from JPT Group | November 2022 | Vol. 15 No. 11
You’re Fired!
➔ Technically when most workers lose their jobs, they are not fired. Laid off? Maybe. Down-sized? Good chance. No matter what they call it though, they’re out of work.
If it’s any comfort, they’re not alone. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, last month there were nearly six million workers who were presently unemployed. How prevalent that is depends largely on the industry and the position from which they were let go and geography as well as other factors. Then again, a great many workers were at their last jobs for considerable lengths of time – some even for decades.
It could be worse
No matter how bad you feel about those unemployed, there are people who have it worse. For instance, pity the poor professional football coach.
There are 32 teams in the National Football League, each with its own head coach. At the beginning of the 2022 season, according to profootballnetwork.com, there were ten new head coaches in the NFL. That’s 31 percent of all the head coaches in the league – a record. Houston is on its third new coach in as many years.
Of the remaining 22 (as of this writing,) two already have been fired in mid-season. Last year there were two let go before year end. Both interim head coaches who succeeded them were not retained for this year.
There is an old saying about professional sports coaches (football, baseball, basketball, et.al.) that says that the day you’re hired, you’re one day closer to getting fired. That’s certainly true in the National Football League.
Beginning this year, of the 32 predecessors of the current incumbent head coaches, 26 of them – 81 percent – were fired. Of the remaining six, two left their teams by “mutual consent” with ownership and only four, actually retired.
But professional football coaches fare comparatively well. According to Business Insider, the average tenure of an NFL coach is 4.3 years. That’s better than Major League baseball managers whose average tenure is 3.7 seasons. Head basketball and hockey coaches both last an average of 3.4 years.
Despite the fact that they are paid exceedingly well, they do not exactly enjoy job security.
“Blame no one. Expect nothing. Do something.”
— Bill Parcells, former NFL head coach
BUSINESS UPDATE
That’s Some Chick
According to Business Insider, a local operator of Chick-fil-A in Florida has designed a schedule that allows employees to work consistent, full-time hours over three, 14-hour days. He claims that the program has improved employee work-life balance, burnout, career growth and retention.
Thanks!
In case you didn’t know it, next week is Thanksgiving. According to the History Channel, the initial Thanksgiving was 401 years ago in 1621 when the Pilgrims feasted for three days with the “Wampanoag Indians.”
Precise details are somewhat thin, but it is generally agreed that the menu certainly did include turkey, but it also may have included venison, duck and/or geese. There also was probably a crude form of stuffing which, instead of bread-based stuffing, herbs, onions or nuts might have been added for extra flavor.
Aside from the food (which could be reason enough,) why is it important to be thankful?
Psychology research has shown that gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity and build strong relationships.
It’s even a little religious. According to countryliving.com, the Bible contains 28 separate instances citing the importance of being thankful.
“We thank with brief thanksgiving, Whatever gods may be.”
– Algernon Charles Swinburne, British poet
For the man who has everything. Unco Shop in Yokohama, Japan specializes in producing and selling poop-themed apparel like T-shirts and sneakers, jewelry, accessories and more.
— Oddity Central
What do they call “Joe Sixpack?” The German version of the term “Average Joe” is Otto Normalverbraucher, which translates to “Otto normal consumer.”
— Mental Floss
The world’s turned upside down. An art historian discovered that a famous piece of abstract art by Piet Mondrian has been hanging upside down in a German museum for 75 years.
— Huffington Post
Everyone’s dream job. A Japanese man rents himself out at $70 per hour to do… nothing.
— Reuters
The new normal. After a two-year Covid sabbatical, the World Gravy Wrestling Championships returned to Lancashire, England in August.
— BBC
Life of the party? In Longyearbyen, Norway it is illegal to die.
— Half as Interesting
The definition of news. They say that the true test of news is when “man bites dog.” Now there is proof. Police in Germany have arrested a man for biting a service dog. And it’s not fake news.
— Associated Press
It’s the law! The State of New Hampshire has 10 official and honorary state songs. Not to be outdone, Tennessee has 11.
— The History Guy
The Month of November
Month of the Month
In case you weren’t aware November is: Children's Grief Awareness Month; Epilepsy Awareness Month; Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month; Hepatitis C (HCV) Education, Awareness and Screening Month; Historic Bridge Awareness Month Link; Lung Cancer Awareness Month; Manatee Awareness Month; National PPSI AIDS Awareness Month; National Long-term Care Awareness Month; National Marrow Awareness Month; National Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Awareness & Appreciation Month; National Pet Cancer Awareness Month; Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month; Prematurity Awareness Month; Stomach Cancer Awareness Month; and Sweet Potato Awareness Month.
Now that you’re aware, keep in mind that today, November 15, is National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day and Roc Your Mocs Day. (What?)
Question of the Month
With the recent switch from Daylight Savings Time, let’s talk time zones. Which U.S. time zone contains the most states? And what U.S. time zone covers the most land area? Hint: they’re not the same.
Take your time to answer.
Quote of the Month
“The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor.”
— Hubert H. Humphrey
