Category: Career and Relationships

As the economy slows and a recession looms, workers at companies small and large are getting ever more anxious about their jobs and livelihoods. It seems like not a day goes by when news comes out that a major company announces a round of layoffs or indicates plans to to…

At a recent dinner party I was talking to a good friend whose wife had recently had twins, but was getting back into the workforce after only 6 months of having the babies. What was more was that she was able to do all this while staying at home and…

A few months ago I wrote a piece comparing the pros and cons of living and working in Dubai - the booming city in the Middle East most closely aligned with western norms. Perceptions were that expats could go there and earn vast sums of money while living in luxury.…

One of my colleagues brings her kids to work on days that schools or their day-care is unexpectedly closed. Her kids are about 5 and 7, and she brings either one or both depending on the circumstance. I would say on average, she brings the "kids to work" about 7-10…

Interesting graphic from the Economist on what it costs to sack long-term employees. As shown, costs vary enormously across the world. America and New Zealand are among the most company-friendly countries, requiring no penalties or payouts to fire a full-time employee of 20 years or more. By contrast, a business…

A number of employees in the financial services industry have even more reason to be concerned about their jobs after the collapse of storied financial institutions Lehman Brothers (LEH) and Merrill Lynch (MER). This follows on the heels of the Treasury Department's seizure last week of the nation's two mortgage…

At some point, we’ve all hit that wall—those moments when our job or career feels more like a chore than a passion. And now, in a post-pandemic YOLO world, this feeling can be stronger than ever. As people rethink their work-life balance, a record number are ditching the traditional 9-to-5…

Dubai, the shining light of the Middle East, is going gangbusters. It has enjoyed two decades of rapid growth, going from a small desert city to a western society representation of the riches the Arab world has to offer. The economic growth has fueled strong demand for foreign workers and…

At the end of July the federal minimum wage jumps to $7.25 an hour from $6.55, according to the US department of Labor. However, many question if this will help or hurt low income workers and the small business that employ them. The minimum wage has increased over the last…

A less serious, but widespread fallout of tough economic times for American companies has been the cutting of employee perks and benefits to lower operating costs. Working in corporate America myself, I can attest to some of these cutbacks first hand and I know more are coming down the line…

I have seen a number of articles recently on ways for people to combat rising gas prices. One of the more practical ways coming to the fore is employers subsidizing driving costs to work or to allow employee telecommuting - i.e. working from home. The average U.S. commute is now…

Finding meaning from your job is something, like a lot of people, I struggle with. One of the most common complaints by people working is "the money may be good but where is the meaning? How can I make a difference?". There are two things that give work meaning. First…

I do in my household. Doing the household finances is something I don't mind, apart from seeing all the bills which means money going out the door. I also do the budgeting, taxes and investments. I have a natural affinity for all things finance, a reason I write this blog, and…