Entries Tagged 'Work' ↓

I worked with a well known tax preparation company and was only going to work till April. Now taking this job helped my family even though I knew I was going to have to find a job when tax season was over. Little did I know that I was going have the toughest time finding work because of my “situation”.

At the end of the tax season I found out I was pregnant and now with the seasonal job was gone, was out of work. I went to look for employment the very next day I found out. I looked long and hard and by the time I found a job, I was around 3 months pregnant. Now, this being my second child I knew I was going to show pretty quickly. I did all I could to hide it but within two weeks of my pregnancy they found out and my boss “sneakily” told me that she was taking “take time off” of her insurance brokering business to take care of her “children”. It took them another week for them to give me my check and I filed a complaint, but nothing every came to it. I was unable to completely “define” that I was discriminated against because of my pregnancy status and didn’t feel to well to take it any further. My main focus was to find another job. I knew if I didn’t find another job, we would would have been on the street and homeless that same month.

I then met another insurance agent (now almost four months pregnant) and he hired me. The day I started, I decided to tell him I was pregnant. I knew they would upset was was for certain thought I was out of there looking for another job. By God’s grace they let me stay and I knew I had to make a very good impression for them to keep me there. I was now employed only having 6 more months to work. After my pregnancy I went back to work two months later and was able to use my disability benefits.

Wow. I look at those times and ask how I made it. It was a lot of pressure for me during those times in Los Angeles trying to struggle and work. I had no choice. I actually am happy (looking back) just how that worked out living there for all those years and going through the struggles that I have. It has made me a more wise and ready to survive in any kind of situation. With that said, I know that during these times that many people are struggling trying to find work. I know someone else last year was in the same predicament when she found out she was pregnant and had a struggle just as I have. Should I go look for a job? Will someone hire me pregnant? Is is illegal? I believe that there are a three alternatives that you can do to help to find work when pregnant.

1. Find a temporary part-time/full time job.

2. Find employment as if you where not pregnant.

3. Start a business and work from home.

The stress of finding a job and making an impression can be demanding and then adding with it pregnancy…..almost unrealistic at the time. Again, this is all depending on where you are mentally, physically and emotionally. I know with my first pregnancy I was terribly sick for the first three months and mentally depressed and unfocused, so my husband had to figure out what he could do for us to survive. Many women feel that it is unethical to do so to an employer and feel they are “tricking” the business not telling them what is really going on in their bodies.

Now in these days and times with our economy, everyone needs a job. Babies need shoes…you need to eat and survive.  Do what it takes.  There are alternatives (that I have mentioned earlier) for women that need to work to work. There is nothing wrong with being pregnant and working. In these days it is a necessity. (especailly if you have more than once child) If you don’t feel comfortable working a permanent job, find a temp one. Do what you have to do to take care of yourself and your family.  There is nothing wrong with doing something respectful as working…even if you are prego.  Pregnancy is temporary, but needing a job is not. We all need to work to eat. What somes you when you are pregnant…..you.

As a working mother, I wear a lot of hats.  Time management is a tool that everyone needs to learn.  The importance of time management can help to make a hectic day a more tolerable one. For example here are the things listed that I do during the five day work week:

4:30 a.m. rise and shine!

5:00 a.m. out the door to take my daughter to the bus stop (she goes to a magnet school that is across town)

6:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. work

3:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. pick up all my children from three different facilities

4:30 p.m. -8:00 p.m. 30 min work out, cook, help with homework

9:00-10:00 p.m. work on the Internet projects.

Time management if very important for me because my time is very tight.  Things need to get done and unfortunately I have not left any breathing room for things.  I think that when you press yourself too thin you have problems. I think that everyone (even people that don’t have such time constrains that I have in my daily life) so use time management techniques to make their lives easier to deal with. Here are some time management tips that I would like to share that help me keep my mind and work on track.

First I make lists. Making a list of your daily activities are very good time management technique.  Whether you have to go to the store to go to an appointment, making a list saves time and gives you the opportunity to check off things when you are done so you don’t feel so overwhelmed. I know it helps me because I like to see my lists get shorter during the day.  It gives me a feeling of accomplishment.

The second thing I believe is important to time management it also keeping a calendar.  I have all different kinds of calendars.  Instead of having one calendar to add ALL of the activities that I do, I actually have three calendars for important things that I do (personal, fitness, work goals). For example I have a calendar next to my treadmill to track my time and how many miles (I can’t believe I walk two miles a day and counting). 

The third thing that I use to time management is wearing a watch. I know that sounds kind of weird and seems that is should be a simple tool but sometimes you can lose track of time. For example, I love talking to my family and friends ( and I usually save that for the weekend) but sometimes there are somethings that happen during the day we may want to talk about. I have the gift of gab and can get side tracked on talking when other things like helping with homework that might be important to do.  So I will either keep a clock or watch in front of me and give myself 30 minutes to an hour to either IM, talk on the phone and/or email. 

I believe that learning time management skills are important to and can help with the stress of the day.

My husband a few months ago had an experience with popcorn at work. Being so predictable and sometimes a little lazy, he takes popcorn to work instead of lunch. During his breaks he will eat one or two of his little popcorn treats just to keep his hunger down before he comes home from work. Well, on this ordinary and predictable day went to the office lounge and put in the packet of popcorn. “Always remember to which side to put face down”, he says. To his surprise when he opened the microwave the glass that turns the food was not in there. Oh well, put in the popcorn. Then it happened….the unthinkable. The popcorn caught on fire inside of the microwave. Instinctively he opened the door…big mistake. Adding more air it caused the fame to flare up even more. Now, everyone in the 30 to 40 something year range would know the words “stop,drop, and roll”. Now I didn’t know that referred to popcorn but my husband took the popcorn, stomped it with his feet (mind you he has pants which could have caught on fire) on the carpet of the facility. Now while all of this was happening you ask,” Where were the people during break”. Well, like they always do…people watch. Now after the ordeal, everyone was asking if he was ok. And what was a bit ironic was that there was a girl that was talking on the phone to her friend that happened to also say she burnt her popcorn during the time my husband was playing Fire Marshall Bill. With all that happened to him, where were the fire extinguishers and was anyone prepared for just a situation with fire?

This got me to think about fire safety at work. Did we go over fire safety? Are their bulletin boards that need to be posted by law? Is this something that is recommended for All types of buildings to go over? I just wanted to know something simple as where are the fire extinguishers and how to use them? I decided to go to my county website and find some answers. I was able to find a simple article that talked about safety at work .

Come to find out under this link that there are over 5000 fires annually. That got me to thinking that as adults we are not really prepared to deal with a situation when it comes to fire. It mainly described the basic things that one should do (common sense ) but didn’t give me the essence of laws or bi-laws about having a fire drill at work routinely was necessary. I know that at schools that fire drills (and in certain areas earth quake drills) are routinely done for the safety of our children if a fire was to happen. But again, how about the work place? Well, being someone puzzled, I asked a question with USFA about Las Vegas and if there was a regulation on having fire drills for commercial buildings. Once they have answered, I will post it on my blog and see what it says about fire safety at work. The only thing that I can do now is prepare myself if something like that happens where I work at on my own. I hope they get an answer to me soon.

I had a crazy week last week with things  that where going on in my life.  Again, trying to maintain balance at home and at work can be a task that is hard to do.  I believe that in the world that we live in, there may be times when you are around negative people, no matter how you slice it, you will be effected in some way. It feels like they take your energy and use it for destruction. I believe that negativity is like a harmful virus of the soul that when it is not guarded can be infected and infect others.  I leaves a bad taste and odor in a place to the point where is seeps out havoc and confusion. It can make you literally physically ill and unable to function.  It drains the body of its life and can close out the light you once had. This happened to me to the point where I couldn’t even write last week on my blog. When situations take you away from something you love to do it is not worth doing it or being around that negative person. Negative situations and people are very dangerous and harmful for your health.  We all need to realize when this happens to us where to go and what to do in a situation so it won’t take you under.  That is why I have made a plan and am taking action.  Here are the three things that can stop the the infection of negativity and help you to the direction of recovery.

I would like to tell you three things that can keep you on the right track when any type of situation like this happens.  Now these are not in order mind you.  There are just things that you can do ( doesn’t matter the order) that can stop the negative elements that may seep in your life to cause you to get unbalanced. The first thing I would say to do is pray.  Prayer changes things. I know that some people don’t believe in it but I am a firm believer in prayer.  I have seen things that have happened to me and other people to know that there is a God. As a devout Christian I try to pray ( without ceasing). This can gives you a chance to say what is bothering you. I know in my own experiences it has showed me who is really in charge of my life.  I am not.  It gives you a foundation on what is major and minor. Keeps you looking up instead of down.  God is then the answer and you are to look for him for comfort and listen for his calling. God wants to know what is bothering us and whether we are to stay in that situation or will leave, it teaches us patience and shows us that we are to count on Him for comfort.  Whether you write a prayer or say it, letting go helps ease anxiety and lifts ones spirits.

The second thing I recommend is make get moving.  There  is an old African proverb that says “Pray and move your feet”. That is so true.  When you pray there is a time for action and a plan.  Ask yourself, what is it that you can do in this certain situation or find yourself doing that you need to stop (this is if you are the one being negative).  Know how to tackle the situation or person.  What to do and to say.  There is a reason for action.  It gives direction.  It shows that there needs to be a change (whether mentally or physically) to shape your mind to deal with the situation.  Everyone always things that change is a physical act. It usually starts with a change of mindset.

Third is change your attitude. This is very important.  This what happens on the inside.  In times of our lives we will have things that happens to us whether it is good or bad.  You attitude is what happens on the inside to help you how to deal with them. During the day we have all kinds of thoughts and feelings. An attitude is a choice.  I try to tell my children this all the time.  I would rather be around someone who didn’t know what they where doing and had a good attitude than someone who had a bad attitude and acted like a know it all. It does make a difference.  And what is so wonderful about it that you have the power to change it in that very instant.  Think happy or pleasing thoughts.  This is one form of action that you can take to either shun a way negativity or change yours.

I believe this is in overall daily life. Whether at home or the work place: prayer, a plan and attitude and make all the difference on how you deal with your life and other people.  Make it help to change your life and the life of others.

…add fruits to your bowl and place it on your desk to stop unhealthy cravings…

Since the holidays have passed, I have been trying to stay away from the “munchies”. You know, the kind that are creamy, crunchy, made of sugar and salt. The things we definitely didn’t need during the holidays and certainly don’t need now. Everywhere I turn there are bowls of cookies and candies at every corner. It seems like the walk to the fax machine is a trip down candy cane lane. The temptation to whisk by and take a sample seems too hard to resist. So now I have another alternative. Take a nice miniature bowl and place it on your desk. Add all the fruits that you enjoy. I would recommend that you add fruit that won’t spoil quickly. Then once you have a craving, then eat what is in your bowl. Now, This can be something you do for yourself or recommend at your work place. I would also, if you don’t want anyone to get to your fruit, to add a ‘do not touch’ sign if this is something you want only for yourself, but what is wrong with spreading a healthy habit?