4 more updates from letter-writers by Alison Green on December 16, 2015 Here are three updates from letter-writers who had their questions answered here this year. 1. My new company wants me to change my name I did not take the job with the company that wouldn’t allow me to use my real name. I had decided to accept the job regardless until the company, at the […] Read the full article →
how to train a new hire by Alison Green on December 16, 2015 A reader writes: I’m transitioning out of my job and into a new one. My replacement will start a week from today, and I’ll have a full week to train the new employee. Historically, my organization has not been good at training. When I started this job, my predecessor sat over my shoulder and instructed […] Read the full article →
is my trainer sabotaging my work? by Alison Green on December 16, 2015 A reader writes: I recently switched departments in my mid-size nonprofit, and I feel a little insane. The woman who is training me for this new role has the same title I do and is my peer. She is very good at her job overall (it is a customer support position), but struggles with some […] Read the full article →
I keep breaking office chairs, manager asked if I have a problem working for a woman, and more by Alison Green on December 16, 2015 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I keep breaking my office chairs I know this is a counterpoint to a past letter, so I thought the responses might be interesting. A year or so ago, upper management bought new chairs for our entire office. Overall they’re not terrible, but for me, they’re […] Read the full article →
update: dealing with an overly touchy-feely colleague who wants to talk about feelings all the time by Alison Green on December 15, 2015 Remember the letter-writer whose volunteer committee chair wanted to make their meetings “a safe place” (in a context where that wasn’t really needed) and and spent a bunch of time at already long meetings “checking in” on everyone’s feelings? Here’s the update. I held off updating for a while because almost immediately after I wrote you, the […] Read the full article →
work spouses, creativity vs. productivity, and more by Alison Green on December 15, 2015 Over at Intuit QuickBase’s Fast Track blog today, I take a look at several interesting work-related stories in the news right now: the trade-off for getting your team to be more creative, whether having a “work spouse” increases your productivity, and more. You can read it here. Read the full article →
can I tell my manager that I’m NOT pregnant? by Alison Green on December 15, 2015 A reader writes: Is there any way to ensure my supervisor knows I’m definitely NOT pregnant? I started a full-time office job as a temp five months ago. Before that, I had just graduated art school after six years – a period of time that was amazing, but not entirely financially stable. Having struggled with […] Read the full article →
office party will increase my workload, my wife’s company party makes me uneasy, and more by Alison Green on December 15, 2015 It’s seven holiday-related questions, and seven answers. Here we go… 1. Attending my office holiday party will seriously raise my workload What should you do if attending your office holiday party will result in an increased workload? Our department’s holiday party is going to be during the workday, for four hours. If I am away […] Read the full article →
update: my workplace pulled a mean April Fools prank on employees by Alison Green on December 14, 2015 Remember the letter-writer at the company where, as an April Fools joke, the managers all told employees they were required to work four hours of overtime that night and the following day? And where the HR lady thought it was hilarious that some people “turned white as a sheet”? Here’s the update. I had commented […] Read the full article →
how to ruin employee morale during the holidays by Alison Green on December 14, 2015 If workplaces all around the country this month, loads of holiday initiatives meant to boost employee morale are unfolding: holiday parties, gift exchanges, cubicle and cookie decorating contests, charitable collections, and other events to mark the season. Ironically, though, the very events designed to make workers feel warm and fuzzy can leave an awful lot […] Read the full article →