can we ask our roommate not to take a job, my boss says I can’t quit if she gets a federal loan, and more by Alison Green on April 16, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Do I have a right to ask a roommate to NOT take a job right now? My husband and I moved about five hours from our hometown just over a year ago, and while we’re loving it, we’re really missing our friends and family. About […] Read the full article →
two of my employees don’t get along — is it just a personality conflict? by Alison Green on April 15, 2020 A reader writes: I could use some advice about some staff, two of whom report to me and one who doesn’t. Bob reports to me. He assigns cases to both Sue and Sally. Sue reports to me and Sally doesn’t. Sue and Sally don’t like Bob. They don’t like his brusque (but still professional) style, […] Read the full article →
how should managers communicate decisions they don’t agree with? by Alison Green on April 15, 2020 A reader writes: I’m a unit head at a government agency that is having some serious financial and managerial turmoil. The powers that be are contemplating a decision that could have a very negative impact on my area, and our manager called all his units to discuss the issue. He explained the case he would […] Read the full article →
I accidentally flashed my team during a video call by Alison Green on April 15, 2020 A reader writes: After a video team meeting today, I hung up the call and proceeded to get undressed for a shower. After a few seconds, when I was significantly but not completely undressed, I noticed that the app had frozen and was still open. The rest of my team had been staying on for […] Read the full article →
I overheard a horrible fight on a web conference, the missing chocolate egg, and more by Alison Green on April 15, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I overheard a horrible fight on a web conference This morning I was in a web meeting and the moderator was late. Folks were just kind of milling around waiting, most muted, some not. A participant who was not muted was working out of her […] Read the full article →
our employer wants to cut our pay — retroactively by Alison Green on April 14, 2020 A reader writes: I work for a national nonprofit based in the U.S. with offices across the country. On Friday, our CEO sent out the dreaded “due to COVID-19, layoffs are coming” email. In it, we were told that on the following Monday they would be laying off 25% of the staff nationwide, and those […] Read the full article →
I’m so lonely — but how can I ask more of my coworkers right now? by Alison Green on April 14, 2020 A reader writes: I want your advice about “asking for what you need” during this time of pandemic. I’ve been at my job nearly seven months now and I love it, it’s a great step into a sector that’s hard to get into that I’ve wanted to be in for a long time. We have […] Read the full article →
how can we make sure flexibility for parents isn’t unfair to everyone else? by Alison Green on April 14, 2020 A reader writes: I recently read your great advice to an employer who was asking what they could expect of an employee with a young toddler who was having to work from home during the pandemic. I have a related question that I haven’t seen getting much attention that I hope you’ll be able to […] Read the full article →
my fiancee forged my doctor’s note, food perks when working from home, and more by Alison Green on April 14, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I was fired because my fiancee forged me a doctor’s note With the coronavirus going around, my fiancee and I are high-risk. I have hypertension and heart health issues, and she has cancer and immunity issues. I was trying to get a doctor’s recommendation for […] Read the full article →
when you’re a musician who needs to stay at home and neighbors don’t want you playing your instrument by Alison Green on April 13, 2020 A reader writes: I’m in a graduate program for music in New York City. Fortunately, my classmates and I have been able to work from home during this crisis. Unfortunately, this means we have to make all our music in our tiny apartments. Last week, one of my classmates got a text from her landlord […] Read the full article →