Tuesday, July 24, 2007

How would you design your work place?

Does your work environment contribute to your mood and productivity? What changes would you make for an overall happy work place?
http://www.gensler.com/pdfs/DesignPerformanceIndex.pdf

YouTube - Working with Wisdom

YouTube - Working with Wisdom

Spirituality in the Work Place


I have always considered myself a spiritual person, but due to the recent loss of my dad, I am especially searching for a deeper meaning in life. Spirituality in the work place can enrich our lives and bring meaning to those around us. Thank you all for your heartfelt condolences and personal notes. You are mentioned in my gratitude journal.

http://www.awomansjourney.com/workplacespirituality.html

Saturday, July 21, 2007

"My Father" Learning Log


Dear friends,

On July 15, 2007 @ 12:45 pm, my father passed away after a long illness. He died in the Emergency Room at the Melrose Wakefield Hospital surrounded by his family and had a peaceful parting from this world. We celebrated his 80th birthday, just 6 short weeks ago. He had a complicated medical history with two CABGs, had insulin dependent diabetes, end stage renal disease and received hemodialysis at least three times a week. He had multiple episodes of pneumonia, arthritis, gout and additional ailments. Although my father was not a general, he fought many battles. His strength and will to live far surpassed any of our expectations. Physicians were amazed at his endurance coping with multiple diseases and multiple system's failure. He kept rebounding after being so ill, especially the past four years. My only conclusion, in addition to modern medicine, was the power of love. Before leaving the funeral home on Wednesday night, the collage I had made of he and I, fell off the stand. This was witnessed by my daughter and her friend who were down the hallway. There was no one nearby, there was no explanation. I felt my father's presence. When we think of someone we love, they are with us, no matter where they are physically.

Over the past six days, I have incorporated, "Information, Research, and Technology " in to the planning and preparation of my father's funeral. My father wrote his own obituary 10 years ago and we tried to follow it the best we could. I had requested a slide show in memory of my father, but the funeral home did not have the technology. Instead, I created my own personal digital photo frame on Monday, including almost 1,000 photos. I sent an email with photo of my father to the funeral director to be incorporated in to the prayer card for guests who attended the wake. I followed up on this the next day, only to hear from the director, that his computer was down and he never received my request. I had to find someone else to print the prayer card after the fact. I created a program for the funeral Mass after spending many hours of research and compiled the information together myself. The obituary is in the process of being rewritten as the printing was done unprofessionally and inaccurately. On Thursday morning, I gave the Eulogy.

The "Information, Research, and Technology" course provided me with additional resources and skills to overcome many of the obstacles that my family had to endure during this difficult time. In retrospect, the funeral home (chosen by my father years ago for his final resting place) was purchased by a corporation not providing the service that he once knew. The lesson learned was the importance of research for any event or function prior to the actual event, but who knew? We relied on professionals to guide us through.

I hope to be on track with our final week of the class. I will enjoy reading everyone's Blogs in more detail once things settle down for me. I have been so fortunate to have met you all.

Mary Anne

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Employer supported Child Care

Many employers are recognizing the need to provide child care in the work place, benefiting both the employee and the company. With more women working to support housholds and the need for dependable child care, this could be a win-win situation for both.
http://wfnetwork.bc.edu/pdfs/EWS_ESCC.pdf

Safety in the Work Place

Do you know how to protect yourself from threats and hazards in the work place? Many of us are exposed daily to chemical, biological, radiaoactive, construction, and electrical hazards every day placing employees at increased risk for morbidity and mortality in the work place . There has been recent media attention to the threat of terrorist attack in the US, Canada, and Eastern Europe. How can employees working in high risk professions better prepare for threats to personal safety? http://www.naspweb.com/

Corporate Dominatrix: Control your office

While watching the "Today Show" one Sunday morning, a segment about how role playing at work can help you get ahead peaked my interest. The title was catchy and added a different slant to getting what you want from the work place. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19226791/