2011

mini answer Monday: 6 short answers to 6 short questions

It’s mini answer Monday — six short answers to six short questions. Here we go… 1. Why is my employer of three years requesting my resume? Recently I was asked by my manager to provide my resume. As I have been in the position for several years, I informed her that I didn’t have a […]

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how can I tell my boss how much I appreciate him?

A reader writes: My boss, who I have worked for since 2006, is a wonderful manager. Working with him has been truly an eye-opening experience as to what a good manager actually is. He has been very supportive, he never micromanages and truly leads by example. He has had my back throughout a health issue […]

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how to quit your job

If you’re thinking about quitting your job, there are a bunch of things you don’t want to do: Quit in a huff, get senioritis in your last weeks, be so concerned about the right timing that you put it off too long, and more. You may cross paths with your manager and coworkers in the […]

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update from the reader whose coworker appointed herself the food police

Remember the reader whose coworker was badgering another coworker about her weight and diet choices? Here’s her update: Thank you for your advice earlier this year regarding this difficult situation at my office. In your response to my post, you mentioned the assertiveness of my co-worker who was being bullied. I considered this and decided […]

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update from the reader who found fingernail clippings at her desk

Remember the reader who found someone else’s fingernail clippings in her desk drawer and on her chair? Here’s her update: It turns out that there was a new nightly cleaning crew that started working right before I found the fingernails. So HR assumed that they were hanging out in my cubicle because I keep my […]

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rules for office gift-giving

A couple of people have asked me to write about gift-giving at work. Here are the guidelines I espouse: 1. Don’t buy a gift for your boss (with the exception in #2 below). 2. It’s nice to bring in food items for people at this time of year, either something you leave in the kitchen […]

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6 more “where are they now” updates from readers

Here are six more reader updates. The subject line for each links back to the person’s original post. 1. The reader who interviewer asked her to bring a print-out of her accrued vacation and sick leave time In late July, you answered my question in one of your Short Answer days. (Thank you!) I was […]

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is it okay to fire someone close to Christmas?

A reader writes: I have an employee who has performance issues that are well documented. In fact, he has been slated for termination several times and, in each instance, managed to convince a former manager that he should be allowed to retain his position. However, after making a major mistake which could cost us a […]

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