my assistant quit because of St. Patrick’s Day pinching by Alison Green on March 20, 2017 This letter was originally part of a five-short-answers column, but it’s getting enough interest that I’m making it its own post. The other four letters that were originally bundled with it are now here. A reader writes: This past Friday, the office I work at got into the spirit of Saint Patrick’s Day. We were […] Read the full article →
asking a client to cover child care costs, did I over-share about my new salary, and more by Alison Green on March 20, 2017 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My assistant quit because of St. Patrick’s Day pinching This letter got so much interest that I made it into its own post, so that it didn’t overwhelm the comment section here. 2. Can I ask for child care costs to be covered as as contractor? […] Read the full article →
weekend free-for-all – March 18-19, 2017 by Alison Green on March 18, 2017 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.) Recommendation of the week: The Miseducation […] Read the full article →
update: I racked up $20,000 in personal charges on my company credit card by Alison Green on March 17, 2017 Remember the letter-writer a couple of years ago who had racked up $20,000 in personal charges on his company credit card and was in a horrible cycle of using the card to take Paypal cash advances to pay it off each month, thus moving it to the next month, along with interest charges? He updated once a […] Read the full article →
open thread – March 17-18, 2017 by Alison Green on March 17, 2017 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 →
my boss is insisting I get my tonsils out, my applicants including cover letters, and more by Alison Green on March 17, 2017 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss is insisting I get my tonsils out I took a day off work because I have tonsillitis. I returned to work with a sick certificate. My manager took me into the office and told me that since it wasn’t the first time I […] Read the full article →
I resigned, and my employer asked me to write them a check by Alison Green on March 16, 2017 A reader writes: I work for a state university in Washington state. Part of my job requires me to travel to conferences, and we book flights, hotel accommodations, and registration far ahead of time. I gave notice last Friday and today my boss came into my cube to let me know that she’d like me […] Read the full article →
update: our museum volunteer is out of control by Alison Green on March 16, 2017 Remember the letter-writer in 2014 who managed a museum that was saddled with a rogue volunteer who no one could control (and who was protected by the board of directors)? She wrote in with an update later that year and again in 2015. Here’s the latest update. I’m still here at the organization. I’m extremely dedicated […] Read the full article →
ask the readers: misconceptions about work when you’re early in your career by Alison Green on March 16, 2017 On a post last week, commenters were talking about misconceptions about work that people often have early in their careers. For example, people new to the work world are often unsure or confused about: * what it really means when people say you should show initiative (and that some types of initiative are okay when […] Read the full article →
I can’t get back to my desk if I forget my access card, my boss is upset with my new employer, and more by Alison Green on March 16, 2017 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I can’t get back to my desk after using the bathroom if I forget my access card My workplace handles sensitive information and, as such, must keep the place locked up. The area with work desks is behind locked glass doors that require an access […] Read the full article →