Free They Don't Teach Corporate in College by Alexandra Levit Page A

right to buy or sell shares of company stock at a specific price for a specific period of time. You can typically get an excellent deal on your company’s stock by exercising options—but tread carefully. Some employee stock purchase plans have stringent requirements for exercising options, including narrow windows during which you can buy or sell your stock.
Expense Reports
    You might think this one is a no-brainer. You spend money on behalf of your company, and then HR pays you back, right? Unfortunately, business expense reimbursement can be fraught with peril. On the one hand, you want to get what’s owed you. On the other hand, you must also care for your reputation by keeping company expenses down.
    Because navigating most expense-report software programs is a chore, get to know your company’s tools before you have items to submit. You should also find out early if job-related expenses must be charged on a particular credit card, or if you are required to use certain vendors in order to be reimbursed. When traveling or eating out on the company’s dollar, choose the middle-of-the-road option instead of the most expensive. Most importantly, don’t pad your expense reports. Read your policy in detail to determine what you will be reimbursed for, and don’t submit anything that doesn’t meet these requirements. And please don’t lie. As enticing as it is to take your significant other out to dinner on the company after you return from a business trip, don’t do it. The $50 you will spend today is a drop in the bucket compared to the months of salary you’ll lose if you’re caught.
Access Plans
    Depending on your position, your new company might offer to pick up the tab for your smartphone and/or tablet. Joining the company plan can saveyou big bucks, but you should be prepared for calls and minute usage to be monitored. By paying for your devices, your company assumes that you will be using them for business. If you regularly run up international and roaming charges calling your family in Greece or your friend who owns a dude ranch in Montana, you should probably keep a personal phone as well.

    Now that you understand your company’s policies, it’s time to bid adieu to the Job Gods and get to work. In general, the less HR is reminded of your existence, the better. Think of HR as a sleeping baby you don’t want to disturb. Go about your business doing what you’re supposed to do, but keep the noise level to a minimum.
On the Clock
    During my first week at a financial consulting firm, I didn’t have much work to do yet, so I decided to run out and catch up on the errands I’d missed while I was job hunting. I guess I ran over my lunch hour a few times, but I knew I’d be working 80 hours a week soon, so I didn’t worry about it. Sure enough, within a few weeks, I was so busy I always ate lunch at my desk. So naturally, I was pretty surprised when my boss brought up attendance as an item of concern in my initial review. That first week, he’d seen me leaving the office a lot during business hours—but he hadn’t paid attention to anything since then!
    Kyra, 24, Ontario
    One of my favorite managers used to say that perception is reality, and there is nothing stronger than a perception formed on the basis of a first impression. Whether you have a clock-watcher as a boss or not, it’s crucial that you are on your best behavior during your first month at a new job. Be aware that everyone is watching you, so make sure to arrive on time for work. It’s not a bad idea to be seen eating lunch at your desk a few times so that your coworkers keep that image in their minds. If you do go out, don’t run over the allotted hour, and refrain from midday workouts at the gym until you’re well established at the company.
    At the end of the day, carefully watch what time people in your department leave the office. You should aim to