Dealing With Depression in the Workplace
As the business world evolves and changes, workers are expected to follow suit. Unfortunately, change comes naturally to some while others have trouble adapting. The trick is to find out why certain people are more adaptable than others, and to help those who fall behind catch up with the rest of the group.
The ability to adapt to quickly is vital for both companies and employees. A mood disorder can seriously affect the performance of the most determined and faithful worker. Employers can benefit from understanding how clinical depression and mood disorders are a detriment to productivity in the workplace.
Many workers who find change difficult to cope with suffer from depression and other mood disorders. Attitudes that are conducive to change aren’t easily developed by workers who suffer from these ailments. Depression can also breed negativity among other employees, which is a fire that is hard to extinguish. Even worse than its impact on job performance, nearly fifteen percent of people with severe clinical depression end their lives in suicide. Clearly, clinical depression and mood disorders in the workplace can not be ignored.
Managers and supervisors need to be vigilant in order to spot depression in workers. Sudden changes in appearance, personality, attitude or productivity can be a sign of severe depression. A gentle confrontation needs to occur, without any condescension (Knippers, 2006). This will let the worker know that there is a problem, so that they can correct the issue before it escalates. If help is needed, a specialist in mood disorders may need to be consulted. Because untreated depression tends to worsen over time, it is vital to help your employees cope with the problem before it escalates.
By learning the skills to work with those suffering from mood disorders, a great management team can train any employee to be adaptable. Some workers may have to be led a little differently than others, and others need help learning how to handle social interactions. The missing social interactions between people affected by depressions and mood disorders reduce the communication quality.
Those suffering from depression often have difficulty communicating and following directions. That’s why it’s important that leaders communicate clearly to their employees. Make sure that directions are precise and that employees completely understand what is expected of them, especially in times of change. When a company attempts to make major changes, leaders need to give clear and precise directions and followers need to have a clear understanding of the new direction and vision. One of the major reasons for collaboration and productivity failure is that job descriptions and directions are not clearly understood (Gappmaier, 1997)
One of the hardest things to determine when dealing with an employee afflicted with depression is whether the mood is a temporary emotional state or a serious chemical imbalance. Only a professional is qualified to make a diagnosis. Emotional disorders cost companies millions every year, with over two-thirds of the lost revenue attributed to productivity issues and absenteeism (American Psychiatric Association, 1995). Therefore, it is vital to an organization’s success to deal with the issue depression in the workplace.
Thomas Fox
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/dealing-with-depression-in-the-workplace-424045.html
October 8th, 2009 at 2:44 am
What are your tips for dealing with depression in the workplace?
Nearly a quarter of Canadian workers report suffering from depression, according to one study. Read more: http://www.workopolis.com/work.aspx?action=Transfer&View=Content/Common/ArticlesDetailView&articleId=cqa20071204File1Article1&lang=EN&theme=yahoo&articleSource=CareerAdvisor&OldUrl=
Workplace depression, letting people know:
http://yahoo.workopolis.com/work.aspx?action=Transfer&View=Content/Common/ArticlesDetailView&articleId=cqa20071210File1Article1&lang=EN&theme=yahoo&OldUrl=
October 8th, 2009 at 7:46 am
change the mood - aromatherapy with some lavender, chamomile, clary sage.
edit
change the mood - find uplifting, Opptomisitic people, rent a funny movie, go to a comedy club. Laughter, the best medicine.
edit
herbally - St. John’s Wort.
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October 8th, 2009 at 7:48 am
Depends what kind of work your doing in my opinion.
Even a slice of pizza can be depressing if it means 20 more hours of back breaking labor.
My two cents.
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October 8th, 2009 at 7:50 am
I used to work around the public all day, constantly near people. Depression became very intense.
My theory is, it was because I was absorbing people’s negativity.
A little bit here and there, which in each person isn’t much…. but it adds up.
And so eventually, they told me to quit working there.
How can anyone help themselves? The best is to be aware of the emotion, and not to be the emotion.
And you can use the mind to visualize mirrors covering you that bounce away the negativity.
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October 8th, 2009 at 7:52 am
Could it be the weather that keeps Canadians in ill somber? Its cold there longer than most places.
As far as depression in the workplace: if you get sick over your job, you need to get out. There’s no ands or buts about it.
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October 8th, 2009 at 7:54 am
I believe that good support from your employer is vital for people to remain inthe work place. This means dealing with bullying, providing stress management courses, meditation, education and providing a good counselling sevice. 10 years aso, I was diagnosed with clinical depression which was made worse by worplace bullying. Management appeared to support the bully, by sending me to occupational health and telling me not to use humour. I told my manager to take a hike, which was supported by occupational health.Which is indeed a good way of dealing with it. A lot of employers to not provide adequate support for people with depression by changing work hours or providing counselling. I am lucky to be working a good NHS trust whom provide so much support for people with depression which has been caused in/out of work. I have attended stress management, assertiveness courses and my manager has been very supportive. My work has even given me education on depression itself. I do agree that some employers are still predjudiced about mental illnesses, thinking that a person is going to commit suicide on the premises. I have been thrown out of someone’s house for taking one antidepressant with a sip of beer. This can also be reflected in the workplace. Education is vital for people who are ignorant. The communication between my manager is excellent, I have trusted her with my history and what are my triggers of anxiety. It is nice to have an open and trusting relationship. In my last job, I felt my manager was quite predjudiced and I was quite hostile in parting with my personal information as there was no trust and respect. In my current role, I have even volunteered to be a contact officer for people who are being bullied, which is often a cause of depression. I feel my employer has given me so much, so I want to help them. All learnt from experience of poor employers.
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I am in the UK and I sing my praises for my employer! They don’t stick their head in the sand over workplace stress.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/index.htm
October 8th, 2009 at 7:56 am
If its the blues you have=Try rock
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October 8th, 2009 at 7:58 am
VODKA!
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Talking to some one in a up beat mood, have him/ her with out knowing make you laugh.
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:02 am
Have a life outside of work. Today we tend to ‘define’ ourselves by careers and what we do at work. When things go wrong at work, our worth is called into question as human beings. By having family, friends and interests outside of work that can validate and support as an individual, allows me to temper the effects of depression.
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:04 am
it can be so simple, just a pad on the shoulder or some nice words, but most of the modern managers have forgotten that
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:06 am
One of the best things I can do when feeling stressed at work is to go for a walk during the break. Something about being in nature helps to relieve stress. It is also important for me to totally limit my caffiene and sugar intake. Meditation is also helpful and can be practiced anywhere.
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:08 am
because of the global competition that exists the nature of the workplace has adopted this dog eat dog mentality and employers have no conscience about their employees. The almighty dollar is the bottom line.
The report about Canadain workplace is really true. Most companies are American ( foreign) owned and the treatment of staff is based on the American way of doing buisness ie no recognition that Canadians are less aggressive than they are. When you have a big company like GE that has buying powere and can come in and take over a section of Canada’s oldest retail (credit department) then you know that there will be a back lash.
A time for UNIONS to revive themselves and wake up from their sleep.
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:10 am
Simple, I work with A LOT of nice looking women.
It’s much easier to get up in the morning when you know you will be greeted with pleasant looking, smiling faces instead of angry, bitter women who hate life.
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:12 am
Read the book it is called "Go put your strengths to work" by Marcus Buckingham. He will help you success in your job no matter what. It will also help you to get over the blues. You will not regret to read this book! I read this book from the library. It will make your time worthwhile to your thinking and make you stronger than ever before.
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:14 am
stop complaining and just deal with it, work is not fun. How I get through work is to think of getting home and how much fun I will have when I do. Thats all there is to it.
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Knowing when they come, is as important as knowing why they come. I mean we can see when and how we get depressed in our workplace. If we can realize this, we are 50% done. In this way, the time you are down, you can quit that situation physically or spiritually, even for some seconds. As well, if for example you get depressed when it is raining outside, make your mind and think just to your sunny days. If a telephone call from your bank depress you, never answer it when you are doing your job. Or, ask the bank to call you later when you are finished with your job.
Then we can control and if not remove, we can minimize the depression or its cause.
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:18 am
In our office we started having weekly meetings in our groups. This seems to work and our team work has improved alot from this. We even get paid to listen to the boss….
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Our boss
October 8th, 2009 at 8:20 am
We have Chillax’in days every couple of months where the staff do no-work related activities to get us up an moving out of our routines….for example, last time we spent the morning bowling, had lunch brought in and then in the afternoon we had a yoga instructor come in for an hour and then each staff got treated to a 10 minute hot rocks massage while the rest of us played team games like scene-it and family feud. It was great for office moral and teamwork.
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:22 am
First, get over "perfect job" syndrome. There are dull and depressing things about every job. Second, be enthusiastic. You may not be able to control the job, but you have control of your own attititude. If you whine and complain all day, you bring yourself and everyone else down. Come on, it’s not that bad, is it?
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:24 am
You should be always busy. Get your imagination going. Write down the work to be done during your day or for the coming week. Then look back and verify your accomplishment. You should report your accomplishment to your supervisor and then your result will tell you if did a good job or not. good Luck
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:26 am
Depression in the workplace is a defendant problem and also includes me.
I have another employee who is very bothersome and annoying which makes it difficult to work. Being the only female employee in the office and having to share that office with a male employee is waring on my emotions.
He tries to control all situations of my job,including who I speak to and where I go throughout the building.
I have found that my mood changes the closer I get to work. I am normally a very easy going and happy person but to have to deal with an office jerk is extremely difficult.
After trying to deal with this person myself and getting nowhere, I have spoken to the owner and requested that he be removed from my office space. I do not want him to lose his job, just respect my work space.
This is the only way that I think I will be able to deal with the stress and depression in my workplace.
***Remove the source of the problem.***
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my source is personal experience only.
October 8th, 2009 at 8:28 am
1. I would suggest that you learn how to Relax.
2. Then find a purpose for going to work.
3.Most people I have facilitated with depression do very little for themselves are often focused on pleasing others.
4. What have you done for yourself lately?
5. You need to be able to discuss with your doctor how you feel and what effects the medication is having on your system.
6. I f you have difficulty expressing yourself or feel intimidated, get another doctor.
References :
Cecil McIntosh founder of the Empty Your Cup Process.
http://www.splitsecondstressrelief.com/
October 8th, 2009 at 8:30 am
Here are a few tips that helped me:
1. Say a prayer every morning when you wake up thanking the Universe/God/Goddess/Spirit for the opportunity to live another day, and ask for protection from negativity.
2. Drink lots of water throughout the day. Staying hydrated contributes to having high energy (limit your caffeine intake as it tends to be an energy robber).
3. Avoid negative people (which I call energy vampires). If you can’t avoid them then don’t respond to them as much as possible.
4. Take a 10 minute break every couple of hours and go for a walk around the office and say hi to 2 to 3 people and have a mini-conversation.
5. Leave work at work. Once the work day is done leave the office and do something fun, i.e. watch a movie, read a book or magazine, visit an art gallery, that has nothing to do with work.
If all else fails, change jobs! Make it a goal to find a new job, and set a deadline as to when you want to achieve the goal. Knowing that there is an end coming automatically makes you feel better.
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:32 am
Overcoming depression within the work place, in my opinion, is as simple as appreciating the fact that you have a job. Times are tough, we all struggle to find and keep a descent job. If you are not able to find anything positive with your current job, see it as a tool to get you through until you find something you enjoy to do. Good luck with that, I do not know many people that love their job short of a few friends that play in the NHL and lets face it, those types of opportunities are not available to 99% of us.
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:34 am
The best way to fight depression or a disgruntled attitude at work or anywhere is to notice the upside of you situation… rather than noticing the downside.
Its just as easy to notice the things you have going for you as it is to notice the things that do not work for you. You might also want to try Vitamin D therapy as well… take around 2000 International Units of "D" per day… some people may need around 4000 units. I’ve found this to actually make it impossible to have a negative thought all day!
You can also get some sunshine on the weekend… if there is some. That and exercise which helps to boost a person’s natural endo-morphines which keep you feeling euphoric about stuff.
But, like I said, when life hands you lemons… make lemonade… or even better… make a symphony out of the lemons…. Start noticing the things around you that make you happy. Do you get paid to work? Bonus!!! Do you get to eat something for lunch….? Bonus!!! Did someone smile at you today? Bonus!!!! Do you have a cool car or bike…? Bonus!!!! Once you start taking stock of the positives in your life and work, you won’t have time to notice the negatives… and things will be looking and getting better… all the time!
References :
Stuart Wilde, Louise Hay.
October 8th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Don’t let it become depression. Alter your extreme inner dialogue. Instead of I always disappoint the boss. Use today the boss seemed disappointed.
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:38 am
It’s not depression that gets to me in my job, it’s the stress of dealing with rude ignorant customers all day. Unless you work serving the public, you have no idea how rude, disrespectful and dumb people really are!! It sickens me and makes for a lousy day!
PLEASE PEOPLE USE YOUR MANNERS and RESPECT THOSE THAT SERVE YOU!!!!!
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15 years of working in the service sector!
October 8th, 2009 at 8:40 am
I work as a supervisor in a big box hardware store. Not mentioning names but the wear orange aprons :>)
We are so undersaffed, the load of work is hell. I work 8 hours by myself and then the next person comes in to do their 8 hrs. Customers are yelling, staff are yelling. Mgmt keeps putting more work on our shoulders.
The people I work with are great but the Alberta labour shortage is killing us. Is any other place better, probably not. Real hard to get in the mood to work now.
Trust me it has nothing to do with the winters.
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:42 am
Having a sharing circle like debriefing your concerns or issues with your co-workers.
Prayer is also very important in my life I pray about it and if I have to deal with anything then I bring up in the circle.
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:44 am
Do the job you where hired to do and getting paid for. When you leave work leave ALL the problems there. Don’t take them home.
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:46 am
I went through workplace depression for a couple of years before I decided to leave the "poisonous" workplace.
That was the best thing I have had done. I am now happy at my new workplace as the corporate policies are way above my previous work environment.
Sometimes leaving your place is a blessings in disguise, in my case it is.
Cheers.
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:48 am
Make some friends! Get to know your co-workers and become buddies. Plan lunches and after- work activities with them so you have something to look forward to! Also, pick out the things about the job you really love, and remember why you were so excited to start when you were first hired.
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:50 am
I’m in kickboxing, so the days that I have it right after work are a god send for me.
I definitley get stressed and depressed from work. There have been a couple of days I’ve called in sick because I couldn’t stand going into the office. That’s pretty bad.
But if I’m on the verge of a melt down, I go for a walk or to get some air.
I think also having ALOT more counselling and therapy options for people. There is help, but alot of the times it’s not free and too much money.
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Take full advantage of your breaks.
Get up from the desk and go for a brisk walk outside.
Breath deeply, filling your lungs with fresh air.
Do periodic stretches.
Make sure you have plenty of rest. Most people are stressed over their jobs on Mondays because of a lack of rest.
Do exercises such as deep knee bends, pushups etc. on your washroom breaks.
Cut down on your coffee consumption.
Eat healthy foods. No junk food.
Have a positive attitude!
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Personally with the job market the way it is today, change careers.
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Why does a person feel depressed at a workplace? Often it can be due to:
1) how others treat/interact with the employee
2) the mismatch of an employee with the occupation
3) how an employee treats him/herself
4) the workplace induces ill-health to employee
If you can not clearly figure out the reason for depression…seek another job / task / vocation / purpose / meaning.
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:58 am
I have all the symptoms of depression and have recently been seeing a naturopathic doctor for treatment. Unfortunately the prescribed supplement worked wonders for my state of mind, but I had a skin reaction that was too difficult to overlook. I am very reluctant to resort to medication but was wondering if anyone has had success with meditation?
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October 8th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Humor is the way I deal with stress at work! This doesn’t work in all situations but I work in the Alberta oil patch with a group of men who love to laugh and 3/4 of them are from Canada’s east coast. Some days it’s a nonstop jokefest, usually when we are stressed the most!
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Me, myself and I, leading authority on stress in my work place.
October 8th, 2009 at 9:02 am
Find something about your work that you enjoy. Remember; you are learning skills (social, physical and intellectual) that will help you to function more efficiently in many other aspects of your life. Difficult situations and people can challenge us and will bring out the best -or show us where we are in need of improvement and growth. If you are totally unhappy in your work; use your downtime to upgrade your education, or network with friends to find alternate and perhaps more fulfilling places of employment. You may also be a person with multi-interests or talents who can change gears and be useful in many different work environments. Perhaps you are a leader and entrepreneur who has a business plan just waiting to be nurtured. Again, use your down time to build your strengths and make use of the many educational tools available to you. Volunteer some of your time to assist others in meeting their goals and aspirations.
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personal observation
October 8th, 2009 at 9:04 am
Work usually contributes to 50% of a person’s well being. If we are not proud of what we do when tend not to be proud of ourselves.
For some it’s as easy as leaving to another job but for others they are not so fortunate.
To be happy at work these are the things that I can recommend most.
1. Turn co-workers into companions - Invite a few out for a drink after work. Invite the boss or co-worker for dinner to meet the family. It’s easier to cope when you’re among friends.
2. Work / Life Balance - No one forces you to work after hours adn if they are they are, talk to them. Sometimes a heavy workload goes unnoticed or tolerated if the individual does not speak up.
3. Participate more at work in the extracirricular items - Most places of employment offer lunch time walk clubs, sporting events, and/or other clubs to join. If your work doesn’t have one, start one up.
4. In mental straining jobs take a physical break, In physically straining jobs take a mental break - If your job has you sitting at a desk crunching numbers then Suduko is not for you to relieve stress… try going to the gym. If your pounding metal all day then maybe follow those Suduko junkies or something otherwise less strenuous on the body (Audio Books are also great).
5. Remember, no matter how important you think it is it is only a job - Career is a fancy word for "long term job". No matter the level and no matter the importance, there is always another job you are more than qualified to do. If you are truly uphappy, seek other employment. However, remember this AND THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT: "When seeking out a new job remember what made you unhappy in the previous job or you just may end up back where you were again. Be VERY patient and thourough in your future employment selection… joining a company because you were unhappy in the previous job is not a good reason to join. Look for other "POSITIVE" qualities. Even talk to other employees and get their opinion… if possible.
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October 8th, 2009 at 9:06 am
I go home.
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October 8th, 2009 at 9:08 am
The Homer Simpson method…
Pictures of the people I love to remind me of who and what I am working for.
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October 8th, 2009 at 9:10 am
I drink…heavily.
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October 8th, 2009 at 9:12 am
I find a better job!
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October 8th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Get high
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It works for me
October 8th, 2009 at 9:16 am
bring a couple splifs with you and you’ll be good
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October 8th, 2009 at 9:18 am
I definitely agree with one user who related the weather to Canadians employee/workers.
These winters can bring anyone down, even Canadians get depressed, how do you expect a latin guy like me living in Canada, not to get depressed?
One more thing is that, if you love your job, which is hard to achieve nowadays due to annoying customers and unreal schedules, you won’t get depressed at all because you love what you’re doing!!! makes sense?
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October 8th, 2009 at 9:20 am
I take a walk at lunch,and drink very cold water, while visually teaching myself to only allow positive thoughts. It takes real practice, I still have to really focus, but the end result is that my mind is clear and unstressed when I return to work. I have been dealing with stress like this for 6mths now, I lost 16" overall just getting back in shape. I like to thank positive thinking for being 2 dress sizes smaller this spring.
References :
Brenda guide to better health.
October 8th, 2009 at 9:22 am
Its all about feelings, we change our feelings over 1000 times a day and if you let them run you, how are you going to know that the job that has you stressed out is only temporary till you figure what you want to do. If you are doing what you want to do and are still stress out is it what you think you want to do. It takes time, but you will find the company that will appreciate you and the good job you like to do if you look for it.
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October 8th, 2009 at 9:24 am
You must have fun while working. Talking with fellow emploies is important, as well as knowing your client base.
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