2009

battle between old employees and new

A reader writes: The company I work for as the HR manager first of all is a small, family-run business and has employees who’ve been with us since day 1 (25 years ago) and have been loyal and worked long and hard to help us get to where we’re at today. The problem is times […]

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laying off a good employee

A reader writes: Due to the recent economic downturn, I am obliged to fire one of my best employees: he is proactive, his work is always sharp, he is a team player, and he is an evangelist of the vision of the company, not only in his department but in the entire company. Unfortunately we […]

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reporting a coworker

A reader writes: I work at a wealth management firm for very high-profile clients and I’ve found myself in the middle of a ethically tough situation. One of my co-workers, who has grown to be a relatively good friend, has revealed to me that he’s begun to date a woman who was in our office […]

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the Ask a Manager book for managers is here

It’s here! My book, Managing to Change the World: The Nonprofit Leader’s Guide to Getting Results, is now available. The book is geared toward nonprofit managers because that’s what my co-author, Jerry Hauser (former COO of Teach For America and current head of The Management Center), and I care about most — we want to […]

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the “burn your bridges” girl digs herself in deeper

A follow-up to yesterday’s post on that ridiculous advice not to care about burning bridges: She’s now posted a video response, making the same argument. Prepare to be really pissed off and disgusted. Update: She also seems to have deleted the comment I left there. Twice. Since she deleted my comment over there, I’ll repost […]

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Brazen Careerist gives bad advice again

Once again, Brazen Careerist has run a post giving terrible job advice, written by someone who has no expertise in the topic. Brazen Careerist started as a good idea — a site where 20somethings can learn about career topics from their peers. It was started by Penelope Trunk, whose writing I admire and who I […]

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can you appeal a job rejection?

Every few weeks or so, I’m contacted by a job candidate asking me to reconsider our rejection of his or her application. Here’s the internal dialogue in my head when this happens, and I can almost guarantee you it’s the same for other hiring managers:  “Reconsider the decision? But we rejected you for a specific […]

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laid off and then asked back

A reader writes: I was laid off after working 2.5 years with a company I adored. I was devastated. I kept in contact with coworkers and was persistent about letting my Branch Manager know of my desire to come back. Finally I landed a new job. But, 3 days later, my Branch Manager gave me […]

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accepted offer without asking about salary

A reader writes: I’m fresh out of college, just got hired at my first “grown up job.” I’m supposed to start training next week but my bosses haven’t gone over pay with me. The job is selling ad space in a magazine. They told me I would have the option of commission only or base […]

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