Tag: work

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-Top News Diaspora UK News

Britain Makes it Tougher for Indians to Work in UK

Tougher rules were announced for students bringing dependents to the UK. Undergraduate students are no longer allowed to bring their partners or children…reports Asian Lite News

An estimated 300,000 non-Britons – many of them Indians – will be affected by the British government on Monday raising the bar for people eligible to apply for skilled worker visas for the United Kingdom. The minimum salary that an applicant must now command is 38,700 pounds, up from 26,000 pounds.

“Enough is enough,” said Home Secretary James Cleverly in the House of Commons. The policy is designed, he added, to reduce net migration to the UK. Net migration – the difference between the number of people coming to live in the UK and the people leaving – was 745,000 in 2022 and has become deeply unpopular with Britons across the board.

One of the main arguments for exiting the European Union (EU) was to control immigration – which compulsory free movement of people in the EU could not prevent. This has been defeated by people swamping the UK from other parts of the world, including significantly from India.

Those coming on health and social care visas, mostly nurses, will, however, be exempt from the higher salary threshold. They will not, though, be permitted to bring dependents, namely their partners and children, with them. Cleverly stated this will “end the abuse of the Health and Care Visa”. Nurses in the UK also come from India as well as from other parts of Asia, Africa. and the West Indies.

Cleverly asserted: “Approximately 120,000 dependents accompanied 100,000 care workers and senior care workers in the year ending September 2023. Only 25 per cent of dependents are estimated to be in work, meaning a significant number are drawing on public services and not helping to grow the economy.”

Earlier this year, tougher rules were announced for students bringing dependents to the UK. Undergraduate students are no longer allowed to bring their partners or children.

Cleverly also indicated that the health surcharge payable by foreign job seekers will rise by 66 per cent – from 624 pounds to 1,035 pounds.

Without criticising the move, the opposition Labour party’s Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper maintained the new proposals are “an admission of years of total failure by this Conservative government”.

She slammed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak by saying he is “clearly veering” without “steering” and is being “pushed around all over the place”.

The Scottish National Party spokesperson said Cleverly’s pronouncement will be judged on whether it’s “pandering to the right wing of his party”.

The chair of the Independent Care Group warned: “I think we are going to find more businesses fail, care homes closing.”

It appears post-study work (PSW) visas available after finishing a masters degree in the UK will not as yet come under the new guidelines. This will come as a relief to Indian students, who numbered 120,000 in 2021-22.

ALSO READ-Sindh Freedom Movement Protests Immigration, Disappearances

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Lifestyle Lite Blogs

Adapting POSH training for multi generational workforce

I might be okay with hugs but that should not be interpreted as a free pass for over-friendly behaviour. One should always know how to tell people to stop and what the limits are in any relationship…reports Asian Lite News

While designing Prevention of Sexual harassment training (POSH training) sessions for your employees, keep in mind that in terms of demographics, you may have employees from different generations (Gen X, Millennial, Gen Z). Each group’s needs may be different, and may speak a different language. The strategies set out hereare based on both content and mode of training delivery.

There was a time when ‘gentlemen’ were taught specifically to behave differently when a ‘lady’ is present. While this may have seemed respectful, it still reinforced the idea that men’s behaviour when amongst themselves, however sexist, is acceptable. A major shift has been in the idea that it is not just behaviour that needs to be addressed, but the underlying thought process too. This also means the artificial barriers that may have protected folks from wrong behaviour would come down, leading to the need for clear, articulated boundaries.

Boundary Setting

I might be okay with hugs but that should not be interpreted as a free pass for over-friendly behaviour. One should always know how to tell people to stop and what the limits are in any relationship.

It is also pertinent to note that in some (arguably more progressive) workspaces, rigid hierarchies may not exist as much as they previously did. Conversations may be more casual, boundaries may be a little blurred between you and your boss or mentor. It is important to be clear about power dynamics and expectations, rather than leaving anything ambiguous. Extending a friendly after work drinks invite might be your way to get to know your junior / intern, but make sure that the other person is saying an enthusiastic yes and isn’t feeling forced to join you out of social obligation. They didn’t say no to you, but did they mean a yes? It is always good to ask rather than assume the comfort of the person in your presence at all levels of a relationship.

Intoxication may be a standard fixture at many work parties. The employees need to know how to navigate such spaces safely and while having fun. Forcing or coaxing people to drink against their wishes is a strict no. One needs to drink in their own limit, behave in their senses and avoid hitting on their colleagues while drunk.

Ways of Communication

Ways of communication have evolved along with the evolution of the technology that enables it. People can overshare as they have many more means to do so. Emojis and gifs which show a heart or a kiss don’t really mean that the person loves you romantically or would like to be physically intimate. But also how okay is it to send kiss emoji to your colleagues? The bottom-line here is that we are all entitled to – and should commit to upholding safety and appropriateness in work conversations.

Relationships

In the era of dating culture being promoted rapidly by online apps and changing societal structures, people may be getting involved with each other in a more quick and open-minded manner. Several possible outcomes from this may affect the workplace dynamics, such as casual relationships and those where someone has dated more than one person in the same workplace. Having a relationship with a colleague requires trust and patience. Companies can have policies and processes to reduce bias, conflict of interest or other complications in the workplace.The company culture should also address head-on any prevailing issues of gossip among the workforce. If other employees show sensitivity and respect privacy, it will be the best support structure.

We should also mention that some new modes of training find enthusiastic adoption among the newer generations such as:

Gamification

Game based learning programs ensure everyone gets to participate, feel engaged and have fun while on their learning journey. These games not only test the awareness levels but also serve as sounding boards for people’s feelings and opinions.These can be played in physical sessions and virtually, live and asynchronously.

AI enabled E-learning

Programs designed to work with subjective responses, factoring in multiple variables can deliver an enriching experience for the learner. One can enter a simulation and be immersed in life-like situations, with all their complexities and come out the other side having understood a lot about the subject matter, the world and about themselves.

ALSO READ-Zoom ends WFH for workers

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-Top News Afghanistan Asia News

Afghans complain lack of work, poverty under Taliban

Taliban fighters are seen on a military vehicle in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Aug. 17, 2021. (Str/Xinhua/IANS)

Ghulam Hazrat is busy finding some food for his family in Kabul. He said that he has a family of five people and called “unemployment” a problem…reports Asian Lite News

Some of the people in Afghanistan have complained about a lack of work and increased poverty in the country, Afghanistan-based Tolo News reported.

People urged the Taliban and aid organizations to address their problems.

Ghulam Hazrat is busy finding some food for his family in Kabul. He said that he has a family of five people and called “unemployment” a problem.

Hazrat said, “I am the head of my family of five people, unemployment is a problem, this is the machine I work with, there are many economic problems, I am the breadwinner of the family, there is no one to help me, I come from morning to evening and work,” according to Tolo News report.

Abdul Ghafar, a Kabul resident, said that youth should be provided work in Afghanistan. Ghafar said, “Our wish is that work should be provided for the youth in the country, and young poor people in the country can find work.”

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) in its report said that nine out of ten families in Afghanistan do not have access to food. Abdul Nasir Reshtia, an economist, said that Afghanistan should resolve their political problems with the world.

“We should solve our political problems with the world, the interactions should be increased, and Afghanistan will be recognized so that once again we will see the resumption of aid from the international community in the field of economic aid and development projects,” Tolo News quoted Abdul Nasir Reshtia as saying.

Meanwhile, the Taliban-led Ministry of Economy said they are trying to encourage the international community to focus aid on infrastructure projects. The ministry said that the move will reduce poverty in Afghanistan, according to Tolo News report.

Abdul Latif Nazari, deputy of the Taliban-led Ministry of Economics, said, “The more Afghanistan’s economic infrastructure is strengthened, the more we will overcome poverty, and our effort is to encourage the aid of the international community towards infrastructure and development projects.”

Earlier in July, educated unemployed youth raised concerns over the lack of work in Afghanistan and called on the Taliban to provide jobs, Afghanistan-based Tolo News reported.

Fardin, 26, who has graduated from the law and political sciences faculty, said that unemployment has frustrated him. He further said that he will inevitably leave Afghanistan if the situation continues.

Fardin, an unemployed youth said, “I studied for 16 years and nobody thinks about us. If the situation continues like this and nobody hears us, we are obliged to leave the country,” Tolo News reported.

Another unemployed youth named Mer Kamal said, “I studied for 16 years but now I am jobless because there are no job opportunities in Afghanistan.” (ANI)

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Lifestyle Lite Blogs

Hangout spots for an after-work escape

6 BKC hangout spots for an after work escape.(photo:IANSLIFE)

The entrance with bono style planters and stylish wooden chairs seating arrangement makes it sophisticated yet elegant…reports Asian Lite News

A gathering place for your after-work socialising plans is a need among the hustle and bustle of the office working hours. Since BKC is Mumbai’s most well-known business sector, there are plenty of bars and eateries there where you may go for a laid-back meal with friends.

Someplace Else

This restaurant in Jio world drive could be your go-to spot for post-work catch up with drinks and live music. From a playfully curated multi-cuisine menu to an electrifying ambience, it is a mood enhancing experience from dawn to dusk and well into the night. The restaurant has to offer a selection of fine wines and spirits to complement the meal. It is designed to offer a luxurious and comfortable atmosphere for its guests.

Hitchki

Hitchki is a Bollywood-themed restaurant that cleverly aims to evoke nostalgic memories of a bygone age, in a contemporary, chic setting. The internationally aspirational brand focuses on regional cuisine and introduces elements of contemporary pop culture into the decor, the food, and the bar offerings. This makes it the perfect choice for all those celebrating life after work.

Butterfly High

It is a paradise for all the foodies in this commercial hub of Mumbai. This place always has crowds from various companies sitting and relaxing. Quite centrally located and easily accessible, this has become the most famous hub to eat and party in town. The menu has a blend of Indian and continental dishes which appeals to everyone. Live screening, spacious sitting, antique chandeliers, and colourful decor make it more whimsical and unique.

Toast and Tonic

The entrance with bono style planters and stylish wooden chairs seating arrangement makes it sophisticated yet elegant. Along with an extensive bar with flavoured tonic concoctions, their speciality is the Indo-European cuisine wherein everything is made from scratch with no artificial ingredients. The birch wood and marble tables and brightly coloured tiled floors will remind you of old East village style vibes. It will surely rejuvenate you after a long tiring day at work.

6 BKC hangout spots for an after work escape.(photo:IANSLIFE)
6 BKC hangout spots for an after work escape.(photo:IANSLIFE)
6 BKC hangout spots for an after work escape.(photo:IANSLIFE)
6 BKC hangout spots for an after work escape.(photo:IANSLIFE)



O Pedro

A Goan-inspired ‘happy place’ for Mumbai office-goers. The restaurant has a pleasant colonial aesthetic, vintage style furniture and a large communal drinking space. Stepping into the restaurant is like being transported to a Goan villa. An interesting aspect of the menu is the addition of the lesser-known cuisine of Goa’s Saraswat Brahmins. So if you are hoping to get a slice of old fuss-free food and witness chic and charming decor, this is the right place for you.

Yauatcha

fine dining Asian restaurant ideal for light lunch or large feasts and social drinks with friends and colleagues. An award-winning dim sum teahouse from London offering contemporary Cantonese dim sum, patisserie and an extensive range of tea, wine, and cocktails. Their private dining section features a long formal table overlooking the city. The decor is edgy, modern and very upscale. Forget the Traditional Chinese aspect, here everything screams contemporariness and affluence.

ALSO READ-Aromatherapy and yoga

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Lifestyle Lite Blogs

How to improve work-life balance

“The simple message of this study is that if you want to be an effective leader at work, leave work at work,” said Klodiana Lanaj, a professor in UF’s Warrington College of Business who led the research…reports Asian Lite News

According to a recent study, turning off notifications and ignoring your email at the end of the workday might help you to become a better leader.

Managers who disconnected from their jobs at home felt more refreshed the next day, identified as effective leaders and helped their employees stay on target better than bosses who spent their off hours worrying about work.

Less-experienced leaders were especially prone to becoming ineffective if they spent their time focusing on their jobs at home.

The upshot is that the key to effective leadership in the office might be a better work-life balance. Led by scientists from the University of Florida, the University of Arizona and Florida State University, the new study was published in the Journal of Applied Psychology.

“The simple message of this study is that if you want to be an effective leader at work, leave work at work,” said Klodiana Lanaj, a professor in UF’s Warrington College of Business who led the research.

“This is particularly important for inexperienced leaders, as they seem to benefit the most from recovery experiences when at home. Leaders have challenging jobs as they juggle their own role responsibilities with the needs of their followers, and they need to recover from the demands of the leadership role,” Lanaj said.

The study surveyed managers and their employees at US businesses in 2019 and 2022. The researchers assessed leaders’ ability to disconnect from work when at home the night before and their level of energy and how strongly they identified as a leader in the morning at work. Employees rated their bosses on their ability to lead their teams.

“What we found is that on nights when leaders were able to completely turn off and not think about work, they were more energized the next day, and they felt better connected to their leadership role at work. On those same days, their followers reported that these leaders were more effective in motivating them and in guiding their work,” Lanaj said.

“But on nights when leaders reported that they were thinking about the negative aspects of work, they couldn’t really recuperate their energy by the morning,” she said. “They saw themselves as less leader-like and they weren’t as effective, as rated by their followers.”

So how can leaders – and businesses – promote this kind of work-life balance to build effective leaders?

“My hope is that this study will give managers data to support their decision to be present at home and to disconnect from work,” Lanaj said.

While Lanaj’s study didn’t ask managers how they relaxed at home, other research points to well-known ways to unwind and reset: Exercise, socialize with friends, spend quality time with family, or engage with TV shows, books or hobbies. What helps one person leave work at the office might not help another. The key, Lanaj says, is to find the methods that let you decompress from work as much as possible. And businesses that want the best out of their leaders on the job should help them recharge at home. Reducing after-hours emailing and expectations for on-call work is one way to do that.

Tech fuels a lot of this after-hours work, but also might offer a solution. You can set your phone to disable notifications after a certain hour or leave work devices in a dedicated office.

“You can start small,” Lanaj said. “Say, ‘After this time in the evening, I won’t check my work email.’ See where that takes you.” (ANI)

ALSO READ-Work life balance through spirituality

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Lifestyle Lite Blogs

Work life balance through spirituality

Covid-19 second wave worsens 'shecession'.(photo:IANSLIFE)

Our ego makes us believe that success is happiness. People are trying hard to work, live and achieve pleasure but we can’t achieve happiness rather, we have to learn the art of being happy. This is Spirituality – evolving from achievement to contentment and fulfilment and then finally, to Enlightenment…reports Asian Lite News

What is the true meaning of Life? Life is liberation from ignorance and finding enlightenment, to be able to transcend our mind and the myth we have grown up with. What are we humans working for? We learn and we earn, only for others to burn what we earn. We don’t realize that what we are working for has no meaning. We are working but there is no purpose and before we realize it, our life escapes us.

In Spirituality, we develop a purpose. We find out, ‘Who am I and why am I here?’ Spirituality is the science of the spirit. It makes us realize that life has a purpose and while it must be lived with optimism, work must be done following the ‘ABC Principle’ – A – Accept life without protest as it is the result of our Prarabdha Karma or past actions. B – do our best in whatever we do. In that way, our Agami Karma or present actions are positive. Then C – surrender in Consciousness, in thoughtlessness where thoughts come one after another and don’t disturb our peace. Therefore, when work is done as Karma Yoga and when we start working as a Divine Instrument, our life becomes Divine. This is Spirituality. Spirituality is realizing the simple truth that I am not this body, mind, and ego but the Divine Soul. As long as we live by our ego, then our Mind and Ego, ME will create Karma – good or bad – and we will return to this earth in a rebirth.

If we want to balance work and life through spirituality, the only way to do that is to remove the ‘balance’ itself. There is no need to balance but we need to devote and dedicate our life to SIP – the Supreme Immortal Power we call God. Yes, we have to do our work. Yes, we have to live our life but we have to live it with Spiritual Realization. We must live life with the Enlightenment of the Truth that ‘nothing is mine, I come alone and I go alone and nobody is mine.’

Our ego makes us believe that success is happiness. People are trying hard to work, live and achieve pleasure but we can’t achieve happiness rather, we have to learn the art of being happy. This is Spirituality – evolving from achievement to contentment and fulfilment and then finally, to Enlightenment.

Spirituality leads to Liberation from the triple suffering of the body, mind, and ego that can be experienced as the pain of the body, misery of the mind, and agony of the ego. A Spiritual person need not balance life and work. Our work becomes our life and our life gets dedicated to working as a Divine Instrument. This is being Spiritually enlightened. This is evolving beyond body, mind, and ego and living as a Divine Soul.

Hence, Spiritual life is where work and life blend in the Realization that I am the Divine spirit, I am the Soul. SOUL is a Spark Of Unique Life. When we realize that we are the Soul, life becomes a celebration and work becomes a matter of complete surrender to the Supreme Divine and one starts living as an instrument of the Supreme Power that we call God. As a Divine Instrument, we seek nothing because we know that desires are the cause of disappointments and misery. We transcend the Mind and Ego, ME, and we live in a state of Consciousness. Spirituality is thus realizing that this world is a show, we are actors, we come and we go!

Balancing work and life through spirituality

We must transcend Karma. Normally, people work and live trying to create good Karma but they don’t realize the simple truth that creating good Karma also means that they have to return to the earth to reap the rewards of their Karma and undergo the suffering of the world. Spirituality liberates us from Karma because we can’t be free from the action but can be free in action. When whatever we do, is not done by us but the Divine did through us, we experience oneness with the Divine. We don’t own Karma anymore. We don’t perform any action. Everything is done by the Divine and we become Karma Yogi. We are always connected with the Divine through Karma Yoga. When we live as a Karma Yogi, our life ceases to have a separate identity because we transcend our ME, the Mind, and Ego. We become nothing and thus we become everything. When the wave becomes an ocean, then there is no difference between the wave and the ocean.

With Spirituality, when we become one with the Divine, then there is no need to balance work and life. When we balance, we are going in two opposite directions but when we blend, we live as a Divine Soul. We move towards the ultimate destination of Realization of the Truth, Liberation from all suffering, and ultimately, Unification with the Divine. Work and life then become only a matter of Purification and Illumination.

Are we going to continue to exist just like that till we die or are we going to find out, ‘Who am I and why am I here?’ We need to be liberated from ignorance and become enlightened with the truth. This is our life’s ultimate goal – to realize that we are the Divine Soul. Only then, will we be able to blend our life and work and live as a Spiritual Soul.

(AiR – Atman in Ravi, is a Spiritual leader and Founder of AiR Institute of Realization and AiRCenter of Enlightenment)

ALSO READ-A change from routine work life

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Lite Blogs

Yoga for working women and hectic life

Do not practice this pranayama if you are constantly feeling tired, anxious and panicking because exertion can be harmful to the lungs and the heart. Always practice under a Professional Yoga Teacher…writes Dr Deepak Mittal

Setting one’s needs first and making time for relaxation, meditation, or exercise are just a few of the straightforward self-care practises that can significantly improve a woman professional’s quality of life. They communicate to the rest of the family that this is their “me” time and that they should not be disturbed by others by establishing personal boundaries. Only by beginning with such modest acts of self-care as yoga can women reclaim some of their own time for vital self-care.

Some women have hormonal imbalances, which increase their risk for physical, psychological, and emotional issues. By forming a habit that enhances body strength, hormone balance, and self-acceptance, yoga helps women manage their life. 30-45 minutes of yoga, when combined with a breathing exercise like pranayama, can lower stress, increase the quality of sleep, and regulate vital bodily processes like the heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure, among others. Simply carve out sometime in the morning or evening from their hectic schedules.

Navasana (Boat pose)

How to do:

Begin by lying down on the floor on your back. Keep your hands at your side and your legs together. Now, slowly lift your legs without bending them. Also, lift your upper body off the floor and stretch your arms towards your legs. Hold this position for about three minutes and then return to the original position.

Contraindications:

Do not practice this yoga pose if you have low blood pressure, severe headache, or migraine, or if have suffered from some chronic diseases or spinal disorders in the recent past. Asthma and heart patients are also advised to avoid this pose.

Vasisthasana (Side Plank)

How to do:

Start in a plank position, shift body weight into the right hand, wrist under shoulder, drop heels to the right side onto the mat, rotate the body to face left side, and lift left arm into the air at shoulder height and twist. Raise hips as high to the ceiling as possible.

Contraindications:

People with an injury to the wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck, hips, back, knees, or ankles should avoid the practice of the Side Plank Pose. Any injury to the muscles of the legs, back, and arms are contraindications, and people should avoid the same.

Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward-Facing Dog)

How to do:

Start by lying on a mat with legs extended straight behind the body, front of legs resting on the floor, and upper body propped up in the air by pressing palms down into the mat. Extend arms to straight and lift thighs and shins off of the floor.

Contraindications:

It is always safe to take practice this pose with ease if one is suffering from a slipped disc or better still with the guidance of an experienced teacher. The deep stretch at the upper back including the neck and head, may not suit people having spondylitis. It is safer to go slow or take guidance from an expert.

Bhramari Pranayama

How to do:

Do preliminary conditioning in Sukhasana or any other meditative posture. Sit on a firm chair with an erect backrest, if unable to sit on the floor. Keep the body above the waist straight and the spine erect. Inhale fully and then exhale slowly, smoothly and continuously in a controlled manner from the nostrils with a little force, making a humming sound like the black bee. Keep your mouth closed throughout the practice. The sound need not be very loud but should create vibrations. Practice 5 rounds/session, with pause in-between rounds.

Contraindications:

Bhramari should not be practised by pregnant or menstruating women. It is also contraindicated for individuals with extremely high blood pressure, epilepsy, chest pain, or an active ear infection.

Anulom-Vilom Pranayama

How to do:

Close your eyes and sit in Padmasana. Use the right thumb to close the right nostril. Inhale slowly through the left nostril, taking in as much air as you can to fill your lungs. Remove the thumb from your right nostril and exhale. While exhaling, use the middle finger to close your left nostril and inhale with your right nostril. Remove the thumb from the right nostril and exhale. Perform for 2-5 minutes.

Contraindications:

It should not be practised by those people who are under medication for blood pressure. The same can be done without holding the breath within, and immediately exhaling out.

The Magic of Yoga for Working Women(IANSLIFE)

Ujjayi Pranayama

How to do:

Begin by inhaling and exhaling naturally. Bend down your head, blocking the free flow of air, and inhale as long as you can, making a sound from your throat. Hold for 2-5 seconds. Close your right nostril with your right thumb while exhaling, and breathe out through the left nostril. Repeat 10-12 times in as much time as you need.

Contraindications:

Do not practice this pranayama if you are constantly feeling tired, anxious and panicking because exertion can be harmful to the lungs and the heart. Always practice under a Professional Yoga Teacher. Beginners should not practice this breathing for more than five minutes a day.

Kapalbhati Pranayama

How to do:

This breathing technique involves passive inhalation and active exhalation. So inhale normally, breathe in as much air as possible, and exhale forcefully. Try to pull your stomach muscles as closely as you can towards the backbone during exhalation. Perform for 2-5 minutes.

Contraindications:

Individuals with high or low blood pressure, heart disease, hernia, gastric ulcer, epilepsy, vertigo, migraine headaches, significant nosebleeds, detached retina, glaucoma, history of stroke should avoid this yoga pose. For anyone who has undergone recent abdominal surgery, it is recommended to practice this pose under the guidance of an expert.

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Lifestyle Lite Blogs

First impression matters…

It is important that you look, amiable, confident and calm. Smiling is another important aspect; it shows that you are enjoying being with others…reports Asian Lite News

Each organization has its own culture, eccentric drama and politics which can be overwhelming on the first day at work. But it need not be – and it is here that your first impression matters!
As much as a job is about the quality of your work, it is also your interpersonal relationships that can help take you a long way. Therefore, it is essential to build the right contacts at the very beginning of your time at an organization.
The following are some basic suggestions to help you tip-toe your way around the pitfalls and build your network:

Know the territory
Talk to the people who work or had previously worked at your new organization. Learn a trick or two, combine them with your previous work experience, and give it your best shot accordingly!

Be present
Your mental presence is as important as the physical one. Catering to your cellphone more than the environment right in front does not only make you seem unavailable but is also a sign of professional truancy. Body language
Your body language is the very first thing that is noticed before you even utter a word. It is important that you look, amiable, confident and calm. Smiling is another important aspect; it shows that you are enjoying being with others.

Share plausible personal details, do not overshare
Sharing personal details about yourself like your interests, pets, and hobbies is a great way to help keep the conversation light, while also creating a sense of authenticity and warmth. Any controversial topic or comment should be avoided.

Ask for help
If you are unsure about a thing at work; ask! It will not only help you to avoid landing yourself in an unnecessary mess but will also help create a network. People like being a helping hand, and hate know-alls!
Remember, it’s easier to make a good first impression than to correct a negative one. (ANI)

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Lifestyle Lite Blogs

How to balance work and life

This is why it becomes very important to be able to differentiate life from work, successfully, because success means nothing without self-satisfaction and happiness…reports Vineeta Singh

Needless to say, being an entrepreneur is immensely fulfilling because of the complete freedom you get from pursuing what you truly believe in. But that also comes with long, erratic, and vigorous hours that can be taxing because you are the one making all the decisions.

Lines between personal and professional lives start becoming blurry, and before you know it, non-existent, and the drive and motivation with which you first began, can sometimes start to fade somewhere along the way owing to never-ending work.

This is why it becomes very important to be able to differentiate life from work, successfully, because success means nothing without self-satisfaction and happiness.

To me, the family has always been a source of my happiness and spending time with them always takes my stress away! Even when I started my own company, my family were my biggest cheerleaders and that continues to date, but I always ensure the right amount of balance between quality time with them and work.

My mom has always and will be my inspiration in life. Just growing up with her has made me look at the world with such a sanguine perspective, and I’ve tried imbibing all of her traits to the highest potential, though I’m sure I cannot achieve the level of perfection with which she has led her life. She has absolutely never let her work come in the way in which she has always supported her family and I think when you grow up with such an ideal role model, you start to easily see right from wrong.

Now that I’m a mother myself, I realise the effort that goes into maintaining that balance can be quite tricky and can lead to slip-ups ever-so-often if you’re not extremely mindful. So, I too, am continuously trying to be the same mother to my kids, albeit not as nonchalantly! In my personal life, I practise a few lessons to maintain this balance. Like, when I’m on a trip with my family I ensure that I don’t let work-related stress or even work calls for that matter take me away from being present in that moment, additionally, I try to not check emails post 8 pm unless absolutely essential. I manage my time effectively and get the most done during work hours so I can just as effectively spend quality time with my husband and kids at home.

Entrepreneurship comes with its own set of challenges. For example, as is the case when you’re starting anything from an idea’s incubation, building it up further requires a lot of your time. This means weekends usually look lonely, the hours in the day feel insufficient compared to the quantum of work, the inspiration tends to start running low when you’re not seeing adequate results in the short-term and this can lead to frustration to a point of sometimes even giving up. Having sailed in the same boat, I can vouch that a family’s encouragement and presence on a bad day make all the difference. If there is one thing I endorse, it is not losing yourself in the process of building something new because it would’ve been all for nought.

A few tips to ensure striking the optimum balance would be to structure and plan the day better with the goal to achieve maximum output in between work hours so you can utilise the rest the way you’d like. Another would be to remove a mandate on ‘me-time’ during the day. For me, it would be my morning runs and workout time. Lastly, spend as much time with your loved ones as you possibly can. Nobody will have your back as they do!

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Food Lite Blogs

How food linked with productivity at work?

Looking at the larger picture, the change that the pandemic has brought in has enabled people to have a positive outlook towards healthy eating, which was considered dull and boring…writes DRE Reddy

People across all walks of life are experiencing a change in their day-to-day lifestyle; among all, corporate employees have seen a major transformation due to work from home setup. People now are inclined towards prioritising their health like never before. Hence there is an immense amount of innovation happening in the corporate kitchen to make the food at work exciting as well as healthy at the same time. The organisations are recognising the importance of employees’ health and how food is linked to their productivity at work.

Food items that are served educate them with the number of calories it carries along. The workplace should encourage employees to buy foods that have been physically and chemically modified, such as salt-reduced cheese and skimmed milk, supposedly to make them healthier. This is mainly backed by the dual reason of ensuring good health of employees and enabling optimum productivity at work.

Looking at the larger picture, the change that the pandemic has brought in has enabled people to have a positive outlook towards healthy eating, which was considered dull and boring. Foodservice providers have included ingredients like milk with turmeric or masala milk with dry fruits to keep the cold at bay, deserts with honey and ginger to keep the itchy throat in check, tonic water to keep your stomach from indigestion, provide healthy soup options for snack time to avoid employees indulging in unhealthy eating habits or mix dry fruit sweets to keep the sweet craving in check and many more similar ingredients or recipes are prepared to keep the employees’ health in check considering the pandemic.

A healthier food menu not only makes the employees happy; it increases their productivity level, so they feel more energetic and motivated. Kitchens should prepare a food menu that includes healthier options that are not heavy on dairy, pasta or fattening sauces, include grilled, broiled, baked or steamed foods, and limit items that are fried or sauteed have been shown to help people be more productive for longer.

As a practice, the variety of food served at the workplace is now limited as compared to the pre-Covid era and more importance has been given to the nutritional value. Along with food, varieties of teas and a healthy concoction of herbs to strengthen and calm the immunity, wherever applicable. Portion control is also essential for employees as it is one of the most lethal factors that causes almost every health problem.

As we foresee, there are a plethora of innovations we expect to come up in the next few years where there will be more importance given to individual dietary preferences that will be mapped through artificial intelligence. Going ahead every food service provider will highly consider the health and wellness of the employees while they are curating foods along with dietary solutions as it has a big impact on the workplace.

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