My now-fiance took over my job and now we work in the same office - in fact he sits on the very next desk to me!

We get along fine at work but it is VERY difficult to detach if you've had a row the night before or on the way to work! lol!  Seriously though, I think we handle it well and of course everyone knows about it and are happy for us so that makes a big difference.

I remember an instance recently when I got into a row with another colleague because I was standing up for Chris when it was suggested he hadn't done something (he had, but I guess that's not the point here!).  My boss got to hear about it and whilst agreeing that I had a point, he said I had to be more detached in this situation.  He's very understanding though because he met his wife through work and she worked in the same office for a while too - I know he found it difficult and he understands.

We also have a couple that are married - but they run separate offices.  I know they have little competitions though about profit margins etc!  They have a lovely son though and another baby on the way so it's worked out well for them.

The thing I actually like about us working together is that we are totally understanding of each others moods etc because we know exactly what has happened during the day!

It's not always an ideal situation but I'd say it's working well for us, and not hopefully at the expense of our professionalism or work either.

Happy Valentines Day to you all!

Nicola.

Hi Guys

Many thanks for your responses - I can also rely on you all for some advice!

I'm sure I've done the right thing.  Thankfully not all staff attend so at least I won't be the odd one out!  

I think it's best to stick to the 'official' nights out.  I don't really want an evening of 'boss-bashing' - especially when I know he doesn't deserve most of it!

Thanks again and all the best,
Nicola.

Hi all

One of the girls at work, in fact a senior manager, seems to feel she has to be everyone's best friend.  However, half the time, when people confide in her (and I know this from experience a few years back), she tends to divulge that information to others.

Anyway, she has invited all the girls at work, including myself, to a 'girls night in' at her home.  I am actually not able to attend due to a prior engagement, but I wouldn't really feel that comfortable about it anyway.  This is the second time she has hosted such an evening, and I was also unable to go to the first, again for a valid reason.  

I know that she will spend some time complaining about my boss, who is her boss as well.  I also know that whilst of course like most bosses he has his faults, a lot of the ones she describes, she brings on herself.  Bear in mind that she constantly complains about how busy she is but spends a large portion of her work days either on personal telephone calls (very complicated personal life!), sending personal texts, responding to personal emails or just complaining about how busy she is but doing nothing!

My boss knows about this evening and is well aware of how she feels about him, and also how she tries to manipulate people.  He also knows that I will not be attending.  

Do you think that I should avoid such evenings if I can?  I always go on works outings like trips to the cinema, theatre etc but feel this is in a slightly different league.

Would be grateful for your views.

All the best,
Nicola.

Good for you Donna, that's great news!

See, they do listen sometimes!

All the best,
Nicola.

Hi Clare

I don't have to get involved with planning many of these but like chevygirl said, you just can't seem to please people!

Our Christmas party is organised and put together by a few of us.  I am responsible just for the raffle and the seating plan for our side of the company.  Honestly, the politics involved is amazing!  "Oh I can't sit with that office because 100 years ago one of the girls was a little bit off with me" etc etc!  I did get a lovely thank you though during the speeches at the party this year though so it's nice to be appreciated.

I don't mind organising things like meetings or trips away for our managers because we work in the travel industry, it's easy to do with our contacts etc.

All the best,
Nicola.

Good luck and hope you have a lovely relaxing weekend to prepare.

All the best,
Nicola.

Hi there

This is something my partner and I have been discussing today.  

We both work for the same company.  I have worked for them for 13 years, my partner for nearly 3.  Basically, I have worked for them since I left school and have never had another full time job (though I have changed jobs within this company).  

I am extremely loyal to my company and would do anything for them.  I feel they have always been good to me when I have needed them, both professionally and personally.  I love my current job and still have challenges to face withinn it's remit which means I never get bored.  My partner also enjoys his job though doesn't have quite the same history with this company that I do.

We currently rent our home and would love to buy our own in the future.  However, having been to the bank, our current salaries combined would not allow us to get a mortgage for a house, or even a bedsit in this area!  We know that the industry we work in is notoriously low paid and that we could probably do better on this front in another.

We also know that if we moved out of this area, we could not only hopefully find better paid jobs but also find houses to buy which are much more reasonable.  It would also mean that we could move closer to family whereas at the moment we both live at least 2 hours from ANY family.

It's a really tough call.  More so for me I think than my partner.  Add another issue that we would one day like to start a family but at the moment are barely able to manage on joint salaries let alone my partners and perhaps mine part-time.

I know I may have digressed here slightly but we were talking about this on the way home from work on Friday so this post really hit home!   Sorry to ramble and go slightly off topic.

All the best,
Nicola.

Hi there

The only things I do undertake are the invoicing for the company and the receipt and reconciling of the resulting receipts.  I am also responsible for working out staff incentives and profits.  However, my life is made extremely easy by both Excel and our own in-house software so I can't really grumble!  Modern software ensures that finances for our company are not really a hardship.  Good job for me really because maths was never my strong point!

All the best,
Nicola.

Hi CG

Sorry to hear about this.  Why do people feel that they have to do this?  You'd think she would let the dust settle a bit before making changes - which of course should be discussed fully with you first.

Take a deep breath and keep calm - you've got someone very important travelling around with you now so don't let this person get to you (easier said than done I know!).

All the best,
Nicola.

Hi there

The comment about reliability, turning up on time etc sounds just like something my boss would cite!  Seriously though, he does value those things very highly so if it were me I would take those comments as compliments.   Also, in our company, we have quite a few members of staff who don't take that aspect seriously at all, frequently turn up late but then leave on the dot of 5.30 and take sick days when they fancy going shopping!

Just my opinion but certainly from my boss I would be pleased with these comments as I know how highly he values these things and in turn I would take it as valuing me.  I can understand though why you would have liked to have received some comments on other areas too.

All the best,
Nicola.

When I was in my younger days,
I weighed a few pounds less,
I needn't hold my tummy in
to wear a belted dress.

But now that I am older,
I've set my body free;
There's comfort of elastic
Where once my waist would be.

Inventor of those high-heeled shoes
My feet have not forgiven;
I have to wear a nine now,
But used to wear a seven.

And how about those pantyhose--
They're sized by weight, you see,
So how come when I put them on
The crotch is at my knee?

I need to wear these glasses
As the print's been getting smaller;
And it wasn't very long ago
I know that I was taller.

Though my hair has turned to gray
and my skin no longer fits,
On the inside, I'm the same old me,
the outside's changed a bit.

But, on a positive note...

I've learned that no matter what happens,
or how bad it seems today,
life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way
he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and
tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents,
you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as
making a "life."

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's
mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart,

I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains,
I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch
someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will
forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made
them feel.

Have a good day!

Hi Clare

Business wise, I think the biggest influence in my current job will be how the travel industry shapes up this year.  It's been a tough few years as the need for travel agencies seems to diminish further with the advent of the internet etc so fingers crossed that we will survive!

On a personal level, whilst still as devoted to my job as ever, I am finding myself wanting more of a family life and trying to develop my home life.  I would dearly love to work from home, perhaps as a VA.  My partner is also keen to work from home and as we live so far from any family, this move would enable us to locate ourselves more conveniently.  Can't quite see it all happeing though!  Seems a bit like a pipe dream.  Must be more positive and pro-active though I think!

All the best,
Nicola.

Hi all

The closest I get is that my future MIL works for number 37 (Marks & Spencer) on the UK list and that also that number 46, Eversheds, are our solicitors!  

I must research further to see what the criteria is for these!

All the best,
Nicola.

Congratulations CG - wonderful news!  Please try not to get too stressed out at work (very difficult I know even without hormones!) and take good care of yourself and 'Junior'!

Best wishes and congrats again!

Nicola.

Hi Liz

I agree with Raindance and G that you should approach your boss and ask him straight out.  There may be a good reason that he has not yet confided in you directly.

A few years back, there were a lot of rumours going around that our Head Office was to be relocated.  I knew what an effect this would have on our working environment.  He had not told me because certain things were not set in stone but when I did go and see him, he was very honest with me and was able to appreciate my concerns.

I wouldn't get involved in the office gossip.  Just try and remain 'professionally aloof' as you never know when an innocent comment is going to be repeated and taken out of context.

All the best to you, and keep us 'posted'.

Nicola.