Tuesday 18th April Newsletter

Welcome to Tuesday’s edition 👋 In today’s mail:

• Taking maternity leave: Will it kill your career?

• Gaslighting at work: The devastating effects.

• Stylish office bags: Our top picks.

THE BIG IDEA

Catching kitties pays the bills 🐱

Jordana Serebreniks has a unique job: she catches cats for a living!

It started when she was hired to catch a runaway cat for a neighbor. After successfully reuniting the kitty with its owner, she realized there was a demand for her skills.

So, she filled a gap in the market.

Nowadays, Jordana is a full-time cat trapper, based in New York City. She specializes in trapping feral and stray cats, and ensuring they receive the necessary care and attention. She also helps pet owners who have lost their fur-babies or who just need someone to get their kitty in the carrier for a whispers: trip to the vet.

With an arsenal of traps, toys and sardines(!), Jordana patiently tracks and captures cats on the run. She’s also a master of handling even the most stubborn feline personalities, making her one of the premier car catchers in the city.

So, if you’ve lost Mrs Whiskerson (again), give Jordana a call. Or you might want to follow in her footsteps!

More strange jobs

OPINION

Is maternity leave still a career killer?

In light of my own upcoming maternity leave, I thought it was fitting to discuss the taboo subject of how it affects thousands of careers across the globe.

If you’re a new parent, you’ll know that maternity leave is far from a holiday, but some of your peers might not agree. And besides the judgment, if you’re anything like myself, you’ll be worrying about the work you’re leaving behind. So, how does this affect your return to work?

According to one study, the longer that new mothers are away from their work, the less likely they are to be promoted, move into management positions or get a pay increase once their leave is over.

And while there are laws in place in certain countries to avoid this from happening, it’s safe to say that employers are still viewing maternity leave as a reason to not promote new mothers — even if they are valuable to the team.

So, how can we overcome this global issue? My opinion is to stay in contact with your team while you’re away. I’m not saying to actually do work, but to just keep in touch. If you have time (which is kind of impossible with a newborn), learn a new skill, and discuss your training plan once you’re ready to get back into the swing of things.

What are your thoughts on maternity leave? Let us know by replying.

— Joanna Zambas, Career Expert

TODAY’S ADVICE

What gaslighting at work looks like ⛽ 🔥

Gaslighting at work can be subtle at first, but the effects can be devastating.

It’s a form of psychological manipulation, where someone is made to doubt their own sanity, memory or perception of reality.

Here are some examples of what gaslighting looks like in the workplace — so you can recognize the signs before it’s too late:

1. Constantly changing expectations. A manager or an employer may set a goal or expectation, only to change their mind later and deny ever agreeing to it.

2. Blaming employees for their own failures. It’s common for gaslighting bosses to shift the blame onto their subordinates for workplace failures or mistakes — even if it’s not their fault.

3. Denying access to information. Gaslighting bosses may withhold critical information from employees or deny ever telling them, leaving them feeling confused and disoriented.

4. Denying promised rewards or benefits. When employees have met performance milestones that were rewarded with bonuses or promotions, gaslighting bosses may try to deny what was promised.

Have you ever been gaslighted at work? Hit “Reply” and share your experiences with us.

DON’T MISS

🍪 Want to bake yummy treats for a living? We’ve got you covered.

🌎 Our top tips for working remotely around the world.

🤢 Eww! You really don’t wanna do these jobs.

⚠️ Fake job offers — how to identify them.

STUFF WE LOVE

Office-ready messenger bags

The NEWHEY Leather Messenger Bag is durable and waterproof — and features a detachable shoulder strap. Grab the bag ➜

The MATEIN Messenger Bag has an anti-theft design and is made out of lightweight, water-resistant fabric. Grab the bag ➜

WATERCOOLER CHAT

Early bird or night owl?

☕ We’ve all got a colleague who’s off limits until they’ve had coffee. And we’ve also got a colleague who turns up earlier than the rest, glowing. And then there’s average us in the middle. Not quite early birds nor night owls, but belonging to a third category characterized by permanent fatigue.

We jest (mostly)! But research has shown this to be true: the majority of adults belong to neither extreme. And, in all cases, it’s our genes that determine whether we’re morning people. So don’t try to become an early bird, but rather try and build your schedule in a way that suits your needs.

Are you an early bird, a night owl or somewhere in between? Reply and let us know.

MEME IT

Like what you read? Reply and let us know your thoughts.

Created with care by Chris Leitch, Joanna Zambas, and Electra Michaelidou

The linked products are independently selected by the CareerAddict team. If you obtain something we link to, we may receive a commission.