how can I get over my bitterness at being laid off, saying no to a networking request, and more by Alison Green on December 10, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. How can I get over my bitterness at being laid off? After a lot of uncertainty, my position at a nonprofit is being downsized and I’m being let go. I’m taking it pretty hard because it’s opening up a lot of painful uncertainties in my […] Read the full article →
update: my manager doesn’t want me to meet with clients unless I lose weight by Alison Green on December 9, 2014 Remember the letter-writer who was told that she shouldn’t meet with clients unless she lost weight? Here’s the update. In October, I resigned from my position at the consulting firm. The original conversation – where I was told that the brand is “thin and edgy” was incredibly difficult and I made it very clear to […] Read the full article →
how to spread holiday cheer at work — without spiking the punch by Alison Green on December 9, 2014 Are you an influence for good at your workplace? Or are you often a negative force? You don’t have to be Santa Claus to spread holiday cheer at work. Here are five things you can do to make your workplace a more joyous one this month – and no, we’re not talking about spiking the […] Read the full article →
can I refuse to put up Christmas decorations at work? by Alison Green on December 9, 2014 A reader writes: My employer is asking all of us to decorate our offices/work areas for Christmas this year. The decorations are provided, and she thinks it will brighten up the office. I work as an administrative assistant in the front of the office. Because of some difficult personal reasons, I will not be celebrating […] Read the full article →
asking an interviewer about guns at work, when a department has fallen apart, and more by Alison Green on December 9, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Asking an interviewer whether any employees bring guns to work No really, this IS hypothetical! Maybe it’s a silly question, but it just occurred to me and I’m curious about your take. A candidate, Jane, is contemplating a job offer at Firm “X”—just a standard […] Read the full article →
update: I pulled a prank on a coworker — and it ended badly by Alison Green on December 8, 2014 Remember the letter-writer who pulled a prank on a coworker, and the coworker did not appreciate the joke? Here’s the update. Not a whole lot has happened since. The apology was made at the time of the incident (when he threatened me) but we didn’t talk much after that, only professionally when we did. By […] Read the full article →
the 5 skills you need to work for yourself by Alison Green on December 8, 2014 Thinking about going into business for yourself? If you have a talent or skill or product idea that you think people would pay for, you might be tempted to strike out on your own and see if you can turn it into a business. After all, what’s better than working for yourself, having no boss, […] Read the full article →
update: our museum volunteer is out of control by Alison Green on December 8, 2014 Remember the letter-writer who managed a museum that was saddled with a rogue volunteer who no one could control (and who was protected by the board of directors)? Here’s the update. Unfortunately, this is not a particularly happy update. Since I wrote in last April, three of our board members have met with Steve several […] Read the full article →
CEO’s daughter gets special treatment, I almost fainted during a meeting, and more by Alison Green on December 8, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. CEO’s daughter gets special treatment I just started working for a new company, and it’s a small, family-owned investment firm. Everyone here is really nice, but I noticed one thing that I thought was kind of strange. The CEO/owner’s daughter is an employee here (she […] Read the full article →
Sunday free-for-all – December 7, 2014 by Alison Green on December 7, 2014 This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand. (This one is truly non-work only; if you have a work question, you can email it to me or post it in the work-related open thread on Fridays.) Have at it. Read the full article →