how to avoid socializing with kids at the office, how to end a cover letter, and more by Alison Green on January 27, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. How to avoid socializing with a coworker’s kid at the office Sometimes parents bring children into work and then proceed to socialize while the kid pokes/digs/plays around the office, kind of half-expecting the other women in the office to “watch” him or her. My letter […] Read the full article →
I have no idea what salary to expect, I want to stop covering the phones, and more by Alison Green on January 25, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Covering the phones is interfering with my ability to do my job I’ve been at my new company for about three months now as a social media coordinator. When I interviewed for the position, there was no mention for the occasional need to cover for […] Read the full article →
check the name of your resume file by Alison Green on January 24, 2014 This is a small thing, but if you’re sending out a resume with a date like “resume2013,” please go update it right now. Otherwise, fairly soon you’ll start looking like your job search has been a lengthy one (which, rightly or wrongly, can turn some employers off) — and like you’re not paying attention to […] Read the full article →
I provide my company’s daily cash out of my personal funds by Alison Green on January 24, 2014 A reader writes: I work at a weight loss center. We have limited hours, multiple locations, and unusual business practices. As employees, we are expected to provide the “bank” for the business. Each day, I bring about $200 with me for the cash drawer. This money is from my personal account. I am expected to […] Read the full article →
open thread by Alison Green on January 24, 2014 It’s the Friday open thread! (I’m experimenting with weekly open threads this month, to see if they make the number of comments more manageable.) The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on anything you want to talk about. If you want an answer from me, emailing me is still […] Read the full article →
I don’t want to do TV interviews, extending a business trip for personal reasons, and more by Alison Green on January 24, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Will my employer find out that I took a different flight home after work travel? I work for a huge retail company, and the head office organizes travel for us. I’m being sent to training on the other side of the country. My boss agreed […] Read the full article →
3 more reader updates by Alison Green on January 23, 2014 Here are three more updates from readers whose questions were answered here last year. 1. My boss is breaking laws and promises but I feel guilty about leaving (#1 at the link) I asked you a question about my unethical employer back in November, and though it’s taken me almost three months to quit, I finally had […] Read the full article →
ask the readers: what should a company jobs page include? by Alison Green on January 23, 2014 I’m throwing this one out to readers to advise on. Here’s the letter: We’re developing a careers page on our company website and I’d love your input, as well as the input of your readers. What is good to include? What’s lame? The primary motivation to develop this webpage is to attract the best applicants […] Read the full article →
I’m being penalized for not participating in monthly athletic events at work by Alison Green on January 23, 2014 A reader writes: I work on a team of 15 people in a large office. My direct manager came to our team about a year ago. She is young and very athletic, into running marathons, snowboarding, hiking, etc. She is also very into team-building activities and making our team feel like a family, which is […] Read the full article →
asking a coworker about the real reasons she’s quitting, do I have to reply to recruiters’ emails, and more by Alison Green on January 23, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Do I have to reply to recruiters’ emails? Is it considered rude or inconsiderate not to reply to recruiters’ emails? I’m in the legal profession and I probably get anywhere from 5 – 20 emails a week from recruiters looking to fill positions nationwide. I’m […] Read the full article →