Happy Halloween (*subject to certain terms and conditions)

CareerJournal | Beware of Workplace Horrors: Office Halloween Do's and Don'ts: "While some people can't resist the prospect of wearing a costume while performing daily work tasks, others would rather dress for business as usual. And even though the young-at-heart employee might see it as the perfect time to express creativity through an elaborate get-up, it's best to fully consider whether the witty garb is innocuous enough to make every co-worker smile or if some might deem it offensive...

If the office party-planning committee encourages employees to get into the Halloween spirit with a costume, the choice is up to the individual. Just remember this: Scheduled fun at the office is 'professional fun, which is different than when you're out of the office,'..."

So, is Halloween full of fun or stress at your workplace? Know any ghouls who could benefit from a bit of feedback?

Photo credit: Dane Kantner

Always Be Prepared: 5 Tips for Unexpected Job Loss

This is a helpful summary of things to keep in mind as a 21st century worker.

"Whether you’re Joe Torre or Joe Cubicle, your at-will (more aptly, fire-at-will) contract may come to an end unexpectedly. If you’re smart, you may have seen the writing on the wall and given yourself time to prepare. Life isn’t always that obvious, so you should be thinking ahead and protecting yourself. Here are some tips that you can start putting into effect now, particularly if you are not the sole controller of your employment destiny..."

The main points of the article include:

• Keep three to six months in accessible funds.
• Keep your resume and portfolio current.
• Always be networking.
• Get recommendations without asking.
• Study your industry.

Holy $#%&! Researchers Say It's Good to Swear at Work!

A new study finds that profanity in the workplace can actually help boost office morale.

"Swearing can help develop and maintain solidarity among workers, as well as relieve stress, according to the study conducted by researchers at the University of East Anglia, based in Norwich, England."

Hmmm, well it seems to work for Gordon Ramsay, but we'll guess it's still a context sensitive issue.

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