That was the subject of a New  York Times article today. If you read this article, you will see many comments.

The author, a company owner, says he has a simple solution to finding good employees. If they’re not happy, out they go!

On the one hand, he’s got a point. If you are not a fit with a company, you have to go. But what happens if the compapny culture changes, so maybe you once were a fit but now you are not? What if your manager is being abusive or neglectful? What if there’s a situation that management needs to know about…but people are afraid to say something?

What do you think? Read the article and comment below.

Before you invest in a stock you might ask your broker what kind of research has been done on the company issuing the stock. You might be especially interested in recent developments: a new patent, a lawsuit, a catastrophe, or even a world event that affects the company. For instance, an airline that draws significant revenue from a particular international route  might be affected by an outbreak of war, regardless of whether the airline’s own country is involved.

(1) Be sensitive to projects  are on the edge. If you are working on a project for a company client, talk to the account exec and sales reps. Be sensitive to any shakiness in the account that might shut down the project.

(2) Study your boss’s priorities (and, if appropriate, the agenda of your boss’s boss). For instance, your boss may have been told to push sales of a particular product or service package. If your own activities do not relate to that product, you might be in a one-down position when you ask for anything.

(3) Don’t assume your boss is more informed than you are (or that she will share the information with you). Talk to people in other departments of the company. Set up google alerts for your company as well as for key people in that company. One administrator at a private university wondered why she wasn’t getting more budget when enrollment was up and profits seemed to be increasing. An Internet scan revealed that the university had pay back certain student loan funds that were collected inappropriately.  There was no hint of criminal action, but the school would have unexpected expenses and a cash shortfall. The administrator not only understood why her projects weren’t getting funded; she developed a new insight into the way information was shared.

Finally, work with facts but pay attention to rumors. Rumors can be wildly exaggerated but often contain some basis in reality. Even more, a persistent rumor can tell you a lot about the company’s culture.

For more information on planning a strategy for your own career, see http://www.midlifecareerstrategy.com/coaching.html

Just saw a post along these lines on Facebook, with details disguised:

“Suppose you are in an abusive job environment and feel you can’t leave. What can you do in the meantime?”

This question is tough. Here’s what I would advise:

First talk to a mental health professional and/or coach. Build a strong support system so you can keep you inner equilibrium. You also need a reality check on the degree of abuse. If it’s really bad, you’re in a war zone and you may need to leave immediately, as if you had a family emergency. (You do!) Additionally, you need to work on your own personal growth support systems. It’s tempting to self-soothe with cake, cookies and even alcoholic beverages, but those choices just make you feel worse. You lose energy and feel even more frustrated or even depressed.

Caution: Be very careful when working witih anyone, whether health professional or coach. Be especially careful when anyone other than a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist suggests drugs such as anti-depressants. Even then, some mental health professionals say, get a second opinion. On the other hand, be wary of someone who dismisses your pain with, “All in your head” or suggests band-aid quickie solutions. I am not a medical practitioner or mental health professional, so I am just passing on what I’ve picked up by reading and conversations and what I would do myself.  Get advice from true experts.

Second, create a Plan B. What would you do if you were fired? Begin to execute that plan because you are, in effect, firing yourself. Additionally, it is not unusual for frustrated workers to find themselves sabotaging their own success. You make a really, really bad mistake. You arrive late to meetings (or skip them altogether). You say the wrong thing to a coworker and pay a heavy price.

Third, if you are developing your own business or practice, invest in good help to accelerate your growth. You don’t need to spend a fortune but a few calls  with a pro can save you months and weeks of time, not to mention the lost income.

To get started on career change:Your 21-Day Extreme Career Makeover

An executive job search can be challenging regardless of the economy. Even during  boom times, career consultants often get asked, “Why are my interviews going nowhere?” This question arises when you have no trouble getting invited to interviews but then there is no follow

-up.

Of course, I recommend that you consider a consultation with a professional career consultant. Here is a checklist for you:

(1) Are you applying for jobs in fields where you are not qualified? When your industry dies, you may have to find a new place to search. But you also need t update your resume and prepare answers to interview questions.

(2) Are you honestly overqualfied for jobs you seek? You may think you are willing to learn but employers realize it’s difficult to downsize your aspirations. I discourage my own clients from taking a step backward. In my experience, this option leads to nothing but frustration.

(3) Are you explaining too much? Questions like, “Why did you leave your last job?” call for a prepared sound bite answer. 

(4) Are you illustrating your experience with stories of success? When asked, “What is your strength?” do you give an example of how your strength helped you carry out a project and achieve results?

(5) Are you focusing on yor employer’s perspective, rather than your own? For example, do you talk about wanting a challenge and personal growth? Or do you relate all your answers to the employer’s bottom line?

For more tips on job search: http://www.midlifecareerstrategy.com/searchbk.html

A Business week columnist presented what she calls “etiquette tips” for those who are laid-off as well as those who survive. Go here to read the column.

A few key ideas:

• When you’re laid off, write a few personal notes to colleagues in your current and recent jobs. Talk about why you enjoyed the business relationship. Don’t be afraid to ask for help with your job search.
• And when friends get laid off, the most helpful thing you can do is to pass along their resumes. Offer specific leads and connections, if you have them.

I would add:

Don’t offer advice unless you’re specifically asked. Unsought advice usually does more harm than good. And if you are laid off, don’t ask for advice from friends, family and colleagues. Ask for information. My rule of thumb is, “Network for information and pay for advice.”

If a close friend or family member has been laid off, send them a gift certificate for career coaching. That will be more helpful than a few luxury lunches. (Of course, an occasional treat will do wonders for their morale.) Other gifts might include a relaxing massage, an Amazon gift certificate or a gift certificate at an office supply store.

Joke gifts will backfire. When I was just starting my business, very conscious of cash flow, a friend sent me a silly book. Normally I would smile but at that time, I could have used a gift certificate at Amazon to buy some books I really needed.

Finally, anyone who’s laid off might consider an Internet business. I’ve listed a few ways to get started on this page: http://www.cathyrecommends.com

It’s easy to get scammed on the Internet. I’ve checked out these sources and they’re legit. I would start with Derek Gehl’s weekend course. I would also subscribe to Connie Ragen Green’s free teleseminars.

These days, almost everybody feels uncertain about jobs. Fear can lead to paralysis or panic, which in turn lead to bad decisions and searches for a  quick fix. Here are five tempting actions that are best to avoid.

Mistake #1: Hiring a firm to “blast” your resume to a thousand or more prospective employers.  These programs do not get people jobs and they may actually backfire. Employers can spot these campaigns a mile away.  You’ll be branded as naive, desperate or worse.

Mistake #2: Paying anyone who promises to get you “in front of” potential employers. The only people who can do this legally are recruiters. They are paid by employers, not by job seekers.

Mistake #3: Sharing your story with online chat groups and forums. You never know who will be signed on. Some people have gotten jobs through these sources but you must move slowly and carefully.

Mistake #4: Investing time trying to hold on to what’s gone. If your boss (or boss’s boss) has the power to decide your future, then of course it pays to do all the right things: putting in face time, going the extra mile, taking on projects that add to the bottom line.

But we have all met dozens of people who said, “My division was sold. My job will definitely be gone in six months.” And they’re still working long hours. My favorite story: A friend actually attended an all-day training session, knowing her job would be gone in 3 months.

Mistake #5: Waiting to mobilize a support team. When you feel stressed, it’s easy to spend time sharing horror stories with colleagues and friends. A true support team won’t let you dwell on what went wrong. You will be encouraged to take action and move forward. You will be encouraged to recognize your strengths and build new confidence.

We tend to know our true support team when times are tough. And sometimes we have to face the hard task of choosing to let go of downers to be with strong, positive people. You may find yourself reaching out to new friends and recognizing the hidden qualities of family members.

You can also bring in professionals: coaches, therapists, financial advisors and more. Recruiters, colleagues and prospective employers can support you, but you are always “on.” Find a place where you can let go and talk honestly. That way you’re more likely to present your game face when you most need it.

This article came from my ebook – just $9.97 – Guide to Surviving a Layoff. Download from the Reports page.

The Wall Street Journal ran an article about the new style of telecommuting. Companies can install spyware on their employees’ computers. They randomly take screen shots. They count keystrokes.

The very idea sends chills down my spine. I’ve always been the kind of worker who works in spurts. I take lots of breaks. I take detours. I focus on meeting deadlines. And if I finish my work early, I want to take time off.

The hourly system penalizes efficiency and speed. It rewards those who are slow and methodical. I don’t quote hourly rates to my clients. And I don’t like paying anyone by the hour. It’s rarely necessary, although sometimes I am forced to follow convention.

What next…drug tests for online workers?

That’s why I like RentaCoder when I hire freelance designers. I get a quote for a job. Who cares if it takes an hour or 5 hours? All I care about are my results, delivered on time, with correctness and creativity.

Advertising executive Prioleau Alexander was fed up. His job was all about office politics and ungrateful clients.

So he embarked on a series of minimum wage jobs: fast food cashier, pizza delivery driver, medical tech, and more.

And he wrote a book: You Want Fries With That: A White-Collar Burnout Experiences Life at Minimum Wage.

For anyone who’s wanted to leave a high-powered executive job, hoping for less stress, this book will be a wake-up call. Research has shown that higher level executives live healthier, less stressful lives than lower-ranking employees.

Alexander, an ex-Marine, chooses to report his experience with humor. His approach contrasts sharply with the moralistic approach of Barbara Ehrenreich and the idealism of Michael Gates Gill in How Starbucks Saved My Life.

My only quibble is the misleading title. Alexander never really lived a minimum-wage lifestyle. He had already secured a publishing contract and advance for this book. He commuted from his own home.

No problem. I just wish he had revised his approach to emphasize that he was, in a sense, an outside reporter.

I don’t see many movies these days, but I had to go see The Promotion, billed as a satiric comedy about the contemporary workplace.

I went with a friend who’s been out of the corporate world awhile, as well as her college-age son — a movie buff and will go see just about anything. Despite our varying perspectives, we all enjoyed the movie. I found myself laughing out loud in some spots.

But it’s not a slapstick comedy and it’s not really bitter satire either. The movie does raise issues related to age, desperation, and meaningless rules. And it was hard not to empathize with both contenders.

In his New York Times review, Stephen Holden wrote, “But the movie’s whimsy is undercut by its portrayal of the contemporary workplace as a cheerless corporate boot camp overseen by a grim board of directors that is as stern and vigilant as a military tribunal.”

Well, aren’t some workplaces just like that?

I was hoping to gain some great insights for my Special Report on performance reviews. Instead, I found myself thinking, “Why don’t these smart guys start their own Internet business on the weekend?”

Q: My company was just sold. My whole job description
changed and my workload nearly doubled with no increase in
compensation. Our friendly culture is now snarly and
gnarly. I used to love coming to work and now I dread
Mondays. Should I quit?

A: Maybe. I say, if your mental and physical
health have not been compromised, hang on.

But effective immediately:

(1) Figure out the minimum work you can do in order to keep
your job and avoid harming anyone. Use the time to begin
searching for a new position.

If you’re a teacher or health care worker, you can’t
neglect your students, patients and/or clients. But you may
be able to avoid the extra projects. It’s very much a
judgment call.

(2)Avoid discussing your dismay with coworkers.

Keep your plans private. During a time of change,
loyalties shift. People you trusted will be acting out of
fear. When asked to comment on the changes, say something
neutral and positive.

(3) Begin networking and actively job searching.

Post your resume only if you can do so anonymously. Never
use your company’s email or phone for a job search (or for
consultations with your career coach). If the company
furnishes you with a cell phone, get an extra just for
yourself. Get a yahoo or google email account.

(4) Keep calm.

It’s easy to panic and many of your coworkers will. Come
up with a mantra that makes sense for you, like, “I am a
marketable executive with many options.”

If you can’t come up with options or you’re feeling that
“deer in the headlights” freeze, schedule a call with a
consultant or coach. Choose your confidantes carefully:
friends and family may not help.

(5) Add extra sessions of exercise, relaxation and fun.

In my experience, your mind will work more creatively
after a workout at the gym, a movie, and/or dinner with friends
and family who keep the conversation off your career.

And as soon as you ride out this crisis — whether things
get better at your job or you land a new one — you know
what I’m going to suggest. Get your Marketability Plan
together and take the first steps immediately.