my employee announced she’s leaving but doesn’t know when by Alison Green on November 7, 2019 A reader writes: My part-time employee called me to notify me that she has decided that she is going to be leaving because she has decided that she needs a full-time job with benefits. This is not an option in my small business, so I can understand her position. However, she also said that she […] Read the full article →
how to run a tiny business that isn’t an iceberg of dysfunction by Alison Green on November 7, 2019 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I was really interested by the recent discussion in the comments on your post about the small business owner who gave his “best bud” as a reference, and how very small businesses can be Icebergs of Dysfunction. It would be amazing to have more of […] Read the full article →
my boss wants me to share my location with her constantly, interviewer asked if I was pregnant, and more by Alison Green on November 7, 2019 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss wants me to “share my location” with her constantly I’ve decided to hunker down in my current toxic job for now. My boss is old enough to be my mother, which I mention because she likes to “mother” the younger people of our […] Read the full article →
I’m in recovery and my office just moved above a bar by Alison Green on November 6, 2019 A reader writes: I recently quit drinking and I am four months sober. It’s been going well for the most part, but my job has just relocated to an office space that is directly above a bar. Upon signing the lease papers, our very small office (less than 10 people) went down to the bar […] Read the full article →
how big a deal is employee lateness? by Alison Green on November 6, 2019 A reader writes: I manage an exempt employee who is frequently late: 15-20 minutes late at least once a week. He has a long commute that can be unpredictable when it comes to traffic, but after a year working here I don’t consider traffic a valid excuse. When I mentioned the lateness, he said in […] Read the full article →
I’m afraid to give critical feedback after two employees threatened suicide by Alison Green on November 6, 2019 A reader writes: I am a manager and I have a lot of empathy for people, particularly those on my team. However, that empathy has taken a turn since I’ve now had employees twice threaten suicide after serious feedback conversations. In both cases I was told they were considering suicide because of the potential job […] Read the full article →
is it rude to send emails late at night, should I tell my boss I’m job hunting, and more by Alison Green on November 6, 2019 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Is it rude to send emails late at night? I am currently still in college and involved in a number of clubs that require me to email administrators, deans, and other official people at my university. I have a tendency to be up late (think […] Read the full article →
job postings that list “happy” and “high self-esteem” as requirements by Alison Green on November 5, 2019 A reader writes: I’m curious to hear your opinion on something I’ve seen recently in job postings. Twice this week I’ve come across job descriptions indicating that the companies in question only hire happy people. These were job postings at two separate companies. The first one stated they were looking for someone happy (happy was […] Read the full article →
my new coworker is the woman my husband had an affair with by Alison Green on November 5, 2019 A reader writes: I’ve been with my husband for 25 years. For the last six years we have worked for the same company, in the same division and even on the same floor. It’s actually worked out really well, except for one thing. Five years ago, he came home with a hickey on his neck. […] Read the full article →
my coworker is trying to get me transferred so his girlfriend can have my job by Alison Green on November 5, 2019 A reader writes: I just found out that my married coworker is campaigning to get me transferred to another department … possibly so his girlfriend can have my job! Someone from the other department is retiring and his “girlfriend” is just finishing up her degree and is currently interning for our company. The reason that […] Read the full article →