National Edition - September 17, 2006  'Blackberry Thumb' proves a sour fruit of modern labor Despite the plush security of a cubicle's padded-walls, carpet and comfy chair, occupational hazards still abound for white-collar workers. The latest ailment comes from intense and prolonged typing on the miniscule keyboards of the hand-held digital devices. So, the next time you're out on the road, have a head of steam and want to get something off of your chest, remind yourself: 'Cool it Shakespeare.' (Source: Health Day) Worst ways to get fired Companies who drop the axe on their employees should take care to properly manage the layoffs - for the sake of their former employees' dignity and future job prospects. Anecdotal evidence suggests that this isn't always the case. Many companies, in the name of efficiency and non-confrontation, have newfangled HR practices that are impersonal, dehumanizing and can leave the individual on the curb with an ill-packed cardboard box feeling like a suspected criminal. (Source: CNN/Money) Disturbing defeatism Don't underestimate the potential impact of a layoff. This unforeseen hiccup in your career path can have seismic effects. With human capital being so expendable in today's workplace, many employees are protecting themselves from this eventuality with various new strategies. However, it's best to avoid developing a defeatist attitude. That won't get you far. (Source: ComputerWorld) What's a diploma worth, anyway? Perhaps the Liberal Arts model as a recipe for success is beginning to unravel. It no longer guarantees safe passage into the North American middle-class. High tuition costs paired with generous student loans are hobbling recent grads with staggering debts and chaining them to entry-level revolving-door opportunities. So: farewell to your aspirations of becoming an independent film auteur. (Source: AlterNet) Do you work long hours? Here's a thumbnail sketch of the American workforce. These factoids reveal some potentially interesting information about today's working environment. • 28 per cent of workers clock more than 40 hours a week. • 8 per cent work more than 60 hours a week. • 4 is the median number of years Americans have worked for their current employer. • 25.1 minutes was the average daily commute to work in 2005. • 4.6 per cent of workers took public transportation in 2005 - down from 6.4 per cent in 1980 and 12.1 percent in 1960. (Source: Christian Science Monitor) September 19 Cross Border Customs Compliance & Security Conference Thornhill, ON September 19 Alberta Life Technologies Investor Forum (ALTIF 2006) Edmonton, AB September 23 - 30 National Biotechnology Week Canada-wide September 24 - 25 InVivo Life Sciences Career Fair Montreal, QC September 25 - 27 Showcase Ontario 2006 Toronto, ON September 27 - 28 The National Job Fair Toronto, ON October 1 - 3 Shifting Directions Vernon, BC October 4 - 6 BioContact Québec Quebec City, QC October 11 - 14 Education and Training Career Fair Montreal, QC October 12 Jeans for Genes Friday Nationwide October 23 - 29 Healthy Workplace Week Canada-wide October 30 Skilled Trades Day Canada-wide October 30 - November 3 National Technology Week Canada-wide November 8 - 9 International Games Summit Montreal, QC November 20 - 21 BioNorth 2006 Ottawa, ON Suggest a career-related event NOTICE: Jobboom and its sponsors do not necessarily endorse the opinions conveyed in the articles selected for this e-zine and do not assume any legal liability in consequence thereof. Comments: info@jobboom.com Research and editing: Austin Macdonald #noDossier#