my coworker is constantly out and I have to cover for him — including canceling my own vacations by Alison Green on November 16, 2016 A reader writes: The situation at my work has gotten to the point where it so unbearable that I have thought about quitting without having another job lined up. This is my first job after college, and my second-ever job. I have worked here for 17 months. I work in a department that only has […] Read the full article →
my boss emails and texts me at all hours by Alison Green on November 16, 2016 A reader writes: I am a salaried employee. Is it ok for my boss to text me and email me all the time, even late weekends? Is it okay for him to ask me to call an hourly employee late at night to work? I answer this question — and four others — over at […] Read the full article →
my coworker is threatening to lie to get our manager in trouble by Alison Green on November 16, 2016 A reader writes: I eat lunch with the same group every day, mainly because my best work-friend eats with them. Sometimes the others in the group are funny, sometimes just obnoxious, and today was one of the obnoxious days. One of the group, let’s call her Anne, has what I would describe as a contentious […] Read the full article →
intern is wearing leggings as pants, is it okay not to correct some mistakes, and more by Alison Green on November 16, 2016 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My intern is wearing leggings as pants I have taken on a very capable, intelligent intern for the semester in an academic setting. I did mention before agreeing to take on this intern that she would need to dress business casual. Several times I have […] Read the full article →
update: our volunteer group wants to get rid of a problem member by Alison Green on November 15, 2016 Remember the letter earlier this year from a member of a volunteer group that wanted to remove a problematic member from their leadership team? Here’s the update. Thanks so much for running our question! It was great to get so much good feedback from everyone. I have a doozy of an update for you…get ready. I’d like […] Read the full article →
my boss is a micromanager by Alison Green on November 15, 2016 A reader writes: I have a dilemma and I’m hoping you can help me discover if I need to adjust my attitude or seek an alternative to what I’ve been experiencing of late. I recently moved into my very first salaried position in a small company. We have about 15 people in our office (but […] Read the full article →
bringing a baby to work when your child care falls through by Alison Green on November 15, 2016 Here’s another angle on the “kids at work” questions that have come up here recently. A reader writes: I have a 14-month-old son. I returned to work from maternity leave in January after New Year’s when he was four months old. He is in daycare, and this week there was a breakout of hand, foot, […] Read the full article →
employee is refusing to share a hotel room, no-talking mornings, and more by Alison Green on November 15, 2016 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. We have no-talking mornings three times a week My boss went on a meditation retreat, and then came back and asked our team if we’d like to try a no-talking Monday morning. We said sure, and everyone enjoyed the half day of quiet to do […] Read the full article →
does anyone actually like being a manager? by Alison Green on November 14, 2016 A reader writes: On a big picture level, do you think most managers actually enjoy supervising other people? I manage a small team of people who are really pretty good performers overall, but I find the routine stressors and difficult aspects of management to be so draining and anxiety-inducing. Despite this, due to my conscientiousness […] Read the full article →
how to talk politics at work without being a jerk by Alison Green on November 14, 2016 Offices across the country are filled with political talk right now, as people digest last week’s election results and speculate on what the country can expect from the new presidential administration and Republican-controlled Congress. It’s possible to have interesting, productive political conversations with your coworkers … but it’s also possible to cross lines, cause tension […] Read the full article →