boss threatening to contact prospective employer by Alison Green on February 19, 2009 A reader writes: I have been working at the job from hell (people always burp, cuss, yell at each other, etc.) since mid-November. Even though the job is outside of my educational training, I took it because of the poor economy and it’s the only job I could get. Since I knew I wouldn’t be […] Read the full article →
asking boss for a loan by Alison Green on February 19, 2009 A reader writes: I started working for my new employer on September 15, 2008. I was pregnant and I had to go on maternity leave on January 1, 2009. The company did not pay me while I was on maternity leave. I have financial problems and could not pay rent. The owner switched off my […] Read the full article →
boss makes schedule without checking with employee by Alison Green on February 18, 2009 A reader writes: Since I have worked at the company where my stepfather and stepbrother also work, my boss has written me in for shifts without asking me if I am available. Occasionally he asks a family member rather than me, but lately he has not even been doing that. I’m 17 and have been […] Read the full article →
managing women from a douchebag’s perspective by Alison Green on February 16, 2009 I’m not in the habit of leaving angry comments on other people’s blogs, but Brazen Careerist today features a post called “Managing Women: From A Guy’s Perspective,” and I couldn’t help myself. From what I can tell, it was written by a 14-year-old boy. It includes gems like: All women love chivalry! Male bosses should […] Read the full article →
choosing end date when resigning by Alison Green on February 16, 2009 A reader writes: I am leaving my job within the next month. I would like to carry over my end date into a new month in order to stay eligible for benefits within the next month. When I give a 2 week notice, is it 10 working days and can I give my notice mid-week? […] Read the full article →
unreasonable sick leave policy? by Alison Green on February 16, 2009 A reader writes: I work for a well-known hospital in New York City. The company administers an employee satisfaction survey every year, and for the past few years there had been an increasingly negative response to the policies concerning sick leave. We accrue 90 hours of sick time a year (twelve 7.5 hour days). The […] Read the full article →
thank-you note for not being laid off? by Alison Green on February 11, 2009 A reader writes: My husband has been successfully employed by the same company for 13 years. Due to the economic climate, the company has been forced to lay-off 14% of their staff. Fortunately, my husband’s job has been spared, and at least for the moment, we feel that his job is secure. Would it be […] Read the full article →
how to deal with a coworker being fired by Alison Green on February 9, 2009 A reader writes: How do you deal with it when a coworker is fired? Today I was talking with my coworker and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He went into a meeting with our boss, and next thing I knew he was gone, and an email was sent to the whole department saying that […] Read the full article →
boss vacationing while business struggles by Alison Green on February 8, 2009 A reader writes: I am an office manager of nine years in a small doctor’s practice. I have one other co-worker, who is going on her 11th year. With the failing economy, our boss cut our holiday bonus in half, most recently took three months to deposit our simple IRA contributions and matches, took our […] Read the full article →
is my boss wrong to consult with someone else about my work? by Alison Green on February 6, 2009 A reader writes: I work in an 8-person field office of a major national nonprofit. Our office is currently in the midst of a major collaborative initiative which has placed increasing demands on our Executive Director’s (my boss) time. My boss is so busy cultivating relationships with volunteers and funders that he spends less time […] Read the full article →