when you’re inexperienced, how can you know if something is worth complaining about or leaving a job over? by Alison Green on October 12, 2020 I’m off today, so this is a reprint of a post from 2013. A reader writes: If one is unhappy at their work, whether it’s due to their actual responsibilities or problems with their bosses, coworkers, clients, etc., how would one then determine whether it’s a legitimate grievance that grants the right to action, such […] Read the full article →
working from home is making a lot of people miserable by Alison Green on October 12, 2020 We traditionally tend to think of working from home as a perk. You can do your laundry while you work. You can stay in pajamas and control your own thermostat. You can take the dog for a walk. But after being abruptly forced to work from home full time this year, a lot of people have […] Read the full article →
my partner freaks out over any background noise when working from home by Alison Green on October 12, 2020 A reader writes: My partner works in tech. He recently became a consultant after working for companies of various sizes, and he’s used to busy open offices, etc. The problem is, he’s derailed by any disturbances. If, for instance, our dog barks at the postman during a meeting, I come home to rants about how […] Read the full article →
what new hires should wear on video calls, withdrawing from a hiring process, and more by Alison Green on October 12, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. What new hires should wear on video calls I recently received a job offer for a new position that I’m very excited about. My start date is a few weeks out, but I have started to wonder about what to wear as a new hire. […] Read the full article →
weekend open thread – October 10-11, 2020 by Alison Green on October 10, 2020 This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand. Here are the rules for the weekend posts. Book recommendation of the week: Prep, by Curtis Sittenfeld. Away at boarding school, a teenager feels like an outsider. It’s about money and class and identity, and it feels real. * I […] Read the full article →
it’s your Friday good news by Alison Green on October 9, 2020 It’s your Friday good news, with more accounts of success even in this weird time. 1. I have been a frequent reader of your blog for the past five years, and I am so appreciative of all the helpful advice and content you consistently provide to your readers. I have also benefited greatly from the Friday […] Read the full article →
open thread – October 9-10, 2020 by Alison Green on October 9, 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 (that includes school). If you want an answer from me, emailing me is still your best bet*, but this is a chance to talk to other readers. * […] Read the full article →
we have to share our feelings on a color-coded scale, how to demote someone, and more by Alison Green on October 9, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. We have to share our feelings on a color-coded scale My manager has started asking our team to go around the virtual “room” and share our state of mind at the beginning of each meeting. We are supposed to to share how we’re doing on […] Read the full article →
should I really bother with taking vacation time this year? by Alison Green on October 8, 2020 A reader writes: Is it a bad idea not to take all of one’s allotted vacation time? Abe, my one partner (I’m polyamorous), feels strongly that I should use all my time, but I don’t really see the point. I can’t travel, do things, or see family/friends; I’d just stay home and be in the […] Read the full article →
updates: the non-vacation, the maternity leave demotion, and more by Alison Green on October 8, 2020 Here are three updates from people who had their letters answered here in the past. 1. What to say when a “vacation” isn’t a vacation (#4 at the link) Your advice and that of the commenters arrived in time for me to use wording suggestions and to let go of it better when it didn’t […] Read the full article →