my employees don’t like the way I coach them by Alison Green on May 18, 2020 A reader writes: I’m a fairly new manager of a small team and recently received some feedback from an employee that I don’t know what to do about. A previous employee had also given me the same feedback so I’m starting to see a pattern. When team members come to me with questions, I tend […] Read the full article →
will interviewers ask what you achieved during the pandemic? by Alison Green on May 18, 2020 A reader writes: I’ve been seeing people online say that in the future, job interviewers will ask candidates questions like, “What did you do to continue developing your skills during the pandemic?” and “What did you achieve during the shutdown, even if you weren’t working?” Some people in my circle have been spending time figuring […] Read the full article →
employee wants to take high-risk vacation, my job is about to be outsourced, and more by Alison Green on May 18, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My employee wants to vacation outside the state in the midst of coronavirus My direct report has requested vacation time late next month and followed up on his request because he found a great deal on a flight. When I pressed him about it, he […] Read the full article →
weekend free-for-all – May 16-17, 2020 by Alison Green on May 16, 2020 This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand. (This one is truly no work and no school.) Book recommendation of the week: The Other Bennet Sister, by Janice Hadlow. The story of Mary Bennet, the plain, seemingly stick-in-the-mud sister from Pride and Prejudice. I usually don’t like […] Read the full article →
updates: the wife messing up business travel, and more by Alison Green on May 15, 2020 It’s a special “where are you now?” season at Ask a Manager, when I’m running updates from people who had their letters here answered in the past. Here are three updates from past letter-writers. 1. Telling my boss his wife messed up his business travel I’m the letter writer who wasn’t sure how I should […] Read the full article →
it’s your Friday good news by Alison Green on May 15, 2020 It’s your Friday good news, with more accounts of success even in this weird time. 1. I’ve read AAM for many years now, and I always saw the letters from people who got amazing new jobs and doubled their salaries and thought, “Well, sure, but that could never be me.” Well… after four years working […] Read the full article →
open thread – May 15-16, 2020 by Alison Green on May 15, 2020 It’s the Friday open thread! 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 […] Read the full article →
can I put up privacy film at work, how to explain my dead-end job, and more by Alison Green on May 15, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Can I put up privacy film on a window to block an annoying exec from watching me? I work on the executive floor of a traditional office building as an executive assistant. The floor is set up so that the hallway is lined on one […] Read the full article →
using a job offer to get a counteroffer from your current company — does COVID change things? by Alison Green on May 14, 2020 A reader writes: I’ve been interviewing with a great nonprofit since before Covid started and I expect to receive an offer this week. The company, team, and mission are great, and the offer will likely come with a medium-large pay bump. I also love my current job and team, but it’s in a field that […] Read the full article →
updates: the office above a bar, the intern with a terrible attitude, and more by Alison Green on May 14, 2020 It’s a special “where are you now?” season at Ask a Manager, when I’m running updates from people who had their letters here answered in the past. Here are three updates from past letter-writers. 1. I’m in recovery and my office just moved above a bar I am the person who wrote in about being […] Read the full article →