oil on canvas by Paul Kelpe

oil on canvas by Paul Kelpe

Paid Days Off is a term that can replace the terminology ‘sick days’ and ‘vacation days’ – apparently employees like it. I was introduced to this concept by two different respondents to a question I posed on Linked IN regarding ‘reframing work / life balance’. This small change in wording can yield big rewards and a huge shift for both workers at every level and their bosses. Both paid ‘vacation days’ and ‘sick days’ place expectation on the time that you are given off from work. These days of paid rest must be justified- you must use them when you are sick or to take a vacation. Labeling and categorizing this time puts employers in a position of policing employees and employees in the position of justifying using time that is technically theirs to use as they wish. By simply calling this time what it is, ‘paid days off’, companies can better the work environment at zero cost to the company.

Paid Days Off – vs – Sick Days:

If you are in management you know the feeling of getting the call: an employee calls out sick at the last minute – it must be at the last minute to be credible – leaving you short staffed. Perhaps you had a plan today, perhaps there was a meeting or a project that needs all hands, eyes, and brains to be focused and present. Maybe this worker is a teacher or nurse and now you need to call in someone to cover his or her class or shift. You are left scrambling, resentful and wondering if this person is even really sick.

As an employee, your paid sick days are part of the benefits of your job – you are due those paid days off of work – period. In order to take them you must be or pretend to be sick. You really only have one option: lie. Are you too sick to work – maybe. Do you just need a day to catch-up – probably. But now in order to take the day that is due you, you must call your boss, feeling guilty, child-like, and disempowered and play-up your ‘symptoms’ to take your day off. You will face the judgment of your boss and co-workers tomorrow. You will have to lie to each of them about how sick you were yesterday. You have just participated in the paternalistic, degrading and dishonest system that is prevalent in most US companies.

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For Anyone Who Finds Food Stressful

by Jennifer Edwards on 01/22/2010

What to eat? When to eat? How much to eat? We have so many questions and so many choices staring down at us when we go to the store. If you are like me, you may not have time to read the thousands of books out there telling us what to put (an not put) in our mouths.

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Eating For Energy

September 15, 2009

When I lead workshops, I am always asked about the relationship between food and and stress.  I turned to a leader in her field for some helpful tips:

Brought to you by Dages Juvelier Keates of Delicious Dialogues
Moody? Irritable? Maybe you need a snack!
Hypoglycemia is a condition characterized by fatigue, confusion, crying spells, depression and [...]

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Brooklyn Acupuncture Project

September 14, 2009

I was pain…  real pain.   My entire left side, from my hip to my toes, was stiff, throbbing and sore.  The more I stretched, the more intense my discomfort was.  I began to wonder if I would ever go to the gym again.  It went on for nearly six months before I sought help.  As [...]

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3 Tips to Manage Your Stress

March 9, 2009

Use Your Words
Merriam-Webster defines stress as a constraining force or influence; a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation; a state resulting from a stress especially: one of bodily or mental tension resulting from factors that tend to alter an existent equilibrium.
You know, [...]

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Quick Tips for Aware Parenting

March 9, 2009

1.) Trust your intuition. It will not mislead you. Intuition comes from your heart and is what you know is true. It will ‘feel right’.
2.) Baby feeds on many parts of you, first and foremost, she/he absorbs your energy. Build awareness of where you are emotionally, and you will know how [...]

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Practical Tips for Relaxed Communication

March 9, 2009

Preparation for Conversation; Find Your Comfort Zone:
Take a Deep Breath. Your whole body stretches, opens, lengthens and fills with air. A deep breath is as full-bodied as a yawn. It is very important to take several deep breathes before engaging in any [important] conversation. Practice deep breathing when you wake in the morning, [...]

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7 Practical Tips to Make your Move Easy!

January 26, 2009

Moving!
After a friend and colleague learned that I am in the process of moving, she asked me to share some simple tips to help her with her move. Thanks for the inspiration Maria!
1) Clear a Corner: this is where you will store completely packed boxes
2) Get boxes: retrieve boxes, as needed, from a local [...]

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Is Stress Affecting Your Health?

October 7, 2008

“Eat healthily, exercise and get enough rest”
Sound familiar? This is the common prescription given over the nightly news when faced with the topic of ‘stress’. In the last week I have heard this sound bite time and time again.
If you are like me the first question is HOW?
How do I focus [...]

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Go to Creacon! NOW :)

July 15, 2008

If you have heard about or read ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ and said ‘wow I wish I could do that!’ You can! And you don’t have to leave for a year, or sell your possessions to do it.
In May, I traveled to Prema Agni Creacon Lodge Healing Center in New Ross Ireland. [...]

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