November 2016

where are you now? (a call for updates)

At the end of each year, I publish a slew of “where are they now” updates from people whose questions I answered here in the past. So… If you’ve had your question answered here in the past, please email me an update and let us know how your situation turned out. Did you take the advice? […]

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why did this company lead me on about salary?

A reader writes: I recently had a bizarre interview experience and was hoping you may be able to provide some clarity to the situation. I applied for a job that’s the same title as the one I currently hold, but at another company that’s similar in many ways to one I’m currently working at. I […]

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how to manage a Jekyll-and-Hyde employee

Sometimes it’s easy to assess and give feedback on an employee’s performance: a person is clearly doing well, or is clearly struggling. But what if you’re managing someone who’s great at their work some of the time but strikingly weak at other times? Or someone who’s easy to work with some days but irritable and […]

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my horse died because of my manager’s carelessness

A reader writes: My friend and I shared a paddock in which we kept our horses. She did the morning feeds and I did the afternoon feeds. One morning, when my friend was feeding up, she discovered that my 29-year-old mare was colicing (basically a stomach upset; horses can’t throw up so if there is […]

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how to tell an employee “no nose rings”

A reader writes: I have had a wonderful front desk receptionist/medical biller for six years. She always goes out of her way and is extremely dedicated. Well, yesterday she came in with a nose ring. I don’t know how to handle it without hurting her feelings. She’s had a tough life. Please let me know […]

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