Monday training links and questions to consider

A few training-related questions to think about this afternoon:

Is there a missing link in your management training program? Does outsourcing employee training help us focus on the bottom line? How do you handle obstacles in business? Can “key employee” incentives be dangerous? Did corporations forget what fuels economies?

Below are a few great posts from across the blogosphere to spur discussion and decide for yourself:

Jim Giuliano at HR Morning shares the missing link to proper managerial training - customer service.

More large, multi-national firms are outsourcing employee training in order to stay focused on strategy and the bottom line, according to a new study outlined by Human Resource Executive Online.

Don’t let small obstacles sidetrack big hopes, says Erika Anderson. She reminds us to test your flexibility and focus on strategy when unforeseen obstacles crop up.

Are you a good trainer or do you simply have good platform skills? The HR Bartender explains the difference.

Be careful with "key employee" incentive plans, warns Ann Bares at Compensation Force. Business success is “based on the efforts of many, not just the appointed few.”

Are corporations running on empty because they forgot what really fuels the economy? Dan Stafford asks how our workforce was driven to the point of physical and financial exhaustion in a thought-provoking post at Bella Ciao.

Bad office behavior: Desk rage

Road rage can take a back seat, there's a new monster in town – desk rage.

Anger in the workplace, from grumpy employees to short-tempered bosses, is a common occurrence in the United States. As Americans deal with rising gas prices, increased costs of living, job uncertainty and personal debt, the problem of desk rage may only continue to grow.

Of the workers who responded to research surveys:

• 2% to 3% admitted to pushing, slapping or hitting someone at work – amounting to as many as 3 million people.
• Almost 50% reported yelling and verbal abuse at work.
• One in four admitted to being driven to tears by abusive behavior at work.
• One in six reported anger-induced property damage at work.
• One in ten reported physical violence and fear their workplace might not be safe.
  

If you need some help with desk rage, or know someone who may need an intervention, take a look at these tips for combating desk rage from CNN.com.

Skip the desk rage this Friday, sit back, and laugh at this compilation of some really bad days at the office:

Sleeping on the job again? Wake up!

It’s Monday, time to get back to work. Your keyboard may strangely resemble a big fluffy white pillow, and you’re tempted to forfeit food in place of a lunch break nap in the minivan. At least know you’re not alone.

“Survey: One-third of workers catching zzz's on job” was a headline that caught my eye today on CNN.com.

The National Sleep Foundation released survey results that show we may not be getting enough sleep. On average, workers get 6 hours and 40 minutes of sleep a night, according to the survey.

Almost one-third of those surveyed admitted they had become very sleepy or had actually fallen asleep during the past month at work.

So, go ahead and take that nap today and lets all try to get a little more sleep tonight. Your boss may appreciate it and your body will thank you. Sweet dreams ...