Audio: You're Playing With Fire When You Negotiate

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Nice audio clip, Liz; thanks for posting it.
I agree that one should be discreet about job searches. That said, I find it interesting to think that an employer would, these days, consider an employee to be less trustworthy because she was known to have looked around and decided to stay.
Employers should assume that everyone's staying aware of their options, and, rather than considering it a breach of loyalty, they should take it that they're doing something right because their employees are staying on. They should be specifically looking at ways to motivate their good employees to stay, over the long term. Even if there's an overstock of potential employees, there's always a shortage of the top picks, the ones you, as a boss, would lie in front of a bulldozer to keep.
Many employers are changing benefits to make them more attractive to the job-grazers, at the expense of their long-term employees. In the end, that's short-sighted.

Barry Leiba of NY 3:17PM August 25, 2008

To "Boss",
Hey guy (either sex), markets are down, and stuff's not moving like it ought to, but my bills keep going on, plus, my daily expenses are climbing. I need to get a part time job at night (day)to cut the mustard, and I am hoping I can get your blessing on this.
Of course, if you think my performance is being affected, even slightly, I want to hear your thoughts, but we all have to meet the mortgage or dump it; one or the other. Maybe you have some extra stuff I could do here for a little more money. I mean, I know times are tough, and the trend is toward "temps", but you know who I am (and that I at least make the scene every day), and you are already picking up my medical and 401K contribution,so naturally, if I don't have to pound the pavement, I would rather solve my problem here than somewhere else.
Never negotiate from fear. It's only money, and in a lifetime, high and low money times come and go. That's what savings accounts are all about, or, if you like to live tight, then take the hit when you lose your shirt, and don't whine.
Be of value, and you don't have to worry about being laid off. Let your boss worry about you jumping ship.
WCW

William C. Weaver of KY 2:33PM August 25, 2008