Ask a Manager in the media by Alison Green on April 24, 2020 Here’s some coverage of Ask a Manager in the media recently: I talked to the Los Angeles Times about how to socially distance politely. I talked to the BBC about how advice-giving has changed because of coronavirus. I talked to USA Today about why employers need to change their expectations of employees right now. I talked to the Huffington Post about how to deal with micromanaging bosses. I talked to Parade about why people quit their jobs. I talked to Fatherly about what to do if your boss is being unreasonable while you work from home. Also, the excellent Polly Mosendz, the reporter I mentioned here last month, has published two pieces that she told me Ask a Manager readers were sources for: Government Staff Say They’re Forced to Come In for No Reason Trump Mega-Donor, a Shipping Magnate, Pushes to End a Shutdown You may also like:what's the deal with write-ups?my boss says I'm not ready for a promotion, but is giving me work above my pay grademy new employee keeps tagging us in negative social media posts after we've told her to stop { 16 comments }
Blueberry* April 24, 2020 at 2:09 pm You and Polly Mosendz are both working to and succeeding in making our world better. Thank you very, very much!
alienor* April 24, 2020 at 5:00 pm About socially distancing politely, I’ve been wondering whether some members of the the “it’s overblown” faction are going to get aggressive once we’re all going out more. I have absolutely encountered grown adults (more men, but women aren’t exempt) who behave like schoolyard bullies and would deliberately taunt someone who was visibly trying to keep a distance by crowding/lunging at/maybe even chasing them. :-/
SenatorMeathooks* April 24, 2020 at 5:56 pm That last part seems to drift into the realm of actual harassment. Not good. Although I know someone who is in the “it’s overblown” faction, she at least draws the line at disrespecting another person’s social distancing preferences (for what that’s worth).
Ann Onny Muss* April 25, 2020 at 1:16 pm There are a number of people in my city and state saying this whole thing is overblown and “It’s just the flu!” who would absolutely harass people in this fashion. I don’t know if the transition from a stay-at-home to safer-at-home order will provide a release valve for people to not like assholes, or if it will make things worse.
Some internet rando* April 24, 2020 at 5:04 pm Congratulations!! You are a unique voice of reason. I don’t work in a corporate environment so some of what is discussed here doesn’t apply to me, but I find your advice helpful all the same as you always emphasize calm professionalism. I love advice columns and sometimes when work issues come up with other columnists, I think “they should have asked Alison and they would have gotten better advice.”
Kay* April 24, 2020 at 7:29 pm I can’t read the second article by Polly Mosendz? It says I need a subscription.
Princess Zelda* April 24, 2020 at 9:43 pm Bloomberg requires a subscription, but if your local library has Pressreader you might be able to read it there if the article was in the print edition.
Nancy* April 24, 2020 at 9:59 pm Why do people keep posting comments like this? News sites sometimes require a subscription. That’s how they pay their writers. What do you expect Alison to do about it?
Dennis Feinstein* April 28, 2020 at 10:38 am +1 Exactly. The choices are clear: 1) Don’t read the article 2) Pay and read it I’d suggest option 2 as this is how people like Polly pay their bills.
Clementine* April 25, 2020 at 4:41 am Honestly, I wouldn’t speak to anyone who is getting too close. Speaking is an excellent transmitter of droplets (although masks help with that), even better than coughing according to an article I was reading tonight. I don’t want the offenders to respond back. If I am in my building elevator, I try not to have others get aboard, but if they do, I definitely do not speak. I see this as akin to trying to correct a driver who has done some misdeed, when my immediate focus must be on keeping safe that moment.
hamsterpants* April 26, 2020 at 1:03 pm Big oof at that Parade article. Alison’s comment is excellent, of, course, but some of those others have an weird feeling, like those being quoted don’t respect the workers surveyed and want to dismiss real concerns as superficial. 1) “You can’t make student loan payments or buy a Starbucks without money.” “Even companies that have craft beer and ping-pong will have issues with retention if they don’t address what’s going on culturally in their organization.”
Dennis Feinstein* April 28, 2020 at 10:39 am +1 Exactly. The choices are clear: 1) Don’t read the article 2) Pay and read it I’d suggest option 2 as this is how people like Polly pay their bills.