weekend free-for-all – June 16-17, 2018 by Alison Green on June 16, 2018 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: The Mars Room, by Rachel Kushner, about a woman serving two life sentences in prison, how she got there, and how she […] Read the full article →
open thread – June 15-16, 2018 by Alison Green on June 15, 2018 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 won’t let me give my staff feedback in case it hurts their feelings, and more by Alison Green on June 15, 2018 It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. My boss won’t allow me to give my team constructive criticism in case it hurts their feelings I have been working at a small company for the last two years, and I’ve been in a management role for the last year. I’m proud of my performance and […] Read the full article →
an employer told me I was their back-up candidate in case their first choice didn’t work out by Alison Green on June 14, 2018 A reader writes: I recently applied for my dream job at a highly competitive company in my city. After two phone interviews with the hiring manager (Jane) and others, I was invited for an in-person interview with Jane and another staff member. The interview lasted about an hour. My nerves got the better of me, […] Read the full article →
my coworker keeps pushing junk food on me by Alison Green on June 14, 2018 A reader writes: A few coworkers and I have been working really hard to support each other in adopting healthier eating habits. I am admittedly weak around tempting treats, so I don’t keep these things on hand at home or at work. Our company recently hired a very sweet woman who is acutely obese. She […] Read the full article →
ask the readers: should I talk to my employee about her sex offender boyfriend? by Alison Green on June 14, 2018 Per what may become a Thursday tradition, I’m throwing this letter out to readers to weigh in on: I own a small insurance office with two female employees. One employee (with me less than a year) was picked up after work by her new boyfriend. When he came in, he gave me several looks that made […] Read the full article →
hiring a candidate with controversial political views, my boss doesn’t like it when women curse, and more by Alison Green on June 14, 2018 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Should we consider a candidate’s hot-button political views in hiring? We recently interviewed a candidate who previously held a position at an organization involved a hot-button issue. This candidate is also very involved in the issue through social media, even having created a public persona […] Read the full article →
how can I hire good candidates to work in a dysfunctional environment? by Alison Green on June 13, 2018 A reader writes: I work for a small organization (about 40 employees) that is currently in transition. We have had significant staff turnover in the last two years, and the result has pushed the organization into a level of dysfunction that I know will drive many good quality candidates away. However, I still have to […] Read the full article →
it is okay to clip your nails at work? by Alison Green on June 13, 2018 A reader writes: Is it okay for folks to clip their nails in the office? In my last two cubicle-type jobs, there has been at least one person who clips their nails in the office on a regular basis. I think that practice is absolutely revolting (groom at home, people!), but other people I’ve vented […] Read the full article →
I’m ashamed of my past behavior at work — do I need to change fields? by Alison Green on June 13, 2018 A reader writes: I have an ongoing concern that has a lot to do with mental health but also has to do with work. I am seeing a therapist regularly to deal with the mental health aspect but I’m hoping to get insight from you on the work piece of it. I’m about seven years […] Read the full article →