Flashings

Honeywell to phase out roofing division

On Jan. 19, Honeywell, Cary, N.C., announced it will phase out Honeywell Commercial Roofing Systems by April 15. Company representatives say the phaseout is a result of the roofing business not being able to meet future objectives of the corporation.

Honeywell will continue to service roofing warranties but only will consider warranty applications received before March 1. After April 15, only materials remaining in inventory will be sold.

Roofing contractors currently working on a Honeywell Commercial Roofing Systems project or planning a future project should contact Honeywell's customer service department at (800) 221-6490 to discuss product availability and warranties.

Workplace moods can be contagious

As spring approaches, you may be the type of person who wants to spread your cheer in the workplace. Realize your intentions could be more effective than you think. Researchers at Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., have discovered that people's moods seem to be contagious.

Although workers remain individuals with distinct personalities, their emotional balance conforms so all employees in the workplace develop a similar emotional level. Called "emotional convergence," the effect it has on the work environment depends on the people. If workers are happy and positive, they most likely will be happy and positive in their work. If the workplace breeds negativity, a more stressful environment most likely will result.

Researchers say workers may be able to "catch" each other's emotions as a result of the emotional bond that develops by working together regularly and for a common goal. So the next time you hire someone, you may want to keep your eyes open for personality traits that could help or harm your workplace.

Source: Adapted from Co-worker emotions affect employee, workplace attitude on the Hilltop Times Web site as cited in The Motivational Manager, September 2003 issue.

Provide support for young workers

Young employees who had it good in the 1990s now are facing a weakened economy and rise in unemployment at the same time they're starting families. The fear of unemployment can affect these workers' performances. You can take action to help employees lower stress levels and feel more comfortable in the working world by doing the following:

• Provide employees with a mentor to help them learn more about their jobs and feel more secure in their positions.
  
  
• Offer solid training to give employees a strong foundation to be confident in the workplace.
  
  
• Give employees the option of flexible hours so they can spend more time with their families or work longer hours to advance in the workplace.

Source: The Manager's Intelligence Report, October 2003 issue.

Make the most of trade shows

Although grabbing free stuff at different trade-show booths may seem fun, it is important to be serious and take advantage of having a significant amount of information at your fingertips.

Gather with your employees to determine what information or contacts you want from the trade show. Organize a list of exhibitors to decide which should be a priority. Then, decide who will visit each booth, what questions should be asked and how much time should be spent at each booth.

Once at the trade show, be persistent and try to get all the information you want from each exhibitor. Make sure you pick up a bag (which often is free with registration) to collect business cards, brochures and other materials exhibitors offer. When you are finished, gather again with your employees and go over missed exhibits or ones that may need a closer look.

Source: Adapted from The Tradeshow Coach Web site as cited in The Manager's Intelligence Report, November 2003 issue.

Nappers are not mimicking Costanza anymore

The "Seinfeld" character George Costanza made napping at work an art form by secretly napping under his office desk. Pulling a "Costanza" at work was the craze—and highly accepted by employers—during the 1990s. But the days of napping on the job are over according to a study conducted by Circadian Technologies, Lexington, Mass.

The study revealed the number of employers who allow shift workers to take naps dropped to 21 percent during 2003 from 44 percent during 2002 and 48 percent during 2001. According to the study, more employers are punishing napping workers (52 percent in 2003 compared with 38 percent in 2002).

The no-nap trend contradicts studies, such as one performed by Harvard University, Boston, in 2002, that report midday naps improve worker performance. Some workers are following the studies' advice and fighting the system by finding ways to catch some Z's at work. The following covert nap tactics were told to The Wall Street Journal:

• An advertising executive made her nap look like prayer time by saying "Amen" after falling asleep at her desk with her face in her hands and awakening to her boss's voice.
  
  
• A software programmer regularly took naps under her desk with a screwdriver in her hand. When discovered under her desk by co-workers, she arose with the screwdriver in hand saying, "That damn desk drawer went off-track again."
  
  
• A stock-and-options trader got some sleep in a bathroom stall by sitting on a closed toilet lid, propping his head on his hands and placing his elbows on his knees.
  
  
• A public relations specialist closed her office door and napped under her desk. A co-worker woke the napping worker after 20 minutes or to warn of an approaching manager.
  
  
• During meetings in hotel conference rooms, a strategic communications consultant left his meeting for 10 minutes to nap under a skirted table in a recently vacated conference room.