Adapted from Working with Bitches by Meredith Fuller

The Excluder sees other women as oxygen thieves if there is no personal gain from communicating with them. She can pretend you don’t exist and fail to pass on important information.
The solution:
Don’t chase after her. The more you dance after her, the more she ignores you. Minimum required communication and protocols such as basic greeting is likely to result from a stern word from a more senior manager. Make sure you obtain necessary information from any other sources.

The Insecure micromanages everyone, trusts no one and thinks that no one knows better than she does.
The solution:
She is usually anxious and worried; this drives her perfectionism. She needs regular updates to allay her fears, so keep her updated before she chases you. Keep your work and desk tidy to get her off your back. Determine the type of outcomes needed, and reassure deadlines/delivery/quality standard/success. Get up as soon as she strides over to your desk so that you can speak with her without her peering over your shoulder at your computer.
She has to nit pick, so the fewer criticisms the better and consider that as praise. Make sure you have colleagues or friends to give you feedback about how well you did on the project.

The Toxic is a two-faced game-player who should never be trusted. She’ll suck up to you and be your best friend one minute, then gossip about you the next.
The solution:
Keep your distance figuratively and literally. Physical closeness makes it easier for her to slime you, vampire your energy and irritate you with her blackness. Refuse to gossip; refuse to let her whisper or mutter ambiguous statements — call her on them.

The Narcissist is a self-serving ego-centric mean girl who expects everyone to admire her. She doesn’t care about the good of the company, only about looking good, and expects you to feed her ego.
The solution:
Don’t expect much, if anything. If you need her buy-in on a project she needs to think it will be a feather in her cap, or offer an opportunity to bathe in the light. Let her — she probably does it well. If she is denied applause and attention, she will sulk and turn belligerent and de-motivated.  Never become a handmaiden by doing personal favors or odd-jobs such as minding her animals, or covering for yet another manicure trip when she is supposed to be at a meeting. If you notice something about her (such as fabulous shoes) before you start the task with her, she is less likely to resist. Things will take longer, so allocate a little more time when working with her.

The Screamer cries for attention, yells to intimidate, screams to insult, and then yells some more for good measure.
The solution:
Two year olds in supermarkets do this. Notice the smart parents who stand away from the flailing limbs, breathe deeply, wait, or comfortably refuse to engage. No point trying to outscream her—she has more practice. If your organization is ok for you to say “I’ll come back when you are calmer,” leave. Humor may defuse the situation. Keep your distance, and stay close to a doorway—don’t allow her to box you in. Also check—is she rude and unaware? Some screamers have never been told about their unacceptable behavior (because people are too afraid; they assume she must have been told but it doesn’t work; or she has slipped through performance review cracks for so long it doesn’t seem worth it.) Sometimes, kind feeback can help. Remember, that level of anger usually hides hurt or resentment.

The Liar has mastered the art of excuses, quick fibs and charming manipulations.
The solution:
Never trust them. Never be alone with them — they will twist whatever is said or done. They like the game, and usually escalate. At some point they will have to go, but you may not wish to wait them out if you report directly.

The Incompetent lacks knowledge, work ethic and awareness. She makes you do the work for her or takes credit for your work in order to make herself look good.
The solution:
Her arrogance may be defensiveness or she simply doesn’t know what she doesn’t know. She will be suspicious that any info or advice from you is to show her up or is a challenge rather than support, so get it across from neutral sources — e.g. association newssheets or tips, articles, or other people.

The Not-a-Bitch may have an unfortunate or disagreeable manner, but is just trying to do her job.
The solution:
Look at your own behavior — don’t project your laziness, tardiness, lack of attention or lack of manners onto her. Learn from her.

The post 8 Types of workplace bitches — and how to handle them appeared first on Metro.us.

Fortune recently released a list of the Top 100 companies to work for. At the top of the list was Google, followed by the analytic software company SAS and CHG Healthcare Services in Salt Lake City. Each organization varies greatly in size and product, yet they are all developing a positive, successful environment.  Looking closer, it appears these companies are doing many of the same things right.

Fun and freedom are a common thread for the companies on Fortune’s list. “If it isn’t fun, no one is going to be there for very long. Team outings, ping pong tournaments — whatever fits your culture — create opportunities to laugh and to see each other outside of just your day-to-day professional titles,” explains Nick Worswick, corporate vice president and general manager, at Seamless.com.

CHG Healthcare, number three on the list, keeps things lively with employee talent shows and trivia tournaments. Casual get-togethers and friendly competition often aid in talent recognition and team-building.

These tactics keep employees happy, which is vital in the hospitality business. Coming in at No. 28 on Fortune’s list was Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, owners of Philadelphia’s Hotel Palomar and Hotel Monaco. “At Kimpton, fostering a culture of care with a focus on fun has proven to be a recipe for success,” explains Mike Depatie, CEO, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. “Our employees are our brand, which is why we place an incredible amount of emphasis on making them feel their best at work.”

The perks of being an employee

It’s safe to say we all want work to be fun, but fun isn’t the only thing that makes for happy employees.

“While perks like free cappuccino, rock-climbing walls and nap rooms are very nice, they remain perks,” says Doug Claffey, CEO of employee survey company, Workplace Dynamics. “What we have found is that while these benefits are nice to have, they don’t drive true employee satisfaction.” According to a 2012 Workplace Dynamics survey of 1.7 million workers, people most desire the chance to be heard as well as a “visionary and inspirational leader that employees are confident in.” It probably doesn’t hurt, though, if that leader wants to put in a foosball table.

The post They wouldn’t call it work if it was supposed to be fun, right? appeared first on Metro.us.

But there’s a fine line between having some fun and misbehaving, Etiquette Advisor Jo Bryant, of the UK’s leading authority on modern manners, Debrett’s, tells Metro: “The aim is to keep your dignity. You’re socializing with your colleagues, but with your bosses as well. It’s about creating the right impression while making it seem like you’re relaxed.” She talks us through the do’s and the don’ts:

Look the part

DO meet workplace standards:

“Make sure you look smart and well groomed and that you’re fitting in with the ethos of the office. If you work in a very corporate environment, you’ll probably be going somewhere smarter so dress appropriately.” 

DON’T overdo it:

“If you work in a more relaxed office atmosphere, turning up in your best party frock when everyone else is in jeans, might not be appropriate.”

Dress the part

DO wear something different:

“This will help create that distinction between it being a Christmas party—not a Monday morning. You want to look good—but that doesn’t mean you should be going over the top and wearing something really out there.”

DON’T wear what you wore to the office that day:

“If everyone else is going to make an effort and get changed, do the same.”

Bulk up the contacts

DO circulate and socialize:

“Now is the perfect opportunity to chat to people you might not normally speak to or have open access to—like the big boss. Make the most of it.” 

 

DON’T be arrogant:

“Get your behavior up to scratch. As you go around the room, stop to speak to people higher up in the pecking order. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore people of lower ranking than you.”

Be chill

DO impress people without promoting yourself:

“This isn’t the time to ask for  a pay rise or complain. Avoid office chat- unless the big boss instigates it and seems keen to get your opinion. But equally if you can talk to them about their family and their holidays, they might see you as more than just another member of staff.”



DON’T shun your colleagues:

“Never neglect your team and spend the entire party schmoozing everyone else. Equally, don’t just cling on to them and feel nervous about making new work friends.”

Know your limits

DO drink but don’t get drunk:

“Hold yourself. If you’re drunker than your companions, that’s a big no-no. You should never be the drunkest person at the party.”



DON’T be a party pooper:

“If you’re feeling as though things are getting out of control and decide to stop drinking, don’t make a big thing about it. Hang in there and don’t draw too much attention to yourself. Order a tonic water so it still looks like you’re having a drink.”  

The morning after

DO be sensible:

“If the next day is a full working day then arrive on time. Organize a quiet day for yourself—hopefully you won’t have been crazy enough to schedule the most important meeting of the year at 10am.”

DON’T broadcast a hangover:

“Put on the freshest face you possibly can and deal with it in a discreet manner. You’ll probably struggle through the day but don’t go on about how much pain you’re in. No one wants to know, because everyone else is feeling the same.”

Analysis: Why you  should stay clear of office romance

As you get carried away in the festive spirit and drink too much mulled wine with a cute colleague- one thing  could lead to another and  you could end up getting a  little too close: 

“Hooking up with a  colleague is something you’ll probably regret in the morning,” explains  Bryant. “It’s not the kind  of one-night stand you can  walk away from and forget  about because the moment you get back into the office  you’re going to be face-to- face with your mistake. And if other people find out, you’re not going to do your career any favors. Having said that, romance might blossom. If it’s a drunken Christmas thing, it  probably wasn’t worth it.”  

Things to avoid: Etiquette Advisor Jo Bryant

1. Drunken confrontations

No matter how tempting it might be- now is not the time to settle your differences with a colleague– rise above it and let them look the fool.

2. Solo dancing 

If everyone else is shaking it out on the dance floor, then fine. But don’t the only person on the dance floor for a long period of time.  

3. Not focusing

Focus your attention the right way. Tonight is about fine-tuning your attentions, speaking to the right people and having a good time. If you’re step out of line in any way then people will

remember you as the embarrassing person.

The post How to behave at the office Christmas party appeared first on Metro.us.

In an email obtained by Metro,  CEO Bill Holiber told employees the office’s building, 4 New York Plaza, suffered serious damage to the infrastructure during the storm, including electrical issues. Holiber said it could be nine months before the building is fully repaired and Daily News officials are now looking for an alternative work site for the next year.

Some staff members have been operating out of Liberty View, a building in the Financial District, since the storm hit New York City at the end of October. Other employees have been working remotely, according to the email, which follows:

To All 4 NYP-based Employees of Daily News and US News,

To state the obvious, these past two weeks have been a whirlwind for our Companies.  Under extremely difficult circumstances and against all odds, we were able to continue operations and deliver the news to New Yorkers and interested readers throughout the U.S.  You should all be proud of this incredible accomplishment. I, for one, am amazed by what we have been able to do. There are numerous people to thank, in fact, too many to mention by name.

What I want to do is bring you up to date on what the future options are that we are planning for. It is a fluid situation, but I will share with you what I understand to be the case right now.

We do not believe that we will be returning to 4 New York Plaza as quickly as we would all like. As of this morning, water is still being pumped out of the building. There is also significant damage to the infrastructure (electrical components, etc. that were located in the lower levels) of the building that must be addressed. Based on our knowledge, we believe it prudent to plan for being out of 4 New York Plaza for approximately 9 months. As a result, we are in the process of looking for office space in Manhattan for all of our NY-based employees for up to a year.  There are many variables that need to be taken into consideration in finding appropriate temporary space that meets our needs.  The most significant is the technological capabilities we require to operate efficiently.  I am not sure how long identifying such space will take, but I assure you that we are using every possible means to secure the temporary Manhattan space we desire as soon as we can.
Putting a timetable on this will surely get me into trouble but, hopefully, we will all be re-located by the end of January.  Please understand that many things could come up to alter this goal.

In the meantime, we will do what we can to improve our current situation while at the Liberty View site, such as installing equipment, which has already been ordered, to strengthen cell phone signals at the plant.

We are lucky that the plant has the space to accommodate us and that so many of our employees are able to operate remotely.  We thank our Liberty View based coworkers for being so hospitable to us. Things are working, we are connected, the paper, web sites, advertising, printing and distribution regained full capacity quite quickly.  I wish we could eliminate the inconvenience experienced by many of you commuting to the plant, but with the recent opening of Path service and other alternatives that were not originally available; the commute should be much improved for all.

I’ll keep you posted as soon as I have more information.  If anyone has any questions, thoughts or concerns send me a email, ask me questions when we pass in the building, or stop by my new “digs” upstairs, in the front of the building.

Bill

The post New York Daily News to be out of its office for up to a year post-Sandy appeared first on Metro.us.

After his recent stint in the joint following a domestic dispute during which he allegedly headbutted his new bride Evelyn Lozada, things only got worse. The following day, Johnson’s downward spiral continued in the office of Miami Dolphins coach Joe Philbin.

The HBO documentary series “Hard Knocks,” which chronicles the team, had its cameras rolling when Johnson showed up to Philbin’s office in an attempt to save his job. He desperately scrambled to apologize for embarrassing the team (understatement of the year) and even resorted to lying to Philbin.

“Coach, I’ve never been in trouble before. Ever,” Johnson fibbed.

The trouble with that statement is that Ochocinco has been in trouble before. In fact, the exact same kind of trouble. As TMZ reports, he was arrested and convicted of domestic violence in 2001 after slapping his former girlfriend across the face.

However, it seems like Philbin already had his mind made up about Johnson before he even arrived. At the beginning of a clip, he can be heard on a phone conversation lamenting Johnson’s unfavorable tweeting habits and his F-bomb melt down at a press conference. 

“I just think it’s best for both us that we just kind of part ways at this point in time,” Philbin told Johnson.

Wife-less, team-less — where will Ochocinco go from here?

The post Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson gets cut from the Miami Dolphins on ‘Hard Knocks’ appeared first on Metro.us.

Talent management expert Ron Sims attributes the workplace blues primarily to feelings of confinement. With drastic reductions in staff over the last several years, “companies are doing a lot more with a lot less people, so workers can’t afford to leave,” he says.

Though most employees would gladly take their unhappy selves elsewhere, “there’s a fear that there are no options available,” says Sims.  “Folks used to have the option of walking in and walking out, whereas the lack of choice now drives disengagement.”

Despite the slump, companies can still incorporate optimism into the picture. According to Sims, the happiest workplaces are:

1. Appreciative: “People feel valued. What we have found critical is the importance of recognition and acknowledgement, even in gestures as simple as coming around and thanking people for their time and work.”

2. Honest: “Management is open and transparent. The company encourages everyone to discuss concerns.”

3. Proactive: “Though the situation is tight, there are still career management opportunities to learn and develop within the company.”

Always look on the bright side of work

It’s not as tough as it seems. “Folks who handle this the best are those that understand the context, though they’re not necessarily pleased, and try to make the best out of the situation. Instead of complaining, there may be something you can do in the job to make yourself more satisfied and, frankly, more happy.”

The post 3 qualities of happy workplaces appeared first on Metro.us.

Fitness guru Mark Allen, co-author of “Fit Soul, Fit Body: 9 Keys to a Healthier, Happier You,” stresses the importance of setting realistic goals for your schedule — and then taking time to reflect on those goals throughout the work day. “Sometimes the reason we get discouraged is because we allow our mood to influence our actions,” he says. “Maybe you’ve had a bad day and tell yourself it’s pointless to work out, or you convince yourself it’s too hard. Instead, set aside a quiet time to reflect on your goals.”

If the constant barrage of sugary snacks in the break room is beating down your diet willpower, Allen suggests you get back on track by writing yourself a contract that you can stick to. Keep it simple, clear and attainable, such as: “By my June 1 doctor’s appointment, I aim to have lowered my cholesterol by 10 points and lost 10 pounds.”

The buddy exercise system can be valuable in the office, not just at the gym. Jill Spiegel, author of “How to Talk to Anyone About Anything! The Secrets to Connecting,” believes in finding a “walk partner” at work. “Next time you’re chatting in the break room or talking in the lobby, positively share your [health] goals with your co-workers,” says Spiegel. “Energy is contagious.”

Quick fit tips

Looking to get a little exercise in at work? Laurie Kendall-Ellis, executive director of the American Physical Therapy Association, gave us these tips for boosting energy at work.

1. Park the car farther away. Alternate swinging your arms as you walk at a brisk pace. This will increase your heart rate and the value of the walk.

2. While at your desk, squeeze your shoulder blades back and down while taking a deep breath in. Look straight ahead as you do this. It’s a chance to move out of the head-down posture that so many of us assume with texting and computer work.

Work & weight

What’s holding you back? In a survey by CareerBuilder, the majority of workers identified being stationary at a desk as the main culprit. But that wasn’t the only problem:
   
Sitting at a desk: 36 percent
Eating out: 16 percent
Skipping meals: 13 percent
Workplace parties: 12 percent

The post How to stay healthy at the office appeared first on Metro.us.

Key pieces
   
Pile on the accessories: Chunky bracelets, cute chains and rings galore can add edge and a bit of personality to a boring corporate suit.

1. Stephan & Co. metal bangle seven-pack, $38, www.madewell.com

2. La Mer black and gold Pyramid Wrap Watch, $110, www.lamercollections.com

Swap jeans for pants: Even if you tuck in an old T-shirt with these, you’ll look presentable.

3. Jenni Kayne Pleated pants, $270, www.shopbop.com

Pantone did declare “Tangerine Tango” as the color of the year.

4. H&M orange pants, $50, www.handm.com

Dresses aren’t just for nights out: Get double duty out of your fancy numbers by dressing them down with flats or boots and a cardigan for work.

5. Zara dress with  elasticated waist, $60, www.zara.com

Step up the footwear: Rule number one about braving heels:?It’s perfectly respectable to wear flats and change at your desk. And remember — platform heels are a comfier option.

6. SHOWCASE2 Double Platforms, $124, www.topshop.com

If you’re still not convinced, at least get some interesting flats.

7. Manney Camel Spot  slippers, $60, www.topshop.com

The post How to look professional, cool and comfortable at the office appeared first on Metro.us.

1. Identify your genius: “Take time to do a self-diagnosis of the six ingredients that I argue contribute to genius: values, passion, creative abilities, strength, skills and expertise. Think, ‘in my own life, what are my values, creative abilities and passions?’ I consider those to be a person’s soft personal assets. People have been conditioned to focus on their professional identity, so they don’t really think about their values. Then I ask them to think about their professional hard assets, which are strengths, skills and expertise. When I ask people about to tell me their strengths, a lot of people know because this is what they are measured against in their performance evaluations. The next challenge is to identify where the soft and the hard intersect. That, to me, is where genius resides: It’s between the heart and the mind, between what you love and what you are good it. A lot of us check half of ourselves at the revolving doors of our offices — we can no longer do that if we want to be competitive, innovative. You think only the logic, strategic and professional side of who you are matters at work, but that is no longer the case. The whole self matters.”

2. Surround yourself with genius: “Look at who you are spending your time with. Sometimes, you have to remove people. That is the hard reality.”

3. Express your genius: “‘Express’ is about telling your true story.  Check out your résumé. Is it showing the whole picture, or just half of who you are? If you have a blog, are you truly expressing all sides of yourself? Most of us only express one side of who we are: Moms tell mom stories. Lawyers tell lawyer stories. Doctors tell doctor stories. Expressing genius is about really sharing the full story of who you are, and learning how to play with the tools available for effective storytelling. We are living in a communications-on-steroids environment, so expression today really matters, online and offline.”

4. Sustain your genius: “This is about paying attention to what you eat, exercising and feeling the body. This is a lifestyle proposition. A lot of people know what they should be doing to stay healthy, but not a lot of people make the connection that if you don’t take care of your body and mind, you are losing competitive advantage.”

5. Market your genius: “Everyone has this bittersweet opposing force within them, which I call a ‘paradox.’ Everyone should market their paradox. A lot of us try to conform and be one way, or be what our organization wants us to be. That’s not appealing. You need to out your difference, and that means that if you play in a band and you are a CEO, you need share that. If you are a lawyer who is also a former graffiti artist, well, that’s fascinating. People care about how different you are, how unique you are.”

Genius generators

Rudan recommends finding the following types of people to help you bring out your full potential.

Yodas: Your mentors
Ambassadors: “Connectors,” she says. “People who are going to introduce you to others and be your cheerleader.”
Fat brains: People under 30. “They are brilliant. I think that a ‘fat brain’ should sit on every corporate board. Multigenerational relationships work.”

The post How to tap into your inner genius appeared first on Metro.us.

Relationship status

A recent survey conducted by Adecco polled more than 800 Americans and revealed that 23 percent find relationship status to be the most taboo topic in the office. According to the survey, relationship status is even more uncomfortable to talk about than politics (chosen as most taboo by 16 percent surveyed) and religion (which was No. 1 for 10 percent of those polled). The takeaway: Save talk about breakups and makeups for your friends and family.

Physical appearance

“Unless you work in a Hollister, your physical appearance probably doesn’t have a huge role in your performance at work,” says Anthony Morrison, vice president of career networking service Cachinko. “Talking about things like weight, clothing and looks can be hurtful to company morale.”
Of course it’s also wise to avoid talking about how attractive you find a co-worker.

Socioeconomic status

Ben Dattner is the author of “The Blame Game,” a book that explores the psychology of pointing the finger at work. Dattner finds that discussing your lavish lifestyle in the office can cause a rift between employees. “If you let coworkers know that you are spending the holidays at your family’s 55,000-square-foot ski chalet in Aspen, or even that you own your home while they rent theirs, they will likely have a hard time relating to you and may even resent you,” says Dattner.

What’s the scariest part of your job?

While some jobs are risky, scary undertakings, we all deal with workplace anxieties. In a Halloween-inspired survey, career resource site CareerBuilder.com asked workers what scared them most about their jobs. Here are the results:

Layoffs: 36 percent
Pay cuts: 13 percent
Workload: 9 percent
Doing presentations: 9 percent
Forced relocation: 4 percent
Their boss: 3 percent

Who has the scariest jobs?

As evidenced by a new survey from CareerBuilder.com, there’s a lot to be afraid of out there. The career resource site’s latest Halloween-inspired study polled more than 4,300 workers, asking them to vote for the scariest job.
Coming in at No. 1 was bomb squad technician, a gig that makes us tense while seated safely in the theater next to a warm tub of popcorn. We’re also not going to argue with Alaskan crab fishing (No. 6) — even before “The Deadliest Catch” opened our eyes, we knew that was a frighteningly cold job teeming with gigantic sea bugs.
But why is high school teacher in the top 10? Either something is seriously wrong with our high school students, or that one needs to get bumped below stunt person.

The top 15 scariest jobs were:

1. Bomb Squad Technician
2. High Rise Window Washer
3. Armed Forces
4. Miner
5. Police Officer
6. Alaskan Crab Fishing
7. Mortician
8. Firefighter
9. High School Teacher
10. Cemetery Worker
11. Exterminator
12. Stand-Up Comedian
13. Animal Control
14. Stunt Person
15. Politician

The post 3 taboo topics to avoid in the workplace appeared first on Metro.us.

And yet in the office, these are common practices even among those who consider themselves environmentally friendly. In their new book, “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Greening Your Business,”  co-authors Trish Riley and Heather Gadonniex look at companies’ most wasteful policies, as well as practical solutions — of which, Riley points out, there are many.

“Solutions are happening just as fast as the problems are — and people don’t realize that, they think we’re just sunk,” she says. “And sure, we’re not going to save the planet unless big businesses get on board, but what’s cool is that big businesses are getting on board. They’re doing these things to meet consumer needs — because they know this is what we want.”

One of the companies profiled in the book, Clif Bar, goes far beyond the usual recycling bins, offering incentives for employees who drive hybrid cars and take public transportation to work in addition to offering flexible telecommuting options to further reduce fuel usage. While these perks end up costing an employer a little extra, they contribute to something almost priceless: The perception that they care.

“Money talks,” admits Riley. “But when they show their customers that money is not the most important thing,  that they care about our environment and the future of it, that goes a long way — especially with consumers with children.”

What can you do?

Riley’s recommendations for a greener office:

1. Don’t simply turn off your computer at night — unplug it. The machines use a small amount of “phantom energy” when plugged in, hence the subtle glow and eerie hum of a room full of computers that are seemingly off.

2. Establish an office compost bin in the kitchen in addition to the now-standard recycling bins.

3. Make sure lights are off and that heating and cooling systems are adjusted for hours when the office is empty.

4. Create a greening committee. “When an office decides they want to do something like this, they have to create a team of people across the spectrum who makes sure that everyone, top to bottom, understands.”

Follow Monica Weymouth on Twitter @MonicaatMetro.
 

The post Greening up the office appeared first on Metro.us.

1. Never leave the copier without first attending to a flashing icon, which usually indicates a paper jam or misfeed or the need for a new toner cartridge.

2. If you cannot resolve the copier’s distress signal by yourself, notify your office manager or machine serviceperson immediately.

3. Never leave the copy machine empty of paper.

4. If you used color paper or letterhead or any type of paper besides white, remove it before leaving the machine so that others don’t use it by mistake.

5. If you become frustrated with the copy machine, do not kick it, punch it or become violent toward it in any way.

6. Do not eat or drink around the photocopier.

7. Do not smudge the platen glass with your oily fingertips.

8. No matter how funny it looked in the movie, do not attempt to photocopy your own or another’s body parts.

9. Remove staples, sticky notes and paper clips from whatever you’re going to copy.

10. Little jobs trump big jobs. If you’re making five copies of a 250-page report, you should
interrupt the job to let in the person who needs to make a one-page copy.

The post 10 ways to act like an adult with the office photocopier appeared first on Metro.us.