Dear Experts, I work part time while in school and a few weeks ago my hours were cut by half. Obviously I wanted to know why so I confronted my boss (professionally of course) and asked whether it was funding, performance or both. Her response was the department doesn't have anymore work for me to fill 25 hours a week. However, what is so perplexing about the whole thing is that my Marketing department constantly needs help and now that I'm only there two days a week my schedule is even more busy! I can afford no lunch breaks the days I work. I feel a betrayed (and very confused) because I do work very hard there. Maybe there is something she is not telling me. Not sure. I have already looked into providing contracting work. Should I cut my losses and quit? Do you think this is just a way to ease me out? Here is how our T.A.P. experts answered this question:Q#300 Sadly, marketing is an overhead cost. If there is a financial crunch, it's often the first thing to be cut. (@gradversity) Q#300 Sounds like ur boss not telling u entire story. Might b business is suffering. Do what u need 4 ur professional grwth. (@DebraWheatman) Q#300 They might have felt U didn't have enough to do & cut hours to make it fit. Best thing to do? Ask. (@beneubanks) Q#300 This is nature of business. Not personal. Decisions made that "make no sense" except to bottom line. (@dawnbugni) Q#300 Budget issue! Assess value you offer to bottomline. Co's pay for profitability, not support right now. (@jtodonnell) Q#300 Comp wants 2 keep u, but low on $. Communicate w manager 2 create plan if u want 2 stay. (@kgrantcareers) Q#300 Could take what she says at face value AND look 4 other work b/c need more hours; also I'd take lunch. (@juliaerickson) Our Twitter Advice Project (T.A.P.) is no longer an active campaign. To find an answer to the above question, please use the "Search" box in the right-hand column of this website.
There you are: sitting on the beach, covered in sunscreen, reading your favorite book, drinking your favorite drink under the cool shade of an umbrella. Life doesn't get any better than this. Suddenly, a door slams, a phone rings, a printer turns on. You jolt back into consciousness. You're at work, sitting in your cubicle, without even a hint of sunshine streaming in from outside.
When you're working a full-time job, finding time to enjoy the warm, bright summer weather can be a challenge. This is especially true for young professionals, as many of them are used to having summers off (or, at the very least, having a flexible summer schedule). But there's no need to feel trapped behind your cubicle walls. Go out and enjoy summer!
Here are a few tips for making the most of your summer while working full time.
1. Grab Some Foldable Chairs
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Keep a couple of foldable camping chairs at the office so you and a co-worker can catch some rays during lunch—whether it's in the park or the parking lot.
2. Keep A Beach Bag In Your Car
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Keep a bag full of summer supplies for your favorite summer activities. Having a bag (or, in my case, a backseat) full of towels, sunscreen, and swimwear keeps you prepared for anything. Friends hitting up the pool after work? You're covered. Once the clock strikes five, you can head to your destination of choice immediately.
3. Plan An Office Outing
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Plan an office field trip to the beach, the park, or the pool. Just do something fun so your brain can recharge and refresh!
4. Organize Group Walks
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Get a bunch of co-workers together and go on regular walks around town during lunch. (Or you could suggest a quick jaunt over to the ice cream shop.) This is a great way to get some fresh air, sunshine, and exercise.
5. Eat Lunch At The Park
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When you find yourself eating out, hit up places with a deck, porch, or patio of some sort. Obviously, eating out every day isn't really a feasible option for most of us, so look into alternative ideas as well. Pack a lunch and hit the park for your own little picnic.
6. Organize Office Sports
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Whether it's setting up an official office sports team or just hanging out with your colleagues a few times a week, playing sports is a great way to get out and enjoy the weather. Have a field nearby? Try setting up some slow-pitch softball games. Or see if you can get a basketball hoop for the office so you and a few co-workers can shoot some hoops at lunch.
7. Join A Professional Group
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During the summer, professional networking groups often have fun events like harbor cruises, pub crawls, and outdoor mixers. Find a professional group in your area and make networking fun this summer.
8. Have An Office BBQ
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Get your grill on! Talk to your boss about setting up an office BBQ. Ask everyone to contribute their favorite dish, side, or drink. Fire up the grill and relax! Hey, it's summer after all.
9. Wake Up Early
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Yes, yes, I know...waking up early is an incredibly painful and unbearable experience for some of us, but waking up even an hour earlier has its benefits—especially in the summer. Go for a morning run, putter around in the garden, or watch the sunrise with a loved one. Talk about starting the day off right!
10. Strategically Use Your Time Off
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Strategically use your vacation days around holidays. This way, you can make a potentially long weekend longer without having to use too much of your precious vacation time. Half days are also pretty awesome. It's amazing how much you can do with four extra hours! If you want an early weekend but don't want to burn up your vacation days too quickly, try taking a half day on a Friday instead of using a full day off.
11. Bike To Work
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If you're one of the lucky few who live within walking or biking distance of work, take advantage of it! Not only will you get plenty of fresh air, but you'll also save money on gas, which is always a plus!
There are plenty of easy ways to enjoy summer when you work a full-time job. So this summer, try out a few of these ideas and make the most of the sunshine and warm weather—while they're still around!
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