Berkeley CSUA MOTD:Entry 41977
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2025/07/02 [General] UID:1000 Activity:popular
7/2     

2006/2/23-27 [Industry/Startup] UID:41977 Activity:nil
2/23    http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/22/commentary/everyday/sahadi
        Secrets to getting fired or hired. And HR is never your friend,
        and yes there is a blacklist!
        \_ This person does not understand what the term "blacklist" means.
           I find misuse of this word troubling, since the existence of real
           blacklists based on, for instance, politics, that would prevent you
           from getting hired anywhere, used to be a real menace in this
           country.
           \_ My company does not have a blacklist (AFAIK) but I kind of wish
              we did because of this one candidate who was so full of BS that
              I wouldn't hire him to run a lemonade stand.
              \_ Can't you just fire him?  Was there no sign he was a tool until
                 after he was hired?  I don't think there is ever a
                 justification for a secret list kept by all of the employers
                 in a given industry of people who are unhireable.  It will
                 always lead to abuses based on personal vendettas.  Having
                 some companies hire some losers sometimes is a small price
                 to pay for not living in a society where someones career can
                 be permanently and secretly ruined for, say, supporting a
                 political candidate their boss doesn't like, or trying to
                 start a union, which is how things used to work.
        \_ What I learned was that I need to be the company's bitch, and
           particularly my boss's bitch, doing whatever it or he or she wants
           no matter how unreasonable and with an enthusiastic attitude, valued
           over family or personal time, and I will be rewarded -- or at least
           maintain a perception of this.  Makes sense to me.
           \_ your reading comprehension is very good, but you can sure
              work on your tone and attitude. You get an A- for your report.
              \_ I absolutely agree and look forward to incorporating
                 your very insightful suggestions next time.
2025/07/02 [General] UID:1000 Activity:popular
7/2     

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money.cnn.com/2006/02/22/commentary/everyday/sahadi -> money.cnn.com/2006/02/22/commentary/everyday/sahadi/
Column archive Secrets your company doesn't want you to know A sneak-peek behind the curtain on corporate tactics and attitudes when dealing with employees. com) It can be gratifying to be right, except when being right means someone has confirmed your worst fears. That's what former human resource executive Cynthia Shapiro will do for some readers of her book, "Corporate Confidential: 50 Secrets Your Company Doesn't Want You to Know." Learning these secrets may shock some employees into recognizing their cluelessness about how their actions are really perceived by managers. For the rest us, we might just feel better about how relatively well our employers and colleagues have treated us ... Not every company necessarily harbors all 50 secrets that Shapiro writes about. Her advice: view your actions through the eyes of your company, which is like a fearful giant that won't hesitate to swat you down if you tweak its fears. Yes, Virginia, there is a blacklist The typical rationale for layoffs is the need to reorganize and cut costs. But Shapiro has seen companies push select employees out of their jobs or layoff an entire department just to get rid of one or two people without incurring liability. And those select employees may never know they made a manager's blacklist. One easy way to get on it is to insult the boss or be overly negative about the company on email, in a meeting, or at the water cooler. But if you and your boss don't get along and he has to get rid of two people, he's likely to go for the people who make his day difficult, Shapiro said. Being among the most highly compensated employees in your office will only give him added incentive. Treat difficult bosses and colleagues as you would if you were a small business owner dealing with annoying clients: professionally at all times, she said. You're also at greater risk of a layoff if you've: First announced that you're pregnant or need medical leave to someone other than your boss. If she hears about it from someone other than you, she could lay you off and claim she had no idea about your personal situation. Taken a medical leave or filed for worker's compensation recently. There's also a golden list There are some employees who can do no wrong, or if they do, they're far more likely to be given some slack. They're the employees who are perceived as trustworthy, even if they're not the top performers. They are looking for those who appear to value everything the company values," Shapiro writes. These are also the folks who actually do what the boss wants, and not just what they think should be done, regardless of the boss's wishes. Ignore what the company says about itself to employees or to the press. Instead, Shapiro said, "look at what they value by what they do." may proclaim work-life balance is a value it holds near and dear. If it's the midnight-oil burners who get the promotions and plum projects while the work-life balancers are the first to get pink slips, you can bet your exercising flex time, job-sharing or telecommuting privileges might very well limit your career growth at the company. Parents especially are at risk of being perceived as distracted. "From nine-to-five your work life has to at least appear to come first even if it doesn't," Shapiro writes. HR is never your friend Shapiro's years as a human-resource executive before becoming an employee advisor made one thing abundantly clear: "HR is not there to help employees anymore. Always go to your boss first with any concerns or conflicts. Going to HR makes you look weak which isn't a plus when it comes to getting promoted. "Only go to HR after you've tried and documented several attempts to speak with your boss about a serious issue," she writes. By serious, she means an issue that, if not resolved, would cause you to leave the company. And definitely don't shoot the breeze with HR about your medical concerns, family stresses or that drunken night in Vegas. Anything you say can and will be used against you if need be -- no matter how sympathetic and helpful the person you talk to may seem.