how to ask for a disability accommodation for a job interview by Alison Green on February 29, 2024 A reader writes: I hoped you could answer a question –– ideally with a disability/employment lawyer or other specialist –– about disclosing disabilities at the interview stage. Your site is emphatic that disabilities should not be disclosed until an offer is received, due to the possibility for (unconscious) discrimination. This makes sense, but it leaves […] Read the full article →
update: recovering professionally after an internet hate campaign by Alison Green on February 29, 2024 Remember the letter-writer trying to recover professionally after an internet hate campaign against her? Earlier updates are here, and here’s the latest. So much has happened since then (I can’t believe it’s been eight years!) both in the industry and professionally. After I left my former company, I took some time working for other companies […] Read the full article →
it’s Leap Day! let’s discuss ridiculous workplace policies by Alison Green on February 29, 2024 It’s Leap Day and so in honor of the Leap Year employee who finally gets her birthday off this year, we must talk about bizarre, nonsensical policies your employers have had. Did they ban humor? Refuse to let you say “how are you?” to customers? Tell you that you couldn’t wear your wedding ring because […] Read the full article →
do I have to drive my employee’s employee, AI attending meetings, and more by Alison Green on February 29, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Do I have to drive my employee’s employee? I have an employee (there is a middle manager between us, so I am his grandboss) who doesn’t have a car. He was told when he got hired he needed a car for this job and he […] Read the full article →
can I teach a very disorganized employee to be more independent? by Alison Green on February 28, 2024 A reader writes: I have a question about helping my employee get organized. She has two pivotal job duties which are closely tied but not directly linked — I could technically have two people doing each piece separately, but the volume as a small business doesn’t warrant that number of employees. Think the relationship between […] Read the full article →
update: can I offer to pay a coworker’s vet bill? by Alison Green on February 28, 2024 Remember the letter-writer wondering if they could offer to pay a coworker’s vet bill (#2 at the link)? Here’s the update. I reached out to my coworker the evening that the letter was published. I texted him and made the offer to cover the testing for a diagnosis, up to a certain amount of money, […] Read the full article →
should I tell my boss my coworker is working a second job during her hours for us? by Alison Green on February 28, 2024 A reader writes: I wanted to get your thoughts on something that has bugged me for a while. My coworker has a second job as a photographer and does photoshoots during work hours when we are required to be in the office (only three days a week, mind you). I am aware that Covid created […] Read the full article →
complaints about a new hire before she’s started, employer sent my rejection to my father, and more by Alison Green on February 28, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. We got a complaint call about a new hire before she started We hired a new executive director, who starts in a week. Did multiple reference checks (including a former direct report and a former supervisor), criminal background check, employment and education verifications, licensure verification, […] Read the full article →
I’m in charge of our disgusting office kitchen by Alison Green on February 27, 2024 A reader writes: I am an administrative assistant for a small company (about 50 people). My problem, especially now that folks are fully returned to office, is the cleanliness of the kitchen. As any admin in charge of the office kitchen will tell you, it is a NIGHTMARE. Food left on counters, molding fruit in […] Read the full article →
our company has an annual golf trip … but the women don’t play by Alison Green on February 27, 2024 A reader writes: Our smallish family-owned business has been taking our sales team on a long weekend golf trip on and off for many years. It is intended to be a reward, and little if any business is discussed when we are there. It’s mostly beer drinking, side betting golf, in a beach town with […] Read the full article →