getting bcc’d on an unhappy email, keeping in touch with a horrible manager, and more by Alison Green on June 11, 2015 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Employee bcc’d me on a frustrated email to her boss, who I manage I supervise a team of staff, and one of the workers wrote an unhappy note to her direct boss and that person’s supervisor (I supervise them all) and bcc’d me. I did […] Read the full article →
my coworker obsessively checks my calendar all day long by Alison Green on June 10, 2015 A reader writes: I have a coworker who recently got reprimanded for wasting excessive time during the workday. Since this happened, I can see that she has been checking my calendar multiple times a day (the email client we use provides a feature where you can see who recently viewed your calendar) to see what […] Read the full article →
why your job postings aren’t attracting the right candidates by Alison Green on June 10, 2015 No offense, but your job postings probably suck. Statistically speaking, at least. The weird reality is, the vast majority of job postings read like poorly-written internal processes manuals at the world’s most bureaucratic company. They do the exact opposite of what they’re supposed to do. Job postings should be marketing documents; they should attract people who will be excited […] Read the full article →
my boss has phone sex with his girlfriend with his office door open by Alison Green on June 10, 2015 A reader writes: My boss calls his significant other on the phone quite frequently. They have “lovey dovey” conversations. His door is always open so everyone in the building can hear this. I find this annoying and unprofessional. But I’m new, it doesn’t seem to bother anyone else, and he’s not the most approachable person, […] Read the full article →
bringing a boyfriend to company’s family events, scared to resign because boss will explode, and more by Alison Green on June 10, 2015 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Can I bring my boyfriend to my company’s family events? My company holds several events throughout the year (like a crab dinner and race) for employees and their families. I am a single 29-year-old woman with no kids, so showing up solo to these family […] Read the full article →
can my cover letter ask for more money than an employer’s posted salary range? by Alison Green on June 9, 2015 A reader writes: I think I know the answer already, but I want to ask anyhow. I work in a rather “niche” specialty. I am currently employed, but am exploring my options elsewhere for a whole lot of reasons. Within my specific field, there aren’t a lot of job openings posted and the pay isn’t […] Read the full article →
what to do when you inherit a struggling team by Alison Green on June 9, 2015 When you walk into a new management role and inherit an existing team, you’re hoping that they’re all stars who you’ll be delighted to work with. But sometimes – especially when you have a different vision than your predecessor or when you were brought in to take things in a different direction – you might find […] Read the full article →
my colleague won’t stop trash-talking herself by Alison Green on June 9, 2015 A reader writes: I’m working a large project with Hank, another manager who is my peer. We have divided our workload, and the way it works out is that I am primarily supervising three of our staff, while Hank is supervising the remaining two. I have a bit of a friendlier relationship with Samantha, one […] Read the full article →
changing into workout clothes at the office, my interviewer tried to figure out my age, and more by Alison Green on June 9, 2015 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Changing into workout clothes at the office I’ve been working here for 10+ years, but recently started going to a local yoga studio. The studio has inadequate changing facilities for the after-work classes, and my workplace is generally relaxed about health/fitness (for example, my boss […] Read the full article →
did my employer mishandle my layoff? by Alison Green on June 8, 2015 A reader writes: I was planning on quitting my nonprofit job because during my evaluation my manager criticized me for taking lunch breaks out of the office, ignoring her emails to my personal address after hours, and not working 50 to 60 hour weeks (without overtime pay). Instead, I was gratefully laid off with 30 […] Read the full article →