December 2014

open thread – December 12, 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. * If you submitted […]

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update: my coworker kissed me and now his wife is emailing me

Remember the letter-writer whose married coworker kissed her and who then received an angry email from the coworker’s wife? Here’s the update. Thank you for posting my letter in the first place, Alison. I felt really supported by the readers and read each and every comment. The advice I received was so insightful and on […]

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update: my coworker constantly asks us to loan him money

Remember the letter-writer with a coworker who was constantly hitting up everyone in the office for money? Here’s the update. I had loaned the man $150 before Christmas last year. He would always have the money “next week.” But he always had money for cigarettes. I told him in the spirit of Christmas I would […]

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Christmas tantrums, Hanukkah balls, and other workplace holiday disasters

I recently asked readers to share their weirdest or funniest stories related to holidays at the office, and from an annual Christmas tantrum-thrower to Hanukkah balls, you delivered. I’ve compiled my 10 favorites. 1. Christmas tantrum “A woman who had worked at our office for more than twenty years pouted and threw tantrums like a child if […]

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I don’t want to give 360 feedback to my coworker

A reader writes: I am in the same title and report to the same manager as another person, with whom I sometimes work tangentially on projects (we work together maybe 2-5% of my time). That’s great, since working with him generates 80% of all the agita in my current role. He’s wound really tight, is […]

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update: my coworker went through my trash can to get me in trouble

Remember the recent letter-writer whose coworker went through her trash can to try to get her in trouble? Here’s the update. The following week I arrived at work on Monday, and was promptly let go by my director (I know! We’d built such a great rapport!) for the following reason: “it’s just not working out.” While I […]

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how to coach an irritated manager to stop yelling

A reader writes: I supervise four managers. One (who is brilliant and extremely receptive to feedback) is a younger manager who supervises someone 20+ years her senior who is argumentative and disagreeable. I can give the manager guidance about handling the argumentativeness from this employee (who is on a PIP for other issues), but – […]

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