how to delegate last-minute work without a mutiny by Alison Green on July 24, 2014 No matter how well you plan out your team’s work, you might occasionally need to delegate an urgent project at the last-minute. Here’s how to do it without sending your team into rebellion or causing anyone to have a panic attack. 1. Acknowledge to your staff that the deadline is not ideal. Employees are more […] Read the full article →
is it weird to eat throughout the day at my desk? by Alison Green on July 24, 2014 A reader writes: I am currently trying to put on some weight. I try to eat roughly every 2 hours. I work in a very small office that has a relaxed setting and in my own cubicle. I will get to the office early to prepare a quick breakfast of a banana and a small […] Read the full article →
how should students pick a college major? by Alison Green on July 24, 2014 I’m throwing this one out to readers to weigh in on. A reader writes: I work in higher education. I am changing from Admissions to Academic Advising. I really enjoy your advice and would love to know your opinion on something. How should a student go about choosing a college major? I was at a […] Read the full article →
did I violate work-friends protocol, where’s my promotion, and more by Alison Green on July 24, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Did I violate work-friends protocol? I’m fairly new at a job in a smallish company, less than 9 months. The city is also new to me. I’m trying to meet more people and make more friends. I have no problem inviting people to chat and […] Read the full article →
was this email condescending or territorial? by Alison Green on July 23, 2014 A reader writes: I work in a small public library and am in charge of coordinating displays, though everyone contributes to them. Recently, when things are slow at the desk, some of my coworkers have taken to helping fill displays or help deal with the new flux of items we’ve recently gotten. I don’t mind […] Read the full article →
is it legal for publications not to pay their writers? by Alison Green on July 23, 2014 A reader writes: After being unemployed for 8 months, a friend suggested I look at volunteer websites to do writing and design for free, just to start doing it again. I felt a bit reluctant, but did. Eventually I found a city magazine in my area looking for writers, but they couldn’t pay them, just […] Read the full article →
how can I get an employee to solve problems on her own, when does my two weeks notice start, and more by Alison Green on July 23, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. How can I get an employee to try to solve problems on her own? I have an employee who’s been with me for 6 years in an entry-level researcher position. Late last year, my senior researcher went out on leave, so my two entry researchers […] Read the full article →
my office permits bad behavior under the guise of harmony by Alison Green on July 22, 2014 A reader writes: I’m in a new position in an academic administrative department. I got out of a toxic workplace in April, have a great new boss, and am in a newly created position – meaning I get to determine (with my boss) what kind of projects we’ll work on in the next year. Yay! […] Read the full article →
why you need a vacation (even when there’s no time) by Alison Green on July 22, 2014 Americans notoriously receive less annual vacation time than other countries, on average – but did you know that we use less of what we get, too? A Glassdoor survey earlier this year indicated that the average U.S. employee only took 51% of their eligible vacation time in the last year and 15% didn’t take off […] Read the full article →
how can I get a job description, what heels are too high for work, and more by Alison Green on July 22, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Should I believe my contact’s warning about his horrible organization? I’m currently employed as a nonprofit consultant and am looking for a new position within a nonprofit organization. I just left an informational interview that made me a bit heartbroken. A friend put me in […] Read the full article →