We work in a contemporary world. A world where things are changing — whether it's when and where employees are working, how employers are handling their human resources or the constantly changing trends — the world of work is moving and shifting. And as wacky as that world can be sometimes, it's also fascinating if you have the right guide.

This blog is designed to be just that — a companion on your journey through the changing world of work. Here you'll find tips, tools and information on topics as diverse as the workforce itself: the aging workforce, working women, professional etiquette, generational diversity, the talent crunch, and more. So whether you're an employer or an employee, and whether you're beginning or close to finishing your career, I hope you find the information here useful for navigating the contemporary world of work.

Thanks for reading and have fun!

Melanie

If you’ve been following my blog, you might have noticed that I’ve been silent for the past few weeks.  Here’s why…

Ten years ago I was treated for breast cancer.  I just learned that the cancer has metastasized to my bones.  While this isn’t great news, I’m thankful that it’s only in my bones — it hasn’t spread to any of my organs.  More good news:  I tolerated chemo therapy quite well ten years ago and I’m confident my body won’t let me down this time, either.

I’m not writing this because I want you to feel sorry for me (although concern and support are always welcomed).  But I do want you to know that things here will change a bit over the next few months.

This will still be your place for world of work insights.  I’ll occasionally blog with articles and opinions — just like you’re used to.  But I’ll add a few posts now and then on what it’s like having a serious illness and going through treatment, while continuing as an executive at a Fortune 500 company.  I might throw in some etiquette tips on the best ways to deal with people coping with illness or loss.  You might get to see my dogs again.  And I might even post a picture of me bald.

But even better, I’m asking my colleagues at Manpower to step in as guest bloggers.  You’ll hear their perspectives on the world of work and I’m confident you’ll benefit from what they have to say.

So please, please stay tuned.  There are great posts to come!

P.S.  I actually liked being bald the last time.

Here is my take on From the Ground Up – Episode 2.  Recall that this is Debbie Travis’ new show on Fine Living.  She has found a relatively motley crew of frustrated young people who don’t like what they’re currently doing:  bartender, roofer, drifter, lawyer, chambermaid, esthetician, bill collector, business analyst.  Debbie’s point is there is a great future in the trades and she’s hoping they will find something they love — and rebuild their lives from the ground up.

Last week, many disliked the hard, dirty work of cleaning up the construction site.  This week, the test was leadership and teamwork.  We saw:

• Leaders who were so unsure of themselves, the teams walked all over them. 
• Leaders who were so power-hungry, cocky and full of themselves, that the teams revolted.

We also saw followers who:

• Were not willing to learn the job.
• Wanted to take over the task, even though they weren’t the leaders.

The key lessons of the show were all about communication, flexibility, understanding and trust.  These are traits we can all improve to create functioning teams with good leadership.

If you have young people in your house who are struggling to find their passion, I recommend this program.  There are lessons to be learned at every turn.

This really has nothing to do with anything, but as I was walking out of our building the other day I was about 20 feet from a door when a kind colleague (I didn’t know, by the way) waited for me and held the door.  My hands weren’t full.  I wasn’t limping.  I was just leaving for the day and she waited an extraordinarily long time to keep the door open for me.

It got me to thinking — is there a universally accepted distance we all use when making that split-second decision to hold the door or not?  Is it five feet?  Ten feet?  Or is it a universally-accepted time delay that our mind uses to decide to hold the door — five seconds, ten seconds?

Whatever — I suggest we all err on the side of more feet or more seconds.  That woman who held the door made my evening and I learned a lesson from her:  I’m never in such a hurry that I can’t invest a few seconds to be kind.

You all know it and I freely admit it — I watch way too much TV.  I particularly like cooking and home improvement reality shows.  And I can usually find a lesson to be learned in each one I watch.

But I particularly enjoyed the first episode of Debbie Travis’ new program called From the Ground Up on FineLiving.  She has gathered 14 young people from around Canada who are at a career crossroads — a waitress, an unemployed expectant father (22 years old!), an attorney, a marketing executive, a few others who are unemployed and a few other professions.  The group is helping build a house (from the ground up).  I’ve only seen one episode and I’ve already seen:

• A diva who doesn’t really want to work hard.
• That same diva who doesn’t take responsibility for his mistakes.
• A young woman who has a history of quitting, quit laying a floor.
• A few appointed as team leaders who failed at leadership.
• A few followers who failed at team work.

The point of the game is to determine whether or not these young people…

• have a good work ethic,
• will work very hard,
• are willing to get their hands dirty and pay their dues,
• have the skills and perseverance to survive in construction.

The main message so far is one I talk about all the time — it’s not just the job specific skills (and in this case it’s craftsmanship) that are required.  You also need the work ethic, leadership, teamwork, etc., to succeed.  Very interesting and filled with lessons for anyone who is now or ever will be looking for any kind of work. 

Check it out.  I plan to stay tuned.

I read an interesting article in Forbes.com recently.  Called CEO’s Say: How I Hire, it talks about the importance of culture fit.  The article supports my opinion that hiring is like making a Rubik’s cube of decisions:

• Does the candidate have the required job-related skills?
• How about the soft skills?  Communication?  Problem-Solving?  Teamwork?
• And do they understand the importance of a good work ethic?  Will they show up on time?  Or will they show up at all?  And be dressed appropriately?  Etc.?
• Finally, will they fit into our corporate culture?  Companies with a strong corporate culture can chew new employees up and spit them out in short order if the culture fit isn’t there.

Making a good culture decision is extremely difficult.  So depending on the size of your organization, using the CEO to be that ‘culture-fit’ judge makes sense.  If your company is large, counting on the CEO for that decision might delay hiring, but find someone who knows and lives the culture to be the judge.

You won’t regret it!

The other day I was interviewed about the wisdom and/or necessity of taking a second or third job.  If it’s necessary to make ends meet, you have to do what you have to do.  But a few bits of advice:

• If you are moonlighting, I suggest you tell your full-time employer.  I’m always in favor of complete transparency and depending on where you’re working evenings or weekends, your boss or someone else you know could see you and report back.
• And as you’re telling your boss, assure him or her that your second job won’t compromise your day job.
• If at all possible, look for a second job that is in line with your passion.  That could include working at a Doggy Day Care if you love dogs, or at a library/bookstore if you love books and reading, or even at an electronics store if you’re a gadget geek.  Doing something you love may make those long days more bearable.
• And, finally, if your day job involves anything hazardous, be sure you’re not exhausting yourself.  Accidents happen when we’re tired and distracted — you don’t want anything  jeopardizing your safety or the safety of your co-workers.

Extraordinary times may call for extraordinary effort to make ends meet.  If a second job is the way to make it, go for it — but please take my advice.

According to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey released today, 15% of the 28,000 employers interviewed in the U.S. plan to add to their staff during the 3rd Quarter of 2009.  13% of those interviewed plan to reduce their payrolls while 67% expect no change.

The seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook for the 3rd Quarter 2009 is -2% — the same as Q2.  While -2% isn’t good, two quarters in a row at that pace — without further deterioration — could (stress “could”) indicate the bottom.

The following industry sectors anticipate increases in hiring:

• Construction
• Wholesale & Retail Trade
• Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing
• Leisure & Hospitality

The data shows continued hesitancy among employers who are being conservative while watching the economy with guarded optimism.  They are hoping that a few quarters of stability will be the precursor to the recovery — and the most recent unemployment data may support that optimism.

My silver lining?

For more on the Q3 outlook, go to the us.manpower.com Media Room.

Some good advice from a recent Today Show piece about Twitter helping thieves.  If we are tweeting about our every move …

• I’m at the movie.
• I’m at the airport waiting for a flight.
• I’m in another city on vacation.
• I’m at the dog park.

… we’re letting potential thieves know we’re not at home.

It seems hard for me to imagine leaving out my whereabouts when on Twitter — usually the only interesting stuff I do is when I’m on the road.  But it does make me stop and think about letting a large number of people know I’m not at home. 

Granted, I could have a big, burly roommate and it is true that I have a big dog, but advertising you’re away on Twitter or Facebook is like letting your newspapers and mail pile up at your front door.

So, for whatever it’s worth, twitter (or is it tweet-er) beware!

P.S. Please follow me on Twitter @manpowertalks.

With the economy where it is, many more of us are clipping coupons and taking advantage of deals at restaurants.  Please, please, please — when you get half off your bill or if you get the meal for a certain fixed price — tip your server based on the value of the meal rather than what you paid.

Example:  In Milwaukee we’re in the midst of Downtown Dining Week where $10 buys you a three-course lunch and $20 gets you a three-course dinner.  Even the best, most expensive restaurants in town are participating.  But don’t tip your server on the $10 or $20.  Tip him or her on the prices listed on the menu.  And don’t forget to tip on your drinks, too.

Bon appetit!

I have always been happy that I was born female and have very seldom felt discriminated against or treated unfairly.  Lucky for me!

But read this article from the Wall St. Journal — Guys Left Behind.  Seems the tables are turning (or have already turned) when it comes to men being ahead of women.  Not so lucky for the men!