Murphy's Law

mur·phy's law/ˈmərfēz/ A supposed law of nature, expressed in various humorous popular sayings, to the effect that anything that can go wrong will go wrong.

[rollingstone]

9 to 5 was released 35 years ago today. Screenwriter Patricia Resnick reflects on sexism in Hollywood and how most Americans would kill to work 9-to-5 today.

[murphyslaw71]

We're all Violet!

[murphyslaw71]

The best advice I've seen so far...

[murphyslaw71]

Really? The flaw in this study is asking participants to keep a time diary (how 1980s of them). Think about all the "smartphone" work you do, being on call 24/7, never really shutting work off. Spending time at work and doing work are really two different variables.

[murphyslaw71]

Attention CEOs, time to stand up and do something...

[merrymissanthropic-deactivated2]

and it was the biggest mistake of my life. It called those from the ages of 18 - 35 ‘Generation Screwed’, and happened to mention every single one of my fears, doubts, and insecurities about the future.

Essentially made me feel as though all I was going to be able to do...

[cheatsheet]

Monthly internship salary: $800. Monthly student loan payments: $834. #GenerationScrewed

—@Michael__Raines

Your Tumblrer picked out the best of your #GenerationScrewed stories. (Believe me, there were plenty to choose from.) Thanks to all for submitting! 

(Photo: Stephan Savoia / AP Photo)

[newsweekscience]

Remember when we asked for your stories? You sent TONS in. And we published a bunch on the site.

[murphyslaw71]

In a jobless recovery, such as the one we are still in, if an employee sees an opportunity for training, it would behoove them to take it. In many cases, opportunities for advancement at one's company are few and far between and the only saving grace is to gain additional skills to hightail it out of there when the going really gets tough. Another benefit, if said company does not reap the rewards of a newly trained employee, is once that person leaves, he/she will be less likely to sue you for any indignation they may have experienced along the way. Usually those that take the skills and run, are looking forward, not backward. And, you didn't have to pay a severance or increased unemployment insurance. See, everyone wins!

[murphyslaw71]

Stress, and the fact that in some organizations, it can be the equivalent of a rat running incessantly on it's habitat wheel. That's right, round and round you go until you realize you are worn down to a nub and a scrap of what you used to be. Ask yourself, is it really worth it? Remember Bud Fox from Wall Street, "Tell me, Gordon--when does it all end? How many yachts can you water-ski behind? How much is enough?"

How much is enough for you?

[murphyslaw71]

My advice, let's forget the labels, the innuendo, the sophomoric "culture chat" and let's just get real. Appraisals are really a thing of the past. Want to be progressive and have performance work for you? Move to job evaluations quarterly so that people "expect expectations." I know, radical concept, huh?

[newyorker]

How many times have you heard someone discuss the need to maintain health insurance for themselves or their family as a factor in an important personal, job-change, or life choice? If the health-insurance exchanges that Obamacare promises work at all well, a new era of personal freedom beckons.

Steve Coll on Obamacare and the future of work: http://nyr.kr/NZDCB0 (via newyorker)

[newyorker]

Cartoon of the day. For more from this week’s issue: http://nyr.kr/MyuqjR

[murphyslaw71]

Stumbled across this blog by @lruettimann and I can't stop reading it. If you like Murphy's Law, you'll love The Cynical Girl.

[murphyslaw71]

I would do everything the author tells you PLUS work on your exit plan. It's like knowing when a marriage is over, don't stay for the sake of the kids, get out and start your new life. Life is too short to lick your wounds, go out and stake your claim.

[murphyslaw71]

Just another reminder that the time has come for companies to wake up to the needs of their hard-working employees.

[murphyslaw71]

The never-ending quest for job satisfaction is starting to produce some very troubling statistics. Do you think employees will finally cave, get brave and check out those greener pastures?

[newyorker]

Cartoon of the Day. For more from this week’s issue: http://nyr.kr/Kw7EN1

[murphyslaw71]

Scary thought, no?

[murphyslaw71]

When you give back vacation time, you are paying your employer, they are not paying you. Use it up. Your mind, body and soul (not to mention your family and friends) will thank you. Recharging leads to your reinvention.