By: Alythea Ho

Recently I went on a three-month sabbatical. Against every pragmatic Singaporean fibre in my being, I took the plunge and told my boss I needed a break.

Translation: I’m tired of crawling to work every Monday morning. I quit.

Yes, so I left my job. Because I planned ahead, my world didn’t collapse overnight. Bills were still paid on time. I didn’t wake in the middle of the night screaming like a fiend about ‘zero bank accounts’.

Instead, I took the opportunity to benefit from…

By Juliet Soh

“Casual Friday” is a trap. Bosses use it to sieve the sensible people from others. Your employers talk about Casual Friday like it is a welfare, but really, they scrutinise you every week. Call me paranoid, but I believe people are judged, unfortunately, based on our wardrobe choices.

What I think bosses are secretly thinking of when we dress down on Fridays:

By Juliet Soh

The “four temperaments” is a medical theory derived thousands of years ago that has also been used as a way to classify personality types. Ancient Greek medicine believes that illnesses are caused by an imbalance in four different bodily fluids: blood, yellow bile, black bile and phlegm. According to the theory, our traits and behaviours are also governed by these bodily fluids, and we can thus be classified into four types: Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholy and Phlegmatic. Most people are a mixture of all four, in different percentages. Wonder which type you (and your boss and colleagues!) are? Do this simple quiz to find out.

By Winifred Tan

Arming yourself with a great gadget can almost be as helpful as hiring a personal assistant to take care of the details, so you can fuss over the real work.

Keep your eyes peeled for these über cool gadgets we’ve shortlisted. From intelligent pens to quirky keyboards, these nifty little gadgets will not only make working and studying easier and more enjoyable; they’ll also turn you into the envy of your peers.

By Winifred Tan

(Article updated on 29 February, 3pm, with additional information)

It is barely a quarter through 2012 and you’re already dying to catch a breather from all the drama and stress at work. What better way to take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life than grabbing a travel bag and packing for a short jaunt somewhere?

We list down 5 exotic destinations that you can consider for that weekend getaway.

Nikoi Island, Indonesia

2.5 hours away by ferry is Nikoi Island, long regarded as one of the most stunning unspoilt coasts in the Indonesian archipelago. Featuring an indigenous Banyan tree rainforest and coastline studded with beautiful white granite boulders, the island is an untouched slice of paradise, the only signs of civilisation being the 15 driftwood beach houses and a spectacular pool offering uninterrupted views over the South China Sea.

The Nikoi community prides itself on environmental conservation and social responsibility. Eco-friendly visitors can rest assured that the resort practises responsible tourism and has even established an Island Foundation to support village development programmes on Bintan.

By Winifred Tan & Jacelyn Lim

When it comes to the game of love, there is no such thing as “playing by the rules”.

Or is there?

According to a recent survey by JobsCentral, it would appear that most office workers in Singapore do have one rule when it comes to dating: never find your honey where you get your money.

By Jonathan Tay

When it comes to the rules of dating, it appears that most Singapore employees are cautious to never find the honey from where they get the money. An online survey conducted by JobsCentral, uncovered a greater inclination amongst Singapore workers in keeping their romance out-of-office.

INFOGRAPHIC: Click here to view

Seven people. Four different jobs. One incredible life. We meet a group of people who are making a living by living out their dreams.

By Eliza Hamizah

Professional Poker Player: Bryan Huang

Bryan Huang picked up poker at the age of 19 and won his first tournament on his second try. Despite getting offers to turn pro, he decided to complete his Accountancy degree first; however, the lure of the tables proved too much to bear. This gutsy move proved to be a beneficial one as Bryan won the 2010 Asia Player of the Year title and is currently a part of Team PokerStars Pro: Asia.

By Jonathan Tay

An online survey conducted by JobsCentral, from 19 August to 16 September 2011, revealed that researchers are among the thriftiest workers in Singapore. Nearly 60 percent of the respondents who are in the field of Research and Development (R&D) have pointed out that they would set aside more than 20% of their monthly income as savings.

By Farhan Shah

It is the year of the Dragon and for the Chinese, as well as anyone who believes in the mystical qualities of this flying leviathan, 2012 is the perfect year to get married, give birth to a kid or if they’re feeling particularly productive, achieve both at the same time.

According to Ken Koh, Director of House of Feng Shui, 2012 is the year of the Water Dragon. This means that there will be “a bit of disharmony this year” due to the clash of two elements – Water (as 2012 is the year of the Water Dragon) and Earth (as the Dragon possesses a dominant Earth element). In visual terms, imagine a tidal wave of water crashing against an immoveable object like a dam.

Also, contrary to popular belief, the Dragon year doesn’t actually begin on the Lunar New Year but on 4 February 2012, at 6.24pm.