how much should I change my style to meet my employee’s emotional needs? by Alison Green on August 29, 2017 A reader writes: After being a one-person department for the past 10 years, I’ve successfully lobbied our board of directors for two part-time assistants. One of them, “Margaret,” is actually of retirement age, but because of her unique background, energy level and familiarity with our business, we were willing to take a chance on her, […] Read the full article →
manager paid bonuses from her own money, mailing list etiquette, and more by Alison Green on August 29, 2017 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Manager paid bonuses from her personal money A friend of mine, Jackson, shared this conundrum with me, and I immediately thought of emailing you because it’s kind of a doozy. Jackson works for a mid-sized government organization and was recently promoted to a program manager […] Read the full article →
my coworker keeps falling asleep at her desk by Alison Green on August 28, 2017 A reader writes: I started a new job a few months ago, working as scientific technical staff at a university. I work in an office with six others, all in similar roles, all reporting to one manager. One of my coworkers consistently falls asleep in the office. She has had a difficult home life recently […] Read the full article →
how not to be the annoying new person at your new job by Alison Green on August 28, 2017 Starting a new job is tough – you have to get used to new work, new colleagues, a new boss and new office culture. Sometimes people try so hard to be at home right away in a new office that they end up inadvertently alienating their new co-workers. Don’t be that person! Here are eight […] Read the full article →
my coworker trained me and now won’t stop telling me how to do my job by Alison Green on August 28, 2017 A reader writes: I’m having some difficulty understanding my role in my organization and I’m not sure how to address it. I’m working in a field where it’s expected that you get on with your work with a pretty high degree of autonomy. I know what my tasks are, but there is some judgment that […] Read the full article →
I faked a team brainstorming meeting, my coworker lies about how much work she does, and more by Alison Green on August 28, 2017 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I faked a team brainstorming meeting I recently started my first job out of college and was given a task by my boss to brainstorm some plans with my team and send her what we came up with. It ended up being a crazy week […] Read the full article →
weekend free-for-all – August 26-27, 2017 by Alison Green on August 26, 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.) Book recommendation of the week: I’ve got nothing. Moving is hard work. My only recommendation is that you never move. Previous years’ book recommendations can be found here […] Read the full article →
open thread – August 25-26, 2017 by Alison Green on August 25, 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. Also! I’m still swamped […] Read the full article →
new employee faking her social media following, my manager tries to sell me products I don’t want, and more by Alison Green on August 25, 2017 It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. My manager is trying to sell me multi-level marketing products I am currently in my first position after graduate school. I have been in this position a little over a year, and was recently promoted. I really love what I do and the people I […] Read the full article →
a job candidate cut me out of an interview in favor of my male colleague by Alison Green on August 24, 2017 A reader writes: We received a direct job application from a great candidate. Great cover letter. Great experience. She hit all the marks (I feel gender is important here). I’m a female partner at a small firm for our industry. I replied to her with a note saying, in short, “I really like you — […] Read the full article →