can we tell our company we want cash instead of a holiday celebration? by Alison Green on November 16, 2020 A reader writes: The HR department where I work has been sending out feelers, asking what people want to do this year in lieu of the usual Christmas party. Their suggestions so far include a party over Zoom (logistically difficult) and a fancy gift basket with products from local retailers. Why, oh why, can they […] Read the full article →
my employees keep changing their schedules at the last minute by Alison Green on November 16, 2020 A reader writes: What is a reasonable policy for approving last-minute schedule changes or days off? I’m new to management and have a team of six. So far I’ve approved last-minute schedule changes because I understand that life happens. However, I think that I’ve been too relaxed. I had about 14 last-minute requests over the […] Read the full article →
my dad is giving me weird and sexist career advice by Alison Green on November 16, 2020 A reader writes: I am a woman working in the predominantly male industry of commercial real estate. I have experienced some sexism at work, but nothing I can’t handle on my own. What I do have trouble handling is the sexism that comes from my parents, specifically my dad. I’ve been working in commercial real […] Read the full article →
job search portfolios for students, unsafe holiday party, and more by Alison Green on November 16, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Do job applicants need digital portfolios? I am in education (K-12 public school) and am in need of input on the workings of business and other industries. When hiring are you looking for your applicants to have an ePortfolio that they bring with them during […] Read the full article →
weekend open thread – November 14-15, 2020 by Alison Green on November 14, 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: Solutions and Other Problems, by Allie Brosh. After several years of silence, the author of Hyperbole and a Half (and the blog by the same name) is […] Read the full article →
it’s your Friday good news by Alison Green on November 13, 2020 It’s your Friday good news, with more accounts of success even in this weird time. 1. Although I love my current job/supervisors/coworkers, I’ve hit the salary cap at my current organization. Despite my reservations about changing organizations during this pandemic, I applied for and got a new job! It’s a higher-level version of what I’m […] Read the full article →
open thread – November 13-14, 2020 by Alison Green on November 13, 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 was praised for my insecurities, boss pressures me to reschedule vacations, and more by Alison Green on November 13, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I was praised for my doubts and insecurities I am a first-time manager who walked into a situation no one was expecting. I had to rely on my boss, grandboss, and HR to help me navigate situations that were almost unknown in my organization. I’ve […] Read the full article →
will a job candidate who used to be in charge really be OK with a non-management job? by Alison Green on November 12, 2020 A reader writes: I work in biotech and am in the process of reading resumes and interviewing candidates to replace my only direct report, who left recently when she got a really nice job offer elsewhere. I work full-time at the bench and this is the first time I’ve had to drive the selection process […] Read the full article →
my boss’s boss asked me a fantastic question by Alison Green on November 12, 2020 A reader writes: I wanted to share this amazing question I got from my boss’ boss not too long ago because it stopped me in my tracks, it was so good and helpful. Setting the scene: My boss Perfuma was enjoying some much-deserved time off for a few days, and we ran into a tricky […] Read the full article →