how to deal with employee performance problems by Alison Green on July 19, 2009 A reader writes: I’m preparing to visit with an employee who appears to need coaching. The employee has good qualities such as a perceived ability to do the things asked to do. Also, a sense of dedication to the overall concept of work. Problems are: He is reluctant to follow through on tasks which he […] Read the full article →
annoying vendor behavior by Alison Green on July 17, 2009 From a colleague of mine: I’ve noticed that many of our vendors have an old-fashioned way of doing business: They seem to think that calling or coming by (in response to an e-mail) is the way to show me that they value me as a client, when I would like to see that they respect […] Read the full article →
internships: stay where I am or seek out new experiences? by Alison Green on July 16, 2009 A reader writes: I am currently awaiting the start my junior year at a D.C. university and was fortunate enough to spend my summer in Washington, D.C. I threw myself into 50 hours of work per week – with two part-time internships and a part-time job. With the summer now in full swing, I have […] Read the full article →
obligated to accept internal offer? by Alison Green on July 15, 2009 A reader writes: A job was posted to my company’s internal site. I applied for it and have an interview scheduled, but I am not sure I really want the job because it involves an extensive amount of travel (75-80% of the time, sometimes more). Am I under any unspoken obligation to accept an offer? […] Read the full article →
things I like by Alison Green on July 15, 2009 1. Tea, hot or iced 2. These sheets 3. Elinor Dashwood 4. Sriracha sauce 5. The pygmy slow loris 6. Watermelon agua frescas 7. “Freaks and Geeks” 8. Chaise lounges 9. My RSS reader — or anyone’s, really 10. This place Thanks for letting me impose on you. Now back to regular programming. Read the full article →
boss fired me but her assistant keeps calling by Alison Green on July 14, 2009 A reader writes: I worked in a domestic capacity and lived in the house where I worked. After a couple of months of working non-stop, I took a weekend off (didn’t take time off before because I didn’t want to and there were problems finding cover). A few days later, I was fired and was […] Read the full article →
manager told me I’m not doing enough work by Alison Green on July 14, 2009 A reader writes: My workload is zero. I was told by my manager that I have to ask for work and that everyone else at my level is asking for work and is very busy. I have been here for just 15 months and was surprised at this comment during my yearly review. Following my […] Read the full article →
16-year-old seeks advice: jobless and losing hope by Alison Green on July 14, 2009 A reader writes: I’m 16 and I have absolutely no job experience. I fear that along with my lack of experience, the economy being crap right now will entirely prevent me from getting a job. Am I truly hopeless? Another reason it may not be working out for me is that I started applying right […] Read the full article →
blogs I like by Alison Green on July 13, 2009 Some of the sites I like and recommend — not a comprehensive list by any means: 1. Evil HR Lady. Evil HR Lady inspired me to start Ask a Manager two years ago, so blame her. She’s lazing around in Switzerland these days so not posting as much as she used to, but her archives […] Read the full article →
should I give away my ideas for free when I’m looking for a paying job? by Alison Green on July 13, 2009 A reader writes: I interviewed with a nonprofit two years ago and didn’t get the job. I also donate a small amount of money every month to the organization — like $25 per month. The group had a phone-a-thon the other day and called me to get my opinion on a variety of their issues. […] Read the full article →