In the society and at work. They are intimidatingly independent. So much so that they get what they want at the snap of their fingers.(well that's how it appears to the world). Truth is, the society holds the big chic in little awe. She dazzles them with her brilliance and then her ability to compete favourably with her male counterparts astounds them.
More often than not, society, not understanding her intelligence whilst being a woman amongst men stereotypes her. Says Dr. Aina, a psychologist. Intelligent women are therefore more often than not labelled "Bitches" since they are not an understood phenomenon. He says.
Within the male circle, she is seen as an enigma who should be treated with utmost courtsey. Because she seems larger than life, it takes the very confident male to seek her out and understand her. More often than not, she is seen on the outside as the dominant pair, but then Education is all about asserting yourself. The Big Chic is big because she is enlightened and of course, educated.

I am sure everyone can remember the ZAIN case not quite three months ago. Two collegues, one senior, the other fresh, decided to take a romantic trip together to Ghana (so the rumor said). They decided to spend most of their indoors, naked and doing the nasty, nothing wrong there. Then they decided to take pictures of this as memorabilia; this was the error. They lost the camera (where, they could not quite remember) and it turned up several weeks later along with pictures of the vacation. At this point rumors started flying, they were both married and were having a fling, he was married, she was an intern trying to get ahead, zain sacked them both and so on...Investigations started and although neither party is married or engaged (they are really together as a couple), the damage was done. They were not sacked but they have had to maintain very low profiles ever since. Were the pictures worth it?
In the last month alone, i have seen two sexually explicit videos of two different working ladies, one with a fellow collegue in his apartment, the other with a 'customer' in the office (???). Why are the working ladies bringing this fab into their working places?
As sexually invigorating as taking pictures or making videos of sex is (truly it can be), it is advisable to think through the consequences before venturing into it. Most companies generally frown upon intra-office relationship mostly because of scandals that may ensue. It is really not wise to cause your job marketable status any dent with scandals trailing your name. If you must have a sexual relationship with someone in your office, try as much as possible to keep it low-key. (And if you must have sex in the office, please don't make a video, no director would see the humor in it).

Your Company's objective in establishing a business casual dress code, is to allow our employees to work comfortably in the workplace. Yet, we still need our employees to project a professional image for our customers, potential employees, and community visitors. Business casual dress is the standard for this dress code. Because all casual clothing is not suitable for the office, these guidelines will help you determine what is appropriate to wear to work. Clothing that works well for the beach, yard work, dance clubs, exercise sessions, and sports contests may not be appropriate for a professional appearance at work.
Guide to Business Casual Dressing for Work
This is a general overview of appropriate business casual attire. Items that are not appropriate for the office are listed, too. Neither list is all-inclusive and both are open to change. The lists tell you what is generally acceptable as business casual attire and what is generally not acceptable as business casual attire.
Slacks, Pants, and Suit Pants: Slacks that are similar to Dockers and other makers of cotton or synthetic material pants, wool pants, flannel pants,dressy capris, and nice looking dress synthetic pants are acceptable. Inappropriate slacks or pants include jeans, sweatpants, exercise pants, Bermuda shorts, short shorts, shorts, bib overalls, leggings, and any spandex or other form-fitting pants such as people wear for biking.
Skirts, Dresses, and Skirted Suits: Casual dresses and skirts, and skirts that are split at or below the knee are acceptable. Dress and skirt length should be at a length at which you can sit comfortably in public. Short, tight skirts that ride halfway up the thigh are inappropriate for work. Mini-skirts, skorts, sun dresses, beach dresses, and spaghetti-strap dresses are inappropriate for the office.
Shirts, Tops, Blouses, and Jackets: Casual shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, tops, golf-type shirts, and turtlenecks are acceptable attire for work. Most suit jackets or sport jackets are also acceptable attire for the office, if they violate none of the listed guidelines. Inappropriate attire for work includes tank tops; midriff tops; shirts with potentially offensive words, terms, logos, pictures, cartoons, or slogans; halter-tops; tops with bare shoulders; sweatshirts, and t-shirts unless worn under another blouse, shirt, jacket, or dress.
Shoes and Footwear: Conservative athletic or walking shoes, loafers, clogs, sneakers, boots, flats, dress heels, and leather deck-type shoes are acceptable for work. Wearing no stockings is acceptable in warm weather. Flashy athletic shoes, thongs, flip-flops, slippers, and any shoe with an open toe are not acceptable in the office. Closed toe and closed heel shoes are required in the manufacturing operation area.
Jewelry, Makeup, Perfume, and Cologne should be in good taste, with limited visible body piercing. Remember, that some employees are allergic to the chemicals in perfumes and make-up, so wear these substances with restraint.
Hats and Head Covering: Hats are not appropriate in the office. Head Covers that are required for religious purposes or to honor cultural tradition are allowed.
Your goal to getting dressed for work is to project a professional, competent image, regardless of your employement level or career path. The styles, colors, lengths and fit of your fashion choices will speak volumes about your ability to do your job. If you are concerned about your career, you'll be more concerned with looking professional than looking cute or trendy.
In general, the more distracting a piece of clothing or jewelry is, the less appropriate it is for office wear.

Your Company's objective in establishing a business casual dress code, is to allow our employees to work comfortably in the workplace. Yet, we still need our employees to project a professional image for our customers, potential employees, and community visitors. Business casual dress is the standard for this dress code. Because all casual clothing is not suitable for the office, these guidelines will help you determine what is appropriate to wear to work. Clothing that works well for the beach, yard work, dance clubs, exercise sessions, and sports contests may not be appropriate for a professional appearance at work.
Guide to Business Casual Dressing for Work
This is a general overview of appropriate business casual attire. Items that are not appropriate for the office are listed, too. Neither list is all-inclusive and both are open to change. The lists tell you what is generally acceptable as business casual attire and what is generally not acceptable as business casual attire.
Slacks, Pants, and Suit Pants: Slacks that are similar to Dockers and other makers of cotton or synthetic material pants, wool pants, flannel pants,dressy capris, and nice looking dress synthetic pants are acceptable. Inappropriate slacks or pants include jeans, sweatpants, exercise pants, Bermuda shorts, short shorts, shorts, bib overalls, leggings, and any spandex or other form-fitting pants such as people wear for biking.
Skirts, Dresses, and Skirted Suits: Casual dresses and skirts, and skirts that are split at or below the knee are acceptable. Dress and skirt length should be at a length at which you can sit comfortably in public. Short, tight skirts that ride halfway up the thigh are inappropriate for work. Mini-skirts, skorts, sun dresses, beach dresses, and spaghetti-strap dresses are inappropriate for the office.
Shirts, Tops, Blouses, and Jackets: Casual shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, tops, golf-type shirts, and turtlenecks are acceptable attire for work. Most suit jackets or sport jackets are also acceptable attire for the office, if they violate none of the listed guidelines. Inappropriate attire for work includes tank tops; midriff tops; shirts with potentially offensive words, terms, logos, pictures, cartoons, or slogans; halter-tops; tops with bare shoulders; sweatshirts, and t-shirts unless worn under another blouse, shirt, jacket, or dress.
Shoes and Footwear: Conservative athletic or walking shoes, loafers, clogs, sneakers, boots, flats, dress heels, and leather deck-type shoes are acceptable for work. Wearing no stockings is acceptable in warm weather. Flashy athletic shoes, thongs, flip-flops, slippers, and any shoe with an open toe are not acceptable in the office. Closed toe and closed heel shoes are required in the manufacturing operation area.
Jewelry, Makeup, Perfume, and Cologne should be in good taste, with limited visible body piercing. Remember, that some employees are allergic to the chemicals in perfumes and make-up, so wear these substances with restraint.
Hats and Head Covering: Hats are not appropriate in the office. Head Covers that are required for religious purposes or to honor cultural tradition are allowed.
Your goal to getting dressed for work is to project a professional, competent image, regardless of your employement level or career path. The styles, colors, lengths and fit of your fashion choices will speak volumes about your ability to do your job. If you are concerned about your career, you'll be more concerned with looking professional than looking cute or trendy.
In general, the more distracting a piece of clothing or jewelry is, the less appropriate it is for office wear.

Sexual harassment is intimidation, bullying or coercion of a sexual nature, or the unwelcome or inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favors. It includes a range of behavior from seemingly mild transgressions and annoyances to actual sexual abuse or sexual assault. Sexual harassment is a form of illegal employment discrimination in many countries, and is a form of abuse (sexual and psychological) and bullying.
Sexual harassment can occur in a variety of circumstances. Often, but not always, the harasser is in a position of power or authority over the victim (due to differences in age, or social, political, educational or employment relationships).
The harasser can be anyone, such as a client, a co-worker, a teacher or professor, a student, a friend, or a stranger. The victim does not have to be the person directly harassed but can be anyone who finds the behavior offensive and is affected by it.While adverse effects on the victim are common, this does not have to be the case for the behavior to be unlawful.The victim can be any gender. The harasser can any gender. The harasser does not have to be of the opposite sex. The harasser may be completely unaware that his or her behavior is offensive or constitutes sexual harassment or may be completely unaware that his or her actions could be unlawful.
For many businesses, preventing sexual harassment, and defending employees from sexual harassment charges, have become key goals of legal decision-making.
There is usually more than one type of harassing behavior present, so a single harasser will often fit more than one category. These are brief summations of each type.
Power-player - Legally termed "quid pro quo" harassment, these harassers insist on sexual favors in exchange for benefits they can dispense because of their positions in hierarchies: getting or keeping a job, favorable grades, recommendations, credentials, projects, promotion, orders, and other types of opportunities.
Mother/Father Figure(a.k.a. The Counselor-Helper) - These harassers will try to create mentor-like relationships with their targets, all the while masking their sexual intentions with pretenses towards personal, professional, or academic attention.
Serial Harasser - Harassers of this type carefully build up an image so that people would find it hard to believe they would do anyone any harm. They plan their approaches carefully, and strike in private so that it is their word against that of their victims.
Groper - Whenever the opportunity presents itself, these harassers' eyes and hands begin to wander, engaging in unwanted physical contact that may start innocuous but lead to worse.
Opportunist - Opportunist use physical settings and circumstances, or infrequently occurring opportunities, to mask premeditated or intentional sexual behavior towards targets. This will often involve changing the environment in order to minimize inhibitory effects of the workplace or school or taking advantage of physical tasks to 'accidentally' grope a target.
Bully - In this case, sexual harassment is used to punish the victim for some transgression, such as rejection of the harasser's interest or advances, or making the harasser feel insecure about himself or herself or his or her abilities. The bully uses sexual harassment to put the victim in his or her "proper place."
Confidante - Harassers of this type approach subordinates, or students, as equals or friends, sharing about their own life experiences and difficulties, sharing stories to win admiration and sympathy, and inviting subordinates to share theirs so as to make them feel valued and trusted. Soon these relationships move into an intimate domain.
Pest - This is the stereotypical "won't take 'no' for an answer" harasser who persists in hounding a target for attention and dates even after persistent rejections. This behavior is usually misguided, with no malicious intent.
Great Gallant - This mostly verbal harassment involves excessive compliments and personal comments that focus on appearance and gender, and are out of place or embarrassing to the recipient. Such comments are sometimes accompanied by leering looks.
Incompetent - These are socially inept individuals who desire the attentions of their targets, who do not reciprocate these feelings. They may display a sense of entitlement, believing their targets should feel flattered by their attentions. When rejected, this type of harasser may use bullying methods as a form of revenge.
Stalking - The persistent watching, following, contacting or observing of an individual, sometimes motivated by what the stalker believes to be love, or by sexual obsession, or by anger and hostility.
Unintentional - Acts or comments of a sexual nature, not intended to harass, can constitute sexual harassment if another person feels uncomfortable with such subjects.

Now that the different types of harrasser-victim relationships have been explained, we are discussing the action to take if you are caught in such a situation.
Please note that sleeeping with your boss to get ahead is NOT sexual harassment. In order to constitute harassment, sexual advances must be "unwelcome." If an employee by her conduct shows that sexual advances are unwelcome, it does not matter that she eventually "voluntarily" succumbs to the harassment. In deciding whether the sexual advances are "unwelcome," the courts will often allow evidence concerning the employee's dress, behavior and language, as indications of whether the employee "welcomed" the advances.
Employees subjected to sexual harassment should immediately notify their supervisor. If the supervisor is the harasser, the worker should go to the supervisor's superiors. Employers cannot solve the problem if they do not know about it. If there is a grievance procedure, employees should use it. Victims should keep a written record of all incidents of harassment, detailing the place, time, persons involved and any witnesses. Victims can also express their disapproval of the conduct to the perpetrator and tell him or her to stop. It is imperative that the complaint be made within a year of the incident(s).
In other countries, there are commissions that you can submit these reports/complaints to (for example, the EEOC in America) but unfortunately Nigeria has no such body yet. Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello was canvassing support for the creation of an agency that would prosecute people accused of sexual harassment, rape or incest in January 2008 but it hasn't seen fruition yet. You can however sue the harasser or the company (if you feel your allegations are not taken seriously enough or the harassment resulted into rape). A list of credible lawyers that specialize on sexual harassment in Nigeria can be gotten from www.hg.org by selecting country and type of suit.
Sexual Harassment should not be taken for granted. It is a crime!If you are ever involved in such a scenerio please take appropriate measures, you can help stop it from happening to the next victim.

Now that the different types of harrasser-victim relationships have been explained, we are discussing the action to take if you are caught in such a situation.
Please note that sleeeping with your boss to get ahead is NOT sexual harassment. In order to constitute harassment, sexual advances must be "unwelcome." If an employee by her conduct shows that sexual advances are unwelcome, it does not matter that she eventually "voluntarily" succumbs to the harassment. In deciding whether the sexual advances are "unwelcome," the courts will often allow evidence concerning the employee's dress, behavior and language, as indications of whether the employee "welcomed" the advances.
Employees subjected to sexual harassment should immediately notify their supervisor. If the supervisor is the harasser, the worker should go to the supervisor's superiors. Employers cannot solve the problem if they do not know about it. If there is a grievance procedure, employees should use it. Victims should keep a written record of all incidents of harassment, detailing the place, time, persons involved and any witnesses. Victims can also express their disapproval of the conduct to the perpetrator and tell him or her to stop. It is imperative that the complaint be made within a year of the incident(s).
In other countries, there are commissions that you can submit these reports/complaints to (for example, the EEOC in America) but unfortunately Nigeria has no such body yet. Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello was canvassing support for the creation of an agency that would prosecute people accused of sexual harassment, rape or incest in January 2008 but it hasn't seen fruition yet. You can however sue the harasser or the company (if you feel your allegations are not taken seriously enough or the harassment resulted into rape). A list of credible lawyers that specialize on sexual harassment in Nigeria can be gotten from www.hg.org by selecting country and type of suit.
Sexual Harassment should not be taken for granted. It is a crime!If you are ever involved in such a scenerio please take appropriate measures, you can help stop it from happening to the next victim.

Christmas is one of the most special and joyous occasions. Christmas signifies rejoicing, love, joy and happiness.
Christmas gifts enable you to experience the happiness of giving and making others happy. One thing that must be considered while buying Christmas gifts is the cost. Do not think that Christmas gifts having higher price are more appreciable. Just be sure to give a classy gift and you’ll be fine.
When the boss gives beautiful Christmas gifts to his employees and vice versa, it is called corporate Christmas gifts. In light of the holidays, Sisterspeak is helping you pick out the right gift for your boss(es) and colleagues.
Significant Corporate Christmas Gift Ideas
If you want to send the corporate Christmas gifts to business clients or corporate clients then you may go for Christmas gift basket of Belgium chocolates and gourmet foods. This Christmas gift basket is the ideal way to appreciate their consistent support. Avoid giving out cheap-looking ‘hampers’.
If you are looking for corporate Christmas gift idea for executive at higher post then you can go for personalized items; ties, wallets, card holders, paperweights, expensive pens, handkerchiefs, lunch totes, travelling bags, laptop bags, briefcases and so on.
For the colleagues, department members and such, table decorations, gift baskets, mouse pads, clocks, calendars, photo frames and generally gifts that have a personal touch to them. If you are looking for a commonly used corporate Christmas gift then you may go for just wines and/or chocolates. They are the perfect corporate Christmas gift ideas.
The key to a great gift is class not price. The packaging of the gift goes a long way in how the gift is received so remember to avoid tacky wrapping paper and stick with plain red, green or gold wrapping paper or ribbons. If possible avoid wrapping and put thee gifts in decorative boxes. Ensure that the gifts don’t look tawdry but appealing.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year from Sisterspeak.