The news stops for no one, however. And once again the news world was buzzing with huge stories (another plane crash, Franken being declared a winner of his race). In all that were plenty of stories about jobs, job search and the workplace. Here’s what we enjoyed reading today:

• A new minimum wage goes into effect this month for many people.
  State minimum wage going up a quarter
• If you’re looking for work, why not advertise on the back of your car?
  Another Sign of the Times
• We Work Buzzers would never, ever think of uttering a bad word.
  What the #%@&!?: The problem of profanity in the workplace
• Dumb economy’s depriving children of the joy of fireworks (and boring car trips to relatives they don’t care for).
  Jobs, Income Slow 4th of July Travel

And if you’re not already following us on Twitter, click that little link to the right of this post and join in the fun! –>

Related posts:

1. Wednesday’s good reads roundup An eclipse, a health-care plan, Michael Jackson’s doctor…these are the...
2. Monday’s good reads roundup The Monday of a holiday week. It’s always a beast...
3. Monday’s good reads roundup Another Monday, another week, another day of exciting job seeker...

I’m also sure many of your vacation destinations are somewhere between your couch and a beach that you can drive to on the weekend, as many workers are opting out of getaways this year.

Thirty-five percent of workers say they haven’t gone on or aren’t planning to take a vacation in 2009. And 71 percent of those indicate it is because they just can’t afford it, according CareerBuilder’s annual vacation survey.  Plus, close to one-in-five workers indicate that they are either afraid of losing their jobs if they go on vacation or feel guilty being away from the office. The survey was conducted from February 20 through March 11, 2009 among more than 4,400 workers.

As if the guilt and fear weren’t weighing on your  mind already, 50 percent of employers expect employees to check in with the office while they are away, with 40 percent indicating it’ll be necessary only if they are working on a big project or there is a major issue going on with the company.  Close to three-in-ten (28 percent) workers say they plan to contact the office at least once, regardless of what they are working on, while they are on vacation.

“While the current economy may be causing workers anxiety about taking a vacation this year, a break from work is essential for maintaining healthy productivity levels in the office,” said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder. “Workers should plan ahead and make it a goal to use their vacation benefits; 15 percent reported that they didn’t use all of their allotted time last year. Utilizing your time off is even more important now due to the added responsibilities and pressure that some workers may be faced with due to the current economic situation.”

When planning a vacation, Haefner recommends the following tips to ensure your time off is a true break from the office:

1. Start Preparing the Office Today – The minute you start thinking about booking a vacation, talk to your supervisor and see if the dates you want to be away are a good time for both of you.
2. Leave a Plan Behind – A few weeks before you leave, start recording important information, key contacts and any deadlines that will come up while you are gone and give it to a coworker who can fill in for you while you are gone.
3. Stick to a Schedule – While it’s best to leave the office at the office, if you must do work, set limits and boundaries for yourself and your co-workers. Don’t let activities on vacation be interrupted by work.
4. Set a Good Example – If you are the boss, take a vacation and limit your contact with the office.  Workers will feel much better getting away and enjoying themselves if they see the boss doing the same.

Related posts:

1. 23 Percent of Employers Hiring Summer Workers If you’re looking for a job this summer, you might...
2. Get up and leave…or at least go for a walk Today’s national Leave The Office Early Day. No, seriously. So...
3. Hate your job? These days, most people are just thankful to have a...

When Christopher Grima, 25, heard about the position, he decided to jump at the opportunity — by jumping off the South Causeway Bridge in Fort Pierce, Fla.

“You had to send in a 60-second video clip about yourself and why you’re the best person for (the) job,” he says. “I figured since there’s thousands of applicants than what better way to start off than jumping off a bridge.”

Not the best logic I’ve ever heard, but you have to give the guy props for trying.

Grima’s extreme tactic was shortlived and unsuccessful, however, when police saw him swimming towards shore. They weren’t amused when Grima explained that he was simply applying for a job that involved living in a beach home for six months, snorkeling, watching whales and blogging about the experience.

“People have done it before and died doing it,” Fort Pierce police Sgt. Dan Flaherty said. “A few years ago there was a teenager that jumped off the bridge and died.”

Grima was not hurt in the jump, but he was charged with breach of peace and disorderly conduct and may be asked to pay for all the resources used as a result of his stunt.

Click here to read the full story.

Related posts:

1. The Best Job in the World? While I was walking to work today, bitter at...
2. “I’m Just Not That Into It Today”… And Other Excuses for Calling in Sick Have you ever woken up in the morning and thought,...
3. Could the imminent nursing shortage be a career opportunity? In case you hadn’t heard, there’s a debate about health...

Interestingly enough, when I got to work, I had an e-mail from a co-worker waiting for me. Inside, was a link to the most amazing job description I’ve ever read:

“Position: Island caretaker. Duties: Lazing around Australia’s Great Barrier Reef for six months. Salary: 150,000 Australian dollars ($100,000).”

This is not a joke.

Australia’s tourism department is seeking one lucky person to “stroll the island’s white sand beaches, snorkel, maybe take a dip in the pool — and post photos and videos of his or her experiences on a weekly blog,” while  residing on Hamilton Island, which is part of the Whitsunday Islands, for six months. (Hello, I could do that.) In addition to the lucrative six-figure salary, the position includes free lodging in an oceanside villa and airfare from wherever you currently live.

Applications are open until Feb. 22 and 11 finalists will be flown to Hamilton Island in May for the final selection process. The job begins on July 1.

Related posts:

1. Which Job is Really the Best? Back in January, I told you about a job opening...
2. Jumping at opportunity – literally A few weeks ago, I told you guys about a...
3. Losing zzzzs over $$$$s I can’t keep track of how many times a day...

If you have yet to plan your getaway, here is a roundup of resources and information that might help mudge you out the door and onto the beach!

Quit working on vacation!

What candidate would YOU take a vacation with?

Does unlimited vacation work?

Proposing a paid vacation law

Competing with co-workers for vacation time

Related posts:

1. 35 percent of workers aren’t planning to take a vacation this year Finally, Memorial Day weekend (the 3-day oasis that gets us...
2. Get up and leave…or at least go for a walk Today’s national Leave The Office Early Day. No, seriously. So...
3. Wednesday’s good reads roundup Bonjour! Did any of you participate in that 12:34:56 7/8/09...