I write a lot about employees who hate their bosses, but it turns out that someone has actually done an academic study about employees and their feelings toward their bosses.

It was carried out at Florida Statue University in 2006 and questioned 700 American workers in a wide array of careers and asked them their opinions about their managers. The study results were published on the FSU website.

Among the results to emerge from the study were the following:

• Thirty-one percent of respondents reported that their supervisor gave them the "silent treatment" in the past year.
• Thirty-seven percent reported that their supervisor failed to give credit when due.
• Thirty-nine percent noted that their supervisor failed to keep promises.
• Twenty-seven percent noted that their supervisor made negative comments about them to other employees or managers.
• Twenty-four percent reported that their supervisor invaded their privacy.
• Twenty-three percent indicated that their supervisor blames others to cover up mistakes or to minimize embarrassment.

Also, according to those conducting the survey, "Employees stuck in an abusive relationship experienced more exhaustion, job tension, nervousness, depressed mood and mistrust. They also were less likely to take on additional tasks, such as working longer or on weekends, and were generally less satisfied with their job. Also, employees were more likely to leave if involved in an abusive relationship than if dissatisfied with pay."

The study offers a few suggestions for improving things such as staying visible to your boss and trying to keep an optimistic outlook. Finally, the study suggests not taking abuse of any kind lightly, but reporting it whenever possible.

I have to conclude that New Zealand is a pretty wild place, or at least a country full of people that live on the edge. Because at a recent health conference, it was revealed that methamphetamine is becoming a real problem in Kiwi workplaces.

Now, I realize that every country has different customs, some good, and some bad. However, this type of information is likely to attract the wrong kind of workers to New Zealand!

I can appreciate that the fact that there may be the odd bit of drug use in some industries, but what struck me in this article was the fact that people are actually using their workplaces to cook this stuff up before using it while on the clock (or off the clock). Talk about unprofessional (and dangerous, and unethical, etc.)!

Despite all the comical material such news stories provide us with, it's still a very serious matter! Would you want a physician who is high on meth? Would you want a construction foreman dropping acid?

Probably not, most of us would find that ridiculous and unacceptable. At the same time, how much time and how many resources should we spend hunting down mobile meth labs in the break room? The article mentions guard dog companies enjoying profitable periods in New Zealand. Surely the problem could not have reached that point, could it?

An extraordinary story from Singapore.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's pay will fall 19 percent to S$3.04 million ($2 million) next year as the government slashes civil-servant wages in response to the deepening global financial crisis.

Wages of new ministers will fall 18 percent to S$1.57 million next year, and members of parliament will receive S$190,000, a 16 percent reduction, the government said in a statement late yesterday.

Somehow, we doubt that this will catch on elsewhere, where the public sector appears to be miraculously recession-proof.

Have you ever been to Philadelphia? If you're thinking about going there to work, you may want to think again. Lest you find my premise unfair, let me share with you this headline from the Philadelphia Business Journal: "Almost a third of 07 workplace deaths in area homicides".

In other words, people who die on the jobs there, they're dying because they were killed, not because of accidents.

In fact, in Philadelphia, more people were killed (27) in a workplace death, than in car accidents (12) or falls (14). I have to wonder how many of those falls were due to help from behind.

I would be curious to find out more about such findings. What were the causes of death in these homicides? You could reasonably think that they were likely due to firearms. What does that tell us?

There's a lot of conclusions to which one could jump based on these figures. Of course, news sources picking up these stories could help by painting a more accurate picture of what's going on. Most of us probably don't have either the time or inclination to read the actual report from the US Department of Labor.

In the meantime, I'll let the good people of Philly (the city of Brotherly Love) sort out their death in the workplace title before I consider applying for positions there.

If the internet is any indication the economy has not caused people to like their bosses any better than before. If anything, employees are blaming their managers for the financial crises they find themselves in. So, what do you do if you hate your boss? This article over at Businessknowhow.com has some suggestions.

Author Nancy Halpern's first suggestion is to avoid "pushing your bosses' buttons." She suggests getting to know what your manager's pet peeves are and then avoiding them.

Second, know how your boss prefers to communicate. Does he like to send out e-mails? Is he the type who prefers a face-to-face confrontation? Learn it and then be prepared to talk to him that way.

Third and going along with that, make sure you know their communication style. Is he an in-your-face type or does he prefer to site quietly and communicate softly?

Fourth, try to keep your problems to yourself. Avoid the temptation to spread rumors and complain about your boss to everyone around you.

Fifth, do not expect Human Resources to be on your side. The HR department is there to serve the company and not each individual employee.

Sixth, make sure you document every offense and every issue. This will help serve your case later should things really come to a head.

Seventh, make sure you have what politicians like to call an "exit strategy." Keep your documents in order and make sure your resume is up-to-date. Manage your contacts and keep networking.

Eighth, learn that you can manage your boss as much as they are supposed to be managing you. Your boss does rely on information you give them so you need to be careful what information you give. Also, know your manager's weaknesses and strengths.

There are other tips that Halpern gives, but those are eight key things to keep in mind. By mastering these maybe you can learn to live with the boss you hate at least long enough to find work elsewhere.

I'm a sucker for a good press release every now and then; after all, it's not often that you come across something that's actually worth buying.

More to the point, it's even less likely that you find something that might improve the quality of your workday. However, the folks at sitbetter.com may be on to something that even the hard-to-please might find useful.

If you're like me, you spend far too much time sitting in front of a screen. Since there are very few scenarios that would actually change that (bad) habit, it's time to make the best of the situation.

While we have optometrists to help us keep our eyes healthy, most of us probably don't think about other health risks (besides obesity via inactivity) such as back aches, carpal tunnel, etc. Face it, how many of us are actually sat in a decent chair for the 8-10+ hours per day at the office? How many of us use ergonomically designed keyboards, writing utensils, etc?

In addition to such worries, let me also rant about the importance of remaining active, even when we have desk jobs! Getting up every now and then to stretch our arnms, legs, and back will help offset the lack of a good, ergonomic chair.

Of course, you'd be better off with a decent chair, but in today's economy you're not likely to get the boss to pay for one!

The sitbetter.com folks are a good resource for finding out more about such important, but under-discussed, workplace issues. I don't wish to sound like an advert for the site, as that's not the point. The point is this: workplace exercise, including good posture when seated or even when typing, is critical to our health.

There is more to getting hired than just having a great resume. Sometimes it's the way you carry yourself or the way you give off confidence to an employer. Your attitude can be as important as what you've done with your career.

But how do you develop that "hire me" attitude? This piece over at CareerBuilder.com has some great tips.

For example, you should apply to companies that aren't necessarily seeking candidates at the moment. According to author John Smith, if you read the newspapers and read about new companies opening up then you can send them your resume. Your ambition can make you memorable and if they feel you match their needs they might just hire you.

One thing that could set you apart is by actually picking up the phone and calling potential new employers. These days so many people send resumes via e-mail that an actual live voice can make you stand out.

You can tailor your resume for the company for which you are applying. Don't assume your resume is the perfect fit for every situation. Also, construct your resume so that it is easy to read.

Smith has other suggestions as well, many of the culled from experts in hiring and managing employees. They include tips for writing cover letters, and how to conduct yourself during the interview. It's a lot to remember, but if you master just a couple of them you could find yourself hired for that job you really dream about.

When it comes to be rejected, it can be tough to deal with. Whether you are being rejected for a date or rejected for a job, the emotions and feelings can be very similar. So how do you recover from that job rejection when you are certain you've done everything right?

As this piece on Careerbuilder.com explains, the first thing to realize is that it is likely not a personal thing. Companies can potentially interview hundreds of candidates for an open position. At the same time, many companies are required to post and interview for an open position even if they have a candidate in mind. It may not be anything against you, just a matter of numbers.

Second, try to get some feedback on why you didn't get the job. This can be very difficult and many companies may not want to talk to you about it. If you try, however, you might learn something. Just be persistent and keep asking questions.

Third, if you build a network of friends who can support you during these difficult times, they can help you deal with the rejection. Just like when you are in a relationship that goes wrong, your friends and support people can be there to offer advice and get you past the negative feelings.

Rejection is never easy. However, if you try to learn from the times you don't get that job, it can help you land one further down the road. Whatever you do, try not to wallow in the rejection or let the negative feelings overwhelm your entire job search.

Do good-looking people earn more money than average and below average-looking people? You would like to think that it's just hard work and doing your job well that can help you move up the ladder. Sadly, as this article on CareerBuilder.com explains, your looks may have more to do with your job than you realize.

Take this example. A manager told a cosmetic dentist, "[he] wanted his assistant to get veneers, and was even willing to pay for the dental work - as long as the assistant asked for it. He said this was a woman who was really good at her job and he was moving up (within the organization), but he couldn't take her with him because her teeth were so bad. The assistant never came in for the dental work, and [the dentist] said he didn't know what became of her career."

The question is, are pretty people actually better workers? That remains to be seen and studies are being conducted. However, it has been proven that students will give professors with good looks higher marks than those more average or below. At the same time, some experts say that lack of talent will eventually show no matter how good-looking the person is and that will affect their job and their pay at some point.

The sad part is that companies can still discriminate against workers because of looks. Often it is done carefully and other reasons are used, but there really aren't laws on the books for the ugly or less attractive. So, if you want to get noticed, it may pay off to spend a little extra getting that makeover or buying the fancy new clothes.

Please, someone awake me from my nightmare! I just read that some companies are responding to the recession by asking employees to take unpaid holidays. What? Yes, it's true.

Of course, it's not likely that your well-paid, well-fed bosses will be asked to take a pay cut from $500,000 per to a paltry $475,000 for the greater good of the company. Nah, I d say that isn't likely to happen anytime soon.

This isn't the first time I've heard of such antics from employers. However, when I've seen it done in Europe, it was often in restaurants or small companies. Often, in those cases, the holidays were "forced", but they were still paid.

What's remarkable to me is this: it's no secret that the economy is crap and things are slowing down. But why do we so often expect the lowest earners to make the first sacrifices?

If we're going to hawk the idea that we're a team – we win as a team, we lose as a team – than perhaps we should ask a little more of those who are earning more. After all, most of us don't blame those who are supposed to guide our companies through feast and famine.

Taking unpaid time off is not only bad for individual people, it's not good for the economy. After all, we're supposed to spend to keep things flowing.

Running a small company or an independent consultant practice (a one man/woman shop) is no easy task. In fact, it often seems like you've got everything stacked up against you most of the time.

After all, you've got to market yourself, find clients, provide services, and play billing department and then collection agency when you're not paid. Let's add one more woe: a government looking to make your life even more difficult by upping your expenses, something small business owners in Canada will be only too aware of.

There is talk of legislation in Canada that would require such companies or one-person shops to take out mandatory workplace insurance. At first read, this sounds like a reasonable requirement, one to which most responsible business owners already adhere.

However, take a closer look and you'll notice that the law would require these companies to actually kick in to the government kitty. In other words, your current, private insurance would not exempt you from having to pay a separate, mandatory insurance premium governed by the government. This would a) render your private policy useless, and b) give the government a complete monopoly over insurance premiums and coverage benefits.

It certainly makes sense to require workplace insurance (these are one of those things I like to refer to as the "cost of doing business"), and, hell, it even makes sense to offer a state-controlled policy for companies or people who cannot afford a private policy.

But it makes no sense to force the many Canadian companies to change their current plan and fork over more cash to a different plan. In fact, it almost sounds like an extortionist plot.

Without a total jettison of the law, let's hope that someone in charge comes to their good senses and allows those who already enjoy coverage to continue to do so.

The operative word these days around the world is "change". It's something I never seem to have enough of when I need a cuppa, and it's also what President-elect Obama has been championing the past two years. But should Americans really expect to see a difference in the workplace? Surprisingly (to me), the Wall Street Journal says "yes".

While American workers shouldn't expect higher pay, less hours, and Ferrari corporate cars, there are a number of things that are likely to change from the Bush years.

For example, it's likely that unions will have a greater sphere of influence within the workplace. It's also likely that American workers will have an easier time forming unions. During the last guy's term, companies often felt that the government was on their side, giving them carte blanche to get rid of those who would organize.

According to the WSJ article, a re-focus on work/family life would also return. Without enjoying the flexibility that European countries offer, mother can hope for improved maternity leave, as well as strengthening the Family and Medical Leave Act., This would allow parents to feel safer in taking time off to address personal and family needs, without fearing the proverbial axe.

Regardless, it seems to be an exciting time in America. But let's not get carried away, as the new President will have his hands full untying past knots. As Mr. Obama put it, change starts from the bottom up – it will be up to employees in America to hold their governments' accountable for their actions – or lack thereof.

In my line of work, listening to headphones has never really been an issue. Of course, it's likely that I've not allowed it to become an issue by blocking out any protests with some righteous guitar riffs – although as this article discusses, that's only going to fuel the ire of opponents of tunes in the workplace.

Listening to music can be a wonderful escape from the often vile realities of the workplace. When I'm settling in to do some serious writing, listening to familiar, comforting sounds can be a great help in passing the time and getting things done. Of course, I listen to music with respect for my environment, as should anyone who does.

Keep your music at a volume that isn't likely to bother anyone sitting next to you. Even with expensive headsets, it's likely that listening to music at a loud volume is noticeable to those around you. Also, make sure that you listen to music at a volume that won't prevent you from hearing the phone or another colleague trying to get your attention.

While some people may feel that listening to music throws up a wall between the listener and the work environment, I disagree. Being comfortable and in the "right place" to get ones work done is important to producing quality work.

Keeping basic etiquette rules in mind and reducing reasons for colleague to be against you listening to music can result in a rewarding aural sensation that makes the day go by just a bit faster.

One thing I've noticed about the US election campaign is that it increased water cooler talk around three often taboo subjects, namely race, age, and gender. In the end, I suppose we can thank W for one of the few positive aspects of his presidency!

Regardless of one's politics, it's hard to deny that so many taboos have been blown right out of the water in this election cycle. For the first time ever we had three serious candidates poised to knock down one of three walls in presidential politics: we had a serious female contender for both a major party's nomination and also a vice-president candidate, we had an African-American (or at least bi-racial candidate to be honest), and a senior citizen. Talk about a lot to digest in one election cycle!

This, I have noticed, has caused the scourges of ageism, racism, and sexism to be more frequently discussed in the workplace. This article reaffirms that it's not just me noticing it.

From a European perspective, the race issue seems to be the one that is drawing the most attention. It's been quite interesting to see how Europeans perceive American attitudes towards race. It's often a case of assigning their own feelings on Americans.

Despite the historic level of this American election, I don't think that the end result changes much in the workplace for women, people of color, or those on "the wrong side of 40".

While we may be ready to elect one of the above to the highest post in the land, it's not likely that tolerance for any of those qualities are going to serve you well when it's time for a merit-based promotion or a raise.

As the year ends, a lot of workers are looking ahead toward 2009. Many of them are hoping for promotions, perhaps even counting on them. If you're one of those who have wanted to move up the ladder, only to see others move ahead, there may be some good reasons for it, as this piece from Careerbuilder.com points out.

First, consider the fact that you may be a "slacker" at least in the minds of your co-workers and managers. Do you arrive late for work? Do you call in sick a lot, especially when it gets you a three-day weekend? Do you miss a lot of deadlines? These do get noticed.

Second, you may just be doing "fine" but you may not be doing enough to impress. Yes, you get your work done and you get it done mostly on time, but you don't go that extra mile so many managers find impressive.

Third, and similar to the second one, you may not be visible enough. Do you bring out ideas to management during meetings? Do you participate in groups and programs around the office? To be noticed, you have to make yourself noticeable.

Fourth, you may just be a negative person. Do you spend most of your time complaining but little, if any, time providing solutions? Do you make a scene every time something goes wrong, even if it's the tiniest of things? This is not the type of person most companies want in charge.

There are many more suggestions throughout the article. You may find yourself and your method of working in any of them. If so, it may be time to reassess your behavior and start considering some changes.