The Globe and Mail - The Office

Leaving The Office

csilverman — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:53 EST

I'm sad to say this is my last post. The Globe will continue to offer workplace-related coverage online and in the paper, but this blog has run its course. I want to thank all the readers that took time to email and add comments. You've taught me a lot, and provided more than a few laughs.I will continue - Follow link to read full post

When real work disappears, bring on the busywork

csilverman — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:45 EST

Retail workers are proficient at busywork: they fold, stack, dust and rearrange. For someone at a desk job, it's a bit more difficult, as evidenced by some of the people featured in “Working Hard to Look Busy,” a recent New York Times article about busywork.“Looking busy when you're - Follow link to read full post

The “layoff business” is booming

csilverman — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:25 EST

It's inevitable that tough economic times will be good news to some businesses. Repo men, for example. Or those involved in the “layoff industry.”The New York Times has an article about the companies that businesses turn to when they need to lay off workers. As you might expect, business - Follow link to read full post

Are women part of “A Sisterhood of Workplace Infighting”?

csilverman — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 11:35 EST

A female leadership coach took to the pages of the New York Times last weekend to warn about a “a pink elephant luring” in the workplace. (“A Sisterhood of Workplace Infighting” was the headline on the article.)Peggy Klaus writes that “while women have come a long way in - Follow link to read full post

In defense of office walls

csilverman — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:17 EST

Open plan offices, where walls are either low or non-existent and no one has a door to close, were supposed to increase productivity and collaboration. But new research suggests they could be doing the exact opposite.Australian research published in the Asia-Pacific Journal of Health Management concludes - Follow link to read full post

Too ugly to land a job?

csilverman — Fri, 9 Jan 2009 13:11 EST

I recently started reading an employment law blog written by David Doorey, a professor at York University. He wrote an interesting post a few weeks ago that examines some of the ways employers can and can't discriminate when it comes to hiring and treating employees. “When I teach employment discrimination - Follow link to read full post

Contest: Share the best line you've heard in the office

csilverman — Tue, 6 Jan 2009 11:53 EST

Yesterday's edition of my print column included an item about a U.S. newspaper copy editor's request that people submit the best line they've heard in their workplace. Here's the text from the column:John McIntyre, director of the copy desk at the Baltimore Sun, recently invited readers of his language - Follow link to read full post

Workplace insights from the creator of Dilbert

csilverman — Fri, 2 Jan 2009 10:57 EST

Scott Adams has earned himself, and his Dilbert comic strip, a place in the history of work. Frustrated engineers, IT workers and other cubicle slaves turn to Dilbert for a little release from the oft-frustrating world of work. Adams also regularly receives suggestions from his readers, some of which - Follow link to read full post

Reporter surprised to include herself in series about layoffs

csilverman — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:46 EST

Well, I guess it's just another sign of the times.Ketzel Levine, a senior correspondent for National Public Radio, spent the last few months working on “American Moxie: How We Get By,” a series about how people are coping with the economic troubles.Part of her series, which you can listen - Follow link to read full post

Canadian filmmaker wants your cubicle stories

csilverman — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:31 EST

While checking out one of the many (too many) workplace blogs that I follow, I came across this post about a Canadian filmmaker who is making a film about cubicles. The post also noted that he's looking to interview for Canadians who've gone all out with their cubicle decorations.I got in touch with - Follow link to read full post