how can I find new hires who will be comfortable with our “boys club” culture? by Alison Green on November 23, 2020 A reader writes: I’m looking to add a new employee to my team, most likely a recent college graduate, and I’m not quite sure how to come up with questions to ensure a good cultural fit. Our team is a bit of a “boys club” with cursing and the occasional inappropriate joke made in smaller […] Read the full article →
we can only bring our spouses to the holiday party if we have kids by Alison Green on November 23, 2020 A reader writes: I’ve considered writing in years past about my company’s Christmas party, but I never felt like I had any agency to change things. This year the Christmas party is cancelled (obviously) so when we resume next year (hopefully) it will be a chance to re-set the rules, so to speak. Our company […] Read the full article →
HR won’t let me do anything about my horrible employee, coworker plays music all day, and more by Alison Green on November 23, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. HR won’t let me do anything about my horrible employee I have an hourly worker who routinely comes in 5 – 7 minutes late and leaves 5 – 7 minutes early. I’ve been told by our HR department I can’t “legally” require her to be […] Read the full article →
weekend open thread – November 21-22, 2020 by Alison Green on November 21, 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: Cobble Hill, by Cecily von Ziegesar. It’s about four families — including a former rock star, a school nurse, a renowned but struggling novelist, a performance […] Read the full article →
it’s your Friday good news by Alison Green on November 20, 2020 It’s your Friday good news, with more accounts of success even in this weird time. 1. For a decade, I’ve worked in a field that while highly coveted, is also extremely demanding and toxic. Everyone thinks the job is glamorous — think entertainment, high level politics, or Madison Avenue advertising. But frankly, after a decade it’s […] Read the full article →
open thread – November 20-21, 2020 by Alison Green on November 20, 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 →
I’m working 17-hour days, ex-employee left a bad review of our vendor, and more by Alison Green on November 20, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I’m working 17-hour days every day I graduated from university at the end of last year, and I’ve had some internships and retail jobs during and after my studies. After months and months of job hunting, I finally got a job at a company, which […] Read the full article →
send in your updates! by Alison Green on November 19, 2020 This is a reminder to send in your updates if you haven’t already! Every December, I publish a slew of “where are they now” updates from people whose questions I answered here in the past. If you’ve had your question answered here in the past, please email me an update and let us know how […] Read the full article →
new director got drunk on his first day by Alison Green on November 19, 2020 A reader writes: I have been with my company five years and recently had an awkward situation. In our company we have four broad levels — VP, director, associate and trainee (there are different levels of seniority at each level). Our company is around 80-90 people, and the VPs are owners and decision-makers with about […] Read the full article →
what to buy your employees for the holidays by Alison Green on November 19, 2020 My inbox fills up at this time of year with questions about holiday gifts at work: Are you supposed to get your boss a gift? What about your employees? What gifts are appropriate, and how much should you spend? Should you really have to chip in to send your CEO and his family on a […] Read the full article →