July 27, 2016

Office Etiquette: Is It Ever Okay to Poop at Work?

July 27, 2016/ Antonia

Of all the things to worry about at the outset of your career - building strong peer relationships, managing your reputation, doing impeccable work - bathroom issues should be at the bottom of the list. But this is one subject that is especially fraught. Some say that this is the last remaining taboo for women. I don't pass time in office men's rooms so I can't definitively disagree with that.

What I do know is that I've personally had this conversation plenty of times. So, finally, to answer the lingering question - is it ever okay to poop at work?

July 18, 2016

It's About to Go DOWN: Two Ways to Protect Yourself During Layoffs

July 18, 2016/ Antonia

People are voting for Brexits and not knowing what that means. Zika is wreaking havoc. And we're due for a new president in a few months. In short, the world right now is a bit of a hot mess and signs are starting to point towards another recession. Whether big (like the meltdown of 08) or small, any recession is likely to have an impact on your job and your money situation.

Now, nothing can 100% protect you from being laid off. Letting an employee go is often a financial consideration above and beyond a personnel one. But what you can do is stack the deck in your favor. Make the cost of losing you far outweigh the cost of keeping you on.

Here are two ways you can do that -

July 14, 2016

1-900-HUSTLER Funk It Up Edition: How Do I Tell a Coworker She Stinks?

July 14, 2016/ Antonia

Dear CH,

I don't know how to put this so I'm just going to say it - my coworker stinks. She's funky.

She's a sweet girl but she smells and everybody in the office is talking about it. I've somehow been designated the person who has to bring it up to her and I don't know what to say! If it helps, she's from another country and it seems like she maybe doesn't use deodorant. Her job requires her to be out and about visiting some of our other sites pretty regularly and on those days, when she finally comes into the office, she's ripe.

Help! What do I say? How do I tell her she's funky without hurting her feelings?

From,

Holding My Nose

July 08, 2016

Makes Me Wanna Holler: Working & Hurting While Black

July 08, 2016/ Antonia

Sigh.

This is so hard to write. I have nothing to say that is eloquent, that will give you comfort, that will somehow make swallowing the pill of the steady stream of black men being killed by police go down easier.

Truth be told, I've been firmly tucked up inside my feelings this whole week, rotating between anger, frustration, heartbreak, and true, honest-to-God fear. Fear for me, my loved ones, my child, my people.

So while I can't help you process or make sense of this, or even point you towards resources that can, or even one clear plan of action for the future, what I can do is try to help you be able to put one foot in front of the other and make it through another day at work.

June 29, 2016

On CP Time and How to Handle Being So Late to Work It's Just Triflin

June 29, 2016/ Antonia

Can we talk about CP time?

It's a thing. And if you come from a cultural or family background where starting times are more of a suggestion than a mandate, it can be a real challenge.

Whether you believe this to be rooted in our cultural differences or a pernicious and offensive stereotype, the truth is many of your new coworkers may be primed to expect you to be late to work just because of your skin tone. When you are, they will be quick to be resentful, assuming you think you can flout the rules everyone else must follow.

If you're Punctual Pam and believe "to be early is to be on time and to be on time is to be late," this may not be a problem for you. But, if you're like me, where being within 15-30 minutes of the discussed start time is considered on time, if not early, this may be something you have to adjust for in your career.

June 27, 2016

Say What Now? How to Handle an Offensive Comment at Work

June 27, 2016/ Antonia

You're at work, doing your job, and doing it well. You've established your reputation within the team. You're generally well liked and have good relationships. Maybe you're in a team meeting on the next big project. Or maybe you're just in the office kitchen grabbing an afternoon snack.

And then, it happens.

Somebody says something racist. Or sexist. Or homophobic. Or just generally bigoted, ignorant and offensive.

It happens to all of us. Eventually. If it hasn't happened to you yet, hold tight, because unfortunately, it's coming.