how should I decorate my office? by Alison Green on July 18, 2016 A reader writes: What, if any, recommendations do you have regarding office decor? I’m three months into a new position at a distinguished university and I really like it here. I’m in a small, but bright office, and they’re pretty great about providing small comforts to customize where possible (they added a return and privacy […] Read the full article →
what to do when you’re turned down for a promotion by Alison Green on July 18, 2016 If you applied for a promotion and got turned down, you’re probably feeling pretty rejected. Being passed over for a job never feels great, but it can be a particularly bitter pill when you’re turned down by people who you see every day and who know your work well. But a “no” or a “not […] Read the full article →
my staff keeps requesting time off at the last minute, even though I keep asking for advance notice by Alison Green on July 18, 2016 A reader writes: I am a manager in a small office (me, my boss, and my three direct reports), within a very large organization. The size of our office is a bit unusual; most departments have 50+ employees, and many are 100+). As a result, many of our HR policies are set up in an […] Read the full article →
how can I avoid talking about my wedding at work, asking employers to speed up their hiring process, and more by Alison Green on July 18, 2016 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Can I ask employers to interview me faster because of my money situation? My electricity was recently shut off and it will be a week or two before it is scheduled to be back on. I am in the process of doing a ton of phone […] Read the full article →
weekend free-for-all – July 16-17, 2016 by Alison Green on July 16, 2016 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 no work and no school. If you have a work question, you can email it to me or post it in the work-related open thread on Fridays.) Book recommendation of the week: Belgravia, […] Read the full article →
cake drama, getting a job recommendation from a Twitter contact, and more by Alison Green on July 16, 2016 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Could a guy I’ve talked to a bit on Twitter recommend me for a job? I just graduated from college and have been applying to a lot of jobs, including one recently with a research group. I searched my school’s alumni and professors for connections […] Read the full article →
important questions: how could a vampire keep his true nature hidden at work? by Alison Green on July 15, 2016 A reader writes: I found your answer to the Princess Peach question amusing and insightful. This time, my question is about the Cullens, a family of vampires in the Twilight series. The father, Carlisle, is the only working member. Part of being a vampire is living forever, with the appearance of the age you were […] Read the full article →
how to manage someone who wanted your job by Alison Green on July 15, 2016 A reader writes: I’m starting a new management position where I will be the boss. My new manager wants a clear cut idea of how I will be walking in and starting off. According to my new boss, one of the people working there may have some resentment toward me — I am replacing a […] Read the full article →
open thread – July 15-16, 2016 by Alison Green on July 15, 2016 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 […] Read the full article →
job sends photos of mistakes via Facebook, forwarding emails when you’re on vacation, and more by Alison Green on July 15, 2016 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Is it weird that I asked my employee to have his emails forward to me while he’s on vacation? I manage a small team (me and three employees). One of my employees is getting married and leaving for two-week honeymoon in Fiji, which is awesome […] Read the full article →