how to (politely) discourage friends from applying to work at my company by Alison Green on July 24, 2013 A reader writes: I’m a recruiter at a tech company — one of those cool internet startups that everyone wants to work at. Of course, along with that comes very high hiring standards. We have a very specific profile that we look for, and our interview process is extremely competitive. In the past two years, […] Read the full article →
my friend is sending me unprofessional emails at work by Alison Green on July 24, 2013 A reader writes: I have a question for you about email at work. A friend/former classmate and I are both in our first professional jobs since graduating from college. We work in the same city and have similar jobs, although in completely different fields. We occasionally email each other during the work day using our […] Read the full article →
why summer in the office is a terrible thing by Alison Green on July 24, 2013 Summer: the worst season. And that’s true at work, especially — where summer brings battles over the thermostat, the challenge of looking professional when sweat is encasing your body, and a coworker who is inexplicably wearing a midriff-revealing top. Here are eight of the biggest aggravations that you’ll find in nearly every workplace this summer. 1. […] Read the full article →
my company merged with my spouse’s, my coworker keeps disappearing, and more by Alison Green on July 24, 2013 It’s seven short answers to seven short questions. Here we go… 1. My company merged with my spouse’s and now I’m being pushed to leave Recently, both the companies that my spouse and I work for merged, with his boss taking over my company. He has been hinting to my spouse that my spouse should […] Read the full article →
telling a chronically tardy employee with child care issues that she has to be on time … without tears by Alison Green on July 23, 2013 A reader writes: I have a new salaried staff member who is a manager-in-training for a new location we are opening up. I believe this is her first management role, and this may be her first salaried position. I was not involved in her hiring process. She has worked for us for a week now, […] Read the full article →
how can I get away from work on the weekends and in the evenings? by Alison Green on July 23, 2013 A reader writes: I’m in the middle of the hierarchy at a very small company. Two people report to me, and I report to two people, but they trust me and I have a lot of autonomy and decision-making power. My two reports and I work a pretty standard schedule, with a few weekends and […] Read the full article →
when your coworker makes more money than you do by Alison Green on July 23, 2013 A reader writes: I just found out that my coworker is being paid 10% more than I am. She does the same work that I do and has only been here for a year longer than I have. My boss has always seemed happy with my work and I’ve never been one to push for […] Read the full article →
disclosing a side business, how much of a salary hit to take when changing jobs, and more by Alison Green on July 23, 2013 It’s seven short answers to seven short questions. Here we go… 1. Recruiter suggested paying for a pre-employment test study guide My partner is looking for a job and was recently contacted by a recruiter. She was given an official application to complete as well as a link to an assessment. The recruiter highly suggested […] Read the full article →
how can I help save my boyfriend’s family business without losing my mind? by Alison Green on July 22, 2013 A reader writes: My boyfriend and I have been together for what will be two years at the end of October. I love him very much. I just wanted to get that out of the way. However, not long after we met and started dating, his father passed away, leaving him and his mother with […] Read the full article →
should I leave my first job if I’m not learning hard skills? by Alison Green on July 22, 2013 A reader writes: I’m a recent grad who got my first professional job a few months ago as an assistant at a start-up company. I was hesitant at first about taking the job because the company is a start-up and didn’t seem very professional. I had some trouble, but things are getting smoother now. However, […] Read the full article →