should I apply to jobs I’m not fully qualified for? by Alison Green on January 24, 2019 A reader writes: I’ve gotten advice from a lot of other blogs, friends, and family that I should be applying to jobs even if I’m only about 50-75% qualified, and I was wondering what your opinion was. I’ve been applying to jobs that I believe I could do, but for which I don’t have all […] Read the full article →
how do I tell my boss to fire our new hire? by Alison Green on January 24, 2019 A reader writes: I have a coworker who was hired about a month and a half ago. She works very closely with me and I’m unofficially her supervisor – I have done almost 100% of her training, I’m responsible for reviewing her work, and it is expected that she comes to me with questions before […] Read the full article →
how do you avoid burnout when your work is under-funded and emotionally draining? by Alison Green on January 24, 2019 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I’m in my tenth year of working in an elementary school, not as a classroom teacher but in a role that is still certified and student/teacher/parent-facing. My school and district serve a suburban community of mixed income…we have some very white collar, professional families, as […] Read the full article →
my employees finish my sentences, my interviewer left me alone while she ran errands, and more by Alison Green on January 24, 2019 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My employees finish my sentences I’m a manager to a team of four at a mid-sized marketing agency. For the most part, my team is great — they’re dependable, intelligent, and they genuinely care about the work we’re doing. My problem is that I have […] Read the full article →
my employee keeps editing my work — and it feels like a power play by Alison Green on January 23, 2019 A reader writes: I am a relatively new manager who is quite a bit younger than my employees (I am mid-30s, my employees are late 40s/early 50s.) One employee has developed an annoying trait of “doctoring” all my documents that I send out. For example, if I write a policy and procedure for one of […] Read the full article →
what’s wrong with being chilly at work? by Alison Green on January 23, 2019 A reader writes: I’ve been reading your blog and listening to your podcast for a while. There are a number of times you describe certain things as coming off as “chilly” in some of your answers. It clicked for me while reading your response to the letter writer who didn’t want to interact with small […] Read the full article →
my coworkers interrupt me no matter what I’m doing — and keep going after I ask them to stop by Alison Green on January 23, 2019 A reader writes: I wonder if you could offer me some strategies on communicating my availability to my staff and my colleagues. I work in a small organization of about 25 people. We are a tight knit group and our positive, supportive culture is important and intentional. I was promoted a few years ago to […] Read the full article →
my manager wants to be cc’d on all my emails, using sick days after years of perfect attendance, and more by Alison Green on January 23, 2019 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Is it normal for a manager to want to be cc’d on all your emails? I am a first-line supervisor at a 24/7/365 workplace. My boss is a relentless micromanager. This is annoying, but something that I can deal with because I truly love my […] Read the full article →
how can I stop freaking out if I get a curt-sounding email? by Alison Green on January 22, 2019 A reader writes: I’m definitely a relationship person at work and maintain a warm tone in my emails and most interactions with people. I know there are different work styles, but I really struggle with receiving curt-sounding emails. I worry that someone is mad at me or that I’ve done something wrong even when, most […] Read the full article →
how do I announce my pregnancy at work? by Alison Green on January 22, 2019 A reader writes: I’m a 39-year-old middle manager, and I’ve always been openly ambivalent about the idea of having kids. I think that most of my colleagues have reasonably assumed by now that it’s just not on my to-do list! My husband and I haven’t really been trying, but we’ve been cautiously open to the […] Read the full article →