my employee is needy and gossipy by Alison Green on September 4, 2019 A reader writes: I work for a small company that’s very fast-paced. I have two reports in admin roles, Amelia and Molly. They were hired at the same time about five months ago and work in the same office (literally one room — we’re looking for a bigger space) in a different state from me […] Read the full article →
my employee keeps correcting my work by Alison Green on September 4, 2019 A reader writes: I manage a team of eight, all of whom have worked for the company much longer than I have. One of my employees has developed the habit of editing documents that I hand out during team meetings. She uses a red pen and makes a show of doing so. These are not […] Read the full article →
I now manage the guy who hired me — and I’m afraid he might quit over it by Alison Green on September 4, 2019 A reader writes: I was recently promoted to a department director role, and while I’m very excited about my new responsibilities, I have a dilemma that I need some help with: one of my direct reports is my former boss who hired me into the company. Backstory: I’ve been here for eight years. I was […] Read the full article →
we’re supposed to share emotional baggage at meetings, manager calls to me whenever I pass his door, and more by Alison Green on September 4, 2019 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. We’re supposed to share any emotional baggage at the start of meetings I work in higher ed. My supervisor has recently adopted a “baggage-drop” activity, where we all go around the room and share what is on our minds, mostly personal stuff, supposedly to clear our […] Read the full article →
can I ask what to expect at a job interview? by Alison Green on September 3, 2019 A reader writes: I have a job interview next week and because I’m a new grad it’s one of many I’ve had this year. All interviewers have been wildly different in their approach, questions, and scope of inquiry. I interviewed at the public library and felt like I had undergone trivia hour: explain our mantra, […] Read the full article →
my boss wants me to take on a new task – and I don’t want to! by Alison Green on September 3, 2019 A reader writes: I started a new job about four months ago in my field, but in an entirely new role. I have been in customer-facing tech support for the past six years, and was extremely excited to have my first non-customer facing role. Now I do mostly technical writing and lots of project-based content […] Read the full article →
my boss has ideas all the time — and I don’t know which ones she’s serious about by Alison Green on September 3, 2019 A reader writes: I have a problem with my boss. She is really good at the substance of what we are doing but has a random approach to management. She is very much an Ideas All The Time person; I am her unofficial deputy and I manage a lot of our department’s planning and all […] Read the full article →
our office showed a disturbing safety video, am I a mentor now, and more by Alison Green on September 3, 2019 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Our office showed a disturbing safety video Warning: The following question discusses violent imagery. Recently we were assigned our annual corporate mandatory trainings, which included a workplace safety training on what to do in case of an active shooter. I know this is something companies […] Read the full article →
Labor Day open thread by Alison Green on September 2, 2019 It’s Labor Day! 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 a question […] Read the full article →
my company wants my police report, boss wants me to lie about a layoff, and more by Alison Green on September 2, 2019 It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. My company wants to include personal info in our proposals I work in an industry where getting work involves big, elaborate proposals. I’m not in the most prominent position, but I do have to submit resumes and information for these proposals on a pretty regular […] Read the full article →