update: my manager doesn’t defend me from mistaken complaints by Alison Green on June 9, 2016 Remember the letter-writer last year whose manager wouldn’t defend her when other people had mistaken complaints about her work? Here’s the update. Thanks for your advice! I realized through responding to comments (which were pretty vicious toward my supervisor! no one believed me that she’s actually great!) that the problem was limited to the two […] Read the full article →
if you’re self-employed or want to be, this post is for you by Alison Green on June 9, 2016 Are you self-employed or want to be self-employed? The comments section on this post is open for all talk related to self-employment — whether it’s frustrations with clients, the pure ecstasy of working in your pajamas, the weirdness (and sometimes pure ecstasy) of not having coworkers, what the hell is up with your taxes, questions about […] Read the full article →
my boss sent around photos of my coworker in body paint, getting paid for commute time, and more by Alison Green on June 9, 2016 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss sent around photos of my coworker in body paint My boss and a coworker became Facebook friends. My manager was snooping around on her Facebook profile and saw some pictures of her without clothes on but with her privates covered in body paint, […] Read the full article →
I’m being pressured to contribute to gifts for resigning coworkers — and it’s increasingly obnoxious by Alison Green on June 8, 2016 A reader writes: Recently, two of my colleagues both gave their month-long notices; they are moving on to new positions in the community after five and six years here, respectively. After the news was announced, our boss threw a small party during lunch hours that we all attended. Our organization ordered food and a cake, […] Read the full article →
my employees and their relatives are coming to my house and leaving me threatening voicemails by Alison Green on June 8, 2016 A reader writes: How do I handle a manager above me who insists on interfering in decisions I make regarding my employees — such as leave time, work assignments, staff not coming into work and then apologizing to him with no explanation to me, etc.? When I approach my manager regarding very specific issues that have arisen, such as […] Read the full article →
my employees are afraid they’ll be ostracized after they’re promoted by Alison Green on June 8, 2016 A reader writes: I manage a public service department in a public library and have for the past three years. Most of my employees are older than me and have worked together for 15+ years. I have heard on multiple occasions that I am the same age as their children, which is always a fun […] Read the full article →
should I invite my boss to dinner at my house, employer thought I was yelling during salary negotiation, and more by Alison Green on June 8, 2016 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Should I invite my boss to dinner at my house? I’ve been thinking it might be nice to invite my boss and his wife to my home to have dinner — but I keep having second thoughts about it. I’ve been at the job five […] Read the full article →
can I request that I not be alone with my boss? by Alison Green on June 7, 2016 A reader writes: I don’t like, respect, or trust my boss. I am currently on FMLA due to my mental illness, which was greatly exacerbated by his behavior and some serious stress at work. I will have to go back in a few weeks and just the thought of going back gives me feelings of […] Read the full article →
does your team need to disconnect from work? by Alison Green on June 7, 2016 Does any of this sound familiar: • You send a work email at midnight and get a reply five minutes later. • You come into the office early to get some work done without interruptions and your in-box has already filled up with messages sent from coworkers the night before. • You get the distinct sense […] Read the full article →
where’s the line between pretty clothes and professional clothes? by Alison Green on June 7, 2016 A reader writes: What is the line (if there even is one) between pretty and professional? I’m not quite a grad, but I’m trying to get part-time or temp work, and that’s included a few interviews. While I’ve felt professional enough, I’ve always wondered if it came off that way to others. For example, I […] Read the full article →