ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2006 > April
April 2006
Could your career go up in smoke?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Back in the 80’s when RJ Reynolds was opening up a new office in Atlanta, I went to Winston-Salem to their corporate headquarters to meet with the HR people to see if we could do business together.
The corporate campus was massively impressive, but what struck me as a dying practice at work even then, were people smoking everywhere inside the building.
I saw open packs of cigarettes, matches, and ashtrays throughout the main lobby for anyone to use.
When I was ushered into the VP of HR’s office, he lit up and offered me a cigarette. I had already been coached by someone who was doing business with RJR that it was a good idea to smoke along unless you were going to cough all over the place. So, I joined in. Today, that would be tantamount to shooting up drugs together.
Granted that was the HQ of a multi-billion dollar tobacco company, and just like a visit to The Coca-Cola Company where you are offered Cokes, Sprites, and Dasani, you were offered tobacco at RJR.
Today, not only has the smoking area (if there is one on a corporate property) been removed to Siberia, people are nervous of their compromised image if seen sneaking off for a smoke. To make it even worse for die-hard smokers, many companies are imposing policies…if you smoke at all, you’re out of a job.
So, what do you think of a policy that can tell you your job goes up in smoke if you continue to smoke? What are employers going to do?
Impose random nicotine tests? And what about pre-employment drug testing that might test for nicotine in your blood stream?
Is that really a fair test of how well you can do the job? Or, because of rising health care, do you think big brother is justified in dictating your habits, good or bad?
Before your career goes down in flames just because of ‘private’ smoking against company policy, are you willing to quit smoking or quit your job?
Note: Your comments may be printed in the Sunday Jobs section. Pick up a copy to check.
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Toxic Bosses, Toxic Workplaces
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
TV sitcoms like The Office with Steve Carell reveal some of the negativity and toxicity rampant in today’s workplace.
All organizations are vulnerable to the dysfunctional behaviors that can make a workplace a toxic and unhealthy place for employees.
Job stress in the toxic workplace will create physiologic responses resulting in illness and destroy productivity.
This loss in productivity and employee loyalty is often blamed on the quality of employees available, not the company itself.
Blaming the worker is a cardinal sign of a dysfunctional organization.
As Dr. Jeffrey Pfeffer of Stanford University is quoted in Fast Company. “The problem isn’t that loyalty is dead or that careers are history. The real problem is that so many companies are toxic - and that they get exactly what they deserve”.
As an administrator or leader in an organization, how can you contribute in a positive way to prevention of toxicity?
In their book, Quantum Leadership, Dr. Timothy Porter-O’Grady and Dr. Kathy Malloch discuss toxic organizations and people and identify ten guiding principles for leaders to minimize toxic behavior in organizations. These include:
Know thyself - know your work values, your outlook on life and the meaning of work ethics and integrity to you.
Walk the talk - act in accord with the values you hold.
Be willing to listen.
Value the truth of the whole - know the power to be gained from understanding both sides of an issue.
Empower employees - mentor employees, ensure they are free to make suggestions, grow, mature and become sensitized to their behaviors and others.
Build relationships on respect.
Act as an agent of transformation - Encourage employees to be self-reliant and to take charge of their careers, not only their current jobs.
Screen job candidates for dysfunction - avoid hiring problem employees.
Expect accountability from employees - accountability is the process of “seeing it, owning it, solving it and doing it”.
Reward value-adding behaviors - employee behaviors that add value to the organization and achieve the mission of the organization.
All too often though, the toxic boss has no self-awareness of their effect on others and because of this can be the most destructive force in a workplace.
Sometimes humor is the only way to cope. To find some humor in this situation, see Toxic Boss or Bad Bossology.
In reality, laughter will only go so far in dealing with a toxic boss.
Other suggestions for dealing with a toxic leader include employee-focused strategies such as achieving balance outside of work, using humor, learning to “manage your manager” or setting boundaries in the workplace.
One of the most effective but riskiest strategies is jumping over your boss to complain to his boss. (This action should be a last resort because of the potential repercussions and subtle retaliation if it doesn’t work.)
The majority of experts end their discussions and lists of suggestions for coping with the reality that leaving a stressful workplace may ultimately be your only choice.
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One, two, three
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How many pages should your resume be?
Having written over 7,000 resumes during the past 16 years, I assure you there isn’t a magic length for a resume.
The real question should be how many pages it will take to adequately articulate my ‘corporate story.’
Your resume is your Corporate Story, and you should showcase it with confidence and thoroughness.
Despite what you may have heard, length does not matter!
Although there seems to be an ongoing controversy about whether a resume should be one or more pages, I don’t believe shorter resumes take precedence over longer ones.
In fact, sometimes really short, brief resumes just make a person look unqualified.
My advice is to design your resume to address all the relevant requirements of a job opportunity and highlight your credentials in a way that answers the reader’s internal question - are you qualified?
If you answer the qualified question no matter how many pages it takes, getting an interview could be as easy as one, two, three!
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What’s your secret?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Office politics can seem like fun and games but can also be very destructive to a career.
One of the most common types of office politics is passing along a “secret.”
We’ve been told and listened to secrets that are personal, about business situations and about the company, which include complaints about coworkers, promotions, pay scales, and friends and family matters.
When we tell someone a secret, we want it to remain confidential. When we are told a secret, it is meant to remain confidential.
But it’s only human to want to communicate a secret. It can relieve tension, help overcome anxiety and resolve problems. We can all use feedback on personal and workplace issues.
When the secret remains confidential, the outcome can be beneficial to the person who told the secret. I think our intention is often to maintain the trust that was afforded us when we’re told the secret.
However, too often when someone says the words, “don’t tell anyone,” they give out permission to pass it on unknowingly. That’s when things can run amok, and cause problems for many directly and indirectly involved.
Recently, a woman accidentally learned of a mistake made by a senior manager outside of her department at work. She passed her “secret” along to a “wrong” person. The information got back to the senior manager, who in turn told the woman’s manager about it. The woman was “called on the carpet” for her gossip and it took months for her to make amends.
What’s been your experience with secrets in the work place? When have you been burned? When did you burn someone else either inadvertently or deliberately? What lesson did you learn? What lesson are you willing to pass along in hopes of helping someone else avoid a painful experience?
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Spanked employee seeks $1.2M
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A female employee in California is suing her former employer for $1.2 million for humiliation she suffered while being ‘spanked’ at work.
Janet Orlando, 53, resigned from her job at Alarm One Inc. in Fresno, CA and is suing for alleged assault, discrimination, battery and infliction of emotional distress.
According to the Associated Press, Orlando was spanked in front of her co-workers as part of a ‘camaraderie-building exercise’. Winners of the exercise made fun of the losers by “throwing pies at them, feeding them baby food, making them wear diapers and swatting their buttocks.’
Lawyers for Alarm One Inc. said the spankings were part of a voluntary exercise to boost camaraderie and increase sales.
For more on this story, read here.
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Are cover letters necessary?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Yes! Yes! Yes! Always send a cover letter.
Even if a friend of yours is now Vice President with the company to whom you are sending your resume, it requires a cover letter with it.
A cover letter can be very professional or more casual but it must accompany a resume.
A resume sent by itself is much like walking up to a person (stranger or not) and talking about your career history with no explanation.
A resume requires an announcement.
A cover letter is an introduction that allows you to mention any referrals you may have, states the job you are seeking, explains your successes that relate to the job and allows you to end with a follow-up time frame.
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Office attire: dress to impress?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As I walked through the building the other day, I saw a gentleman who was 5 foot, 6 inches wearing pants that were long enough to fit Shaquille O’Neal.
He didn’t have on a belt so they were just barely hanging on his small frame and parts of his lower extremities were exposed. This was an image that I didn’t need to see!
A women standing in the elevator reminded me of Daisy in the Dukes of Hazard as she wore a top that was extremely revealing and I don’t think it had ever fit.
She kept pulling her top down because her mid section was exposed every time she moved.
I spotted a young man in the hall who somewhat resembled a rainbow, wearing lime green shoes, a lime green hat, orange pants, a red shirt and a white belt.
Remember the ZZ Top song, “everybody’s crazy about a sharp dressed man (or women)”.
Dressing for success is still a good motto to go by when seeking employment.
A matching two-piece suit, tie and black or brown polished shoes are appropriate for men.
Skirt suits or pant suits and short pumps can be just the right mix for women.
Your presentation is still important to many employers, particularly if you are going to meet the public.
When applying for a new job, it is always a good idea to look sharp.
You only have one opportunity to make a first impression.
How do you dress to impress? Do you have any people in your work place wearing clothes that do not fit?
Have you wanted to ask them if they have clothes that fit?
Note: Your comments may appear in Sunday’s Jobs section.
Hable Espanol?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
People have always told me that it helps to know another language when job seeking or building a business.
Yet I counseled a number of Spanish majors who found it very difficult to actually apply their language skills in a job.
The tide seems to be turning. As Atlanta grows, so do job openings that ask for Spanish fluency. Firms that teach Spanish to a wide spectrum of businesses, health care providers and other professionals are growing.
While you don’t have to speak Spanish like a pro, speaking the language can help to build rapport with customers, vendors and even coworkers. You are able to gather needed information to understand how to help or provide service. Lets not forget to mention that studying a language also wakes up new brain cells.
Caveat: It can be very frustrating at times as I rack my brain for the right word to use. I may not have mentioned that I am determined to carry on a conversation in Spanish before the year is out. My patient teacher, Terri Lovell of Sandy Springs, tells me that I should keep practicing. (There are certainly many opportunities to do so all over Atlanta!)
Have you actually landed a job because of your language prowess? For those of you who know a little bit of Spanish, would you like to learn more? Some employers will pay for Spanish classes. Do any of you have classes on-site? How do those work? What is the business case you gave them to win your bosses over?
Should we just leave the Spanish that is spoken in the workplace to the professional translators and not bother spending money and time on learning Spanish? Is it worth it?
Part-time work that pays?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Are there viable part-time options for professional working parents who want to continue their career AND stay at home with their children?
The dilemma has played out in the lives of millions of families throughout the world.
Should a woman continue to work a full time job once she becomes a mother, or should she stay at home with the children?
Regardless of your personal feelings on the issue, the fact of the matter is, this ‘choice’ is a luxury that not all women have.
Today’s reality dictates that many families do require two incomes to stay afloat but don’t rush to judgment! These are not necessarily poor families.
Many parents have college degrees and come from middle class backgrounds. They are people you know; your neighbors, friends, coworkers.
It’s logical to assert that part-time jobs, job sharing or work from home opportunities are ideal solutions. But in many cases, these opportunities truly don’t exist.
Work place constraints, company policy or the industry itself is not set up to allow for such a choice.
More and more, working parents find themselves searching for a work/life solution that continues to elude them: Part-time job opportunities that carry an equal professional status as their full-time counterparts.
Why are companies not doing more to capitalize on the talents of these well-qualified working parents?
Make new friends but keep the old
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Networking is a crucial part of the job search process.
Your resume presentation to a prospective employer will be much stronger if you can start your cover letter with, “Bob Doe suggested I contact you in regard to the marketing position with your organization.”
Little effort is needed on your part to network, simply exchange contact information with old coworkers, add them to your address book and touch base at least one time per year.
Since you have a shared industry experience, corporate culture, layoff or merger with these people, then you have a commonality that can assist in providing future contacts.
If you stay in touch, you will be amazed by your personal network.
Defining generations in the office
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“I’m younger/older than many of the other employees in my company. Sometimes that’s fine and sometimes it’s not so fine!”
“When I walk around my office, or just listen from my cube, there’s a lot going through my mind about communication challenges. I sometimes feel there are big differences in values and work style and I’m not always sure what they’re about.”
Sound familiar? If you have said things like that, you are not alone!
For the first time ever, there are four generations in the workplace! And it’s not about to change any time soon.
Here’s how the experts breakdown some of the defining values of the four generations:
Matures or Traditionalists - Employees that were born before 1946 and number about 27 million.
- Respect for hierarchy (i.e. top-down management)
- Men belong in the workplace; women at home
- The nuclear family is of importance
Baby Boomers - Employees that were born between 1946 and 1964 and number about 76 million
- Television
- Civil rights and feminism
- Casual clothing expresses individuality
Gen Xers - Employees that were born between 1965 and 1980 and number about 60 million
- The Watergate Scandal
- Microwave technology
Divorce and single-parent families are common
Millennials, Gen Yers or Generation Next - People that were born between 1981 and 1999, number about million and are just starting to enter the work force
Business scandals - Enron
- Emphasis of multiculturalism and globalization
- Terrorism
- Expanded use of technology, the cell phone and Internet
- Ability to do multitasking
- Back to the value of family (i.e. close parent-child relationships)
What generation are you part of and what do you like about it? What do you like and dislike about the other generations? What do you wish the other generations knew about your generation?
What work-related challenges do you deal with in your company because of your generation? What might be some ways that members of another generation could help you with your challenges?
Note: Your comments may appear in Sunday’s Jobs section.
Re-entering the health care job market?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For a variety of reasons, people leave health care careers for other job opportunities or family responsibilities and then consider a return at another point in life.
The health care industry is rapidly changing and dynamic and re-entry can be very intimidating if you have been in another field for a while.
On the surface, it may seem that everything has changed.
The acronyms, abbreviations, regulations and particularly some of the technologies can be foreign for someone after just a couple of years away.
Updating a resume for the return or just scanning the job ads can be stressful and will stump even the most creative writer.
Here are some strategies to help you jump right back in:
- Talk with previous colleagues still in the field to get advice and determine their perspective.
- Do some research and networking to see what has really changed and where the jobs are now.
- Job fairs in health care have become very common, with several occurring in the Atlanta metro area on a regular basis.
- Talking with representatives from health care systems can give you ideas and reacquaint you with the jargon of the field.
- Most health systems have recruiters who will talk with prospective applicants on an informal basis about their needs and job requirements.
- Changing health care industry might be the right solution because new jobs and fields are constantly being created and the skill sets in health care jobs are often very transferable and might now need new educational credential.
- If you are re-entering one of the clinical areas involving direct patient-care, taking courses to update your skills is often an option and a necessity.
Nursing, as one of the most rapidly evolving health care careers, has developed re-entry programs to update, educate and guide nurses returning to the job market.
In the Atlanta Metropolitan area, several re-entry programs are available, consisting of classroom or online information/education, direct work with new technologies and clinical experiences - guided and supervised by another nurse in a hospital or clinic for a specified number of hours.
Shortages in other clinical health care careers will probably result in similar re-entry opportunities in these careers as well.
If you have re-entered the health care field or if you are considering a return, what strategies work? How would you advise others considering the same career move?
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Dream job or dream mate
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Does the perfect equation exist?
Can someone have the perfect job and perfect soul mate?
Have you ever been just cruising along with your life, then suddenly met the love of your life and have just been offered your dream job? What does one do in this situation?
ajc.com’s Misadventures in Dating blog tackles this very scenario.
Tough decisions have to be made. Who went on to pursue their dreams and who had to pick up the pieces and themselves?
Did you put your career on hold for love or did it take precedence over your heart?
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Do you fly solo?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
More and more companies today are choosing to keep their permanent employee resource as only the very core of the company and to contract or outsource the non-core functions to outside companies, specialists, or consultants.
Don’t confuse outsourcing with ‘off-shoring’ as that is not always the case. We are talking about contracting with a person of some specific skill or expertise to work or manage a particular project or function whether within this country or outside.
Consider Russ Greeden who was an employee for a number of years with a large Atlanta based company working in the IT department on different technology initiatives.
His role was primarily business analysis or requirements definition and translating that into technology implementation.
In 2001 like so many other companies, the technology push came to a halt, budgets were cut and Russ was downsized out of a job. Jobs in his field were scarce and he was forced to take a position much more junior to his former job.
While he was employed in his less than wonderful job, he decided to upgrade his technology skill level.
Technology is morphing at the speed of light, and new gizmos and tools are being introduced constantly. Remember paging systems, car phones, and paying all your bills by check?
To refurbish his skill level, Russ enrolled into some technology classes, and subscribed to technology magazines. Most all industries and professions have monthly, weekly, or on-line subscriptions that alert you to changing trends as they are happening.
Ultimately, Russ had decided to be his own ‘company’, with himself as the CEO, and his expertise marketed to the company that needed his skill set for a short term or long term project.
He connected with several contract staffing firms that specialized in IT contract placement, and as the market began to turn, his options began to appear.
Now Russ is a Project Manager overseeing a multi-year SAP implementation initiative for a $300,000 million software development company.
He plans on finishing up his project within two years during which he will plan on his next assignment. He could stay with his present company or go to a different company. This time, the choice is his.
Have you made the choice of being an independent contractor or consultant? If so, what prompted you to do so? What is better, independent contracting or being a permanent member of staff?
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Capitalize on your Capital
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Learning recently during a contentious zoning hearing that thousands of residents are expected to continue moving into Cobb county as residential development aggressively expands, it was clear to me that capitalism is still alive and well in Atlanta.
Seemingly without limits, Atlanta’s capitalism is building our tomorrow by leveraging people’s hunger for more. So while developers capitalize on Atlanta’s growth, so should you.
According to Webster, the word capital means “any form of wealth used to produce more wealth.” You as employees are considered Human Capital, or you might say “human wealth producers.”
Every day in your own unique way, you utilize your talents and skills to produce more wealth for your employers.
The key to leveraging your own wealth is to keep track of how you are continuing to positively impact the bottom line of your employers.
If they aren’t treating you as if you have value, remind them. Produce a PowerPoint of your recent accomplishments and present it at your next performance review.
Update your resume. Ask for a promotion. Or, maybe it’s time to take a risk and find another employer who will value you. Be bold and capitalize on your professional ‘capital’ today.
Burning flesh could burn opportunities
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Although it seems to be more common today than 20-years ago, you may want to think about how getting “inked” may impact your career.
Tattoos have been around since ancient time. Originally, tribal worriers used tattoos as a sign of achievement.
This was later replaced by patches on the uniform sleeve. In later years, tattoos were used as a form of advertisement.
There are a still a number of employers who will not hire applicants into professional and managerial positions that meet the public, who have visible tattoos.
Since tattoos are not specifically protected under Title VII, this could cause a problem for those who were inspired at an early age to burn the Bald Eagle on their neck.
Tattoos are an individual choice. I never partook because I don’t do well with pain, not to mention I have historically worked for the conservative types.
Depending on your career journey, you may want to reconsider the placement of any future symbols of memory.
It could burn a future opportunity.
Have you been snubbed or welcomed by employers because of your tattoos? Do you have to hide them at work?
Where is your tattoo? Do you have more than one?
Note: Your comments may appear in Sunday’s Jobs section.
Use further education to your benefit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Japanese use the term “kaizen” to refer to the process of continuous quality improvement. Without a system of quality assurance, any product is subject to performance failure.
Successful professionals apply the same concept to their career development process.
A key investment in quality improvement is education. Whether it’s returning to graduate school to obtain an advanced degree, completing a continuing education course required by a state licensing board, or simply staying abreast of current industry trends, education is critical to career advancement.
Savvy employees recognize the importance of observing more senior colleagues and viewing their accomplishments as a guide to their own professional journey.
If most managers within your industry have a masters degree and you strive to remain competitive for those top jobs, perhaps your next steps are researching local graduate schools, beginning to prepare for entrance tests.
Investigating whether or not you will need to take any prerequisite courses prior to admission in the program of your choice, and looking into what financial aid options you may have.
Depending on your industry, completing specific certifications may also help you further your career.
These might include the Six Sigma Black Belt certification for the corporate world, Sarbanes-Oxley in finance and accounting, Microsoft or Cisco certifications for the IT industry, etc.
Talk with your current supervisor and other managers within your industry to determine if these certifications are right for your intended career path.
Many companies are even willing to provide financial assistance, or grant employees flexible hours to accommodate classes.
Regardless of which path you choose, being mindful of industry trends and keeping your skills sharp through formal or informal continuing education opportunities are essential components of your professional growth and development.
The Multitasking Meeting - myth or reality?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We all know that meetings can be an annoying necessity in many organizations.
One trend that seems to have taken hold is the use of handheld devices (Blackberries, Treos, etc., etc.) during meetings.
People check emails as issues are debated and committee reports are presented.
It is not uncommon to find team members passing email ‘notes’ in the meeting itself.
I wonder how much we can focus on the present when our minds are tuned in elsewhere.
I know that when on conference calls, I often do non taxing work on my computer.
Is this any different than when face to face with colleagues? Is it disrespectful to multitask?
Do you have any written or unwritten ground rules in your meetings to manage the use of devices?
Should this be a personal choice? What is the expectation of management regarding multitasking in meetings?
College Resumes 101
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Graduation in May and no idea how to get started on a resume?
A college resume should include an objective, education, work experience, achievements and affiliations.
With a college resume, it is appropriate under your experience to list internships, work experiences, clubs, volunteer work, extra curricular activities and studies abroad.
Be sure to list specifics in regard to each experience, do not simply list company names and dates.
This will allow the prospective employer to understand your responsibilities.
If you haven’t had work experience, focus on education - list courses, GPA and class projects.
It is advantageous to list your major or overall GPA if it is over a 3.0 in most cases.
These suggestions should give you a great start.
Getting past the electronic eye
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Online applications have been a blessing and the nemesis for both the employer and the applicant.
Companies are often flooded with applications and don’t have the physical resources to review resumes that have been submitted.
Companies with adequate resources use computer technology to weed out those who may not be qualified for a position.
Although technology has helped corporate recruiters and HR types become more efficient, it does have it’s short falls, as proven by recruiting strategists Gerry Crispin and Mark Mehler.
A few years back, Gerry and Mark recruited a group of unemployed HR professionals to post resumes on all of the nation’s fortune 500 companies.
The resume used was a fictitious applicant by the name of Vinnie Boombotz. Vinnie had worked for several years for the ‘Bad-a-Bing Corporation’ as a ‘Certified Protection Analyst (CPA)’.
Most of the companies did not respond, however, Vinnie was offered an opportunity to apply for a collections position in more than one organization. Vinnie Boombotz’s resume can be found at http://www.careerxroads.com/vinnieb/.
Unfortunately, there are a few good candidates that may get overlooked.
Resume scanners are programmed to pick out ‘keywords’ on the resume which the company has deemed as the minimum requirements for a position.
If your resume does not contain those keywords, your resume will undoubtedly get overlooked. At the same time, the computer may categorize you in a position that you don’t have any interest in as well.
To ensure your resume is recognized by the electronic eye and the human eye, make sure you use the exact words an employer may use to describe the qualifications of a position in your resume.
Not all companies use the same language, so conduct a little research to learn their language!
To drive or not to drive?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
That is the biggest question that everyone faces in Atlanta almost everyday!
Each morning, I am confronted with the dilemma of deciding whether to drive my own car in to work downtown, ride Marta or carpool with my roommate.
Inevitably, I always end up driving my own car and facing the terrible traffic here because it’s convenient, comfortable and easy for me to swing by different office locations for various meetings in town.
However, the comforts of my car do nothing to curb my foul mood which is caused by traffic being all snarled up.
If I could choose my ideal work location, it certainly wouldn’t be anywhere near downtown.
The thought of teleworking has crossed my mind several times.
Surely, I can persuade my boss to see that my couch and laptop would increase my productivity tenfold.
There are a few incentives that have been introduced to help us commute to work safely and quickly such as the Clean Air Campaign and Commuter Rewards.
Have you participated in any of these types of programs? Where do you live and work? What is your average commute time? Does the thought of rush hour leave you with a heavy feeling in the pit of your stomach each morning?
Note: Your comments may appear in Sunday’s Jobs section.
