you work with, and maybe depend on, constantly backpedaling? Is she consistently going above or around you?

Get some good advice here.