terse answer Thursday — 7 short answers to 7 short questions by Alison Green on December 13, 2012 It’s terse answer Thursday — seven short answers to seven short questions. Here we go… 1. My boss and I like each other and it’s uncomfortable My boss is a female and I am a male. We are both married. I really do like her and she gives me the impression she likes me too. […] Read the full article →
this isn’t how you make layoff decisions by Alison Green on December 12, 2012 This is dumb on so many levels that I don’t even know where to begin: Newspaper tells two employees to decide between themselves which one will be laid off Oh fine, I’ll begin here: You don’t make layoff decisions arbitrarily — you make them based on actual business factors, looking at performance, what the company […] Read the full article →
I’m not dating a student where I teach, but people think I am by Alison Green on December 12, 2012 A reader writes: I’m worried that the college where I teach as an adjunct thinks I’m dating a student, who in reality is my sister. When the department coordinator hired me three semesters ago, I informed him that my sister, nine years my junior, is a student at the college, and I promised she would […] Read the full article →
how far back can you reasonably push an interview request? by Alison Green on December 12, 2012 A reader writes: I have a question about being reasonable when it comes to scheduling an interview, when you are currently employed. I applied for a job today, and then immediately was asked to come in and interview. Unfortunately, I assumed that I would a) never hear from the company b) hear from them in […] Read the full article →
I cried in an interview — and later accepted the job by Alison Green on December 12, 2012 A reader writes: First, I just want to say that I love Ask a Manager! I’m in the process of transitioning to a new job, and your advice has been invaluable. I managed to negotiate a signing bonus at my new job, and I turned down my current job’s counter-offer while still maintaining good terms […] Read the full article →
update from the reader who wanted to borrow the CEO’s assistant by Alison Green on December 12, 2012 Remember the letter-writer who wanted to ask the CEO if he could “borrow” the CEO’s assistant to work on his own projects? Here’s his update. I got a lot of solid, honest advice that I needed to hear. I apologized to the CEO’s assistant, as suggested, for overstepping my boundaries by assuming she was able […] Read the full article →
wee answer Wednesday — 7 short answers to 7 short questions by Alison Green on December 12, 2012 It’s wee answer Wednesday — seven short answers to seven short questions. Here we go… 1. What’s up with this poor benefits package? I just had an interview at a company for a senior-level director position I am potentially interested in, but the company’s benefits (or lack thereof) concern me. For instance, the company only […] Read the full article →
how to crush someone’s dreams without being a jerk by Alison Green on December 11, 2012 A reader writes: I was contacted by a recent graduate of my alma mater asking for advice on getting into my industry (publishing), and we’re having coffee later this week. I get these kinds of emails every so often, and I’m sometimes torn over how to respond. Because the honest truth is that most people […] Read the full article →
ask the readers: reporting domestic violence to an employer by Alison Green on December 11, 2012 Hoping you guys can weigh in on this one. A reader writes: I have a friend and former coworker who is a victim of domestic violence. While I have not seen evidence of it at work (bruises), knowing this person, her work history, and having met the husband, I am certain she is a victim […] Read the full article →
the 10 worst office holiday party disasters by Alison Green on December 11, 2012 I recently asked readers to tell me about their worst office holiday parties, and your stories ranged from giggle-inducing to outright horrifying. Here are 10 of the worst disasters you reported. 1. You’re invited … to work at the party “I was working in sandwich shop with only six employees. The owner invited all of us to […] Read the full article →