How To Ask For A Leave

It can be stressful to ask for a leave of absence from work, whether it is for a medical procedure, to grieve a loss, or to take maternity leave.

You can apply for a leave of absence from work by following these steps:

·         Find out about your company's policy regarding time off and pay, as well as your legal rights.

·         Don't forget to submit your request in writing or in person.

·         Allow your employer sufficient time to consider your leave of absence request.

·         During your absence, develop a plan with your boss to cover your pending tasks.

If you know what the leave request process is, ask your boss for a few minutes to discuss the matter. Then submit a formal request in writing. Your manager should be informed that you would like to utilize your legal right to time off.

Discuss the effects of your absence on the productivity of your department with your boss. Then you and your boss can come up with a plan that allows you to take time off when it is convenient for you and find a suitable substitute.

Explain why you need to take such short notice leave in the case of an emergency and apologize for the inconvenience. Consider training your replacement and remaining available during the time away.

If you are pregnant, serving in the military, on family military leave, ill in the family, or for another personal reason, you may have the right to take time off from work.

Don't request a leave of absence if it will put your manager and co-workers in a stressful situation, unless your request is related to an emergency, such as a death in the family. Before leaving on leave, try to complete important projects ahead of time or, at the very least, reach an appropriate stopping point.

Ways to Avoid Late Coming to Work

You will soon realize why being late all the time can be detrimental to your relationships, whether it is with your friends, business associates, or clients.

You may be late now and then for various reasons, but if nothing is done to change your ways at some point these random instances will become a bad habit.

You should therefore do everything you can to avoid being late. You may want to consider the following steps if you want to change your habit of being late.

·         Stay aware of your schedule the next day, and make arrangements around the clock in order not to be rushed and not to miss out on valuable opportunities.

·         Avoid going to late-night parties or staying up late working nights. A good glass of wine will also make you sleepy.

·         If you can, prepare your lunch menu the night before so that you will be able to arrive at your lunch intervals on time.

·         The night before, pack your work requirements to avoid the rush in the morning. Not being rushed also makes it easier to think.

·         You will lose track of time when you fall back to sleep if you set a snooze option. Several minutes won't matter much.

·         If possible, do as many household duties and responsibilities the night before. Prepare your clothes and keys before you leave so you won't have to waste time looking for them.

·         Create a chart to separate the work you do at home so you don't have to do everything.

·         Don't let your vehicle go without gas. When you have the time, fill the tank over the weekend. Make sure you have the extra money in case your vehicle breaks down.

·         Check to see which route gets you to work the earliest and has the least traffic each day.

·         Leaving home early is the best way to avoid being late. Give yourself a half-hour cushion before your work time.

Avoid Distractions While Working From Home

Staying focused is one of the biggest challenges for people who are working from home for the first time. You can be distracted from your work at any time at home, affecting your productivity.

Even though work-from-home or remote working is not a newly invented practice, it is becoming more popular among employers right now. COVID-19 prevents workers from attending their workplaces, so they can complete their work from home. Moreover, it ensures employee safety and prevents the spread of Coronavirus by maintaining social distancing.

Despite what may seem like a dream scenario, remote working is far from reality. Many distractions can arise when working from home, such as children playing, pets making noise, and so on. A home is associated with comfort and luxury, unlike the professional setting of a workplace. When working from home, it can be challenging to finish tasks correctly.

Employers can use these nine tips to ensure that their employees are productive and not distracted while working from home.

• Setting up a dedicated workspace

When working from home, encourage employees to create their dedicated workspace. The creation of a dedicated workspace boosts employee productivity and creates a professional atmosphere. Additionally, employees will be able to keep distractions at bay by setting up a workspace at home.

• Don't use your phone or social media

Employees without the supervision of a supervisor are more likely to be distracted by mobile phones while at work. If possible, ask your employees not to check their mobile phones during work hours.

• Consistently sticking to a schedule

Employees should get up, have breakfast, and prepare for work as they would normally do. The employees should strictly adhere to the company's work hours and work accordingly. 

Anger Management Tips for Managers

Humans experience anger as a normal and healthy emotion. But when it overflows and becomes destructive, it can lead to problems—problems at work, problems in your personal relationships, and problems in your quality of life in general. It can make you feel as if you're at the mercy of powerful and unpredictable emotions.

However, if we want to work effectively with colleagues, we must learn how to control our anger - and the anger of others. Employees in the workplace suffer when people express their frustration or anger in unhealthy, destructive ways. Many people feel as if they're treading on eggshells and are afraid to say anything that might lead to a conflict. Morale, communication, and productivity are affected, as well as feelings of safety on the job.

An aggressive manager should not be in charge of a workplace. Employers are responsible for protecting their employees from threatening behavior and maintaining a professional and constructive work environment.

Anger management requires not only a reactive but also a proactive approach. As a result, your company should set a standard for how it will deal with anger and how to prevent it from occurring in the first place.

You'll maintain a work environment where people know that you won't tolerate bad behavior if you manage anger issues properly. Moreover, you can help people understand how to deal with aggressive employees.

Tips on Managing Anger

• Find ways to relax and calm yourself

• Using deep breathing exercises, visualizing a relaxing scene, or repeating a calming phrase or word can help you relax.

• Step back from the situation or imagine yourself in that situation

• Do not say anything you'll regret: Count to 50 before you speak.

• Don't hold grudges. Make amends and ask to be forgiven. No one will behave the way you expect.

Basics of Effective Leadership

You're primed to become a great manager if you strive to improve those around you. But it takes more than one-on-one interactions. After studying and teaching employee motivation and leadership for more than two decades, I have identified five main principles of successful management.

1. Distinguish between being friends and being friendly 

It's important to be aware of how close you become with your employees as opposed to your friends. By maintaining your relationship professionally, you can more easily delegate responsibilities, critique an employee's work or even let someone go in the future.

2. Strive for clarity

The easiest way to help people reach their potential is to be clear about their roles, responsibilities, and opportunities.

According to a Gallup survey on management, clarity of expectations is one of the most basic employee needs. Provide feedback and help employees set performance goals. Encourage open communication through nonjudgmental communication. 

3. Organize and filter

First-time managers will learn about parts of business strategy and operations they aren't familiar with as individual contributors. This can be challenging. Sharing information with executives about your team's morale, performance, and concerns, while filtering information about the organization's vision, performance, and priorities, is something you should prepare for.

4. Seek help

It's inevitable that you'll encounter situations you don't know how to handle, but that's an indication of your growth, not your weakness. Don't be afraid to say, "Hey, I'm stuck. Could you walk me through this?" to your boss, colleague, or fellow new manager.

5. Take action

Once you understand your role and expectations, you should feel empowered to take action. Even if you risk failing, don't be afraid to make a decision. The best way to improve is to fail forward, and if you have developed strong, trusting relationships with your team members and upper management, they will make sure every challenge your team faces is met with enthusiasm.