what kind of volunteering is most helpful? by Alison Green on October 24, 2014 A reader writes: I know you’ve spoken extensively about how volunteer work is important and can lend a substantive note to your resume and work experience. But can you discuss a little what kinds of volunteer work are more “important,” skills-wise, for employers? Is ten years of driving for Meals on Wheels going to be […] Read the full article →
open thread – October 24, 2014 by Alison Green on October 24, 2014 It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on anything work-related that you want to talk about. If you want an answer from me, emailing me is still your best bet, but this is a chance to talk to other readers. Read the full article →
reference quandary for an employee I don’t want to keep, banning jalapeños, and more by Alison Green on October 24, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I can’t give my employee a good reference, but I don’t want her to stay in her job I have an employee who has not been doing a good job for a while. This person has clearly been unhappy (grumpy at work, calls in sick […] Read the full article →
sorry, no calls by Alison Green on October 23, 2014 OMG, I love this: Dear Friend: Sorry. My heart says yes, but my schedule says no. and this: Sorry, no calls (When I originally posted this, I assumed the author of the second piece had gotten permission to use the large amounts of Oatmeal content included there. Reading the comments on the piece over there, […] Read the full article →
you’re making 4 mistakes in your one-on-ones with your team by Alison Green on October 23, 2014 I recently wrote about mistakes to avoid in your one-on-one’s with your manager. Today let’s talk about the mistakes you might be making in one-on-one’s if you’re the boss. 1. Not taking a few minutes to reflect and prepare before the meeting. Hopefully you’ve asked your staff member to create an agenda for the meeting, but be […] Read the full article →
how should we handle holiday vacation requests when we need to ensure coverage in the office? by Alison Green on October 23, 2014 A reader writes: I manage a team of 22 that is responsible for supporting clients by phone and email. The company is closed on Christmas, the day after Christmas, New Years Eve, and New Year’s Day, so nobody is expected to work those days. However, of our 22 people, we’d want at least 12 in […] Read the full article →
job application wants me to list contact info for my friends, ads that target “recent college grads,” and more by Alison Green on October 23, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Are ads that target “recent college grads” age discrimination? I am job-searching and keep seeing some really great jobs that I qualify for, posted by this same staffing company on job boards. ALL of the positions require a 4-year degree and most specify the applicant […] Read the full article →
my manager said I’m emasculating an employee (or how to respond to gendered feedback) by Alison Green on October 22, 2014 A reader writes: I am a first-time manager, but have been with my current organization for four years. I am the only person at my level with a direct report (who started in January) and I have significant concerns about my direct report’s ability to fulfill the requirements of the job. I have raised these […] Read the full article →
how to get along with a disgruntled coworker who dislikes our boss by Alison Green on October 22, 2014 A reader writes: I work for a mid-sized commercial design and production company. I believe our manager, “Jane,” is competent/manages well, but I’ve had some issues that have definitely affected my performance and attitude, which I have now owned and I’ve resolved to work on being an excellent employee. Since recovering from a health condition […] Read the full article →
my former boss is engaging in weird LinkedIn behavior, I feel guilty about leaving my job, and more by Alison Green on October 22, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I feel guilty about making my boss’s life harder if I leave for a new job I’ve been passively looking for a new job for about a year now, but really only half-heartedly. I don’t have any huge complaints with the day-to-day of my current […] Read the full article →