the rise of the Dark Knight workplace vigilante by Alison Green on May 5, 2017 The Guardian has a pretty funny article on “Dark Knights of the office” — or, as they put it, “lone vigilantes who police the workplace, ever watchful for heinous crimes that cannot go unpunished. Woe to those who step out of line and return from break two minutes late, leave food in the office fridge […] Read the full article →
open thread – May 5-6, 2017 by Alison Green on May 5, 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 →
boss won’t stop asking how he can thank us, interviews when your spouse is a candidate, and more by Alison Green on May 5, 2017 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Manager won’t stop asking how he can thank us My company gives out general bonuses quarterly. Being on the lower end of the totem pole, the bonuses that my coworkers and I get are far less than management, which is fine, it is what it […] Read the full article →
what niche job boards do you use to find job openings? by Alison Green on May 4, 2017 A couple of weeks ago, I published a question from someone asking what niche job boards are. My answer: They’re really just industry-specific job boards. If you have a professional association for your field (e.g., the Public Relations Society of America if you’re in PR, the National Society of Professional Engineers if you’re an engineer, and […] Read the full article →
update: my new boss cheated in college — and I was the one to investigate him by Alison Green on May 4, 2017 Remember the letter-writer who realized that her new boss was someone she investigated for cheating when they were in college together? Here’s the update. Before updating, I wanted to wait for a good ending to this story, and now I have one! Soon after my department hired the new manager (my former college classmate), I […] Read the full article →
my coworkers are snarky and air frustrations in front of the whole staff by Alison Green on May 4, 2017 A reader writes: I work in a small organization with only 20 employees. I’m going a little crazy because a few of my colleagues are really public about their frustrations with other colleagues. I think it’s one thing to say, “I’m feeling really frustrated with _____ because ______” in a personal conversation with another colleague. […] Read the full article →
employee told two coworkers they’re overweight, friend has no experience but wants the job, and more by Alison Green on May 4, 2017 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Diet-obsessed employee told two coworkers they’re overweight I manage a small team at a mid-size company. We work very closely with another team on a daily basis. “Mike,” a member of that team, is a vegan and loves to tell people about his lifestyle. It’s […] Read the full article →
update: I accidentally insulted my boss’s daughter by Alison Green on May 3, 2017 Remember the letter a few weeks ago from someone who, uh, ended up calling her boss’s daughter a whore? Here’s the update. Thank you so much for your compassionate response, and to your commenters for their objective input. I am happy to report a relatively good outcome. There may have been only one or two commenters […] Read the full article →
how to fire an employee who’s trying hard by Alison Green on May 3, 2017 A reader writes: I was recently promoted to oversee a team of 3. One woman who was hired before I started is not able to fully perform her job responsibilities. The employee readily admits that is true, and is very receptive to training and coaching but I am certain it will take years to get […] Read the full article →
can I tell clients that I don’t talk on the phone? by Alison Green on May 3, 2017 A reader writes: I’m a freelance graphic artist. I work with some regular clients, but a lot of my work is one-off projects for small business clients. I’m always open to new clients, though I also have a steady stream of work, enough to be comfortable. I get some of my work through a freelancer […] Read the full article →