Sexual harassment is an issue that most large employers take seriously and have instituted strict sexual harassment policies as well as educational programs. But for women, sexual harassment may still be a problem in some workplaces. Part of the reason may be that women and men have different definitions of what sexual harassment is and what behavior constitutes sexual harassment.

A study at the University of Missouri found that men generally think that only someone in a position of power - a supervisor or manager - can sexually harass. They view sexual harassment between co-workers as “misunderstandings”.

But women view sexual harassment itself as a bid for power, regardless of the position of the harasser, says Debbie Dougherty, assistant professor of communication in the College of Arts and Science at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

“The fact that men and women were using the same word to describe different behaviors may contribute to the continued existence of sexual harassment,” she said. “So if a man thinks that sexual harassment only comes from a supervisor, he may feel free to make sexual comments to a female coworker. The female coworker is likely to see the sexual comments as a quest for power and label it as sexual harassment.”

Dougherty cites the study data as proof of the importance of sexual harassment training.

Power and Sexual Harassment: Men and Women See Things Differently

Recently, Chariman of the Federal Reserve Board, Ben Bernanke, predicted dire economic consequences of having left the issue of Social Security so late. His remarks concern the impending retirement of the Baby Boomer generation, with the first of them just one year from retirement age.

But will it be as economically destructive as we think? Some say: not necessarily.

The plain fact is that most boomers have not done enough to plan for retirement and won’t be retiring at age 65 because they simply can’t afford to. A survey conducted by Merrill Lynch found that nearly 80% of boomers intend to keep working beyond age 65.

Although boomers are expected to live longer than any other generation in American history, potentially bankrupting Social Security and Medicare, improved health will also allow them to work longer and continue to contribute to the economy, rather than retiring. Additionally, better health (as evidenced by the dropping rates of death from heart disease, stroke and even cancer) indicate that the boomer retirees will be less dependent than other generations, lowering medical costs and long-term care expenditures.

The boomer generation has always been different and did everything differently from all generations that came before them. Their ideas and actions changed the face of society and perhaps the course of history. When it comes to growing older, it is likely they will do that differently from other generations as well.

Studies show that workers increasingly find themselves nodding off at work, or dozing during meetings and nothing will upset your boss more than to find you sleeping at your desk. Of course, it could be worse.

Passersby in Nashville Tennessee noticed something about the window washer at the Fifth Third Bank building. He was at the 20th floor, and he seemed to be asleep. Firefighters were called to the scene and after tugging on the ropes of his scaffolding were able to wake him and get him to descend from the dizzying height.

“It’s unusual to fall asleep outside while on scaffolding that high up’” said Nashville Fire Chief Henry Booker.

Researchers now believe that too little sleep contributes to various health risks, such as obesity and diabetes. Lack of sleep or sleeping at odd hours may increase your risk of developing cancer or heart disease. And the problem is becoming epidemic.

A recent poll by the National Sleep Foundation confirms that one in four Americans is missing out on sleep and 58% of respondents said they suffer from insommnia.

So in case you need them, we offer the 8 best excuses to use when caught sleeping on the job.

*They told me at the blood bank that this might happen.

*This is just a 15 minute power nap like they raved about in that time management course you sent me to.

*I was working smarter - not harder.

*This is one of the seven habits of highly effective people!

*I was doing a highly specific Yoga exercise to relieve work related stress. Do you discriminate against people who practice Yoga?

*I’m actually doing a Stress Level Elimination Exercise Plan (SLEEP). I learned at the last mandatory seminar you made me attend.

*Damn! Why did you interrupt me? I had almost figured out a solution to our biggest problem.

*I thought you were gone for the day.

When the first baby boomers reach retirement age in 2008, there will be about five working-age people for each person 65 and older. By the time the last of the baby boomers retire in 2030, the number drops to about 3 working-age people per retiree.

Ben Bernanke, Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board made these remarks in a speech before The Washington Economic Club, on October 4:

Over the next few decades, the U.S. population will grow significantly older, a development that will affect our society and our economy in many ways. In particular, the coming demographic transition will create severe fiscal challenges, as the cost of entitlement programs rises sharply.

In his speech, Bernanke outlined possible responses to the fiscal challenges of our aging population, including encouraging older workers to remain in the workforce longer. He added that a slower growth in the labor force will motivate employers to attract and retain older workers.

Read the full speech here.