Should you get an MBA? 

This could be one of the most important questions a person can ask oneself. A Masters in Business Administration opens many doors to an advanced management position and many other great career opportunities. However, studies have shown it is not always necessary to have an MBA to have a successful career. 

Some careers virtually require an MBA. Some of these include investment banking, private equity firms, hedge fund management, and high-end management consulting. An MBA opens doors that otherwise may not have been open, or at least, the door would not have been opened as quickly. Many times an MBA can also raise your career ceiling, allowing you to reach a higher position in your career than you otherwise would have. Similarly, an MBA can give you a better chance at getting hired more quickly if you are between positions or if you relocate.

Another reason to get an MBA is if you are changing careers. Examples of career fields that can easily benefit from an MBA include people currently working in IT, engineering, the military, and non-profit organizations. People with these backgrounds are sought because their experiences are highly valued in the marketplace.

Other careers do not require an MBA. These would include jobs in technical fields, the medical field, sales, marketing, law, and owning your own business. Many companies value experience over degrees. A recent survey of top companies showed that only 146 of 500 CEOs had an MBA. These top executives believed that hard work, intelligence, experience, and good instincts were more important to success than any degree.

One last thing to consider is the current economy. People at all levels are losing their jobs. In past recessions, most experts agreed the way to insure that you would continue to climb the corporate ladder and stand out from the crowd was to get an MBA. However, with the current economic downturn, these same experts are not so sure.

History has shown that when there was a rush to get a Master’s degree, some schools became more selective, while others opened their programs to more students. This left the worth of the MBA in question. Then, a few years later, when the economy was better and companies were hiring, it seemed every applicant had an MBA. This devalued it even further because these people were no longer exceptional. If this holds true again, hiring managers are going to find other ways to distinguish one candidate from another.  This means that experience and past performance will be more important than ever.

Have you considered getting an MBA? Does the current economy make it seem more appealing to you?

How to break a bad habit

Habits are patterns we develop, and while it can be tough to break a bad habit, it can be done with a little focus, determination and persistence. And there’s no better time than now to start!  The sooner you start, the sooner you can kick that bad habit!

First, focus on one habit at a time. Create a list of all of the benefits to breaking that habit. You’ll want to look at the list often to keep the benefits fresh in your mind. If you don’t clearly understand or remember the reasons to stop your habit, you will keep doing what you have been doing.

Make a plan and include all of the steps you will need to take to break your habit. For example, if you want to quit smoking, seeing a doctor and researching nicotine patches may be included in the plan. Break down each of these steps into goals. This will help you complete your plan.

Bad habits are hard to break, everyone knows that. But good habits are easy to create, too! Try healthy alternatives to replace what you are already doing. For example, if you know that every day at 3 p.m. you need to have a snack, choose healthy snacks. Habits fulfill a need, and by choosing healthy alternatives, you can turn that bad habit into a good one.

Kudos to you if you can break your habit the first time around! Chances are, though, you will need to try different ways to break the habit. If something doesn’t work, focus on new things to try. Think of this as an experiment! Not all things are going to work for everybody, so experiment to see what works for you. It’s okay if you make a mistake – don’t give up. 

Avoid situations that can bring your bad habit back to life. Get rid of the junk food in your house or avoid going into stores to casually shop and spend money. Be conscious of the things that trigger your bad habit and avoid them.

Create a personal support group. Tell your close friends and family members about your goal. Maybe they will join you in breaking a bad habit they have! An accountability partner will help keep you on track, and because he or she is a close friend or family member you trust, they will be there to help you, not criticize you.

Keep telling yourself you can do it! Tell yourself you are what you want to be as if you are already that person. Write it down, too! The more you think about it, the more likely you will reach your goal. And, when you reach your goal, reward yourself – you deserve it!

What bad habit have you broken and how did you do it?

Ways to cut your commuting costs 

While fuel prices continue to rise, here are 5 simple things you can do to help curb the cost of driving:

Public transportation

Using public transportation is almost always a cheaper alternative to commuting solo, especially for those with long-distance drives. Light-rail or metro buses can help you save tremendously. And, your employer might even help you out, so be sure to ask if your company has a commuter benefits program.

Employer-sponsored programs

Some employers may allow employees to work from home at least one day a week (or more), while others may offer a monthly gas stipend. Contact your human resources department or consult your employee manual to determine whether your employer has a telecommuting program in place.

Bicycling

Fewer cars and more bikes means less pollution and traffic congestion. That’s why many progressive cities these days are making streets more biker friendly. So, start biking! And, in addition to saving yourself some money, you’ll be getting fresh air, exercise and viewing interesting scenery. But before embarking on a bike commute, make sure that you know the traffic regulations regarding bicycling in your state!

Carpooling

If you know of other people at your company who live near you, consider arranging a carpool schedule. You'll not only save on gas money but also have the chance to get to know your co-workers better during the drive, both ways. And, with more than one person in the car, you'll also be able to take advantage of high-occupancy vehicle lanes and, in some cases, bypass road tolls, saving you both time and money.

Travel wisely

Upgrade to a more fuel-efficient vehicle! If that’s not possible, alter your schedule to avoid rush hour. No one likes being stuck in heavy traffic anyway, and idling burns up your gas while you’re waiting to move. Even if you don’t get caught in stop-and-go traffic, remember that your car will get better gas mileage at higher speeds. Also, travel light and remove unnecessary weight from your car. And, give your car a check-up; light maintenance like checking the oil and air pressure in your tires will keep your car mechanically sound and can actually increase your gas mileage. It can also help you spot problems early and save later on large repair bills.

What is your commute like every day?

Healthy Eating for Families

You need to drive the kids to ballet class and soccer practice, and you need to complete a report for your boss by 10:00 a.m. the next morning. And you still have to decide what’s for dinner. The key to healthy eating and healthy families is knowing what nutritious foods you want your family to eat, preparing food in advance to avoid last-minute fattening choices, and gathering together the family for meal time

If you cook your own meals, you can control what is in them. When you are buying prepared foods or ingredients, check the calories, fats, and other information on the package before you buy.

Cooking meals the easy way

If you have easy-to-prepare foods available at home, you won’t need to stop by the grocery store so often. Involve your children in shopping and food preparation to help them appreciate what they are eating. It’s good for them to see you checking labels and prices, and pitching in at mealtime should be everyone’s responsibility. There are many cookbooks written just for kids. You can let your children pick a couple of recipes and make dinner with them or let them take a turn each week making a meal all by themselves.

Gather together for meal time

Research shows that families that eat together are usually healthier, happier families. Family meals help parents ensure that children are eating right and give them a chance to learn about their kids’ lives.  Teenagers who eat with their families regularly are less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol or get into trouble in other ways.

To read more, get a FREE copy of our book, “The Survival Guide for Working Moms (and Other Stressed-Out Adults),” by Diana Zuckerman, Ph.D. and Brandel France de Bravo, M.P.H. Please visit our Free Gifts page at (web address) to redeem this offer.

About the authors

Diana Zuckerman, Ph.D. is the President of the National Research Center for Women & Families, a research and education charity that provides free health and safety and works to improve policies and programs that improve the health of women, children and families. Brandel France de Bravo is the Director of Public Affairs and Communications at the National Research Center for Women & Families. For useful information about health issues that affect your family and for more information about the National Research Center for Women & Families, visit http://www.center4research.org/

Ways to stay on your boss’s radar screen

By Wendy Siegel, Quill Channel Marketing Content Manager

In today’s business climate it’s not enough to come in every day and just do your job; you need to get noticed---but for all the right reasons. In order to get ahead you must separate yourself from the pack and make yourself invaluable to the boss. That way, when raises, promotions, or other leadership opportunities become available you are the first person your boss thinks of.

Here are some ways to highlight your leadership skills and increase your value to the team.

• Know what’s on your boss’s “To Do” list—In doing so, you can better partner to get important tasks completed sooner and help lighten your boss’s load and allow her/him time for other projects
  
• Be a team player…there’s more going on in the department than just your area of responsibility. See how you can help others stay on task or get ahead with their tasks
  
• Anticipate what’s next! Your boss will be thrilled when you already have a plan in place for upcoming projects. Begin an outline, create a list of possible scenarios, but think ahead…it’s a great way to let others know you’re a proactive thinker
  
• Innovation, innovation, innovation! If the same old thing isn’t working, find a completely different, imaginative way to get the job done. A fresh approach can change everything!
  
• Face time! Make sure you meet with your boss regularly and that she/he knows what you are working on. Demonstrate to your boss that you are on top of your responsibilities by having a list or agenda of items to discuss
  
• Volunteer to take on more when you can, especially during peak times
  
• Be solution oriented. It’s okay to bring issues and concerns to your boss’s attention, but don’t just come to complain. Lay out your concerns and then outline possible solutions. Your boss will appreciate your proactive approach and recognize your problem-solving skills
  
• Be accountable and responsible; follow through on your commitments. This shows that you are reliable and prevents your boss from constantly having to follow up with you to see how things are going

What are some ways you’ve shown your boss what you’re made of?

Family has recently become a big focus in my life. In March my first child was born! Being a working mom is no small feat. Sometimes just finding time to eat dinner is now a treat! It seems fitting that Monday, September 28, is Family Day – A Day to Eat Dinner with your Children™.

I have a newfound appreciation for working moms and especially moms of multiple children. I always knew it would be a challenge to juggle everything, but it’s hard to completely grasp the concept until you are living it. Once upon a time laundry was easy to get done, reading a book was something I could do every night, and eating dinner was not a race. Boy, have things changed! I’m sure all you moms out there know exactly what I’m talking about! Now the laundry piles up (along with the dishes), the books I read are fairy tales, and eating dinner means cramming as much food in my mouth in the few seconds I have before the baby needs me. Who needs a diet plan? Have a baby!

While being a working mom means I wear a bunch of different hats and often feel pulled in a number of directions, as my child grows up, I will try my best to have my family eat together. As http://casafamilyday.org/familyday/ puts it, “whether you’re cooking a gourmet meal, ordering food from your favorite take-out place or eating on the go, rest assured that what your kids really want during dinnertime is YOU!” How true! My generation doesn’t have the time to make elaborate meals like the ones my mother grew up with, but that’s ok! It’s about the bonding time together, not the perfectly set dinner table.

Try to use September 28 as your excuse to slow down for a few minutes and come together with your family. I plan to. Then the chaos can resume!

Check out http://casafamilyday.org/familyday/ for more information!

Christy Wolf

Editor

Are you able to make time for your family to eat dinner together every night? How do you do it?

Finding a job using social networking Web sites 

Social networking Web sites can be powerful tools for job seekers. You can establish many industry connections and create a profile that showcases your accomplishments. Plus, more and more companies and recruiters search these profiles every day looking for candidates.

Most job hunters start with LinkedIn.com. It has a robust job search engine, and with more than 40 million members worldwide – including executives from all Fortune 500 companies – you can cultivate a large and powerful network. LinkedIn is most effective when you join and participate in groups, use the applications, and exchange endorsements.

Facebook.com is one of the most popular social networking sites, with more than 200 million active users worldwide. Though Facebook is more often used for simply keeping in touch with friends than for job searching, such networking can sometimes provide the best job leads. And Facebook’s many applications make it easy and fun to stay connected. One useful feature for job hunters is Facebook Marketplace, which lists job openings – as well as housing opportunities and vehicles for sale – in your network.

On Plaxo.com, your profile features your “pulse stream,” which pulls in and highlights your activities on other sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. Plaxo is owned by Comcast^®, so it’s integrated with SimplyHired^® – a narrowly focused search engine for job sites and companies.

Twitter.com is rapidly increasing in popularity and can be an outstanding networking tool. You can communicate directly with hiring managers without having to submit an electronic resume. A Twitter profile has to be supplemented by a blog or LinkedIn profile – there’s no way to hire someone based solely on a Twitter profile.

Jobster.com is another growing networking platform and job search engine. You can upload your resume and picture, embed your video resume, showcase links to your site, and tag your skills. Once you find a job you’re interested in, add the person who posted the job to your network and connect with them to find out more about the position.

Other social networking Web sites for job seekers include VisualCV.com, JobFox.com, Craigslist.com, Ecademy.com, and MyWorkster.com.

What is your favorite social networking Web site?

Cluttered desk, cluttered mind? 

When you take a look around your office, do you see disorder and chaos? If you’re like most of us, you do. Don’t feel guilty or ashamed by your lack of organization! Although some of your highly organized co-workers may wonder how you manage to get anything done amidst the mess, chances are, the system works for you.

In the book “A Perfect Mess,” by Eric Abrahamson and David H. Freedman, they claim that messy systems can sometimes be more effective than highly organized ones, and in more times than not, a messy desk houses a highly successful worker. The authors attempt to disprove the bias in favor of neatness in our society and help people better understand messiness. 

Piles of papers are many times seen as ineffective disorder. Although an outsider may find the mess to be disturbing, if you’re able to locate a project, book, paper or file at any given time, then the “mess” means something to you. The clutter may be an extension of your mind and will make perfect sense to you.

Abrahamson and Freedman note that messiness tends to increase with increased education, salary and experience. A large majority of CEOs are less organized, but highly creative. So, don’t think that your success is directly related to your organization.

 “Mess isn’t necessarily the absence of order. A messy desk can be a highly effective prioritizing and accessing system. In general, on a messy desk, the more important, urgent work tends to stay close by and near the top of the clutter, while the safely ignorable stuff tends to get buried to the bottom or near the back, which makes perfect sense. The various piles on a messy desk can represent a surprisingly sophisticated informal filing system that offers far more efficiency and flexibility than a cabinet could possibly provide,” Abrahamson and Freedman explain. Everyone has a different style – as long as your piles mean something to you, then they’re useful.

People that are not natural organizers may find themselves spending more time getting organized each day than actually working on projects. Then, once it’s “organized” they won’t be able to follow the systems in place and will feel lost.

Starting to wonder if being highly organized is a bad quality? Not necessarily! The authors simply point out that there has been no research to directly support the benefits of neatness. So, if your organizational system helps you work more efficiently, then continue using it!

What does your desk look like? Do you work best in a tidy, highly organized environment, or a messy one?

Ways to cope with financial stress

Finances are on everyone’s mind these days. When you watch your friends lose their jobs, houses go into foreclosure, and large companies go under, it’s easy to let financial stress get the best of you. These tips will help you manage your money and your stress.

Get going

Create a financial plan, including short-term and long-term goals. Start with necessities like housing, car or transportation expenses and food, but also allow for occasional unplanned purchases. Include debts you need to pay and allocate money for savings. Set a realistic budget and stick to it. When you manage to stay under your set budget or you reach one of your goals, treat yourself, but do it wisely. You don’t want to undo all of your hard work.

Stay healthy and focused

In times of stress, it’s important to take good care of yourself. Eat healthy foods, drink plenty of water and get enough sleep. Healthy breathing and exercise also help you feel better. Best of all, walking, running, or riding your bike is free!

Avoid bad coping behaviors like poor eating, smoking, or drinking, which make you feel worse.  Even when money is tight, don’t cancel health appointments to cut back – first see if your doctor’s office offers a payment plan. You should also check for free help at local clinics and universities. 

Go ahead and cancel that manicure or pedicure appointment, though. Instead, call a friend and paint each other’s nails one afternoon. Some habits are hard to break, so start a new, inexpensive one! Knitting, gardening, and volunteering are inexpensive activities and can relieve stress.

Avoid using your credit card for every purchase you make. Falling into credit card debt can make reaching your financial goals much harder. Instead, wait five days before making an impulse purchase. Chances are you’ll forget about it! If it’s something you need, shop around for the best deal.

Keep a journal to track your expenses, reach your goals, and document your feelings. This will be a good reference and reminder if your budget falls off track in the future.

Get back on track

Financial stress may be too much to handle on your own, and that’s okay to admit. Talk about your problems with close friends, join a local support group or see a counselor. It’s best to understand that no situation is hopeless and that you'll come out of it stronger.

What have you done to set yourself up for financial success? 

Business packing tips

Traveling is an everyday reality in the business world. Over time, veteran business travelers have been able to come up with ways to simplify being on the road. Here are some basic ideas to make your packing simple and free of headaches.

Make a detailed list of all the products you’ll need on your trip (shampoo, shower gel, deodorant, shave cream, hair spray, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, etc.), then pick up travel- or trial-size versions of them at the store.

Put some cotton balls, swabs and hand sanitizer (or wipes) into separate re-closeable bags. Pack these new travel toiletries and bags into your travel case—keep them stored in your luggage at all times.

Call your hotel ahead of time to ask if your room will contain items such as a hair dryer, iron and clothing steamer. Having these things waiting for you at your lodging can save you space to pack other things. If they won’t be available to you there, pack some small, inexpensive versions.

Make sure that your bags are marked with your contact information at the office and also at your hotel.

When packing, always roll clothing into a cylinder shape. It takes up less space and will help keep wrinkles to a minimum. Also, roll socks and underwear up and stuff them inside your shoes. Not only will it generate more space in your luggage, but it helps keep shoes from getting crushed.

Pack clothing that’s wrinkle resistant—polyester or wool blends, microfibers, silk and rayon. When possible, avoid packing 100% cotton or linen.

For a 2-3 day trip, pack one suit and several pieces to change its look. Men can wear the same suit with different-colored shirts and ties. Women can create several different outfits from just a single skirt, jacket and a pair of coordinating pants and a few blouses.

To avoid having to bring two pairs of dress shoes, choose one neutral color and build your wardrobe around it. Don't bring outfits based on both black and brown, because then you'll also need both black and brown shoes and belts.

When boarding a flight, always carry on your important documents, toiletries, medications and one change of clothes in case your luggage gets lost. This can be a lifesaver! Packing can be simple and go smoothly if you create an effective system and follow it consistently.

Do you have any travel tips to add? Please let us know!

Choosing the right child care

Three out of every five children under six-years-old  are regularly cared for by people other than their parents—at a child care center, preschool, in their own homes, relatives’ homes, or in family run day care homes.* The quality of child care varies tremendously.  How can you make the best choice for your child and your family?

Health and safety are first and foremost

Health and safety are the “must have” ingredients of any child care arrangement, whether it is baby-sitting, family day care, or a center-based program.  Next, you want to make sure that the child care you are considering provides the building blocks for learning. The person caring for your child should be able to spend some one-on-one time with each child, and the setting should look inviting, with sufficient toys, books and other resources. Children who get little attention in day care will be demanding and unhappy at home, and may have behavior problems later as well. The better the child care, the better your child will learn vocabulary words and develop other basic skills, including the ability to get along with other children.

*U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau. Child Health USA 2006. Rockville, Maryland: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2006. http://mchb.hrsa.gov/chusa_06/popchar/0206wmcc.htm.

To read more, get a FREE copy of our book, “The Survival Guide for Working Moms (and Other Stressed-Out Adults),” by Diana Zuckerman, Ph.D. and Brandel France de Bravo, M.P.H. 

* While quantities last. Premiums subject to availability. A substitution of equal or greater value may be made. 

About the authors

Diane Zuckerman, Ph.D. is the President of the National Research Center for Women & Families, a research and education charity that provides free health and safety and works to improve policies and programs that improve the health of women, children and families. Brandel France de Bravo is the Director of Public Affairs and Communications at the National Research Center for Women & Families. For useful information about health issues that affect your family and for more information about the National Research Center for Women & Families, visit http://www.center4research.org/

How do you provide employee recognition with no budget?
By Quill Director of Channel Marketing Helen Bertolucci

Budget cut and no extra dollars to spend on a little something for your employees? Good news! Employee recognition is FREE!

Sometimes, finding those extra dollars to reward and recognize employees might be hard to come by. And those with any dollars available need to make every penny count. If you’re savvy, employee recognition can cost you nothing!

Know what motivates your employees! Employees value different types of recognition and not just financial incentives.

Support from management
Let employees know you have a vested interest in them. Take time to listen, offer suggestions, support – help them resolve a problem.

“Thank You’s”
Whether it is an e-mail, a personal visit or a hand-written note (people love to hang them up as a reminder!), there isn’t anyone who wouldn’t like to be thanked.

Recognition in a meeting
Public recognition also goes a long way in motivating employees. When a co-worker is recognized in a public setting, it sets an example for others to follow and sets a standard for others to aspire to.  

Time off
Offering a comp day for a job well done or offering an early departure on a Friday afternoon are two additional opportunities to recognize employees. This is a great alternative to monetary compensation and helps build morale amongst the team.
 
Consistency and frequency are keys to keeping recognition alive in an organization!
Keep recognition alive and well in your department or organization by doing it every day – find opportunities and act upon them immediately. Saying thank you a week after an event loses its impact and value to an employee.
 
Think about times you have been recognized – how did you feel? Chances are, it brought your shoulders back, smile on your face and a spring in your step! It didn’t cost a thing for another person to recognize you, but in the end you felt like a million bucks!

Share with us your experiences with employee recognition.

This year has been particularly stressful for most of us. The economy has been especially bad, some of us have watched our friends lose their jobs, and we’ve said goodbye to some of our favorite stores which have caved under the stress of the slow retail market. We all may feel like throwing in the towel, but we mustn’t allow this dark cloud to hang over us. This month is Happiness Happens Month and this is an ideal excuse to recognize all the GOOD things that are happening in our lives!

My mom has said to me many times, “It’s much easier to be sad than happy. Sadness doesn’t take any effort.” Sometimes it takes a little work to be happy and that’s ok! Think about the things that make you happy or take a moment to remember one good thing that has happened to you today. I’ve always been a firm believer in the power of positive thinking. If you surround yourself with negative energy, only negative energy will be attracted to you.

As The Secret Society of Happy People say on their Web site, http://www.sohp.com/,

“Happiness is never found in stuff or money. It’s found in the moments we spend with our family and friends, moments we laugh with strangers, and ‘wow, what a day moments.” The Secret Society of Happy People is a group formed to encourage the spreading of happiness. Their motto is, “If you’re happy and you know it…tell somebody!”

So, tell us! What makes you happy or what special moment have you recently experienced?

Christy Wolf,

Editor

Workplace Gadget Etiquette 

As technology advances more and more, employees discover ways to utilize their personal gadgets while at work. Here are some gadget tips to consider in the workplace.

 

• Shut it off during meetings: Unless you must use your PDA or cell phone during a meeting, presentation or other gathering, turn off your phone or silence your ring tone.
  
  
• Don’t engage in e-mails during meetings or conversations: Your preoccupation with the e-mail message removes you from the discussion, and it just looks rude.
  
  
• Don’t text during meetings or conversations: Text messaging forces you to lose eye contact and sends the message that you’re not fully engaged.
  
  
• Consider your environment: An acceptable gadget behavior at one company may be unwelcome at another.
  
  
• Get permission before snapping pictures: Not everyone wants their picture taken and what you may find funny, amusing or memorable may be embarrassing to others.
  
  
• The person face to face with you has top priority: Never interrupt a conversation to answer your phone—let your phone’s technology (voicemail) do the work.
  
  
• Take both ear buds out when conversing with others: Leaving your ear buds in may cause the other party to feel as if they’re being rushed through the conversation.
  
  
• Opt for plain old note taking during meetings: If you take notes on your laptop, it creates a barrier between you and your coworkers, and they’ll be distracted wondering if you are surfing the net, in a chat room or worse, playing a game.
  
  
• Keep the volume to a reasonable level: Although you may enjoy listening to music while at work, having the volume too high could distract your coworkers.
  
  
• Obey your workplace rules for usage: It is your responsibility to find out what personal devices are acceptable before you start using them.

Information from elaineswann.com, adminsecret.com and career-advice.monster.com

How to Prepare for Maternity Leave 

Being pregnant is chaotic enough with announcements, planning, preparations and doctor visits. And that's just your personal life! Your professional life is going to be significantly altered, too, and the earlier you prepare for it, the easier your transition into maternity leave will be for you and the co-workers who will be affected by your absence.

Even if you're not the only person in your office that performs your job function, there are probably small nuances and side projects you're working on that are specific to you. If these things can't wait until you return, you may have to prepare instructions for your temporary replacement. For some projects simple notes on what to do if specific things happen will be enough and for others step-by-step instructions are necessary. Keep in mind that you've been doing this job for a while, so when writing detailed instructions remember to put yourself in the shoes of someone who knows nothing about what you do.

News travels fast and you don't want your boss to hear the news through office gossip. Once you've decided to tell people at work that you're pregnant, it's a good idea that one of the first people you tell is your boss. Then throughout your pregnancy as you make important decisions, keep your boss up-to-date on decisions you've made that will affect your work. Your due date, how long you plan on taking maternity leave and if you plan on coming back to work are very important details for your boss to know.

Very soon after or even before you tell your boss, make an appointment with HR so you can discuss maternity leave. There will be some paperwork and questions they need to ask, so making an appointment is necessary to give HR enough time to give you all the information you need to get everything in order. Even if a co-worker recently discussed maternity leave with HR, it doesn't mean everything will be the same for you. Also, get everything in writing so you can refer back to it later if necessary.

With pregnancy there are a lot of unforeseen circumstances, but you should still have a "leave date" set. Obviously if your baby is premature you'll need to leave sooner, but the leave date will give your boss, HR and co-workers an idea of when to expect your absence. Some women want time before their due date to prepare; others will work right up to the due date or past it depending on when they go into labor. No matter what you decide, keep people informed so they're ready to transition into your role.

Maternity leave is different from company to company and state to state. Some businesses classify maternity leave as temporary disability and give you a portion of your wages while you're gone. Some businesses don’t allow maternity leave at all! In either case, it's a good idea to save up all your personal, vacation and sick time. These will either give you the time off you need to adjust and recover or maximize the amount of time off you get in addition to your temporary disability time.

Remember to relax. It will be difficult for the people around you to adjust especially if you don't have a direct replacement, but odds are the whole company won't collapse because you're on maternity leave. If you prepare everyone early for your absence they should be able to manage without you. Besides, this is a time in your life when you should be focusing on yourself and your baby—not worrying about your co-workers.