The only thing more fun than making easy money is making easy - TopicsExpress

The only thing more fun than making easy money is making easy money and having fun at the same time. However, this is becoming much harder to do in todays modern work climate. A pinch here, a pat on the backside there, will land you outside the building doors looking for new employment with in the blink of an eye. By the way, watch that eye blinking; it can be misunderstood as being overly forward. Yes, the work environment in the United States has so dramatically shifted to the political correct. So much so, it may be wise of us to recognize during the past few decades, technology, cultural sensitivity, and a whole host of legalities have transformed the American workplace into one that Olde Fellas my age barely recognize. Even though Generation X and Millenials might have grown up with many of the current phenomena, it’s a good idea to understand how these changes still affect all ages of workers. This will no doubt help you better coexist with your peers. You can start by recognizing there will be no more pinching the cute secretaries on the back side. Beginning with the women’s movement in the 1970s, the workplace has shifted from one dominated by older white males to a more multicultural community. Women, minorities, the handicapped and younger workers now share the workplace at all levels. Both management and subordinates must take into consideration preferences, beliefs and values of disparate groups. For example, older workers are more likely to stay with a company and value loyalty and retirement benefits than a younger worker who might be leaving the company in a few years and won’t be retiring for decades. With an increase in workforce diversity has come increasing harassment laws and legal actions. Jokes, outbursts, insensitive remarks, hiring and termination practices and other behaviors toward workers can result in crippling lawsuits. Even small businesses create company manuals with harassment and grievance guidelines, while larger companies offer worker sensitivity workshops or lectures. However, companies have found a way around the aforementioned jam. There are less office place clashes when employees don’t have to interact face-to-face. The effectiveness and low cost of telecommuting employees now allows most companies to hire off-site workers, and many administrative and white-collar professionals to work from home. Part of the reason is technology, which makes personal computers and office-to-office communication so easy. Another reason for this phenomenon is a cultural shift in attitudes that has more workers looking for a better work/life balance that includes living in locations that offer them a higher quality of life. Telecommuting allows businesses to hire employees without the relocation and office expenses, and to attract high-quality workers they might not otherwise be able to recruit. For much of American history, workplace technology changed slowly, with workers given ample time to learn a few new tools and techniques during their careers. Not only are new products entering the workforce on a seemingly monthly basis, they also require retraining as they frequently upgrade. Dictation, for example, has gone from a secretary writing down verbal communications to transcription from tape recordings to voice recognition software. Just think about it! At one point, Blackberries seemed to be the future of personal communication applications for most professionals, only to come crashing to a near-halt as they were replaced by iPhones and other smartphones. PowerPoint and webinars have replaced overhead and slide presentations. Marketing professionals must learn social media skills if they want to stay relevant. Staying abreast of new technology is now a critical skill for most employees, and more likely to be resisted by your older peers. What I’m trying to say is YOU offering to explain new devices and software to older co-workers, rather than poking fun at them not getting on board, will win you more allies in the workplace.