Alan L. Sklover - Sklover Working Wisdom

Lately we have received a lot of wonderful feedback . . . hope you don’t mind our sharing one recent example with you:

 
Dear Sklover Team,

V.M.
Winter Haven, FL

 
We LOVE feedback of every kind. Your taking a minute to drop us an email would be so very much appreciated. Please keep email comments to 100 words or less, and direct them to vanessa@executivelaw.com (Names and other identifying information will be altered to ensure anonymity.)

Remember . .

“You are not alone, at work, any more.”™

Need to send a work-related memo or letter? Need a good checklist or form agreement for a workplace issue? For a complete list of our Model Letters, Memos, Checklists and Sample Agreements, Just [click here.]

Interested in Membership? It’s free, and has advantages, including discounts on our products. Just [click here.]

Need a private telephone consultation? Just [click here.] Evenings and weekends can be accommodated.

© 2018 Alan L. Sklover. All Rights Reserved and Strictly Enforced.

“Any activity becomes creative when the doer cares about doing it right or better.”

– John Updike

At work, whether engaged in simple or complex tasks, as part of mundane or artistic assignments, put care into what you do. Perform each step, each phase, and each finishing touch better than anyone has imagined it could be done. That is the way nature and, if you will, God does things. One careful and caring step at a time. That is creation, at work.

This quote was shared with us by long-time blog family member Anthony D. of Youngstown, Ohio. Great quote, Anthony. If you would like to submit a proverb, quote or thought, please submit it to us at vanessa@executivelaw.com.

Need a model memo or letter to transmit a request or complaint? A good checklist or form agreement? For a complete list of our Model Letters, Memos, Checklists and Sample Agreements, Just [click here.]

Interested in Membership? It’s free, and has advantages, including discounts on our products. Just [click here.]

Need a private telephone consultation? Just [click here.] Evenings and weekends can usually be accommodated.

© 2018 Alan L. Sklover. All Rights Reserved and Strictly Enforced.

On This First Night of Hanukkah – A Message for all our Friends, Regardless of Faith:

Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of “the light,” the miracle that it exists, and the miracle that it endures. Each of us can be a “light unto the world” in our own lives. Celebrate that light within you – and keep it alive. You will have something to celebrate each and every day, and so will all others. Be a light unto the world.

© 2018 Alan L. Sklover All Rights Reserved. Commercial Use Prohibited.

 
“The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

– Proverb

ACTUAL CASE HISTORIES: Each year, without fail, I get five to ten emails from employees who have either (a) given a gift at work and gotten into trouble for doing so, or (b) received a gift at work that is either causing discomfort or a problem. As you might imagine, most of these calls come shortly before or shortly after the year-end holiday season.

LESSON TO LEARN: Today more than ever, you need to devote a measure of thought to (a) why you are giving a gift, (b) how it may be perceived or misperceived by the recipient (or others), (c) for what reason or purpose another person may be giving you a gift, and (d) whether that gift to you might be a sincere gesture, a thinly disguised bribe, or a “payoff” for past favors. In fact, when giving or accepting a gift at work, it is the potential perceptions of others that can be far more dangerous than your own intentions.

To prevent even the perception of impropriety, and to discourage even the slightest offense, many company policies, laws, rules and regulations have been put into place that address – and in certain circumstances prohibit – giving and receiving gifts at work, and in business affairs.

As examples: How might your gift-giving look to compliance officers who work for your employer? Might a rather expensive gift be viewed by Human Resources as a subtle form of sexual harassment? Might your gift be viewed with suspicion, or even anger, by the husband or wife of its recipient? Is a gift a sign of generosity, or perhaps a disguised bribe? If you give some, but not all, of your office mates gifts, might some of those “left out” perceive themselves as outcasts, or victims of favoritism or even discrimination?

I often say “These days you have two jobs: one is to do your job, and the other is to keep it. This is one context in which that surely applies. Since your gift-giving might result in a perception or accusation of misconduct. Before giving or accepting a gift at work, take just a few moments to review and consider the many possible interpretations of your gift-giving or gift-accepting behavior.

Do I intend to make you paranoid? Yes, I do, but just a little.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Consider these 10 Practical Pointers on gifts at work:
Continue Reading. . .

“If the world seems cold to you, kindle fires to warm it.”

– Lucy Larcom

Whether it is the temperature outside, or the way others seem to treat you, the cold can make you feel downright uncomfortable, and tempted to withdraw inside yourself. Fortunately, there is always an available remedy: create warmth, yourself. As examples, if you are waiting for a subway, bus or train, don’t shrivel up or hunker down; instead, keep moving, and let your increased blood flow warm your fingers, toes and nose. Make warmth inside you, and you will feel warmth around you. And, best of all, others will, too.

This quote was sent to us by Phil of Brainerd, Minnesota, a place where it gets gosh-awful cold. Our hats are off to you, Phil, although we will keep our earmuffs on!! If you would like to submit a proverb, quote or thought, please submit it to us at vanessa@executivelaw.com.

Need a model memo or letter to transmit a request or complaint? A good checklist or form agreement? For a complete list of our Model Letters, Memos, Checklists and Sample Agreements, Just [click here.]

Interested in Membership? It’s free, and has advantages, including discounts on our products. Just [click here.]

Need a private telephone consultation? Just [click here.] Evenings and weekends can usually be accommodated.

© 2018 Alan L. Sklover. All Rights Reserved and Strictly Enforced.