should we tell dating employees one of them has to quit? by Alison Green on August 13, 2020 A reader writes: In our organization of 25 employees, there are two sets of couples. Having couples on such a small staff is really counterproductive. The couples are always looking out for each other by way of trying to ensure they don’t have to take on extra work and having a counterproductive attitude to other […] Read the full article →
when you live at work: let’s talk about company-provided housing by Alison Green on August 13, 2020 A couple of years ago, I told the story of the time when I worked for an organization that provided free housing for its interns. They’d bought a huge old house, renovated it magnificently, stocked it with food, and housed 6-8 interns in it year-round. They also had a staff member live there rent-free in […] Read the full article →
we were told to bake cookies for our IT team, keeping quarantine hair, and more by Alison Green on August 13, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. We were instructed to bake cookies for our IT team This happened a few years ago but I wanted to get your take on it because it always seemed a little iffy to me. At my job, IT had created a new program for my […] Read the full article →
my boss brags about giving “clear, direct” feedback — but really is just mean by Alison Green on August 12, 2020 A reader writes: I love how often you mention direct, clear feedback! The best manager I ever had, who thankfully was also my first manager, was such a pro at giving clear feedback on the spot with the most polite and respectful tone. It made me want to perform better, and I became a flourishing, […] Read the full article →
how to disagree with your boss by Alison Green on August 12, 2020 When you disagree with your boss, it can be tricky to know whether you should speak up and how to speak up—and a lot of people early in their careers get this wrong. They assume they shouldn’t speak up at all (even when they have info their boss doesn’t have and might appreciate hearing!) or, […] Read the full article →
how much should I keep trying to coach my boss, who is drowning in his job? by Alison Green on August 12, 2020 A reader writes: My boss is like, so broken. This poor man. His own boss strong-armed him into taking a position he isn’t qualified for and can’t handle. He was comfortable and settled before a change in circumstances forced him to evolve and step up. He’s facing pressures the leadership chain above him doesn’t feel […] Read the full article →
employee’s girlfriend comes in every day, using sick time for doctor’s appointments, and more by Alison Green on August 12, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Employee’s girlfriend comes in every day I manage a small independent pharmacy. We recently brought on a young pharmacist. There are usually only three of us working. The pharmacist’s girlfriend works from home now, and since April she has been coming in every day to […] Read the full article →
how can we get dinner privacy with a live-in nanny? by Alison Green on August 11, 2020 A reader writes: Due to COVID-19, we decided to hire a live-in nanny, “Jane.” Jane, though very sweet, takes so long to clean up at night that it is eating into our privacy. My husband and I both work during the day, and dinner is our time to be together after we feed our toddler. […] Read the full article →
my company is incredibly weird when people resign by Alison Green on August 11, 2020 A reader writes: For the past seven years, I’ve worked for a small marketing agency with five full-time employees and two partners who own the businesses. It looks like (fingers crossed!) I’ll be receiving an offer for a new position with a different agency soon, working on projects that I’m excited about with a substantial […] Read the full article →
I wrote an awful story about a coworker, and it’s following me around years later by Alison Green on August 11, 2020 A reader writes: I hope you are willing to hear me out and offer some advice. Some background. I was molested as a child and worked as a prostitute at one time. That doesn’t excuse my behavior, but I feel I don’t have the best judgment. I moved to a very rural state to help […] Read the full article →