And a half a million will lose their unemployment benefits. Over time people get less cordial!

Reprint from 2010

So about the title… umm you just got laid off, through no fault of your own. It can be difficult to sit on the other end of a desk. The supervisor or person who you feel might as well be holding a gun to your head to keep you from reaching over and slapping them for saying, “this is nothing personal.” Well guess what, they are wrong. While dissolving of a position or reduction of workforce may be a business decision, it is very personal, for the people giving the news and the individual receiving it. It is easy to list a few of the many disadvantages; the packing of personal or company items (for you thieves) with or without security, the walk to the car, the oh so long drive on the way home to think about what has just happened, the breaking of news to the family and then the subtle but daunting task of searching for a new position.

So what could possibly be the benefit that comes from losing, for what many of us is, our only source of income? What great things could be hidden in this process for the HR person delivering the news? Few would agree that there are any benefits, yet believe it or not there are. There are even more benefits now then there were even a few years ago. Having a good breakfast and calling other unemployed friends are not among the reasons I am discussing, although pretty damn good and funny!

For HR:

• It’s a chance for HR to make the company look Humane. Being in the room for a lay-off with the manager and employee is not something any of us wants to be apart of often but it is one task that can come with the job. You have a chance to show what gratitude there may be for the employees service and help in retaining the brand of your company. The last thing you want is for the person to have a bad experience, echo it out to the world through twitter and the blogosphere and set you up as a bad guy, ultimately leaving a bad impression on any future candidate that you want to hire for that same position after the righteous company comeback (did I just say “that same position” oops). We, HR, can be perceived as the good people for a change!
• Performance issues. Have to be careful here but, let’s face it, not all supervisors do a good job in effectively giving performance reviews. The good and bad  is not always outlined. But regardless of who is at fault, if there were issues with the employee/employer relationship, reduction in workforce is an easier argument to have and a much quicker conversation. Especially in this economy.
• More quiet time. Fewer employees mean fewer grievances, reduced visits to your office and request for the “private talk” about ones supervisor and/or boss. OK, this is not really a good argument, but you have all thought about it haven’t you? Why be afraid, admit it.

For the Unemployed:

• Family Time. The maximum benefit would be the time you spend with your family and friends. You can become even closer with the extra time you are spending together. Let’s face it, your kids, significant other and people who are most important to you will never say, “Dang you should have spent more time at work.”
• Regenerate/Reflection. If you are like me, there is never enough time in the day. If you are currently not working, you often feel like you have more work to do then you did when you were working. In this time away, you can now take the time to get to know another side of yourself that you have not experienced in awhile. You take the time to discover what that side is.
• Reevaluate life and career goals. Why Not Re-Evaluate Your Career Path Choices? Nuff said.
• Unemployment Benefits. No longer are there long lines at the unemployment office. The unemployed can now handle everything online (that is if they can still afford internet access). Don’t quote me but the max you can receive on an unemployment claim is around $452, given you make more than $900, give or take. There has been talk of an added benefit under the new administration prolonging benefits for an added 13 months as well as an increase in benefits for up to $25 to those who qualify. You scoff, “Ooh a whole $25 extra.” Yeah you are laughing now but an extra $25 can go a long way in tough times.
• Retraining. Yes, if you need an upgrade in certifications, knowledge or skills; there is potential to receive added funds. Only to those who quality and ask.
• Other possible benefits: Refinance or Modification of a Mortgage Loan (check with your bank), Return the school, etc.
• Excuses to be cheap. When people ask for change, asking to cover the tab, or donations; you actually have a good excuse to be cheap!

This is a simple and brief list. Some of these were meant to help you laugh to keep from crying but there are real ways to deal and even recover from reduction in force. While difficult, a lay-off can end up being the bridge between the move from a potentially bad situation to better one, for both the employee and/or the employer.

Well everyone it is beginning to get warm out. The rain is bringing taller grass as a result of all of us travelling more and more for work and conference season. With that, I like to work out at least 3 to 4 days a week. Between swimming and weights, I don’t like to stay a way from the gym to long. But, like many, the travel makes it harder and harder for any of us to even get to a gym much less go mall walking around the hotel parking lot. So to help you all get fit even when you are travelling is my friend and work place fitness guru Danielle Korb….

Danielle Korb

Exercise while travelling

You want to stay healthy while you travel with an exercise routine that is fun, simple, challenging, & effective…… you are a Fit Traveler! Here are 3 exercise routines to help you stay in shape and burn calories while you are on the road.

Exercise while traveling presents it’s challenges with new gyms & equipment, no gym, and limited time. With fitness on the road I have designed 3 exercise plans that help you burn a lot of calories, work in the gym/outside/in a hotel room, & are full of effective exercises that optimize your time.

Monitor your heart rate

Monitoring your heart rate while you workout can help you keep the workout more of a fun challenge while burning more calories at the same time. When you do each exercise your target heart rate should be 85% of your maximum heart rate. Your Maximum heart rate is 220 minus your age. If you are 30 years old: 220 - 30 = 190 beats per minute. Your Target heart rate of 85% of your 190 Maximum Heart Rate is 161 beats per minute. You can measure your heart rate after an exercise by taking your pulse for 10 seconds and multiplying by 6.

If you travel a lot you may want to consider investing in a heart rate monitor or a wrist heart rate monitor. These are great because they act like a little personal trainer. They remind you to keep your workout intense and they keep you reaching to your 85% target heart rate goal for the entire workout.

Exercise Program
Preform each exercise for 30 seconds & rest for 15 seconds between each exercise. Do the routine 5 times through for a 20 minute workout. For these workouts I’m your online personal trainer with links to videos of me demonstrating how to do some of the exercises. Have Fun with your Fitness….Go Fit Traveler!

Number 1: Healthy Travel Exercise Program
1. Squats
2. Push Ups
3. Jumping Jacks
4. Alternating Lunges
5. High Knees in Place

Number 2: Healthy Travel Exercise Program
1. Full Sit up
2. Glute Kick in Place (heels to booty)
3. Lunge Jumps
4. Tricep Dips
5. Squat Jumps

Number 3 with Equipment: Healthy Travel Exercise Program
1. Overhead Press
2. Alternating Step Ups
3. Bicep Curl
4. Jump Rope
5. Chest Press

About your contributor: Danielle Korb is the owner and founder of Sweat Training, Downtown Cincinnati’s Urban Loft Style Gym catering to the Urbanite that Works Hard, Trains Hard, & Enjoys the Social Scene. You may take part in the Indoor Urban Boot Camp & consultations for Personal Training. Train at Sweat! your Online Personal Trainer. Click For More Fitness & Healthy Food Ideas!

You may also Follow Or Like Sweat Training.

Over the last week I have been hearing many stories regarding unemployment benefits. How these benefits affect our current short and long-term unemployed, the negatives and postives that this issue brings to the economy and current budget shortfall.

I wrote about this yesterday in a story at TLNT.com. Very delighted to be included but I am even more apt to help people drive the conversation around issues of work and talent. In order to make wise choices you have to have information on both sides of the argument. Some opinion is helpful but the truth is what gets us closer to a solution. I offer a little of both. So feel free to check out the story:

TLNT: The Clock is Ticking: 99 Weeks of Unemployment are Almost Up

Let me know your thoughts.