Ole December 2015

DECEMBER 2015 A L S O I N S I D E : M A R T I N C L U N E S | S A R T O R I A L S O P H I S T I C AT I O N

WORKING WONDERS Making sure a work experience placement benefits both student and employer

CONTENTS NOTICE BOARD

D E C 15 As a supremely organised PA, planning ahead is part and parcel of your genetic makeup.

But despite having an impressive track record when it comes to getting things done, sometimes – just sometimes – certain tasks can get pushed to the bottom of the list. We suspect that one of these might be preparing for the arrival of an intern, so this month we look at the pivotal role you can play in helping the intern in question get the most out of their placement whilst making sure the company benefits too.

We’re not unaware that the festive season is well and truly upon us, which is why this month’s Catwalk takes a look at what it takes to pull off sartorial sophistication in time for the Christmas party. After weeks of planning, you’d expect it to be a hotly anticipated event in the social calendar – but don’t assume everyone shares your enthusiasm. PA Nicola Webb will be steering well clear this year, and blowing off fun and frolics with colleagues for a cup of tea in front of the telly. Christmas scrooge or sensible sally?

You decide…

Elsewhere, we look at how to help your company avoid being a victim of fraud. Plus – heating grumbles, job news and a 60 second chat with actorturned-equine-expert Martin Clunes. Have a great Christmas and we’ll see you in January!

Editor Jess Pike

editor

designer

publisher

designer/production

senior account manager

circulation

jessica.pike@intelligentmedia.co.uk

vicki.baloch@intelligentmedia.co.uk

matthew.moore@intelligentmedia.co.uk

sarah.chivers@intelligentmedia.co.uk

peter.hope-parry@intelligentmedia.co.uk

natalia.johnston@intelligentmedia.co.uk

UPDATE Office procrastination, fast walking lanes and Facebook news apps SAY WHAT?!

Thunder stealing and heating hostilities

ON THE JOB JOB NEWS The latest career news of choice WORKING WONDERS Making sure a work experience placement benefits both student and employer FRAUD-BUSTING Expert advice on how to protect your company from the fraudsters 60 SECONDS WITH… Actor and horse lover Martin Clunes

LUNCH BREAK BREAKTIME Catch up with the latest reviews and recipes OFFICE CATWALK Sartorial sophistication in time for party season AND ONE MORE THING… Opting out of the Christmas do

Why Privacy Filters Are Important For Why Priv Businesses Are Impo Business

Are you protecting your Are you protecting sensitive information from your sensitive information from prying eyes? prying eyes?

HEALTHCARE More healthcare professionals are relying on laptops and tablets to interact remotely with HEALTHCARE hospitals. Without laptop screen filters, their data Moreforhealthcare profe access in public becomes an opportunity an laptops and tablets to invasion of patient confidentiality. hospitals. Without lapt access in public becom invasion of patient con GOVERNMENT Outside the security of government offices, government workers using mobile devices risk exposing sensitive data. Privacy filters are an GOVERNMEN the security of inexpensive and effective extension ofOutside mandatory government data protection measures to protect confidential workers u exposing sensitive data information. inexpensive and effect data protection measu information.

FINANCIAL Whether it’s your accountant or a financial advisor, many financial professionals are travelling or commuting, many working as independent FINANCIAL Whether it’s your acco contractors outside of an office setting.

Sensitive advisor, many financial records on-screen without a screen filter financia in place are subject to prying eyes. or commuting, many w contractors outside of financial records on-sc in place are subject to BANKING With the introduction of open-plan customer meeting areas, there is a higher risk of prying eyes stealing sensitive customer information. BANKING Withdata the introduction o Using a privacy screen will help improve meeting areas, there is protection. eyes stealing sensitive Using a privacy screen ™ protection.

CORPORATE Corporate spies may not need to infiltrate a ™ company to gain secrets when confidential data CORPORATE ™ can be viewed and photographed over a travelling Protect private information on your laptop, desktop, smartphone and tablet. PrivaScreen Corporate executive’s shoulder. Privacy filters can help spies may n Blackout Privacy Filters blackout the screen image when viewed from 30° side angles company to gain secre protect against corporate spying in public places. while keeping on-screen data clearly a straight-on view. can be viewed and pho Protectvisible privatefrom information on your laptop, desktop, smartphone and tablet. PrivaScreen™ executive’s shoulder. P Blackout Privacy Filters blackout the screen image when viewed from 30° side angles protect against corpora while keeping on-screen data clearly visible from a straight-on view.

EDUCATION The increased use of laptops and mobile devices by teachers and administrators means sensitive EDUCATION data can be accessed beyond the secure Thefilters increased use of l environment of school grounds. Privacy teachers and admin can prevent the possibility of exposingbystudent data can be accessed information in public. environment of school can prevent the possib information in public.

MOBILE WORKERS Total Blackout Total Blackout Side View Side View As the number of workers outside the office Clear Front View continues to grow, so do privacy risks. In fact, Total Blackout Total 55%*Blackout of working professionals work on their MOBILE WOR Side View Side View As the number of work laptop in a high-traffic public area at least one Clear Front View continues hour per week.* From libraries to coffee shops to grow, so d 55%*theof working profe to airport terminals, mobile workers need laptop security of privacy filters wherever they workintoa high-traffic hour per week.* From protect the data they handle. *People Security Visual to airport terminals, m Data Breach Risk Assessment Study. security of privacy filte protect the data they h

PrivaScreen Blackout Privacy Filters Privacy You Can Trust!

PrivaScreen Blackout Privacy Filters Privacy You Can Trust!

For more information contact your Fellowes Account Representative or telephone 01302 836835 For more information contact your Fellowes Account Representative or telephone 01302 836835 www.fellowes.com www.fellowes.com

Data Breach Risk Assessmen

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UK DIVIDED OVER PROCRASTINATION IN THE OFFICE The nation is divided when it comes to getting on with work in the office, according to new research published by How2Become.

Focusing on levels of procrastination at work, the survey yielded over 1,000 responses, with half of respondents admitting that they are easily distracted during work hours.

The research also found that workers became more distracted between 3pm and 5pm, and that female employees were more likely to become distracted and procrastinate.

When it comes to work performance and productivity, 50.4% of respondents stated that “non-work” distractions affected their overall performance.

The most common cause of procrastination in the office was social media, with the study revealing that 25% of workers checked their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram profiles whilst at work.

Office chatter came in at a close second, with 17.4% of respondents admitting this stopped them from getting on with work activities, whilst web browsing was also cited as a problem.

FACEBOOK LAUNCHES ‘NEWS GATHERING’ APP

Facebook has released a news gathering app that allows users to store news and entertainment stories into a continuously updated feed.

BBC News reported that Notify will partner up with Buzzfeed, CNN, Fox News, the Washington Post and 70 other organisations to provide content for the app. Users of the service will be able to customise their feeds, and curate which news providers and articles they wish to read. There is also a feature that allows users to browse Getty images, and view iconic pictures from the same day in history.

The networking giant’s latest app will directly compete with Twitter’s ‘Moments’ and Apple’s ‘News’ services for readerships within the digital news market.

Mark Mulligan, managing director of analyst company MIdiA Research, said the move made sense because Facebook had become the “jumping off point into our digital lives”.

He said: “The better a job it can do of this, the better it locks users in. It has seen standout success with spinning out Messenger and recognises that the more touchpoints it can develop with its users, the more it can create greater loyalty.”

Notify comes after Facebook launched Instant Articles back in May, a service that aimed to speed up the delivery of “off site content” for their users’ benefit.

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IN BRIEF UK races ahead in promotion of gender equality SPY AGENCIES FREE TO TRACK EVERYONE’S INTERNET USE British police forces and security agencies are set to be granted new powers by the government, allowing them to access records and track every UK citizen’s use of internet without the need for a warrant.

The Guardian reported that Theresa May’s proposals included introducing judicial powers that require internet and phone companies to keep internet connection records – tracking every website visited but not every page – for up to a year. Authorities will also be able to bypass judicial approval to conduct these activities, a move which has provoked criticism from the public and media.

The bill comes two and a half years after whistleblower Edward Snowden disclosed the scale of mass surveillance carried out by Britain’s GCHQ and the United States’ NSA spy intelligence agencies, and subsequently exiled himself to Hong Kong and Russia to avoid arrest.

Speaking to parliament, May told MPs that the introduction of one of the most controversial powers in the western world – the storage of everyone’s internet connection records and tracking of visited websites – was “simply the modern equivalent of an itemised phone bill”.

The UK is ahead of most developed countries in the world when it comes to promoting progressive attitudes relating to gender equality, according to new research.

A survey of 24 countries carried out by YouGov found that Sweden held the most progressive views of all developed nations, with an average net response of 72% advocating equality. The UK came seventh among countries surveyed for average responses, placing them above other developed countries.

Liverpool launches first fast walking lanes Britain’s first fast walking pedestrian lanes have been launched in Liverpool city centre. The Independent reported that the fast lanes allow users to “speed through bustling crowds”.

We give you our pick of the top comedy viral videos this month. Click on the text below and enjoy. Tweet us your top videos @olemagazine

GONE VIRAL

Finland’s furry creative

The ‘living’ Earth

Prank sees employee sacked

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T A H W S AY

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MUSCLING IN

HEATING HOSTILITIES

Help! I’m at my wit’s end with a sneaky colleague who repeatedly keeps taking credit for my work. At first I thought it was an honest mistake, but in the past three months he’s muscled in on my projects at the last minute, winning praise from my boss and senior partners in the process. Last week, he even pretended that a new invoicing process that I’d introduced was all down to him. How can I put him in his place and convince my boss that he’s glory hunting?

Frankie Stevens, London

As winter sets in, a silent war has broken out in the office over the heating – whilst some people like the air con blasted up to near tropical temperatures, their more warm-blooded colleagues walk around in T-shirts complaining about the sweltering heat. Whilst I’m fairly partisan, tension’s definitely mounting. How can I avoid choosing which side I’m on and instead go about diffusing the increasingly prickly atmosphere?

Emily Porter, Wigan

Your boss shouldn’t need convincing – presumably you have a paper trail proving what you’ve been responsible for? Regardless, it’s worth taking your colleague aside for a quiet word; some people like to blow their own trumpet and he just needs reminding that you’re onto him. In meetings make sure you’re vocal about your achievements – how’s your boss meant to know about all the good work you’re doing if you don’t talk about it?

caption competition

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Ah, the perennial battle over the office heating, we know it well. You’re right to want to remain partisan; taking sides will only add to the tension. There’s nothing worse than someone dressed for summer complaining about the cold, so perhaps remind everyone to wear appropriate clothing for the season – equally, if someone’s moaning about the heat whilst wrapped up in their woolliest jumper you’d be well within your right to send them a friendly reminder too. Good luck!

This month’s picture

Last month’s winner: Louise Saffin, Oxford When they said we were going bog snorkelling this wasn’t quite what I had in mind

”

Win £10 worth of M&S vouchers! Email your captions to editor@olemagazine.co.uk

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on the job

JOB NEWS LONDON WORKERS ‘NOT GETTING ENOUGH FRESH AIR’ More than a third of London office ir workers say the poor design of the workplace gives them “sick building syndrome”, new research claims.

According to the Evening Standard, said only two fifths of 1,000 employees day they get enough fresh air during the ugh and less than half feel they get eno access to natural light.

The research, carried out by YouGov ed for property group Lendlease, reveal that around half said they would be who more likely to choose an employer attached greater value to staff health and welfare.

Research last month at the Harvard nd T.H. Chan School of Public Health fou tion workers in offices with good ventila and below average indoor pollutant re levels did better in skill tests and we y better equipped to develop a strateg when asked.

WORKPLACE BULLYING ON THE RISE Workplace bullying is becoming mo re common, says conciliation servic e Acas, which claimed its helpline receiv ed about 20,000 calls related to bullyin g and harassment over the past year.

Some callers said the problem wa s so bad they had considered com mitting suicide, according to an article on BT. Bullying is more likely to affect min ority ethnic workers in the public sector, women in male-dominated jobs, disabled people or lesbian, gay and transg ender people, said Acas.

Some people seeking help said the y dreaded going to work while others reported the problem had affecte d their home life. Managers often just mo ve staff around rather than deal with bullies , the research added.

Victims said they were afraid to complain because they feared tha t would make matters even worse.

Acas chairman Sir Brendan Barber said: “Our analysis reveals that bul lying is on the rise in Britain and it is more likely to be found in organisations that have poor workplace climates where this type of behaviour can become institutionalised.”

on the job

WOMEN TO ‘WORK FOR FREE’ UNTIL 2016 Women will effectively work for free from 13 November until the end of the year due to the difference between average male and female earnings, Moneywise reports.

‘Equal pay day’ falls five days later this year than it did in 2014, as the gender pay gap has closed slightly, but women working full time still earn 37% less than their male counterparts.

The median salary for a woman working full time is £17,103, compared to £27,162 for men, according to the latest Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, from the Office for National Statistics.

The Fawcett Society, a campaign group for women’s rights in the workplace, says at the current pace it will take 50 years for the gender pay gap to close completely.

Sam Smethers, chief executive of the Fawcett Society, said: “There has never been a better opportunity to close the pay gap for good. Progress has stalled in recent years but with real commitment from government and employers, together with action from women and men at work, we could speed up progress towards the day when we can consign it to history.”

PUBLIC TR ANSPORT A HEALTHI ER CHOICE

Don’t feel gu ilty about ge tting the bus to work – it could be be tt er for your health than walking, acc o rding to an article on M ailOnline.

It isn’t clear why but it m ay be that when the w alk to the tra in station is factored in, those who ta k e public transport are actually gett ing more exercise. Th e findings co m e from a study of 6,0 00 Japanese a d ults who underwent health tests a n d provided information on their com m ute.

Those who took the bus or train were deeme d to be the fi tt est – they were the slim mest, had th e best blood pressure an d were the le a s t likely to have diabete s.

Those who took public transport were also 40 % less likely to be diabetic ove rall and 26% less likely to be diabeti c than the w alkers, the American H eart Associa tion’s Scienti Sessions me fic eting in Flori da heard.

THEY SAID “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, and how you can still come out of it.”

Maya Angelou

on the job

WORKING WONDERS

With the government keener than ever to encourage young people into the world of work, JESS PIKE offers her top tips on making sure both parties involved get the most out of a work experience or intern placement

on the job

A

s someone approaching 30, memories of work experience might be a little (ahem) hazy – but I think it goes without saying that we can all remember that awful feeling of impending doom on the first day of a placement; the indescribable, stomach-churning fear, coupled with irrepressible anxiety over what to wear (never has picking an outfit seemed quite so important).

But having been responsible, in the last eight years or so, for facilitating numerous work experience placements, I can attest to the needlessness of such angst. In a busy working environment where most people are up against it time-wise, the last thing they’re thinking about is the new intern, their latest GCSE/university grades, or what they happen to be wearing. Here’s how to make the experience as positive as possible for both the recruit in question and the wider team.

NO MORE BUREAUCRACY You’ll be pleased to hear that the government’s cutting the red tape that can sometimes get in your way when it comes to working with young people: you no longer need to carry out an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services (formerly CRB) check on members of your staff supervising young people aged 16-17.

A WARM WELCOME One of the first things you can do to make sure your new recruit gets as much out of their placement as possible is do your utmost to make them feel at ease. Even the most self-assured of young people will have a chink in their armour somewhere, and will appreciate both a friendly face and someone willing to speak to them as an equal, rather than a junior.

GENTLY DOES IT Bear in mind that your new colleague probably won’t have worked in an office before, so some of the more mundane aspects of office life might require explanation – such as company email protocol and how to use the photocopier. These things may seem simple to enough to old hacks like us, but spare a second to reflect on how confusing office systems and processes appeared on your first week in the world of work (and the importance of preventing a potentially catastrophic BCC email situation).

PLANNING AHEAD The next important step is to put aside time to work out what you want your intern to do. This may seem like a faff initially, but it’s crucial that you structure their time and work out how they can best be put to use. If

“As office manager, the task of gathering feedback from the intern may well fall to you” you’re feeling super generous, you could even draw up a schedule for them in Excel to outline what you’d like them to be cracking on with and how long each task should take.

ENCOURAGING CREATIVE THINKING To give them the opportunity to thrive you’ll need to encourage proactive and creative thinking; don’t leave them twiddling their thumbs or surreptitiously checking Facebook because they don’t feel like they can ask a question or make a suggestion.

RAISING THE BAR With more inexperienced members of the team, it can feel tempting to bundle them off into the post room or set them a filing task, but just because they’re young doesn’t mean they won’t be able to step up and contribute. Sometimes the best ideas come from outside an organisation, particularly when it comes to systems and processes that are age old and entrenched in a company’s culture.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE Believe it or not, many businesses find that the presence of an intern really enhances office mood and morale.

It may be that the team feel like they should put on a united front, or that the inquisitiveness of the intern sparks a renewed sense of enthusiasm for the job. Either way, embrace this newfound chirpiness – it might not last forever!

KEEP IN TOUCH Many young people on work experience and intern placements are about to embark on their career, so whether they’re right for you now or not it’s always worth keeping their details on file. It may be that they’ll be the perfect fit for you in a couple of years, or they might be able to help out over school or university holidays – firing off the occasional email to check in could be a shrewd move in the long term.

EXIT INTERVIEW As office manager, the task of gathering feedback from the intern may well fall to you. Don’t let this be a wasted opportunity; by asking them about their experience of the office you might find out that a few small tweaks could enhance the impression you’re creating in a big way.

on the job

F R AU D - B U S T I N G

on the job

ALAN NORTON, Graydon UK’s head of intelligence, offers his tips on how best to protect your company from the fraudsters – and where to go when you’re feeling at risk of criminal activity

F

raud is more common than ever, and consumers and companies increasingly face potential attacks. The frequency of fraud incidents has increased both in terms of the number of events but also the amount of money it costs the victims. Big and smaller companies are equally at risk of attack, and the more we’re aware of the common fraud tactics, the more effectively we can protect our business interests.

Frequent news stories indicate that scam methods have become more sophisticated. From the investigation of 19 UK registered companies in October 2014 believed to be part of a $20bn dirty money network to the latest example of a £1bn transfer from the three biggest banks in Moldova to 20,000 limited partnership entities in UK, we can conclude that corporate scams are not only widespread but also just on our doorstep.

WHAT TYPES OF FRAUD ARE MOST COMMON? The most common type of fraud is application fraud, where scammers file dubious documents at Companies House, aiming to improve their credit rating and extend their line of credit. Protection of the companies against this type of scam comes down to how well they know their customer and the amount of due diligence performed before entering into a contract.

The second type of fraud to look out for is impersonation fraud, whereby the identity of another person, real or fictitious, is used by a fraudster in order to obtain goods. And last but not least is longfirm fraud. Scammers set up a business and develop a good reputation and payment behaviour, intending to commit fraud at a later stage. The risk of being a fraud victim is more prominent with small and medium sized companies, as they’re the ones usually not investing in risk monitoring tools. But what it all comes down to is the false economy principle, where saving money in the beginning will end up costing you more later down the line.

HOW CAN COMPANIES PROTECT THEMSELVES? Companies can choose between many solutions and decide whether in-house, outsourced or a combination of the two will be pursued. On one hand, employee training is very important for detecting early signs of fraud. Raising employee awareness of the risk of being

a fraud victim and offering training on how to respond when being targeted can be both face-saving and money-saving. Having clear internal processes and procedures will also help.

Furthermore a key tactic would be to share information about dishonest business partners with your network. This type of communication, as an integral component of your information flow within the supply chain, could save them from being in a dire position and would work for you in a reciprocal manner.

On the other hand outsourced solutions can help companies capitalise on external data and analyticsbased methods to detect and prevent risk. Automated processes can offer a consistent approach to risk management and help prevent fraud losses. As a result the generated intelligence can safeguard from potential future attacks.

TEN STEPS TO HELP MAKE SURE YOU’RE NOT THE NEXT VICTIM OF CORPORATE FRAUD 1. Keep in mind that Companies House stores public files but does not have any investigatory authority.

2. Verify the information supplied in the credit application form using the company trade references.

3. Be wary of Hotmail, Yahoo and Google email addresses and look out when non-geographical telephone numbers are used.

4. Use Google Earth for addresses to make sure you’re not dealing with a virtual office.

5. Check the VAT number; VIES website is one click away.

6. Use the WHO IS website and find out when the particular website was registered.

7. Beware of large orders being delivered to a residential address.

8. Look out for when there’s a high level of turnover and profits, especially if it’s a new company.

9. Take your time to be 100% sure that all orders are genuine.

10. Seek out a trusted business partner to help you manage credit risk and prevent fraud.

on the job

6 0 S ECONDS WITH…

MARTIN CLUNES He’s best known for playing socially inappropriate and hopeless-in love anti-heroes, from hapless Gary in Men Behaving Badly to the eponymous lead in Doc Martin. The real Martin Clunes, however, is far more of a charmer…

Q1

We hear you’ve become rather interested in medicine since taking the Doc Martin role…

I get a lot of criticism in my own home for taking an interest in people’s medical conditions – particularly their medications. I always want to know what they’ve been prescribed. My daughter in particular always goes: ‘You’re not a doctor! Shut up!’

What is it that you love about playing Doc Martin?

Q2 Q3

Q4

Q5

I think it’s always much more fun to do something that’s awkward or complicated…

What’s happening with your romance with the lovely local schoolmistress Louisa (Caroline Catz)?

People always say to me: ‘Come on, get back together’, and if we had done it years ago we’d have to have done something else for the telly.

You live a pretty idyllic life in the country. How does your teenage daughter react to your fame?

She studiously avoids anything we do. She doesn’t watch Doc Martin. When Sigourney Weaver cameoed in a recent episode we went out for supper at Rick Stein’s and Emily came with us and when I said: ‘Do you want to watch the episode?’ she said: ‘No, I’m alright’ (laughs).

You’re about to take a well-deserved year off. Any big plans? We hear you’re president of the British Horse Society, and that you have a working farm and several horses.

I don’t have a great deal planned. I’ve been doing really well with big horses; I’ve got two Clydesdales who I’ve started riding so I’m really happy not to work.

Life on the farm is totally engaging and defines who we are.

The complete seventh series of Doc Martin was released on DVD on 16 November by RLJ Entertainment’s Acorn Label

CHRISTMAS IS COMING! Our range of expanding ballpoint pens make the perfect stocking fillers!

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FROM THE

TEAM..

lunch break

BREAKTIME desktop dining WEIRD WORLD

C O U R G E T T E A N D B A S I L PA S TA

Serves: 4 Prep: 15 minutes

DON’T TURN THE LIGHTS OUT Next time you decide to go for quick snooze, make sure the lights don’t go out. Back in November The Atlantic reported on an experiment conducted back in 1965, which saw two explorers isolate themselves inside a dark cave for months, in order to understand how the human body behaved in such conditions. Josie Laures spent 88 days in the cave while Antoine Senni spent 126, sleeping for up to 30 hours in one sitting. The study’s backed up by decades of additional research, which concludes that when we’re left alone in the dark without stimulation, we can sleep for up to 48-hours in one stretch.

Perhaps leave the staffroom light on when you decide to take a quick snooze on your next lunch break.

METHOD  1 tbsp butter  1 tbsp olive oil  500g courgettes  3 garlic cloves  1 tsp sea salt  Lemon zest and juice  1 tsp chili flakes  25g fresh basil leaves  250g ricotta  500g fusilli  Handful toasted flaked almonds.

METHOD Grate the courgettes and chop the garlic. Lightly fry the garlic in the oil and butter. Add the lemon zest and chili flakes, frying briefly, then add the courgettes and stir. Cover and cook on a low heat for 15 to 20 minutes. Bring a pan to the boil and cook the pasta to taste. Remove from the heat, tear the basil leaves and add the lemon juice. Whisk the ricotta and fold into the mixture. Toss into the pasta, scatter the almonds on top and serve.

lunch break

T R E AT Y O U R S E L F WATCH THIS

LISTEN TO THIS

The Man in the High Castle, Amazon Prime

Amy Winehouse - AMY: The Original Soundtrack

With British wintertime in full swing, we desperately need a series that’ll transport us to far-flung lands – although The Man in the High Castle mightn’t be what we originally had in mind. Based on the Philip K Dick novel, this series plunges us into an alternate universe in which the Nazis won the Second World War. Set in the US, which is now split between the Japanese and Germans, the series has received acclaim from TV critics and fans alike, and even holds 94% approval rating of on Rotten Tomatoes. There’s nothing quite like a dark dystopia to make you feel snug and safe on your own sofa, so make sure you put this one on series record.

It’s difficult not to feel emotionally affected when one of Amy Winehouse’s songs are played on the radio. Now in the wake of a film dedicated to the late singer, AMY: The Original Soundtrack has been released, which tells in its own melodic way the story of her tragic life and untimely death.

The 23-track album contains 11 B-Side singles, including famous tracks like Back to Black, Valerie and her debut single, Stronger Than Me. Serving as a touching reminder of the promise and talent of a hugely troubled individual, AMY: The Original Soundtrack definitely deserves a place on your playlist.

Out now

CINEMA ESCAPES STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS It’s been 10 years since the space epic last hit UK cinemas, but with the brand now firmly under Disney’s wing the series will return to cinemas with The Force Awakens, set for release on 17 December. The action takes place 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi, and follows a band of new characters that become caught up in a fresh galactic conflict between the Alliance and the First Order. Aerial dog fights and Stormtroopers are packed into two hours of cinematic nostalgia – guaranteed to please fans and newbies alike!

BOOK THIS BOOK CLUBBING By day, The Book Club serves as a home for creatives tapping away at their laptops surrounded by freshly ground coffee. By night, the restaurant comes alive by bringing the East London social scene to the heart of its atmosphere. On top of this, music and film nights and craft workshops are on offer for those with a more artistic temperament.

London, EC2A 4RH

lunch break

LOVES Forget the rain – it’s time for hibernation. Check out these bits of homeware guaranteed to make any house a home

1 Clarissa Hulse lady fern cushion, natural flame, John Lewis, £45 2 Linea linea marble tableware set, House of Fraser, £22.80 3 LSA International garland assorted wine glasses, set of four, John Lewis, £30

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4 Sonos PLAY 1 wireless music system, black, John Lewis, £163 5 Jones Giant metal cream ‘Savoy’ wall clock, Debenhams, £52

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lunch break

O F F I C E C AT W A L K As temperatures drop, take a look at our selection of winter warmers designed to keep you feeling warm and looking stylish

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MEN WOMEN 1 Faux fur lined parka, Next, £80 2 V-neck jumper, H&M, £14.99

1 RJR. John Rocha tan leather fleece lined boots, Debenhams, £85

3 Tan suedette double breasted coat, New Look, £49.99

2 Red smart tartan shirt, River Island, £25

4 Leather buckle sludge ankle boots, Next, £65

3 Brown wool-blend harrington jacket, River Island, £85

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lunch break

AND ONE MORE THING ...

WHY I’M OPTING OUT OF THE CHRISTMAS DO

For many, the annual office Christmas do is a night to remember. Not so for Bristol PA Nicola Webb, who isn’t afraid to opt out of this, her most hated festive activity

C Nicola Webb PA

Did you agree with the columnist?

Think you can do better?

Email us with your ‘And one more thing’ of approx. 300 words to editor@olemagazine.co.uk

hristmas is a time to cherish; a time of merriment, friendship and family. And soon, across the country, tradition dictates that we must also be subjected to an evening of agonising small talk, measly cuts of turkey, warm glasses of white wine and questionable dance moves. Yes, I’m talking about the annual office party.

Since The Office came out many moons ago the office party has become something of a legend. However cringe-worthy, we’re expected to view it with a sense of gleeful anticipation and purchase glittery new accessories to wear on the night. But why? I’m all for team-building and spreading Christmas joy, but I find whole the ritual tiring and unnecessary.

So much so that I’ve finally taken a leap I should have taken years ago – I’m opting out of the annual Christmas do once and for all.

Before you dismiss me as a Scrooge, hear me out. When did you last genuinely enjoy your office Christmas party? When was the food actually more than just about edible? Did you really enjoy hearing your own slurred words in conversation with the HR director? I bet many of you would actually pay a few quid to wipe all memories of previous parties out of your minds – and if you’re a nervous drinker like me, you might pay a few bob to wipe out everyone else’s too.

The worst thing is that it isn’t over after everyone’s gone home. I don’t derive pleasure from the predictable Monday morning chit-chat about who was flirting with who or which unfortunate soul emptied an entire pint down their shirt. Such talk turns the office into a playground and fosters an awkward atmosphere in the workplace right into the New Year.

No – this year, instead of spending my time wondering how I’ll scrub other people’s spillages out of my best party dress, I’d rather maintain a little dignity and have the weeks running up to Christmas ‘banter’ free. If you need me during the yuletide period you’ll find me curled up on the sofa with a hot chocolate in one hand and the TV remote in the other. Now that’s a Christmas to remember.

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